New Years Resolution couch to 5k thread

[wuglet]

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?

Wk 7 R1 DONE

I had a totally fabulous run this morning. Very inauspicious start as it was cold and wet and dark and gloomy at 6am but I rugged up and went for it. I managed to run for about 17 mins then stopped for 2 and then did the final 12 in a (mostly) run, some walk fashion.

I utterly utterly loved it.

I think my mild cold virus has lifted and I felt brilliant. Also I was listening to ace music and I can really see results now. I am running longer/faster and my fat arse and stomach are becoming teenier and weenier.

So huzzah and hurrah!

Also very well done doyouthinktheysaurus, 7 miles is effing amazing! Shame about the pulled muscle tho.

I'm still wimping out of the great outdoors, but I will get out there soon, I promise. I've just finished week 7 (I think!) which I may repeat. I've got a teething, non-sleeping baby so feeling particularly tired at the moment so lacking in motivation to run. I did go on Saturday and did a timed run and whilst I ran it all, I didn't seem any quicker than the last time I did it. I have seen some results; I bought my first pair of size 12 jeans on Saturday. I was size 20 before I got pregnant in 2008, so I am proof that the exercise does work.

Everyone seems to be making great progress.

building up for my first 10k at the end of april. did almost 9 k today and now feeling exhausted but am pleased cos I did it almost 10 mins faster than last time. it's the first time I've ever seen a time go down - usually there is no difference between my 'fast' run and my 'slow' run

Far out llareggub, going from size 20 to a size 12 is amazing.

Hi everyone. Well am mightily impressed with doyouthink and sanfairy's 7mile and 9k. Is it just me or have you both shot up in distance in the past few weeks? How did you do it? I have to say I am struggling to get past 5k at the moment and feel like I have stagnated a bit. Other that the one run I did of 6.5k just before I injured myself I haven't been able to manage it since. I go out each time planning to run further but I think part of it is me being scared that i'll hurt myself further if I do. I am also fitting in two swim sessions a week. Do you think I should drop those for the moment and concentrate on getting my running distance up or do you think the swimming is helping to ease my muscle strain?

Not really sure what to do.

I haven't gone beyond 5K either, rollergirl. I've stuck fairly rigidly to the programme and I think until I increase my speed or start deviating from the programme I wouldn't do much more than am already. Interestingly, I'm only running at the moment but think I need to do some cross-training. My abdominals need some focussed exercising and would benefit from the exercise DVDs I did before the running bug took hold. I'd carry on swimming, personally.

llareggub: Btw, congrats on the massive weight loss! It's such an achievement and you must be very proud of yourself!

I think perhaps part of my trouble is that I didn't stick to the regime and that I did a bit too much too soon. I started off doing the couch to 5k and stuck it for 2 weeks and then moved on to doing continous runs straight after that and then running 5k a week after that. Perhaps this is my body catching up! Yeah, I actually really enjoy swimming so would like to keep that up.

I think also I might be concentrating on my speed a bit too much. I have got my time down to 30 mins for 5k but that is probably having the knock-on effect of me being too knackered to run any further. I might drop my pace and see how that goes.

Rollergirl, I wasn't a complete beginner when I started

I was cycling upward of 50 miles a week off-road last year and then started running in october when the weather turned. I had an operation in November and couldn't exercise for 2 months. I got back on my bike the start of January with a big loss of fitness. I started running beginning of Feb and have built up quite quickly. TBH I think I still have retained alot of the fitness I thought I had lost and I've noticed I have alot of strength in my legs I don't think I would have had if I hadn't done all that cycling.

I've hung up my saddle for the moment though,. definitely got the running bug and enjoy it much more than the cycling. I surprised myself the other day by being able to run up the big hills I used to cycle up on the Downs. I really didn't think I'd be able to run allthe way but doing it proved to me that the fitness I thought I had lost hasn't been IYSWIM.

I'm now trying to stick to the 10% rule and increase my mileage by no more than that each week. Seems to be working so far

The other thing is, I'm very slow. I average 11.30 min miles...a definite plodder but I'm quite happy at that pace. It would be worth you slowing down Rollergirl, I think, if you want to increase your distance. I'm of the mind that I will naturally get faster as I get fitter. or if I don't I'm quite happy plodding.

I've increased the times rather than the distances run iykwim? so I'd set off and think, right, I'll run for 35 mins this time, then 40, then 45. of course that meant I was running further as well but I measured the distance afterwards rather than during or before the run.
I also had to stop running for a few weeks in jan (just after I'd started really - bummer) but did bikes at the gym more or less every day instead and that got my fitness up massively so when I started running again I was way fitter and faster than before. cycling seems a really good cross training sport for running. If you like swimming though rollergirl that's great for overall fitness and training so I'd keep at it. I only run a few times a week, more than that and I feel like my muscles and ligaments start complaining.
anyone watching eddie izzard btw? running a marathon every day after 5 weeks training beforehand - respect!

Thanks for the advice ladies. I think I will try and slow down a little and increase by 5 mins at a time. I think also I might just stick to 2 runs a week alongside 2 swimming sessions rather than 3 as my poor old legs definitely seem to complain!

where is everyone?.......

I am struggling at the minute. Have switched to running every 3 days instead of 3x per week as I found when I was doing it every other day I was not enjoying it as much.

Current plan is to complete the 9 weeks (which will stretch to 10) just to say I have done it, run the 5k as planned then probably drop back to 25min runs every 3 days until I feel fit enough to increase.

