The new couch to 5k thread......

[Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner]

I was waiting for someone else to start it but had to take the plunge to tell you i just did my w5r3. I managed it but am hurting. Started off too quick and was wrecked 5 mins in but slowed it down - kept going and got to about 14 mins in when my ankles started really hurting - i kept on going anyway and was v relieved when raaawb said that was it - i then proceeed to hobble home - the bath is filling as i type and my ankles are painful but still that i did it.

Thanks Jack, I'll google Up and Running...I may have to speak to my mum too .

You are all actually giving me confidence that I can keep going! I am really not sporty at all and this is the first 'plan' that I have ever kept to (and I have am only 2 weeks in )!

I am really hoping that some decent trainers will help (am blaming current ones for my legs feeling like lead, it may actually be my legs after all...!).

Honestly you will keep going. A few weeks ago I was wondering how on earth I would keep going for 20 min and now I am managing more than 30 and not expiring

I am so impressed Rita, I really can't imagine being able to do that. I am only looking at the summary of each podcast (Rawb too!) a week in advance so that I don't scare myself . Maybe one day I'll be on here saying that to someone ...I can dream !

Even if you don't get expensive ones then just a decent pair from JJB's or something is better than battered ones. it will help with the lead feeling as your feet will have a bit more cushioning so won't be impacting as much.

You DO sound knowledgeable Jack . I don't think my existing trainers have any cushioning effect at all so it can only help (am hoping I will then develop gazelle-like running technique .

I have discovered that there is an Up and Running shop about a mile away so I might go and try some on, or I might head to JJB (less scary!).

I only soudn it as I am repeating what my little bruv (an athlete doing a sports science masters who aslo lectures in nutrition and something else dull and boring that I don't understand)

I went into Up and Running and was really nervous but they were lovely and filmed me on the treadmill to see what sort of shoes I needed (only ankles to knees) I have some with extra support on one side to stop my ankles leaning and for the first time in my life I can run without getting shinsplints....

they were really expensive though. I would have run screaming from the shop had my mum not said she would pay for them

It's good that you have your brother for info, though, I tuned out during PE lessons, and they were a very long time ago, so I know nothing!

Is the filming thing a bit like the wii fit, where it shouts at you that you are overweight and unfit (am still traumatised from that!)?? Am slightly afraid that may take one look at me and just laugh..!

I think that it says on their site that they don't recommend trainers that cost less than approx £50, as they are not good enough - I am kind of hoping to find a fantastic, hugely expensive, decent pair in the half-price sale! Maybe I'll take my mum with me and see what happens .

It is a treadmill with a camera pointed at your legs from teh back, you have to roll your trousers up and run for a few seconds and then they freeze frame it and show you how you run (or something)
I am a size 22 went in with both dd's (one in buggy) wearing jeans and shoes. They were really cool and didn't smirk or anything! They lent me trainers as well as I had none.

Trust me, my brother is a bit obsessed with all this. Handy when you want advice but not good for random chats unless you want to hear about his latest bike and aerodynamic socks

That does sound a bit scary tbh! It does sound like it's worthwhile if they check how you run (me: badly!). I didn't realise that there were different shoes for different foot-styles until I looked at the Up and Running site. I had self-diagnosed myself as neutral but I imagine that they probably know more than me!

I might be brave and drag my brother along for moral support (he is a bike junky too, I will tell him about aerodynamic socks ).

Just downloaded week 6 start d1 run tonight when it stops raining, dh has acknowledged his growing gut also and agreed to start the programme - he just laughed at week one and wanted fast fwding to week 2 - he snorted he could easy do it till i told him how many reps . He is now having a lie down till it stops raining. I think im going to enjoy this lol!

he went out and when came back in was saying quick shoes off , drink, run the bath - i shouldnt laugh really as this was me but he was so mocking when i came in as red as anything - anyhow i then said are you on your warm down and he said yes so i listened to the mp3 to check up on him and he still had a 90 second run to go . That said he seeed to have gotten a lot further distance wise.

Ugh rubbish day. Couldn't get into it at all and actua;;y gave up.
Have no clue what times I did as I couldn't stop stopping IYSWIM. Just not in the mood.
Pedometer is reading 1.6 miles though, and I definately ran the last 8 minutes (I could tell by the tracks on MP3) that's still more than I would ever have done 6 weeks ago.

Feel rubbish about it though

Nappy, DH reckons that he might not be able to run for as long as me, but he thinks he could cover a mile faster than I can Am tempted to try him out as I coulnd't care less if he was faster, just want him to appreciate why I come in and can't talk/ tell him what's for tea/ deal with DD's for 20 minutes.

Superduper, my brother made himself aero socks out of fibreglass after studying the biking rulebook to see what was legal. I told you he was weird. Here is a (fairly small) pic of him in action. Weirdo

socks out of fibreglass lol! wow!

I went out (w6r1) and as soon as i got out there the heavens opened - manged the first 2 runs - 5 and 8 mins ok then the last 5 min run i had a 10 second walk and finished at the house with a minute to go - obviously i breezed in and never mentioned that to dh who said i looked a toot red.

