Anyone fancy starting Couch to 5K on Monday 5th Aug?

[workatemylife]

I have not run for YEARS. In the last 18 months I have lost a lot of weight through diet and exercise (walking), and, it would appear, breastfeeding. But I'm back at work, LO isn't drinking me dry any more, my diet is not all that it could be, and the weight is sneaking back on. I don't have the opportunity for long buggy walks with a gurgling baby to toddler groups and playparks, but I do try to cycle to work to get a bit of exercise, although probably not enough. A couple of friends do Park Run eack weekend and I'd love to join them, but at the moment I suspect it would be Park Huff and Puff before Collapsing rather than actually a RUN .

I'm planning to start a C25K plan on Monday next week, and would love some (virtual) run buddies until I feel brave / fit enough to run with real people as well. I've seen some positive comments about the plan on here, although I think I'm still a little about whether it is possible to progress like that through the weeks and actually get as far as a 5K. Still nothing ventured nothing gained.

I have running shoes somewhere at the back of the wardrobe, but might need to invest in some suitable clothing, and have a weekend of overindulgence lined up. So Monday is the day I think. First Monday of the month, and counting. I'll put a big ring around a late Sept Park Run on the calendar and start counting.....

Anyone care to join me?

Back from W2R1 now. Still getting the muscle soreness in my inner thighs but stretching definitely helps

I stupidly seem to keep pushing myself past the basic plan, as it seems a good idea at the time- first I added a big steep hill into the warm up walk (so I could run in a more private spot) and today I ran a bit of it. Mistake. Will not do that again. Was awfully hard and made the first few runs much harder until my heart rate came down. On the plus side running on the level afterwards feels easier in comparison!

Went out a bit later today and so bumped into a few more people out and about including my FIL who pops over to help us with the garden (DH and I have no idea about gardening and we inherited it full of complicated plants and bushes). FIL was still there on my return and pointed out that a) I had a face like a beetroot and b) I went out looking 25 and came back looking 45 as "stress can show on your face you know"... Well, thanks a bunch

Now I'm thinking back to all the people I smiled at merrily on my way back

Hahahaha, that is quite funny (although disheartening), Tinwe.

Today I took a different route - along a path used by lots of people walking to work - and at least half of them looked at me with some alarm on their faces as I shuffled past them. I just know it was my purple face, riotous hair and pained expression that was making them wonder if they should call an ambulance for me.

Longing for the day when I can stride along, ponytail swinging in the breeze, with a radiant complexion and a serene smile on my face

That sounds like a plan! I can't even get to the stage of being red-faced and panting it seems.
Did my 'run' at 9am but realised after only 4x30sec jogs that my back felt inflamed. I normally push on regardless but today I was sensible and walked the rest of the way. I was still out for 45 mins in total, which is what I aim for, but hopefully holding back will mean I can manage more next time.

And at least, as Lurking I think said, I was out and moving not on the couch!

Had to force myself out this morning for w1r2. THe first half felt forever but the last run at the end was surprisingly easier and feel much better for doing it. Long for the day when I look forward to going out and its pleasure not pain.

I have been idly surfing "tips for beginner runners" online instead of working, like I should be, as I feel a bit exhausted today!

Here's a thing, for people struggling a little bit with the C25K programme: some US running expert or other I found on active.com says this:

With my new runners, I often begin with a 1-minute run/ 5-minute walk interval. We repeat the run/walk interval five times for a great 30-minute workout. Over the next 11 weeks, we gradually increase the running and decrease the walking portions of the intervals until the group is running 30 minutes with no walking.

That sounds like a slightly easier version, and only takes an extra two weeks to get there. Am kind of wishing I had done this one instead

Thad (for that is his name) also says we must not worry about being knackered:

I've heard many a new runner say, "If I feel this tired, drained, and wiped out, what's the point in running?" Understand before you take up running that it takes your body about four to six weeks to acclimate to the new demands. Anticipating that wiped out feeling can actually make it less of a shock. Just know that you're going to feel the effects of your new activity. Hang in there and before you know it, you'll pull out of that dip and begin to feel stronger than before you started.

And of course my bold didn't work but you get the general idea

And my final inspirational tip of the day before I start sounding a little insane is this:

I just looked up the most recent results of my local Parkrun. Hats off to the lady in the age 65-69 bracket who ran the 5K in 24 minutes 13 seconds.

If someone more than 20 years older than me can do that, I am going to keep shuffling my way round my local park until I can at least run as far as her, if not as fast

Just attempted w2r2 and I don't know what the hell is wrong with me but that was awful. I couldn't get my breath at all and my legs felt like lead even during my warm up I gave up and walked halfway and I was still puffing and panting when I got home

I'm going to put it down to a bad day, rest a couple of days and do it again

tally have you drunk enough water today? Thats exactly what happens to me if I'm slightly dehydrated.

I've decided to revisit my bucket list, and added a half marathon to it. Rather an ambitious target given I haven't as yet got my running shoes on but a friend who had a baby this spring and took up running afterwards and is running a half marathon this November. Very inspiring.

Hi all, you guys are doing really well!

