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?

I really wanted to do my third run today but since my week seems to be getting more manic by the second I didn't manage it .
I'll go tomorrow

Grrrr another bad day for me, DS is still poorly and its meant I haven't been able to get out again. I'll guess I'll just have to hope that tomorrow works out OK. DH is home tomorrow afternoon (work in the morning) so hope to go then. It kind of mucks up my timing plan of Tues / Fri / Sun though...although I was thinking I'd do week one twice as I am soooo unfit and really struggled to recover after that first run the other day!

So, my plan (cq ) is that I will run tomorrow then again on Tues, Thurs and Sunday before moving on to week two.

Busy day. Going out for run 3 in a bit, but I forgot I was supposed to be running so ate a big plate of pasta. Just waiting for that to go down a little before donning trainers...

Phew got third run in, but couldn't find the podcast on my ipod (shame ) so had to time myself, that was fine.

Well, I'm not doing so well. Today was supposed to have been run three, but run two got postponed due to DS illness on Friday but DH ended up not getting home till 6pm Saturday instead of 12 so didn't get out yesterday either.

So, decided I'd go today, but got ready for my run and chose different cheapy headphones instead of blatant obvious ipod white ones...

All set, out the door, go to press play and week 1 had disappeared off my ipod - I'd screwed something up on the last update so back inside to restore that, by the time I got out it was getting dark, did my warm up walk and broke into my first run - my ipod fell off my waistband (too much wobbling, I suspect ) and my earphones snapped!

So, was thinking of abandoning it all then remembered someone posting about using a stopwatch and remembered that I'd found the stopwatch facility on the ipod so had a go at that - by this point it was getting very dark and decided I'd do half a run instead.

I'll be starting all over again this week, my plan is to run on Tuesday (I work from home on Tuesdays), Friday (I finish early) and Sunday - what could possibly go wrong??

Anyone else finding life gets in the way of doing what you want to do?

Grrr I'm not doing well - I'm meant to go out for my first run of week 2 tonight but I feel rotten. Headache, can't breathe very well, so I don't think it's worth going out. I really want to though, I don't want you lot to all leave me behind!

When I started running, back in July, I managed Week 1, then went away for a long weekend and missed my run on the following Monday, and never got back into a routine so missed another couple of weeks. Then I got a really nasty cough which lasted for about 5 weeks. So yes, life gets in the way!!!

I have to keep going this time, though - my 5K run is 4 weeks today - eek!

And I was very pleased with myself today. I went out for a run after I dropped youngest DD at a birthday party. I therefore wasn't in my normal place but decided to run in the nearby woods. I am up to Week 4 so it was my first 5-minute run. And I did it - uphill!!! It was exceedingly tough and my legs desperately wanted me to stop but I refused to listen to them! I made sure the second 5-min run was downhill though!

Oh I'm not doing very well at all - I've only been out once! That's pathetic, isn't it? DH has been on overtime night shifts all week so I have been home alone with DD. I'm falling behind! He's off all next week though so will be doing my 3 runs, starting tomorrow.

Giddy, you are still ahead of me, it's not a good idea to go out if you feel unwell, it always prolongs the symptoms I reckon.

Calsworld, your Ipod fiasco sounds like my life at the moment..I would have given up and stormed home in a huff had it been me

Don't give up cwtchy - just the fact that you're still checking in here means you are determined to do it. Is DD small enough for a buggy still - can you borrow a 3 wheeler and take her with you?

And well done for Calsworld for getting out there - I would have taken all those setbacks as a sign that I was not meant to run that day!

SO, I've just done run 1 of Wk 3. Not too much tougher so feeling sweaty but virtuous and only a little bit achy. Music's not so good in W2 but I seem to zone it out anyway.

Think my brain is still in shock - I've just done run 1 of Week 2, not 3.

cwtchy - don't worry, you won't go as far back in fitness as you were. After my 7-week (! - thought it was 5 weeks but just checked and it was 7!) break I was amazed to find that I could dive straight in at a bit better than where I left off. My very first week's running back in June I started at 1 minute runs with 2 minute walks, and by the end of the week I was still doing 1 min runs with walks of 1 min, 1.5 min or 2 min depending how knackered I was. When I went back to it 7 weeks later I went straight into 1 min runs with 1 min walks and only needed one 2-min walk. And that was after having a really bad cough for 4-5 weeks.

cq so did it not seem like a big transition to week 2? The prospect of doubling my running time is quite scary.

I've still got a rattly chest but the headache is better so I think I will try to go out later.

Week 2, run 1.

That was quite hard! Was very relieved every time Mr Motivator came back to tell me to slow to a panting waddle brisk walk.

Music is bloody awful this week. Where's the boom boom beat to walk in time to?

