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

the derkins well done for getting out there with all you've got on your plate!

I'm just back from week 5 run 1, legs felt sluggish but lots of energy and no stitch. Next run will have an EIGHT minute run. Deary me..

Good luck this week all

Rest day today then start week 4 tomorrow. Not lost any weight but feeling fitter.

Just checking in to say I haven't been this morning cos the dog ate my homework. Poor excuse I know, but I do have valid reasons, freezing weather being one of them.

I promise, I'll try harder tomorrow. Have fun everyone, please don't leave me too far behind!

saw a runner out this morning wearing shorts- crazy bloke!
-2 degrees here and thick frost everywhere.

Anyone have any tips regarding the breathing rhythm.

I cant time my breathing with my feet! when i try , it seems to make me more breathless.

i've only lost 1lb so far - but i'm sure more will come off, the fitter I get.

i hope it warms up, suppose to do w2r3 tonight. eek!

the derskindame - seriously, well done!

I couldnt do the w2 runs when i started that stage, but it gave me something to work towards.
goodluck.

It's really useful to get updates from people who are already feeling fitter. Right there you have the answer to any "why should I run?" type questions. And I love that we're focussing on fitness and recovery instead of negative things.

Quick bit of advice needed. I ran yesterday, I want to run today, but that would leave me with no rest day. I'm at pain management course tomorrow and work for the rest of the week. When do I run? If I don't go today then I'm looking at Thursday or Friday at earliest.

Hats off to everyone out running today (brrr!) and thank you for your kind words!
Asea personally, I would have a couple of rest days and go out Thursday - better to have 3 rest days than an injury, but then as you can see from above I am cautious. Others may advice diffferently.

Thanks thederkins. That's what about 50% of me is thinking- just need a majority agreement so that I don't get confused (I'm really not as dim as I'm making out here). Loads of good luck for starting week two. It isn't a huge leap away from the first week, but you don't have to make yourself go too quickly.

Morning Cake. I have no advice about breathing, I can't seem to do the counting thing when I have music in my ears - it might be worth trying without music to get the rhythm right. Well done for looking forward to the run tonight

I don't know if this is any help, morning, but further up the thread, someone mentioned breathing in for the count of 4 and out for the count of 4. I've been doing this and it's really helping me keep things under control. Also, make sure you breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. HTH a little!

I did Wk2 R3 this morning straight after school drop-off. It was so cold that I could hear the frosty crunch under foot and see my breath. I didn't wear much though - a bra, t-shirt, thin running jacket and yoga pants. By the time I'm running I'm warmed up.

I found the start of today's run hard but by the last 90 seconds I wanted to keep going for longer.

So week 3 starts on Wednesday for me. Let's hope I can manage 3 minutes running.

I find the more you think about it the more of a problem it is nomorecake! I find Laura's suggestion ridiculous!! I cant breathe in through my Jose as its always full of snot when I run! Try to keep it regular and not too quick otherwise no tips.

Aseaandthreestars I'd go today. I did both days of the weekend last week and didnt feel any ill effects. I find if you leave it too long you lose motivation and it's a bit like starting again.

I'm out tonight for. W3R2 and I'm looking forward to it :)

I've just done Wk2 R2. The car was booked in for it's MOT today, so I ran home from the garage. It was all the way across town and then through the park. The park was beautiful in the frost, the pond was frozen, the sun was shining.... and I saw two Herons!

I'm thinking of starting Flat Belly Fast DVD which has 5x10 min segments, so I can choose how much I feel like doing. It's not so intensive as the Shred but you do see results within a week.

also just done w2r2 in the minus temperatures.

Have my first acqua class today since before Xmas - haven't worked th etiming on that our - will run tues/Thursday/sat next week to avoid Monday acqua.

Asea I'm tempted to be mean and say noone can make that decision except you - you know your own body best. Ask yourself: what have my recovery times been? How have I felt after a two day rest when I go back out again? Are there any injuries I already have that would be exacerbated by going out twice or by resting for too long?

Cinnamon I try to forget about the breathing and listen to the music instead - I find that naturally it falls into rhythm.

Yes I find concentrating on the breathing makes me too focused on how much running I'm doing. I try to tune into the beat of teh music where I can and breathing takes care of itself.

Did W3R2 yesterday but was too busy to catch up with you all. I was like robo-mum yesterday; soft play hell in the morning, running, then swimming with DS in the afternoon. DH has sprained his knee so he's out of action completely and I am doing everything. It's just as well the running is giving me loads more energy!

Week 3 has been way easier than I thought it would be; doing only four runs feels like I'm slacking off somehow! 'Twas bastard cold yesterday though, if you're really cold then do you burn more calories keeping yourself warm do you think?

Re breathing, I find myself breathing to the beat too, although this does mean that I change depending on the song so I'm not sure whether it's a good idea or not.

Hi Everyone, and well done! Great to see the weeks and runs ticking by for everyone :)

BettySuarez there are a couple of us on this thread running on the treadmill rather than the road - definitely not cheating! :) It would be great to compare notes - even though the thread moves so fast that it's hard to keep up with each other.

I try to do Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but something came up at work on Friday and I didn't get a break. Then I didn't get a run in at all over the weekend and instead made a pig of myself eating all the wrong things, and too much of them .

But this morning, I got up early and hit the gym before work. I did w2r3 on incline 2.5, and it felt sooooo good! I fully expected it to suck after four days rest and a system full of junk food, but it didn't. It was incredibly motivating, and I am really looking forward to Wednesday when I start week 3.

sorry for overuse of smileys

And Panadbois get yourself out there, those are poor excuses, we're all running in the cold

nomorecake I've only done W1R1 now but got to W5 last year. I had difficulties with my breathing rythm but now when I use the podcast I can't hear my breathing and I am focused on listening so have forgotten about my breathing and couldn't overthink it. Might be worth trying. (Even if its only worked for me ONCE far.)

had to go for minor procedure at doctor's this morning and have been warned to take "no vigourous exercise" for 5-7 days. Crap. Am determined this will not be used as an excuse to slope back quietly to crisp-eating on the couch so hope to see you all again next week, 'til next Monday!

Been out in the lovely crisp afternoon sunshine making sure I only run along sunny (ice melted) pavements and done Wk 3 R2; actually felt like a proper runner today! :)

Apologies for my grammar; should say run and did!