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?

[gintastic]

I didn't get out last night as DH didn't get home in time. I did get very drunk at a head wetting party - the baby shower recipient very I considerately actually had her baby yesterday afternoon

But I did do it this evening, feeling good! Brilliant to hear everyone else getting on it as well...

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Week one run two done today.

The outsides of my hips were stiff before I started and with a stiff headwind for half of the time, I found tonight much harder than run 1. I did it though and quite enjoyed the music tonight - I find myself running or walking in time to the music, am I supposed to?

Same problem with itchy fingers - how odd!

On the plus side, I've bought a holder for my iPod to go on my arm so it's not getting sweaty inside, and slipping out of my sports bra!

[FunnyRunner]

W1 R2 went well this morning and I was a bit faster today so managed to get out of breath. Earphones are still driving me crazy, I need to get some that don't fall out of my ears!

[DearPrudence]

Well done run two-ers!

[HaveTeaWillSurvive]

Well I missed run two on wed as I wasn't well wed/thur but have been gagging to get out (what has happened to me!!) so went out this morning. I'm at my parents and its seriously hilly - hmmm definitely much harder looked like oversized sweaty tomato but I'm so proud of myself. This thread has definitely given me a much needed hard push - thanks

[WestmorlandSausage]

I started on Tuesday - got about 18 minutes into R1 and had to give up because of asthma so didn't count it as a run. Tried again on Wednesday and remembered to take my inhaler before I went out and it was easy peasy and I felt absolutely fab afterwards.

So i over-confidently went out again tonight to do R2 with much fitter DP expecting to be able to master it the same way as Wednesday and again had to give up at about 18 mins think I pushed myself too hard to keep up with DP so he isn't allowed to come with me again until i'm much better. I live in the lakes so lots of hills which doesn't help.

Think i'm going to need a lot of moral support over the next few weeks!

[Lorelai]

I finally managed to start tonight, having bought some decent trainers. I found it pretty tough, but do-able. My ankle is hurting though, but that had started before the run. It is the front of my ankle, and it gives me problems from time to time, but I really hope the running isn't going to make it worse.

[Lorelai]

Sorry that should have read last night, I wrote the post last night then my internet connection went

[gintastic]

W1 R3 done this morning beautiful morning, was so lovely to get out for half an hour and leave DH to do breakfast with the kids.

That would be after he'd recovered from the heart attack induced by the news I was going running at 7.30am...

Am going to my Aunts 60th birthday party this evening so no chance to go tonight, seized the moment!

[HaveTeaWillSurvive]

Well done Gin

I really enjoyed running early yesterday and found it had the added benefit of, seeing as I spent the rest of the day running around after a 1 yo, meaning i am not stiff at all today

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

I just wanted to pop in, wave some pompoms and offer some encouragement.

I started C25K almost three years ago thanks to a MN thread. I got the running bug, and have run 5 half marathons, lots of 5 and 10Ks and am training for a marathon later this year. I was very proud to run the BUPA 10K in London as part of a MN Woolly Hugs team earlier this year.

I've lost weight, toned up, never felt fitter, am far happier and deal with stress far more easily (and don't turn as readily to the wine and chocolate as I used to ). I couldn't have imagined doing any of this before C25K.

Keep going, and I hope you find it as worthwhile as I did!

[WestmorlandSausage]

just completed my W1 R2 - wow it was hard. Still can't understand how I managed to do R1 so easily the other day and yet the exact same run is so hard a few days later.

[WestmorlandSausage]

OhOneOhTwoOhThree how much weight did you loose in terms of clothes sizes? I'm not overly bothered about weight as i dont think its going to be that much difference as fat hopefully will turn into heavier muscle, but I really want to drop a clothes size.

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

Westmoreland - I've lost a stone since the start of this year, and dropped at least one dress size. I've done a lot of running over the last couple of months and it's really made a difference to my body shape.

[DramaAlpaca]

Hi Westmorland good for you on getting started.

You'll probably find your next run is much easier. Lots of people find a bad or difficult run is followed by a good one. I'm another Lakelander (although I live abroad now) so I know about those hills. Just tell yourself that running up them will make you fitter more quickly .

I've also toned up and dropped a dress size since starting C25K about three months ago. I can see the changes in my body shape week to week, and it encourages me to keep going.

[FunnyRunner]

Gin that was an impressively early start :)

OhOne / DramaAlpaca thanks for the encouragement. Did you change your diets significantly too?

Run 3 tomorrow for me!

[DramaAlpaca]

FunnyRunner - I found I automatically wanted to eat more healthily as I got more into the running & started noticing changes in my shape. I've reduced portion sizes & cut out evening snacking (my biggest weakness). I've still got a way to go with my weight, but I'm getting there.

Good luck with Run3!

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

W1 R3 completed this morning. My ds's (5 and 7) wanted to come with me, so I got the podcasts set up on their iPods (shuffles) and off we all went!

My fast walk is a run for them, and they weren't happy that they couldn't keep up so I detoured and dropped them home after run 3! Ds1 is amazed by how fit I am - just wait and see how much fitter I get mate!

On R2, a lad on his bike (about 9) joined me for run 1 and was egging me on (in a nice way) and I told him I was just starting out so not to expect too much! He was out again today and seemed surprised to see me - he kept popping back to see how I was doing!

Today felt much better than R2, and my hips feel far less achey so that's encouraging.

I've not been brave enough to look ahead at what week 2 has in store for us all yet!

[SevenReasonsToSmile]

Sounds like everyone is doing well.

OhOne good to hear how much you've got out of doing C25K, that's very impressive. My DH is running his second London marathon next year, I'd love to be able to join him maybe the year after. Are you running for charity or just for fun?

I found run 2 on weds much easier than run 1. I tried run 3 on Thursday knowing I might be pushing it but it was the only chance I could go again before Monday. I managed half of it then had to give up, my knees were hurting and I had a stitch I just couldn't get rid of. I'm not sure what to do on Monday, whether to start week 2 having only done two runs of week 1, or finish week 1 first. Any advice from those further ahead would be much appreciated.

How is everyone feeling? I've noticed that my energy levels already seem to have improved a little, plus combined with trying to eat much more healthily I've lost 3lbs this week.

[SevenReasonsToSmile]

Just found this, it gives the details for each week though I wish I hadn't looked!

[DramaAlpaca]

Well done on your weight loss Seven.

As for W1R3, I think as it was such a struggle I'd do it again on Monday. It may seem like a waste of time, but completing the week will help to build up your stamina & make W2 easier. I would also advise that you always leave at least a day between runs as your muscles need that time to recover. Not leaving a day could be why you struggled with W1R3. It doesn't matter if you take longer than nine weeks to complete the program - lots of people do. Also, it's fine to leave a few days between runs if you need to, it won't affect your progress. Just see it as extra recovery time.

Good luck with your next run.

[FunnyRunner]

Seven I looked ahead on app to week 5 and was a bit at how quickly you have to progress but I liked the comments on your link page - lots of people saying hang in there if I can do it anyone can! Next run tomorrow.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Good weight loss Seven. I've not weighed myself and I can't say that I've been inspired to eat any more healthily (yet - it might happen sometime!). I think I'd do week 1 run 3, set yourself up well for week 2.

I found run 2 tough, it run 3 ok and have had a peep at what next week has got in store and am not too freaked by it!

[gintastic]

The 20min run at the end of wk5!!! I guess they know what works, but that sounds like a long time to run for after only 5 weeks...

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

La La La La La La La!