Couch to 5 K Its not about Speed (5!)

[addictedtosugar]

So, we seem to have filled up the 4th thread. Anyone want to join me here?

You're a day ahead of me mcbutton. I had a two day gap (thank god) before I did wk7 r1, which was this morning. It was predictably hellish, but improved by the fact I knew I could do it. It was slightly less excrutiating on the legs than last time, so I celebrated by doing a teeny little sprint between a couple of trees in the cool down period. Of course, my sprint was like other peoples slow jogs, but it was lovely to have a minute of stretching my legs without desperately trying to husband my resources so I could just make it through. I can see being able to run faster, which is a long way off for me, could be fun.

weaseleyes and McButtonwillow
Hi - I've just completed my W7. Finding it hard when I started on Monday just like you did but today I was ambitious and chose a route that actually started with a 5min uphill and includes two railway bridges (well, only one bridge, there and back!). And this first 5 mins that I though would completely kill me were actually fine. So something is improving. Yes uphill is still hard but my calves were not quite as sore as previously. In terms of pace / distance I'm also still way off but that will come with time.

We can do it !

weasel I'm impressed that you had the stamina to manage some sprints, it's all I can do to keep walking in the cool down .

Glow that's reassuring- my calves were so sore yesterday I thought I was going to have to stop but they did get better once I'd warmed up. I have a very flat route so well done you for tackling some hills

I'm feeling more positive (and less achy) today . Rest day planned for today then W7 R2 tomorrow.

Yes we can do it!

On a separate note I've become obsessed with trying to work out who could be using couch to 5k. I've seen various runners out and about and keep trying to spot who's a couch to 5ker, I saw one woman yesterday who I was convinced was as she was running at intervals but she was too far away for me to talk to.

Does anyone else do this? I like seeing other runners who look like novices too

After two weeks resting my ankle (and reading here to keep my spirits up!) I now have a matching pair again, and for the last few days my right ankle has not been sore or swollen. So this morning I went out to try W1R1. And it went well. A couple of times I started to feel it a little just as Laura told me to stop running and start walking, but all in all it did not hurt and doesn’t seem sore now, just a little stiff again. So I will take the rest day and do it again! Hopefully I’ll be able to build up.

It felt great to be out there again

Completed run 3 of week 5.

The idea of 20 mins non stop was really daunting so I can't believe I did it. Yay go me!

Great HopOnTheMonnerBus!

Well done all completing runs and back from injury

Feeling inspired as get close to the end of week six, just r3 to do.....

And maybe there is hope that I may get a bit less slow.

Dd pointed a woman out the other day, saying she looked like she was doing c25k, so we're all at it here

HopOnTheMonnerBus Yay well done! You're on your way!

Well done hop I went out this morning and have finished week 4 so about to start week 5! Looks very daunting but this morning was ok until a dog nipped the back of my leg

Week 6 Run 3 done! So happy. I went slowly but enjoyed it - a lovely day here. Nike+ measured it as 1.83 miles, so a way to go til I get to 5k, but I felt ok at the end. I am going to build to 30 mins, then work on speed I think. Good luck everyone.

Wk 7 r2 done . I did have to stop and walk for a minute but I added an extra minute at the end to make up for it . It was tough ( again) but I am persevering .

Good luck to all!

Blimey EmberRose getting nipped sounds horrible. Hope you're OK.

Did the dog think you weren't running fast enough? Remind him it's not about speed!

As I walked (I was in the middle of two 5 mins runs) the dog wouldn't walk on. I went to walk around it and it nipped the back of my calf! I just ran off but the owner didn't seem
That bothered. Annoyed me as another dog owner but no mark or pain so wasn't very bad. Not really the point though.

Poor show from dog owner, ember. Glad it wasn't worse, though.

I did wk7 r2 today. Legs pretty leaden, first and last five minutes particularly grim, but got through it.

Never having been very fit or sporty myself, I always imagined that people who were must find it easy and that's why they did it. I think I appreciate more now that it's always an effort, but that you get better at tolerating it and the rewards make it worth it. Studying other runners recently (ALL of them thinner and faster than me, even the slow ones!) I realised that most of them aren't somehow gliding through it, but are putting lots of effort in, even though they're much better at running than me. I feel a little chastened it took me so long to grasp this. I now intend just to look forward to being able to do a bit more for the same effort.

Weaseleyes bet I am fatter and slower, am desperately hoping will get faster as get fitter...

People keep saying to me to join the local running club, but am far far too slow!

Chased by dog not good, I would've been cross.

Lbnb - just done w6r3 here too! It was quite an effort this morning. But I have done it! My legs were still a bit achey after the last run,as I'd braved the uphill return. Can certainly feel that in my old bones.

But I've only been doing this since 23rd May, so i am quite pleased really

Glad you're OK ember. That would have freaked me out totally.

Did a Week 2 run today. It went OK and no ankle problems. I'm also glad because it means the fitness effects do build up and they do last even after a couple of weeks break - I remember struggling to do Week 2 when I started! I'm going to try a Week 3 run next time. Still avoiding steep hills for the time being because they are very hard on my joints.

Really glad to see that you are back out there DontDoItDi. DismalFuckers, well done on week 6 run 3 - feels like I am a 'proper' runner now. I want to do week 7 run 1 today but it is horribly wet - need to grab a gap in the rain I think.

Hello - what a mean dog! I don't see many dogs, just loads of cyclists whizzing past - what happened to ringing your bell?!
I got better speed today than I've ever had, and have been trying to think what's made the difference. I've lost some weight (just under a stone) so not carrying that with me, and I've also been doing 10,000 steps a day so a lot of extra walking which is maybe improving my stamina overall. Maybe that park run is in reach before the end of the summer!

I really like this blog post about how good runners should treat beginner/ slower runners.
Marathon Talk

Week 7 run 1 done and ran slightly further this time. Impatient to move on to 30 mins now...

W5R3 today. I was dreading a 20 minute run and was talking myself out of it but I went out and it wasn't too bad. I'm not very fast but I never stopped so I'm really chuffed. My joints are holding up well, no aches or pains

Hopefully I am back on the programme! After 2 weeks off with my sore leg, I got a pair of supportive insoles, and repeated a Week 3 run this morning. Seems okay so far. I'm going to plan to get back to W4R3 later in the week.

Hi all, can see that you encourage new people to join in, so may I?!

Downloaded the NHS app last night and will start next week as I need some new trainers first, my toes show through the holes in my current ones... I can see the first week but it says I need to sign up to unlock the other 8, have looked all over but can't find where to sign up not hugely tech savvy can anyone help?