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Original poster

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

735 replies

Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner · 23/05/2009 18:21

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.

OP posts:
lulalullabye · 03/08/2009 00:22

I have now finished W3. I can't imagine doing W4 ! As for weight loss and body shape, I have been seeing a personal trainer for three months, twice a week and it has only been the last 3 wks that I have noticed a difference to body shape. I do have to say though that I have lost no weight at all !!!!

lulalullabye · 03/08/2009 10:18

I am just about to sign up for a 5k run on the 5th of september. gulp. My philosophy is, that the run itself is in the Yarra valley near Melbourne (the area where all the bushfires were ). Anyway, a friend and I are going to do it (without dc's and dh's) and then stay in the hotel there. Very big wine area to celebrate after .

Now I need to put some effort in

Superduperloopthelooper · 03/08/2009 20:45

Jack - is scary that a break can make such a difference...I should have started wk8 today and went for a (very slow and easy) bike ride with ds instead, am now feeling suitably guilty! The rest of your day sounds pretty perfect though!

I do feel better in myself and I can keep up with ds for longer (!), which was why I started this...I just hoped that I would automatically lose 2 stone and develop a svelte and athletic physique as a bonus . The buzz you get after each run still makes it worthwhile though.

lula - it's interesting what you say about your training (well done btw!), maybe we are just solid muscle and that's why we haven't lost weight?! Good luck for September, the wine-fest afterwards should be a good incentive (it would work for me!).

tryingtocookacurry · 04/08/2009 08:31

I've put on weight - 4lbs to be exact

This is probably more about not knowing when to stop with dunking biscuits in a cup of tea watching Big Brother! I need to get out of holiday mode and back into more healthy eating.

Montifer · 05/08/2009 10:43

Oh no I'm regressing!

Did W5 R1 last night and had to walk after 4 mins of the 1st interval, at least I managed the other 2 runs. I seem to have lost my rhythm (not that I had a great one before!)

Am determined to get to 5k eventually, might go for one more W5 R1 tomorrow and then carry on again, 20 mins does seem a huge leap from 2x 8 mins, which are a struggle it has to be said.

Don't think I've lost any weight either but think I feel a bit more toned.

InTheZenGarden · 05/08/2009 20:49

Did w5r1 this evening!
Missed sunday's run, so was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to do it, but it was OK... not so sure about the leap to 8mins on Friday and even less convinced about 20mins on Sunday

I have lost no weight but then i haven't really done much running yet - hopefully the weight will fall off in te next few weeks

IdrisTheDragon · 06/08/2009 13:54

Have signed up for a 10k race in October .

It's a charity one and you could do 5k or 10k by doing one or two circuits. Will concentrate my training in September I think.

lulalullabye · 07/08/2009 03:49

Idris , my 5k in Sept is scary enough !!
Did anybody else find on w4 that the 5 mins was actually easier than 3 mins ? I was dreading it, but by the end of the 5mins I could breath a lot easier. r2 tonight, so will see if the same thing occurs.

lulalullabye · 07/08/2009 11:04

Well, just done w4 r2 and after the first 90 sec rest I cariied on running and did a total of 18 mins straight . How the hell I did that I do not know, must have been the berocca this afternoon .

Anyhow, where do I go from here, any suggestions ??

InTheZenGarden · 07/08/2009 21:00

Where do you go, lula? You go to the Top of the Class, that's where! Well done! I have just done w5r2 and the 2x 8mins nearly finished me off! Am dreading Sunday's 20mins, yet you've just done it...

I think you should prob go to w6 next, but make sure you take at least 2, ideally 3, days to recover from today...

btw what's berocca? Whatever it is, I need some if it makes you run 18mins!

lulalullabye · 07/08/2009 22:54

berrocca is a fizzy tablet that you put in water. It contains vit c and b vitamis, no caffiens or sugar, but is supposed to give you energy. I think it works but try it. I am due to run again on Sun, so will prob only be able to do 30 secs then ! I think that the way it goes.
Surprisingly no aching anything today, but did stretch well after in fear of not being able to walk !!

Original poster
Nappyzoneisabeetrootrunner · 08/08/2009 21:11

hello all! im back from my jollys and just thougt i ought to check yur all being good! Am very and at motivation to do 10k!! in the end i had to forgoe my running shoes in my case then on hols saw oodles of leisure runners and potential routes so was a bit gutted but anyway im back and will venture out Monday now i guess as am at a bbq tomorrow. I hope i havent lost my stamins which i never had after only a week!

OP posts:
Skimummy · 09/08/2009 19:44

So....I am back after a break due to starting back at work work/nursery/sickness/holiday...you get the picture! I went back to week 4 to get going again and finished week 5 tonight - 20 minutes non-stop, whooo!! I was pretty happy when it was done though. Now I am just waiting for my very red face to fade. Am enrolling for a 5k in September to give myself some motivation to be more regular and DH has given me the incentive of a day "off" as well if I do it!

