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 see quite a few people out running in those - I've not tried them myself. There was quite a lot about barefoot running on the Guardian running blogs last year - interesting stuff.

Ooh. I think they look excellent (Well weird actually, but comfortable). however, the back of the heel does look a tad too high and the top of it would slice across my calf I'm sure.

I ran in my All Stars today. It felt fine so I'll stick with that for the moment and see how I get on.

I did 20m! Whoop whoop!!! Was actually easier than I though it would be and I feel so proud of myself

Congratulations Look

Can I ask, is week 2 much much harder than week one. I'm having kittens that I have only one more week 1 to do and then I'll have to do week 2 and I can barely get through the week 1 ones.

The only thing that kept me going yesterday was that I had gone so far away from home that I'd have to walk back anyway, so may as well at least try the running bits.

Well done Lookout.

Starlight I really would get proper trainers and a bra. Otherwise you might make it harder than it needs to be.

If you aren't ready to go to the next week you can always repeat. But think its worth a trying the next week to see how you go.

Thanks Halle. Though trainers just don't fit. I have reached the age of 38 and have a pile of brand new trainers in the garage. I think makers of sports wear just assume everyone is long and thin.

All stars makers assume everyone is short and fat, I think. Which is good, because I am.

But I have a sports bra so I'll try and make sure I at least change into that. Though my running atm is barely more than a slightly bouncy walk so boobs don't move all that much.

I went into Cotswolds last year to get a good waterproof jacket to help me address my fear of the outdoors in weather. When I asked if they had any in a size 18/20 they replied that their target market is not for unfit or fat people so they don't have any.

Bastards.

Hello Star

That's disgusting of the person in a shop to say that, I would be talking to the manager if I were you

I can't recommend Sweatshop highly enough when it comes to sorting you out for good shoes, whatever you size.
When I went for my proper shoes I couldn't even run on a treadmill. I got really hot and flustered, almost in tears.

The chap took me to a quieter part of the shop and got me to run up and down so he could watch me run there, much more calming and dignified for me and him.

They do gait analysis so you get the right shoes not only for your running style, but foot shape too.

As for clothing, supermarkets do great stuff.

ASDA size xl will easily fit you

Starlight that's dreadful of the shop assistant. It is absolutely not a reflection on you but on their awful behaviour. I can see how that would put you off, but in a running shop they will be so pleased to see someone giving exercise a go that they will be happy to help. My local shop were so kind and helpful with me, unfit and overweight as I am! It is definitely worth trying, and then you'll know for sure and can carry on with your All Stars if need be.

Change into your bra though!! And TheLeast is right, all the supermarkets do sports stuff now which is reasonably priced and not bad quality. My running tights are from Sainos and my tracksuit bottoms are from Tesco

Week 2 didn't feel that much harder to me. It felt like a right and gradual build up. Finish week 1 and move on the week 2. If you find it really too punishing, you could try the next time doing week 1 one more time and see if that helps. But honestly, you should be able to at least give it a go. I was really worried about doing my run today but it actually worked better than I could ever have hoped. trust the plan, as Laura say

Well done and good luck!

Just back from run in the rain. My programme was 3x6mins with 2 mins walking intervals. It was downhill but I managed 14 mins slow jogging, then did my 2 mins walk and my 6 min jog ( about. 3 mins of who hw as uphill and nearly killed me). So I am going to move onto the 2x12 mins for my next one.

I think having done the programme before means it is easier for me to pick up again, as after a 3 month break I only started again on Boxing Day.

I have to say I feel very pleased with myself and hope that by my birthday next month I will compftably doing at least 30mins of slow jogging. I will never set any speed records as I don't stride just pootle along, but it will good to hit 48 feeling fit and healthy ;0)

Hello all, after another two week break I finally got out again this morning, on wk6r3 which is 25mins run, felt ok after 25mins so decided to try and run 30mins, managed that and I'm also using an app to track distance and saw I was at 4.8k so decided to push on and get to 5k and I did it I was only just jogging by the time I got to 5k but I made it

For those of you just starting out I would never have thought that I would manage to run 34mins continuously or 5k. While I'm not overweight I was really unfit to start with and couldn't manage more than 30secs of running without gasping and giving up.

What has been even more of a change (and a revelation for me!) has been going from hating exercise and the idea of running to actually enjoying going out for a run, looking forward to it and wanting to challenge myself - like today when I could have stopped at 25mins and still achieved the run for the day on the programme.

Now my aim is to get back to 3 runs a week and improve my time and maybe try a park run in the next month.

Well done lookout, littleoaktree and ShinyBlackShoes!!

