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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?

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Original poster
giddykipper · 08/09/2008 22:53

That's what the podcast does for you - plays music then when it's coming up to the time to stop/start running it tells you.

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BroccoliSpears · 08/09/2008 22:53

Was having trouble with that link but just got it opened and realised! Thank you.

Olihan · 08/09/2008 22:57

Ooh, I'd like to join in too. I'm trying to lose weight and get a bit fitter so a some virtual support is just what I need. Bearing in mind I nearly collapse walking up the stairs I am nervous though.....

(Also need a proper bra or will have unfetching black eyes)

kiwibella · 08/09/2008 23:01

I've taken the easiest step and downloaded the podcast and bluetoothed it to my phone . I do think that I am going to have to organise myself for early mornings because I'm not brave enough to go out in the dark.

misselizabethbennett · 08/09/2008 23:23

Didn't get home in time to start tonight. Home at 8pm and straight into PTA meeting. Sat down for tea at 9.15, so will go out in the morning.

Oh, yes I will I will I will!

Celery · 09/09/2008 07:01

Went out last night, it was dark! That hasn't happened for a long time. Went with my friend, so didnt' bother with the podcast, as we were too busy yakking, so possibly ran a bit less than I would have done if I'd been on my own, but it felt really good to be out. I should have stretched properly when I got in though, 'cos I'm aching a bit now.

We have ( had ) a regular runnning route mapped out, which is exactly 5k, and it's a beautiful route - down by the sea front, and we tend to measure by lamp posts rather than times. I did better than I thought I'd would, obviously haven't lost all of my fitness. Will run again on Wednesday.

OneLieIn · 09/09/2008 09:14

Right today is the day. Didn't get round to it yesterday.

funnypeculiar · 09/09/2008 10:17

Hello everyone - lots of inspiring stuff here! I was wondering about the dark nights issue too - esp as I hate road running, but the local parks are all unlit... Think that suggesting to dh that not only am I taking up running but also planning to get up earlier than strictly necessary might give him a heart attack though

andiem · 09/09/2008 11:28

hi everyone went out last night am hoping to go again on thurs
I really enjoyed it

calsworld · 09/09/2008 12:13

Morning all - have just about managed to download the podcasts...now need to find the cable to connect the ipod and work out how to transfer it over.....

The rain has stopped, I hope it stays away

Well done to everyone that's managed to get out already - hopefully by the end of the day, I'll be fully fledged!

(PS - to fellow big norked lasses, like myself (36GG) I got a sportjock bra which is the first bra I've ever worn that actually holds the girls in place )

funnypeculiar · 09/09/2008 16:13

Right, just in from my second run!

Dh had rudely taken his own ipod off somewhere, though so I had to run with the kitchen timer - not classy, as it's huge & has a very loud beep, and I found it much harder to run ... not sure if that was to do with the timer, the lack of motivational music or the rain though

BlessThisMess · 09/09/2008 18:40

Confession time - I did not get up at 6.30am and run!! Woke up at 7.30, decided it was too late and snoozed for 15 more minutes before getting up to the mad morning rush!

Then I could have gone from 12-12.30 before picking DDs up, but it was raining, and I chose the option of putting on washing/emptying dishwasher/having lunch/planning dinner instead!

I don't suppose I will go tonight - DH doesn't get home till 8.30pm and it'll be cold and dark. So, I'll do my best to go to bed early and aim for 6.30am again!!!

BroccoliSpears · 09/09/2008 18:54

Hello

Just been for the first run. Really enjoyed it. Think the dog found it harder than I did!

The podcast was ace because it allows you to switch off completely.

calsworld · 09/09/2008 19:22

Right, well its taken me all blimin' day but I've finally managed to get the podcasts onto my Ipod - which involved a trek to the shops to buy a new cable and support from DH to work out how to actually transfer them over .

I got the ipod for my birthday (last year) and DH pre-loaded it for me - oh well, at least I know how it works now!!

Now, DH is just putting DS to bed, gonna do his milk then think about a run!

Original poster
giddykipper · 09/09/2008 19:34

Hello olihan, I'm as unfit as the next man so don't worry!

Well DS is in bed, I've got my running gear on, I'm just waiting for dusk so that I can go out - not confident enough yet to go out in daylight! I run through a residential area so it feels safe enough, even though there are no street lights. I'm also 6 ft tall with cropped hair so I reckon from a distance I could look like a bloke!

I'll check in again when I'm back.

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calsworld · 09/09/2008 20:26

Well - I've done it! Hooray! The podcast was fab - totally agree with you broccolispears about being able to switch off.

Music wasn't quite what I'd normally listen to but it was quite relaxing...found I needed his encouragement towards the end though.

I'm all showered and clean again - not sure I'll be able to walk tomorrow, my legs feel like jelly, is that normal?

I'm proud of myself, even if I never get to 5k!

Original poster
giddykipper · 09/09/2008 20:39

Well what a crap specimen of a human being I am - I had a stitch before the 5 minute warm up was finished, the wind has given me earache and am I the only one suffering from pelvic floor 'issues'?

But I DID IT!! I really didn't think I would finish 5 minutes in, but I did, and I reckon I must have been running a bit faster as I got about 1/4 mile further!

Yay me!

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calsworld · 09/09/2008 20:40

Just thought I'd post this link to a useful website that I used when I tried to start running back in Feb (got very ill and gave up, but am back now). I used it to find a lovely shop I never would have come across otherwise and had my walking style assessed to find the right trainers.

Its the first time I've ever had a pair of trainers that don't give me cramp, so I'd say it was well worth it!

calsworld · 09/09/2008 20:41

Well done GK! I had a stitch too - is that for a reason, is there a way of avoiding them? Its not so windy here so managed to avoid that - you'll have to wear earmuffs next time - LOL! Perhaps some big over the ear headphones would do the job?

I have no idea how far I went, which is a shame...

Original poster
giddykipper · 09/09/2008 20:43

I reckon I got a stitch because I ran too soon after eating. DP says it's because I wasn't breathing properly but what does he know!

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kittywise · 09/09/2008 20:46

Well done giddy, broccoli, cal and funny.

I didn't have to go today but will try tomorrow morning. It's peeing down here so glad I didn't have to go tonight.

best get the ipod stuff sorted!

kittywise · 09/09/2008 20:47

Giddy, I find that if I start off too quickly and then start shallow breathing then I am more likely to get a stitch.
Warm up Slowly!!

OneLieIn · 09/09/2008 20:48

did not do this today, sorry. Am rubbish, but great at finding excuses.

funnypeculiar · 09/09/2008 22:18

I got a stitch too - I blamed the chocolate biscuits I'd consumed not long before running
giddykipper - how do you know how far you went - pedometer? I had a cheap one that never worked. Sounds like another piece of kit i may 'need' (on which note, useful site, thanks calsworld)

Good luck for tomorrow OneLieIn and BlessThisMess

Original poster
giddykipper · 09/09/2008 22:24

I just ran the same route as last time and I got a bit further before he told me to stop.

If you're running on roads you can work out the distance on Google Maps.

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