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

Thanks for responses. I've just been ordered by DH to have a night off - I look that bad apparently

I will go out tomorrow though - if I do wed, fri and sun it means I still fit in my three runs this week. I did do another hour of walking today so have done a bit of exercise.

Hopefully will get a better night tonight

W5R2 done :) It is very cold out there tonight, glad I put my thicker fleece and gloves on.

I was worried about tonights run as I haven't been out since Thursday but took it very easy and managed, not quite so worried about the 20 min one now.

Well done to you all battling through the snow, we haven't had much here - unusual for Scotland!

Good plan QRGM get some rest - we need you fit and healthy :)

It's all going wrong. I was just getting ready last night when dh reminded me of the dentist. Today I had a full day at work and then took ds back to uni and a) I'm too tired and b) I'm a bit of a wuss with the icy pavements. Still not started week 7. :(

Jchocchip - don't despair. I managed after a 5 day break. Tomorrow is another day.

Did wk 5r1 after a week off. Went well but now feel exhausted

Queenrunninggeek I had the same situation the wek before last when DH ordered me not to run as I 'didn't look too well'. DD (at nearly one ffs) is not sleeping through again (unlike every child i know who has slept through from three or four months- but that's for another board), and this on top of working full time is taking its toll. Although the running is great for energy and head clearing sometimes you need physical rest!

Well done, everyone - can't believe you're still getting out there on the icy pavements!

Jnice thanks for the encouragement; I'm sorry to read that you're not feeling well. I hope you're much better and back on track soon.

Thanks Rebecca for the pom poms, I think they helped! And I'm glad to read that w6r1 wasn't hard for you - I'm tackling that tomorrow before work.

An incentive for the w2 largerish ladies. I weighed myself this morning and 2lls gone over the past week!

MadeisScot the extrs 30 secs is a killer but by r2 they're getting easier. I tried to count them but lost track!

Phew done it! week 7 run 1 Not too icy by the canal or on the lane, just one bit by the allotments trying to be an ice rink! Was scared that 3 rest days would make it harder, but it was ok. And a Real Runner said good morning :) Still plodding along slowly, but I did up my pace to overtake a walker...

I am VERY pleased to say that today I managed Wk5 R3 after several aborted runs due to the weather (I ended up with a 5 day gap). I had to drive quite a way to find somewhere to run. The 20 minutes was surprisingly easy. I chunked it down into 5 minute blcoks as suggested above which made it easier. It was snowing slightly but in the end I think it was just that that was stopping me overheating.

I can't seem to do the breathing as suggested by Laura but I'm comfortable with the breathing that I'm doing. I think if I'd had to run 5 weeks ago I would have been sick. I can't believe I ran a whole 20 minutes.

So now I've stopped boasting, can anyone suggest a running app? I have an Android phone and am looking for something to map my run and tell me how far I have run. Can anyone recommend anything?

Went to physio yesterday - still signed off running properly Can keep trying week 1 run1 as long as I rest it afterwards for a day or two but will take many more weeks.

Still, too cold and icy to run today anyway and I'm off for birthday lunch. Yay!

Well W2R1 is over and was rather tough, out of 6 runs i only managed to do the full 90sec on 2, the others i maybe stopped with 5-10 secs to go but hope it will improve next run.

It was frigging freezing today (-2) and an icy wind and i tried to talk myself into not going but i braved it and im glad i did now. Think i will order some running gear as its cheap in sports direct at the mo.

altshift i was dieting last week and lost 5lb, im sure the running helped loads.
kew, hope you get running again properly soon.

oops sorry, thats better!

noseynoonoo I use Sports Tracker which measures distance speed etc and it allows you to listen to music at the same time so for now it's still Laura for me.

hi all can i join please. have been lurking for a week

I did w1 r2 today all 15 stone smoker that i am, well when I say R2 i have not completed any of them yet. have done NO excersise for almost 5 years and as my reward i have steadly gained a stone a year

Monday nearly killed me. I did 15 mins of laura and only completed the first run and did about 40 secs of the next two before brisk walking the last 15 mins

today was an improvement . I completed first 3 runs and half of the 4th. I cant belive improved after just one run.

will go again on friday. feel much better today not nearly as sore as after monday.

