Couch to 5k- Cage your inner chimp and get started!

[cinnamongreyhound]

A thread for those thinking of starting, just starting, making good progress or finish the c25k. For all abilities and stages, come and join us for support and advice, we're a lovely bunch!

Old thread

I run 3-4 times a week originalpiratematerial. I do two 4-5mile runs during the week, one is usually training with my club. I then usually do parkrun (unless I'm volunteering) Saturday and while I'm training for my half a 10+ mile run on Sunday. I don't do any other exercise apart from walking the dogs and school runs, although dh worked out I do about 45miles a week on foot so taking out the running I do walk a lot!

Sorry to hear about your pain SarahWithAFringeOnTop, try and keep it mobile and ice/heat it.

cinnamongreyhound that sounds like, er, a lot! Very impressive!

I think I just need to keep increasing the distances gradually, making sure I do at least three runs a week and doing a fourth one when I can manage it.

Week 8 run 1 done.

I made it to 4kms - just!!!

It's hard, but I'm impressed that I'm still going.

You lot get some miles under your belts! I'm not sure what my plan is once I get to 5 kms......

Did 25 mins running this morning (well actually 26 mins because I wanted to keep going until I'd done 4k). It was easier and more enjoyable than I thought it would be - partly because it was an absolutely gorgeous perfect morning for running. So that's Week 7 under way.

Hello all

OPM pointed me in this direction so here I am [waves].

I'm returning to running, I used to run approx 5k 4/5x a week until about 18mo ago, gave up about 3 months after my running buddy dumped me .

I'm yet to start my c25k (actually I'll be using a 0-10k app) journey, ideally I can crack on this week.

has anyone else done the 'Strength and Flexibility' podcasts linked on the NHS c25k site? would they help with joints etc? i'm feeling the cold a lot more and having to warm up before i start on the 5 mins walk

i did the Shred for 40 days through the summer which was fab, but i don't think it's good to do this as well as the running for me, quite yet. My joints are not up to it until i lose more weight

11lbs off so far, here's to the next 11

My god, the Shred. I hate that thing. It leaves me aching for days. How anyone can do the workouts every day without a break, I'll never know. It's probably not that great for muscle recovery, tbh, a day of rest between sessions is probably sensible. It does yield impressive results though.

Sorry, off topic. I've not tried the S&F podcasts but congrats on your 11lbs Gripping!

Hello again! Been a while since checking in but I need to come and get my butt kicked please

I haven't been out for 2 weeks and I'm doing a Race for Life on Friday night I did try to go last night but wussed out cos it rained got distracted. So please help me shift off this cosy couch....

Strikeout fail

I have a virtual running buddy! She's in the Midlands, I'm in London but our times are similar (ish) and we both use Endomondo to keep in touch.

watching!
I was thinking of you this evening as I got off my arse, and went running - been once in the past 2 weeks due to snuffles.
So, get your back side out of bed tomorrow morning, throw a banana in the cage to keep chimp quiet, and get jogging. Twas lovely here this evening - tho I need to walk the route at twilight, and note all the numbers of the streetlights which are out. Quite scary going under the trees when the lights were out.

So, chase my butt, C25K companion, in time to run a fab race for life on fri

hello
waves tentatively round the corner

nextphase sent me, I haven't actually stated yet - but I have bought new running shoes, that progress right?

Hi Nightshade. Glad you found us.

New shoes is an excellent start. Have you got a podcast to get going with? Lots of different ones people use - personally I used the freebie NHS one, but some people want their own music, or to get rid of the voice over.
Have a read, see if your planning on sticking around!

I'm so slow! I did 25 minutes today, first time ever, distance covered 2.5km. People walk faster than that! Don't care, though, still did it.

Hi all. Am still here although took a break of a few days as legs/knees were not happy. So I haven't run since Saturday. Was planning on going this morning but it's pouring down and I'm a fair weather runner. Supposed to be ok this afternoon so I will go then I hope.

Am about to source a treadmill so I can stick to my plans even if raining.

