Couch to 5k- fantastic plan that works for all!

[cinnamongreyhound]

Come and join us for support, advice and a gentle butt kicked when needed!

From starting out to those of us who started 2 years ago, and everyone in between!

stillearnin I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how good you feel at the end. My legs felt a bit 'heavy' once I finished the 20 minutes, but they did that five minute brisk walk at the end by themselves almost, by the time I'd finished they had 'loosened' up again. If your anything like me the feeling that you have done it is amazing. In some ways it's easier to keep running than having to stop, start with the walking in-between. Enjoy it tomorrow.

Hi Daschund it's great that you've started. I start week six tomorrow and it really doesn't seem two minutes since I started. It's worth sticking with, you'll soon be looking forwards to going out and doing it

Well done to those that are doing so well, especially those that managed the 20 min run as I still haven't done it

I was supposed to have done it last friday but woke with stomach pain and then started lashing down with rain so I excused myself!

Had planned to try today but I got home from work last night to a glass of wine, big meal and then scoffed a load of chocolates so I didn't feel best prepared this morning

I decided to skip ahead to week 6 run 2, so still a 20 min run but with a break in the middle, I was very sluggish but managed all but the last minute as had to stop with a massive stitch in my side. Hoping I feel up to 20 min on wednesday.

Felicia - it might be easier to do the straight 20 mins than stopping and starting. Bit you still went out to do w6 and that is great as it would have been easier not to do it at all.

I did the 20 mins this morning. It was ok although I'd like a different route as I have several inclines at key points! It wasn't easy but I did manage a conversation with my neighbour as I bumped into her just as I was finishing the running section - so it must have been ok!

Felicia I did the first run of week six today, and in all honesty that last 20 minute run of week five was easier than today's.

stillearnin nice one getting the 20 mins one done. You are literally one run behind me. I'm the same with the inclines! Which ever way round I go it's uphill towards the end. I try and think of it as extra exercise.

I found being back to walk/run/walk harder today than keeping running.

Well after my first run in BST I conclude that wounded buffalo prefer running under cover of darkness. I was spotted by several neighbours and tooted by a man in a VW Golf. I also got very hot - at this rate I will be running in just my undies in the summer...

The low point was definitely when a horrible dog barked at me and I jumped about a mile. I'm really not so keen on dogs. If they're not frightening me half to death they're pooing all over the place where I want to run. Not that it's the dogs fault, it's irresponsible owners I'm not so keen on. Sorry, rant over!

Sitting here now I really cannot believe that I can run for 25 minutes! I know I keep banging on about it but c25k really is amazing, I struggled so much with 3 minute runs a few weeks ago and now I find myself thinking 'oh, only another 12.5 minutes' when the guy on the podcast says I'm half way through.

Felicia hope your 20 minute run is good on Wednesday - you can do it

Kaster you are right, I found w6r1 harder than w5r3 too. Weird but true!

...oh, and my mother's day running tights with a pocket are fab.

I like to think how useful it is to live on a hill when the storms hit. I read that you should walk past dogs- they just can't resist joining in the fun!

Well done stillearning!!

I also found the start/stopping harder than just running.

I feel your pain with the heat Madmonkeys. My face was the reddest I've ever seen it after my run today. I looked ridiculous it was that beetroot. Was wearing a normal cap so going to splash out and buy myself a proper sports one that's breathable and lets some heat off me noggin. What tights did you get?

I've always said the same stillearning. My whole town is on a hill and it's a pita for running but we've never been flooded.

Hiya everyone! Great to see so many new starters and so many 20 min milestones reached!

Ah all you people on hills! I live in a fairly flat place -for extra challenge I need to pick a route with several railway bridges!

Ah yes I agree on the stopping thing. On the days when I feel I really can't carry on without walking, I find it much harder then to run for sustained spells once I have stopped for the first time.

