Right, I am starting 'couch potato to 5k' again and I WILL finish

[giddykipper]

I WILL NOT nesh out again like I did last time.

DP has even bought me an iPod Shuffle to run with so that I don't have to lug my big iPod around (oh the inconvenience).

this is what I'm talking about and here's the podcasts I run to.

I'm not starting today though, got about 3 hours sleep last night.

I didn't think I would like running in heavy rain until tonight. Before that I only did it in drizzle. You should try it!

lol i'm sure the weather will oblige pretty soon.

i've been naughty today and went out for w6r4. i know it's best to stick to a plan devised by someone who knows what they're doing, and i know if i get hurt i have only myself to blame, but i'm a victim of my hormones (lol, i have that on standby for future defence in court). 2 days seems like a really long time to go without, so i thought i'd see how i get on running every other day - so 3.5 sessions a week.

did the same length run (in time) as last time, but paced myself better so i didn't go as far (in distance). i need to find a happy medium though as i had loads left in me at the end and wanted to go longer, although my "sprint" finish put paid to that i didn't get so hot this time though, so i cooled down too quickly on the walk back and stuck in a sneaky extra minute or so on the way to warm back up and get me home quicker.

You naughty girl milleniwm - can I have some of your enthusiasm?

Re-stated W4 this morning, I just don't think I can run for 5 minutes. 3 definitely. 4 justabout. 5? Not really. It wasn't as bad as Monday's horrible run so will try again with W4R2 (second go) on Sunday or Monday and see how it goes.

Of course, if I get the job I'm interviewing for this afternoon I might be cycling about 9 miles a day just getting there and back, so might not need to run very much.

CAT, here is the nike doohickey. Everything is a doohickey to me, saves remembering the name

nike doohickey

It was about CAD40. If you don't have the trainers you can buy little pouches that it fits in and goes on your laces.

I'm at the all running point so I can use my own music, set either distance, or time and a bloke will tell you 5mins gone, half way, 3 mins to go etc.... The podcasts are good for when you are walking and running, but once you're running only, then you can go your own way I think, just check the length of time you need to run before you set off. I use the marshmallow earphones which you squeeze in like earplugs, but do find if very windy they pop out, I also have some running ones with kind of clips around the ears, but I haven't had to use them yet.

ooh trillian how did the interview go?

Yay, i have done the first run and survived

I must be really unfit though, as i couldn't run for most of the full minutes and had to walk - but i did finish !

Hopefully i will get better.

Weird, I posted and it didn't work.

INterview went well thanks, definitely well enough to make me feel more confident about inteerviews, giving presentations, etc. But they were interviewing a few other poeple so I don't know if it went well enough to get me the job.

Goblin, well done, don't worry you WILL get better, I am evidence this program WORKS. All you have to do is get out there.

DrT all the best for the job hunt.

W8R3 I'm sick of the darn wind. It has a bite in the air, otherwise it's spring like and we saw shoots in the front garden this morning. Hoping for daffodils! It's true the first 10mins is hard, and after that I settled into the run. I ended up running 34mins! Yay! It's about 5.5km which is amazing for me. I got in to find my two boys on the couch snoozing, nice one.

We're off to Norway tomorrow for the wedding of a friend. I have packed my running gear and will endeavour to get out, but won't be gutted if I can't. We'll be doing loads of walking anyway during the day, but I'll try for at least 1 run while we're away. I intend to see how many different places/countries I can run as a means for me to keep going with it. We are going to plan a trip to NYC in a couple of months (only a 5hr drive from here), so my next goal will be a run in Central Park without looking like a novice and tres chic at the same time!

Happy running over the next couple of weeks!

yay gv, suga's right, it does get easier, gettting yourself out there is the hardest step.

and WOOHOO SUGA! - is that the first time you've run the full 5k? and an impressive pace hopefully norway will be less windy for you. and ooooh for central park. i know what you mean about not looking like a novice - i still do, but whenever i see people who clearly know what they're doing i watch really carefully to see what it is they do that i don't (move quickly without looking like they're about to die, mostly ).

w7r1 for me today. made a 25 minute playlist of the mellowest stuff i could find to see if it helps my pace. turns out not, i ended up going the fastest yet (d'oh!) at close to 10mm. it was just the right amount of hard, i was pushing myself but not horribly so. i think i'll alternate runs like this with properly slow runs from now on.

Wow Brownsuga, you are my aspiration !

At the moment i can only dream of running lolloping 5km, although not sounding like i am gasping my last breath would be good too

Did w1r2 this morning and managed 7 out of the 8 1min runs. The podcast cracked me up with 'being able to have a conversation' ! Ha, only thing i could probably have muttered was 'help'

It's weird though in that it is hard work and knackering, but also really satisfying knowing that i am achieving something.

