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

I did w3r1 this afternoon and feel pretty good now I have recovered

As usual the first bit running was dreadful and then it got easier. Is anybody on week 3? It feels like big jump to run 3 minute blocks, to me.

This keeps dropping off my active conversations- maybe its because i skived off my run yesterday in order to go out on the town with a friend!! I reckon I've managed an average of less than one run a week what with procrastination and illness. never mind the fact I can run 25 minutes keeps me warm at night- will be doing wk7 r2 Friday as I have a day off no excuses

I managed 5k today, yay!!!! It was a really good run, I felt great for most of it and I could have carried on when I got to the 30 mins (kind of wish I had just to see but I had to go out 10 mins later and hadn't eaten!)

weblette - really sorry to hear about your injury. That's dire - hope you get better soon. And nomorecake - once you've finished, I reckon you can please yourself about how far you run. And 18 mins better than nothing.

As for me, well, I haven't run at all since Sunday as my knee's still sore and somehow during the course of yesterday I have picked up a really sore upper back. Hard to describe but I've got an incredible stiffness around the base of my neck and across my shoulders. I never normally have back problems so am at a loss to know what it is or how I did it. Going to try and go for a (short) swim in a minute and see if that helps, even though have huge pile of work to do - think I should prioritise the exercise and try and work tonight.

Lovely swim, knee feels better. Run tomorrow! (Shoulder worse but running won't do that any harm. Am falling apart.)

Cinnamon - well done on the 5k. And yehudi (puts on stern voice) - get out there and get on with it!

First 25 min run tonight! Is it possible?

rusmum: yes!

Scared! I'm not going!!!! Lol

I ran :24! so annoyed thought I was going to die and there was ages left do stopped ! Then Laura said " only 60 seconds left" I could have cried!!!! Doing it again now on Sunday !!!!!!!!

I did it! I'm a graduate! W9R3 completed in the fog this morning. I found it hard going on an empty stomach, next time would have a banana first for a bit of energy. I had also just been BFing DS in bed on and off for about an hour so had probably already expended 100 cals or so doing that (am going to have to stop at some point, he's 20 months, but I will miss the free calorie loss

Hooray! Now onwards and upwards...

Well done you!!!!!

cinnamon - well done on the 5k.
rusmum - at least you know you can manage it next time
woodlands - fab - well done on the graduation.

I have one more run myself, which I will hopefully do on Saturday morning.
Legs felt like lead tonight but felt that was because i was pushing myself. I managed 5.15k in total but that includes the 10 mins walking at either end, so I did it (sort of) but it took 40 mins!

Wk6 r3.....done.....thought was dying too......v sore now

woodlands - have your graduation bouquet. Well done!

rusmum - how annoying. But at least you know you can do it next time!

Dotty2 for being lovely . And right, 18mins is better than none.

woodlands well done!! congratulations.

Rusmum well done. whats 60secs anyway! don't punish yourself move on to week7 its all 25min runs anyway. i would!!

and a virtual pat on the back for everyone!

Theres nothing like a bad run to focus the mind! i know why i stopped at 18mins, 18-23 my legs feel like lead, and i have to grunt like I'm on centre court to get through it. but having familiar landmarks to reach really help. so back to the old route and ...

I did 37mins and 4.1k. i really really wanted to get to 5k but i couldn't get up the hill! Its the most i've ever ever EVER run. .
who knew that would make me so happy!?!

Ahh - thank you, nomorecake.

PS - and well done!

Hi all

Am going to try this,any recommendations for a good sports bra, none of mine can be trusted

My bra recommendation is to wear 2

I need help - wk 9 started on Sunday (yay!) but then my run on Tuesday was aborted when DS just screamed and screamed. Had to carry him home. Since then I have felt down in the dumps and indulging in unhealthy habits (no exercise, overeating).

8k race a week on Sunday which of course will be run/walk.

DH and I went out and did W8R1 tonight, he's my new running partner for last few runs.
I decided where I wanted to stop tonight, which was 2.5 miles or 4.1km. It took us me (he can run faster than me, but helps me with the pace I can go at) 29.20.
I know I'm a bit slow,but hell, I couldn't even run in January.
So pleased!

I have one of those shock absorber bras. It manages to hold in my HH norks.

W9 R3 due this morning but woken up with sore throat and not feeling great so will try either later or tomorrow I think.

Just finished W9R3 - total distance travelled 5.65km, that includes the warm up & cool down! Felt good and looking forward to the next challenge which will be running 5k in under 30mins.

Best bra for running is the Enell - will squash those puppies down and hold them firm to your chest - zero bounce and even for large norks like mine, a fairly flat profile, which is what I want when I'm out running - downside is that it's a tad ugly but I can live with that for bounce free running. And what a fantastic price!

I did 28 minutes today - I'm so slow though, I only covered 3.3 km according to my runkeeper app on my phone

I had sort of assumed that once I could run for half an hourish I'd be covering about 5k but I'm obviously rather slower than that

On the positive side, I really didn't want to run at all and once I got out there I really didn't want to carry on but I said to myself that I'd just get to 10 minutes, then once I got to 10 minutes I thought that's nearly half way and so on and then the 28 minutes were up. Anyway I'm pleased at having got it done despite not feeling like it

Hi can I join you?

I am training to run 10k on 8th July - raising money for our scbu unit (work as a maternity care assistant so close to home)

I am managing well considering I couldn't run a lamp post to lamp post 5 weeks ago! I can now manage 4 miles a little bit of stop start, but obviosuly need to increase that.

Am currently managing 2 short stamina runs a week (3k) and one long run, in line with advice I was given.

Lots of goals like weight loss, a concert in April that I am over excited about and have bought a tight tour t shirt to wear one night (going two :) ) so lots to keep me motivated but be nice to chat to fellow runners.

Bubbles xxx

montague- you seem to be covering the same distance as me- dont be disheartened, you are not alone.
my DH keeps telling me its because im short and take small strides, but I think I just have to keep working on it.

bubbles hi and welcome.

did anyone see the final of biggest loser? Jessie looked amazing, and said she ran 5-10k daily! wow. thats ridiculously tough and so impressive. she must be super fit now! makes me think 5k a couple times a week is achievable!
the contestants lose weight so quickly, I do wonder if suffer from loose skin.