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 got my first leggings in sainsburys so supermarkets worth a go, don't seem to have them in my size now ever :(

Scarecrow If you do the NHS ones, just avoid stamina for a while. The other 2 are OK, but would suggest stepping stones first (speed is a bit shorter tho)

I was on the last thread, got as far as W2R3 when I pulled a muscle in my calf. It felt fine 3 days later so went for W3R1 but it went again, 15 mins in. A week later, it's still not recovered. Also, my knees (which have never been particularly good) have started aching, and kneeling down on a hard surface is impossible.

Do I just have to accept I'm not cut out for running ?

I splashed out a bit - I got it all from Runnersneed because I wanted to try stuff on first, and wanted to go on the treadmill in new shoes so the sales assistant could check that I wasn't going over on my instep. I bought Brooks running shoes again but have gone up half a size as my last pair squashed my toes a little bit towards the end of longer runs. Also I didn't know what size bra I needed (sports bras are completely different size-wise from my usual Bravissimo jobs) so I wanted to be able to try on the bras. So I bought a spenny Nike one

Normally though I buy cheapo stuff from Sports Direct - they are fine for most things as long as you know what size you are.

I'm starting on Week 4 tomorrow. Minifingers I also feel better when I low-carb but have not got myself organised at the moment . Must do some meal planning! I had a Pret salmon and edamame pot for breakfast this morning after my run, which is better than a croissant, anyway.

MsV Can you get a sports massage or some physio on your calf? I did the same and it worked wonders

Are your trainers supportive enough? If you can get gait analysis done somewhere, they might give you tips on your running style. I was told (and shown) that I didn't pick my feet up enough. And STRETCH LOTS!!

watchingout thanks. I know a good physio, I should give it a try - although the thought of spending £40+ doesn't fill me with joy! I think my running shoes should be OK - I had my gait analysed and (hopefully) bought appropriate shoes. They didn't mention anything about my running style, though. Maybe it's my body going into shock at all this exercise .

Evening!
Well I didn't get a chance to sort out any new gym kit on the way home but I did go & do my W1R2! (Polishes halo)

I did find bits of it a bit tough, was a sweaty mess again & when I picked DD up from nursery she asked if I'd been swimming!

Those of you who have had analysis on the treadmill at a proper run shop- how long did u actually have to run for- bearing in mind my one minute at the mo!

I can totally recommends the Freya sports bra for large of nork - it's soft but v supportive! Not massively attractive- I wouldn't wear mine alone as it looks a bit scaffoldy but it does the job perfectly.

Week 5 run 1 done.

The outside of my hips towards the back ached a lot during the 2nd run, not so bad on the third

I also have sore boobs to contend with now having started my period today - i will have to invest on some sports bra in the next few weeks!

Can I join in? Have done couch to 5k before and could do 5k in under 30 min but up until yesterday hadnt run for 6 months . I am generally fit ish and cycle an amount but have put on some weight recently which I'm not happy about.

Did W2R1 yesterday and W2R2 today and going to do W2R3 tomorrow. Legs aren't sore but they can tell they've had a bit of work .

dramaalpaca and reiltin and pirate I'm Irish too but in exile in the East Mids

lizardqueenie you only have to run for about 20 seconds - and you can tell them you're not used to running on a treadmill and just start at walking pace and gradually speed up. It's fine, honestly.

Did W1R3 today. Went well until the seventh run when I started thinking forward to next week. Completely lost my confidence . Won't do that again! Am hoping to redo a W1 run before moving on. We 'll see . . .

I haven't been stretching enough - did Pilates today and had to spend the first 10-15 minutes stretching my hip flexors

Aw, Reiltin - you will be fine, honestly - but I think it's always a good idea to repeat bits to boost your confidence so if you feel like doing one more Week 1 session, then go for it!

Hi Miranda [waves] - I've only just joined myself but this is a great group!

Meant to say, the pushing buggy with one hand and swinging the other arm suggestion was genius!

Lizard, I had gait analysis done at weekend, I had real trouble (and nerves) running on a treadmill, having never used one before. You only have to run long enough to video your foot movement, so as long as it takes to get up to your normal running speed then stop.

It was well worth it, the chap showed me some stretches to do after running, how to improve my posture as well.

Right, off out for w1d2 revisited :-D

Did it, both lots of three minutes, both lots of five minutes, albeit a very slow jog, I managed the lot; hurrah! That's taken me to just over 2k for the whole distance (walking and running), doesn't seem too bad for week four. I am aware the distance has increased since I started, so that is good, and maybe, just maybe I'll make it to doing the 5k regularly by Christmas. Having said that, next week looks really damn scary!

Done my run and to check I could keep going decided to keep on running after the 4th 90 second run and ran through the two minute walk and into the 5th run so did 5 minutes in one go :)

Hopefully week 3 should be ok :)

Well, I went a bit mad on Monday night and did 4k in 26 minutes. So proud

Hi all. Welcome all newbies! I am another Irish exile in UK. I left in the last recession!

I was in Dublin at th weekend and did W4r2. I learned tha podcasts don't work if you turn data roaming off! I got half way into the five minute warm up walk and then poof! Thankfully I had actually listened to Laura as I was starting off so remembered the running times although waked for longer in between.

I'd W4r3 with a friend on Monday. Much prefer running alone! But it was ok and she can only do Mondays.

Today I managed W5R1 with no major issues! Very pleased. Have decided I need to run in the opposite direction on my loop next time as there is an adverse camber on a lot of it and I think running that way all the time is affecting my hip. So I'll run th other way a couple of times to see if that helps. Think I will also check out another loop too.

May I join in please? I've been a long time lurker on this thread, but I finally took the plunge yesterday and did W1R1! I was really dreading it as I've never managed to run before, and apart from some shin splints, it not as bad as I thought it would be. I sweated like a pig and was almost floored, but I survived!
Roll on W1R2.

Lots of us with Irish connections on this thread .

Hi Pamsie, glad you've stopped lurking and joined us! Well done on getting started, you'll get lots of great support on here. Hi to all the other new people too.

I still haven't properly got rid of the nasty chesty cold I picked up almost three weeks ago, and it's affecting my running. I'm struggling to run continuously for more than a few minutes and it's getting me down a bit. I feel like I'm going backwards . Yesterday I went for a gentle jog around the park but it was a struggle all the way through. I'm going to give it another go on Friday & hope it's better. I'm trying to stay positive, but it's hard when a few weeks ago I could run for a continuous 30 minutes and now I can barely manage 5!! Sorry for the whinge, folks, just needed to vent .

Welcome Pamsie That first one is the hardest, so you've made the toughest step.

Drama I got knocked for 6 just after graduation, but when I actually recovered, I was back running 30 mins quite quickly (think I did something just over 20, then 28, then the full lot). There is something really nasty going round at the moment. Hope your up at full fitness soon.

Watching when you next shutting the chimp in his cage, and taking the dog out for a run?