What kind of running shoes do you all use? I only have a cheapie pair, are more expensive ones better - or only if you are running long distances?

Still haven't been running because my heel is still not right but much better. Add to the fact been so busy and fighting a cold last week.
Getting a bit fed up with not been able to get out it's been nearly 3weeks. So I took a chance and went out today. Went back to the start of W5. The last 5mins were a bit tough but over all amazed how well it went. Heel slightly sore but no more then it's been after a day on my feet at work. Feels great to be out running again Davina's dvd is great so is a brisk walk but running beats them both.
Plus I think the running will burn more calories, need all the help I can get. Lost 1/2 stone in the last 5weeks so a good start but still along way to go.

Goblin - well done, that was me 4 weeks ago. Just take it one stagger step at a time and you will be fine.

Did W4R2 this morning and it wasn't as bad as I had expected - I managed R1 on Thursday but it was hard going and took me ages to recover, which is why I left it to today to have another go.
Was having all sorts of doubts about the programme and my ability to get any further which was mad really as for a confirmed non-runner I had found the first 3 weeks quite doable! I'm now back on track, have some decent running shoes on order and have had a look at W5 and haven't been too scared
Are there any other big jumps along the way that I need to be aware of as W3 to W4 was a bit of a shock?

yay gv see, you're getting better already.

i don't think the expensive shoes are necessarily better as long as you get them properly fitted to your gait. i got to try all the neutral shoes in the shop on the treadmill and picked asics cos they were the comfiest (jesus but running shoes are all ugly - and white - why???)

and yay for getting out again lexcat. depending on your weight running burns around 100 cals a mile i think (actually walking also burns 100 cals a mile but takes longer iyswim). congrats on your loss so far.

feetheart (did you used to be sweetheart? that username confused the hell out of me cos i thought everyone else on the thread was being really patronising ) i was dreading the first 20 minute run as it seemed to come out of nowhere, but someone suggested thinking of it as the same as the previous run, but without the walking break in the middle, that kind of made sense.

w7r2 today, and my first really rubbish run. messed up the pacing - tried to start slow and just couldn't get it to work at all. by the time i resigned myself to going faster for my legs to feel comfortable i had problems with my breathing - felt like someone had stolen the bottom third of my lungs, think i may have a cold coming. i didn't start out in the best frame of mind, and had hoped the run would cheer me up, but come the end i was even grumpier than when i started. still, can't expect it to be easy all the way, or to fix all my (many!) problems, at least i did it

Hey, please can I join in???

I started running last week on the Bupa scheme, w1r1 (upto 16 mins), and I was all motivated last week, even though it was hard.

Now I still find it hard, and I should be onto the w1r2!! But I just can't do it. I am still having to do week 1. I feel so heavy when I run. I go out really early so noone sees me

Please can you help, or motivate me?? Why is it that some do it so easily right from the start, (Like my dh!! Grr) and some it is sheer slog and determination?? Will I ever improve??

I hear you chinwag, i too feel really heavy running. I know i'm bigger than i should be, but i don't think i've turned into a hippo yet

If you want, you can be my virtual running buddy. We can commiserate cheer on our successes ! Congrats so far though

I've been out today and made w1r3 with running (slooooowly) through all the blocks. I think i'm making progress, but i still find it a bit of a slog and i can get quite breathless.

mfalcon, sorry to hear the run didn't go too well - but at least you made it Good luck for you next run.

I'm investigating some new shoes, and i am hoping that these are going to turn me into a sleek chic runner overnight !

Off now for a lie down and to prepare for w2 - eek

Yey. GV. I would love a buddy. I bought some shoes last week; cost a fortune, but it'll be worth it (I hope!)

After a month off due to (cycling) injury I went out for W2R2 yesterday. The rain and 30mph wind wasn't exactly encouraging.

Am hoping for better weather tomorrow.

Well done to all of those still battling through

Hi
Well ive now done week 1 12 times over 4 weeks ! Im actually moving onto week 2 tomorrow !
I`m hyperthyroid and have really struggled with my breathing because its not well controlled , but am really looking forward to the new music if nothing else !
I feel more toned and my mood is so much better too .
Massive respect to all you much further on .x

Hello all, on Sunday I was suppose to graduate to W5r1 but got to my parents and realised I had forgotten my trainers. Bum. Decided to do it on Monday, got out of the front door to discover I didn't have W5 loaded on my ipod. So I just did W4r3 again but by the end of the second 5 minutes I still felt as if I had something left to give so had a 3 minute walk and then ran for another 8 minutes.
Today, I was suppose to be doing W5r1 but after Monday i decided to do W5r2 and managed it with no problems and then tacked another 8minutes on to the end (after the 5minute warm down). Feeling quite chuffed with myself at the moment and thing I will repeat that on Saturday (8minrun/5minwalk8minrun/5minwalk8minrun/5minwalk) before moving to W5r3 next Monday.

fakeblondie - congrats on your move to week2.

