Couch to 5k...it's not about speed (thread number 3).

[CruCru]

Hi all

Here is the new home for our chat. Hope to see you all soon.

Love

Cru

Crucru ouch re toe, flips flops for you then
Clearly I am aiming to see the programme through in 9 weeks. But I figure that if I have a crap week and repeat a cycle, it's still better than the absolutely bugger all I've been doing upto now

Ifancyagreencard - I started at the beginning of June and only just finished. I can only fit two runs a week in. We're still doing more than those people sitting on the sofa!

CruCru and Five - hope your injuries heal quickly!

W8R3 done! My toe was okay.

Yay, well done, CruCru!

Week 2 run 2 done. It has destroyed me.

Well done Science. Surprisingly it gets easier as you gain faith. I remember the first couple of weeks being the toughest overall.

I've had a shite week but I have eaten today so I might have the physical strength for a run tonight. I'm also turning the corner emotionally so hope I have the mental strength.

I'm not sure what run to do though. My last was a week ago and was W6R1. Any suggestions? Should I just go for W6R2 or should I take a step back. Maybe I should just try and do 4 lots of 5 minutes instead of 2 lots of 10?

Edwina I had a four day gap and I just did the next one, but it was a real struggle. With a week gap I (if it were me) would try to re-do your last day.
Five I am sorry to hear about your knees. You never know with physio they might get stronger than ever - but you certainly need to give them a break.

Crucru I'm due to do that one tomorrow. Despite running now for 28 mins I've never even made 4k, never mind five! Sitting in a car at the mo eating a kitkat, which is not ideal I know.

Hi edwinias good to hear from you. Whatever run you do, be a tiny bit pleased with yourself for getting back out there

yay did w1r2 today - very proud for getting off my arse and continuing with this not giving up!!! Although finding week 1 a bit easy so I might go straight on to week 2 now...

do you go every other day or 3 times a week? dont know whether to make c25k a mon, Tues, weds thing or strictly every other day?

arhhgg meant mon weds fri!

Hi primary , I run on alternate days - I think this is recommended in order to give your body time to recover, and to prevent injuries.

Edwinia! Welcome back, I've missed you . Is it tonight or tomorrow that you're hoping to go running? Let us know which run you decide to do, and how it goes.

I got some new running gear delivered today, and I have some more to pick up tomorrow - I treated myself for sticking with the programme. I think I'm pretty set now, although I fancy a digital watch, and I'm not sure if my new running tights have a zipped pocket, so I might need a wrist key holder whatsit.

Well done Primary! I have just done my second run too. Thankfully the second half of the programme seems to go faster (in time!) than the first. I was planning on doing Monday, Wednesday, Friday but as I started on a Thursday, I didn't want to leave it too long before running again. I think I will have to mix and match as I would rather run in the morning ( too many people around in the evenings!) and some weekday mornings will be busy.

Lol at racing snake, Five. More like sweaty hippo! I'll bring my hotpants to show you next time I see you. I like the jacket because it helps to hold all my wobbles in

Glad your toe held out Cru. Ds broke his little toe a few weeks ago and insists it doesn't bother him unless I pull it

Sounds like you have Runners Knee, Five. Take care. Have you tried icing it - Dh swears by icing every single twinge! My heels have been playing up a bit so put insoles in my shoes today.

Wasting, like the sound of your new gear. I'm still having trouble with my headphones, why won't they stay in my ears! Any suggestions of what to get instead?

Primary, I have run on alternate days until now.

Daftmaul, I have some cheap headphones from amazon. They are about £7 and come in a variety of colours and have rave reviews in there. I think they are Phillips. They have different size earbuds so you can find the ones that fit your ears. They are very good: excellent sound quality and don't fall out when I am running!

Legs not too bad today. Certainly not as stiff as they have been, and I was expecting worse considering how hard I found the session. My hips are gently fizzing as opposed to full on hurting, so that's good too.

How do you know what size your ears are?

Regarding clothing - my favourite running attire is black, do I need to buy some glow-in-the dark stuff to wear with it in the evenings?

I've just done W6R2 which was due to be my next run. It was tough. Really tough. But I decided that I would just get out there and see what I could do and decide what to do next.

I was surprised that I got into my stride straight away. It took me weeks to stop feeling clumsy on the first couple of runs.

My legs were really weak on the second 10min run and I look like a beetroot now suggesting that I've lost some muscular tone and cardio capacity. But at the end of the day it was essentially mind over matter and I'm chuffed I cracked it.

On the subject of clothing. I've bought myself a long sleeve running jacket. Just a primark cheapy but I kind of can't wait for the weather to get colder.

Same here Edwinias - I've just done w6r2 as well. I really enjoyed the first 10 minutes because it was all down hill but found the second one harder - breathing rather than legs for me. Definitely on a post-run feel good now though. Well done to you too!

I have some JVC earphones from TK Maxx that hook over the back of your ears. They seem to stay in pretty well.

Iggi, I'm wondering about clothes now it's getting darker as well. Most of my running stuff is black too and although my laces on my trainers are fluorescent I think I might need some other visibility stuff… I might keep my eyes open for some capris with a reflective strip down the side?

Sorry daft, I wasn't very clear. THe headphones are supplied with three sizes of ear buds so you can try them all before deciding which are right for you.

Link here: www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-SHE3590PK-10-In-Ear-Headphones-Pink/dp/B007BOL7Q4/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1410008634&sr=8-16&keywords=in+ear+headphones+philips

Sorry, link here

Wk8r3 done!
LaughingM, amazon sell reflective belts which have a belt bit and then a sash that goes across your body - about £7. I think I'll get one as I have enough tops etc and this way I can take it on/off depending. There are armbands too but my chunky arms probably wouldn't fit them

Hi Edwinia , it's great to have you back, and well done.

I'll be back later after my run, but I just wanted to link to this reflective and LED vest. I'm not sure that I'll go out running in the dark, but I'd quite fancy this if I did.

W1R3 done, and in daylight! But was this because:

a) I am out and proud and don't care how many people in the village clock my lardy arse
b) I want to drink wine and watch X Factor later tonight?

Answers on a postcard . . .

Anyway, much much tougher - possibly cos it's not as cool as at 9.30pm? And the humidity is vile here tonight. Water, then wine I feel . . .

Hope everyone else is OK.

Well done greencard , that's great. I get a kick out of finishing each run, but an even bigger one after finishing each week. I bet you're really pleased.

I wore a tight running vest for the first time out running tonight . I felt a bit self conscious, but I looked okay (I think ), and I'm fed up of being too hot in a t-shirt. Anyway, who cares what anyone else thinks .

My run tonight was W7R3 , so I need to think of a slightly longer route for my next run. I keep thinking that I might go back to the gym to use the treadmill, but I've only done it once or twice. It's much easier just to open my front door and ruuuuuuun.

Went out again this morning, aiming for half an hour. Had to stop at about 25 mins. I weeded and mowed the back garden on Thursday and my hamstrings have been agony since. I thought at first that I might not even make 10 minutes, but I concentrated on keeping going and got to 25 minutes before I simply HAD to stop to stretch them. Then carried on back to the car. Bit disappointed but I keep telling myself that a few weeks ago, 3 minutes seemed like an insurmountable obstacle and now I'm doing 30 on a regular basis.

Ifancy - our lardy arses are still moving faster than people who are sat on theirs!

Wasting - you could also just double back on yourself?

Edwinias - those 10 minute runs seem like a step backwards until you actually try them!