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

Well done spooky and iggi!

Week 2 run 3 done. It was awful. The dog was playing up and on my second run, I thought I was getting a shin splint. Then the dun came out and it was so hot, I nearly melted.

Still, 'tis done

doesn't mention homemade baguette that was eaten for lunch

I will give that a try Spooky, thank you, though at the minute the thought of a longer run seems out of reach! Weirdly though I find the first five minutes harder than the last.

Last night I decided I was going to run for 50 minutes as at my normal 10min/km that should be 5k. When I had finished I found out my phone had cut out at 45 mins when I had covered 4.6k so I couldn't share my full achievement on Endomondo!

I was probably a bit mad in that the first 2k were along the pavement then I went cross country for the rest including a hill and a run through an deep underpass! I took the advice of trying longer strides and although I felt I was "running" more I also felt like I was waddling like a duck - but it makes a change from shuffling like a slug

My knees were a bit sore afterwards but don't seem to bad today. I may try again tomorrow but this time will stick to the pavement there and back - I will just turn around after 25 mins.

iggi it is perfectly normal to find the first 5 minutes harder, every runner I have spoken to is exactly the same and why most people stop running in that first 5 minutes thinking they can't do it. Tell yourself at the beginning that you are going to run 5k so mentally you are prepared for it and then just keep running

My first 5mins are definitely harder.

I'm currently running about 3.5km at week 7 but that includes the warm up and warm down walks. I expect to be only just over 4km too.

Hi everyone.

Yep, I agree - the first 5 minutes are hard! I usually think Why? Why am I doing this? during them.

I just did W9R1 - I think I ran exactly 4km as I thought I would. I haven't checked my splits yet. Edwinia - we'd be the same speed and therefore perfect RL running buddies! I can't run and talk at the same time though .

Well done to everyone running this weekend.

I seem to have hit rather a hurdle. I've been plodding my way through, going quite well and actually starting to enjoy running, however then I started week 5.

I'm finding week 5 impossibly tough, I've done run 1 twice so far and I'm still not happy with it. The first round I actually had to walk at some points, first time I haven't managed to keep going, and afterwards I felt like I was dying . The second attempt I managed to run all the runs but by the end I was going so slowly I was practically crawling. I felt dreadful afterwards and really suffered. That was on Friday and today I still feel tired, stiff and sore.

I skipped running today but want to go tomorrow, I'm going to attempt W5R1 again but I wonder if I've found my limit?

W2r1 done in local park on grass, as nervous to run on the pavement after my fall last week bit repetitive going round in circles but did it.

I much prefer running off road love. And it's a little easier on the joints. I usually run in a local forest park.

I've just entered this london winter run. It's just a 10k run but it goes past London landmarks and I'm hoping for snow. It should be beautiful. Anyone want to join me?

My knees are bad too, did five minutes running outside on Saturday and crippled the left one, I gave just taken dog for a walk and sat here with ice, I am hoping it's the trainers and will be investing in some with more cushioning.

Nightfall, I don't think you've reached your limit at all. What about trying the run again to see how it feels? I definitely found some runs harder than others, then often the next run would be much easier. Good luck .

Five, are you going to have gait analysis done at a running shop? They'll record you running on a treadmill, then watch it in slow motion to see how you land, and what sort of trainer you need (i.e. corrective or neutral). Then they'll try to sell you some quite expensive running shoes you can either buy these, or buy last year's version of the same shoes online for cheaper.

Still suffering with a blasted cold so holding off on W1R3 as advice is to not exercise if you have symptoms below the neck. However, I did do another walk today so at least that's better than being on my bum all day! Well done to everyone who is still going!

Have just done W5R1 again, third time now. I finally feel like I nailed it, it was hard but I don't feel completely wrecked. Going to attempt W5R2 on Weds but am already worrying about it, it seems like another big jump.

ION I'm going to try to get a gait analysis done this weekend, I'm hoping that it might be revealing plus it's my birthday next week so I might be able to get some new trainers :)

Well done nightfall, it's very frustrating when you feel like you've got 'stuck' somewhere on the programme but as Wasting said, I'm sure this isn't your limit - just a challenge which you've now overcome .

Injured and ill ones, take care and hope you feel better soon.

Well, after my highly dramatic and difficult run last week I've made myself have 5 days off to stop coughing quite so continuously and did w7r2 this evening. It was great . I love it when you get those runs which are just enjoyable from start to finish… they certainly don't happen every time, but when they do it makes it all worth it!

Very late to the party here but thought consorting with some fellow runners may keep the motivation going. I'm someone who has never done any exercise but who started the couch to 5k as a way of clearing my head a little. I'm on Week 3 Run 2 and totally in awe of you 5 k runners.

I have a question about rest days - when should I take these and will doing another form of exercise (just walking!) affect muscle healing time. I'm feeling the need to get out most days. Thanks

Week 3 run 1 done! I was dreading it after DH told me it involved three minute runs, but it was fine. I may even (whisper it) have enjoyed it

First run of W7 for me this morning. And crikey, 25 minutes is tough! I managed to get to 21 minutes and then really slowed down to barely above a fast walk. But you know what, it still felt good. And I'm still pleased with myself.
When I look back at the beginning when 1.5 minutes was a struggle, and I never imagined that I would be able to make any progress and I look at what I can do now and how it makes me feel, I know I'm doing ok. And I (another whisperer) really enjoy it. Even look forward to it
So keep going everyone. If I can do it, anyone can!

W9R3 done! I did 5.8km according to Map My Run (but that includes some walking back to the house after I'd finished.

I'm planning on doing ParkRun on Saturday. Will let you know how it goes.

Well done all you runners!

Finished W2R3 yesterday. Ran a bit later than planned and kept bumping into people I knew and lots of children walking to school - had to to avoid stopping and chatting with a 'can't stop!'. Will need to work on my timing tomorrow!

Science, hoping my w3 run goes as yours did but think it will be tough!

All those who are still unwell/injured please take care. I'm following the exercise to try to prevent shin splints which I have had before when doing 'bootcamp'. The first few minutes of each run is always horrible - my knees complain and I feel really old. The second run in the session always feels much easier (well, relatively!)

Good luck daft! I've just looked ahead to week 4 and realised that it involves 16 minutes of running so I'm going to try and really enjoy this week before it gets horribly difficult.

Park runs, eh? Blimey, that's another world. I'm concerned I am running really really slowly as I feel like I'm only just above walking pace really. Still, I reckon at this stage it's about building endurance, and speed will come later when I feel more confident about distance substitute hope for reckon

Well done Daft! Yes, I keep seeing people I know and they always seem to be people who I don't know well enough to say "Hey, am running will call you later!".

Well, I just hope that I don't disgrace myself at the ParkRun.

Daftmaul - can you share the exercise? I dread injuring myself!

Hi Iggi, it was something mentioned by addictedtosugar down thread. She recommended moving your feet up and down from a point and back up again - 'good toes, naughty toes' for anyone who's dcs did ballet when little! Have I got that right Addicted?

I also posted a YouTube link a week or so ago that gives good tips for avoiding injury when running. I can re-post if need be.

I'm sure I run at the same speed that I walk but as you say, Science, we can worry about that in the future!

Well done everyone who's got out and run. Just popping in to warn about Map My Run. It claimed I'd done 4.9k in 40 minutes the other day. Thought it was a bit off, and when I went onto it and drew the route, it's only 3.8k. Don't believe it as gospel. I'm itching for my Garmin watch to arrive!