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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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

995 replies

cinnamongreyhound · 04/02/2014 12:57

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!

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Bumpsadaisie · 11/02/2014 22:09

I highly recommend the Get Running C25K app - you can play what you like in the background and the lady just interrupts every now and again to tell you what to do

Cakesnbeer · 11/02/2014 22:29

Thanks lookout, will save the luck for a night with less icy pavements, too windy run in the park tonight. Honestly it's not an excuse!

pennygallops · 12/02/2014 07:13

bumpsadaisie on completing the C25K I looked for an 10k app, but didn't find anything. I used the NHS improver apps for a bit - there are 3 different ones. But I just increased one of my runs by 1K a week until I reached 10K. I also research and tried some interval training for one of the other runs. The finally thing I did was copy some of cinnamon's running group sessions that she described. I now go to my own running group for interval training and I am increasing 1K a week to get to about 20K (sort of half-marathon).

FeliciaHardy · 12/02/2014 11:22

Arghh! Bloody weather.
It snowed last night and now a thick layer of frost everywhere. I don't mind running in rain but freezing temps I'm not good at.

I've been reading Running Like a Girl but Alexandra Heminsley to get me back in the mood for running and it's worked and now I can't get out! Are there anymore good books about women runners that aren't particularly about running marathons?

cinnamongreyhound · 12/02/2014 13:23

Run fat b run is good :)

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HalleLouja · 12/02/2014 14:07

Am glad I went for my run yesterday. Today is vile. I don't mind running in wind and rain but this is hardcore. Fingers crossed weather improves by Friday night when I plan to go out.

Morrigu · 12/02/2014 15:58

Inspiring you started from no exercise at all cinnamon and good luck for your GNR place penny

I have the getrunning app too LaVita as I like being able to listen to my own music. Lady speaks over it telling you when to walk/run/half way at the same time as buzzing your phone.

Rotten cold still hasn't left me so been doing nothing here. Was going to run today but dad told me for contemplating it. Ridiculous when you're mid thirties and still getting told off by your parents :) Might have a look at the stretch and flex exercises on the nhs website in the meantime so I feel like I'm doing something. I usually walk a good few miles a day but haven't been able to take the buggy out in the winds so getting cabin fever.

HalleLouja · 12/02/2014 16:06

I love the Running like a girl book. Preferred it to Run Fat Bitch Run. They are totally different kettles of fish.

pennygallops · 12/02/2014 18:36

Yeah! Got my place. Grin Now the training has to start!

I've read Born to Run and Keep on Running, liked both. I've also got Eat and Run to read at half-term.

GerundTheBehemoth · 12/02/2014 19:13

OK, I'm signing in for my butt-kicking. Am on week 1, using the NHS podcasts. Years ago I used to run a lot, up to marathon distances, though I was always a sloooow plodder. Then in 2007 I got an achilles injury that took ages to heal, and despite quite a few attempts I've not managed to build up my running again since and I'm fatter now which doesn't help. So it's right back to the beginning. Hello everyone Grin

Ihatemytoes · 12/02/2014 19:32

I'm joining too. Is there a link to the NHS podcasts please?

GerundTheBehemoth · 12/02/2014 19:39

Here are the NHS podcasts, toes. Good luck! Grin

Dharmalovesdraco · 12/02/2014 20:13

I have downloaded the Zen Labs 10k app bumpsadaisie as I found their c25k very good. I've not started it yet mind, I'm giving myself 3 weeks of 4 or 5k runs before I up it.

lookout · 12/02/2014 20:24

Hi Gerund and toes! Good luck Smile

Good for you penny! What distance is the GNR? Is it far off what you can already run?

Get well soon Morrigu

Managed w6r2 this morning but in spite of it being the 4th time I've done it I still really struggle. WIBU to just carry on doing the same one for a while before moving on to run3? excuses to get out of running for 25m Grin Seriously though I'd hate to attempt the 25m and fail because that would completely sabotage my motivation Sad

pennygallops · 12/02/2014 20:53

The Great North Run is a half-marathon in early September. Some it's the world's most popular or biggest half-marathon. Don't about that but it is a big event up here in the North East and well supported. Looking forward to it.

pennygallops · 12/02/2014 20:58

Some say - whoops.

anja1cam · 12/02/2014 21:17

Hello all, well done to the new starters, especially in this weather. If I was able to do it, anyone can!! I was never the sporty type, and have yet to set foot in a gym!

Right now I'm just back to running 4k non-stop after two or so months completely off Nov to Jan. I started with the NHS podcasts 3 years ago, and ran through the first winter, snow and all. Second winter I got bad sciatica Problems, gave up end Oct and then every time I started again (Jan, March) got put off by the sudden episodes of really really cold weather... Picked up again in April, stuck with it through my holidays (long runs on endless beaches, recommended!). I then ran my fastest ever Chariots of fire race last Sept. Whilst sticking to my usual 5k routine.

I still don't think of myself as particularly sporty, I just run three times a week... Unlike some people I still need to make myself go nearly every time, I'd much rather stay in. In the summer I found the best routine was to go in the morning before DH leaves the house, that meant getting out of the door at 6am before breakfast. But right now I snatch the time when I can in daylight hours, and currently allow myself to drop the odd one still when the weather is too grim. I expect to be back to 5k in a week or two.

One book I found that I enjoyed reading is called 'no need for speed' by John Bingham, out of print but got it from the library.

But to keep me going this year I have signed up for the usual charity runs: Sport relief, race for life, chariots of fire... Not brave enough (yet?) to join park run, or longer distances, also the logistics of getting to my local ones put me off.

Anyway, sorry for the long intro, just wanted to say hello, and well done to every one who manages any running in this weather.

cinnamongreyhound · 12/02/2014 21:23

Hi anja1cam, you don't need to be brave for parkrun! Definitely less scary than race for life :)

Welcome Ihatemytoes and GerundTheBehemoth!

I think it's the bigness that puts me off the gnr pennygallops plus the cost of staying overnight there Wink

OP posts:
cinnamongreyhound · 12/02/2014 21:24

And lookout, I really think you should go for it!! You did w5r3 when you didn't expect to and you'll do w6r3 too :)

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pennygallops · 12/02/2014 21:52

I'm just over an hour away from Newcastle so I'll probably go up with my colleague. I think the size and atmosphere has made me want to do it, though the T-shirts aren't usually that great (just cotton ones not technical ones). We're all different.

cinnamongreyhound · 12/02/2014 22:08

A friend of mine did London marathon and hated it because it was so busy! Although it's got to be one for anyone doing a marathon to aim for :) maybe next year I'll think about gnr :)

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pennygallops · 13/02/2014 07:25

I'll let you know how it goes cinnamon.

Welcome anja, gerand and toes.

MadMonkeys · 13/02/2014 08:23

I'm awed by those of you running marathons... Now I've got a horrible cough and cold so running is off for a few days and I'm really missing it. I heard from an old friend I've not caught up with for a while, and he is amazed at my sudden enthusiasm for running - I couldn't really explain it, but running is great isn't it?!

pennygallops · 13/02/2014 08:35

Yes madmonkey running is great. I love it because you don't have to masses to have a big impact. It makes you feel good and there are lots of great people in the running scene.
I can't under estimate the positive impact it's had on myself and my son.

Cakesnbeer · 13/02/2014 09:22

For a moment I thought there was an event or style called madmonkey running- now there is a movement for me!

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