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

[bluechik]

Hi everyone, just checking in to say I'm still going (just) although loads happening at home so have been too exhausted to post. Glad to see everyone is pressing on and doing so well - inspiring as always!! I'm due to start week 8 today or tomorrow. Whoever suggested repeating the podcast for W6R3 throughout week 7 was a genius - thanks for that - the music in week 7 was pretty uninspiring.

[ManyMomentsOfMadness]

I have been absent for too long!! Note to self: Two and a half weeks is too long :(
Tried W7R5 today, started really well but ran out of steam after being passed by a 'proper runner' at about 18/19mins, walked and ran again at 20 mins for another 3 mins or so - sooooo frustrating, think this is the first one I haven't completed since W1. The proper runner had shorts on, maybe it's time to do the same, I get so hot but hate my legs.
DH home next week so will be back out on Monday, think I will do W7R6

Does anyone know how QRGM is getting on with her injury??

[dotty2]

Jnice - sorry to hear you've having a bad week. Can you get a childfree run in tomorrow (after your breakfast in bed, of course...).

Gave blood on Thursday night and had been warned running is hard for a few days afterwards. Also had been resting sore knee so not run since last Sunday. Set out this morning thinking I would try and make myself do 20 mins and I used W5R3 to motivate me - Laura is so encouraging on that one. Made it to about 27 minutes in the end, so a bit of a set back (managed 35 last weekend) but not too bad. Felt very smug when I got back and DH still in bed!

[cinnamongreyhound]

My ds2 had a spell of screaming when he was in the pushchair Jnice, it was annoying when shopping but I guess pretty impossible for running :(

I haven't watched it yet nomorecake, will look forward to it.

You'll get through it ManyMomentsofMadness and when you look back you'll be surprised you couldn't do it. Hope r6 is the much better for you!

[AmusantDansLaJardin]

Hello, tis I with les nom de Francais! I did w7r2 tonight and it was fine. Managed 3k and .5k walking. I now need to up my pace to get to 5k!

[Bearcat]

Did W8R2 with DH this morning.
Oh the first leg before we went round the first corner was horrid and I wanted to stop, but it really is a case of mind over matter.
Didn't really enjoy any of it. I tried to ask myself why, as I was running. It wasn't because Iwas out of breath (at least once I had completed the first 2 or 3 minutes, or that my legs were hurting). I just think I find it dull and boring and can ever seem to get the thought out of my head that I just want to finish this run. I have lots of little landmarks on my run that I mentally tick off, but can hardly ever get into that zone that I'm enjoying this, except for when I finish and then I am extremely PROUD of myself.
Did the same distance on Friday, 2.5 miles or 4.1k and was trying to beat Fridays time of 29.24.
Today I did it in 28.17 (DH was about 20 seconds ahead of me at least but had also slowed to wait for me a few times).
DH thought there would have been no way we were quicker than Friday!

[montague]

Hi nomorecake - It is nice to know that I'm not the only one who doesn't seem to cover vast distances. I'm shortish and definitely have a short stride so maybe that's the explanation!

About to go for a 30 minute run now - once again really not feeling like it, but hey ho!

[rusmum]

Need a good talking to ladies! I can't do bloody 25 mins! did w7 r 1 tonight. Gave up after 5 mins walked for 2-3 then ran for 3 and walked again for 2 ish . Ran last 11 or do! So frustrating. Maybe cos u been up dinar 2.30? No stamina at all .

[cinnamongreyhound]

I assume you did the 20mins rusmum? Sorry couldn't remember!! Maybe you're feeling more confident having done that and could have upped the pace without realising? Perhaps try a slower pace next time out and try to push past 5 mins as I find the first 5 the hardest and then settle into a rhythm.

Any news from QueenRunningGeekMum?

I missed my run Friday due to time restraints and yesterday it was impossible so went at 8 tonight (still 3 times this week). I was still fuller than I would have liked from mothers day lunch/dinner at 4 and got a stitch after 3 mins which took another 10 to shift but I did it. But disappointed as I didn't make it to 5k this time only 4.75, at least I went though. Also found my neighbours cat in the road that had been hit by a car so very :( end to the day!

