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

Just checking in! After a 2 week snow break and lots of Shredding I have completed W5R2 and I was relieved the my fitness hadn't evapourated, in fact I felt strong and I'm ready to power through the 20 min run on Saturday.

Weight loss not going so well, I don't have much to lose - maybe 3-4kg and it's for vanity not health but it just seems to be sticking there. The minor things I did before to lose weight just don't seem enough...I have a feeling if I can lose 1kg a month I'll be doing well.

cinamon, rusmum and bigbad i hope the knee injurys and colds are improving (and any others under the weather i have missed off!).

bettybathroom well done on keeping up the exercise with shredding inbetween, it has clearly helped you leap back into w5r2! I am alos not doing so well on the weight loss but its proberbly due to not being good from sat till wed! Back on track today though.

So i went out with the sil again my new running buddie and we done W3 R2, manged to complete 3 out of the 4 runs only stopping for maybe 10 seconds on the first 3 min before starting again so pleased on the improvment from tuesday.

Next run not till sunday so i hope i complete the 4 full runs so i can move on the week 4.

Happy running everyone.

Thanks will see if I can download runkeeper to dh's iPhone later. I was thinking about moving to my own music too cinnamon as I'm not really enjoying Laura's tunes now I'm on the longer runs - good to know :)

To the runners who are having knee issues...I had this problem around week 2 and had to hold off moving onto week 3 until they were completely better. I phoned a running shop and they said most likely cause was poor trainers, mine were about 5 years old and they said that the cushioning starts to break down after a year or two. Also, i googled chi running on someones advice, the website suggests that landing on your heel (as per laura's advice) is not the way to go as it sends a jolt up your knee on every step. Once I had rested my knees and they were recovered I was given some new trainers and I have been fine since :)

I have new running shoes fitted at sweat shop!

Hello RUNNERS

Sorry to have not been contributing so much, I'm finding I need a bit of rest between these longer runs.
Today I did WEEK 9 (woo hoo) run 1. Twas hard but doable.

Can I also suggest bag of frozen peas/ice on the knees for those with aches. Really works.

I'm still listening to Laura and will do for the next 2 runs, and then I will reward myself with some nice normal (note: no banjos) inspirational running music.

Am I the onlyone who enjoys the banjo music then do you think *thestringcheesemassacre8 how could you hate those lovely twangy sounds I dont mind v much possibly because I play the ukulele though

I am sitting here in my running stuff waiting for it to get dark enough to go out for a run without anyone seeing me -silly I know Its my bum I hate it is seriously large and even if i get to a size 10 it will still be large and wobbly - I bought some running shorts for a bargainous fiver at the local Adidas outlet but alas they do not fit - considering a skort or tying a jumper round my waist but that will not protect me from smug slim mum runners that I recognise from the playground :(

I'll let you know how I get on in a couple of hours!

Have just ran W6R1.

I have decided I have bad runs every time I run at home.
Much better running at my parents...

But yeah. My leg hurts today.

Oh well... R2 on Sunday.

hello again. Just completed W5R2. Chickened out of W5R3 and am saving that until Saturday. It will take some mental effort I think.

A quick question about runkeeper. I listen to music on my ipod specifically chosen to keep me interested. Do you know whether you can use runkeepr in conjunction with an ipod? It's not a problem at the mo as I'm running at the gym, but when I start running outside, I'll need to keep track somehow.

I use my ipod for my music and have my phone in my pocket with runkeeper on funny.

I can't see why not, you can put apps on iPods. With run keeper you chose the playlist when you set it up so you should be fine FunnysInTheGarden

Wk2 r2 done felt easier had a look at the run keeper thimbu but don't think will work on my iPod touch as it only 2g does anyone use the Nike+ app i'd need to buy the gadget thing and a shoe pouch which will set me back about 20 so really would like to know if it worth it?! you are all doing so well lots of 20 mins plus on the home run so to speak. Love this running club so inspirational!

Just done W7R1 and feel fantastic. I have the sort of endorphin high you are supposed to get after giving birth. Never happened to me but maybe this is my compensation. It is a gorgeous starry night and I felt on top of the world as I got home (before opened door to usual domestic chaos, that is).

Ahem - sorry got a bit carried away there, but still can't quite believe I can do it. Sorry to hear that quite a few of you are struggling with illness and injury. I've been lucky so far. If you've managed a few weeks, though, I'm sure you won't lose that fitness overnight - might just take a few gentle runs to get you back into it. This thread is fantastic inspiration for me - thanks, everyone.

Thanks for all your support and you'll be glad to hear I did r2wk5 this morning. 2 8 min runs after 9 days off and managed ok!!.off to running shop Sat to get big girls running shoes.
Thought this morning that my wildlife spreadsheet needs updating. Spring is springing ladies. Can we trump the porpoise of week2 or the green parakeets and deer (and the heard but not seen woodpecker of mine.)

Well done, yehudi. Proves the point about a break not being fatal - enjoy the shoe shopping. No wildlife but I did see Jupiter!

Nice running all! I did W2 R2 today, was at home so ran outside along the canal. Wildlife sightings: Canada geese, ducks, moorhens, pigeons, swans.

Running outside was easier in that there were more distractions and it was interesting. Harder than running on the treadmill because I had to set my own pace and there were inclines. Legs sore now and I'm having trouble stretching them.

I really don't think I would have kept this up without these threads. The podcast is true genius but the thread is the key queenrunninggeekmum is a star

Week 6 run 3 done. Agree with dotty - lovely starry night! Well done all us runners!

No wildlife to report but the distinct smell of weed being smoked came from the woods I run past...

Well done on your return Yehudi! You're right, thread is the key and the posters make it, otherwise it would just be me posting random thoughts every so often...

chickened out of running this evening after a full day at work, will run tomorrow afternoon...

Well its that as well....

Wk3 run1 just done....am seriously knackered but pleased I managed the 3 minute runs. Bloody sweltering and it's only 7am....has the ice and snow gone in the uk now? Hope so, must make running so hard. Well done everyone!

No ice or snow here

Just dog poo and marijuana smoke... I live in a classy area

So pleased I've finished week 6, am two thirds of the way through and ran for 25 minutes tonight. Majorly need to up my pace though, only did 3.89 k in 35 mins (including warmup/warm down walks)

I have managed week2 by getting the dcs to come with me on their scooters. It solves the childcare problem but they don't let me keep my headphones on as they like to chat. It will be easier next week when they are back at school.
I want some of the endorphines that dotty has.

QRgeekmum- i only manage 3.2km

Yehudiwho- well done!

Trice- who've got me thinking about putting DS on his bike, and trying to chase him for 5k...
hmm maybe not... i'll probably have to carry him and the bike back, for the last 4k!