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

Hello. Did wk9 r2 today and it was OK. I really need to keep my mind focused elsewhere though or it all goes to pot!

please don't shout at me again, nomorecake. But you're absolutely right - I need a kick up the backside. I pledge to exercise 3 times a week (but am reserving the right to run twice and swim once, if I can't fit in 3 runs and a swim). And I will weigh less than 12 stone by the start of the summer holidays. Was down to 12.5, but think have blown that with a week of no exercise and comfort eating.

skipped the run tonight - cold,pissing rain and miserable after crappy day at work. Feel guilty - wll try and get out tomorrow to make up for it
Race for Life is on May 20th

did w6r3 today and just as laura said only 60 seconds left to go i turned a corner and 15-20 commando's were there out on their morning run, running towards me so i thought no way am i stopping now and ended up doing 30 mins. loved it when laura said your a runner now WOOOHOOOO, i'm sooooo pleased i've finally heard that :o .

i've put a few before and a now photo on my profile by the way so you can see how far i've come (and what needs tweaking still)

milewalker - I can't get into your profile.

Hey everyone, not been on here much lately. Had a few bed runs and seem to be slowing down, so got a bit disheartened. Missed my Saturday run but managed to go out on Monday. Managed 2.9 miles but my friend's dad went zooming past me at one point - waving and smiling - and he is over 70 LOL!

Been to my running group tonight so have done some interval training., I am hoping it will improve my pace. I want to speed up so I can do a park run.

i think i've sorted it so should be able to now.

WOW - that is impressive - how much have you lost?

11 and a half stone (its now nearer to 12 stone)

Blimey that is impressive. How long has it taken?

WOW milewalker - that is fab!! Hard to believe it's the same person.

I did w6 r1 last night and found it tough enough - actually think it was harder than w5 r3, but then I think I was building my mind up for that one for so long that I was more mentally prepared for it! I think I was faster last night than I have been all along, as I got to the end of my usual path before the end of the run! The local running club were on the same path as me last night and I think that them all sprinting past me made be speed up a little!!

Breathing does seem to be getting a little easier, so thanks to all who advised that I will just get into a pattern with it. Just wish I could control the post-run munchies

well done all the students still on the podcast- you really are doing well

Well auntyLaura/nomorecake everyone is pledging and it feels like when we all started again- you are a genius
I ran today - 30 minutes but still only 3.71 km - 7/8mins a km - need to shift up a gear. but with queenrunningcinammon and auntylaura/nomorecake advice/kick up the arse ringing in my earphones i can actually see myself doing it.
cinammon I have been running (alrightperhaps not 3 times a week often enough but before that I did no exercise apart from cycling to work so something should have happened weight wise) since December and unless my scales are broke have stayed stubbornly at 13 stone. So just running aint gonna help. I'm now doing myfitnesspal which helps to make me more mindful of what I'm eating so should start to see it shift - want to be under 11 stone by my 50th next year.

so come on milewalker get those tips to a fab body like yours flowing - this thread needs some enthusiasm and advice (or nomorecake will get cross again...

and rusmum where are you ? pledge time.. come on you dont want nomorecake making you stay behind after school

oh and cece -bed runs ...- I do them all the time but I dont think they count..

I am using RunKeeper atm. But it seems to really drain the battery on my IPhone! Both times I have used it, it gives up after about 25 mins and I have to guess how far I have to go.

sorry DS2 has peeled off some of the keys from my laptop - but quite a lot of the vowels.

milewalker! that is Fantastic! incredible! I salute you! really, just amazing!
you look so different and much younger. good for you, what a great achievement.

sorry about the shouting dotty!
I was thinking on the lines of Braveheart, you know, blue face, horseback, field full of warriors...in trainers.

i just thought that i can't do 5k everytime i run, and the pressure of that was stopping from even going out running. Need to keep enjoying running.

but i think i might try to up my pace on the shorter runs, or try interval training. cece what intervals do you do?

so planning on going tonight, kits washed and ready, next to my trainers -laces already undone. phone charged. dinner prepped.
NO excuses.

If i force myself out 3xweek i hoping to make it a habit, and be like the people who say things like, how they can't cope if they can't get out running, or how they HAVE to run, because its like eating or sleeping to them. i can be one of those people....right????

I'm sure you can, nomorecake. Inspired by your motivational talk (ahem) I got out today and did 5k in 32 mins. DH was working at home too and slowed down to my pace so he could come with me. Had a really nice time, though it did feel tough on the legs. Have had a crap week and it was great to get out.

I thought it might be good to have a system for checking off runs - I liked the way of keeping track of 3 runs a week on the plan. So do any postgrads fancy joining me in a new system - weeks A - Z, runs 1 - 3 etc.

So - WA,R1 done - 5k, 32minutes.

Tell me if that's a silly idea.

And well done milewalker - are you the same person in all those pics?? (though I have to say you looked great before, in a different kind of way - you looked really striking and confident, even if you didn't feel it.)

yehudiwho don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when i'm angry.

Wow, Milewalker that's an amazing weight loss - you look great in your photos. Well, this morning I finally did W5 r3, 20 minutes running, and you know what, it wasn't so bad. Took your advice and went v slowly but, yeah hah, I did it.

Now, Dolly, what's this about W6 r1 being hard work? I think it illustrates how much of this running is about 'your head' and not just your fitness. So I'm going to learn from you that I mustn't get complacent, just because the time spent running is relatively short.

Loads of us found it hard Littledolly, strange one!!

Well done mileWalker you carrie your weight well though, would not have said you were 24st!!

I know that running alone doesn't shift weight yehudiwho in fact I don't think it's affected my weightloss at all but mfp is great, I'm there if you want to add me as a friend, then nomorecake can shout at you here and I'll shout at you there . I find the eating less side much easier than the running side!!!

32 mins is fab Dotty2! I'm happy to give the week and run labelling a go but suspect I will get lost/forget!

I am here.... Hiding!!!

I have dipped in and out of these threads and then was too ashamed to come back. I kept going out and trying to get a bit further each time, then today I just ran 5k!

Was pissing it down, I got splashed by cars but I just kept running and didn't stop. Took me 42 minutes, which isn't great, but I'm pleased with myself. Only took me 6 months!

rusmum you can't hide you must pledge.
Jenny well done you . Now I will get quicker

Ok! after tonight, I pledge!!to not avoid any more runs!! And to run 3 x a week !!!!'

well done rus remember we dont have to do a full 30 mins - just so long as we go out

jennypicolo well done! It's a good time to me.
I managed 20mins 2.25 k yesterday, found it tough though.

rusmum don't be embarrassed! Everyone has dips in motivation or busy lives. Just might be time for a new goal.

How about we come up with some sort of game for the thread, like eye spy or bingo. For example, the thing to spot could be ... A bird's nest or... A group of hoodies!..
Then the first person to spot that thing choses the next thing to be spied.
Make sense?? Just tell me if it's a crap idea!