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.

Woo hoo, i made w2r1. It wasn't as bad as i thought it was going to be

Still can't quite believe it, even had enough puff left for a quick run down the hill at the end

Does anyone have any suggestions for breathing better?

I tried but couldn't quite get it under control and am a bit huffy/puffy.

Hope everyone else is having a good time, although the weather looks a bit nasty over the weekend.

I have just found this thread, bloody marvellous idea. Just what I was after.

Can anybody suggest any help with leaks

Yey Goblinvalley!!! Well done.

What stage are you at MINAW?? (cool name, btw)

Thanks batgirl for you words of encouragement. I started the whole running thing in hope to get fitter and if a lost a bit of weight in the process great. Got to February (started 1/1) and was really feeling the benefit of the running my fitness was so much better, I felt so much better in myself and I was sleeping better(never been a great sleeper since dd was born).

Their was one thing that I feel was holding me back and that was my weight so got the courage to weight myself and was shock that I had been kidding myself that I was 2 stone light then I really was.

So now my new target with the running is getting fitter, more toned and some serious weight loss (7+ stone). So for me any exercise is good and even when my heels better I hope to combine workouts with the running so I can max out on the benefits.

Forgot to say GV could never get the breathing at the start I sounded terrible. It comes I now find it my legs are giving up well before my lungs. Always the start of a run it's hard then the breathing seems to regulated it's self as though the lungs just need to warm up.

morning all what a lovely morning it's been here - bright sunshine, cooling breeze, and the magnolias are in full blossom, looking pretty damned awesome

confession time, i didn't stick to my w8r1 run today. i was curious after last time whether i still had more in me, and the next song on my ipod was "there's a guy works down the chip shop swears he's elvis", and i like to run to songs that make me smile. so i tacked that on the end and went just short of 32 minutes. 3 whole miles! and it turns out about 80 meters (!) shy of 5k . now had i known it was the magical 5k i could have managed that very last bit but otherwise that was it, i had nothing left at the end. i think i'll go back to 28 minutes for the rest of the week, don't want to wear myself out completely (plus it's a 4-run week for me this week).

what's clicked lately is i don't have to set a pace according to how far i have left to go, just on how i feel at any given moment, that i can slow right down and recover, then pick back up again, every now and again thinking "easy" and adjusting accordingly. oh and that it takes a mile or so for my legs to warm up properly and feel comfortable.

funny what you say about running in the evenings being harder batgirl, i'd heard other people say the opposite, shows we're all different. a change of location sounds like a good plan. i run pretty much the same route each time, but it's through beautiful parks, so always something to look at.

fingers crossed for a good one for everyone who's running this weekend.

Hi everyone.

I went out this morning, and aimed for r2, w2-4 for 20 mins. And I managed r2, w2 for 16 mins. I was really encouraged. I mean, it was hard, but I did it, and I am so please about that. It's nice to see some progress. This is the end of 2 weeks now.

Hi all

Haven't been on for a couple of weeks, in fact not ran for 2 weeks until today, family problems plus a bereavement earlier this week of a v close family relative has really knocked me for six

Anyway decided I had to get back out today and after 2 weeks break I wasn't sure whether or not to repeat week 2 or go to week 3 but decided on week 3 and it was fab. I wore my new running tights which are brill and couldn't believe that when the first 90 sec run ended I was suprised it was over! I was slightly tired towards the end of the last 3 min run but so pleased I did it.

Continuing with week 3 on Monday now

so sorry for your loss mwm - i hope you find some space and peace when you can get out to run.

Thanks Milleniwm, to be honest I felt that I really needed to go running today (if that makes any sense??) which is why I was at the park at 7 this morning but it felt great and has helped so much today.

Well done on yur fab running by the way, hopefully I won't be too far behind (so to speak)

Sorry to hear about your loss mad, I can total understand that need to get out and run. Some how it clears your and makes thing look better. I don't know how I would have survived been a teenager if it was not for a good run or going out on my bicycle.

I woke early this morning and went out before dd was awake, heels not great but I'm missing the running. It was really tough managed 2 1/2 min before I crumbed, I could have done more but had no drive to do so. Tried again after a min walk and managed 1 1/2 mins. Gave in a that point and did a few more 1 walk 1.5 run and returned home. Felt good about going out but just couldn't get the motivation to keep going.

Decided instead of doing W5 again I'm going to start from the start again. Figured that struggling with no motivation was not good so will build my way up again that way it's easy and can build up the motivation.

So W1 here I come AGAIN

morning everyone - it seems a little quiet round here lately, where are you all? how are you getting on?

wow lexcat i'm seriously impressed with your dedication. it's really sensible not to push too far too fast, especially if you're injured, but not everyone's good at being sensible...

on which note, i did 5k this morning

i was so close last time it was just calling me and i couldn't resist! it was okay, certainly not easy, but manageable, although i was surprised no fireworks, cheering crowds, medal etc when i finished, lol.

i noticed one of my knees was a little tweaky yesterday (when i should have run but didn't thanks to late night/hangover) and i noticed it again today on my cool down walk, so i really am going to stick to 30 mins max for the next few runs and see if i can work on making them easier before i go for the 5k again. well, that's the plan

Hi everyone, I'm back after a bit of a break. I stopped for the weekend, got ill, then was lazy but have just done W4R2 (for the second time, if you remember I failed the previous W4R2 badly so went back and did a W3 run, then re-started W4).

Anyway, I remembered that someone a hile back had found that runs after breaks are always good, so I thought I would be brave and do a W4 run and it was good! I wouldn't say I was amazing but I actually did all the 3+5+3+5 min runs for the first time. Yay!

Hope you're managing to get out and that it is helping madwelshwoman.