Tinwe glad you felt the Get Running app was a worthwhile investment. One of the best couple of pounds I have ever spent! You mentioned you have been looking at better running gaits and stretches - I'd be interested if you had time to share what you have found out.

For the first time I can feel an improvement in my knees today - after 5 rest days. Cannot wait to get back to it. Only two runs away and so worried if I have to rest much longer I will have lost momentum!

Did W1R2 earlier this evening, although I was a bit achey still from Tuesday's efforts. It felt a bit harder than R1, but I did try and jog a bit faster on a couple of the run bits. Glad that I went out and looking forward to R3!

Sorry to hijack this thread, but just wanted to say that to those who feel that running 5k by the end of the program is unachievable, I also felt this way, 9 weeks ago. Yep, you know what I'm going to say... on Sunday I completed the program, and yesterday I decided to run for a five actual kilometres, not 'just' 30 mins, and to my utter disbelief I did it in under 33 mins!

The feeling you get when you reach week 9 is incredible, I totally understand the 'runner's high' thing people talk about!
As the weeks went on, even though I could see that I was making progress, I kept thinking there was no way I could run for thirty minutes. Even when I was running for 20, or 25 minutes, I was convinced I'd never make it.

The best advice I could give would be not to think too far ahead, just concentrate on that particular run. Then break it down even further; when I want to quit, or slow to a walk, I tell myself "If I can make it to that tree, then I'll allow myself to walk", then I make it to the tree and think "well if I could make it to this tree, I can make it to the next one" etc. It's mostly a mental battle!

I know people say this all the time, but seriously, if I can do it, anyone can!
I am overweight and have hated exercise my whole life, but I now call myself a runner

Thanks for that Berry! It DOES feel a million miles away (literally) at the moment but I can be stubborn if I have a goal so I'm hoping completing the programme and even little goals like you suggested on each section will get me there.
Tina- here are some links I liked (hope they work from an iphone)
about breathing
stretches
a reason to enjoy your carbs!
about gait

Woo hoo!!!! They worked!

The carb one has a video of Iron Man competitors near the finish line... Kind of reminds me of my own endeavours!

Thanks berry for the inspiration and also tinwe for the links - esp the gait stuff, I really struggle with keeping my shoulders relaxed so I get a bit achey, for my run tomorrow ill focus on cycling the legs and keeping my shoulders relaxed!

I read something (bupa website I think) about using the early days (and short runs) to perfect your technique, so I think I'll focus on that for the next week or so.

I can't wait to be able to call myself a runner!

Good stuff Tinwe. I especially liked the gait stuff also.
I'm quite a fan of Alexander Technique; some useful hints here.

Good morning running ladies! I've just been recovering from my efforts today by looking over some recent posts and those useful sounding links from Tinwe. Thank you so much for the encouragment berry. For those of us starting out, all the success stories are great to hear.

I just used a mapping website to see if I could work out the distance covered today. Apparently I covered about 2.5 miles (including the five minutes of walking on either end of the 20 minutes of run / walk), which seems like a lot given the lack of speed at which I was moving. Quite encouraging though.

I was being told by lovely Laura from the NHS podcast that it was important to land on the heel of the foot first to avoid injury and I was trying to do this today, possibly to comic effect (remember the Ministry of Funny Walks?). But the 'running gait' link suggests that we should run on the ball of the foot. Well, actually it says that 'elite' athletes do that. I might be exaggerating the scale of my progress in the last week or so

I've read the Alexander technique site too. I might try the tip about lengthening stride by leading with the knee rather than the foot. I think I probably do the foot thing, which may not be helping.

Either way, I love the fact that I'm planning my next run. I hope I can keep up the willpower. I'm might even download week 3 to my mp3 player in eager anticipation so that it is there when I complete week 2.

Did my first run out on the local pavements, moved to a grassy park for the second and just ran laps/lengths. Joints are much happier. Figure I will do this until the runs get a bit longer and hopefully my supporting knee muscles are a bit stronger. Need to do some squats though.
W1R3 tonight (or maybe tomorrow as I have a shocking blister on my heel that hurts)

Well I went out and bought my bra today ladies. I got a shockabsorber runners no bounce. Only downside is that it is shocking pink!

DH doesn't really believe that I'll get out for a run over the weekend. Have to prove him wrong.

Feeling inspired by comments about graduating from the scheme

Haha redwelly, when I was a student and much fitter and richer than I am now I paid £20 extra for the shock absorber bra in pink. They had the black one in the sale but I wanted the bright one. I love OTT bright gym kit even if people don't get to see it.
I'm writing off this week as a fail and counting tomorrow as W1R1.

OscarWilde I was also wondering about the wisdom of running on pavements straight away - we've a big green space near us so I might start out there.

This was £35! I nearly fainted!

Well I've posted twice now and it's eaten them so I'm not posting much this time

Just wanted to add another link in response to the poster who commented on Laura recommending a heel strike.

here

I think she's a bit old fashioned as mid/fore foot strike is recommended by latest research as the new "barefoot" shoes show.

Laura that is, not Work (sorry I forgot it was you posted earlier)!

Red, that's what I paid for mine a few years ago but they're worth every penny.