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 :)

[Brightonite]

I'm back...after a week of no running due to a particularly virulent chest infection, I plan to run again tomorrow but to do the previous week again. I really struggled on the last run of week 3 after going great guns from the start but guess it was the infection looming. Am looking forward to getting back out there ... :)

[welliwouldnt]

ok, 2nd ever outing this morning. Can't be sure I am cut out for this, running for 90 secs seems like a far away land at the minute. But, I've bought the trousers so will persist (trying to summon sporting spirit).

[rusmum]

Bugger!! Just gritting ba k into it and feeling the love and done my bloody back in yesterday! Cannot currently walk! Ow!!!!!

[Em3978]

When I say 'tired' I really really mean tired, I can't function/stand up straight/walk in a straight line etc. I've had a bad week this week. Its normal for me, I just suffer with extreme fatigue sometimes.
Anyway I did manage to get out this morning, didn't do so well, but I got out; I managed the first 10 minute run ok, but I think the 3 min walk was actually BAD for me, I'd have done better to carry on running I think. I got half way through the second 10 minutes and had to stop and walk about 3 times before the end. Still, I managed that much and the occasional jog back home as I was further than 5 minutes walk away, so I felt less bad about it.

I am going to do w6r2 again at some point, hopefully when I've had some better days and the air is less sticky.

[NoMoFarahCake]

anyone see Olympic womens 10k? Dibaba is phenomenal!
can't wait for Mo tonight!

[cinnamongreyhound]

That's still good Em3978, I found as I went on it was relief to start the continuous runs.

Oh no rusmum!!! Hope you feel better soon.

I did watch the 10k NoMoFarahCake, they did it in 3 mins more than I do 5k!! Really amazing.

Had a busy day today with only a 40 min window to run when it was thunder, lightening and torrential rain so I didn't run. But got back by 9 so went out at 9.15. Had to go on the road as it was dark and really need to work out a new route as my old one isn't long enough. Still did 26 min run and it was a good one :)

[NoMoFarahCake]

Think they may be running a 5k too.
Probably take them about 13minutes!

[karatekimmi]

Had a really good run today, watched the start of the marathon and went for a run and then watched the end. I think they covered a few more miles than me - just!!

I've done all my runs so far, and am feeling very pleased with myself.

[wem]

Hello, mind if I join in? I'm thinking of starting up with this. I've downloaded the podcasts, but have a question? Do I need to plan a route for my first walk run? How far would you say you get first time out?

[cinnamongreyhound]

Well done karatekimmi!!!

Welcome wem, I used my dog walking route when I started. It took me 20 mins walking with the dog and I went round it 2.5 times when I started the c25k, I think it was about 2K. Some people just went straight until half way and turned around and came back. There are websites you can use to plan a route perhaps google it :)

[wem]

Thanks cinnamongreyhound. I've seen a couple of those route planning sites, I just wasn't sure how far I needed to plan. I think I'll head up to the (small) park and do laps :)

[farrowandballs]

I did my first ever run ever today. Was harder than I thought - actually the run itself wasn't so hard but it took me AGES to recover. I felt quite wobbly for about half an hour but I'm a smoker and haven't exercised for years so I guess to be expected.

Am hoping the C25K is going to help me to pack in smoking. I really enjoyed the run and I'm really looking forward to going again...

Can anyone tell me how long I have to wait before I can do run 2? I really want to go again tomorrow morning before the 4 days of sunshine starts - not sure I could do it in hot weather...

[NoMoFarahCake]

farrowandballs
i believe you should leave at least one day rest between runs.
i think its a chance to get your body to recover and also to prevent injuries.
dont forget to do the 5min cool down walk.
Some stretches (legs, arms and back) and a hot shower helped me to recover.

a BIG well done by the way on your first run.
pat yourself on the back!
i think just getting started was the hardest part for me.

[farrowandballs]

Thanks NoMo I didn't realise there was a 5 minute cool down walk - have some slight stiffness in my thighs this morning so will remember to do proper stretching and cool down next time. Think it's going to have to be tomorrow lunchtime for next run. Am excited already!

[karatekimmi]

Well done to everyone, it does get easier and you do start to like it at some point!!

I'm pleased that I've still stuck to the plan and the soreness and achiness is getting less. Im not sure whether the olympic runners are inspiring or whether the times they post are depressingly amazing! As if 5k in 13 mins! I can't even do it in 30 mins!!

[Em3978]

Hello again, you're all so inspiring!

Well done on your first run Farrowandballs, I was shattered after my first one, but you really do improve so quickly it amazing.

