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 :)

Your post put a smile on my face jchocchip. It also sums up park runs perfectly - a wide range of abilities, no pressure, everyone welcome and really friendly. Lots of the fast guys were in shorts at my parkrun too. My DS and I were well-wrapped up.
I've just been out for my longer Sunday run (about 7.5k) but had to cut it short (6k) because the conditions were exhausting. The compacted snow is turning to slush and was very hard going.
Happy running everyone.

I def want to aim for park runs, if I ever get past week 2

Run day today and I think I will be doing the week 2 workout for the FIFTH day, as I really don't think I can do week 3 in the snow yet! I've been sticking a couple of extra reps on the end, but I want the snow to clear up so I can do it properly :(

Took the DC sledging at the park yesterday, saw two hardy joggers with Yaktrax, it was positively Siberian! School closed (again) today so no running for me, have shoved the kids in front of a DVD while I do an exercise vid in the kitchen instead.

Had to work from home today because of the snow, I did think of running at lunchtime, but took a sledge to the park instead, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Bah humbug, I'm completely stuck until the snow clears up . No off-road tracks round here and the small roads in the village (and all the pavements) are slippery and slushy (or icy). I can't think of anywhere I could actually run - don't somehow think risking slipping and doing myself an injury would be sensible... scowl!

:( Sarah, it's so frustrating isn't it!

My legs (mostly shins) are really sore this morning. Been doing a lot of exercise over the past few days - taking the kids sledging, walking up the school, managed to get on my bike yesterday, and the running, and I think my legs are protesting. Have rubbed in a load of muscle balm stuff and going to try to take it a bit easier today I think.

I ended up running on the road quite a bit - prob annoying drivers, but I did pull in if there wasn't room to go round me and it was a lot clearer of snow.

One of my big bug bears as a person who walks a lot, nothing is ever done to the paths! I ran a lot on the road and did jump on the path if a car went by but there really wasn't a lot of traffic!

It's snowing AGAIN!! Just as it was starting to clear, we weren't even forecast for any more :(

Our paths were pretty snowy but not slippery, was just hard going and thighs ache now! Did 8km in 52 mins so not my quickest but nice :)

I'm not as achy today, and I COULD run. Really not sure if it is a good idea though, or whether I need to wait a bit longer for the aches to disappear. As a beginner, I'm sure some aches are normal, and I'm jsut not sure how far to push through them and not actually injure myself iykwim.

I ache today, harder work running on snow and I did do 5 miles which is more than my usual week day run! You need to play it by ear I think Chopstheduck. Sometimes getting going again can actually help the aches as it gets everything moving :)

5 miles! well done!!

I did it and I did a week 3 run, and finished it off with a 4.5 minute run. I am so happy, it doesn't sound that much but I've never run that far in my life.

I did lots of warm down stretches when I got home, so hopefully be ok tomorrow.

still bloody snowing.

No more snow for us but can't run yet as the paths are lethal - worse than last week when we had all the snow! Will have to leave it til next week I reckon.

megbusset, just seen you are in Norfolk! I grew up there, near Great Yarmouth. I know Norwich have had it really bad, I have family there, and the coast had some last week too.

I'm nervous that if I miss a run, I will lose progress, but at least it's stopped snowing and the snow seems to be turning to slush now! Just walked up the school in it and I can see pavement!

meg apparently we are to get more snow on Friday...weeps. And you are right the paths are lethal, school run today was a nightmare.

Well I've almost finished week 3. The going is still pretty easy so far, but I think I'm probably rather slow so I'm going to have to try and work out what my speed is somehow. I know I should be doing about 10kmph and guess I'm doing a fair bit less, maybe around 6kmph. Hmmm.

Anyway, I've now treated myself to some better kit including some trainers. Just ordered off the Internet as its going to be a while before I can get to a proper running shop so they will do in the meantime!

Have already signed up to two races so far this year. My aim is to do a half marathon in September. I have a 5km in April and a 10km in May. Yeeeeeek!

Nooooo no more snow pleeease!

Meg and 5madthings, I empathise - paths are lethal round here too and the only clear road is the main road through the village, so that's not really an option either I'm worried about losing ground too, it's very frustrating, and I was really beginning to feel "I can do this".
Am thinking about doing a Race for Life in the summer - it seems a comfortably long way away at the moment - but we haven't worked out when we're going on holiday yet so I can't sign up yet. Also, I will have to "come out" to everyone if I want sponsorship as no one really knows I've been doing this (you'd understand if you saw me ). Yes, I know that's a pathetic excuse given what it's in aid of...

I will sponsor you Sarah! I'm 4 stone overweight but sod it, I'm doing it! I've given up hiding in the dark.

Samuelwestsmistreaa I'm sure I am very slow too. My plan is to build up stamina and endurance and worry about speed later.
Actually I ran with Dh earlier in the week who belted it on the runs, crawled on the walks then struggled to breathe and got chest pains! (Chest round side, not heart) I'm def sticking to my steady jog and brisk walks!

I was 5 stone overweight when I started!

Well, paths are really lethal around here too, and I was scared of running and injuring myself the very first time so have chickened out. Getting me really fed up now as I want to get started, but we have been issued yet another warning saying more bloody snow is on its way so I am thinking feck it, and do it anyway. If I stay at the side of the roads it should be ok hopefully. So, I will be starting week 1 with Laura later.

Starting weight is now 14st 12lbs, so already made progress on that. And I have looked up races, and there is 1 in June nearby I can do and help raise money for charity. Rather excited!

Marking my place. Feel bad this week as haven't been out since Saturday and haven't managed the gym either. Had row with dh who hasn't had any work this week as asked him to clean the kitchen and bathrooms on Monday, Tuesday... you get the idea. He has done stuff just not cleaning. I'm sure me getting cabin fever hasn't helped! Anyway out for drinks tonight after work, snow forecast then friend staying with me and both doing parkrun tomorrow weather permitting!

I managed to do it!! But I am in quite a bit of pain with my back this morning. Could that be connected? Am I running wrong perhaps?

Sorry to hear you had a row jchoc, bloody men eh!! Hope you have a good night

battyfum, I've had different aches every day, and worried a bit a times, but they seem to pass in a day or two, and get replaced by a different one, so I'm pretty confident it's not causing any serious damage. I'd see how your back goes.

I've lost 3lbs this week! It's week 3 of my diet, so Ive been very pleasantly surprised by the scales going down every morning!

and if you stick with it, Laura gives more tips on how to run in weeks 2 and 3.