So, what do you all wear to run? I look a bit of a sight in my Addidas running leggings and old white vest (and 2 bras - I'm not the only one doing this in 2 bras am I?) - it would be more flattering to wear something looser than the leggings, but loose clothes for running = thigh chafe. Plus it's really motivational catching sight of myself in shop windows...

BS - I've been wearing some yoga trousers [hmmn], kind of a light jersey material with slight kick flare (from M&S) and on top I've been wearing a massive top of DH's - from when he used to be in the local Uni Parachute club.

Its big so covers my bottom and wobbly belly, but loose so I don't get too sweaty!

I also have some super lovely comfy trainers bought from a 'proper' running shop back in Feb when I first started trying to do this

I also got a jockstrap bra that I wear another completely knackered old slightly more worn sports bra under. The two together just about hold me in place .

I'm quite looking forward to going out tomorrow and doing a proper full run again (am repeating week one this week so anyone (cwtchy?) who feels 'left behind' don't worry - I'm here!). I'm starting from a very high level of UNfitness so think combined with my failed running efforts its probably for the best.

Today was my first day back at work after a two week break following a mc and it was blimin tough. I really really want to make this running work for me and am delighted to have you lot to do it with.

I think I might have to do week 1 again too calsworld. I didn't get out again tonight (I've only just finished working ), which means I haven't been out since Thursday. Too big a gap I think to jump up to week 2. I'm really disappointed in myself, I really wanted to keep up. Hopefully I can get out tomorrow night.

I'm running in old yoga pants, but have been having top trouble (t shirts not warm enough, fleece too warm) so I've bought a new long sleeved Nike thick t shirt thingy.

Lets not be downhearted about doing week one again, lets cheer that we've made a start, had a go and things should get easier if we keep trying . I need an inverted chant to the quit smoking campaign's "never quit quitting" or I'd never have given that up...what's the opposite mantra?

GK, that's the problem I've been having with tops, but also, when I've looked on line at tops suitable for running in, alot of the clothes sizes only seem to go up to an 16 tops, and with my great gazookas, I need a bigger size than that...hence DH's top for now, I guess it does and its not about fashion (not unless I lose some serious amounts of weight anyway!).

Week 1, Run 1, (Version 2) for me today - think I'm going to go at lunchtime as I get an hour (am working from home) and it takes half an hour to do, so will have time for a sarnie and shower before starting again.

T-shirt not warm enough?!

I am boiling in my vest top!

I go out running at about 9:00pm when it's quite chilly. I would definitely be warm enough running in a t shirt in the day.

I'm determined to go out tonight to do another week 1 session. If that goes OK then I'll try to start week 2 tomorrow. I've still got a bad chest though so I might be being over optimistic. I just want to get on with it!

I must admit calsworld, I don't have issues with my rather modest bosom.

Hello all
Haven't managed a run yet this week ... had a busy weekend, then out last night, but am hoping to get out tonight, for my first run of this week - but have some work to do, so will depend how quickly I can get through that... Dh is working wed night, and I'm working thurs night, so I really hope I manage tonight, or it's all going to go pete tong...

Done another run, am absolutely knackered.

As for tops, I bought a massive running top (men's XL size) which has removable arms. It is light and really cool. I just wear my sports bra underneath it.

trousers wise, just below the knee, but definitely need to be Trinny and Susannah'd when I am running.

What sports bras do you all have??

yeeha... I finally managed my first run and it was brilliant. I enjoyed using the podcast and didn't mind the music tho I had problems with the little speaker not fitting in my ear properly. I noticed that my feet kind of kept the beat - I suppose that's what it is meant for ?? The timing was manageable too which really surprised me. Now I need to make it a priority to continue .

I wore a thermal top under my tshirt and was cooking. Maybe it should be a tshirt with a jumper for warm-up / cool-down?

Good job everyone who is on to week 2. It won't be long until I'm there .

Is it too late to join this. I tried to do this about a year ago and could not get on with running with DD2 in a 3 wheeler - I need my arms to run. Plus I had few places to run.

We've moved house now and have many more places to run. In fact, runners are all over the place. Just last week I told DH I'd like to try again. So, I can start tomorrow.

Is anyone doing it without the MP3 download? I get nervous running without being able to hear.

lots of room HorseStories - welcome aboard

I think a few of us are running with one earphone in & one out as a mugger-watch/musical-motivation compromise

Am i the only one in one bra

HorseStories - welcome. I haven't been using the MP3 thing so far - had to figure out how on earth to get it onto the MP3 player I blagged off DH and then find out how to use it - was planning to use it for the first time this morning but woke up in one of my 'so little energy I can barely get dressed' days (am wondering if there's any such thing as intermittent CFS/ME?) so have postponed until tomorrow. Anyway I've been running so far using the second-hand on my watch to time my runs. It's worked for me!