Well done mileniwm! You can now graduate and go play with the 'proper' runners (if you want to)

Good luck starting again lexcat - hoepfully your heels will get nice and strong if you build up slowly

Hi everyone,

I just got back from w2r3 and i loved it. It makes me feel so free (and knackered).

I'm looking forward to starting w3, but the 3mins terrifies me a bit. I find that i can get quite tight/heavy in my legs and have to conciously think about loosening up.

Hope that everyone's running is going well, and mileniwmffalcon i am soooo in awe Good on you girl !

Chinwag - how's it going?

Thanks to everyone for your support. Yes I said I was going to start from the start again, one small problem is it felt such a large step back. Just needed the motivation and you guys stepped up to the mark again.

I've just finished W1 R1 but to make it a little harder did it cross country. So pleased to be out again and enjoying the running again. It wasn't to easy but not that hard. Cross country definitely add a new dimension to the whole run. Will try one more W1 and try W2.

That sounds like a good plan lex, just do two rather than 3 of each set (until you get to the crazy ones where you do something different for each run).

I ran for a train on Saturday, felt really pleased with myself. Decided it would be too to admit to my friends that I wouldn't have managed that 60-second run before I started doing this.

Madwelshwoman - so sorry to hear you have been having such a bad time but glad the run helped. Try to make time for it in the midst of everything as having that 'space' will help. It has been invaluable to me over the past 6 weeks whilst trying to deal with 3 yr old DS's broken leg - not quite in the same league but a stressful time nonetheless.

Trillian - well done on W4 run. Don't think we are going for 'amazing' are we? I sincerely hope not!

mileniwm - 5k, wow. I'm still a LONG way from that but at least think it might be possible at some point.

Yesterday I wore my lovely, nice, new, properly fitted, expensive running shoes, did W5R2 and survived Actually found that 8 mins wasn't too bad which really surprised me - putting the stop-watch in my pocket so I wasn't constantly clockwatching probably helped.

I have been running without the podcasts up till now as I haven't had an MP3 player. I've managed to liberate DH's in anticipation of having some decent music for Thursday's 20min run but the earpieces don't fit in my ears, anyone know where I can get squidgy earpieces?

Hi.
I am now into week 2-3 on Bupa's plan. I did w2r2 this morning, which I managed for 4 mins longer than last week. I am really encouraged because I can see some improvement.

Like you Goblinvalley, I should be doing r3 next week, and I am terrified!! Sounds like we are at a similar level. Shame we don't live near by; I could do with someone to run with!

Well done all.

I ran 5K today I was suppose to run W5r3 which is just 20mins straight but when I got to the end of 20minutes I just felt like I could keep on going. So I did 30minutes of running which equalled 5K. really chuffed with myself. However going back to W6r1 on Friday/Saturday as its a hilly run.

feetheart - good luck with W5r3.

lexcat - you could use this opportunity to try and up your speed, as it would almost be like fartlek training for you.

goblinvalley/chinwag - you'll be fine with w3, just remember you can repeat weeks if you want!

mileniwmffalcon - congrats on 5K Hope the knee holds up.

trillian - that realisation you are getting fitter is motivation in itself isn't it!

madwelshwoman - sorry about your loss.

batgirl? fakeblondie? MissAnthrope? brownsuga?(think you are on holiday actually!) nappyaddict? giddykipper? updates please

yay libra you lot run like the clappers - 5k in 30 mins is less than 10 minute miles, fantastic! i'm settled firmly between 10 and 11 minute miles and it feels plenty fast enough

good to have you back on track trillian, no slacking now - we're watching!

these are the headphones i use feetheart, no problems at all with them falling out etc.

i'm due a run today but is dd1's birthday so wanted to be around this morning for present opening etc. will go out tomorrow instead - essential head space for first day of holidays...

Thanks libras just what I had been thinking as my 20mins just got slower and slower by the end think I may have walked faster.
I was also thinking who in earth came up with the name like fartlek training, I can picture a childish picture of fart power to making me go faster. Better start eating lots of beans.

Fartlek? What is this fartlek?

W4R3 (see, I'm still doing it) was okay. I ran when he said to run, walked when he said to walk, and only the backs of my calves hurt so I think my quorn must be geting better.

it's fixed now i think, they got moved. there's a new link on the "rawbert's website is dead" thread or at least there was a couple of days back.

Checking in briefly..

Wow - Libra, that 20m run terrified me & to go on & do 5K, I am seriously impressed!

Trillian - well done with keeping going on W4

I'm feeling a bit happier today, I thought I'd repeat W6, so did r1 earlier in the week & it was fine, did r2 this morning, but thought I'd keep on going, so did 20min & then I ran out of road (well, I could have carried on past my house - but I'm not that strong willed & there's a hill, excuses excuses!) Anyway I do now feel I can try w6r3, but am, I think, going to stick to early morning - I will just have to abandon my children (teenagers btw!)or wait for the lighter mornings again.

glad you found it better today batgirl. abandoning children sounds like a good plan to me my (retired) mum was wistfully saying she wished she could enjoy exercise as much as i obviously enjoy running, but i pointed out that it helps to have something to run away from

have lost count of my weeks/runs now, but went out this morning for a 30-minuter. found it hard going.

i think it's worth mentioning for all of you struggling with the 3/5 minute runs that i've found it usually takes me a good 5 minutes to settle into a comfortable pace, until then my legs feel heavy and awkward and i keep feeling i'll have to stop soon. after that i settle into a rhythm and it gets easier (unless something interrupts the rhythm, having to stop to cross roads etc) until the last 5-10 when it gets harder again as i'm hot and tired. so if you're finding it tough at the short distances, you may find it actually gets easier once you're going a little longer.