Couch potato to 5k - anyone fancy starting?

[giddykipper]

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?

My legs ache - am going to try some stretching before bedtime!

Good luck everyone going for a run in the morning!

Well done to everyone who got out today! DH is nights tonight so no outing for me - I'm planning one for tomorrow.

I didn't use the podcast the first time, but have downloaded them all today...I haven't actually got an Ipod, but the Sony version instead. I had forgotten the drama involved in getting stuff on to the bloody thing

If anyone is having trouble getting the motivation to get going, just tell yourself you are going out for a quick 5 min walk, and then will only do the running if you feel like it. 9 times out of 10, you'll keep going...and the times you don't, well a 5 min walk is better than the couch

Am planning to do 2nd installment tomorrow morning, hoping all my achy bits have recovered before then.

Am undecided as to whether to take dog. How did yours fare, BroccoliSpears?

Just not sure what will happen if she needs to squat while I'm in running section.

Think I'll leave her at home.

Hmmmmm.... well I was feeling pretty smug after last night's run because I found it pretty easy but I am not so smug this morning. Ouch. Can definitely feel it! Good feeling though.

Cq I would say it depends on your dog and her level of fitness. You are right to be careful because most dogs aren't really built for sustained running over long distances.

I have a 3 year old lab who is used to running with me (she used to come with me prior to last pregnancy) so she knows we're not out sniffing gateposts, and not to get under my feet. She is pretty fit and used to a lot of exercise. Despite all this she was still dragging a bit towards the end of last night's run.

I had been thinking about taking the dog too cq, and you haven't quite put me off, but reminded me to make sure to try and get her to go to the loo before we get started! ! She doesn't sound as fit as yours either broccolispears as she's quite an old girl - perhaps I'll try her tomorrow and see how she goes, if it turns into a flop, at least its one of the early 'runs' where I'm not that good anyway...she does love it, and is quite a helpful motivator in that she runs at my heels, usually carrying a stick, so if I slow down ( slowly dawns on me this will happen during walking sessions) she clatters me on the back of my legs with the stick!!

Oh well, I'll give it a go tomorrow and see what happens.

Today my bum is aching a bit and so are my legs, but my lungs feel good (if that's possible?) kind of like I've dusted them a bit.

How odd.

I have just started a thread asking if anyone can recommend a good 5K running programme.

Then this pops up in active convos!

going to have a good read through now.

welcome tiredemma!

I have yet to start the actual plan, but I did go to an exercise class last night. It was called Zumba, and is based on latin dance moves. very fast and great music.

I have a date with some other school mums to start the jogging tomorrow.

Just done second session. Felt much easier than first time.

Left the dog at home - actually, I walked her first for half an hour so extra bonus points.

But you've got a point, Calsworld, that I'd better try her out while still on the slow bits so I can see how she does.

She's a fairly fit young dog, and a lithe type - not sure what exactly but something like whippet cross labrador so she ought to be up for it.

I'm more of the labrador type sadly. Heavy set and eats everything in sight. Very friendly though.

Lol CQ! Well done on your second run, and double wow for getting the dog walked first! Fab.

I'm aching quite a bit and think its supposed to get worse tomorrow? Ah well, its all for the greater good I guess. Warm bath for me tonight I reckon.

just did second session but the first with the download on my ipod. Honestly, although it was very useful to have someone coach you through it I really don't think I can put up with that AWFUL noise ( I shan't call it music)
Is it supposed to be motivational? It's putting me of going!!!
It made me tense
I'll have to see what other podcasts are around.

Oh really Kitty, that's a shame - I quite liked it but then I was into dance music in my student years, which I guess isn't to every one's taste.

I'll have to get used to it Maybe it's the quality actually. it sounds quite muffled and distorted to me.

oh really, mine wasn't like that at all - I've not run to music before and it was quite nice not to hear my puffing and panting!! I found the music quite, um, unobtrusive and very forgettable, but in a good way, if that makes any sense at all!

Phew, just done first run, but forgot to add the podcast to a playlist so I could listen to it (bizarre nike plus ipod thing). Anyway, I did loads and feel great. Was feeling v. rubbish this morning, so it is a big improvement...to the point where I cleared the kids half eaten rubbish out of my car.

