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

[CruCru]

Would you all like to join me here?

Just done w5r3. 20 mins non stop! It was hard but can't believe I did it!

Well done Gin and Lagoon on your w5r3! For me conquering that was the biggest celebration of the whole programme!

Also adding my vote for decent (new) trainers and if possible gait analysis - you don't always have to buy the trainers there and then so you can look online and get them cheaper but might be worth trying just to see if different trainers feel different?

I did w8r1 yesterday and managed to cover 5k for the first time.

W5r3 has still been the hardest yet for me, so if you've done that I reckon you've cracked it!

W1R2 done this morning at 6.15am. I was feeling really smug for the first two 1 min runs as they were easy but was really struggling for 6, 7 & 8. The idea of running for 8 mins at the moment, let alone 20 mins, is just crazy!

Just done my first 30 min run.
Feel so proud of myself!
It's incredible to think that first 1 min run nearly killed me.
I love it too!

Congratulations to all the marvellous progress you are all making.
There must be something in the water - I've just done a really good run as well. Felt easier than it has done in a long time.

Hello Couch to 5kers. I am just about to embark and need some advice please. I posted the following on a separate thread but thought it would be a good idea to ask you lovely runners on this thread too. Hope you don't mind....

"Please help me choose a beginner running shoe as I am so confused !! Background, the last time I "tried" to run about 15 years ago(!) I got shin splints but I am now determined that I can be a runner, not someone who has said for the last few years, oh I can't run, I get shin splints... So am going to give Couch to 5K a go to prove to myself it can be done!

Thought after much research I had found the perfect shoe - Nike Lunarglide 6 as says it offers stability & motion control which I think I need for my flattish feet. Trouble is I can't find them for less than about £85 and DH is telling me as a beginner runner I really shouldn't be spending more than £30/40.... Is he right? Am I being fussy wanting Nike and something good to start off with? I'm worried about injuring myself by wearing the wrong non supportive shoes.

By the way, I can't get to any specialist running shops to be fitted as live rurally and abroad so need to make the right purchase online.
Any recommendations for other cheaper shoes that would fit the bill for what I need?
Many thanks in advance for any advice "

If you like the look of the lunarglide, have you tried looking for last years model? So is Lunarglide 5 last years colours, and therefore cheaper?

If your abroad, you may well not be able to order from sports direct but they might give you some ideas about other shoes to try.

PS: this sorted my shin splints, and they haven't yet returned - but I try to do the stretching as often as I do my pelvic floor

Thank you addictedtosugar, much appreciated!

Dancingwitch I was freaking out a month ago at the idea of running for 3 mins and now I can do 28mins non-stop! Trust the program! It works!

Wowee I've missed a bit!

Well done everyone. I second cheerful: trust the program.

I've just done w8r3 and not only did I complete it but I so enjoyed it! And a few weeks ago running for 3 minutes was almost impossible!

I purchased a load of running clothes from Sports Direct to be posted to New Zealand. Way cheaper than buying anything here, even with postage.

Well done everyone - and claps to the W5R3ers. That'll be me on Sunday hopefully!

Oh gawd zinnia I've just read that back and it sounded very sharp I'm sorry.

When I ran a lot a few years ago I got fitted for shoes at our local triathlon place with gait analysis. I paid £120 for the shoes and got terribly injured within a month. Afterwards, the physio said shoes were fine but no better than shoes that cost £40! She said as long as you have shoes that fit with some gel inside they will be fine. Stretching and taking things slowly much more important than expensive shoes.

However, after two weeks of running I have started to have nightly cramps in my hip so I will definitely buy some new shoes, but I am very wary of gait analysis as most places near us only sell one or two brands of shoe so obviously they are duty bound to sell you Saucony/Asics!!

Thanks for the shoe advice. The other thread I started has basically told me to get on with the running initially, not the shopping! Apparently shin splints only happen if you push yourself too much when you're not ready and doing longer distances, so I would think C25K is perfect for me to gradually build up and hopefully I won't get them. Will certainly treat myself to a new pair of shoes when I achieve something though!! And will take your advice on the brands which are cheaper but still good - I did have a look last night at some other brands - and Sports Direct deliver here so that's good.
So, am starting today as you're all proof it can be done!!

Don't worry lemonhope no offence taken! I'm lucky enough to work near a really good C.London running shop which carries lots of brands - and though I did end up with Saucony I'm v pleased with them. My only other trainers were about 20 yrs old and from M&S so I needed something!

Just done W4R2 and whilst still in terror of next week, the 5 min runs were easier today than they were on R1. Can't believe I've been doing this for nearly a month now, it's actually starting to be a habit.

yeah I would love a seriously good running shop with lots of brands but I fear they only exist in London

i am on wk2 r3 tomorrow - really really looking forward to it and petrified that twinge in hip will get worse

Good luck with that third run - I actually think W3 might have been my favourite so far, am missing those 1.5 minuters. Still feeling amazed that I can run for 5 actually. (This sounds a bit pathetic when I write it down).

I am so desperate to get to week 6!!

Was torturing myself yesterday thinking soon you will have to run for 25 minutes non stop! its quite hilly and muddy where I am so I am telling myself that it is more challenging

Week 6 was the hardest for me - gong back to intervals after the 20mins solid took some adjustment.
I enjoyed week 7 onwards - actually being able to run, but there is now way I'd have got there without the previous 7 weeks.

Lemon - if your hip is bad, is it worth resting a little longer?

Due to old surgery I have a pin in knee and half a hamstring in that leg so I presume hip twinge is to be expected.

I will try tomorrow (it doesnt hurt when I walk or run) and see how I go

I think some form of sciatica but may improve as muscles strengthen

ONLY ONE MORE RUN TO GO!!!!!

You go Cheap!

Just completed w5r2. My first run in the dark (DH wasn't home until 8.30 and it is dark by 8 at the moment). I really enjoyed it! I stayed away from the cycle/walking path due to the darkness so did a loop around the suburb that took in the shopping street. It helped having new things to look at, and it was definitely easier out of the sun - still warm though, but very windy.

I felt like I could have kept going after the first 8 minutes, but was quite glad when the second 8 mins was over!

Bring on the big one on Sunday!

A question for the graduates...after you finished the c25k, did you continue running 3x per week? I enjoy doing it but also wonder how necessary it is to run 5k each time?

Whowould Dark at 8??!! Where do you live? Dark by 6 here in the NE!

Cheerful You go Girl! Nice progress. I'm trying to run twice a week now, and doing something else the third day (swim ususally). Over winter, I've averaged more like 1-2 a week, and can feel the fitness slipping and weight increasing. I'd say w5r3, or 5km are sensible post graduation runs - I tend to do the C25K+ runs from the NHS now (up to 45 mins total), and have stretched the distance once a week - did 10km once, but 8 is better for me.
I also take kids out - the are too small for the distance, so I go out with the oldest, and do 2km, then swap kids, and take the 3 yr old out for under a km, and then do the 2km loop again. Kids love it. Or go with oldest on his bike - thats hard work, as he expects me to talk to him and run!