Well not the socks of fibreglass, just the aero bit that sticks out the back....That would be itchy

Well done though nappy, I love running in the rain, it's so cooling!

Welcome superduper anyway and i hope yu get your shoes sorted - i got some decent ones from a factory outlet - they were last seasons colours type things so half price and a bit more so in theory worth mor than £50.

bits that stick out - omg is that what is going to happen to us all as we hit 9 weeks ha ha!

i managed 25 mins tonight with only a few 10 second stops for swigs of water.

bloody shins are giving me gip again! Still, i'm pleased to have finally managed it!

Jack - wow, he looks like he takes it pretty seriously (and I thought you might be joking about the aerodynamic socks!!).

I am really impressed that you did 1.6 miles and 8 minutes of running - even if you stopped you still achieved that, and you could have sat at home eating cake, so I think you still deserve a big pat on the back .

Thanks for the welcome Nappy. I have to admit that so far my shoe-hunt on-line has focussed mainly on the colour options available...I will do as Jack says and take myself off somewhere where the staff will speak sternly to me and make me buy some sensible shoes, whatever the colour!

I am starting week 3 tomorrow, but am going to struggle to fit in the other 2 runs this week because I am doing some work experience. Will I lose any progress that I've made so far do you think? Will I have to revert back to the week 2 runs again? I really don't want to lose the momentum (not least because I've started to tell people that I am doing this and they have been suitably impressed up until now !)

i had to take an odd couple of weeks of due to injury and it didnt put me back although i am repeating week 6 this week till my physio gives me the thumbs up on wed to progress.

It worries me if i go to one of those shops they will relieve me of exces cash - how much exactly have people paid for trianersin these shops?

Nappy - I think Jack said that her's cost about £85... I don't have that kind of £ at the moment but I really struggled today (only w3r1 ) so I may get some cheapies to keep me going in case that makes a difference to my rubbish performance .

Today I went over fields and up and down hills - I had to stop during the second 3 minute run . I am hoping that if I can manage to fit in another go this week on my usual (completely flat!) route that I might improve. Do you all run on pavement / flat routes or do you vary it? Is pavement easier than grass [dumb emoticon]? I am determined to carry on but do feel a bit crap about today.

Nappy, thanks for your reply and good luck with being signed off . Am at being signed off onto w6, well done!!

Right this is it...you've all inspired me to get off my couch.
Did my first run on a gym treadmill yesterday (just to make sure I wouldn't humiliate myself in public) and I survived so am working up to my second run attempt tomorrow.
I think running with Rawb would help me but I need an MP3 player and headphones that won't fall out, I always seem to struggle to keep them in. I thought the iPod shuffle looked good but not sure about the headphone situation. What would you experienced folk recommend?
TIA

Good on you montifer - i'm a technophobe about mp3 players etc but i'm sure someone will be around later to help! rawb is the way to go though - the music is a bit hit and miss but its the timings he's good for!

not going to moan at you nappy - but you know you were naughty!!! tsk tsk - that physio will do the moaning for me (unless you lie like the rest of the patients!!!)

managed w5r1 this morning without too much trouble - cant believe i've typed those words!! think i'm ready for the 8 min runs on w5r2 but dreading running 20 mins!!! thats fridays treat!!

but big moan this morning is why have i not lost any weight!! i know muscle weighs more than fat so i should be looking at how my clothes feel (a bit looser but they were never that tight before) but i'm on w5 and i'm only 1 silly pound lighter!!!!grrrr!! i'm eating really well - no carbs in the eve and not loads in the day! loads of fresh fruit if i feel like a snack!!! so unfair!!

ok - feel better for my big moan!

are you all ready for your next runs?

I fid it easier to run on pavement and dotn like unevenness of grass.

Mp3 wise i have quire a small cheapy from currys or even asda - the earphone issue was resolved for me as i got some from aldi which go in your ears but have a rigid band that goes round neck that somehow holds them in - my dd kindly stood on them the other night though so i need some more. Yes canella of course i will lie! - no actually i wont i will tell him i went for a power walk and did a little run in there and felt ok so kind of bendingthe truth although i did powere walk at the beginning..... i am not running now till after wed though so im am restraining myself.

Has anyone seen a podiatrist and have any words of wisdom? if i need fancy shoes for my flat footed ness can a podiatrist make me some fancy insoles to go in my cheapeys instead - is that as good and how much is such a process?

I did week3 r1 this morning and cannot believe I did 3 minutes. I am very proud of myself.
I bought an Ipod shuffle from Argos and although, I agree, the music is not great, having Rawb do the timings is brilliant!

Pavements are the best, my legs always ache like buggery after I have run on grass.

I have cheapy uncool over the head headphones with massive ear bits. I cannot keep earphones in my ears, they just fall out. I put a cap on to try and hide them a bit!

Am doing rubbish atm, supposed to be doing week 7, straight 25 min runs, but managed 8, 5 and 3 with walks. Just can't seem to keep going.
I am convinced it in hormones as have just stoped BFing, and am due on, plus DD1 is not well so that is distracting me.

Shoudl be easier later in week as IL@s coming to visit so they can babysit so I can run when I want to, as opposed to when DH is not at work!

Have given up on Rawb, his music was not helping!