I do need some new running shoes though - anyone have Nike plus ones?

InTheZenGarden · 10/08/2009 08:02

Ahem...

I'd like to thank all the MNers who helped me get this far and of course Rawb for providing the music and inspiration to run. Without you all, I never could have achieved the 20 minute run I did last night

But I did it

Am quite proud of myself

Seriously though, I can't believe that 5 weeks ago, I was doing 1 minute runs and was knackered by the end of the sixth. And now, 20 minutes!! Feel confident I can get to 30 mins But I was soooo slow! I was averaging a 13.45 minute mile! So quite a lot of work to do to be able to do 5k in 30 minutes..... eeek

lulalullabye · 10/08/2009 10:21

Well done Zen. I decided to skip up to w6 and I felt that after each run period, I then found it hard to get going again. Maybe it is easier just to keep running and not have that build up, slow down.
I find that the 3rd minute for me is really hard, but once I have got over that then I find it much easier. My breathing settles down and I start to enjoy it.

I have just bought one of the nike gadget things, so wwill try that out tomorrow

IdrisTheDragon · 10/08/2009 13:57

Hello

Yay for all the 20 min runs

went away for the weekend and did a 4.04 mile run in 40 something minutes it involved some hills which I did have to walk up as my legs would have fallen off otherwise. At the end my Nike plus thing said you have finshed and then paula Radcliffe appeared and said well done on your longest run so far. I found it funny

think I need proper socks - have been running in trainer sock things bur started getting a blister yesterday. My flat feet probably don't help.

Am away again on wednesday for about a week to my mum and dad's house (they will be away lol) and will do more running then

Montifer · 12/08/2009 23:23

Hoorah indeed for the 20 minute runners (and those who are way beyond).

Hoping I've got my running mojo back after a bad couple of weeks, did W5 R2 tonight and think I found a rhythm, not certain as don't think this has happened before but it almost felt comfortable, will see if I can join the 20 minute club on friday, am feeling positive.
Going more slowly seems to be the answer, bit that it's taken me 2 weeks to discover this revelation but never mind. Sadly my 'running' is barely faster than my brisk walk but I keep telling myself that it's time I'm working on at the moment and I can deal with speed when I get to 5k.

Nappy, Jack, Canella, you still out there running? You're all very quiet, any arse kicking required?

IdrisTheDragon · 12/08/2009 23:57

Am away again. Did a 30 min run earlier on this evening which was nice - through fields and by a canal. Then went past a pub with lots of motorbikes and their riders. Was about the same pace as Sunday and wasn't worn out at the end so think I could try going quicker.

lulalullabye · 13/08/2009 11:26

w6r3 done !!!!!!! 25 mins. Can't believe I did it. Marathon next week .

Legs are a little achey now, just had a nice hot bath and with a good stretch I should be ok, fingers crossed.

Idris, you have cracked it now. Nike sportband is fab, I love it !!

JackBauer · 14/08/2009 07:53

Oh well done everyone! that 20 minute run is such a turning point, isn't it!

I have been at my mums...where there are no hills so I went for 3 2 mile runs, which all went great, I did stop for a 30 second walk in the middle of them all as it was along shingle at the top of the beach and I didn't fancy breaking my ankle, but the runs went great.
I just wish I could speed up, I am stuck at 12.5 min miles and don't know how to speed up, I try going faster but then I can't keep it up. Oh well, out again tomorrow!

lulalullabye · 14/08/2009 08:24

Is everybody still sticking to the 3 runs a week or daring to do more, as getting a little addicted now

tryingtocookacurry · 15/08/2009 08:48

Hello all,

Well done, everyone!

I have had a break from running as I finally got the dog I have so longed for, and felt that 3 mile runs for him was too much, so cut it down/stopped.

He has gone back now as the people who gave him to me popped round to visit and decided as he looked so chilled, happy and contented, they wanted him back.

So, after crying for a couple of days, I have decided I will get back on with the running tomorrow. I bet I can't do it!

tryingtocookacurry · 15/08/2009 08:50

Lullybye, I never stuck to the three runs a week and always tried to do at least 4! However, sometimes, when I had run the day before and I got up to go for a run, I could feel my body saying, not today! So didn't!

lulalullabye · 15/08/2009 10:17

Tryingtocookacurry, that is so rough, taking the dog back . We gave our dog to some friends of ours when we left for Aus and are coming back to the Uk in Feb and would never dream of taking him back .

Anyhow, my trainer at the gym is away fro 10 days now so I will endevour to run 4 times. Have scrapped the 5k in Sept and aim to do an 8k in mid Oct instead. Should be plenty of time to get ready for that

It is very quiet at the moment, I hope everybody is well .

IdrisTheDragon · 15/08/2009 18:50

Hello. I would like to run about 4 times a week but only managing about twice a week if I am lucky. Need children to ve back at school and pre-school. May do a run in a bit - need to start putting children to bed really.