Couch to 5K - to infinity and beyond...

[cinnamongreyhound]

A new thread for those of us who started in January 2012 and anyone starting now. Everyone welcome for support, encouragement and occasional arse kicking :)

Well done Meg. And you'll be fine on the 20 mins: you'll surprise yourself. Don't be disheartened if you find w6r1 hard though. Lots of us did and came to the conclusion that's because you expect it to be easy after the 20 mins!

Hi All, I agree with dotty2 MegBusset! Take it slow and you will manage the 20 mins but I struggled with w6r1 too.

god yes, week 6r1 was the worst run by far

Argh did w2r3 tonight having done some swimming last nighy and I'm really feeling it.

Umm, yes - I still find exercising two days in a row makes it harder.

Well I survived the 20-minute run in W5 R3 :)

Well done MegBusset!!

i completed week 5 day 2 yesterday, found it ok. treated/rewarded myself to a new pair of trainers today - properly fitted. Quite excited about testing them tomorrow, not so excited about the 20mins run of week 3 day 3. But i have to say, i am loving the challenge and the achievement of the 'running'.
next stop some nice running clothes...
first park run... 5 weeks today!!!

Okay, I finally managed to complete Week 1. I have sorted the Dodgy knees, survived the stinking cold (thanks, DS) and have now found a nice patch of grassy area where I can do some of the running to save said dodgy knees.

I'll be starting week 2 tomorrow. Will have to go out in the evening though, as it's half term and DS can't be left on his own. DD can though. I did offer DS the chance to come along, but no, he wants to stay at home. He is only 8 though (but runs faster than me )

I tried to do week 3 outside and it killed me, so going to try week 2 again but outside this time so I can get used to the wind resistance and such like.

Good luck Juneybean! I have just done week 3 run 2 outside, in drizzle. My first rainy run! My treat for being good? A banana and a warm shower! (I need to lose a bit more weight before my old cycling lightweight waterproof jacket will zip up comfortably. And I will definitely need it over the next months!

I managed W6 R1, see what you mean about it not being as easy as you might think, but I survived :)

I haven't got a waterproof jacket but suppose I'd better get one; so far my tactic has simply been not to go out in the rain!

Hi can I join you? Have just done, er, week 1 day 1 of the 'cool running' couch to 5K. Had to build up to that even, I'm massively unfit, but already the breathing is easier and I can manage to keep going for longer wihtout feeling i'm about to collapse. Are you all doing the same couch to 5K? Off to read the whole thread...

You'll be surprised how much difference good trainers make shithappensx1000!

Good luck juneybean, I love running outside :)

Welcome willow777!!

I saw someone running today and nearly cried, still in pain when walking so I think it will be a good few weeks before I can attempt a run :(

cinnamon hope your recovery goes well.

I'm job hunting at the moment, so will have to make do with current trainers and use inserts. When I can afford it (or maybe a good Xmas pressie) I'll get sorted.

While I haven't got beyond week 1 yet, the fact that I've done a few weeks is showing in my fitness levels already. I can feel it is all easier, I KNOW I'm fitter, and I caught myself jogging to the car the other day in a jokey race with DS. And, not finding it a problem at all.

Here's to better fitness (although / may be better)

hello! Must get out for a run before it gets dark, this time of year is hard when you are working full time...

Week 6 run 2 done. That's the last run with a walking interval! From now on it's all-out running til I hit the 5k

Did w1 r2 today, managed the lot without letting the gaps between runs get longer..I'm noticing little increases in fitness too. Well done everyone

Loving my new trainers. Managed the 20mins, actually enjoyed it and got into a rhythm. Found week 6 day 1 harder - it had been a long hard day at work though. Getting up early tomorrow, to squeeze a run in before work. You get such a sense of achievement after step on the program.

well done to all you runners, lovely to hear of progress. [hsmile]

cinnamon hang in there.

[hsad] that I didn't get my run in last night, went to get changed and dh had done tea early, then db phoned and it was really dark, so I was a wuss and stayed in. annoyed with myself now, as usually have a restday friday before parkrun.

Well done FryOneGhoulishGhostlyManic, MegBusset, willow777 and shithappensx1000! You're all spin really well :)

Thanks jchocchip!! Next time leave tea and heat it up when you're back :)

couchers, what are we wearing for running in this weather? i have to go after dark, and am contemplating a fleece hoody, but am worrying that I will be sweating my tits off by the end????

I'd recommend some hi viz, if you are anywhere near cars...
layers are good, if you get hot you can tie the hoody around your waist... I wear a hat to keep the rain off

I set my alarm for 6am this morning so I could run before work - loved being out in the dark and quieter times. (Also, freed me for family movie night). Pretty chilly to begin with. I wear running tights, long sleeved running top and a hat. That was my last couch to 5k run with walk breaks - found it harder this morning that the continual running the other day. Looking forward to half-term hols, so I can run every other day!

Week 6 run 3 completed!

Will be trickier for me to run this week. Normally I run in the afternoons while DC are at school/preschool. I'll have to either get up stupidly early to run before DH goes to work or run in the evening after dark