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.

OOh well done Odette - tomorrow is W4 R1 and I'm feeling nervous!

Race for life gots this years date and you can book a place online.
Dd what's to come with me so need to think that through before I sign up but am planning too.

Thanks for that link Lexcat - I think I'll sign up for it, but a friend has also raised the bar in that she wants me to join her doing the BUPA 10k run at the end of May. I'm not so sure though and I think a 5k run in the Race for Life might be more achievable. We'll see.

I did W4 W1 today. Not half as bad as I thought it would be and also I was really impressed by how far I got. Each time I start on a longer run I estimate where I will end (e.g. I reckon this will take me to outside X's house, or up to the Post Office) and on both occasions I underestimated how far I would be going in the alloted time so it was great to think that I had run further than I thought I would IYSIWM!

I found the final 5 mins a bit of a slog, TBH, but I think it was because I didn't like the music that much. I find it does help me to be lost in the music rather than very much aware of it, so oddly I find I run better to the more trance style stuff on the podcast than the upbeat stuff.

Well, despite having pulled a muscle in my lower back on Saturday, I have done W2 R1 today ... and boy was it tough! I could feel each step jarring my back, but it was only slight so decided to push on and hope the exercise is good for it. Actually sitting here now typing it feels looser than it did first thing this morning!

Even though 90 seconds run doesn't sound much of a step up from 60 seconds, I found it interminably long and was shattered by the end ... still, I did it and had the pleasure of seeing my lazyarse DH going by in the car to see me doing it!

Pennies and Odette, you are both doing fantastically well way out there on W4 - keep it up! And lexcat, I reckon a 4 mile walk is a great substitute for your run.

Hope to check in on Wednesday after W2 R2.

right done W2R3 today a really felt it harder than R2 - anyhow scheduled to start W3 on wednesday - no without a little worry!
right ankle giving me gip today which slowed my pace down considerably....

well done everyone - the pace is picking up. How's everyone else doing? Giddykipper?

Completed W4 R3 today - didn't run as fast as I did for R2 but in my defence it was colder.

Just sneaked a peak at W5 which is 'interesting' - a different run each day!

Hope to start it on Thursday so will check in then.

did w4 r2 just now in the pouring rain. Not as awful as I thought it would be but now I've got wet feet and haven't got time to go home and change before I have to collect my DDs and take them swimming so I'm in for a few hours of cold wet feet! Who was it that mentioned trenchfoot!?

Was also wondering how everyone else is doing? I have to say how motivational I'm finding this thread. It really keeps me going and I often think about everyone else when I'm running.

Good luck with your run tomorrow, odette. Will be very interested in your runs this week, especially the last one.

Wow, everyone is doing really great. Thanks for keeping up with entering logs here too, it really helps me keep going.

W3R1.3 Well I've put 1.3 as 1.1 I almost got frostbite, 1.2 wasn't a proper one due to the course I took through town with too many traffic lights and finally 1.3 I did last night which I'll count as my proper first W3R1. Even though I've been dicking about for a week, the fitness level was still there, so I found the running easy from that point of view, but I think I've got this runners knee thing. They're really sore after the run, so I iced them last night. Have also found on the coolrunning site an exercise to strengthen them.

So if anyone else is suffering they recommend, back against a wall, then raise leg with knee straight as high as you can and hold for 5 seconds, several repetitions. Do each leg, then build up to 10 seconds. You can feel this in your quad and down the side of the knee. Hopefully that will work.

We're having a snow storm today with 20cm expected. I'm hoping by tomorrow they'll have it cleared ready for me to tackle my R2.

Okay, so as well as a number of aching knees, hips (me) and ankles, we can now add trenchfoot and frostbite to our list of ailments. Who said jogging wasn't fun!! .

Brownsuga you should definitely get an award for the most determined person here!!

Week 5 is an interesting week:
R1 - 5min run, 3 min walk, 5 min run, 3 min walk, 5 min run
R2 - 8min run, 5 min walk, 8 min run
R3 - 20 minute run
Rawbert() tries to deal with the three different days in a single podcsast so it makes it interesting.

