Anyone fancy starting couch to 5k on 26/8?

[SevenReasonsToSmile]

I've done virtually no exercise since I left school, I'm now 27 . I weigh over 14 stone and I'm horribly unfit. I have family history of heart disease and high blood pressure, and I've finally realised I drastically need to do something to improve my health and fitness. DH is running his second London marathon next year, and tbh I find it embarrassing that A) I weigh more than him and B) he can run 26 miles, I'd struggle to run 26metres without being breathless.

I'm running in the evenings after DCs have gone to bed, I'll do Monday, Weds/Thurs then again on Saturday. Anyone fancy joining me?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

I did the 5+ stamina run tonight and managed 5.3k.

I'm so proud of myself and even more pleased that I'm enjoying it!

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

I'm still going!

It's been tough to get out this week with it being half term and some absolutely atrocious weather but I started the 5+ podcasts today.

I kicked off with the interval training one which was good. Only 16 minutes of running so useful,when time is tight.

I feel better knowing that I've got some structured runs to do again.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Thanks Prudence

I'm going to get DH to put the 5+ podcasts from NHS choices on my iPod for me. There's a 30 minute run, a 16 minute speed one (alternating fas/slow) and a 35 minute stamina run on there so that should give me enough variety and hopefully help me reach the goal of 5k in 30 minutes.

I really hope you can get back to it. I'm amazed at how well the programme worked for me. I just need to keep at it now!

[DearPrudence]

Proud of you Wish. Really well done. And keep going towards that Parkrun! You're the only graduate from this thread

I had a go before last weekend, but I'm not fixed. I feel like I need another thread to get me back on track now. Shoes are fine I think - although a bit old. And now I'm working silly hours, so can only get out at weekends just now.

[IwishIwasfuckermoreorganised]

Yes, I did the last one tonight I managed 4.6k again, thought I'd managed to go a bit further but that was just wishful thinking!

I'm still pretty chuffed and amazed at myself that I've got this far though.

Prudence - ease back into it slowly, and be sure to stretch after each run (not before). Have you got decent running shoes?

Tea - where are you at?

I've pencilled in my first Parkrun for 9th November and am hoping to have got to 5k in 30 minutes by then.

I think I need another programme to follow - I need to be told what to do by someone otherwise I'd just think that I'm feeling a bit tired and have a rest!!

[HaveTeaWillSurvive]

Just checking in to see if you've done the last run iwish - so impressed with you sticking in there!

[DearPrudence]

Well done I wish. I'm going to have a go at re-starting over the next couple of days. Really impressed with you keeping going - well done!!

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

4.6k for week 9 run 2. I even added a couple of hills - well slopes really!

Nearly there

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Thanks Tea

I've just done week 9, run 1. Managed 4.3 kms. I'm not gong to manage 5kms in 30 minutes yet, but that can be a longer term goal.

I actually prefer running in the dark - less chance of being recognised!! I do get very hot, red in the face and sweaty so cool evenings with a bit of rain suit me!!!

[HaveTeaWillSurvive]

Keep going iwish you're doing amazingly

I've picked up another cold and feel rotten - joys of DS starting nursery I guess - so feel completely back to square one. Realistically I can't face going out at night after work now its pitch black so I'm going to try and do two sessions a week, Sat and Mon morning when DP around to mind DS. Then do at least one shred session a week.

Hopefully this will boost my fitness and is do-able now the weather is decidedly wintery...

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

I'll keep talking to myself!

Week 8 is now finished. I managed 4.2kms (just) in the worst rain that I've run in yet. It was also pretty windy again in places.

Bring on week 9 ]

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

4.2kms for week 8 run 2

The wind seemed to blow in my face the whole way around my circular route - has does that happen?

Prudence - how are you?

Are any others still at it?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Week 8 run 1 done. I just made it to 4kms, those extra 3 minutes were tough though!

My left knee is a bit sore too. Hopefully it's nothing too serious and it will settle down.

How's your calf Prudence? Are you able to start gently stretching it?

[DearPrudence]

All I can do is cheer from the sidelines wish. Calf is less limp-making today, but I don't want to run on it. I might do a good long walk tomorrow though. On some hills.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

3.7kms again for week 7 run 3. I tried a different route, but that seems to be my absolute limit at the moment.

There's no way I'll be up to 5 kms in 2 weeks. That's going to have to be a longer term goal I think.

Prudence how's your calf?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Oh no Prudence.

Rest it, ice it and take regular anti inflammatories (ibuprofen etc).

Putting a small pad inside the heel of your shoes might help too.

Give it a day or two and start out slowly to see how it is.

I've been posting on the couch to 5k uncage your inner chimp (or something) thread as well but there's no-one else that started with us there.

Even if it takes a week or so for this to heal, just drop back a bit and pick it up again. You've got this far so you can definitely do it. Let me know how the next couple of days are.

Xx

[DearPrudence]

Wow, that's great! You're almost there.

My plan today was to go out to the nearby forest and do the 5k route that they use for Parkrun. Thought I'd do my 25 minute run plus warm-up and cooldown, and just walk the rest to see how long it took me.

About 5 minutes into the run something's happened to my calf muscle. There was a very definite pulling sensation, and a sharp pain. So I had to turn round and limp back to the car. I'm gutted . I really didn't feel like going today but I thought about you and this thread, and how close we are, and I made myself go. Not sure what to do about it now - rest it, I guess, but hopefully only for a day or two.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

OMG! According to DistancePinner me (and my annoying underpants) ran 3.7kms tonight for week 7 run 2.

I gave it my all and could barely walk straight during the last 5 minute walk!

[DearPrudence]

Don't be put off. That's much further than I manage in the same time. What app are you using?

I'm having a bit of a nightmare - last went out on Saturday, but was busy Monday, tonight and tomorrow night. So it's likely to be Thursday before I can start week 7.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Week 7 run 1 done.

I've found an app where I can trace on a map where I've been to find the distance.

Friday was 3.3km, and tonight 3.6. I'm disappointed to be honest - I pushed much harder tonight and was puffing hard throughout. I can't go any faster yet.

I have to go out in Wednesday. I mustn't let this put me off.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

That's what Laura told us Tea

Not sure that I believe her yet though!

Glad you're back on track.

[HaveTeaWillSurvive]

Well done everyone

Pleased to say I did go out yesterday, went back and did a week two run which was fine so going to repeat week three this week and take it from there.

Just had a peek at week 6 runs you're doing - gulp - you really are runners now!

[DearPrudence]

Week 6 run 3 done!

Much better than last week's long run, especially in the second half. I was learning pieces from my choir rehearsal so that was distracting me nicely.

[DearPrudence]

Well done
I'm going out soon, oh yes I am!

If you go on google maps you can find out your distance if you're on roads. Or there's map my run, but I've never used that.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Week 6 run 3 done

I took it steadily and was pretty comfortable for all of it - I even managed a short hill and then to up my pace for the last 60 seconds (as suggested by Laura!).

Laura reckons we can now call ourselves runners!

I have to say that I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying this - I have a colleague who is a very good runner and he's keen for me to try Parkrun soon - I'm going to try before Christmas I think!

On the downside, I still have no idea how far I'm running. My podcasts are on an iPod nano. Does anyone have any suggestions how I can work out how far I've been (without driving the route!)