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

ratbag - that sounds fun. How many steps is it round the world??

I have no idea dotty, we are currently on location five, which is the peak district. We have as a team since starting last Thursday covered 282km in steps which is huge. I'm not sure on the science but it's certainly keeping me motivated :)

My dss went on a trip to wales this morning after his yr6 Sats, he was very excited jubilcece! Hope you managed your run and not too many tears :)

Well done to all us postgrads still getting out there, how are you feeling now Jnice?

Glad you're enjoying the runs Ratbagcatbag.

I went to the running group again tonight and it wasn't so challenging. We did effort then jog to cones over three minutes several times, then for two several times and then for one several times each with a mins recovery. With a bit of warm up silliness, a light jog to and from field and a relay race at the end. Still did 25mins running (maybe more but lost count) but not contiuous so feel I cheated a bit!

I managed w8 r3 last night, but really didn't enjoy it. I think it once again proved that if my mindset is wrong, then it's not a good way to run. I was dreading going out in the heat again all day and by the time I got to 8.30pm I really didn't want to run. However, after about 20 mins, I realised I had got a little faster and was so proud of myself when I finished!

Can't believe I've only 3 more runs left. Hoping that moving up to 30 mins isn't too bad.

Good luck to everyone else - especially in the heat!

dotty you must register for the 5k run. If I had to go through the pain I don't see why you shouldn't! Not running now until Thursday, but am planning a route which will be about 5k. I think if I try to run for about 45 mins then I should cover 5k. My goal is to do that twice a week.

Well done to everyone, especially those just starting out. Without this thread and the C25k I would never have done the R4L. And there's a lot of acronyms!

funny - OK. I will if my friend will too (she says slightly pathetically)

I had a baaad day yesterday. I got stressed out about a crunch of pre-holiday deadlines this week, stayed up late to work and got up early (am a v.part-time freelance consultant and a full-time phd student, which is great most of the time and just every now and then completely unmanageable). Too little sleep, too much caffeine and completely fell off the wagon diet wise and had a handful of biscuits, and at least 100g of chocolate - plus all the usual stuff you can eat if you're low-carbing but not if you're combining it with chocolate - cheese, mayo, nuts etc. I felt completely miserable about it all and also had really bad belly ache, which is probably a sign that I have at least got my body out of the habit of eating rubbish.

However, I did 5k first thing this morning and feel about a million times better for the exercise and being out in the sun. Today is another day. Keep on keeping on, everyone - am sure you'll find the move up to 30 mins a breeze, littledolly.

Dont know where you find the time dotty.
Nuts and cheese are good for you though, you need Protein.
It is strange that it actually feels goodthat eating junk makes you feelrubbish!!!

I've messed up my plans for this week, so I won't get 3 runs in this week so annoyed with myself.

Ah - there's always time to eat chocolate

Sorry you've got your timings askew this week. I've had to shift my weeks back a day and they now start on Saturday instead of Friday but I just keep reminding myself that anything's better than how I was running in December and for the other 39 years of my life (i.e. not at all, apart from one summer in my 20s!)

Found you!!!

Were we hiding?

How's it going rusmum?

Busy week. Missing PFB but she will be back in two more sleeps.

Did a quick 20 mins on Monday morning - was about 10 am before I set off and just too hot to do more.

Tonight DH was back very late from work, so didn't get out till 9.40pm. Again only 20 mins but did run/walk, in vain attempt to improve speed.

So 2 runs so far this week albeit short ones. [smiles]

Hi I am good, running part not so good . Not back into it !

It's hard when it's hot. Still, looks like it's getting cold and rainy for the bank holidays, so that might help!

I'm going tonight, kind of hoping this light drizzle keeps up- perfect running weather :)

Yes!!! Did 30 min run and actually felt quite good :). Covered 5.3K in 30 mins running and 7 mins walking so not bad speed either.

Very good cinnamon.

good run cinnamon. I did 35 mins with about 10 mins walking. Not bad for a Thursday. Covered about 4k I think. Ran round the harbour with the wind against me, but really enjoyed it. We are camping at the weekend and I have already put in my 'run request' for Saturday. Will run around the lanes near the campsite. Hope to do 5k!

Wow u are all doing so well!!

We are away camping too next week, so I won't be checking in but plan to find a do-able route near the camp site and run at least 3 times. Not least because it turns out the 5k I promised to sign up for and then forgot about is actually Sunday 10th! It seemed ages away when I said I'd do it and I thought I'd try and train to be able to do it in substantially less than 30 mins. Have missed the boat on that one, but will just plod round and see how it goes. Have good weeks, everyone.

PS - tried some sprint intervals today. Not very scientific - just ran normally, interspersing it with about 10 short sprints, with gaps to recover in between. It's supposed to help build speed/endurance. So far, I can confirm that the tangible benefit is that it makes the ordinary running bits feel nice and easy!

Just finished w9 r1 - ran for 30 mins!!!

Last 7 mins or so were tough. Towards the end was thinking I had to stop & eventually I did - just at the second she said I'd finished 30mins!! Ran for 4.3k (not including walks) so not bad. Unintentionally speeding up with my slowest km taking 7mins exactly.

Can't believe that 9 wks ago I was struggling on some of the 1 minute runs. So pleased with myself

just letting you all know i've just done the last run of wk9, i've been running for 30 mins for a few weeks now but either way i've made it to the end and i'm so pleased with myself-i walk the mile and half to the cycle track, run 30 mins(which takes me 3.5 miles further) then power walk the 5 miles home. luckily i work afternoons so have time to do this mornings. today i turned and ran for an extra 5 mins towards home so 35 mins today. def don't want to give up running but not sure where to go from here. maybe try to run the 3.5 miles home over the next few months.

Very of you who are camping, I soooo need a holiday!

Well done on graduating milewalker and you're speed is great! Your plan for progressing sounds like a good one :)

Well done on the 30 mins littledolly, not bad pace either!

Well I've now hauled myself out of bed 3/4's of an hour early to do Week 1, Runs 1 and 2. I'm quite embarrassed at how horribly unfit I am. At quarter to seven in the morning the park is full of sleek athletic types and I feel rather pathetic wobbling along. :) If I stick with this am I going to end up being one of them? It dorsn't seem possibly right now.

havent been out for a week again (although secretly gald nomorecake failed too so she wont shout too much. was going out this morning but cricked my neck last night and was in agony this morning

promise to go tomorrow