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Original poster

Couch potato to 5k - anyone fancy starting?

289 replies

giddykipper · 07/09/2008 08:27

This is what I'm talking about

And there are podcasts for your mp3 player to help.

Anyone feel like a bit of mutual motivation?

OP posts:
andiem · 12/10/2008 22:15

well done btm you did really well

eiffel sounds nasty hope you are ok sounds like a good plan to me
where are you off to?

kiwibella · 13/10/2008 10:21

take care Eiffel

well done BTM... so proud of your time!!

Good luck with running this week everyone.

LaTourEiffel · 13/10/2008 21:01

Hi all, I'm off to Portugal at the weekend, taking DS and my mum in dad (think DH must be REALLY desperate for a holiday!) LOL, only joking, they get on really well.

Its all bit pants as I'm on the ttc threads too but GP has said I should stop ttc until I've had the op.

Its not really been my year, but am hoping that with the diet and the running, maybe some good can come of it.

blissieblue · 14/10/2008 10:43

Did 2nd run of week 2 last night and it was easier than the 1st. Which is what happened last week too. It's great to know that my fitness is already improving. Felt sure I could have run for longer but am sticking with the programme for now. Don't want to burn out!

Is anyone else a bit worried about running in dark with an iPod / MP3 on? It feels weird not being able to hear what's going on around me. Also - what do you wear to run in? I'm in trackie bottoms and a short sleeved t-shirt and pac-a-mac at the moment (not v stylish) Got proper running shoes, socks and sports bra but the rest is a bit make do'ish. Pac-a-mac a bit sweaty too..eugh.

LTF have a fab holiday in Portugal - we just got back from western algarve a couple of weeks ago. It was great - very relaxing and mostly because my folks were with us. We even got to go to the beach on our own a couple of times.

blissieblue · 14/10/2008 10:44

LTF - obv should be LTE!

BlessThisMess · 14/10/2008 14:47

Blissie, I wear trackie bottoms and an ordinary tee-shirt, with a sweatshirt over to start with which I then tie round my waist when I get hot. I do have a proper runner's rain-jacket which I found on sale at Tchibo a few months ago.

Right, having done (though not totally run) the 5K on Sunday, I have to set a new aim. And apart from that one occasion when I went out with my friend for the first 20-minute sesh at the end of week 5, (actually did 25 mins), I have never done more than 15 mins at a time. In fact I haven't properly completed Week 6. So, my aim over the next few weeks is going to be to run 20 mins a couple of times, then 25, then 30 to try and be able to properly run a whole (flat!) 5K!!

BlessThisMess · 14/10/2008 14:48

Oh, and I'm not worried about running round here with MP3 player on - I live in what I feel to be a very safe little rural town and although there has been the odd criminal incident here, I don't want to blow it out of proportion. I do feel lucky living here...

andiem · 14/10/2008 18:48

no run for me today ds2 has been vomming so no nursery thought about going with the pram but chickened out

I run after school drop off so always in the light I do wory about crossing the roads though with my ipod on

have a lovely time in portugal eiffel we went last year in october and it was so lovely and warm sorry you've been having trouble conceiving ds2 is an ivf baby 4th attempt very precious

LaTourEiffel · 14/10/2008 20:06

Andiem at thought of running and pushing a pram!!!!

It has briefly flitted through my head on the very rare occasion, but usually just before I'm taken ill!

Am pleased you've said that it was warm when you went in October - have been a bit worried about what to pack! Cardi for evenings and tees for daytime (I'm hoping!)

On the plus side, I weighed myself this morning and I'm 4.5lbs lighter than I was when I started off - partly down to the running and partly down to my lighter diet since the gall stones - I'm probably going to the extreme with cutting out fatty foods but I'd be gutted if anything happened to stop me going on holiday!

BlessThisMess · 15/10/2008 15:22

Wow, I just did 27 minutes all on my own with NO walking!!!! I'm so chuffed.

I must say it really helped having downloaded some music I like to my MP3 player. I had a bit of Abba, U2, Springsteen and I found that Queen's 'Fat-Bottomed Girls' is the perfect track for my running pace!!!

I'm also generally discovering that I don't get anywhere like comfortable (if I can call it that!) running until after 10 mins. At the 5-8 minute point I am really wishing I could just stop. Today I was planning on doing 20 mins, but by the time I got there I was cruising so didn't see any point in stopping!

Keep going with it everyone - even if like me it feels really tough to do 5-10 mins, it doesn't mean you can't do more!!

andiem · 15/10/2008 16:02

well done BTM the hero of the thread!

kiwibella · 15/10/2008 22:36

well done BTM... your comments about running more than five minutes are interesting - if I could make five mins I would follow your advice . No running for me this week - so far - hope to be back at it soon. No real excuses... just can't organise my life!!