As I was doing it today I was making mental notes of what to tell about it, which certainly helps pass the time.

a) there is no one minute warning with the warmup walk. When you hear his voice after it it is to tell you to start running. R1, R2 and R3 start at the same time.
Then it gets interesting! The following is my recollection of the instructions for the runs, and takes the run starting at minute 0
b) 5 minutes: R1 slows to a walk, R2 continue running
c) 8 minutes: R1, your next run begins (NOTE: he does not say ready or go or anything) and R2, you slow down for your walk
d) 10 minutes: R3, you are halfway through
e) 13 minutes: R1, slow down; R2, begin your next run
f) 16 minutes: R1 start running, R2 you are nearly halfway through, R3, about 3 minutes to go
g) 20 minutes: R3, you are finished; everyone else, 1 minute to go
h) 21 minutes: R1 and R2 slow down
i) 25 minutes: R3 your cooldown is complete
j) 26 minutes: starts waffling about his podcasts, neglecting to say that R1 and R2 are now finished.

So, how was R1? Well I had written that it wasn't very good, but thinking about it now I managed to complete it, had pretty steady breathing and certainly didn't feel the need to collapse in a heap afterwards, so I suppose it was okay. I spent most of it thinking ", I would still be running if I was doing R2 or R3! Would I make it?" There is only one way to find out, so I'll post back on Saturday after R2. Keep fingers crossed!

Good luck for the rest of this week.

Seriously impressed at BrownSuga's devotion to the cause!

Did W4R1 today - was a bit apprehensive about the 5-minute runs but hey, they went off OK.

I'm really surprised by how quickly you can build up the stamina - I'd always thought of myself as someone without much stamina. It's also an interesting comparison with the gym, where I used to do exactly the same thing week in, week out. It's much more interesting when you can see the progress you're making.

Brilliant Policywonk - well done . These things look worse on paper than in reality.

Round of applause for Brownsuga's determination and for Odette's fantastic write up of Rawbert's W5 podcast!

Policywonk - you're one run behind me so you're officially chasing me! Good point about the progress thing - I'm already thinking about how to progress to 10k but that's probably me being a bit too ambitious too early!

Hello ladies, reporting back at the end of W2. I did W2 R2 on Wednesday and W2 R3 this morning and I have to say I found both incredibly hard ... indeed, I think I will repeat W2 next week to see if it gets a bit easier.

I am still feeling better in my head than I have done for months so I suppose that's progress and my sceptical DH has downloaded the W3 podcast for me which must mean he thinks I am going to get that far!

Am enjoying reading all your reports of W4 and W5 ... keep it up!

hello everyone, room for one more?

i've loved reading your progress through the thread, it's really encouraging. i started today with w1r1. i do a fair bit of walking but have never knowingly jogged/run in my life before! i got some great advice on here and got myself fitted for proper running shoes and i'm sure it was them that got me round the first run, they're fantastically boingy

i found it hard going particularly towards the end - for some reason i had it in my head i only had to do 6 runs instead of 8. but i'm so chuffed i managed to finish. i'm using the podrunner podcast as i liked the change of bpm between the running and walking sections, and also the lack of talking.

keep going everyone, i'm snapping at your heels (erm, not )

mileniwmffalcon - welcome! Everyone welcome.

Haven't been able to get out today as been on a course but will head out tomorrow. Not looking forward to the Siberian chill though!

Afternoon all!

Welcome mileniwmffalcon, always room for one more!

Well, W5 R2 today. I was really nervous about it, not helped by the fact DH was delayed when out with one of the DSs - it was like waiting for an interview or something . But I managed to head off and you know what, it wasn't that bad at all . I am doing the same route every run, and I find it helps knowing that a 5 minute run takes me from X to Y, so I am going to need to go at least as far as Z before the 8 minutes are up. I was quite keen for the 5 minute inbetween walk to end so I could get going today. hopefully that bodes well for R3!

Pennies - I was thinking about your quorn this afternoon - it made me giggle!

Good luck everyone (I was going to put "keep running" but decided it sounded too Tess Daly )

Great to read how well your all doing it gives me hope. I only wish I could say I'm running as much as some of you. I've got a mix of 1 and 2 min runs with 2 min walks between runs. I going just over a 1 1/2 miles which is great.
Took dd with me today which was fun except it's so easy for her , but she was great with her words of encouragement. The best was "mum your doing so well and you run quite fast". I like the fast bit as she is a slow and steady runner and even she runs much faster then me.
5km still seem such a long way off but I'm slowly building on the distance. When I think back to a month ago when I couldn't even get to a 1min run. Got to about 50 seconds and couldn?t breath and my legs killed, I managed that 4 times just, I felt so stiff by the evening.
Now I?m doing 3 1min runs and 3 2min runs, not as great as some of you but I just so please to still be running and making progress.

Well done everyone and welcome new runner milen.

