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

W3R1 done - straight home from work after lunch and on the treadmill. I did plan to go out but couldn't find my jogging pants so had to resort to shorts....didn't want to scare the local residents with that sight so stayed on the treadmill.

It was OK. I didn't die, didn't feel like I was going to die and quite liked the fact there was only 4 runs instead of 6. However from past experience I know that the second run of the week, for me, is the hellish one, so not looking forward to Thursday.

Still, 2 weeks ago I could barely run for 30 seconds so there is a definite huge improvement.

Well done Lily :) Just waiting to DH to get home then i'm going out to do w2r3. I'm amazed each time i run at how quickly i improve. I was literally gasping for breath at the end of w1r1 but now, whilst its hard work each run feels managable. I am still feeling apprehensive about moving on to w3 though! I'm on holiday next week so hoping the change of scenery will keep me going!

My legs really ache after last nights efforts!!! Can't run tomorrow either so will be mon, thurs and sun I think this week.

W2r3 complete. Found it really tough today not sure why. Will see what w3r1 brings on Thursday.

It transpires that the advantage of not running for 2 weeks and then pushing yourself really hard to prove that you can still run for 30 minutes is that you get a lovely endorphin high afterwards. Mmmm.

Best not leave it so long next time, though, I think. What with the no exercise and all the sugar have put on 3lb in two weeks. (Was very busy and ill for the second of those weeks, in my defence, and visiting lots of nice tea shops on holiday in the first.) Hope have found new resolve now, though. And it's encouraging to know that a short lay off needn't be back to square one. Happy running everyone.

Finally been out for a 30 min run. The first 15 mins were fine but then my buttock pain started again, so walked for a few mins, then back to running. Have googled stretches, and done loads on my return so hoping I will be able to walk tomorrow. Still managed to run 4k in the 30 mins and 5k in all with some walking at either end (40 mins total). Not great but feel quite pleased to get that far due to the pain.

Been out!!!!!

cece and rusmum - well done. Sorry to hear about the pain, though, cece. It's not all beer and skittles once you graduate, is it?

Well done rusmum.

The stretches must have helped, as not as painful today.

hello again. Did short run today, 2.5k in 19 mins. I really need to up my pace and hope to be doing 5k in 35 mins by the end of the summer. It feels like starting running all over again, I'd got quite used to running slowly!

Well done bibbetybobbityboo, LilyPickle, rusmum and cece!

Been for my second run of the week, did 5k in 30 min 20sec. Have got a painful hamstring though :(

Sorry FunnysInLaJardin missed you!! Well done on getting out, I know it's frustrating not to be getting faster. Something changed for me about a month ago speed wise and I'm not sure why!

Hello everyone! Am signing in to commit to doing this properly. Last year I managed to do weeks 1 and 2 before life/excuses/work got in the way. But I have just finished W2R1 and I could do with some electronic peer pressure! I'm not very fit, but not horribly unfit. I guess I'm just somewhere in the middle. The only thing I'm sure of is that I need a better sports bra...

cinnamon I think the thing that changed for you is the dramatic weight loss.

thanks cinnamon. Since you posted about your weight loss I have become determined to do the same. I weighed 13.11 two weeks ago and want to loose a good few stone. WW, no weigh ins and running, and hopefully I too will speed up come the autumn!

My weightloss has been steady over the last 7 months so I can't see it being the reason, unless of course theres a magical weight that it just gets easier? Maybe the running group has helped or perhaps my iron supplements?

Hi ladies,I got up to week 3 run 3 2 weeks ago then slacked off. Shall i go back a bit or carry onto week 4? I did try a short run yesterday and felt terrible,heavy chest and pounding head,it was really hard to keep going. It was on the rd though not a treadmill which I normally use.

Hello ladies. Back to my old habits of only going out once a week. Never mind that's tomorrow. cinnamon some weight loss. I've not lost an ounce. But my consistency and my eating haven't helped. One person who hadn't seen me in a while thought I'd lost weight but can't count that.
Although on the positive side I can run for.30 mins

Hello ladies. I've been all over the place since I graduated. FIL was in hospital for over a week, resulting in DH not being home in the evenings and DD went from having a bad ear/throat infection to chicken pox! I've probably managed to run twice a week though which isn't bad, but with just over 2 weeks until I'm in a bikini on a beach, I need to push things up a notch!

Ran tonight - first since Monday. Did 30 mins and the running itself wasn't too bad, even though it was like running through a river! My usual route has just seen too much rain in the last few days. My pace was slower than normal & I think that was due to the slowing down to run round massive puddles!

Anyway, FIL is home now & DD is over the worst so it's back to 3 good runs a week now. Am I mad to consider packing my trainers for Spain in July - even just for 15-20 minute runs?!?

Marking again put tonight x

Marking my place. As soon as I can figure out how to put the program onto my iPod (seriously, the thing confuses the crap outta me) I'm going to get fit! (And if I tone up some cellulite in the process, that's a bonus

hi everyone!

looking forward to hearing about your runs rusmum, yehudiwho and lurking, btw my legs definitely toned up.

littledolly twice a week is really good considering!

i have managed to squeeze in my 3rd run for the week, mon,fri and sunday.
YEAH! GET IN THERE! ...30 mins slow jog. haha!
i have put loads of different music on and set to shuffle (the phone, not me!).
i think thats really help to distract me, and relax- staying calm listening to lyrics, rather than keep up with a beat. my shoulders stayed away from my ears for once!

Well done nomorecake! I did mon, thurs, sun this week and went without my doggy this afternoon. Managed 5k in 28 min 30 , so pleased my pace is FINALLY improving!!!!

Hello everyone! Just popping in to say my legs ache. Did my second parkrun yesterday, was nine seconds slower than last time, but I did run with a friend and we were talking and not really pushing it. Went for a long walk last night and then took dh out for a 25 minute run this morning. I've just realised that I've been out running on 3 consecutive days! Rest day tomorrow :)

Oh and i meant to say, I wasn't last by quite a long margin...