Hi all. I started C25K recently. I did week 1 day 1 and then I was ill and missed a whole week before doing day 2. Am swimming as well just to change it up a bit. I'm planning to do 1 or 2 runs per week, so I expect it to take far longer than 10 weeks, especially as I can see myself staying on one stage for a while before moving on. Am struggling to complete week 1 - I haven't managed to do it properly yet at all. My "brisk walk" is more like a relaxed stroll and my "jog" is more like pretending, putting my body in a jogging pose but at walking speed and I still haven't managed to do 8 full one-minute jogs in one session even like that.

However, I managed 1.33 miles the first time, and 1.35 the second. Average pace is around 13-14 minutes (that's how long it would take me to run a mile I think)

I don't have proper trainers. I have no idea if I should be stretching, or how. I have literally never exercised in my life and went for this because the concept that it can teach ME to run is utterly ridiculous and if it's true, I will be amazed! So, interested in challenging myself. Plus it would be nice to be a bit fitter and have more energy, hoping to lift mood too :)

Am a bit scared by stories of running injuries, though. Wondering if there is anything I should be doing to reduce the risk of these.

BerstieSpotts - I would definitely get proper trainers. And a proper sports bra if you are large of nork. Otherwise I don't think you need any particular gear to start off with. But I do think the right footwear is important - and absolutely key to avoiding injuries.

Sorry to hear about unhappy legs/knees Buda. I go see a sports massage therapist when my legs get creaky (I get a grumbly Achilles tendon from time to time). She tortures me for an hour and then it all seems ok again for a few weeks . Spenny but worth it imo.

no I haven't got the podcasts downloaded yet - I don't actually own an mp3 or smartphone, that's this afternoons shopping trip!
its pouring with rain here so unless it clears up later today is not day1.

is there anything else I need? I have a heafty boob support, dri-wick lycra 3/4 thingys (that still fit from my 2 day attempt at the shred ) new running shoes and socks.

Nightshade
You'll need some sort of teeshirt ;)
DH got me a little MP3 player when I moved into a open plan office so I could listne to the radio rather than the bloke opposite on the phone changing languages every 5 mins. Argos seem to have some for £10 atm.

Bertstie I stretch when I get home. You can;t stretch cold muscles, so you need to have warmed up as a min. There are some on the NHS website. I don't do the lying down ones, or the crossed leg ones. The one hat makes a massive difference to me (ie i notice if i don't do it) is to stand on one leg and put the other heal up near my bum.

Did my 25 minute run - was intending to keep going to see how long 5k would take but wimped out and did 4.29km. Might keep going when I next run....

No need for a sports bra here, I don't even need a normal bra :( I defo need to get some shoes, but will probably have to wait until payday.

I remember the heel-to-bum stretch from school! Also one where you lean forward/backwards and press down on your knee. Thinking back they always got us to stretch first, as a warm up. School PE is useless isn't it? All I ever learnt from it was that I was crap at sports and there wasn't any point trying because I'd never be as good as anyone else anyway. Lead to a really crap attitude towards sports/exercise where I didn't see the point in it at all.

Nightshade something like a basic smartphone would be good if you want to record your stats for future reference. The iPod nano 6th gen (it's a tiny square just bigger than a watch face with touch screen) uses the nike+ running app with some built in gadgets to do with that if you want a straight MP3 player. That's probably more expensive than a cheap smartphone, but it it much more compact - you can buy straps for your arm to hold it or it clips onto clothing.

Obviously if you don't want to record stats then any cheap MP3 player will do :)

oh yes best not forget to put a top on

im just back from town, I walked in the pouring rain and now have very blue legs from the dye in my jeans!
ive just bought a basic Philips mp3 for now, id rather not know my stats at the moment - I think im getting a new phone for Christmas as mine is on its last legs so will ungrade to a smartphone then.

Berstie I probably don't need a bra (can happily wear sundresses without one) but I do generally wear one and wouldn't want to run without one as I would jiggle up and down too much I think. My bra size is 30c and although my breasts are perfectly formed, they are small .

Am glad I ran this morning - has been very wet for the past couple of hours.