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 everyone, I completed c25k in march - started in the new year.....was loving it but have seriously fallen off the wagon since :(.

I need to get motivated again and back out there, surely if I can run in the lashing wind and rain of winter I can manage it now?????

So great to see you all still running, right thats it I'm going out in the morning - I've said it now so I have to. Will check in after :)

Welcome back arabellacaterpillar!

Soooo wish I'd run yesterday it's pouring here and hasn't stopped since midnight, not looking like it will stop until 6!!

Hey everyone now I really truly have graduated. Did 5.6 km in 30 mins this morning first time I've done 5k EVER . Feel like. I graduated when I finished the podcast but only just finished my dissertation!!
Welcome back arabella we all need the motivation . You have to pledge to go out three times a week even if you only manage 15mins due to kids or lack of time.

Welcome newbies! Hope you are doing well. I struggled through W9 R2 earlier. It was much cooler than it has been lately so maybe I had it in my head that it would be a doddle - it definitely wasn't! I found the last 10 mins really hard. Was slower than last time too, covering slightly less distance. Was so proud I did it though. Only one more run until I graduate - can't believe it.

So I went out this morning and ran for 22 mins - covered 5k (inc 5 mins warn up walk) then the phone battery died!
Pretty pleased with that.....next plan 25 mins running on Tues morning - onwards and upwards!!

Well done yehudiwho and arabellacaterpillar, great runs!!!

Sorry you had a tough on littledolly but the next one will be better :)

Well I went, only did 20 mins as dh didn't really want me to go . I got back from party at 4.15 but watched some of the boat thingy then waited for it to stop raining and it was tea time, then bedtime so I decided to go at 8. It started raining again just as I put my trainers on so I'm soaked!!!! Still not a bad run and I think I'll go again tomorrow as we have no plans and it's supposed to be dry. Need to put my trainers in the airing cupboard though!!

Wow some of these times are really good.

I went out in the rain this morning and managed 5.5km in 40 mins - so pleased with that. Planning on going out again on Tuesday morning.

Went out this morning and ran for 25 mins plus 5 mins warm up and cool down walks - covered 5.09km.
My legs felt like lead and it was hard going but I finished it, feeling good!

Hi everyone. Having got to week 7 way back in February a bout of illness (DD and me), work going horribly and general apathy I fell off the wagon so close to goal!

Anyway, I am back! Managed week 6 run 1 last week but it was tough. Think I'll go back a bit further for fear of injury.

Congratulations to those doing so brilliantly!

Well done arabellacaterpillar I did the same timings but only covered 4.84Km and feel terrible! Had planned to do 30 mins but have never run in the morning before and hadn't eaten so wont be doing that again!

Welcome back cocoachanel and well done for starting again! There are a lot of new people who are just starting out now too.

Run 2 of this week done this morning. Wasn't that keen to go. Managed 5.5 km but it took 46 mins

A bit slow but at least I finishd the loop I was running. Knee was hurting a bit thoug, so will strap it up on Thursday when I go out.

I knew runkeeper was crazy Sunday. Did the same route today and was back to 3.9 km . Think I just got a bonus 1k for the jubilee. Never mind still faster than before and been out twice this week

I measure my run on goodrunguide.co.uk

It has a measure my route function.

Well, I completed W9 R3 earlier so have officially graduated . Didn't find it quite as tough as the last run, but still a good challenge.

Going to stick with 30 min runs for now but try to increase distance. Good luck to everyone else - 9 weeks ago, I never dreamed I'd be running for 30 mins without stopping!

Congratulations littledolly, you did it!!!! You will now have to make nomorecake's postgrad pledge !

but where is nomorecake ? .....

Hello all, just read through several c25k threads on here, downloaded Robert Ullrays podcast onto my phone and ordered some new running shoes. I am seriously unfit and expect to find the first run really hard but reading about your sucesses is very motivating. So once the trainers arrive theres nothing stopping me! I will run 5k, i will lose 2 stone and i will be healthier!

bibbetybobbityboo I am exactly the same - did W1R1 yesterday and although didn't find it horrific, I can't see how I am ever going to get better. I have never been able to run even when I was at school but I have read this thread in awe. I run on a treadmill at home at the moment but hope to graduate to the park at some point when people won't fall about laughing at me!

notsoscarycake I was scared to admit I missed a week and not so much as a Bollocking . Where's the motivational kickupthearse speech scary.
bibbity and lily you can do it -really I am 49 not run for 30 years ,overweight and thought it would never happen. Now I run for 30 minutes and call myself a runner. It's true genius. Stay on here.
dolly you star . Come and pledge

hmmm i don't like the days when you do a crappy run much. i did do 35 mins but had to 'bribe' myself to finish. at 25 mins in i kept saying to myself you can stop when you get to x-point, then i'd get there and say to myself right just get to the next tree and you can walk but i didn't stop,kept going till the end. thank god for the marines who were out running again today cos no way was i stopping looking all out of breath and heavy breathing-they got me through the last 5 mins :)
never mind tommorows another day-gym for me then 3 and half weeks till my marathon :o to look foward to as well as thursdays run
i'm even thinking abouit buying some shorts-only thinking about it mind :)

Hurray for littledolly :)
Thought I'd pop back and say hello. I'm still really slow but just went out for a run along the canal and saw a heron and yesterday went out with dh so that's two days running, running! Had to go out because I logged what I ate today and had blown my calories by 550! Feel so much better when I've been for a run, and although I don't like to tempt fate, my joints are holding up remarkably well considering the amount of excess weight they are carrying :)

Welcome bibbetybobbityboo and Lilypickle, it's a great plan enjoy yourselves!

I've done second run of the week, much better than on Tuesday but was getting dark so only did 24 mins but was pretty quick and I enjoyed it. Going to try the purple walk round the forest at the weekend, it's 3.5 miles so a bit further than usual so I'll see if I can manage it :)

Well done jchocchip and milewalker :)

Thanks for the welcomes.

W1R2 done today and I found it harder than the first one. By 14 minutes I was ready to give in but I found that once I had past that half way point it seemed to get easier. I think I worked out that I don't breathe properly; I tend to take shallow breaths and keep my arms quite tucked into my side - when I took bigger breaths and dig bigger arm movements I seemed to find it a bit easier. My calves are aching a bloody lot now though!

Quick question - I did my first one on Tuesday, my second one today so should I do R3 on Saturday or Sunday as I take it you have 2 days off at some point? Is it personal preference or is one way better?

hi everyone!

have been trying to keep up with the thread, but hate posting from my phone. So finally found my laptop charger, and here i am.

congratulations on graduating littledolly and milewalker

and welcome Bibbitybobbityboo and littlepickle!

sooooo........... only managed 1 run week before the jubilee, and no runs post jubilee. but in my defense i have been away for 6 days. and then there was rain when we got back. packed my running gear, but didn't get a chance to go for a run.
(i blame the queen...)

But no matter. that was a week or two where life got in the way. haven't given up running. And still pledge to do 3 a week...starting monday! (i have a friend coming to stay and i think it would be awkward to go for a run with her here)

yehudiwho i was very jealous of your 30 min 5k run!!!
(i like runtastic app )