Couch Potato to 5km, any other beginners want to join this thread? Grab some running shoes and join in!

[Misdee]

I know there is a mumsnet runners thread but I am a total beginner, and feel a bit overawed on there as they all seem really experienced.

I am going to be following this training programme, running 3x a week, starting next week once my children are back at school. I say running, but in reality i will be starting with a brisk walk, then picking up the pace over the next couple of months.

I have registered interest in Race For life, which is may/june, and will be taking part in the harefield fun run.

Anyone want to join me

Ooo I like the sound of this!

i'm not all alone yay!

SGK is joining me as well

I'll join you - I'm doing the runners world 10 week plan to run 30 minutes - starting next week also when children back at school. I haven't run any distance for about 20 years (and was never especially good even then) but am determined this time.

the last time i ran any distance was the 1500metres at school and i hated it. lol.

I'll join in too, if I may. I'm particularly spurred on by DH's laughter when I said I was thinking of taking up running for my New Year's resolution

I will join, great thread!

I have changed my homepage to runners world and am aiming to do a 10k in September I think.

Just about to go out for my first run/walk tonight lol

aiming for this

I'm doing this - I'm about to start week 4

On a treadmill not outside - I have dodgy knees and am fine on a treadmill as long as I don't go crazy but concrete finishes me off.

Good luck! I started on the 1st May last year following the bupa 5k plan (looks similar to yours)

Two months later I did my 5k. 2 months after that I did 10k I was due to do a Half Marathon 6 weeks after that, but sprained my ankle 3 weeks before it. Anyway in 5 months I built up from nothing to being able to run for 10 miles

Following a schedule is def the way to go - so much easy to force yourself to go out if you know exactly what you are supposed to be doing

I'm doing this plan, went out this afternoon, but think it will take more than 3 sessions before I can move up a stage

Minum, same, I will go as slow as needs be, as long as i can run 5k by beginning of May, i will be happy.

I'm in for this. I have a 6mth old and really struggling to lose the weight. I'm going to start tomorrow

This looks good. But i could only do 2 days on my own a week when DD2 is at pre-school. Tuesday and thursday.
I guess i could take both DD's to the park on a saturday and jog/walk round the park!

I am nervous about doing this, DH keeps saying it will kill me!! Haven't done any running since school when I was in the cross country team.

it will kill me before you SGK.

tell dhto be supportive.

I'd love to: am so fat it's unbelievable. But last time I tried running I ended up in the physio with, er, runner's knee. After 6x1 min sessions. No kidding.

And now am BF again would also end up with black eyes and soaked thru in two mins...

So not sure. go on though, goad me into it...

Mb, i am a DD cup, 6stone overweight and likely to knock myself if i go faster than a jog

Have started this today with my 11 yo son. I thought I was fit! I can only hope that it's easier the next time.....last year I was regularly running for 20 - 40 minutes nonstop until I had an injury. So much for muscle memory!

We downloaded the couch to 5k podcasts from Itunes so we knew exactly when to speed-up and slow down. Very helpful.

My ds did really, really well. He is not a natural athlete and has asthma (mild) but he has been dreading a big cross country at school around easter-time. He was dripping after his run tonight but very enthusiastic that in 8 weeks it will be a doddle.

We used my treadmill as it's too dark to run outside at the mo when my dh is home from work to look after my youngest. I think it will be easier when we can run outside and have something other than my sunroom wall to look at.

Treadmill? Sunroom?

monkeybird, no treadmill for me, just the local parks.

Oooh a treadmill. That sounds good. Shame i have no room (or money) for one. lol!

I genuinely have got knackered knees. I have anti-over-pronation shoes (oh yes, I KNOW what I'm talking about!) but this may not be enough. If anyone can advise me how to prevent knee damage even on the beginners prog, will join you...

Strapping? Or wot?

Ok just been, it was um fun

No only joking it was good, great sense of achievement afterwards. DD was predictibily sitting up with DP when I got back with a 'where the hell have you been' look on her face.

I have a feeling I will be sore tomorrow, Judge that podcast sounds good I will go look for it now.

Good luck everyone else, MB I am bfing too, just stick some pads in your bra come on you know you want to

I'm leaving DS2 (age 9) in the playground, while I run round the grass next door, so I can see him. We cycle there, which is our 5 min warm up. Trouble is, after 20 mins I'm wiped out and desperate to go home, while DS is happy in the playground. DS1 runs with me, is doing better than me, so will move up the training schedule quicker, I think.

Lol at sunroom envy. I should have called it a conservatory or orangery and looked reet posh.

Our treadmill was a bargain, £100 on ebay for a nearly new Reebok i-run. It folds shut to 9 inches so doesn't take up much room at all. I just move the washing mountain to one side when I set the treadmill up. I love it and totally recommend it.

Sherby, that plan looks a bit more advanced that the Cool Runnings one, should you really be running 2 miles by this Sunday or am I reading it wrong?