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Original poster

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

983 replies

Misdee · 05/01/2008 18:26

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

OP posts:
wheelybug · 31/01/2008 17:32

Did week 3, run 2 today in wind and rain and feel pretty chuffed with myself for making myself go. I think the programme helps as you know you have to do 3 times in a week and I have to fit them in to dd's nursery times and weekends if we're around.

Aitch - you do get fitter - I was pretty worried about week 3 and although its been hard its been manageable. Am pretty worried about week 4 though.

Good news is though I got some new trousers today in my normal size and i have to send them back as they're too big (ok, I know it was probably the cut but its helping to spur me on ).

geordiemacminx · 31/01/2008 17:36

Well I went out dancing on Saturday night - first time since ds was born 9 months ago, and managed to tear the ligaments in both knees. The good news is that I was so drunk merry at the time that I didnt feel a thing.. the bad news is that I cant so any running for at least 4 weeks, and am waiting for physio. RUBBISH!!

Minum · 31/01/2008 17:40

WB - fab news about the trousers, isnt it a great feeling.

I agree, I think the program is key for me to succeed, as its a discipline, and you can really feel yourself moving along through the stages. I'm no good without a structure cos its too tempting to slow down when I get tired.

Jenkeywoo · 31/01/2008 17:47

I've had to have a break from running as I hurt my ankle and could hardly walk let alone run - It was a very specific pain on the inside of my ankle. I went to a running shop yesterday and found out that my feet roll in so need special trainers - so am now £85 lighter and hoping it makes the difference so I can keep on going. I have entered the race for life and hoping to do a local 5km Bay run in March but now not feeling so certain as my ankle could still play me up.

Did anyone else find that you made loads of progress for the first couple of weeks and then suddenly it just felt hard? I seemed to be really improving at first but when I went out Monday it was much harder - actually I think I bazookered all my muscles having to virtually run 20 mins to school with hefty 3 year old and nearly 2 year old in the old Maclaren Double buggy as Dh had carseats in his car. Much worse than running I can tell you!

Good luck to everyone.

AitchTwoOh · 31/01/2008 20:12

so, now that i've done it TWICE!..
does anyone feel slimmer etc after a few weeks? i'm not so bad but not so good body-wise and i'd love, love, LOVE to lose a stone or so (two would be BMI-tastic). i mean, i know i say blah blah blah i just want to get fit but actually getting slinky and fit would be better...

AitchTwoOh · 31/01/2008 20:13

oh, and boo hiss on the busted ligaments and various other injuries.

Furball · 31/01/2008 20:21

I ran 1/2 mile to school without stopping today and didn't even get out of puff! Fab, fab stuff.

to all those suffering with injuries

pinkspottywellies · 31/01/2008 21:02

Fab about the trousers WB. about everyone's injuries

I've just been out for the first of week 4. Was gonna do week 3 again cause my last run was Sat and have been ill since but I couldn't be bothered to change the podcast back to week 3. But I DID IT!!!!! Total of 16 mins running and much less recovery time than usual but it was ok. Will have to run faster next time!

Keep up the good work everyone!!

AitchTwoOh · 31/01/2008 21:05

16 mins. fucksakes. i'm going to DIE.

AitchTwoOh · 31/01/2008 21:05

by which i mean, gosh, well done pinkspotty.

tortoise · 31/01/2008 21:10

Sorry to see so many with injuries. Hope you can get back out again soon.

There was no way i could jog today would of got blown away!

I am struggling to find times when i am free to jog. Also we now have a greyhound and i won't want to leave him in the house alone for a while!

MrsCarrot · 31/01/2008 21:39

blimey, Aitch, if I don't look slinky as well as being fit at the end of all this I will be mighty annoyed.

I have been this evening and it was good. I am really noticing the recovery time is getting quicker and though my knees ached they weren't too bad. I must start the exercises from the GP though.

PSW - do you mean 16 mins of runnning in total or all in one go?

pinkspottywellies · 31/01/2008 22:13

16 mins in total out of the half hour. After 5 mins warm up walk it's 3 mins run, 90 secs walk, 5 mins run, 2 and a half mins walk and repeat.

I also covered more distance for the first time. I got to the place where I usually finish at the beginning, rather than the end, of the cool down

pinkspottywellies · 31/01/2008 22:14

It was snowing a little bit before I went out but I thought if I left it any longer I'd never get back out there!

AitchTwoOh · 31/01/2008 22:18

round of applause for pinkspottyrunningshoes!

pinkspottyrunningshoes · 31/01/2008 23:22

Why thank you!

AitchTwoOh · 31/01/2008 23:28

oh BRAVO!

wheelybug · 01/02/2008 09:52

oh well done Pinkspotty... Have a glass of champagne water to celebrate. Although you are scaring me a bit - I start Week 4 on monday (still have to do 1 more run in week 3 over the weekend)and am a bit worried ....

Hope all the aches and pains and strains are feeling better this morning.

lunavix · 01/02/2008 09:56

I started the running programme that the OP mentioned yesterday and thoroughly ashamed to say I couldn't manage the first session!

I walk around 4-5 miles a day and do go to the gym so I was a teeny bit shocked however large norks and the fact I have never run in my whole life probably didn't help!

I was on the treadmill so did a resistance of 4.5 and walked at 6, then jogged and 7.5. Managed six minutes jogging out of 20 but I suppose it's okay for the first time ever!

lunavix · 01/02/2008 09:57

Forgot to add, also did 10 minutes on cross trainer first (and had walked 15 minutes briskly to get to the gym).

Will be aiming for 90 sec walking, 60 sec jogging on sat (so 8 min jogging out of 20) then 60 sec walking 90 sec jogging sunday (so 12 out of 20 which I think is where that programme starts)

Original poster
misdee · 01/02/2008 10:05

lunavix, take a break between each days training, dont overdo it.

saying that i am meant to be doing run 3 of week 2 today plus going aquafit as well. not sure i can do both.

OP posts:
AitchTwoOh · 01/02/2008 10:13

isn't it 8 out of twenty jogging? i agree with misdee, apparently that programme works best if you just do what the man says. i know loads of people who've done the couch to 5k thing (they even started a running club fgs) and they are very strict about not doing too much in the beginning.

AitchTwoOh · 01/02/2008 10:13

what's week 2 like, misdee? is it heaps worse than the first week (which i'm finding okay).

Original poster
misdee · 01/02/2008 10:17

its hard. i gave up on the second run, but managed 4 out of 6 runs for the full 90secs on weds. I am hoping that i can get out for the run early tomorrow morning, skipping today and going aquafit instead.

once i can do all 6 intervals of 90secs fully i will move onto week 3.

OP posts:
MrsCarrot · 01/02/2008 10:28

How many times a week is the progrmme? We have been aiming for twice, is that enough?