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

MadeinScotland I think it's 90s running and 2m walking alternated. I remember running and trying to repeat to myself 'runs are getting shorter, walks are getting longer' in an attempt to 'fool' myself into completing it! But it's achievable and you will be able to do it.

Well done QueenRunningGeekMum!!!

Oh and my second run in week 1 was my worst, still aching from run 1 and just couldn't do all the runs. But did do them all in run 3 and was able to move on from there.

So don't get disheartened if you find it harder, in five weeks you'll be where I am and it feels great !

Looking forward to run tomorrow, wanted to go today but it's a rest day! week 2 r. 3 next x I do want to see this through however long it takes! Week one lasted 6 runs for me lol 9 lb lost so far in 3 weeks.

qrgeekmum you rock. You started after me but now you run like a queen and I have tarried. Due to run wk5 r1 tomorrow

Here you all are! This thread moves soo fast! I've done week 5 runs 1 & 2 this week, felt great running for 8 mins. Am bricking it now though since reading on here I'm supposed to be running for 20 mins on sat morning EEEKKK!!!

Welcome to all newbies - keep at it this programme really works & you can do it :)

arrabella it moves fast because we move fast

marking my place.

Had a real problem with W1R2 (mark 2 after calf tear) and it became impossible to run on it and have had to take a few days off. I seem to be doomed to repeat W1R! for eternity! Have another physio appt next week so hopefully will get some more advice then. But recovery did seem to be better this time (run was on Tuesday and today I am walking on it properly with minor pain) so perhaps it is just a case of 2 steps forward one back and I will get there in the end.

Oh, and I can post pine cones to those in need there are millions littering Kew Gardens. Will take orders via pm!

kewcumber just doing wk 1 will improve your fitness and when your injury allows you can steam through

W5R1 done :) but oh my it was freezing out there!

I have got a sore knee, hope it settles soon :(

Wk6r1 completed. I was glad it was back to run/walk as I am just worn out today.

Keep on moving (sings old soul II soul song!)

Wow I can't believe how fast this thread moves! Dotty2 the cheek of some kids! Cheeky git checking in for W4R3. That was hard! Not sure I'm ready for W5 I know it's been gone already but I need some new music to get me through these longer runs. Any recommendations for fast paced songs?

a fast song I used to like listening to at the gym was Hey yaa by outcast or andre 3000. cant think of any others right now.

week5 run1 done. so angry with myself for stopping in the last run. After about a minute in to it, I needed to walk for 10 secs. I keep telling myself it was only 10 secs. but really annoyed with myself.
trying not to think too much about the next two runs. I will end up talking myself out of it, or doubting myself.

for newbies, I started in jan. it can be done. just keep it slow and keep going.

I watched some youtube clips on running motivation, or fitness motivation, before I went out. and some of the images came back to me when I was struggling. was good.
if I can find them again, I will post a link.

anyone read the blog mentioned on the MN homepage? its by someone training for a marathon.

Wow, so glad I found this thread, did first run of week 1 today (I'm in Oz hence the strange time of posting) and it's great to hear how motivated you are still in week 5. My legs feel like jelly, but I think it's a good feeling! Tell me the heavy leg feeling gets better....?

I'm 14.5 stone and ran/ stumbled 3.3kms on w1r1, probably because i did it on a treadmill. That works out at 6.6kms an hour, which was a fast walk in my hey day but now is a sprint!

The thought of running at 10kms/ph for 30 mins actually makes my stomach knot with fear.

w1r3!! not r1

Hi ifink well done on your first run :) I'm still going and I'm very overweight and its all down to encouragement on here! I find the five minute warm up is just enough and I'm still jogging very slowly. My legs have coped better than I thought they would!

it looks so coooold out there. Must find gloves.

altshiftdelete -I'm the same. try to focus on the next run you are going on. stop yourself from thinking too much ahead.

Good quote at 1.24 on here and seeing Derek Redman and his father always makes me teary!

I like this video too the images of Gabriela Andersen-Schiess at 2.14, are shocking but so inspiring to know how powerful the mind is and how determined someone can be.

Also love the quote at the end...
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." John Bingham

Another John Bingham quote "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

nomorecake that's pretty inspirational stuff!

Itching to start w2 tomorrow..

Great links!

I did Wk5 R2 today. Yet again I had overestimated what I had to do so was pleasantly surprised that the second run was the last run. I am running v e r y slowly indeed. I must have looked hilarious but then no one saw me because the park was empty. I had leggings & trackies on and a cardi betweek my t-shirt and windcheater.

I really can't see how I am going to run for 20 minutes though. I think I'm going to get very bored and stop.

I'm with you badmum ! Just back from W5R2 :)

Today was supposed to be w6r1 but there's a bit of a snowstorm going on round here (abroad). I said to myself that if I can go out in this I truly am a runner . So I did. And I am. Decided I couldn't face too much walking and jogged 25 mins straight (w7r1). I came back looking like a snowman and went oh-so-slow (terrified of slipping as snow is settling) but it felt good. The big question now is what to do when it starts to get icy, skip a week? Join a gym?

(calls group powwow)

It's li'l old me, still on the couch! I went to GP today (at last) and she gave a sexy support sock, some cream and two weeks of tablets. In five days time she wants me back on the road doing brisk walks, on tarmac roads.

She was a lovely doctor and I want her as my friend (not needy at all me )

So, keep up the pace lovelies, I won't be far behind you only five weeks

after a week of excuses my App got an outing, W1D1 tick!