Starting the Couch to 5K programme. Want to join me?

[Bookaholic73]

I REALLY want to do the couch to 5k programme, but can’t commit to a real life group because I work shifts.

So starting tomorrow, does anyone want to join me?

Week 4 completed this morning..

A bit apprehensive still about next week but not as much as I was before I completed this week. I also realised as I was trundling around IF I carry on I'll complete the programme the first week of January. That would be a great start to the New Year.

How's everyone else getting on?

I’m missing my run today, so I’ll do it tomorrow.

@lipstickwoman that would be an amazing start to the year for sure!

We are celebrating Xmas next weekend, as it’s the only date in December that we can all get together. So I’m going to do what I can with the running in the week, then get the weekend done and go full force with it.

I’m already looking forward to the new year 😂

Hopping on this thread. Or slowly jogging on!

I'm just starting week three but of the more condensed Runners World version that takes 6 weeks. Hoping to hit 30 minutes on the 30th but we'll see. Did three 7 minute runs tonight and it felt manageable. I've started the condensed version with the plan that if I'm struggling I'll repeat a week or switch to the NHS plan but I'm enjoying it so far!

I've tried running before but been absolutely useless. I get an urge to go for a run late at night loads so I'm finally giving in, and some days it's fucking lovely to be running away from my child 😁 . I'm about 2st overweight but can walk for hours and hours after having DC so I think that's helped this attempt so far.

Hello @KaroH 👋

Off out for W5 R1 this morning, wearing several layers as it's 🥶🥶

Have also realised I need to wear a good lip balm, liberally applied. Never had chapped lips like it 😢

I'm back! Well that was the easiest run yet so something must be working 😃😃 (yes I'm still buzzing a bit, please excuse the bit of self satisfaction ).

I walked the long way back and even broke in to another little run to 'Driving Home for Christmas' 😂.

Where's everyone else? How are you doing?

The chapped lips got me too last night! I keep thinking I'm never going to manage the increased time running but then I just... do, and it's not as hard as I was expecting either. I'm so pleased with myself 😂.

I walked a half marathon, with the odd spurt of jogging when going past someone I knew haha, in the summer as a last minute swap with someone. Hoping to actually run one in 2024 and get a decent time.

I'm layering up ready to do w4r1 after dropping the kids at breakfast club - slightly nervous as it is looking like a lot more running than w3!

W4R1 done and it was manageable! So pleased as it looked to be a massive step up. (Felt like I had too many layers on by the end)

Well done @Jfw82 .. getting the layers right is really difficult isn't it.

Rest day for me today but feeling quite positive about another tomorrow.

Did 3x 8 mins tonight with 2 min walking intervals. Got to my 5 min cool down walk and felt like I could do more and managed 7 mins,so hit 30 mins already, albeit broken up. Feel like an Olympic athlete! And a lot less nervous for the bigger runs!

Forgot to put libalm on though and now feel like I have sandpaper for lips.

Still can't believe I'm at this point now from 3 weeks ago when I was begging for my 10 second countdown to start after running for 1 minute. Absolute witchcraft.

@KaroH that's very impressive.. are you starting from reasonably fit?

I agree it feels like magic.. to go from so little to so much is such a short period of time

Oh dear, I’ve missed a few days. Must get back on track.
I’ll be doing week 3 run 2 tomorrow.

Then I’m away for a few days, so will pick it up when I get home.

@KaroH that's so impressive, well done!

In fact, well done everyone for staying on track.

@lipstickwoman I didn't think I was because I've never really exercised but I walked loads in 2021 and I think it's improved my stamina more than I realised. I was about 20st at the beginning of 2021 and want to shift the last 2st in a much healthier way.

And thank you &@Bookaholic73 !@Bookaholic73

@KaroH whoa... hang on.. you've lost how much?! Oh wow hats off to you!

I lost 3 stones in 2021 and also walked miles but wow, that's an awesome (literally) achievement. Would you feel comfortable sharing more?

Sorry for the double tag, clumsy fingers! Was meaning to say I'm very grateful for this thread. I promise I'm not being this braggy in real life. Poor DH is getting sick to death of hearing about how many minutes I've ran, then walked, then ran and so on. He pretends to be interested and he's pleased for me but I can see his eyes glazing over haha.

@lipstickwoman I had a one year old at that point so I walked him for most of his naps and severely restricted my eating. I'm a little under 13st now and aiming for around the 11st mark with healthier eating and some actual excersise.

Congrats on losing 3st @lipstickwoman , better than mine because I did mine in a really unhealthy way!

@KaroH well done. I'm retired so have all the time on the world to diet, run, walk. I do remember how it was with small children and how fitting it all in is so hard. Sounds to me like you're doing fab 💪 x

Good morning.

I’m just about to head out on week 3 run 2. It’s pretty icy out there today, does anyone have tips for running when it’s icy? I’m a bit worried about it.

Morning all.. @Bookaholic73 I've just got back from a very chilly and icy one too.. I kept crossing the road to try and walk/run where the sun had been. It was beautiful out there; hardly any wind and blue skies. I included a local park for a change and it was a joy to be out. Hope yours was just as lovely.

My next run will be W5R3 which is the dreaded 20 minute one.

Thank you @lipstickwoman run done! Once I got going, the roads were quiet so I was able to run on them instead of pavements (side small roads not main ones).

I tend to head to gritty trails when its icy. It's good when it's cold enough for the mud to have frozen!

It's only really re-frozen packed snow/ slush that rules out running outdoors for me.

Trust the plan, it's got you ready for the 20 minutes 😎

@BogRollBOGOF I think it's more of a problem in my head than my legs.. I really really want to manage this one and am planning to do it on Saturday.

Thanks for the encouragement.