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Original poster

New Years Resolution couch to 5k thread

553 replies

wuglet · 04/01/2010 21:04

Sorry to the ongoing couch to 5k thread but I am looking for others just starting out (and it looks like there might be quite a few of us on popsycal's thread).

So...anyone starting week 1 this week?

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 22/02/2010 16:39

Hairy - I use RunKeeper application on my iPhone, which not only maps my run but also calculates the distance I ran, my average pace etc all using the phone's GPS.

Original poster
wuglet · 22/02/2010 19:48

Hairy - I use t'internet of course ("answer to, and cause of, all life's problems" to paraphrase a great philosopher ).

this or this (both pinched from people higher up the thread)

OP posts:
llareggub · 22/02/2010 22:21

Evening!

I was going to run outdoors today instead of the treadmill but the snow last night and this morning put paid to that. Instead I headed over to the gym and used the treadmill. I couldn't remember what week 5 was supposed to be so I decided to run for 7 and walk for 3. It was fine! I'm definitely getting fitter. I think I need to up my pace a bit though as I managed 4k but felt fairly comfortable when running.

I have a sneaky suspicion that I find the treadmill easier and now I am starting to get a bit scared of outdoor running! Our gym has a large golf course and a 5K running trail so I am going to seek out the trail map and try it out when the snow disappears, if I can get the boys in the creche. Eeek!

dinkystinky · 23/02/2010 11:15

Hello all - sounds like people are going great guns. Embarrassed to say I did bugger all running last week or week before due to illness and holiday and going for my first run in over 2 weeks this lunch time - to say I'm not looking forward to it is abit of an understatement.

sanfairyann · 23/02/2010 20:44

snow here as well today - so I thought I'd give treadmill a go - bloomin'eck it's way hard! practically flew off the end of it. maybe I was a tad ambitious with my running speed . think I'll stick to the roads from now on. llareggub - you must share your treadmill tips
fab rollergirl!- see - last week you thought my run was long, now you've caught up

ClaudiaSchiffer · 23/02/2010 21:15

Brace yourselves ladies . . . .

I DID 5K IN 30 MINS!!!!!

It is a new record - for me, obv, I don't think the Olympic selection team are coming knocking anytime soon

I think I've had a mild virus for the last week - hence everything feeling like it was hard work, but I think I've shifted that and was (almost) flying along.

Btw Human by The Killer is the BEST RUNNING SONG every, I urge you all to download it immediately.

Well done everyone else. Keep up the good work.

Rollergirl1 · 23/02/2010 21:21

sanfairyann: Hmmm, was planning to attempt another longer run today but I just couldn't do it.

Also since running today i have had really quite achey muscles in my right lower leg. It is painful to the touch and is making me limp a bit. Does anyone know what that is? Is it shin splints? The painful part is not my shins as such but the muscley part on the outside of the lower leg. Could it be that I'm over-doing it?

sanfairyann · 23/02/2010 21:29

that could be the your peroneus muscle - is your ankle ok? could just be a bit of a knot from the extra miles. don't run thro the pain, better to rest a few days than riskinjury imo

sanfairyann · 23/02/2010 21:33

some stretches here in case it is that muscle

can really recommend deep tissue massage - is very very painful though so be brave .

bananarunning.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/leg-muscle-101-peroneus-longus/

Rollergirl1 · 23/02/2010 21:37

Claudia: OMG, that is amazing! Well done! And you were asking when it gets easier? I think it just did.

Sanfairy: Ankle seems okay. Have looked on the bupa site and it sounds quite like what they say is Anterior Compartment syndrome. I definitely won't run again unless it feels better. I am actually swimming inbetween running days so am thinking that I perhaps need a good couple of days of complete rest.

dinkystinky · 24/02/2010 08:39

That is amazing Claudia! Well done you...

Managed 4.5k in 30 minutes yesterday, doing intervals on treadmill in an attempt to get my overall running speed up as am abit of a plodder normally.

Rollergirl1 · 24/02/2010 10:48

After looking at that link i think def is my Peroneus Longus. I am getting pain in my ankle when i flex my foot upwards and the tightening/ache is spreading upwards to my thigh. Had a really bad night sleep as just couldn't get comfortable and had to keep moving around to keep the pressure off that leg.

Am going to try out those stretches when i get home tonight. Do you think swimming tonight would be a bad idea or do you think it may help?

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 24/02/2010 12:28

Well done Claudia and everyone else. It's motivating to see other people's improvements.

I added some faster bits into my run today (5 minutes quite fast, 5 minutes slow x 3) and it nearly killed me. I also had to alter my route as the pavement ran out so I ended up running 4.6 miles.

Definitely the most tiring run I've done but I've a couple of days off now to rest, next run Saturday.

sanfairyann · 24/02/2010 13:27

if it is peroneus (but my thigh didn't hurt), swimming was painful cos you have to flex your foot, but cycling was fine. I changed to cycling for a few weeks til the pain went. sports massage works a treat if you've got £30 spare?