But on the bright side I think running a 5k (as opposed to running it 3x/week) is totally do-able and I was a lot more doubtful at the beginning of the year!

Hi wuglet.

I'm on week 5 and am dreading doing the 20 minute run tomorrow.

Yes it's a shame that this thread has died a little bit. I was loving all the encouragement!

I have dropped to 2 runs a week as I too was finding running 3 times had a real knock-on effect on my legs. I have managed to run 6k the last two times which I am pleased with as was definitely starting to feel that I had hit a plateau.

Yes, let's get posting again!

I've had 6 days off due to a nasty cold and am going back on the treadmill tonight. Yikes. I'm not looking forward to it as I'm scared all that hard work will have gone to waste.

I'm definitely going to get out on the road soon. I feel like a fraud having only used the treadmill thus far.

I've been doing quite a bit. Am currently still sort of doing Week 6 run 2 but am going out 4 times a week when either DD is in playgroup or DH is looking after the DCs. DS gets bundled into the pushchair and we run round the village. I've found a route which is just over 3 miles which I'm doing in 38 minutes with the buggy and 34 without.

Am definitely going to sign up for the 10k race at the end of May even if I end up doing some walking. Am also tempted by the great south run although 10m sounds much further than 10k.

Have also started doing some cycling - DH gave me a very lovely new bike for my birthday so we're walking/running/ cycling everywhere rather than taking the car. My figure is definitely loads better but I will need to work on the very saggy tummy at some point...

Right - my running has fallen by the wayside for past 3 weeks due to ilnesses all round and general malaise (good word for being a lazy cow) but am determined to get back into it. Anyone else easing themself back into running and if so, what are you doing (aiming for run walk combos or gentle runs for particular duration or length)? All tips gratefully received!

Hi dinkystinky, I'm in the same boat as you, although I still feel a bit grotty. I'm aiming to start off with a slow run - keep the same distance (5K) but run sloooooooowly and walk as necessary then build up a bit more speed/consistency over the week.

Good luck

Hi Claudiaschiffer - good to know am not the only one in this boat! Thanks for the advice - will give a 5k run (taking it slow) a go this lunchtime - good luck to you too.

Hi all. Have just come back from my run. Managed 6.5k so pretty pleased. Is a lovely day today, sunny and bright and quite warm. Think I actually need to invest in some lighter weight running clothes now it's a bit warmer. Was sweating like a rapist 10mins in to my run which is so not a good look!

Here's to warmer weather though!

Right! managed the 20 minute run OK last night. My MP3 player decided to turn off a couple of minutes into the run so I had to start again and I think I did more than 20 minutes in the end. I actually felt pretty good by the end, but that may have had something to do with me running downhill by that point.

glad you're all posting again - I missed you all
some good times/runs going on! I also only run twice a week or my legs hurt too much,on other days sometimes I go to the gym on the bikes but theres no way I can do the crosstrainer - thighs are too painful.
I've signed up for a 10k at the end of april but apparently it's quite hilly so now I'm terrified

Hello all, everyone seems to be doing really well.

Well done with the 20 minutes slug, I can remember doing that with the podcast and feeling like the longest 20 minutes of my life.

I'm doing a 10k trail run at the end of April sanfairyann, what seemed like a good idea at the time now has me quaking. I'm convinced I'll be last and they will all just pack up and leave me still plodding round

My legs are hurting alot at the moment. I've done a long run which did me in and then I went out on Wednesday planning to do 4 miles but I get bored retracing my steps so I extended it into a big loop of nearer 6 miles which was very scenic but now my thighs really ache.

I also went out on my bike on Tuesday which is normally my rest day. The weather was so nice and I haven't been on it much since I fell off so thought I'd give it a bash but that made my legs ache too.

Lets hope the lovely weather continues

Sanfairyann - practice running on the treadmill on a 3 or 4 gradient for a few minutes each time then dropping down to 1.5 and then up again and you'll be well conditioned for the hill 10k in no time at all! The 5k I did when I was pregnant with DS2 was around Hampstead Heath and that was how I trained for the hills and it really helped (being pregnant however did not). Are both you and Doyouthinktheysaurus stretching out well after runs - make sure you do some good hamstring, quad stretches for several minutes at the end of your runs and should help with the aches. I'd even suggest doing the stretches again the next day if you're really stiff - plus a lovely warm bath...

Hi everyone

I've had a week off as I've had a sickness bug (thanks kids). Now I've stopped vomiting I've just been out again, man it was fantastic.

I did my normal 5.5K route, but sort of back to run/walk/run/walk/walk/walk/stagger. So I need to work on my pace over the next week or so to get back up to 20 min runs.

Still, the air was fresh and fragrant, the parrots were squawking in the trees, the sun came up over the lake. It was all very wonderful.

Hi to you all, wondered if I can ask a few questions? I am planning on doing the couch-5k, bit nervous as I am desperately unfit and have never really exercised

Am I going to be able to do this? I currently do the school run twice a day which is 1.2k each way, but only without the DDs do I manage a 'brisk walk', with them it's more of a stroll with nagging (excellent CV workout?)

What stuff do I NEED to buy? I don't own a pair of trainers so will need to get some, any budget recommendations?

What should I wear? I was planning on leggings and a t shirt, do I need a sweatshirt/jacket too?

Sorry, completely clueless but I have made the decision that I need more energy to get through my days, and it might at some point help to get the 3 stone of baby weight off.