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 turningitaround it feels so good to have done it!

I wouldn't have started this just yet without the thread (had heard about c25k from bexsy but thought I was still too fat for running and hadn't got around to it) Where is queenrunningeekmum? she should be basking in reflected glory from her creations! Hope she is ok.

Many thanks for all the congratulations.. I'll be hanging around for a while and trying to actually run 5k, thats my next goal, I think. Maybe even a parkrun next week

Well done turningitaround, you beat me to a podium spot

I did my W9R3 today and it was a great run! Bit of drizzle to cool me down and got a wave from fellow runner! Bad part was that I ran the opposite way around my route and hasn't realised there's a really steep uphill bit before the downhill last 5 mins and that was a killer!! Didn't stop though and covered 4.34K so not bad.

Hope all is well with QueenRunningGeekMum!!

I'll be sticking around too, planning on running 3-4 times a week now and increasing speed. Might think about a park run but the closest one is an hours drive and starts at 9.30 on a Sunday! Also think of race for life, doing sport relief mile with my family but my ds's are doing it so it won't be running!!

well done cinnamon, fantastic result. Really well done.

yes i'm thinking of doing a park run (my local is Bushy Park).

well done cinnamon, fantastic result. Really well done.

yes i'm thinking of doing a park run (my local is Bushy Park).

YEAH and FANTASTIC to all of the graduates. I am so impressed.

I was supposed to do w7r2 today but my knee and ankle are hurting so I have wussed out and having an extra rest day. Could have really done with a run tonight, as ate far too much birthday cake at the weekend.

I know someone who does the Bushy Park one - think he does 5k in 20 mins though!

Do I do w6r1 tonight or tomorrow morning at 6? Why do you think?

I have been tracked down by Yehudi and ordered to return!

So great to see so many people graduating - well done! I'm so proud!

I have had an enforced break due to a number of reasons, including baby getting medical attention (all ok now), a very bad cold that left me unable to breathe when running and a bit of a hoo-ha with property buying that left me with no time! But running shoes are by the door and I aim to start back at week 6 tomorrow night.

Sorry for deserting temporarily but you have all done wonderfully well in my absence

Hurrah and yippee cinnamon, you did it!

Good to see you back qrgm, we were getting worried. Sounds like you have had loads of stress so try and be easy on yourself. A run may be just the stress relief you need if you can get the time tomorrow though.

Well done cinnamon!

Good to see you back QRGM, you'll be back in the swing in no time.

Start W8 today :)

I found our queen. And am available for other stalking duties , only not tonight as Will Be Running

I know I'm finished, but just wanted to pop in and say I finally managed over 5k this morning. I did 5.43kms (including warm up). So, pace is finally getting faster than snail like pensioner.
Keep going everyone!!

Cheese - don't go away just because you're finished! My plan when I finish is to get up to 5k running and then get the time down for it, so I think I might be around for a while. Well done on your progress.

I just started W3 and running for 3 whole minutes nearly killed me! Am in awe of those of you further on and graduates - impossible to imagine running for 20 minutes in, is it 4 weeks' time?

Excellent running everyone and top detective work by yehudi Welcome back queenrunninggeekmum

Not running at the moment, calf injury is troublesome and leg and ankle are puffy. Am icing, compressing and taking ibuprofen. Dr Internet says a week after injury I should get physio so will have a few sessions and see how I go after that. aseaandthreestars you are right I have not stretched as much as I should have and as I wear heels I was already looking for calf trouble :(

You'll get there BBB, honest!!!

W8R1 just finished. Ran for 4.2k, 5.3k including the warm-up so my goal for W9 (apart from finishing the thing!) is to do 5k solid of running. Yikes.

Yehudi I shall bear your unique talents in mind, enjoy your run tonight!

W8r2 done last night. Congrats to our graduates! Week 9 to start on wed hopefully, yikes last week hunda thunk!

Hi everyone,

I have been reading sections of this thread as I have been thinking about doing C25K for a while now. Please can I ask you all for some advice?

1. Where do you do your running - do you just set off from home and run along residential streets or do you go on the treadmill at the gym? I live in a city and there's a great gym about 20 mins away, but it seems as though the first weeks' runs only take about 20 mins in total. Would I look strange if I only went to the gym for that amount of time? Plus I've never been on a treadmill in my life...
   There is a big road with wide pavements close to my house, but I really don't want anyone to see me running. How do you et past the cringe factor?

