Couch to 5k...it's not about speed (thread no 2)

[spookyskeleton]

Thought I would start a new thread for us to continue our chat

Woohoo! I did it! 20 minutes run

I started off faster than I've run before 'cos I felt really good, but got panicky at about 7 minutes so slowed it down to a more manageable jog and then went a tiny bit quicker at the end when I knew I was going to survive!

Definitely a mental challenge for me running for that length of time. Am going to aim to up my speed in the shorter runs from now on but aim to just get through the long runs for now...

Go Dotty well done. Bet you feel so good now - that sense of achievement really is great.

Supported the running group in w 3 r 1 this morning. Before we started, they were all worried about running for 3 minutes, thinking they couldn't do it and they all managed it

In other news, I had my first personal training session this morning and have pulled a muscle in my lower back am hoping i can still run with it

spooky that's not good - hope it eases up soon - have you got good drugs to help?!

Yay - I ran for 25 minutes today. Absolutely unbelievable.

Go Dotty!!!

Ooh moosey that's fantastic!

I'm having a large glass of red which I know isn't sticking to the being-all-healthy plan, but hey, can't be perfect all the time...

Make that two glasses of wine...

you've earned it dotty! so does that mean you will be running outside??!! you will love it, honestly.

Sadly, I couldn't finish the 2nd glass...! My tolerance has taken a nose dive in the last month, which I know is good but is a bit strange....

Yes I want to try and do a run outside but am a bit mortified at the thought of it. Might go round the park for one of the sessions this week.

Am also going to start cycling to work on one or two of my rest days each week - it's 5 miles each way and I used to do it regularly a couple of years ago, but then put on weight and stopped. Aiming to give that a go on Tuesday...!

I prefer to run outside. You do have to pretend that it is completely normal for you to do so, and really people are generally unobservant. It is strange when you are used to drinking more alcohol. I have nearly stopped drinking too. A colleague said to me 'ah, but you're just not ready to be the person that always says: just an orange juice for me'. I completely got it! it would be like a personality change!

Go dotty I never managed to get for a run yesterday and right now I wish I could say no to more wine not sure I can even lift my head off the pillow plan is once I get home tonight I will go for a run sweat out the alcohol

Did 25 mins today, went to a park and ran round, much easier than country road running! Also not as self conscious as didn't know anyone!

I've not looked in on this thread for a while, I'm going to read it and catch up. The slimming world group I go to is doing a 5K event so I'm going to do it! I'm not entirely sure when it is yet, but I'm nervous already.

kaster you will do it. The atmosphere will carry you to the end

My back is fine today which is odd it is now just general muscle aching all along my lower back rather than the pain in one side that I had yesterday. However, I am struggling to walk due to my leg muscles also aching - the PT session was obviously a good one

Anyway, I can still run so I am going to do hill training tomorrow...eek I hate, hate, hate hills but have read stuff about how it helps you with flat runs so going to try it tomorrow. Basically you just run at your usual pace to the top and then jog back down and then repeat for 10-15 minutes. Sounds horrific

Thanks spooky glad to hear your back is feeling better today. I've just got back from a 45-50min run. I did about four miles I was ages from home when I finished my 30 mins so I thought I'll just run to the end of this road and so on, but ended up running all the way home! I think because there was no pressure on me, I had done my run and I could stop when I wanted that I just kept going. I still did my five min warm down walk on very wobbly legs!

Went out this morning and decided to repeat a W3 run as was still struggling a bit. I had thought it might be due to my inhaler running low, so wanted to check. Managed every bit of the runs without stopping, AND managed to hold a conversation too! The moral of the story is check you're actually getting anything out of your inhaler! . I think we're going to do another W3 and then move up to W4. 5 minutes running at once!

NB : when I started this a month ago I couldn't even run for 60 seconds, so I know it will come, but 5 whole minutes!?!

kaster well done sometimes those are the best runs where there is no pressure and you can just run!

Can I ask a really stupid question? Where do you put your stuff when you're running outside..? . I'd have a car key (if I drove to the park I want to run around) and my iPhone for the app. I haven't got a phone holder or any pockets. Sounds daft - can you get bags to wear for running? And do you just carry a water bottle? I just dump everything by each machine at the gym but am trying to think through how to face the great outdoors

I've got a really lightweight sort of bum bag which fits my phone and a small key in. It's quite comfy and I don't know I'm wearing it. It's an elasticated strap. I got it from Sports Direct.

Fab - I've just been googling and had come to the same conclusion - although a bit worried that any waist/bum bags won't actually go round me... . I'll see what decathlon's got in this week.

I don't take a water bottle with me, my phone goes in an arm holder and I carry my car key. My friend has running pants with a zip pocket in for keys but mine don't.

Did W4R2 last Thurs and found it ok, considered carrying on after first 8 mins but thought better of it.

Going to try 20 min run tomorrow morning. I did to W4R3 back in April, never managed W5r3 despite 4 tries but think I could do the 20 mins again now, I have been walking a lot while not running the past 2 months and that seems to have helped.

Wow Kaster, that's fab!! And congrats to all other runners today!

Keys in pocket of my tights, water bottle in hand and phone in bra. I think that's probably not a good idea, but I find my waist band/bag thing really annoying because it bounces up and down. I might invest in an arm phone holder…

Was all dressed and ready to go out for w6 r3 when the heavens opened this evening! Gave it half an hour but it was still coming down full throttle and I was hungry so I gave up and had my dinner instead! Will try for tomorrow!

W6R1 for me tonight, which is 5 then 8 then 5 minutes of running with walking in between. Am aiming for speed on the 5 minute runs (speed for me, anyway - going to go for 7.5kph which will be a new land speed record for me ).

20 minute run done!

I've had a bit of bother on where to keep my things too, I only take mobile and key and during the winter just took them in a zip pocket on my sweater. I had bought an arm thing for my mobile but haven't been able to find it so having to take mobile in hand and key in little bra pocket. It was a problem when I got home today as key had slid right down bra on its side in pocket and I couldn't see it, so I was stood outside my door with my head almost down my top having a good rummage

I still haven't managed to get out for w4r2 hopefully manage to go tomorrow night before dd goes into hospital. think I'm going to have to arrange babysitter to let me run that might help with my motivation too
I keep my keys inside my phone cover and keep my phone in my bra