Couch to 5k: whether you're picking up the pace or just starting the race

[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! Don't think about sticking with it at the moment. All you need to do today is that first run. Then on Monday, you can think about the second run.

Thanks Bartlet I know you're right.

I am struggling a bit with the pace atm. 20 mins was a killer but it doesn't let up much does it? week 6 r1 was OK...ish. But in 4 days time I have to run for 25 mins!! 'Laura' isn't making any friends in this house..

Did week 7 run 3 tonight. It was actually amazing! Run 2 I did a much hillier route than normal and it was tough. Went back to usual route tonight and I felt so great for the whole run. I

Ooops! I can thoroughly recommend doing a hilly run occasionally if you're looking to improve fitness. I actually felt like I ran fast tonight! Week 8 here I come :o

I did week 1, run 1 tonight. Was ok. My whole body felt it though.
There was 1 jogging session that I walked for, but apart from that was good.
Going to do run 2 on tuesday and run 3 on friday.
If it feels too much to go on to week 2, I'll just do week 1 again, that's ok isn't it?

Well done, silvery! Of course it is okay to repeat runs or weeks. I have decided with myself that I need to have completed each run 3 times properly before moving on. So far that's not been a problem, but yesterday's run was a bit of a step up.

OrmIrian trust in Laura! You're fitter than you know :)

Silvery you probably don't need to do the whole week again, just an extra run if you feel you need it.

Thanks guys.
I feel really good that I actually did it.
I'm an awful runner so was very self-conscious about how I must have looked.
Do you all follow the same route? I have no idea where to run iykwim.
I also need to get a pair of proper running shoes asap.
I know this is bad, but I just used a pair of cheap standard trainers, rock hard, but wanted to make sure I'd do it and stick with it you know before I forked out.

Silvery, my route has been adapted as the weeks change. This week has been 25 mins running so I've walked for 5, run along a long road for 12.5 minutes and then turned around and run back. This is a good route as the road isn't straight and it has some hilly bits. If I go out during the day then I have a bridlepath that I go along. Next week is 28 mins so I'll have to adapt my route a bit as the road I usually use has a very big hill at the end that I want to avoid!

It's nice to use the same route as you can gauge your progress from run to run, but can get boring!

I live on a long straight road, so might just run up and down that!

How do the podcast work? I want to download it to my computer but that doesn't seem to make much sense? Do I need it on my iPod to listen to as I do? Or can I just do the instructions bit. Btw I'm mega mega unfit.
Thanks for any advice. Happy Easter.

ratbag Download to pc then to phone or mp3 and then just go for it. At Xmas I could only just manage 1 min without collapsing but now run for.28mins!!
I actually managed to do r2 w8 only 2 days after last one. Only 3.45 km in 28 mins but felt ok. Downloaded endomondo as the music In week 8 was too much to bear and my own music was enough to forgive my leaving Laura

I design rough routes here: www.walkjogrun.net/ It is quite good at telling you how long it should take you.

W9 r2 done. Just timed run and not walks. 2.8 miles it 4.5k in the 30 mins. That ok?

rusmum - that sounds brilliant to me. I don't do much more in 40 mins (I count the runs in my distance covered

I usually count walks in too but was curious! Lol will attempt last run tomorrow if legs not sore as having eyes don't tues then no exercise for a week!!!! Agh!

Just looked at yesterday's local park run and the times ranged from 17mins to 45mins for 5K with 350 people. Looking around half way most people are low 20 mins, eek! Maybe I'll give it a bit longer before I attempt one! Dh reckons I'll run faster in something like that than on my own. Will be off out later in the rain by the look of it to try and increase that speed some more!

You just inspired me to look at my local park run! Hmmm only 40 people went yesterday and the slowest was 34mins. Maybe I'll leave it a while too - I was planning to do one straight away when I graduate but maybe not :o

On holiday in Norfolk and had a lovely run in the drizzle this morning along the promenade.

Had knee strapped up and took it very easy so only covered 2.8 miles, but happy with that as not done a 5k for over a week now since my knee started playing up.

Wish I'd had more drizzle cece I was so hot while running today. Dh has designed me a 15 min upper body training in his gym to try and attack my bingo wings which I did before I went out and I thought I was going to die! It was my second fastest and furthest ever but disappointing to be sooooo tired by it.

Thinking I will have to subject the world to my legs as it gets warmer and wear shorts as I'm so hot already on a mild day!

yes, even in the drizzle I felt hot. I dread to think how it is going to be in the summer. I am not a fan of hot temperatures at the best of times. Let alone trying to run in it. I am not sure the world is ready for my legs though or my upper arms...

YAY!!!!!
Week 9 run 3 completed!!!!!!!!!!