Well I decided to scrap w6r2 and go straight to w6r3, I knew the walking-break in the middle didn't help, so I just carried on. I also ran with a couple of friends (who carried on when I turned for home!) and that maybe helped. Anyway I did 25 minutes, including a large hill in the middle, had a 5 minute walk to the end of the podcast, then carried on another 5 minutes running and another 5 walking (as I was so far from home and got bored of walking!). I did a total of 4miles in 45 minutes!

[rusmum]

Feeling better w 6 r2 done xx

[cinnamongreyhound]

Well done Farrowandballs, you are supposed to leave rest days and I always did but there are other who didn't to fit runs into their schedule. I literally ran every other day when I did the c25k so finished in less than 9 weeks. If the heat bothers you go early or late, I tend to run about 8pm :)

Well done Em3978, I wasn't brave enough to run with other people for a long time!! Feels good though when you know you are capable of soon that extra bit :)

Went to running group last night and no one was there grrrrr!! Came home and ran with my friend who I go to the group with but really annoyed as I had to drive there and back for nothing! Double checked the diary and it was definitely on and I was at the right place!!!

[karatekimmi]

God that's annoying cinnamon at least you still went for a run!!

Park run are trying to get as many people as possible to do a park run (free 5k timed run in parks around the country) on August the 18th. I'm not sure where the nearest one is to me but I'm might try and join in!!

It's very difficult to get back into running, knowing how much quicker I use to be (albeit 5 years ago, 3 stone lighter an baby less) I get so demoralised with how slow I run. I know it takes time and if I stick at it in a few months I'll be a lot faster (and a lot lighter hopefully). Oh well keep plodding along!!

[sagesponsoredbymacdonalds]

Hi, newbie here! Can I tentatively join? I did my first run in 3 years on Friday, using the Run Double C25K app on my phone and am very proud of myself for completing it :)

I have questions though...

It is very hot where I live so I am planning on running earlyish on the cycle path by the sea, then having a dip to cool off after warming down-does that sound reasonable?

Do any of you run with young DC? I was thinking of putting DS2 (19mo) in my neighbour's special running pushchair he is a double hard triathlete with 3 now big DC, and DS1 (4.7) on his bike. That way I can fit in 3 runs per week and not two.

Am I nuts? Or is it actually easier to run with a sports pushchair? Big wheels and proper disc brakes and something to lean on? Hoping to run tomorrow after my night shift, but tbh that may be too ambitious :)

[cinnamongreyhound]

Welcome sagesponsoredbymacdonalds!! Your timing sounds fine, we all do different things. I have run once with dss who was 10 when he came with me on his bike but wouldn't come again!! My ds1 is 5 and he wouldn't keep up with me for 30 mins but kids are all different. We had one lady who ran with a pushchair but I personally wouldn't have been able to when I started, if you can why not! Twice a week without dc is still better than not at all :)

Where is everybody? It's very quiet at the moment and I seem to be the only graduate left :(

[karatekimmi]

Yeah, i keep checking in but not much action!! Eddie Izard was on bbc this morning talking about the events going on this Saturday! I missed a day last week so I've caught up but if I go for my run today it'll be 3 days in a row, but my little limbs are tired!!

I am considering getting a runny buggy as trying to fit runs in around when my DH works, so I normally go before but it means if DS has a grizzerly night then I'm knackered and want a lie in! I imagine if you start running with it then it will be easier than if your weren't used to it.

Maybe now the Olympics is over a when the summer hold are over there will be a bit more action here!!

[Em3978]

Hello! I did w7r1 yesterday, well most of it! I chose a route that was a bit hilly so i ended up walking little bits every now and then (mostly at the tops of hills!) I think I might choose a slightly flatter route for the next one. Still did nearly 3 miles after 2 days of allotment-weeding, I ACHE today.

[ifink]

Hi Cinnamon and everyone - lots of great running! just wanted to check in as I graduated back in early April (so not all the graduates have disappeared I promise!) and come back for a lurk every so often. On the running front I finished cto5K and carried on doing 30 mins 3 times a week, moved away from Laura to my own music but found by June I needed a new focus so I completed the Bridge to 10K programme and am now running between 8 to 10K about 3 times a week (I live in a country where everyone gets up very early so fitting it in seems to work for me) - I'm totally hooked on running not least for the great feeling I get afterwards and it all started here. Thanks for all the encouragement from others, if I can do this then anyone can - I spent every year since aged 17 thinking 'I will get fit' and took 20 years to start.....so glad I did

[cece]

Hello all. I am currently on holiday. Been out for only one run this past week but hope to go out again later.