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

W5R3 done!!!!!!!!!!! Yippee, glad to have done that one.
Laura is right, it is training your mind to go for longer, my legs and lungs were fine, it was my brain saying I wasn't going to finish.

Jchocchip- my DH is doing this too, he's improving quicker than me and actually really getting into it. he's lost weight and getting a lot fitter. Just wanted to encourage your DH to keep going, and that he's not the only DH out there starting out on C25k.

why is week6 run1 so tough??!

i've had a two day break, but still, I really struggled.
also the cold icy air was really uncomfortable.
my motivation may have dipped after completing the 20 min run.

for the snackers out there - I was big snacker, but stopped.
I asked myself, if i wanted the exercise (that i just killed myself doing) to burn off what i was about to scoff (custard creams), or my muffin top? the answer was, absolutely and definitely, the muffin top. I put the biscuits down.
It was like self sabotage.
I know it sounds basic.
But it worked for me, as i haven't had biscuits or unhealthy snacks since Christmas.

Manymomentsofmadness - good work! well done.
i was on such a high after that one. It feels amazing, doesnt it!

Debka if it wasn't for the hvs I probably wouldn't have gone to docs, lo seems so happy and I was planning on weaning early anyway. He loves his food!

On a really positive note lo only woke twice last night so I finally got some sleep! Am planning on picking up where I left on Tuesday, am looking forward to running again! but giving myself a few more recovery days before getting stuck in.

IFancy where are you ??

Week 5Run three DONE

On a bit of a high here feel like I wanna shout it from the roof tops . !!!!!!!

Admittedly loads of negative thoughts crept in the first 10 mins ,,,,,,like Ill never do this , this will be my last run and so on ...

But got there in the end.

I just FEEL so lucky to be well and able to do this . Im sorta loving it .

Strangely ....I think i covered 5.15 KM .....Not sure I believe that cause just started using trackmyrun app tday on the phone ....and it said 5.15 KM . WHOA . WOW .
Anyone else cover similar distance . Is that Right . Certainally didnt FEEL kike 5 KM ........

well done spiderbabymum! When I did W5R3 I worked out the distance afterwards via Google Maps and I did 2.4 miles, so you covered more than me but that's probably because I was running very slowly for a while because of my stitch!

Did W6R2 this morning in the sparkly crunchy snow in the park. I imagined there was a montage of my running journey and this was the winter scene...

Hello all mind if I join you? I'm a bit late - just done W1 R3 today. I'm doing it for mental health reasons, trying to avoid going back on ADs but as I'm also fat and unfit I'm hoping it will help that too.A few years ago I was much fitter and much slimmer and much more stable in mood. I remember how much better it felt being fit and even after a week I think I can feel a difference.

Very motivating reading this thread!

Just popping in to keep in touch - so much has happened since I was last one here. This thread moves so quickly I find it hard to keep up.

But I can see more w5r3 completed so well done to all of those people.

I went out along the canal this morning and it was -8! But very pretty. Managed to complete w5 r1, so feeling pleased with myself.

I think I might take the tip about stopping the snacks, as I have put on weight again. Depressing but at least I feel fitter despite the weight gain.

Did W7R3, I'm still amazed to be saying that!!!!! It was an interesting one! I've had my dog for 7 1/2 years and I was never able to let her off the lead but as she's got older she's been less likely to run off so I let her off today thinking I may have to pull her along less than usual. She trotted along next to me happily until she stopped to sniff and realised she was not attached to me! She then ran home with me jogging behind her, she never got very far away but as soon as I got close she sped up. So I followed her back home let her in the house and went back out! Was much easier without her and I felt great, even felt I'd gone faster but has no idea how far I covered as run keeper had some kind of problem and said I had covered 10.7Km!!!! Oh well next time I'll see, onto week 8 on Monday!

hellonheels, I've had mh issues in the past and find exercise is the key to good mental health along with regular sleep patterns and keeping a handle on my stress levels.well done on completing week 1 :) And the weight loss and increase in fitness level have helped my mood too!

Right, hello all. I'm back. My knee has been bad all week and I've been unable to run until today. So I did w8 r2 and then iced the absolute crap out of my knee, so hopefully it won't trouble me tomorrow (fingers crossed).

I'm glad everyone is still at it. Congrats all, it's amazing stuff.

Welcome HellonHeels, I am lucky enough not have suffered with depression but I have found the running has evened my mood around my period which dh is appreciating! And I feel much more calm most of the time!

It's a run day and I have only just eaten and my back and knees ache! 2 rest days or go out and try to run through it?

I couldn't run on a full stomach rusmum so I'd have a second rest day, but really only you know if you are being lazy or really don't feel upto it.

Thanks nomorecake it does feel good to say I've managed the 20 minute run :)
I also eat too many snacks - running and BFing makes me hungry. Other than chopping off my hands, any tips on cutting down on rubbish esp chocolate

Don't have it in the house ManyMomentsofMadness? That's what I did when I started, I bought a packed of 6 of the little Cadbury bars and had them to nibble on if I wanted something, 98calories each and after the second week I had some left ! Also hot chocolate is good, I have the galaxy one which I find richer/more chocolatey than the options but is more calories.

Yeah cinnamon I need to get tough with myself don't I. I haven't found a hot chocolate that doesn't give me a sore head otherwise that would be perfect.

Being tough is the only way I managed it but now I'm used to eating less crap it doesn't bother me most days. I think it's true that you get addicted to the sugar high and the crash afterwards is a killer!

Hello. Inspired by this thread I have started running. Have always gone to the gym but without any purpose. So as a running novice I have set myself the 5K challenge. After only being able to do 2 mins, rest for 2 mins then 2 mins again at 7.5kph on the treadmill a couple of weeks ago, today I did a total of 23 mins running with 11 mins rest, which was 4km. I really feel as though I will be able to run for 5k in the next few weeks. So thank you, I never thought it would be possible.

BTW would love to know the real couch to 5K plan

Just do it funny . start at the beginning . its on NHS direct :
search for couch to 5 k

Had a hot HOT bath and a g and t (first drink for 5 weeks!) now feel human. Next run w3r3 tomorrow x also entered race for life x

thanks spider

Hi all, hello to newbies and wow to the rest of you - Cinnamon that's amazing!

I'm off to France for a week so plan on running W6 again while I'm there. The conditions here have been so ropey it's been very hard so I think I'll be better off giving it another try before moving on.

Got to get up and do w7r3. Now I've said it on here, I've really got to!