BlessThisMess · 15/10/2008 23:28

Thank you - but honestly in less time than you can believe you will be at this stage too! I can't believe I am doing this!

andiem · 16/10/2008 10:21

just done second week 2 run was fine but got called to pick sick ds2 up from nursery half way round
off out again on sat am

funnypeculiar · 16/10/2008 10:28

I've been really crap for the last few weeks, but have just registered for the moonwalk, so that should remotivate me! (yes I know it's a walk )

kiwibella · 18/10/2008 21:41

after nearly a week's break, I ran week three last night and it was good. I even managed to continue running for a bit when my last three mins was up. Yay. I'm bricking it about moving on to week four. Tomorrow, fingers crossed (or not ).

Also, the earlier discussion about ipod speakers... I have problems keeping the speakers in my ears so I only wear one anyways. I can listen to the tunes and feel comfortable about hearing the noises around me.

andiem · 19/10/2008 09:26

well done kb
was going to go out this am but have been up since 6 with poorly lo so am waiting now till tues when he is hopefully back at nursery

Original poster
giddykipper · 19/10/2008 20:16

I've been rubbish this week, not been out for 9 days

Must get back into it. I was managing week 3 ok, I need to do it a couple more times but I've had bad guts and I can feel a cold coming on.

Well done to all those who are keeping on track.

OP posts:
blissieblue · 19/10/2008 20:41

BTM - congrats on your 27 mins!

I had to laugh at myself and my looking for style advice on what to wear running - is it just me that uses taking up a new activity as an excuse to go shopping?

I think I'll be changing my route. A friend told me that she was walking along the path I run on, in broad daylight with her DS in his buggy, only to be faced with a man having a [cough] wank. This is just 5 minutes from my front door and a route I follow all the time with the DSs to get to the supermarket. Yuck.

2nd run of week 3 tomorrow night. Quite impressed I've managed to stick with the programme so far. I actually look forward to going out - even when hungover and sleep deprived yesterday. The things I do just to get a bit of time to myself..

BlessThisMess · 19/10/2008 21:22

Ugh, Blissie, what a vile thing for your friend to see!

I went out yesterday morning but was short of time so only did 15 mins stop and start - partly 'cos the dog was about a mile behind me and I had to keep stopping to see if I could still see her, poor old thing! She must think I'm mad suddenly taking her for all these runs now she's an old lady!

Thought I might go again today but my brother is visiting from the USA and I had a vast amount of cleaning and tidying-up to do before the house was respectable enough to welcome him and new SIL! I have this name for a reason, you know!

kiwibella · 20/10/2008 21:11

Blissie, that is shocking. I have to admit to looking at everyone with dubious eyes while out running tonight.

I do have designated running attire . Nothing flash - just some specially chosen tops from primark which are known as my running shirts. I have had nike leggings for years which get dragged out with each burst of energy I have . I will shamefully admit to having had the same running shoes for years... I know that I would be doing myself major favours if I could get new ones .

I did my first run of week 4 tonight and it went surprisingly ok. It was dark (my biggest fear) and drizzling so I didn't do the five minutes walking at the beginning and end. I managed the three / five / three minute runs ok... and I got back to my flat after about three of the final five minute run and I admitted defeat. That walk makes such a difference... my legs are suffering tonight .

As are my abs... I took my lo to yogabugs today and phew it was a work out . I think that I would die during a real adult session .

blissieblue · 20/10/2008 22:47

Think I might get some leggings kiwi - my trackie b's are a bit flappy around the ankles and prone to getting soggy in the rain.

Ran on a well lit route tonight, other joggers, dog walkers, promenaders (yes even in this weather!) around so felt much safer.

Suddenly have a sore knee though which isn't good especially as I'm only 2.5 weeks in to this. Hopefully it's down to running on uneven ground on Saturday in the local park and nothing more sinister.

andiem · 21/10/2008 11:36

morning ladies
went for the final run of week 2 this am so will start week 3 on thurs
everyone seems to be keeping at it slowly but surely
lovely sunny morning here today but a bit cold

BlessThisMess · 22/10/2008 13:51

Now I haven't got an event I'm feeling lazy and unmotivated. I don't want to lose the fitness I've gained but the thought of going out and getting all hot, completely breathless and knackered is not appealing! Should go today. Somebody give me a smack!

blissieblue · 22/10/2008 14:54

I'm going this evening BTM - just think how good you'll feel afterwards. Much better than if you didn't go out hopefully?!

My knee is still a bit sore but I'm going to run through it and hopefully it'll get better by itself. That sounds a bit daft but if it's still sore at the weekend I might have to think about not starting week 4 just yet.

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