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

QRGM No regrets eh? You know how you can make it great next time - avoiding cars etc !! GO GO GO!! 15 mins is still a great achievement better than you could have hoped for 3 months ago . You have come so far dont let this silly thing hold you back!

I did the same Friday QueenRunningGeekMum but only managed 13 mins. If you're tired that really doesn't help but the only time I ran close to having eaten I really thought I would throw up and that was only 5 min runs so I really think its a bad idea!! Each run is different and your next one will be great!! We've all had bad runs followed by good ones and are still going :)

Not strictly a running subject but a weightloss one, I have now lost 16kg total and my bras are massive, have gone down a dress size too but have just been to buy a new bra and have gone from 36G to 36DD :(. Why doesn't my jelly belly shrink at the same rate?!? Off out for W8R2(take2) in a hour or so, will be lovely in the forest in the sunshine. Still coughing a bit bunged up but well otherwise and trying not to think if I complete it I'll be pleased but that I WILL finish it!

The uphill bit after the river was a mistake! Thought dh would expire and my 'run' slowed down so much it barely counted as such. Perversely, I found running downhill again really hard but picked up speed once back on the level. May repeat wekk 8 once more on the flat before moving to week 9.,,

Oh and I went through two vertical stone stiles which I used to barely fit through with space to spare... Weight loss at a bit of a plateau at the moment, but I'm giving up chocolate for lent and going to start lifting heavy weights again. Ordered new rules of lifting for women from amazon and got my weights out...

Well done jchocchip! Inclines are a killer no matter how steep!

Well, I did W8R2 and other than a huge coughing fit as soon as I stopped which almost made me throw up it went well! Once I got to 25 mins I thought I can do this and sped up a bit which I felt was a bit of a mistake right at the end. Even met another runner who said 'glad I'm not the only mad one', feel accepted into the running community now

Finally did week 6 run 3 after TWO rest days.

Motivation has been v low this week ....not sure why ....havent been feeling great ? tummy bug ....and OH SO Tired

But finally got out there .... Helped by the fact the I bought a proper sports bra In Tesco...kelly holmes . really like it

Determined again to keep going .
And yes I did run for 25 mins ...but for all those who are flagging .....I did it really slowly ...IF I feel Im really drained during a run I slow it right down ....almost like babysteps running ........gets me through !

BTW Bra was tenner

Cinnamon that's amazing, well done.
Queen you can do it, keep going. I love your updates they keep me going! So, frankly, you can't stop

Finished week 7 today, the first two runs were good, today's was awful. I managed to finish it but changed my route and ended up running down a long straight road ( great in theory ) but loads of dropped kerbs. My legs were screaming at me as it felt like running in a fun house

Anyway, done now and back to London for week 8 aaarrrrgggghhh!

QRGM - you can't give up now, you are so close to finishing the whole weeks.

Yes the lst run was not good but you know it feels good when it goes well. It even feels good when you finish a not so good one.

And 15 mins is still really good isn't it? Remmeber when you struggled with 60 or 90 seconds?

QRGM, don't give up, you are leading us by example! I predict you will have a great time.

Well done everyone - I am in awe of those of you running weeks 7 and beyond - still somehow think I don't really belong on this thread.

Did W6R1 today. Felt ok, tired by the end, and for some reason very sore feet.

Did a long walk by sea today run 3 of week 2 done and I have enough cals for some green and blacks and a glass of red whoop!

W7R1 done this morning. I am glad I managed it as early morning runs are never good for me. I did need to take my fleece off during the run (so not like me - I'm a cold tattie!) so felt like a bit of a twit running in a t-shirt surrounded by ice

QRGM 15 minutes is no failure! I am out again Tuesday too, will race you back to here to post our sucesses

bluechik You are only a couple of runs away from W7 yourself remember :) Of course you belong on this thread - your a runner

I'm still here girls, wk6 r2 tonight, can't wait to get off week 6 and onto week 7.

Whoever it was asked about weightloss- Jchocchop? - I have th opposite problem, bras still fit snugly and my trousers are dropping off!