How often should I do it?

Will use the podcast next time but am a bit about the music

oneliein, I think it's 3 x per week

I have to say I don't like the music at all but it serves its purpose. I think there's a market for something more poppy, I wouldn't know where to start with creating a new one though.

Think of it as a motivation to get to running 5k - you can listen to whatever you want to then!

I actually feel like going out for a run tonight, but I went last night. I didn't think I would ever hear those words pass my lips!

Well done to everyone who has been out and welcome tiredemma!

Broccoli - when do you get married? And did you ever decide what to do about witnesses?

• I've been totally shattered this week. There are lots of other reasons I should be tired, but dh is convinced it's because the running (he's been running for the last 18 mths or so and I think he's making sure I'm clear how hard it is!!) Has anyone else been yawning all day??

Am hoping to do my third run of the week today, as dh is off to an embalmers conference fri-sun (no, really) so won't fit it in otherwise...

In 2 weeks giddy kipper. And we're going to ask a couple of friends to witness.

Funnypeculiar, am maybe the wrong person to answer as I'm pretty knackered and yawning most of the time anyway (4 month old baby), but if anything I find running gives me more energy.

Oh blast I just lost my last message!

anyway I did manage to go out on Wednesday morning at 7.30am - was quite chuffed with myself, esp. as I found it very hard going on the first 90s run but still managed to complete the whole thing!

I do take the dog. I walk the first 200 metres or so until we get to the grassy path, and she usually does her 'thing' there. I then let her off the lead and she trails behind me at a great distance, LOL. She is a 10-year old (70 in human years!) so I guess she's entitled to take it slowly! We are fortunate that we run over fields but unfortunate that they are extremely wet and muddy. I had to wash my trainers in the sink and scrub them clean when I got back!

Evening all, I was planning a daytime run today, which would have been my second, but DS is poorly so need to wait till DH is home to take over... I really need to do this second run to loosen up my muscles a bit after tues' run!

BTM, my dog is 13 but she's a collie and very fit so think she'll be OK I'll see how she gets on tonight!

I'm quite lucky to live at the end of a cul-de-sac and at the brow / peak (?) of it is the entrance to quite a big park with footpaths through it so I get countrysideness, but without the mud. I think I might 'off road' for a bit tonight though as the loop I did the other day took me down a couple of paths that weren't very busy or well lit.

I've not run with music before and I did find myself checking over my shoulder quite a lot. I hope the dog survives enjoys the run coz I think that would make me feel a lot safer .

well done calsworld & blessthismess. I very impressed with the 7.30am run!
And well done to all the dogs who also seem to be taking up running

I was hoping for my third run today but didn't quite make it

Second run done this evening. I made all of my warm-up and cool-down downhill so all my running was uphill. Found it harder at first but by the end I felt like I could easily have done a few more blasts of running. Can definitely feel it but in a good way.

Dog didn't come as she was shattered from her walks today (not walked by me I hasten to add).

Am really enjoying this. Feels good to be running again.

Back from run number 3 which I managed to finish but it was a struggle. Wasn't really in the mood but I made myself go out so that I kept up with the plan. I think going out when the mood isn't right is a bad idea, it just puts you off. I've spent all evening tidying the house and mowing the lawn, DP tried to persuade me that was exercise enough, I think he was probably right.

On the plus side - week 1 is done! Roll on week 2.

Calsworld I run with one earphone in so that I can hear murderers coming up behind me with my other ear!

Just back - managed to get out at 7.30am again! Those 3 minute runs are a killer - and my 5K is in 4 weeks time so how on earth am I going to get anywhere near 30-40 minutes I have no idea!!!

Just done my last run of Wk 1 - felt great - definitely running faster and getting further than the first day, and still sticking to the intervals.

Next week may be trickier - going away for a long weekend for a wedding, with a day's travel each way so not sure how I will fit in 3 lots. Maybe if I start on Sun, Tues and get up REALLY early on Thurs and do it before we leave..... Remembering the old mantra from work - failing to plan is planning to fail. OK, so I have a plan, now just have to stick to it. Think that will be easier than trying to kid myself that I'll run the day after the wedding, with a hangover!

Feeling very virtuous, now off to get tonight's supper in the slow cooker before my shower.