Couch to 5k Running

jessicamb

dizziblonde wrote: »

Almost up to half of week 1 - can scrape 4 1 minute runs... rather flatteringly though I managed to break the treadmill :-/

Going out was rewarded by the heartwarming sight of seeing a complete moron undertaking me on the way home by blasting down a bus lane on the main road.... right into a parked police car

go you :T we'll soon be on those 5k runs :eek:

juno

shimmershelly wrote: »

I'm trying to get fit after 25 years of smoking and at the moment I can't imagine running for 3 minutes, let alone 20, without my chest hurting. I'm sure it will come though, that's why I thought I would try this program because it's a gradual build up (I think I will take lots longer than 9 weeks though lol!)

The whole point is that you can repeat weeks (either in full, or just in part) and go at your own pace. As long as you keep doing it you'll get there. Just try not to give up, unless you have to because of injury or similar. If it seems too hard, either try running slower or go back to the earlier week.

Potnoodle5878

Good morning ladies and gents, well I started to do this last Autumn and got as far as week three, but gave up as the nights drew in.

I started again yesterday, and I am soooo unfit! was not able to complete the podcast, managed 5 of the runs before convincing myself that I was about to have a heart attack! I had a pain in my left arm, which is still there now, but thankfully is only muscular.

It was a shame, as I really struggled with sets 3 and 4 but 5 was easier. Will be going out again tomorrow, deep heated right up, and trying to get the whole thing completed.

Why am I doing it? well I am a 30 year old chap, who sits on his bottom all day in an office, and since I quit playing football 5 years ago due to the arrival of a beautiful daughter, has done hardly any excersise of any note! So now I am 20 stone, have a belly and need to start working my heart muscle.

I used to have a good level of fitness, which I am hoping my body will start to remember at some point over the next few weeks.

So I have said to my self that as soon as I can manage the week one runs in full, I will do it for two weeks to help my body adjust and see where I go from there.

See you at the finish line.

sarsief

I found doing each week twice a really good way to increase my fitness without overdoing it ... but now my ipod is broken and I can't listen to the podcasts!!! So i am incorporating long walks into my week to compensate until i have a new MP3 player ... must get one soon, am missing my 1/2 hour sessions.
I love the feeling I get after completing the half hour, and as it is only half an hour, seems so much easier to get through.
I have been through the same feelings as most people on this thread, stick with it if possible and just reduce intensity/speed until you find something you are comfortable with - take it at your own pace.
I am always so proud of myself when I progress to another week (I am on week 4 and have been going since start of year with a few stops and starts!) I will get there!!!! Keep it up!

shimmershelly

I'm really pleased with myself today, I actually went out for a run when it was pouring with rain this morning (I'm not just a fair weather jogger yay!!).
I'd actually looked out of the window at the weather and got the wii fit out instead. I did 7 minutes jogging on there and then got the urge to actually go running, I think I'm getting the bug lol!
I managed most of week 2 today as well (5 out of 6 runs), but my right calf was killing me, not so much my shins now as I bought new shoes. If I can get through the pain barrier I'm sure I will be able to move to week 3 in a while.
I also did a 4 mile walk yesterday instead of running, as I'm training for a 12 mile charity walk too.
I can't believe little old unfit, stinky smoker me is doing all this

dizziblonde

No motivation today at all - went to the gym last night but only did 7 mins brisk walking on a gradient and like 7 mins cycling before I was tired (didn't want to run 2 days in a row as my knee's been acting up). Planned on going today to run - and I'm shattered - just really mentally tired... but scared if I get into the not going habit that'll be me done for.

Think I'll doze while oh watches football and then see how I feel - I get guilted really easily and want to succeed at this.

JenC

I did it! An hour ago I found this thread, downloaded the podcast, and got out running! I'm fortunate enough to live next a very pretty stretch of the canal, so no excuses really!

I got to the gym sporadically, but have been too embarrassed to try running in the gym, but feel so happy that I've just done the first podcast for the first time, without passing out!

I'm looking forward to the next time and challenging myself through the 9 weeks and beyond.

jessicamb

JenC wrote: »

I did it! An hour ago I found this thread, downloaded the podcast, and got out running! I'm fortunate enough to live next a very pretty stretch of the canal, so no excuses really!

I got to the gym sporadically, but have been too embarrassed to try running in the gym, but feel so happy that I've just done the first podcast for the first time, without passing out!

I'm looking forward to the next time and challenging myself through the 9 weeks and beyond.

hi JenC welcome aboard

dizziblonde

Welcome Jen!

I dragged myself out - seem to have slipped right back - struggled to do 3 x 1 minute runs, and then my knee started going again. I don't know what I'm doing, but that whole leg does not feel right - it feels like it turns out when I push off from that food to be honest, and I've got very wobbly balance anyway as I walk on the edges of my feet and always always twist my ankles (if there's an uneven paving stone out there - I can hurt my ankle on it consistently). I'm thinking it's this stupid way I walk, combined with the 19stone in weight I'm lugging about that's causing it - but my knee's in a fair whack of pain when I stop running on it most days - hurts just above the joint if you get what I mean.

Angry at myself I couldn't keep up the 4 sets of 1 minute runs - I'm the kind of person who NEEDS to see progress or I get frustrated easily, but I've come home and I'm feeling pretty ropey anyway, my ear is hurting (gotta love having an ear infection for over a year now and the docs being naff all help) so I think I'm fighting some bug or other off - probably swine flu since I've been teaching a kid whose family's just come back from Mexico and it would just be my luck!

hex2

dizziblonde - I have (*coughs* very) chunky knees/legs and found for the first few weeks that I was getting bruises around my very sore knees. It has stopped now (week 6) but they still get quite sore after a run - but they have gone from flobby to fairly hard when you squeeze above my knees. It is worth trying to carry on - and for me seeing cm's go is better than lb's.

JenC - good luck!