Today I felt really good running, made a conscious effort to speed up, lengthened my stride, but the end result was the same! Just over 30 mins for the 5k. Pfft I suppose I was slowed down by having to take my jumper off, and having to retie my tights... it feels so much nicer at 10degrees or whatever it was today than last week when it was just above freezing. Shame mornings are dark again, but spring temps are definitely welcome.

I would have carried on running if I felt I was up to it, as it was I had to have a sit down in the bus stop for a minute of the 3 minute walk. I'm not disapointed I didn't do the 20 mins, I think the fact I can run for 10 minutes without stopping a minor miracle

My shins are really hurting today though.

I have been struggling with a stitch in my side for the last few minutes of running since the week 4 runs, has anyone else had problems with stitch pain and has it eased off?

Yes I had stitch like pain from week one. First on one side and then as the weeks progressed the other side. Funny I was thinking just yesterday it hasn't bothered me for the last couple of week. I eventually put it down to using muscles I probably haven't used in a long time rather than an actual stitch in my case. I've become a lot more aware of my body since starting running for some reason and I seem to notice pains more rather than automatically discounting and forgetting about them iykwim? Maybe because I'm looking for warning signs to ease off and prevent injury? Deep breathing and putting pressure on it when running helped.

Morrigu They are these ones:

www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-xlite-running-capris-ladies-457004?colcode=45700449

Nice and comfy and a pocket that my smartphone fits into

Felicia I get stitch if I eat within a couple of hours before a run, do you eat before running?

Oh in that case Felicia I imagine you did exactly the right thing. Listening to your body beats any advice anyone can give you surely? Well done. anja 5k in just over 30 mins sounds great (jealous!).

Hi guys, this dropped off of my posts I'm on thingy so I've not been on. Im up to w5 now and supposed to be doing my run 1 tonight, however I'm a bit unsure... my left knee is a bit sore and I'm behind the pace. Not sure how many of you have used the run double app but it tells you how far off the pace you are and I'm currently 120yds off. Should I just move onto week 5 anyway? Or should I try and run faster? I'm going to have one more rest day anyway before I move on.

Well done to everyone

I also got the stitch thing - I don't eat or drink anything for a couple of hours beforehand and it has stopped now. I just make sure I drink plenty before then.

A small glass of water shortly before I run seems to prevent my stitches - but then I probably drink less than I should.

Farmyard do you mean 120 yards more in a minuite/5mins to get to 5km/30mins pace? Thats really good going. I'm STILL not running 5km in 30 mins (32 is my best so far). I started c25k back in june

I'm only up to week 4 run 3 so over the whole 30 minutes I'm 120 yds behind.

Nice Madmonkeys. I'll need to get some shorter ones soon as I'm sweltering already in the full length ones the last couple of days.

That's brilliant Farmyard as your pace will probably pick up over the next few weeks too. I kept a notebook and mine has.

Wasn't able to finish the 5k or 30 minutes today. Made about 24mins with a push and had to stop. Kids have had me up the last couple of nights constantly with a cough/cold and I'm shattered. Started getting a really tight chest about half way through and pain down my throat. Eventually thought 'sod this' and stopped. Probably starting to get whatever they have myself. Bit disappointed as it's the first time I've been unable to finish a run since I've started but hey ho these things happen.

At Aldi tomorrow for the special buys they have got lots of running clothes. They have got long sleeve tops, vests, jackets, gillets, short sleeve tops, tights, Capri pants, tight shorts, normal shorts and running tights with a skirt covering your bum. Also trainers, socks and water bottles.

Skousers (like a skort you see!) at Aldi. Never seen the like of it but sounds interesting. Thanks!

I've just done run 2 of week 6 and found it very hard, my legs are really aching and it's the closest I've come to stopping. Anyone else felt like this? I think I'm going to wait until Sunday for my final run of the week, when I look back I did all week five and the first two runs this week with only one days rest in between.

Oh kaster I've had no sleep but I'll give it a go today!

So I did w6r1 so not the same as you kaster. It was fairly hellish but interestingly when I had to do the last 5 min run uphill it was easier than the others - I just kind of dug in and kept going and it was fine. I could have carried on (but didn't!)