I completed W7Rs 1 and 2 over the weekend down in the countryside while staying with PILs - it was so lovely to run through a pretty village and along footpaths and through fields in the sunshine rather than pounding grimy London streets in the dark! I really suffered from stitches both times though, boo. On one run I went up a MASSIVE hill that is normally an effort to walk up, and kept going!

Went out did w4 but only managed the last 5 mon run as a whole did 2.5 2.5 2 and 5. I did 1 whole 5. Minutes! Decided to just keep doing w4 until I Neil it as moved on from w3 before I had it sussed !

bluechick belated thanks for you post on feb 14. you are right, there is more to it than weight loss, im trying to focus on those now, and any weight loss will be a bonus.

Keep going everyone. today I had a fantastic run. its just totally reenergised my enthusiasm for jogging/running.
wk7r2 finally feel like a jogger/runner (despite appearances!!).
Got my pacing right, dealt with stiches, breathing well and finished strong and fast(er). I suprised myself.
improved my distance and time (although playing catch up will you guys!). I must be getting fitter.

Come on girls- we've got this!!

well done rusmum!
cant have been easy as you've been unwell.

well done to all how are having a go despite being sick, tis very dedicated. I thought i was getting a cold the other da and the first thing that panniced me was i would not be able to run .

rusmum im just 1 run behind you at the min and im dreading tomorrow!

spiderbabymum i got my current sports bra a hundred years ago from tesco and its fab, keeps them snug and tight and they dont wobble one bit!

Well yesterday done W3 R3 and i nearly talked myself out of going as i was freezing cold, but i persevered and took a diff route and was pleased i went, managed the full 3 mins (apart from last run as the last 20secs were on a hill and my body just cant do hills ful stop, but made up for it with an extra run at top of hill).

Just want to thank you all again as each time i change week i think i cant possibly run any further than the last but yet by the end i can do it, so yes im dreading running for 5 mins but i will just do my best and see how i go.

Thanks Madness. Glad to know it helped Nomorecake :) I shall now take my own advice!!

for the many, many lovely messages. It's runs like I had yesterday that could lead to quitting of it wasn't for you lot cheering me on!

I am going to visualise finishing the 25minutes on Tuesday with mners waving pompoms at the end!

Hopefully this will also help our runners on the early stretch - as someone pointed out, at the start of the year, I couldn't run 60s but now I'm annoyed with 'only' 15 minutes!

Hi, not been on here for a while as not ran for a few weeks after having awful sick bug, snow, cold... But I went out this morning and did W3R3! I thought it would be really hard going, especially as still snotty, but it was probabbly my easiest run yet, so much that I actually ran (rather than jogged slowly!) for the last min or so of the last 3 min run! My left knee hurts a tiny bit now but so pleased with myself for going out. It obviously takes more than a few weeks to lose any newly aquired fitness, so anyone else who hasn't been out for a while, go on, you can do it too!
Those of you on 25 min runs now, wow, I'm impressed, hopefully I'll get there too!

My first time on here. I'm amazed I am actually doing this, but W4r1 tomorrow and I am loving it. I am the wrong side of 50 and the wrong side of 13 stone. This is making me feel younger but, if anything, I am putting weight on!!

I am running with the dog as she needs to lose a kilo or two. Just goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks (and I'm not just talking about her!)

Am in awe of those of you doing the longer runs.

spiderbabymum the problem I have is I already run slower than many walk so slowing down may not work for me !
QRGM you know you rock so just pull on those trainers recite your poem and get out the door

all you weight loss runners amaze me - running for 8 weeks (although only up to week 6 in laura's world) and lost 2 pounds - 2 bloody pounds - not even lost an inch off anywhere. Its a bastard

Did Wk5R2 today and found it quite hard; really dont know how I am going to step up from 8 minutes x 2 with a 5 minute walk in between to 20 minutes non stop

Haven't run for 4 days should be back at it tomorrow though.
Well done to everyone who keeps on going.