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 thestringcheesemassacre that is fantastic news!!

W7R2 done for me today :) Managed 4.7km in 37mins, I'm really chuffed at that

Think my knee is going to give me trouble for it though, it has been a bit iffy that last couple of days but am feeling it now I'm back from my run, hope it settles quick.

Just done W4R1 and covered 3.4km including warm-up and cool down, do you all include these with your distance or just the actul run?

Also managed the first 5 mins no prob but half walked half ran the last 90 sec of the last 5 min run but all in all really pleased with my progress so far and i also dont think i would have stayed this far with out making excuses not to go if it was not for reporting back on here, so thank you.

Not running again today, feel like crap.
5 days now =/.
Hope I feel well enough tomorrow.

Just done wk 6 r 1 and was really hard. How come 20mins on Sat then 3 runs of 5,8. and 5 nearly kill me. It's geekmum wobble.
Well done greyhound on taking second (its like the Olympics)

metalsian get well soon the positive is you sound like you WANT to get back out there and run. lol at yehudi and the cult recruitment strategy.
Just reporting back w3 r1 done was a bit harder but right at the end my legs felt less heavy and seemed to go by themselves even though I was panting like some kind of phone sex perv . I rewarded myself for getting through first two weeks with a shoe wallet for my keys as my only proper running trousers are Capri style. whilst it is cold am wearing my aerobics kick flare pant things would love to hear what rewards everyone else has been giving themselves

Friend still not well and keep doing W5R3.
The run route is 1.8 miles or 2.9 km and takes me still just under 21 minutes ( consistent if not fast!) as I run down to gym (Curves) for half an hour on the circuit, and then walk home.
I miss running with her, but am waiting her return for W6R1.
At the same time I'm pleased that I have had the guts to get out there, not feel embarrassed and go for it.
Actually by the time I get running I couldn't give a stuff who I run past.
One old bloke said 'keep going' to me as I went past. Gave him a

Well done cheese That's brilliant news :)

I should have run w9r1 today, but failed. This work thing is getting in the way and I had dd's options evening and pancakes to make...

Maybe tomorrow...

Well done cheesestring!

W3 R1 for me tonight. I've been struggling for a week to fight off a cold, really fed up with it now. Have kept on with the programme not really sure if it's ok to do that but I feel OK. Run went well but ive got a calf/ankle strain now. Couldfeel it getting tight during last run. I am icing it and have it propped on a chair. Any advice?

Just back from W8R3!! Went well but still haven't broken the 4K barrier :(. On to W9 on Thursday, eek!

My bloody hip is still mithering at me. I've started taking glucosamine sulphate in the hope it'll loosen things up a bit. I've never been an aches and pains sort of person but my back and shoulder are hurting as well now . I am thinking of going to the GP but think he'll just tell me to lose weight- well, I AM doing!

Anyway. MASSIVE well done to cheesestring, you're an inspiration. We'll all be doing it soon!

It's the curse of W6R1 yehudiwho, look back and you'll see loads of us struggled with it!

What is your mfp name BettyKitchen? I will add you if you like, according to mfp you lose more dieting with friends!

Hi everyone, blimey, lots of us getting towards the finish line! Well done cheese, that's fantastic, would love to know how you get on with the next stage. Yehudi I agree about the W6R1 curse, didn't enjoy it much either but just smashed W6R2 - it felt completely different! Couldn't run until 9pm tonight and nearly didn't go out but thought about reporting in here, kicked myself up the arse and went - feel fab now!!

week7 music is motivation enough to get that week over with!

saw lots of runners this evening. Including a non-runner-type-newbie-like-me. gave him a big smile.

also, a runner slowed to say a loud and much appreciated hello, then I got to eat his dust!

stopped weighing myself. I feel better and look better so ditching the scales to focus on improving my running- as at this speed I think it would take me 40mins to do 5k.

cinnaminamon

cinnamon my mpf username is growlingtigga. Need all the help I can get!

Yehudi - cinnamon speaks the truth about W6R1! I am giving up TV for Lent (with Sundays off) and still trying to decide whether to add something food related on to that as well. I weighed in over 13stone this morning (and 5'9'') and got down to 12/3 last year, so a bit about that - but do feel more toned with all the running.

Ladies .
Just started week 7
Finding the long runs really daunting and tedious

Last night went out after dinner.......got that horrible nausea after and almost didn't finish the run
Think I went too fast at the start
And did an injury to my gullet .sore to swallow today.
I just overdid it
Quite fatigued
Anyone else finding week 7 hard .
Laura summed it up nicely .......
Less about challenge .more about developing stamina and endurance .
Cheese string so impressed ? Tell us what

What its done to your body .need inspiration.!

Had a rubbish run this morning. The bottom of my shin started to hurt and it gradually sppread up my leg. I had to stop at 13 minutes. I tried to run 2 more times but it was too painful. This is my first run-fail :(
I'm not sure how to prevent this happening or whether there was anything wrong with me motivation today.
Any ideas?

I'm still going here. Did W5r2 yesterday so am now officially more than half way! But the thought of run 3 tomorrow with 20 mins non stop is well scary.

And then to hear that w6r1 is the difficult one, I'm somewhat lacking in confidence right now!

Hi all, I haven't posted for ages but I've still been running three times a week. How are we all doing?

I am up to week seven and it has taken me three attempts to do the 20 minute run on the iphone app I'm using (which is a bit different from the NHS podcast). Like spiderbabymum I'm finding the big runs really difficult and on my app the next one is for 25 mins I think I'm going to do a couple more 20 min runs to get my stamina up before I attempt it.

Oh and how many hours do you think I'm going to have to run for to burn off the five pancakes that I piggied down last night? Must keep reminding myself that the running is not just about losing weight, it's also about getting fitter too.

Well done stringcheese you are our inspiration :). Finished week 7 last night eventually, had started it on Wed last week - life got in the way! Felt really good and even might have enjoyed it a teeny bit!
Planning to start week 8 on Thursday. Good luck rungeek you can do it!

gettingalifenow - I think it's only difficult because everyone expects it to feel easy after the triumph of completing 20 solid minutes 2 days before. Expect it to still feel hard and you'll be fine. And I guess one implication of that one being hard is that the long, continuous runs can't actually be all that much harder than the interval ones - so take heart!

Sorry to hear you're injured, "noseynoonoo* - I know nothing about running injuries, but there is something on the NHS Couch site - have you had a look?

Pancakes, umm, yes, well, we've all been there!

Thanks again EVERYONE, you're all so kind.
We'll have to have another thread for when we ALL graduate. Come on Cinnnamon, I think you're the next

Spiderbaby, I think I've probably lost a couple of pounds (I'm around 11stone1 - 5ft 7) but have definitely toned up, my thighs look much better and my waist has some actual shape. Whoop whoop!

Well done, stringcheese!!

Rebecca how are you getting on? I just caught up with the thread today (to log week 7 run 3; I fell behind this week due to a stomach bug but back on track now) and saw that you had a rough run last time around.

I hope that week 8 is treating you better :)