Couch to 5k - it's not about speed (thread number 4)

[CruCru]

Would you all like to join me here?

Whowouldfardelsbear just trust the programme. It truly works, and you have built up the fitness by the end of week 5 to do it, if you let your brain beleive. The first 5 mins are really the hardest, and then it doesn't get any harder, and even gets easier.
So yesterday, I dropped back to w5r3, as I was very short of time (needed to collect the kids from school, so had 60 mins to run, shower, dry hair and walk the 10 mins to school . I nearly gave up 3 mins in, but in the end (except for waiting for the cars to let me cross the road) ran most of 25 mins - 20 min run, and most of the cool down.

Ah well done disparate!

W9R1 done (W8 needed to be re downloaded and our WiFi is shit) but I wasn't brilliant. It's so muddy here that it's hard to get into a nice rhythm - I ended up hopping onto either side of a path to avoid the river running through it. Some kind soul had shoved a couple of pallets down on the worst bit so that's not too bad.

Cru iirc, w8 is a 28 min run, so you could just stop running when you get to "Just two more minutes"
Well done!
The weather isn't helping. Between icy, rain, snow and wind combined with the dark evenings, I'm getting out about once a week :( Never thought I'd be writing that!

Managed w3r1 yesterday, actually wasn't too bad, hadn't been looking forward to the 3 minute runs. Felt strange to do less runs and the time went really quickly. Not sure how much I'll get out this week though, got a lot of late nights at work plus my sons birthday.

Ah well done Ginny.

W1R3 done! Felt really good, and like I could have run more so thinking 90 seconds should be achievable now. I also didn't collapse in a heap when I got home either - went straight outside and hung out the washing instead - maybe this is a sign I'm getting fitter!

I (hopefully not prematurely) went and got fitted for some proper running shoes at the weekend. They were expensive, but I'd found my long lost Prezzy Card that my work got me last year when my husband was away from home in hospital so used that to buy them. I think they certainly made it a bit easier.

According to my app I did 3.5k (2 miles?) including the 5 min walks either side and a flight of fifty steps, and got further than i had before (i keep going till she says 'halfway' and then turn round.

W8R2 done, I didn't finish it all as I had to cross the rivers of mud on my way back.

Hello, may I join in, please?

I have been kind of improvising a start running programme since December, and could definitely do with being part of an encouraging community. No i-pod and i-phone battery is not up to it. I cannot yet run 5k without stopping for a walk here and there but am regularly covering 5k with a bit of a mixture of walking and running.

Loving it, especially in the cold! Discovering I like exercising outside is revelatory. And quite pleased to be able to run for 15 mins solid - last time I did that I was doing cross country at school back in the mists of time.

Anyhow I probably need to create a bit of structure and may join in on a particular week if anyone has suggestions!

Can I join in too? I have previously done a regular boot camp and pt sessions but funds won't allow for either of these just now.
I want to do something quite structured though. If I just go out "for a run" I know I will end up strolling along. I have done a number of 5k runs before but have never managed one non-stop.
So planning to start tonight. Wish me luck!

Hi TheReal and INeed! Nice to have you.

If you can run for 15 mins without stopping, perhaps do the one where you keep going for 20 mins? You walk for 5 mins before and after the run.

Good luck INeed!

Thanks CruCru I think I'm going to need it. I definitely wasn't built for running!

Oh neither am I. It's good though.

Thanks Cru, I think I will look it up and start on that week.

I'm finding once I get going I love it, and can keep on keeping on but if I stop for a walk I find it hard to get back into a sustained faster pace. It could be in my head.

I have a nice place to run though, along a prom/beach depending on tides. Or round a lake and park if its too windy on the front.

I've been reading a bit about fartlek training too and sounds fun and good for building stamina and burning calories! Anyone an expert?

Do any of you do yoga? A friend said it would be a good complement to running and I'm on the lookout for a (non irritating) beginners yoga DVD.

Oh Cru it's fantastic for runners. Running is sometimes mind over matter whereas yoga encourages you to tune into your body- feel what's going on with your hips or you ankles etc. try the website do yoga with me. It's lovely and free.

Awesome stilllearnin. That looks like a great website. Which class would you recommend?

I did week 3 last week and I'm repeating it again this week because I was struggling to go 2.5 mins! General advice was to slow down so I managed 2.5 but slowing down is making my calves hurt when they don't when I go faster :(

How old are your trainers PurpleSwift?

I am joining again. Did week 1 and week 2 then developed what I think was shin splints and a sore ankle. I have had 2 weeks rest and will start again on Monday when I will try grass running instead.

Has anyone done c2 5k slowly. By that I mean not doing all of week 1 in a week. Instead of 3 runs maybe one initially and then building it up? I think 3 runs even the small ones in the programme, in 7 days is what did it for me poor legs.

Lagoon! I am just back from the dr and no running for 2 weeks for me, plus x ray on thurs. I think most of us had times when we could not run three times in a week and so spread a week over 14 days. I think that I'd a really good idea. How active are you otherwise? If not very, it might be an idea to at least move a bit on rest days.

The hi. Not that active tbh. I am sat on my bum at work all day and have been ill for a while so no proper exercising apart from running after DC and walking to shops!

I need to slow down a bit on the runs I guess. Will see how I go on Monday.

Hi lagoon! Sure, why not build up slowly? It's not a boot camp (and it's meant to be fun).

Yes sorry, I didn't explain! I am in a really sedentary job and I feel it a bit when I take a break. So all I meant is keep moving on your rest days- maybe a 20 min walk. That way your fitness will increase but you won't be putting so much stress on your joints because you won't be running every other day. I think it's a great idea to spread it out a bit though- otherwise you'll risk hurting yourself and having to stop all together. I plan to walk while I have my 'break'.

I haven't been out running plodding for a week and feel a bit crappy about it but I am also headachey and feeling tired. I managed to get out all through December and it pretty much kept me going but I am just not feeling it this week. Walked to and from a stretchy yin yoga class so at least it wasn't couch all day.

Hope to get out tomorrow and tune in again. I can run this Weds, Fri and Sat. I might start on week 5, as Cru suggests, and try the intervals for the first 2 days.

When I get paid I might get myself a new pair of trainers, mine have been comfy enough but I got them for a bootcamp rather than just running and I feel like I'd like something a bit more flexible. Any recommendations?

Interested in the idea of stretching a week to 14 days.

I've been getting sore ankles when I run, and I'm supposed to start week 5 tonight.

I don't know why they're hurting, they don't between runs (except for a residual ache the day after), but it's the same place on both feet, so I suppose is more likely to be new muscles being used?!