MissAnthrope - the good weather seems to have disappeared hasn't it! I ran in rain and wind today, the thing which kept me going is that I want this to be a permenant change and therefore being in England a little thing like rain can't put us off!

goblinvally/chinwag - welcome And yes you will improve just stick with it.

mileniwmffalcon - sorry I had to laugh at your disgust over the appearence of running shoes. maybe a glitter pen could help Sorry you had a bad run and hope your next one is better, you say that you were still grumpy when you got home but at least you finished the run and didn't use it as an excuse to quit.

feetheart - I found W3 to W4 a shock as well and ended up doing it twice but something in the second week clicked. You don't have to go to week 5 until you feel ready and don't forget you can always drop back a week if you feel it's too much.

lexcat - how's the heel holding up?

I like this thread; it's so encouraging.

I have just been out again doing r1w1, and found it marginally better. I had a banana and some orange juice first. Maybe that helped.

Goblin Valley, are you going today?

Morning chinwag,

No, not today. I run on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday.

Keep thinking about tomorrow though - 90 secs of running

I've also got a head cold, so am keeping an eye on that. I don't want to not go, but i'm a bit chesty as well.

I shall try a banana too

How's your breathing now, any easier?

morning runners

after a crappy couple of days i really needed a good run today and happily i got one. waking to the noise of rain drumming on the roof (bedroom in loft) and an enormous puddle inside the back door where it drips it wasn't looking particularly promising, but i guess i thought it couldn't be much worse than last time out.

i found my pace from the first step. i was reading a blog about ignoring time/distance and just listening to your body when it comes to pace and it worked for me today. i just focused on "easy" and - for the most part - it was. the rain was blowing horizontally, but it worked to keep me cool at the bit where i usually start getting too hot, and hell it certainly made me feel alive

i think it also helped that i changed my route slightly, so i couldn't compare my progress with previous sessions, and just focused on moving. oh and i barely thought about my "quorn" either i did check i was going at "conversation" pace by chatting to the ducks and singing along out loud to my tunes

i was still enjoying it at 25min so went for another song, about 28 minutes in the end. it took me past the 2.5 mile/4km barrier so that's a good feeling too.

yay for bending the rules libra! that should be a really good preparation for w5r3. and lol @glitter pens, thankfully my shoes are now an almost uniform mud brown

and welcome chinwag

Did W4R3 this morning and it wasn't too bad though was my first run in drizzly weather, not much fun in glasses. Glad I didn't have the horizontal stuff.

mileniwmffalcon - I've never been sweetheart on here though name came about because DD couldn't say 'sweetheart' when DS was born so he was her 'feetheart'
Looking at 20min run like that might work well, must remember it!

Welcome chinwag and well done fakeblondie. I have been surprised at how much running has affected my mood (for the better ) - lots of things at work I think - endorphins, feeling fitter, a challenge that I'm meeting AND some time for me.

libra - glad I wasn't the only one who found the move from W3 to W4 hard! R2 and 3 have been much better and I'll give W5 a go but will try and be sensible and drop back if its too much. I'll try and keep my competitive streak in check

For all you newbie welcome, and I promise you it does get easier as you go. I struggled to even manage doing 1 min runs at the start so the first week did about 45 second runs with 3 min walk X3. I couldn't imagine running 5km but slowly I got better and I am proud to say I've run 20mins and can now imagine been able to run 5km it I stick with the running.

Yes the heel is a little better, still a bit sore after my last run so stuck to my Davina DVD workout yesterday but changed and the 1min fat burning intervals into on the spot sprints. It all seens easy when I'm doing the workout but today my abs, bottom and thights and are sore. Might try a run again at the weekend if dd will come out with me.

Morning all - great to hear you are all doing so well - Lexcat I hope you can run soon but you are so committed with all the other exercise you are managing.

Mileniwmffalcon - extra minutes on the 25 min run - wow, seriously impressed. (especially after my own w6r3 fiasco!)

I've had a grotty week runningwise - I have found W6 really hard, r1 was ok but I didn't enjoy it, did r2 twice but again not "well" & have just come back from a dreadful r3. I normally run first thing in the morning, but as the runs get longer I am finding that I having to get up earlier & earlier to fit it in, so I thought I'd try going later as I'm not working today - it was awful, really lead like legs.

I am now pondering what to do, I think I might go back to week 5 & try to run at different times of day - actually a motivator might be that later in the day & I can drive to different locations whilst early morning I am pretty much confined to the streets around my house (small town = very limited choice of routes!)