I need to start doing some speed work but am scared - hate feeling out of breath and was just enjoying the fact it's not so painful now when I'm running - but now you've said you're doing it, doyouthinktheysaurus I'll have a go

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 24/02/2010 16:04

Good luck sanfairyann I did find it really tough I must admit, but most of the 10 mile programs I've looked at include it.

I'm only going to do it once a week though and now I can look forward to a nice slow run on Saturday.

llareggub · 24/02/2010 23:11

Gah.

I ventured outside today, bravely leaving the safe environment of my treadmill. I do find it harder outside. Why do you think that is? I'm not sure if it is physical or psychological. Anyway, I am on week 5 so did 7 minutes followed by a 3 minute walk but when I repeated the run I had a niggly pain in my groin. I ended up walking back at a pace; every time I tried to run it hurt.

I feel a bit deflated, tbh. I stepped on the scales and I haven't lost any weight, either.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 25/02/2010 04:14

I think we've all had days like that llaregub, don't feel deflated. Just think back to how far you could run when you started this and the difference between then and now.

I read somewhere that you shouldn't compare this run with your last run but one you did a month or 2 ago. That way you see the progress rather than the bad run blips.

I'm not a raging insomniac by the way, I'm working hence the odd time of posting

CoteDAzur · 25/02/2010 10:21

I just did W6R1 and lived to tell 8 min runs followed by 2 min walks. 4.7 km in 38 mins.

The weather is just gorgeous today. Not a cloud in the sky and a slight breeze on the sea front. Just perfect for a run

CoteDAzur · 25/02/2010 10:25

llareggub - Running outside is a bit of a challenge at first because you set your own pace. But that is also fun, because you can run a bit faster with a fast song, then slow down a bit with the next.

Don't feel bad about today's run. You have come so far already. We all have! Tomorrow is another day

Original poster
wuglet · 25/02/2010 21:13

Llareggub - the other good thing about running outside (for me anyway, prob not so pertinent for those in Monaco and Australia) is that you have a lovely cold wind in your face.

I have just done w6r2 (2x 10 min run) - still only doing just over 4 k even with the warmup!
The next few weeks will be about increasing pace I think.

To echo what was said above about progress - I am still only the same amount knackered after my runs this week as I was after my runs in week 1

OP posts:
sanfairyann · 25/02/2010 21:47

had a crap run tonight - kept getting muscle pains in my leg so I gave up and had to run/walk. never mind. maybe long run this weekend instead

ClaudiaSchiffer · 25/02/2010 21:57

Chin up llarregub, doyouthinktheysaurus and cote are right. We all have off days and it is harder on the street rather than on the treadmill.

Now just to make you all I will mention that whilst running through our local nature reserve (all gum trees and a big lake) this morning, I heard a rustling in the undergrowth, looked up and a gorgeous cuddly Koala was going full pelt up a tree about a meter away from me. It was amazing.

I did my 3rd run of wk5 this morning - not as amazing as my one on Wednesday, but fun. Looking forward to wk 6. Oh and I was chatting to a mate last night about doing the Adelaide City To Bay run in September it's 12Ks from the city center to the beach. Something to train for!

llareggub · 25/02/2010 21:59

Thank you for your supportive messages. I am going to give the treadmill a go again tomorrow and then go for (hopefully) a nice, long outdoor run over the weekend.

I don't know what it is about outside. I broke my itouch so I don't currently have an ipod so perhaps I ought to sort that out. I've never been able to get headphones to fit my tiny ears but know I can get different ones. Perhaps with music it would be different. I guess I still feel a bit exposed. Yesterday I ran past some people standing outside their house and I felt so self-concious. I am also motivated in the gym in the way I don't feel outside. It is just too easy to stop outside.

sanfairyann · 25/02/2010 22:02

could you run with someone else outside, llareggub? It's hard without the countdown timer to keep you motivated! I run to the next lamppost etc instead (then keep going - ha tricked you, legs!)

Rollergirl1 · 25/02/2010 22:02

This is my 2nd day without running or swimming. Am oh so definitely obsessed now as have had to keep up a running commentary in my head as to why I shouldn't go out. Leg has been better today but still get pain when I press on the muscle. Am hoping that tomorrow being another day of rest will make all the difference and that I can fit a swim and a run in over the weekend.

llareggub: with regards to running outside, you prob will find harder if you are used to the treadmill because there are so many other factors to consider. The temperature, the weather, the terrain all have an impact. I think I'd get bored running on a treadmill.

And I like setting my own pace. It is quite exhilarating to suddenly get the wind up you and to feel like your speeding past things.

The other thing is that I think it is much easier to guage your distance (how far you've run and how much more) when you can measure against physical landmarks.