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

Just checking in quickly. I'm away on a work trip at the moment and managed to get myself up and out of hotel for w3r2 at 0630 this morning - v. proud of myself. Last week, running at lunch hour was pretty grim: I ended up bumping into three of my colleagues during the cool down and had to chat with them about my NYR to get fit. Then ended up being a minute late for a meeting and arrived to hear one of said colleagues busy telling god and the world about my fitness plan I guess the upshot is that now far too many people know for me to fail...

Been reading this thread and my friend and I are going to do W2R3 tonight.
Once tried running round the block with DH very many years ago and thought I was going to die. Never ever tried running again until 2 weeks ago but have been going to Curves gym for last 18 months.
I really admire all you ladies who are running alone. I feel I could have given up before the end of W1R1 if I had been alone.
It wasn't really the breathless bit, it was the ache at the top of my legs that was the hardest, but have begun stretching before going out running, and for now legs seem OK.
I'm also amazed at how hard the first run seems and wondering if I'll make it through the session and then the next few runs seem so much easier. I guess its your body warming up and and getting used to it.
We do our run using the digital clock on friends mobile phone and then after we have done our runs she has taken to making us run over the railway bridge (on an incline) and a bit further to push ourselves before we then go and do a half hour workout at Curves and then walk home.
I honestly never thought I would ever be able to run and I know its early days, but hope I can go on to complete the C25K!
Wouldn't have even heard of it without MN

Morning all, well done to everyone and rusmum I've had some terrible runs where I've felt like jacking it all in, but honestly, next time you run it won't be that bad

As for me, well, I'm going to bite the bullet and step up to wk2r1 - eek! MP3 player is charging, as it died on me towards the end of my previous run. I'll update later. Good luck to todays runners.

Who knows, if we carry on like this maybe we'll be putting a MN team together for the 2013 marathon!

Quick post just to log: wk 2 run 3 done at 6am today! Eek not looking forward to wk3...

Not intending giving up! Just feel fed up as do keen and legs killing x

w3r1 at lunchtime. nervous...very nervous.
trying to suppress the niggling, doubting, excuse making, voice in my head.
I can do this ... i hope I WILL do this.

My ankle pain is still there this morning so decided to go back to the NHS website for tips. Cross fingers this link works for others in pain!

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/running-injuries.aspx

Just done w2r3 in the pouring rain. Felt a bit harder than last time and also 2 very slim toned women sped past me managing to talk to each other at the same time, the best I can manage is an out of breath 'hello' to anyone I pass! Felt a bit disheartened but then realise if I keep it up I can get that fit too, though bit nervous about starting week 3 on Fri.
Panadbois, hope your ankle is better soon, and anyone else who's in pain recovers quickly!

Wk2R1 done Well, ok, I didn't manage to run all of it, but I ran most of each run. Not as bad as I thought it would be, so thank you for encouraging me to move on! I am now sitting here doing a very good impression of a ripe tomato, but feeling good.

Iloveamerman that happened to me, too, except in my case the woman zoomed past me at about 100 miles an hour. I just console myself with the thought that one day that might be me

panadbois hope your ankle is better soon

Welcome to the thread bearcat!

Good luck thederkins on your step up to week 2!

Well done all you runners that went out early or in the rain... Which reminds me, do any of you wear glasses? How do you cope in the rain?

iloveamerman I have also been trying to retrain my mindset do that when I see other runners I think "oh, they're running too, one day I'll be that fast" as opposed to "oh my god they must be laughing at me". Which to be fair no runner has yet wasted their breath to laugh at me.

X posts thederkins well done on your run!

Thanks QueenRunningGeekMum

As a fellow glasses-weareer, I have to say I've only had one run where the rain was so bad I had to keep stopping. Baseball cap so the peak comes over them and keeps the worse off? Personally, I think I'm going to go back to contacts, as I don't like the way they slide about when I sweat buckets start glowing.

might have to get me a baseball cap, DH won't let me borrow his! CBA with contacts, too much faffing around!

