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.

Just measured it's right on 2 miles in total. One of my goal was to get to 2 miles
Now I think I'll just build on running more and walking less, before my final goal of been able to run 5km (which is just over 3 miles). I'm sticking with the 2 miles because beyound that it gets hilly which at the moment there is only one hill as such, having said that none of the run is total flat. Going down hill slightly for the first mile and up on the way back.

Could I join in please. I started this last year and only got as far as week 4. I've been a wimp over the winter and need to get out more.

I'll have to start back at week one but I'll give it a bash.

yay someone to keep me on my toes welcome to the thread gscrym.

out of interest what made you stop last time?

God, I'm sooooo bloody frustrated. I started this last time and got endlessly ill and it's happened again. I managed to get up to week four. Now I think I'm going to have to go back a couple of weeks.
Is there anyone else who's always beset with illness?

Welcome gscrym! Kittywise, well done on getting to week 4. I can only imagine how frustrated you must be, but I admire your determination for giving it another go - go on, you know you can do it

mileniwmffalcon - The podcasts are only screwy for weeks 5 and 6 - normally they're okay. I am tempted to check out the ones you're using, but would feel as though I were 'cheating' on Rawbert, who had got me this far .

Today I did W6 R2 - two ten minute runs with a 3 minute walk in between. Found the last three minutes really tough, and my stomach muscles were aching. I think it's because I didn't have a rest day between R1 and R2 though. And also probably because I was feeling so smug after W5 - pride comes before a fall and all that!!!

Anyhoo....hope to do R3 on Sunday, and will let you know how I get on.

Oh, by the way, do you know that if you weigh yourself before you go running, and then again immediately afterwards you will be a pound lighter!!! (I know it's only dehydration, and equalises itself again, but I find it an extra little kick )

The first time I got that far, I did my ankle and couldn't run on it for about 6 weeks. It would have healed quicker had I not tried to run on it (d'oh). Over the winter, I've just been a big woose and not went out because it's been cold, wet or cold and wet.

so glad to get back out today for w2r1 - that 2 day break goes on forever! i'd felt i had a bit left last week, that i could go a bit longer and i enjoyed running that little bit longer, but i was completely done in by the end, praying for my last set of beeps. which is about as it should be i guess.

i got new socks from m&s after getting a blister last week, they're the proper running ones with L&R but only £5 for 2 pairs. they were dead comfy, recommend them.

how's everyone else getting on?

Good afternoon ladies

I've been inspired hugely by your thread, and am aiming to start this next week.

I'm just wondering how do-able you think it is to do two out of three of the runs with a jogger pushchair? Would it be madness?

Welcome MissA and the other newish joggers.

I think you'll be fine with the stroller. Obv you'll feel more tired, but you'll be building up the same way and probably end up fitter by the final week. And if it's the only way you can get out, then go for it.

I managed W4R2 last night. I wasn't going to, but having missed Wednesday I felt very agitated Thur/Fri so I went and felt MUCH better after. Gosh I must be turning into a runner! Does anyone else feel like this? It was the first time I got a slight stitch though. Will have to leave R3 until Monday. Off to Ottawa today and Tremblant tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekends, and keep running!

hi miss a - i think you should be fine with the pushchair if it's a jogging one, you can lean on it a bit if you get tired and just think how free you'll feel on the times you don't have it.

my default setting is pretty grumpy tbh brownsuga so i haven't spotted any withdrawal as such, but i have noticed a real lift to my mood for the whole day on the days i do run "run". when i went for one of my long brisk walks on one of the inbetween days i got a real buzz from it, more so than usual, so i reckon there's definitely some good stuff whizzing round my veins lately

Well done to everyone who has persevered - I've done NOTHING since Sunday because of ice on the pavements (only just about gone now) and I think I'm going to have to repeat Week 4. I'm very frustrated!

This thread makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

Hey Policy - I was just about to chase you - saw you on another thread and thought I hadn't heard from you in a while (a week is a long time in wwwland!!)

Why don't you try one W4 run, and if that goes okay move on to W5? I think it's wise not to move up too soon though - our bodies are definitely building up stamina.

OK, I'll try that then - hopefully tomorrow. I really struggled with W4R2 though, and that was a full week ago - mind you my pesky menstrual cycle has moved on of course, so I might have more stamina now

It's nice to know someone was going to chase me up!

