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

lilypickle I think it is just personal preference when you take two days off. I just tried to run alternate days then if I couldn't run for some reason took two days off then.
It should be a runn day today, hope it stops rainning soon!

I ran every other day when I did the plan Lilypickle so ended up running four times one week and three the next. It's upto you what you prefere.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Itching to get started now. Trainers should arrive today or tomorrow so not long to wait hopefully! Feeling really determined to do this atm, lets hope that lasts longer than the first run!

Eeek my bright pink (!) trainers have just arrived so, provided the rain isnt horizontal, i guess i can go out and do my first run when DH gets home at 4 and reward myself with the yummy chilli that is simmering on the stove when i get home. Eeeeek i'm a bit scared now!

Yahoo, I did it week1 run1 complete. Man it was hard work hut I did it. The journey begins...!

well done bbb first run done :) I never thought I would do it but somehow got into a rhythm of going out and soon missed it when I didn't!

Went out this morning with dh, just jogging along slowly. I seem to go a bit faster on my own...

Been doing week 1 of bridge to 10k think I will download week 2, wish me luck!

Well done bbb! Welcome

I graduated on Tuesday but DD has been really sick ever since so haven't been out since. She seems to be on the mend this evening so I'm hoping to get out tomorrow morning.

Am hoping to still do three runs a week now, trying to up my distance within 30 mins for a while before increasing my time. Wish me luck!!

Just got back from visiting family over half term. Done my 3 runs this week. Week starts again tomorrow though, so guess I have to go out in the morning... if I have the energy - if not it'll be Sunday morning.

Well done Bibbety. Pink trainers sound fab. Hope you enjoyed the chilli afterwards.

I've just done W1R3. It was actually R3 1/2 because my first attempt at R3 was rained off. I got half way and the heavens opened, the lightening lashed, the thunder rumbled and the dogs turned tail and ran for home with me trailing behind. :)

It was beautiful and sunny and I quite enjoyed it. I have been very proud of myself getting out of bed and going for it. I'm SO not a morning person.

Loving the sound of the pink trainers bibbity!

I've just done W1R3 as well - found it easier than R2 which I thought was horrific. I actually did a 1 minute 30 run for the last one to see if I could do it before starting week 2. I did it, even though I was counting down the seconds!

2 days off now...bliss

Well done lily 1 week closer to 5k :) I will do run 2 tomorrow remembering that run 3 should be easier! I honestly can't imagine moving on to week 2 at the moment, my muscles are feeling it today!

I did my first post-graduation run tonight and it was by far my toughest ever! I hadn't run since Tuesday morning and had been eating lots of rubbish as DD has been really sick do both of those probably added to my difficulties. I did finish my 30 mins but had to stop 3 times for a 5-10 second walk and my pace was slower than it has been in a long time

However, onwards and upwards. Aim to go out again on Monday evening and hopefully it will be better.

Did W4R1 yesterday and loved it. Hard work, but great. C25k is the latest life-changer that MN's put me on to (along with MyFitness pal, OCM and the slow cooker!)

little dolly well done you!
welcome all the newbies =- I've hurt my knee and so will probably have to rest it for a while shooting pains when i go up stairs or swivel my knee. not happy at all- got all this way with no injury REALLY ANNOYED

Well done bibbetybobbityboo on your first run, it's all downhill from here!

Very impressed you are doing the bridge to 10K jchocchip, let us know how you get on and also how time consuming it is :)

Well done Jubilcece for running while away, I have images of running along a beautifully sunny seafront on my holiday in August

Well done for going littledolly, the next run will be a good one. I often find if I have a terrible run the next one is a good one.

I did my longest run today and it was really good. I did one of the set out walks around the forest which was 3.5 miles. I got to 24 minutes and had a horrible stitch which I couldn't run through, so walked for 30 seconds, I ran to 37 mins 30sec so that I had actually run for 37 mins without the little walk. I was checking runkeeper and got to 5k in 32 min 20sec of running so my best ever. It then lost me in the tree and instead of drawing a straight line to where it found me again, it sent me to a village about 5 miles away and back so my total run was 26km!! Bloody thing! I worked out my average speed over the 5K and then worked out how far I would have gone in the last 5 min 10sec and if I carried on at the same speed I did 5.8K running and 6.8K total including walks. Yay!!!!

x-posts yehudiwho, that's really rubbish. So sorry to hear that!

2nd run later and i still ache a bit from the first! Eek! Motivated by reading about the graduates tho, that will be me.

I only ached the first week of c25k bibbetybobbityboo if that makes you feel any better and then my body seemed to get used to it :)

That does help thanks, planning an evening run down the canal followed by a soak in the bath!

Well i made it! Was okish until the last to intervals then struggled a bit. Not to the point of needing to stop though. One more to go, then week one complete! What exactly will i be letting myself in for next week or should i not ask?!

Just checking in - back from a week's camping. Have only had chance to skim the thread, but exciting to see news of more graduations, and jchocchip brave enough for the B210K. Well done everyone.

A mixed week for me - had two great runs while I was away. We were in Northumberland and I was able to run along deserted lanes (well, deserted at 5.30 which was when I found myself awake one morning) and by the sea in the early morning sun. I did some sprint intervals on the beach the second time and felt jolly pleased with myself.

But am a bit sad today, as I had signed up for my first 5k and have come down with a throat infection so I couldn't do it. I feel like such a wuss - and it's also incredibly unlucky timing as it's the first time I've been properly ill since I started C25K in January. Ah well - will try another one later in the summer.

Hi everyone - great to read about all the progress being made. Hope you feel a bit better soon dotty2.

I ran on Thurs morning and this morning so feeling good and just hope I can stick at it!

Does anyone else suffer from shin splints? My right leg is sore tonight and this is what bothered me so much when I graduated from C25K.......I really don't want it to flair up again, any tips?

Hello everyone. I lost you for a bit there. Still running. Did a 3k and a 5k last week. It is now just such a part of my routine I can't imagine stopping. I'm aiming to do 5k two or three times a week.

My knee hurts, what have i done wrong? It started hurting a bit yesterday but not when i ran so i carried on but it got worse last night and is no better today. It's fine to walk/run on but hurts to bend past a certain point or straighten again. Is this likely to be a running related injury? If running doesn't seem to hurt it would i be safe to carry on tomorrow. I'd be gutted to not do the last run of week one this week :(

not sure bibbety Sometimes my knee gets cramp and really hurts then it goes off. I have not had problems following a run. Why don't you give it a try and stop if it hurts?