Couch to 5k Running

Idiophreak

ginvzt wrote: »

Teachergirl - last run in week 6 is 25 minute run!!!! :eek: And the whole of week 7 the same, week 8 it is 28 minute run, and week 9 - 30 min!!!!! :eek: Really scary!

Don't let it scare you - it seems a lot now, but give it time and you'll get through it, no problems. Give is a while longer and it will seem trivial...I used to be completely terriefied of running for half hour, but these days it's not worth getting changed for "only" half an hour's running...Just keep plodding along and you'll find, before you know it, you're achieving things you never thought yourself capable of...

ginvzt

Idiophreak thanks for the encouragement! I never thought I will manage to run for those 3-5-3-5 minutes yesterday until I did it. 16 minutes of running! That is my new record - I have never been able to run for any length of time, even as a child. So, this is an achievement for me.

sarsief

I'm so in awe of everyone, you are all doing so well. I am severly lacking the motivation to start again, even though i really should.
I feel so tired and lethargic and wobbly!!
Maybe next week .. in the meantime, keep up the great work, it's great to read

evian1

Hello everyone,
I've been reading this thread for a while and everyones acheivements have urged me to give running a try. Really pleased how well everyone seems to be doing. Keep it up!! I have tried previously and failed, but this time I'm determined to crack it!
I did my first 2 week 1 runs on the treadmill, the first one I found quite easy and was really amazed. The 2nd one I did on Sunday and couldn't believe how much harder it was. Then last night I did my 3rd one outside and it was a real effort. And I then went and played netball.
I'm not giving up though!! Not looking forward to the 2nd week on Thursday!

Does anyone else find it easier on the treadmill than outside.??

Well Done peeps!!!!!
Exx

Idiophreak

evian1 wrote: »

Does anyone else find it easier on the treadmill than outside.??

Generally, I (and a lot of people on these boards) find running inside a lot harder than outside - the gym is (at this time of year) warmer than outside, it's very repetitive / boring and it's a very harsh, regular way of running - doesn't give your legs much variety...

If you're finding it tougher to run outside it's probably just that you're struggling to regulate your pace...Make sure you're running as slowly as you can while you're out. Alternatively, it could just be something unrelated on that one occasion - you might have been tired, something like that...

ginvzt

evian1 wrote: »

Does anyone else find it easier on the treadmill than outside.??

I prefer running in the gym for now. I am one of those, who would run fast if not held back, and then run out of breath. So, on treadmill I can keep the speed at regular pace. Once I am happy with my speed and running (not gasping for air whilst running), I would love to get outside. I even have a track in mind..

I booked an appointment for gait analysis at a shop nearby for Friday! Now, just need to get my wallet ready!

ginvzt

Week 4 Run 2 - done!!!!
It was harder than the first one, and I 'allowed' myself a bit longer for recovery after the first 5 min run and then before the second one, but I did it in the end. I didn't let myself to give up and stop, and I have run for the full 3, 5, 3 and 5 minutes with no breaks in the running time. I was happy!

I am going to get my shoes today - so I hope I can run even better once they are on my feet! I haven't set myself a budget yet - I can afford to spend on the shoes, which is not very MSE, but I want to get good ones, as even though it is hard, I am enjoying this running. I am also thinking about getting Nike+ sportband, as I would like to check my progress and keep an eye on my heart rate... But then, I can probably spend the £40 somewhere wiser. Not that I know anything about these things!

teachergirl

Good morning everyone. Feeling Great:D
It is 8.57am and I have done another run, this time week 2. I know I should be at week 4 but a weeks illness scuppered that. Got up put on my sports bra(or should I say crusher) walked my dogs as a warm up ,then did my run . Got the children off to school, had my breakfast and put the washing on:D
I run outside. I used to have gym membership but never got around to going so I gave it up . I do prefer running outside but only when it isn't pouring with rain. This morning it was lovely and sunny and so I went out on the fens again. The forecast was for rain so going early meant I missed that and also avoided seeing lots of people I know whilst not looking my best.
ginvzt I don't know anything about the Nike+ sportsband but I have a polar heart monitor. I find it really good. For example although I was repeating runs I have already done this week I could see that in the recovery period my heart was getting back to normal in between runs. In the first two weeks my heart went totally out of the training zone and didn't actually recover between runs. So I have hard evidence that I am getting fitter. It also showed me exactly how hard I have to work to get rid of the belgian chocolates that I ate. (I did tell my children no chocolates for Mothers day but they did not listen. It would have been rude not to eat them.:rotfl:
Thanks for the encouragement Idiophreak.
Looking forward to hearing how you are all doing out there.

ginvzt

Well done teachergirl!
I too can feel that I recover better between runs than when I first started. In the gym machines have the handles that are supposed to monitor your heart rate if you hold onto them, but they are useless. I could feel my heart pumping and it showed that after 5min run my heart rate was 80! So, I am considering getting something to be a bit more accurate...

PepPop

ginvzt wrote: »

Well done teachergirl!
I too can feel that I recover better between runs than when I first started. In the gym machines have the handles that are supposed to monitor your heart rate if you hold onto them, but they are useless. I could feel my heart pumping and it showed that after 5min run my heart rate was 80! So, I am considering getting something to be a bit more accurate...

Totally agree with you. I showed my heart rate according to the treadmill to OH one time and he said if that was correct I'd be dead :rotfl: