Couch to 5k: thighs a-slapping, boobs a-flapping, bellies a-swinging but we're winning!

[QueenRunningGeekMum]

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

Well done you Alt
I'm having a rest day in hopes that the pain in my feet will subside
I shall be back out there tomorrow huffing and puffing

Did it! Held up my maternity trakkie daks every run as they are loose around the middle (considering they fit me at 9 months, that's not much comfort!).

Keep it up ladies. Put your feet up today and think of the distance tomorrow..

Well done alt, im doing mine tomorrow as on rest day today, did you find it harder running for the extra 30 sec's? And is it 6 runs in this one? Its jsut i run up a country road and W1 i ran 4 runs and half a rest walk then turned and ran the 4 back, so if its 6 runs i will turn back after 3.

Desperately trying to find someone to sit with ill ds2 so I can get out

Well done everyone!

I am so frustrated. My last run was on Friday and there is just too much ice and snow on the ground for me to do my next run which is the big W5 R3. I did try this morning but after 5 minutes of 'running' I had to admit defeat. It was just too unsafe.

How many days can I have off before I need to actually go back to earlier runs?

Well done alt. I just did w2r1, in fact I am sitting in the gym cafe having a restorative latte as I type. I didn't find the extra 30 s much harder in terms of getting tired but oh my poor knees. I don't know what to do really, should I just admit defeat and accept running is not for me, or will they improve with practice? Has anybody been there?

I'm hoping to do r2 on Thursday but then we are off to the inlays for half term so I can't see me doing anything until the following weekend :( Bastard I laws ;)

Bastard autocorrect! That should be inlaws x 2

Three cheers for nice neighbours! W6R1 was better than I expected, I must have been running faster than usual as I got much further round my usual route. Not too keen on running through snow and slush though...

Not sure what to advise on the breaks noseynoonoo, maybe give the long run a go and if it's uncomfortable try W5D2 again? You've built up more stamina than you realise over the last few weeks!

Sorry to hear about the knees BBB, if you're running at the gym could one of the gym staff advise? They might know a physio who could check out your running style. Enjoy the latte!

Nooseynoo - am in nearly your position - did W5R2 on Thursday and have been scuppered ever since by the ice. I am going to try and find an icefree pavement and run short laps I think - I noticed on the way home from the station last night that the ones in the town centre are clear. But I will feel like a prize idiot - last thing I need given what happened last time I went out. Am wondering if I've left it too long to move on, and ought to repeat R2. Hmm.

PS - BBB, this may be no help, but I had bad knees in the past and they got much better when I started exercising and lost a bit of weight and now I'm finding running OK (even though am still a couple of stone overweight, but not as heavy in the past). But I did swim to start with, which helped I think. And I guess it depends exactly what the problem is - so perhaps good to get it checked out.

Does anyone else have bruised heels?

Right from week 1 I've had what feel like bruises. I have changed from my 20 year old cheap trainers to some specific running shoes and it has helped, but when I walk in just regular shoes I can feel a bruise still ( not going to let it push me off course tho!)

Hello all!

I still haven't got back to it - stalled at wk6

The cough is worse and yesterday during a walk I had chest pains.

Hoping to get back to it by Friday.

Managed 20 minutes for W5R3 - yay! After a 5 day weather-enforced break. Found a gritted stretch of pavement and just went back and forth. Very pleased with myself - thought I would never do it, but just tried to keep going for as long as possible, then got to 15 and realised I was going to make it. Bring on W6!

Sorry to hear you're not well, Jnice - you definitely need time to recover from that so don't push yourself. And Getting a life - bruises can take a long time to heal (I find this especially as I'm getting older...sigh), so prob not surprising - you could always wear your running shoes for regular walking? Hang on in there, everyone - and thanks for the brilliant support.

I have now actually, after what feels like forever completed W4R4 (Added an extra one after a week off when DS was ill).

I didn't enjoy it much but was the fastest run I have done so far.
Covered just over 4km but my cooldown walk was probably about 7mins not 5min as I took a slightly different route today and went further than needed.

I feel like stopping now, fed up of running.
But I shall try to get out for W5 on Thurs.

Well done everyone who is keeping on going.
Apparently its supposed to be -10 here tomorrow so I am glad it is a rest day!

Well done metal sian!!

Just checking in to say I've completed W4R2. Very impressed by everyone finding a way around the ice and snow! It wasn't too bad in our local park today, most of the ice had melted on the paths. It felt fine! Worried now I'm running too slowly, my run is definitely more in line with Laura's 'light jog'. I covered 3.5km today, does that sound about right for someone very fat overweight and unfit at this point in the programme?

gettingalife I think heel pain can be a running thing, see here I had it badly in the beginning but I'm trying to run using my midfoot rather than heel strike, I know this is contrary to Laura's advice though.

Well done dotty, the week 5r3 is a real milestone isn't it?

Today DH (and DD2 in pram) and I did week 7 run 1. It was clear and sunny but so, so cold - especially because of the bitter wind. I hated it, worst run so far by miles. Everything felt heavy and I only managed to keep going by telling myself that jogging was the quickest way to get home. DH is away from tomorrow 'til Sunday, so won't manage a run 'til then. Am furiously hoping for warmer weather.

In other news, just made myself some low GI muffins - sounded yucky (lots of all bean and wheat bran) but they taste pretty good.

Hi Folks ,
Today was week 5 run one .
found a lovely circular route ...thru a forest then back on cycle path ...love it ( cause its just the right length too ....)
Found it easier than I thought it would be .......

I m wearing the scankiest running clothes ...thankfully hidden by full rain gear...It far too cold here .

If I get a few weeks further may treat myself to some proper clobber .....

Any tips for some good leggings ..... my usual spec ... Top quality , low price ??
Still so pleased with my trainers ...they are New balance 30 quid from M&M direct !! Brill

turning - it did feel like a milestone. Though I guess it's just tougher and tougher from here on in. It's hard when it's cold, though, isn't it. Am intrigued by your muffins. Did you mean bran not bean?? (Boggles)

Well done everyone. Congrats on the 20 mins waving

W6R1 done today back in London, much more snow here so I found it a bit tricky but not hard at all.

Loking forward to the next run.

Well done everybody! It's great to read about the progress everyone's making.

So here's my question. I'm due to run w6r2 tonight. However due to ds being a pita I haven't slept for more than 90mins at a time for the past week and am feeling really really tired. So do I run tonight despite tiredness or leave it till tomorrow and get an early night?

Fingers crossed for you for Friday Jnice!

I'd give it another weeks and if you still really hate it and dread it then perhaps you should fine something different MetalSian. I can't imagine running every other day if I hadn't started to enjoy it.

I did W7R1 today too turningitaround and it was a good one for me, glad you completed it and hope its better next time. I don't really suffer with the cold as I have a thick layer of insulation and running really makes me sweat!!

Sorry QueenRunningGeekMum x-posts. How long of a break have you had between this and your last run? If its more than two days of be tempted to have a go but not feel too disappointed if you don't manage it all and then have a nice warm bath and bed :)

queenrunninggeekmum round my way, today is the coldest day of the year so far. Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer, that would swing it for me ...

dotty yes, it was bran. Damn Phone. Muffins taste good, though

Run! It's only half an hour and it will help you cope with the tiredness. But don't slip - icy out there.