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

missed training this week out of sheer lazy arsedness, and also shin problems. going to go out today and try and do it in shorter bursts - maybe 3 x 10 mins? here's hoping....

ok, I got out there today and did.....drum roll...40 minutes!! No idea what the distance was but felt a very very long way.
am well chuffed

40 minutes is really good, well done demented.

going to start 10k training tomorrow then. Eep!

Well done jenny and demented!

I managed w6 r2 earlier and was the first time I've run where I really felt the heat - it was sunny and 15C here - and all I can say is the longer this crap weather hangs around the better!! I was baked and really struggled at the end. Used one of the apps mentioned on here to track distance & seem to have been averaging about 7-7.5 mins per km which I was delighted with! If I can manage 5k in 40 mins to start with I'd be thrilled!

Just realised though that tonight was the last run that doesn't involve any walking breaks - eeekkkkk!!

I did w2d1 today easy compared to what you lot are doing but good for me. I found it ok but felt it on the last run,i was willing Laura to tell me to stop feel gret though and have lost 2lbs.

well done "ledkr" keep at it. I remember those early weeks only too well!

So, I didn't do r3w9 which would have seen me graduate, but I did do an outside run. I ran for about 35 mins, total 45 mins with walks and covered 6k, so must be near to 5K! I loved it though. I normally run at the gym, but running outside today was fab and miles more interesting! I might go out again tomorrow just for the fun of it

Back on it tomorrow girls!

rusmum go on girl !
nomorecake went out again - 30mins but only 3.84km - 100m further than Friday!
so nomorecake what are we eyespying?

Yay! I finallly manage 5k in the 30 mins. OK I won't be winning any races but at least I am respectable now

That's fab OrmIrian!!!

Welcome birdsofshoreandsea, hope you find you're not too sore tomorrow. I had mild spd with both my pregnancies and I found it was painful to run after my eldest for at least 4 months after my youngest.

I went out for my third run of the week tonight nomorecake, it was 20 mins as it wasn't until 8.40 tonight but it was a good run and glad I went. I saw a bat and several birds as well as a man with goggles around his neck who freaked me out a bit. Managed 3K for the running bit so not bad.

littledolly you can do it!! just believe in yourself! ( i hate that saying, but you know what i mean!)
ledkr w2r1 wasn't easy when i did it - so i feel your pain.
funny looking out for your graduation.
rusmum good to hear. will be keeping an eye out for your post.
yeuhudi goodwork! did you manage 3 in the week? or planning 3 for this week?
Ormirian outstanding time! thats more than respectable. that is a time i dream of.
Birdsofshoreandsea welcome! i'm amazed you are exercising already, i didn't even make it out the house in 4weeks! I don't want to be all doom and gloom, but have you been medically cleared to exercise? i wouldn't want you to do yourself any damage.
cinnamon Snap! except, the bats,birds, goggles and 3k!! , 3x next week too?

after a crazy weekend, aching muscles, i really didn't want to run (jog really). but i had to do 3runs this week, especially after Braveheart.
so just returned from 20mins managed 2.4k at 6.5kph. still slow, but its a work in progress. strangely actually felt quite good when running, not so tired any more.
trying to get back up to 25 mins this week, yay!

WEIRD GAME, with no name..... first person to spy a kiss/snog, gets to chose the next thing.
(clearly, the game is another work in progress!)

well done OrmIrian

sore throat - to run or not to run in the morning?

i'm supposed to be on w7r1 but after the commando's/marines incident i've continued doing 30 min runs. have decided that i'm gonna stick with doing that x3 a week for next 6 weeks till i've completed my marathon then i'm moving onto bridge to 10k (i've seen a 10 mile run advertised for 1st wk in oct so am thinking about going in for it)

went to watch my brother do 10k today and to be totally honset was amazed/inspired by some of the women running-all shapes and sizes-if they can do 10k i'm sure after trainning some more so can i.

big well done to all of us no matter where we are on the plan for getting out and doing it rather than sat at home not doing it.

Hello again,

I've managed to complete week four now, I've been taking ds out in the nipper quite a bit as well. I was quite amazed it managed it, it's been great as I've managed to get out more in the mornings.

So I'm onto week five, can someone explain the logic of it all? You seem to build up to a twenty minute run and then come back down again for week six. It did confuse me.

birds I'm a former SPD sofa surfer, it's hard to get going again isn't it. You'll be glad you did it, just make sure you have decent trainers. I found I still got twinges for a while afterwards especially in my hips.

Been out and done a quick 20 min run this morning. Took it gently and went with another mum after Nursery drop off. Think we were chatting more than running. LOL. But at least we went.

Marking place. Well done ormirian!

Hi all,I had spd severely dd is now 15 months and it defo twinged during week one but now i run keeping legs firmly clamped together and holding in my pelvic floor (whats left of it after dc 5) and it hasnt recurred as yet.

DD is in a dancing show today and tomorrow so i am working all day and straight there so no run till wed and will prob have to go with the buggy which will be a challenge will be w2r2.

Just back from w6 r3 - 25 mins running with no walking. Feel brilliant! Kept a slow steady pace & it wasn't too bad. I felt like a 'real runner' towards the end.

I never would have believed even 3 or 4 weeks ago that I could be running for 25 mins straight & not be in A&E afterwards

Well done little dolly,i cant imagine getting there either,its going to be nice to get some cardio quickly and effectively rather than hours in the gym.

nomorecake 2 runs down going out tmrw and still 3 days in hand for the week. I may even manage 4 this week!! (Still scared of nomorestrictcake)

And myfitnesspal-ing. 450 calories over my weekly allowance last week
That'll be my weekend wine....

Well done littledolly on the 25 mins. I remember feeling v.v.pleased with myself after that one! Feels good, doesn't it.

And well done on the 30 mins ormirian - hoping to get there myself soon.

Well, in my new system, last night was W.A,R.2, (trying to number postgrad runs to keep myself motivated). Didn't really feel like it, but I too could hear the voice of nomorestrictcake echoing in my ear. And actually it was great, went at 8.30 and came back to a lazy late curry supper on the sofa, cooked by DH.

However: note to self 1: don't run along the river at 8.45pm in May unless you want a mouthful of flies.

Note to self 2: even if low-carbing, a small can of sardines as a late afternoon snack is not a good idea if you're going running. Was burping like a seal towards the end. Nice. And on that lovely image, I'll wish you all good day...