Thanks for the applause . I think it's my kiwiness showing through. Pfff a little snow storm and frosty weather, it's nothing

I managed to move on from my W3R1.xx runs, and have finally managed to feel like I can claim W3R2. I almost wasn't going to though, but I can't keep doing 1.xxxx for weeks on end. It started well, after the snow, they'd cleared quite a bit, but we had snow ALL day yesterday again, so there was a fair bit on the pavements. On the way back I managed to run into a HUGE icy puddle so had to finish with soaking feet. Just as well it was warmer yesterday, otherwise I would have iced up.

I'm going to attempt W3R3 tonight after we go to see a film, run off the popcorn I think. Then FINALLY I can start W4 on Monday.

Oh go on, I will say it.

Keep Running!

bimey you're a lesson for us all in not making excuses aren't you brownsuga our forecast looks set for snow next week and i'm trying to schedule runs around it - i have nothing but the greatest respect for your fortitude.

Did W4R2 today and found it much harder that R1 for some reason. Was barely 'running' at all at a couple of points. But managed to complete it - didn't want to bail out as I thought that would be bad for morale.

Anyone else feel that their energy levels are quite tied in to the menstrual cycle? I definitely have more energy at some points in the month than at others. (Specifically, I'm about one week pre-menstrual ATM and I remember from my times at the gym that I always struggle around now.)

Anyway, apologies if TMI.

Pennies, let's put it this way - if I were really chasing you, there probably wouldn't be much danger of me catching you.

Well done Policy - it's frustrating when a subsequent run seems harder isn't it? Don't know about menstrual cycle (am still screwed up post baby and having had coil fitted - again probably TMI ) but I seem to do better in the afternoon than the morning.....well at least that's what I think anyway.

Lexcat - you are doing really well. Keep it up!

Yes, it was a bit frustrating - esp. as I decided to run in the local park today, which of course turned out to be full of Sunday footballers and their touchline supporters (and their bored dogs - not that I have anything against dogs), so my puffing, wheezing and extremely slow running was closely observed by all. Dunno if I would have done better in the afternoon, but would definitely have felt more comfortable running under the cover of darkness!

Having a frustrating day anyway - weighed myself and haven't lost anything this week. (Possibly due to cake/lasagne intake over the last few days - will have to get serious with diet I suppose.)

Whinge, moan.

Aaarrrgghhh! Did W4R3 just now and hated it. It was snowing and in the final two runs I was running into the wind which was less than pleasant and also made it harder work.

It didn't help too that my legs are officially made of concrete today (probably something to do with a mild hangover today after a late night last night).

But at least I did it and I'm glad I did.

I'm a day late on my runs now and am meant to be starting W5 tomorrow. I think I'm going to have to do it tomorrow anyway and not rest as per Robert's advice because otherwise I can't fit the runs into my week.

I'm quite nervous about week 5! I found today hard work so I'm not sure I'm ready. I'll give it a go and see what happens.

Another reason for it not going so well today is that I weighed myself and I've not lost any weight since I started running which is the whole reason for doing this. It would appear that I am obviously "eating my runs" so I need to keep an eye on my consumption. And that's not fair when it's chilly because we should all be eating pies by a roaring fire, shouldn't we?

Lexcat I think it's lovely that you can go running with your DD - I can't wait until mine are of an age to join me.

Brownsuga - what's the temperature where you are?

Odette - good luck with your next run - it's the big one - you CAN do it!

It's great to run with my dd when she's in the mood or it hell. She's only 7 so I know when I'm really doing well as it will get to far for her.
She loves running and goes to after school running club. It was her going in to a 1/2 marathon (lasting from jan to may). They run 1 mile a week at running club, 1mile race in march and finish with a 2mile race in may to make up the distance.
It put me to shame that I couldn't even run for a min so I brought a book on running . I was inspired and decided to start running. Plus I wanted to get fitter and if I lose my 5+ stone weight brillant.

Lex, that's great. As your DD can see you taking up running now hopefully she'll stick with hers into adulthood. A great example for all our children really.

Pennies, it was -15C today. I did W3R3 today instead of yesterday, so I am pleased to report I shall start W4 tomorrow, at last! I've posted a pic on my profile, completely staged of course, well apart from the snow, so you can see what I'm running in. I figure by the time the snow is gone and summer is here, I'll be able to run longer and faster as it is a bit like running in sand at the moment.

GiddyKipper, are you here anywhere? You kicked this whole thing off, we'd love to hear how you are doing. Is your DS better?