Meant to go out today but had a late one last night and have been v.v. lazy today. It's a shame because the weather here was just amazing and I think it would have been beautiful.

It's DH's birthday tonight so there might be some alcoholic excess going on later so if I try and use my hangover as an excuse tomorrow I will need you ladies to give me a right royal kick up the backside to get out.

I've noticed a feeling of agitation as well when I can't get out. Am already wondering how I can go running in a few weeks when we're away for the weekend. We're going to an area I don't know so I'm not sure where to go when I'm there.

Oh my God - are we turning into those people - you know the ones who take their running kit on holidays with them???

Enjoy tonight Pennies. Drink some Resolve or something before you go to bed tonight, then in the morning have a large bowl of porridge and lots of water. (well it works for me people who over indulge, allegedly)

And Policy and Pennies - I'm watching you......

Very annoyed due to a minor injury, slipped walking up the hill while having fun sledging with dd yesterday (school closed). I think I?ve pulled a muscle in the back of my leg. Was very sore last night even after a hot bath. Tender this morning, dd had swimming lessons so went swimming which made it feel much better. Didn't last long ending up leaning heavy on trolley in tesco 1/2 hour later.
Was planning to go out this afternoon but since just walking was very painful the running going to have to be put on hold . So I'm really hoping it heals quickly so I can get out.

hi, can I join please?

I started this today, on a treadmill while DC in swimming lesson. Managed the jog and walk reps ok, but by the end my calves were really burning. Any suggestions how to help this, or is it just doing more running?

I have been challenged to do a 10k in September, not sure that is possible, as I really am a complete couch potato, so thought I'd try this regime and see how far I got.

hi panda no advice re burning calves i'm afraid. do you have good shoes? do you do much walking otherwise? i've always walked a fair bit so it seems to be my heart/lungs catching up with my legs iyswim, not have much in the way of muscle ache yet (touch wood).

september's loads of time - do you use a podcast? the podrunner ones go all the way up to 10k - another 20 weeks on top of the 9 to get up to 5k which would be, ooh, july/aug-ish - loads of time

thanks mf

shoes not specifically bought to run in, if I am going to be serious about this I suppose Imay have to spend some money!

I walk a fair amount to get around, school runs etc., but calves achey after sledging on Tuesday and trudging about in snow all week. Haven't used a podcast so far, have got a MP3 player so it would be possible. Good to know programme can go up to 10k. - but I really don't know if I could do it.

thanks for the welcome, and I will keep posting my progress for a bit of accountability.

i didn't believe for a minute i'd make it round w1r1, but it happened - have faith

Welcome PandaG - I agree with mileniwmffalcon - 10K by September is achievable...you just need to believe in yourself. As for sore calves - did you have the treadmill set on any incline at all? I used to find that if I set the incline to .5 or 1 it eased my calves. I don't think it's "natural" to run on a total flat.

Lexcat - sorry to hear about your injury. Please rest up and don't rush the recovery.

Well, I went out for W6R3 today - a 25 minute run. I found it really tough. Had a bit of a hanogver (didn't even go out last night ) and a dodgy tummy this morning, but decided to give it a go anyway. I did manage to complete it, which is good, but when I did finish I didn't know whether to vomit, collapse or wet myself. Fortunately I made it home without resorting to any of those. .

Oh, I had a stich today which really pissed me off. Is there any way of getting rid of it without stopping? I ended up running holding my side, looking like a total weirdo....

Week 7 is made up of further 25 minute runs, and I'm only going to be able to get out once at most between now and the weekend, so I think I'll just "hover" at 25 minutes till I have it nailed - hopefully within 3 or 4 runs.

thanks for the advice, I'll try on a slight incline

oh lordy odette week 6 sounds scary glad you found a fourth option!

the advice i've heard for a stitch is to breathe in then out every time the foot on the opposite side to the stitch hits the ground. have i explained that right? so i hits, you breathe in, it hits again you breathe out. i've felt one coming on a couple of times and tried that and it's stopped, but that's been on the walking sections rather than running .

i went for a swim today. i don't normally go on the w/e and i'm never going again it was horrible, freezing cold and packed, had to get out after half an hour cos i was hating it so much and go for a long walk to cheer up. another reason to love running - you don't get stuck in a queue staring up someone else's crotch!