Really pleased you got on ok with week 2. Keep it up! I am now under 94kg (93.9kg) so am very pleased. DH said yesterday "so what weight is your next target?" and I replied that the only target is down, otherwise I could get depressed with slow weight loss etc. This year's resolution is going to stick: it's a life change not a quick fix!

I know what you mean about weight QueenRunningGeekMum, ideally I want to be within the normal range based on bmi. Before I started running my weightloss had really slowed and I was getting fed up but my plan was to stop stuffing my face for health reasons not to lose weight so I have to keep that in mind. It has started going down again now so I'm feeling better about it. I feel it is a lifetime change not a fad, I'm still having some things I want but just smaller portions and one little bar of chocolate instead of a 250g bar to myself!

Hello all!

Supposed to be doing w2r2 later. Not feeling it today. Rainy and cold - yuck!

At least my heating is now fixed.

What is everyone wearing in the rain? Is a kagul over the top OK do you think?

Forgot to say I got beeped at on Monday, but sadly I suspect not in a good way.

Cece, I tend just to get wet tbh. I don't mind it so long as it's not torrential. It's ridiculously warm here in Cornwall atm so I generally just wear joggers and a T-shirt and don't even bother with a jumper.

I realised yesterday that I've been doing a different C25K programme from the rest of you; mine is just an app on the iphone, not the NHS podcast. I ran to the podcast instead yesterday and now can't decide whether Laura is good enough to put up with the godawful muzak. I really like her but the tunes are dire and the app I've got allows you to have your own music on at the same time.

Dilemma.

Starting week 4 tomorrow, I am actually beginning to be a bit proud of myself for carrying on for so long.

Ran into the city centre today, made a nice change from my usual route and I improved my distance and pace so I'm quite happy. Thank god its my day off tomorrow though, the buggy fell over in the hall again and in a rage (it happened at a bad time) I kicked it with no shoes on. my foot is killing me.

Bought some weights today too as the 30 day shred is arriving tomorrow. Bricking it!

Well done to everyone running today!

Hello all! Just checking in. Welcome bearcat.

Great to read about the weight loss success some of you are having! Congratulations on every little pound - it is such hard work to take it off.

I'm trying to stay very focused on finishing C25K this time around, and am not setting any particular goals other than that. I weighed myself in the first week, and plan to weigh myself when I finish the programme (six and half weeks from now, all going to plan!! :) ) and set some weight loss goals then, with jogging as one of the weapons in my arsenal, as opposed to another goal in itself if you know what I mean.

I did w3r1 today on the treadmill (pace walking 5.5 / jogging 8.0 / incline 2 throughout) and it was hard going. But it's done, and I feel great! :)

It's great to have this thread to check in with.

oh buggery according to physio I have a deep muscle calf tear grade two (if that means anything to anyone) no running for a week (minimum) stretching exercises to do and strict instructions to do what I'm told (gentle walking VERY slowly to avoid limping) or I will have to use a walking stick.

No clear if it due to the running or the pre-existing problems with achilles tendon. No chance I'll be running anytime soon as I can't- its too painful!

Never thought I would be disappointed not to be able to run .

Will try doing some brisk walks in about 5-7 days then if its OK maybe repeat week 2 with my extra stretches and longer warmup first.

oh no kewcumber - take care

feralgirl I'm doing the C25k app with my own music....you just need to dowload get running.

Aw kewcumber, sorry to hear you're in pain .

Just checking in to say hello to everyone. Well done to all of the runners - we're managing to run in wind and rain and snow, just imagine what spring and summer is going to bring for us - warmth and sunshine and kick-arse toned legs

Foil blankets and cups of tea for the injured. Do your physio and come back - you will start healing more quickly just because you exercise.

I saw the big green birds again. I'm really fairly sure I'm not making them up.

Aw, hope the injured take their time, do the physio and get better quickly.

dh has said that he will start c25k tomorrow! I'm supposed to do w4r2 but think that I should walk week 1 with him first as a warm up. He is v overweight and unfit so I don't want him to start too fast esp as he has an old knee injury...

The only big green birds I've seen in England are parrakeets with a red neck which are quite common in London and Kent...

Ouch, sorry to hear that kewcumber I hope you mend soon. A week will go quickly and you'll be back on track very soon.