I don't change my bra StarlightMcKingsThree! That's an awful way to be treated in a shop. You were brave to go in, I knew which shops would do my size when I was bigger and outdoors shops were not one. I was quite excited when I fitted in superdry stuff and my mum bought me a hoodie :). As long as you are comfortable then carry on but at the first signs of discomfort consider something else perhaps.

Hooray - managed to get out and do week 2 run 1 today. It was pouring with rain and freezing but really satisfying to be out again. I've been running in 3/4 length jogging bottoms, a gym top (very light, breathable type thing) and a fleece. It's okay but the fleece was horrible in the rain and its a bit too thick/heavy really. I will treat myself to a couple of nice running tops when I have cash but the budget is a bit tight post-Xmas. Can anyone recommend something not too expensive to help with the cold for now. I'm not bothered about getting wet and don't usually mind the cold - I'd rather be a bit chilly than too hot - but it's blooming well freezing ATM, especially when I'm walking. Would I be better with a long-sleeved baselayer rather than a jacket/sweater?

We'll done to everyone who's been out this weekend.

That is the trouble with the run walk you get a bit chillier while walking!

I usually wear a long sleeve running top (got mine for £9.99 in Aldi) and a very lightweight jacket. When I started I had a hoodie that I tied round my waist when I got hot but now I'm running constantly I'm too hot pretty quick. Personally I prefer long sleeve because even if I'm warm my skin gets so wind chapped and cold it's uncomfortable a few runs into the cold weather! Sports direct are a good place to try karrimor stuff from there is cheap and wears well.

Thanks cinnamongreyhound - I have a few hours without the kids this weekend so I'll check out Sports Direct and someone on Running Bug has suggested TK Maxx. I usually just order online but I'm never sure which size to go for with sports stuff - it is usually quite small compared to normal stuff but don't want to buy big and have it flapping around.

lookout - I forgot to answer your question about my watch, sorry. I have a Garmin Forerunner 10, mostly because I had Curry's vouchers to use and this was one of the few running watches they do. It's really basic - it has GPS and as I run it displays time and distance for that run. At the moment I have run/walk intervals set on it so it beeps to tell me when to start running/walking. I can also flick to another screen that shows calories burned and pace but I don't really bother with it. When I get home I connect it to my laptop and it shows a map of my run with time, distance, pace, calories. It does a little graph to show how fast I was going throughout the run which I quite like as I can see all my little runs with the slower walks between. To be honest I really just wanted the time and distance but I'm a nerd and love the little route maps and graphs - makes me feel like a real runner . It's nice and light, small for a gps sports watch and comfy to wear. It was about £90 but worth it as I'd been promising myself I'd do this for ages but the watch inspired me to get out there plus my vouchers needed to be used.

Hi all, I'm planning to start the couch to 5k this week. I need to wait until my DH gets home on Wednesday for DS1 and 2 first!!

This is the problem I find with my exercise plans!! With a husband that works away 4 weeks at a time and two young children I just can't maintain it. Does anyone else work around this?

Anyhow, I plan to download the podcasts and be ready to start. I thought I could order trainers from Next Online to begin with because I can't get shopping and they will come next day. Can anyone recommend a good pair? Or with my wonky feet and legs I should maybe go to a reputable running shop?

TIA X

I'm lucky that my hubby is home every evening. I do work long hours so have to go very early in the morning or pretty late a times. Is there anyone else who could sit with your kids for 30-40 mins while you go and run?

Personally I started with a £9.99 pair from sports direct until I knew that I would keep it up but if you have the cash and are happy to spend it then it wouldn't hurt! I think to start with at least you're not running a huge distance so it's not the end of the world.

Started the C25K today. I got absolutely drenched as it started raining just as I was finishing up my last run but so glad I started it, now to keep it up.

We'll done faithless

W6 R3 done today. Enjoyed it so kept going and ended up doing 7k over 65min walk/run with a v steep incline walk interval. Bit of a surprise really!

almost, I'm fortunate, my children are older & my H is only away a few nights a week so I work my runs around those or take DD with me to the gym (which is where run).

Well done Faithless12, the first run is the hardest!

Sounds like a great run UsedToBeNDP!

Bleugh. Just done w1 r3 and there is NO WAY I can move onto week 2, maybe not ever.

It was the worst run so far and I couldn't do the last one. Though I quite enjoyed the rain in my face.

Keep trying Starlight, it does get easier! I was struggling the first week but can now run for 25 minutes, have faith in the programme.

Thanks. I'll probably do one more week run an apd go back to late night running. I ran before dinner tonight so that might be it.

Close to midnight I always feel more alive and my headspace is calm enoug ph to do something boring.