[Jnice]

I finally finished! One week before an 8k race I am running just over half of that right now! So, I will probably walk / run it in 15 minute repeats or something.

[Jnice]

Oh no, very sorry about the cat, that's awful

[dotty2]

Oh cinnamon - that's horrible about the cat. What an ordeal to have to tell your neighbour.

On a happier note - well done Jnice. Congratulations on your graduation . I think we need a mortar board icon! Hope you find a good strategy for the 8k race - you might find you only need to walk for a couple of minutes between sets of running to get through. I think the B210K starts with 10 mins interspersed with 1 or 2 mins walking.

I've just been out and tried not to worry too much about time/distance, but did about 30 mins. Still having a bit of problem with my knee and it kept jarring a bit until I stopped and gave it a rub which bizarrely seemed to cure it. Going to see how it feels over the next few weeks and maybe think about starting the B210k after the Easter holidays.

[trice]

I am finding it difficult to convince my running partner to move on to the next stage. we have been doing week 5 for two weeks. I want to be supportive but I just want to strangle him. Time for a bit of beasting I reckon.

[dotty2]

Is it because he can't manage the 20 min run, trice - prob fair enough on his part if so. Otherwise, he's worrying about nothing - W6R1 is intervals anyway!

[ManyMomentsOfMadness]

W7R6 done Right, plan is no more week 7's and will attempt week 8 on Wednesday but it will have to be after work .

Congrats Jnice another graduate

[thestringcheesemassacre]

Sorry to have been away ages.
Great to hear everyone is kicking along and congrats to the grads. Well done. You should be all SO proud.
I'm still running 30 3ish times a week. Finding it hard to hit 5ks in that time though, to be honest. Still trying though!!

[rusmum]

Did the 20 minute one. Will persevere!!!! Back out tomorrow!

[montague]

dismal failure wth my attempt to do 30 minutes - wasn't in the right frame of mind and had nasty stomach pains after 10 minutes so gave up feeling rather a saddo

V cross but have decided that I will crack 30 minutes tomorrow or else!!

[cece]

jnice - well done on the graduation. Good luck with the 8k - 10 mins run and 3 mins walk sounds a good strategy to me.

rusmum - well done on the 20 mins, that is brilliant.

I have finally graduated. Had a four day gap since my last run, so found it tough, but got there in the end. Managed to run for 4k and with the walks at either end it came to just over 5 k in 40 mins so feeling happy at the moment. Will now try to build up to running the whole 5k and then work on doing it in 30 mins. Will make it a bit further each time I think, so still room for improvement.

[cece]

montague - don't worry I am sure you will manage it next time - we all have bad runs.

[nomorecake]

jnice congratulations!!
cece well done!!

rusmum, I second what someone else said, about slowing down. when I start struggling I slow the jog down, if its still hard, slower again. and then when I get through the tough bit, and legs can handle it, pick up pace gradually.
(sort of how the walk/run intervals work iyswim)

I always find that even bad runs make you stronger for the next one. annoying though.
I did a 30min run today, got a bit further, a bit faster and felt a bit stronger.
I think ive decided on a plan, well sort-of-plan. im going to try to do regular 30min runs and then every so often try to attempt a full 5k, if its going well.

good luck everyone

[dotty2]

Congrats cece - well done on your graduation! We will be having cake and champagne in the garden later. Only maybe not cake. Have some flowers instead .

[weblette]

All these grads!!! and mortarboards to you all, well done

Looks like I'll be out for a while as it's tendonitis alas. Very very very fed up. I'll keep checking in though :) Seeing the physio again today which does make me feel better as he's a lovely young chap with very soft hands!

BTW I'd completely agree with the Enell bra recommendation. It's the only thing that keeps me completely bounce-free. Not the world's prettiest bit of kit but it sure straps 'em in well!

[Jnice]

Thanks! And congrats to all the other grass too. I think doing week 1 of b210k is a good idea for Sunday.

[yehudiwho]

havent been out for another week stuck on w7 r1 - my middle name is procrastinator but also ds been ill with a temperature and cant be left for more than 10 minutes without whining promise to go out tomorrow when he goes back to school please God