I have a feeling i will be on week one for another few weeks. i want to be able to do it easily before i start week two.

Welcome, chocolateandcoffee - I agree that it's amazing how quickly fitness improves. I think you're right to stick with week 1 until it feels much easier, but I'd bet it won't take you a few weeks to get there at all! :)

nosey congratulations on your 20 minute run! Such a great feeling to have that one under your belt.

I'm checking in after just finishing w6r1. To be honest it was a bit of a slog, and I wasn't expecting it to be because it is kind of a step back from w5r3. But I did finish it without a problem and as usual, feel great having done it.

What else could you spend 30 minutes doing, that makes you feel terrific for the whole rest of the day? However tough those 30 minutes might be, I am really starting to understand that it is so, so worth it for the 12 hours of proud satisfaction that come after. :)

This thread has been so great for keeping my motivation up during runs (like someone on an earlier page, when it got tough during today's run I did think "I want to post on the thread that I finished it" and that helped me push through). So a big to all of you.

Hello all. Just checking in. I'm having a week off as I just can't run on ice (I can barely walk on it).

I'm doing my physio! I'm getting my exercises done so that when I do pick up again I shall hit the ground running, so to speak.

Well done to those who are keeping going. It's so hard in this weather, but we shall have the last laugh when the warm weather turns up and we're rocking the fit look.

my foot really hurts (so I'm limping) today - on the ball of my foot under my middle toes- whats that all about- I've done knees (creaky) and they improved- lumbago (twinged until week 2) and improved, lungs (didnt really work at all in week one) capacity much improved - now feet - i know I'm an old lady at 48 but this is really painful!!

I just decided to try the Shred Level 1 again for the first time in forever.
I am amazed at how great my fitness level is from c25k.
I used to really struggle with the cardio in the shred but today I found that part easy.
The worst was the strength as my arms are pretty weak and running has been concentrating on my legs.

I hope I don't ache to much to run tomorrow though.

Feel like I need to be doing more than just running because I really have seen no difference in weight or size, just fitness.

Just dropping in to say friend and I did W5R3 tonight. 20 minutes non stop. Who'd have thought it?
Mapped the run and we only did 1.5 rather than the 2 miles in the programme, but hopefully we will start to get the confidence to up our speed now we know we can run for longer periods.
Breathing seemed easier after 10 minutes (DH says 'its second wind you know, there is such a thing!)

I had a while off due to illness and have dropped back to week 2. I did the second run today in the gym - much more boring than the road but much warmer (and with no dogs pulling me about!)

went out this evening for a second run! Exchanged dh's mp3 player for one that worked this afternoon and accompanied him on his week 3 run 2. He is a bit puffed after the runs but he is pushing himself. My first run in the dark. We kept to the main road pavements and close to home. Found it much easier than when I did it 4 weeks go!

Well done chocolateandcoffee for starting. I'm 19 stone and have surprised myself at how quickly my fitness has improved. I still run at a very slow jog most of the time but really enjoying going out now.

Well done everyone. Who would have thought back at the end of December when we were starting out that we would actually be enjoying running?!

Out again for W6R1 tonight after 5 days off due to snow and ice - I just ran on the main road there and back. I really struggled with a stitch tonight but managed to keep going. I love that feeling afterwards - have had a shower and am in PJs and dressing gown with a beer in hand, lovely!

I am inspired that so many of you have managed to complete week 5. It seemed such an unattainable goal 4 weeks ago. I also can't believe how quickly my fitness has improved. Week 1 I could barely do 60 seconds, and today I was trying to push myself during the 5 min run.

Week 4 finished so on to the dreaded week 5 on Saturday. I am going to go along the canal again I think. This time I will head in the right direction for the mythical 'loop'.