Couch to 5K: A healthier year is underway

[ScienceGeekMum]

Through rain and snow and skies of grey
We will keep running the C25K
Though lack of sleep and time do test us
We wil not let excuses best us
For 2012 will be the year
For weight loss, fitness and good cheer
Nine weeks of running isn't that long
So come on ladies, get those running shoes on!

Welcome to all runners, joggers, speed walkers and waddlers! All levels of fitness are welcome here on the Couch to 5k support thread. For more information see the NHS website

Link to the old thread

Motivation? You're a runner! Take a day off if you're in pain or you have too much 'stuff' to do. But a bit of cold? Get out there! Come on. Trainers on, and get going.

It's not cold, it's fresh. It's not freezing, it's crisp. It's not a bitter wind, it's a cooling breeze. It's not wet, it's refreshing. It's not dark and deserted, it's moonlit and peaceful.

Get yer hooves into some trainers and run, woman, it's a mere half an hour and you'll feel alive afterwards.

Any help?

Thanks Asea and OhBugrit - mucho help!

Went out into the crisp night and soon warmed up! So glad I did, that's week 2 complete now I even ran a bit extra as went past some other runners just as I was meant to slow down, and I didn't want to look like a wuss!

And my cool down walk was longer as I lost my way a bit trying to find a cut-through!

Many thanks, couldn't not go with my new QRGM nn!

why isn't it getting any easier? W1 r4, and knees hurting like hell, had to give up on 4 of 8 runs early as legs hurt. Not puffed out. Ow ow ow. Hurts less in my old crappy trainers, legs hurt since had proper shoes! Sooo hurty

Have done W2R2 this afternoon, didn't really want to but forced myself.
Well done every who has run today and the last few days.
I'm looking forward to W3, what is wrong with me ;P.

go back to crappy old trainers. my physio comfort was more important than anything else.

And compeed for blisters.

And are you sure you aren't running too fast still?

I try to go as fast as I can, which isn't really fast at all! will put old trainers on and see if I can return the running shoes! I will persevere. Hope my knees and back and shins (ow) recover by Saturday!

rusmum it is hard, it does hurt, really hurt, but we feel your pain.

I have a heat pad on my ankle since this morning. My shin pain wasn't as bad today.

Keep going! we know you can do it!

Lol will it hurt forever ? Or is it my body rebelling? Hee Hee

rusmum, you need to slow down and pace yourself. Consciously reduce your speed - it's not about working hard, it's about completing the runs. I found my natural pace was much faster than the pace I had to stick to in order to finish the podcasts.

Also, bad runs happen - sometimes consecutively. I've had runs where my lungs held me back but my legs were good, and runs where I had energy but the leg pain was dreadful. Then the next run just feels right.

You've done so well to get up and going with this, and it does get easier, much easier, but you have to slow down a bit I think, so as not to get disheartened. Very best of luck to you :)

"I try to go as fast as I can," - I try to go as slow as I can!

I was told biggest reason people don't complete the plan is going too fast.

Woohoo W2R1 done, not too bad :) Next one on Saturday.

rusmum maybe you could try one taking it slower, even if it is a shuffle, I think you would feel better getting the session done without the ache and add in speed later. Keep at it though, we are runners :)

Finished Week 2! Onto Week 3 on Saturday.

Woodlands I think we're on the same schedule! Bring on week 3!

Well done all us runners today!

Rusmum I can only echo what everyone else has said here. My 'run' is barely a shuffle - people walking sometimes overtake me - but it's more about the movements building muscles in the right places and getting our heartbeats up. So keep going, we'll miss you otherwise!

Thanks all! I am committed so I will heed your advice, thanks

W3R2 complete - and I almost wished I could go on for longer :)

Legs ache like buggery though.

W3r1 done and not too bad. I thought I would hate it, but I loved it.

I have lost 7lbs so far lo carbing and this. I feel good. I think this time I might actually lose my weight and get fit...I feel like its achievable!

went with my son for 30 min yesterday, I can already feel that I sleep better and have more energy
hope all of you are enjoying this routine as well as me :)

Damn. Wanted to run this morning but had shocking night. Both DDs up, I had tummy pains and couldn't sleep. Does that make me a wimp? I read about some of you running in snow, no sleep etc and feel a bit pathetic...

Did W2R3 yesterday, was harder than R2 but doable, fingers crossed for Saturday for W3! Hope things improve for you rusmum, I'm finding more that it's my legs rather than my lungs that make me feel its hard and that's not really what I expected!

Hi all. Velma, you are not a woss. Sleep deprivation is the worst. Try again tomorrow.
I also need a bit of encouragement. I'm supposed to be doing w2r3 today - really want to as well BUT the only way I can manage it is to run at lunchtime at work. So far, all my runs have been around my home, sometimes I haven't seen a soul. This would be in town. I'll have to walk in and out of my office building in my running gear and there are literally hundreds of my colleagues I could bump into, including quite a few of my staff. The thought scares me loads more than the run itself, but I've got to get over myself, right? Next week, i'll be on a business trip so if I don't get over my embarrassment now, I might not manage to run at all then. Ugh.

Thanks TIR.
Wear a hat a sunnies and no one will recognize you. And if the do they'll be thinking "gee she's good doing that. I should do it too".
Go girl!

Rusmum you need to slow down, you are being too hard on yourself. One of the reasons why I love running so much is that I am in charge of the pace, it's not a race like it was at school - every good runner sets their pace. For long runs they will go slow - sometimes very slow, just to work up the distance. Don't make it a misery by going faster than you can cope with, your body will not thank you, if you go slower you'll get there injury free - and that is something to celebrate.

New shoes should not give you blisters for 30 mins running, take them back.

Agree TIR - they'll be in awe of you. My sil is a teacher and she had to get over the embarrassment of meeting her pupils, she just got on with it, and now she is just known as a runner - no one is interested.
Anyone who makes cheeky comments does it because they believe they can't do it, all the runners will be patting you on the back.

Ran first thing this morning - Wk3 R1. Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, even the 3minute runs! Was freezing though. Was glad I had thought to wear gloves.

I haven't lost an ounce, infact I have put on 8 pounds in the last 3 weeks Know what it is though and the blame is all mine. Was low carbing and lost 2 1/2 stone. Only had 1/2stone left to lose then stopped low carbing. Have been stuffing my face with all the carbs under the sun since the holidays and having a few sneaky drinks every night to boot. Have to stop it. Am back on low-carbing from today so hopefully will see those pounds disappear soon and get to goal weight within the next few months.

turning honestly no-one will bat an eyelid, apart from them being impressed.

The fear is all in your head. The getting out there first time will be the worst then you will wonder what you were worrying about. Go for it!

velma you are certainly not a wimp. Running when you are feeling unwell is counterproductive as you will only feel worse, not better. You will be out and running again in no time!