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A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

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

998 replies

QueenRunningGeekMum · 08/03/2012 20:16

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

OP posts:
cece · 09/04/2012 21:31

Thanks well done rusmum Thanks

jchocchip · 09/04/2012 21:54

well done rusmum [bugrin] Thanks yippee bet that feels good!

cinnamongreyhound · 09/04/2012 21:59

Yay, congratulations rusmum!!! Hope all goes well tomorrow :)

ManyMomentsOfMadness · 09/04/2012 22:02

Congratulations rusmum Thanks

I chickened out of 2nd last run today :( I don't feel 100%, not sure whats up - hoping it is just lack of sleep and DD might allow me some tonight! All being well I will throw myself out the door tomorrow....

rusmum · 09/04/2012 22:10

Thanks all couldn't have done it without u xxxxxx Grin

dotty2 · 10/04/2012 06:56

Well done on your graduation rusmum - that's fantastic. Thanks Feels great, doesn't it?

Just checking in after a week's holiday. Managed to run 3x while I was away, and then managed a 36 minute run when I was back on familiar (flat) territory. Aiming for 40 minutes as my first definite postgrad goal, but still having niggly problems with my knee so will see how it goes.

Welcome all the newbies, and good luck with your various goals everyone - hope you get out there, MMOM.

BartletForAmerica · 10/04/2012 08:08

Well done!

Poor excuse but my phone has died so I can't play the podcasts so I've not been running this weekend.

dotty2 · 10/04/2012 13:44

Just did my first 40min run. Found it really hard going today but managed to keep going - was only aiming for 38 but then thought 'what's another 2'. Still shaking from the effort!

Gherkinsmummy · 10/04/2012 15:27

Week 6 Run 2 done, yay! Actually looking forward to the 25 minutes on Thursday, my only problem is that my DS has started waking up early because of the light mornings, and he gets very upset when I go out without him :(

ObviouslyOblivious · 10/04/2012 16:36

I've got a nasty cold so I'm having to delay starting week 8. I haven't run since Saturday and I doubt I'll be ready until about Thursday. Should I start week 8 or do another 25 min a la week 7?

littledolly · 10/04/2012 22:00

I did R1 W2 earlier & found it quite tough - but that could be to do with the excess chocolate I was carrying! Managed to do it all though.

I usually run in the evenings but ran mid-morning today as I'm off. Since I've got back though I've been starving all day! Is this normal?? How do I get over this - I know already there'll be tears at weight watchers tomorrow night!!

AnyFuleKno · 10/04/2012 22:48

a lurker checking in, I've just finished week 6. First 20 minute run tomorrow morning, eep!

Anyone else doing in conjunction with weightwatchers? Interested to know if people use their activity points or not and what results they've had.

I'm a running convert now, have signed up for a 5k race in about four weeks

dotty2 · 11/04/2012 12:09

Obviously - why don't you try the week 8 and see how it goes. It's not so much of a step up. I had some longish gaps once or twice because of the weather or busyness and found it surprisingly OK - might be different if you've been poorly though. Hope you feel better soon.

littledolly - re. the post-run munchies. That is why lots of people who start exercise programmes put on weight. You've probably only burned 200 or so extra calories, and it's far too easy to eat way more than that extra by way of reward. (I'm a recent graduate and didn't put any weight on while I was doing the programme, but I didn't lose any either.) Am a recent convert to low-carbing and today I went swimming first thing, came back starving and had a protein breakfast (eggs, mushrooms and tuna - admittedly an odd combination) with only a few nuts for a snack and feel on a nice even keel - looking forward to lunch but not starving. So even if the low carb thing isn't for you, making sure you have some protein post run might help?

AnyFule - I did WW last year (but put all the stone I lost back on again when I stopped, so am not a poster girl for them) and tried not to use up all my activity points. I always found you got depressingly few of them anyway. I wasn't running then, but swimming and shredding. And I used to think -40 lengths of the pool - and that's all I get??

cinnamongreyhound · 11/04/2012 12:55

Well done and welcome to the newbies. I haven't ever done weight watchers but have been on a low calorie diet mostly using mfp do have lost weight. I run before my dinner so even if I'm hungry when I get in its time to eat anyway. Definitely craving protein more than ever, I'm a huge carb gobbler and could live without meat but have been enjoying eggs recently.

Been having a scout around looking for how to get faster and it looks like a combination of interval training, faster but shorter runs and longer but slower runs. Not sure how dedicated I am to getting that much faster as I'm happy with what I'm doing, but having said that I am disappointed if I'm not quicker. I am regularly covering 5k in 38 mins now but would be nice to not feel so exhausted at the end. Am also still aching from my training in dh's gym, jut pecs and lats really!

dotty2 · 11/04/2012 13:07

Cinnamon - I can't decide whether what I really want to do is get faster or longer. But I did think maybe I might do a long run a week (gradually building the time/distance) plus 2 shorter ones. So maybe I can do both at once. I am not v.speedy either - managed just over 6k in my 40 minutes yesterday. I would really like to be able to do a sub-30 minute 5k.

AnyFuleKno · 11/04/2012 20:06

20 minute run of death completed...no more walking gaps from now on! just increasingly longer runs.

I'm using mapmyrun on my phone which gives quite a good level of data to pore over when I finish a run. not sure how accurate it is though.

OrmIrian · 11/04/2012 20:07

week 6 run 3.

It's all downhill from here...

rusmum · 12/04/2012 13:18

Eyes all good! Roll on next Wednesday when I can run if ok'ed by optician c

yehudiwho · 12/04/2012 14:16

week 9!!!!!! run 1 done this morning and one of my best runs so far! Felt really good - especially happy as w8 r3 on Tuesday was terrible and only managed 17 minutes.

well done rusmum I'm snapping at your heels

UmBongo · 12/04/2012 14:24

Looking forward to starting again in the summer - I got as far as week 5 last year and lost a stone, then gained a bump! So will definitely have to start from week 1 again, just need to wait for bump to arrive and boobs to stop hurting so I can run again!

Gherkinsmummy · 12/04/2012 14:29

Week 6 Run 3 completed! All running from now on which is great, I'm going to run home from work instead of getting up at sparrow fart. Need to drop a dress size for my wedding in May - only a month so am being very strict about my eating and exercise!

cinnamongreyhound · 12/04/2012 14:42

My run yesterday wasn't good, new route and too much uphill. I managed 26 mins total but I walked for a minute in the middle, it was quite fast but still annoyed I didn't finish :(

AnyFuleKno · 12/04/2012 17:46

well done though cinammon, remember the hard runs make you stronger and fitter too

I see so many runners now as I'm driving to and from work, guess I'm more aware of them

dotty2 · 12/04/2012 20:44

umbongo - that's the best ever excuse for giving up! Hope it all goes well, and look forward to welcoming you back to the world of running in due course. Well done everyone - and don't let the bad ones get you down...

FraterculaArctica · 12/04/2012 21:07

Hello, can I join? Was inspired to start C25K after reading your posts on here. Have got as far as week 4 run 1.

I have a techie question that maybe someone can answer - I tried doing one of the runs with my DP, but although we hit 'play' on ipods at exactly the same time (maybe 2-3 seconds difference, max), his seemed to play slower than mine so we got out of sync really quickly, we ended up stopping his and I just relayed Laura's instructions! Does anyone who knows about ipods know why this would happen?