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

Hello PoirotsMoustache , and well done for starting.

I've just been to the gym in order to reduce impact on my shin before my physio appointment tomorrow. I did 15mins running on the treadmill (~150cals), ~150cals on the AMT, and ~100cals on the exercise bike. It was quite good fun actually. The treadmill clearly gives you the best cardiovascular workout (but hurt my shin a bit), but the others were pretty good too. I'm feeling a bit more positive about the possibility of the physio saying No more running for a while! tomorrow.

Has anyone else been going to the gym?

I am restarting tomorrow in my nice shiny new trainers

Hey Poirots! Nice to see you, don't you find that after you've run, you feel awesome?

I am a fool, I've left my running shoes in the Isle of Wight. I have some nike fly knits that are meant to be like barefoot running but I've only ever worn them out for regular things. I was going to do the Stepping Stone but I may have to just run to my running music and see how it goes.

Sorry, that sounded weird, I am a bit drunk,

Sounded fine Cru! Hope you don't have a sore head...

Ugh, am okay thanks, up a bit early because baby DD decided she was going to lie in her cot and shout.

Mummy I think 16 minutes running is really good! It's not often I can sustain running for longer than that - that's about the time I usually either slow right down so I might as well be walking, or I just walk for 90 seconds - 2 minutes and then start again! I'm coming to accept that I'm just not a natural runner . But don't be disheartened - you're building up stamina and increasing your fitness.

I cycled into work again today

Trying to decide if I can face the park run again on Saturday, given how traumatised I was last week... It's either this Saturday or in another 2 weeks. I haven't been to the gym since as I'm cycling and can't do both - my body might collapse in a great big fitness heap... I want to keep running, only because I put so much effort into finishing the C25K programme!

Defo keep running dotty- you'd need to start again if you don't and you've come so far I've got an abs recommendation for you (you know for when you have the time!) I'll link when I'm back from trying to improve on last weeks 6.5k - don't fancy my chances much!

Oh poirot I lost my post last night - but basically I was saying, well done for getting going. Don't worry about your pace at all- concentrate your thoughts on congratulating yourself on getting out there! Are you running outside? It's my favourite time of the year for the outdoors. I'm off to the forest of dean this weekend. Would live to run round there but instead I shall be stating up late, watching bands and drinking beer

Love obv

8.15k (according to map my run on the old laptop - i dont have a clever gps device!) I know I did the first 5k in 30 mins - dont know about the rest but there is a long incline at the end. Despite this - I felt like I could just keep going forever - until I stopped when I felt like I was going to die!

I use an older version of this book for abs www.amazon.co.uk/Firm-Abs-Flat-Tummy-Pyramids/dp/060061803X/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

my version has you doing progressively more and harder exercises on alternate days - meaning you can time it with your rest days from running. Works a treat as well.

Poirot, welcome and well done! On week 4 of the NHS C25k, Laura says to slow down and take deep breaths if you have a stitch.

Chameleon, rest for shin splints! A friend of mine swears by running in flight socks to prevent them.

Cru, careful with the barefoot running shoes. I don't think they absorb much impact, and you could hurt yourself.

Still, enjoy the forest!

Dotty, good work on the cycling and maybe you need to right the wrongs of Park Run?

Wasting, I don't go to the gym but I do have a treadmill at home. Does that count?

Rest day for me today. Achey today in the hips but my calves are surprisingly ok. Quite looking forward to my run tomorrow - what has happened to me?!

Well done on your first run, Poirot.

Completed W4R1 this morning. I did double check before I left that I had actually got to week 4! It really felt like a big step up and was quite tough. On the last 5 minute run, when Laura said to slow down a bit if it was too difficult, I did have a little laugh - if I had slowed any more, I'd have stopped! I have felt much better running in the cooler temps though - apart from my cold hands during the warmup walk!

I had shin splints years ago, chameleon. I think the only thing that helped was to rest. I'm hoping not to get them again.

What are these Park Runs that lots of you are talking about?

Hope your new shoes do their job today, Five.

Afternoon

still I am going to take a look at that book as my tummy is the one area of my body that I am really unhappy about. If it works, I'm in

daftmaul parkruns are free 5k runs on a Saturday morning in parks all around the country - they generally start at 9am I think. If you go on the website, you can find your local one, register online and then just turn up whenever you feel like it. They are timed aswell so you can monitor your progress. Useful once you have finished the programme and fancy a 5k jog run.

chameleon yep, think rest is the best thing for shin splints but not sure how you can prevent them re-occuring once you start running again.

Poirot welcome the hardest step is that first one and you have done that so well done and keep going.

dotty don't stop running, you will regret it when you think about how far you have come and have to start all over again. Just scale it back like I am doing and do 1 or 2 runs a week with other more enjoyable exercise alongside it. And absolutely do the parkrun again this weekend and exorcise those demons

I did a 30 minute run last night followed by 15 minutes of hill training the hill training was difficult as whenever I have done it before, it has only been preceded by a 15 minute slow run as a warm up whereas this followed a 30 minute normal pace run! But I did it! I am doing a colour run on Saturday which I cannot wait for - running made fun and then a 9-mile run on Sunday morning which I am not thinking about

That sounds cool, Spooky.

Science - you were right, had to stop after 2k as knees and ankles hurt. Turns out I really need my cushioned running shoes. No ParkRun for me on Saturday - am feeling blue.

So today is my birthday and after a really interesting indepth gait analysis last weekend I have ordered some new running shoes for myself "from" DH :) They are ace and I'm really looking forwards to running with them but it took me a while to make a final decision, and I ordered online so they won't arrive till next week now.

As an unexpected bonus, my brother (who is a long-time runner) filled a shoe box full of little running goodies for me for my birthday which I opened today. A few different types of water bottles and holders, a bumbag special belt thing to hold my phone when I don't have a pocket, a couple of different types of running socks, a flashing arm band and a couple of other bits. They look super cool; I was due to run W6R2 today but had decided to push it back to tomorrow as its my birthday but now I want to try out the new gear and am thinking of going if I get a chance.

Happy Birthday Nightfall!

nightfall happy birthday what a thoughtful present from your brother!

Well I am back, went on the treadmill at the gym for 25 minutes which included a minute, two 90 seconds and one two minute run, right knee is fine, left knee there is a tiny ache but not bad. Can highly recommend gait analysis

Well done everyone , lots of progress and some running-acquired injuries too.

Well, I don't have shin splints apparently! I'm really pleased that I can keep running - I have a new stretch to do, so hopefully my shin will start to behave soon. Onwards and upwards .

Happy birthday Nightfall!

Wasting - what's your new stretch?

Five - well done on getting back to it.

Yes what is the new stretch? And also can we chat about gait analysis please? How is it done? Did you go in your running gear? (I'm talking bra and all?)will they mind that I'm fat??

Happy birthday nightfall!! Your presents sound fab!

spooky your runs must now be officially classed as epic...! Am in awe, seriously.

Yes am going to carry on running - have just agreed with dp that we'll do a park run on October 11th. So that's 2 weeks to get better.... . I just have to convince my body now that it's perfectly reasonable to cycle and run (at the gym) on the same day...

still I had a gait analysis done at decathlon and it was really good. Went in my usual running attire and the very young slim woman didn't seem to mind that I'm very old and fat . She videoed me running, showed me how bad my left foot in particular is at rolling inwards and then got me to try on different pairs of shoes and filmed it again. It was really interesting and she didn't try to flog me the most expensive shoes..! My new trainers are fab and feet feel much more supported.