2. What shoes do you wear? Did you buy them specifically for this? I only have indoor trainers that I wear when I do step aerobics, and my everyday trainers.

3. I understand you all use various apps and podcasts. Which ones would you recommend?

4. Any general tips? I've never done running in my life, and although I do step aerobics twice a week, when I have to run for the bus it always feels like my tummy muscles haven't quite recovered post childbirth (3 years ago!! ).

5. Due to our weekly routine, I don't think I can go running every other day like some c25k instructions seem to suggest. Is it ok to do it on random days as log as it's 3 per week?

Right, I think if you could kindly answer those questions for me there'd be nothing I could use as an excuse not to go for it.

Nom Nom,

(1) I run around the streets/down along the towpath. It's one of the reasons I took up running as I could just leave the house and start without having to travel to gym. Not to mention it's free. I go alot of the time early in the morning and after 9 weeks of running I'm not so bothered by seeing people now.

(2) go and get fitted for proper trainers for running, use a small independent shop if you can as they usually have v knowledgeable salespeople

(3) I used NHS , C25K. The music was awful but Laura was good (the host).

(4) Just get out and give it a go. You'll soon see if you like it. Mentally, it's been amazing. It gives you a massive surge of energy and good feeling.

(5) 3 times a week is great to start but you need at least 1 rest day in between each. (I go really early sometimes 5.45am to fit in with DH's schedule.)

Go on!

nomnom - the best thing about running, IMO, is that you can just go out the door and be exercising straight away, so going to the gym to do it seems self-defeating. I run around town and while I avoid very busy spots and have learnt the hard way not to run past the secondary school and lunch/home time generally have had no adverse comments/hassle and I am not a slim young thing. Wear a hat for disguise if you're self-conscious. Good luck! Off to run now. Been procrastinating and eating biscuits all morning - not my best day.

Or go in the dark - the first few times I went I waited until 8ish and enjoyed the anonymity (sticking to residential streets and main roads, to feel safe).

Last night I completed my w9r1.... And I did it... Few weeks ago I couldn't imagine doing this, you will make it!

nomnom change of perspective: I do it of the treadmill at the gym. I don't think anybody even notices how long you are there and for me that is much less intimidating than it would be to run here on the streets (I live in a small village and it would just be too embarrassing!) plus I can watch the telly at the same time...and get a latte afterwards as a reward :)

Hi NomNomNom! I run around the streets from home, I have had to adjust my route as I'm running further than when I started but I can't afford a gym so running is perfect. I run in the dark and I don't think people really pay much attention. I got a pair of cheap trainers as mine were knackered but nothing special and cost £9. I have flitted between te nhs podcast with Laura and the 5K runner app, with run keepr alongside to keep track of distance but now just using run keeper as it tells you how long youve been going every 5 mins. Take it slow, you can always speed up and it's not nice to not complete a run. Look forward to the high after running! It is supposed to be 3 times a week but I was worried about not going back out if I had two days rest so went for every other day which means one week I run 4 times and one 3 times, that's the great thing about it, you can fit it around your life :)

Well done dad - I just did W8R3 and for some reason when I was walking back afterwards my phone went on to W3 after the podcast finished and I heard Laura being reassuring about how I would be able to run for more than 90 seconds. I remember at the time I didn't believe her and now I can run for 28 minutes. Yay! Am going to celebrate by buying some short-sleeved/cropped running gear - was boiling hot today.

On a related, if slightly random, matter - does anyone else suffer from rosacea? I used to get quite bad flare ups but it's been under control for the last couple of years, by being v.careful about what I put on my skin and avoiding anything that makes me go red in the face as that makes it worse (e.g much alcohol). It was OK when I first started running but the longer runs are making me red, which leads to my skin on my nose and cheeks getting inflamed and spotty a few hours later. I suspect there's no solution, but it's a blot on the landscape of my running success (or should that be a pimple on its nose?)

Thanks for the advice so far! That is very encouraging. Will try to find the Nhs podcast, am very intrigued by this Laura!