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 I have had an enforced week off, knee pain and sick DC.
Went out today for W7R3 and I found it tough :( Think I will do another one of W7 before I move to W8.

Congratulations to all out Graduates

Nom Here's Laura I run in streets or old railway track, same trainers as I always use but they are in good nick. I feel 2 rest days are better than no rest day between runs.

I did my first run tonight! now slightly achey [flabby emoticon] but it was great. I decided just to go for it.
Having read that you're supposed to put your weight on your heels and then roll your feet, I actually found this almost impossible to do so that my shins were hurting slightly from the very beginning. Does anyone have any advice on this?

nomnom well done you
I ran for 25 mins on wk6 r3 and loved it. Then Laura says you are a proper runner and I laughed out loud.
I think the graduates should stay and I'm Chuffed qrgeekmum came back. Between Laura and qrgeekmum they are responsible for me getting here

I just did the first run of week 4. It's definitely a low, music wise :o Two 80s rock tracks, one Nik Kershaw rip off and one Muse rip off. And WTAF is with the 'news bulletin' music before the last run! It was good fun though :)

Frustrated as decided not to run today due to weird headaches .

BUT am now watching horizon BBC 2 .
Watch it ladies
Great motivation to get back on track tomorrow

OO I'd say W7 is the absolute nadir music-wise, thanks to the suggestion of others on here I just listened to W6R3 twice instead. W8 is a definite improvement

nomnom - I think that advice re. heel striking is not great. Ignore it and run however feels natural to you. Well done on your first run.

Problem with W8 music is that it turns all Ceefax on you just as you need motivation around 20 mins. Looking forward to sorting out my own soundtrack. I did get Runkeeper to use that but it seems you can't choose tracks just shuffle? I have loads of stuff on my phone I couldn't run to - maybe I need to delete the non-motivating stuff!

I think I was just so grateful it was better than W7

Agree with dotty about gait, don't force yourself to do something that feels unnatural.

Back from doing week7 run 1 - 25 mins. Took it real slow after my enforced break and also as my last run was a disaster.

Definitely helped with me processing thoughts after the last week - which also helped me ignore the terrible music!

Am so pleased I'm back out there though - looking forward to Thursday now! Thank you to all you runners who have kept me motivated!

Btw welcome newbies, sorry I haven't been around to encourage you all but I hope you've been enjoying yourselves!

well done GeekMum! and Nomnom!! and everyone else!!!

nomnom, I got New Balance trainers (sale £30) last year, that were slightly more cushioned and thats helped my shins. also stretching after a run helps.

w8r3 done... might start w9 on thursday...we'll see.

some teenage girls tried to take the piss a bit today. could roughly hear something said. but at this point im so focussed on the run, its like water off a ducks back!

Hello everyone, I'm still here! Decided to keep dh company on the rest of his runs so we did w6 r1 together this morning. I may try running on the treadmill one day too and see if I can do 5k on there. I know its not the same, but I'm nervous of starting a parkrun and being really really slow...

jchoc me too. I'm trying to build up the courage to do one this weekend. DH says yes, I'm just nervous of being last out of 1000 runners.

Hallo everyone! Well done! You're all doing great.

I'm just back from Wk6 r3 - 25mins running! Wow! I never thought I could do it. I haven't run for a week, and I kind of felt it. BUT I didn't stop or walk, and completed the run. I've got blisters on the inside of my feet on my arches. I think I'll wear two pairs of socks next time.

I need to get back into running every two days. I haven't got back in to the routine after being ill. I WILL run on Friday!

Hello all sorry to be AWOL but had the most awful earache - even had to take a day off work - Docs have given me some stuff - hopefullly back on it Friday night - will try to do week 3 R2 again so i'll only be a week behind - gah - it just hurts to even take a step at the minute!

this thread keeping disappearing from my active convo's so just keeping up!

well done mazzi I have this to do tomorrow, but may postpone to Saturday and redo W6R2 in the manner of a chicken

nomnomnom - welcome!

cinnamon - yay! Congrats on finishing

geekmom good to see you back!

7.2 complete last night on the treadmill. I started shredding with DH too on nights off. Just taking it easy though, shredding is not the priority but it's nice to do something with DH and it helps motivate him.

Get well soon ohmy - earache is no fun

W6r1 done at 6am this morning. Thought I had done really well til I realised I had left run keeper running as I drove to work. I thought I had burned thousands of calories (because it felt like it)

Haha! Your average pace must have been amazing!

jnice my pace was an amazing 1min12 per km at best and at worst (when I was in the shower) 1hr14

oneliein that's hilarious :)

wk7 r3 done, the last minute came round a bit quicker so I sprinted the last minute and surprised myself at how much I had left in me!

I did w9, r3. Was OK. I did the full 30 minutes! I used the runtastic app again and just used it during the run rather than including the walk. The results were disappointing. I ran just 4.07km - which means I've got to run 25% faster to achieve 5km in the same time time. It's going to be a real mission to up the pace.

What plans are other people opting for after the 9 weeks?

Yay managed week 4 again was hitting a real wall before , still tough though. I am scared of w5 now !

After 4 day enforced break, I have done w7r2 tonight. Really tough, and had to make myself do it. Hoping the third one will be easier on Saturday - planning a route along the canal, which always cheers me up.