Couch to 5k Running - Part Three

poly1

Hello Emsky, how are things going for you? Hope your feet/legs do not hurt too much now. What days are you going to do your runs?

Mrs Mum, did you get on alright, have you found yourself some trainers?

alliwantistosave are you still doing the C25K program? Where have you got and what advice would you give to those of us just about the begin?

The oncologist said I can do running as long as I don't overdo it to begin with, when I explained that I was going to do this program she was quite happy with that, so have the go ahead. But the weather forecast for the following week here is abysmal!!! and I am such a wimp that I am not sure I want to start the first week in the rain but then I suppose if I do it can't get any worse!

poly1

Well the day is here and as yet I haven't done anything cos it raining and really windy and I am a chicken :rotfl:. Seriously though as it is the first day I am waiting for the rain to abate and then I may consider it, will report back if I do anything at all!

Emsky*

I don't blame you Poly1!" It looks awful outside, I went abit wayward with the program over the weekend but I'm going tonight and I'm only going to do half an hour.. don't want to push too much and get another couple of blisters :rotfl:

poly1

Well I did it :j but now I feel like I will never walk again :eek:. Actually I was doing ok til I got the I think it was the fourth 60 sec run, the she said something like are you ready for your next run and I was like OMG NO! But I did do it, although I must have looked all over the place and I probably looked on the verge of collapse when i was doing the cool down! Now I am thinking that the next time round is supposed to be easier :laugh:, so that is what I am hoping anyway!
So now I have publicly embarrassed myself how is everyone else doing?

alliwantistosave

Emsky* wrote: »

Hi alliwantistosave my iphone somehow deleted the first week, so I aimed for half an hour but managed an hour with 1 minute jogging at 7.0 and 2 minutes walking at 4.5 on the treadmill, I don't know if it's making it harder for myself or not but at 30 minutes I felt like I hadn't done enough... don't know how I'm a proper couch potato!" :rotfl:
Think I need new running shoes as I've developed 3 blisters in an hour last night and my shins and calves(sp) ache like mad when I'm jogging, any ideas??
How far is everyone along with it??

Ok if you were on a treadmill it is advised not to have it flat. I'm not sure what incline you will need to have it will depend on the machine in question (I would ask one of the instructors at the Gym) this may help with the shins and calves. Also are you stretching? If that was your 1st attempt maybe an hour was a little too much :eek: So you may have strained muscles that were not used to being used IYSWIM. Also on the blister thing you will need to get some proper running socks. I got some in Aldi and they stopped my blisters.

Poly 1 - Well done on your 1st run :T I know how tough taking that 1st step can be. I was just the same in March when I started the plan. I was lucky and managed to complete the plan without too much of a hiccup. My best advice is to take it slow. At first you think OMG I can't do that. But as you say the 2nd time is easier and by the 3rd time you will already be surprised how much better you are getting.
Don't worry about the following weeks podcast just concentrate on the one you are on. I also found the cool down was not enough for me and kept getting cramps so I do some stretches after the cool down and I found this eased the stiffness.
I am still running 3 times a week when I can, I completed my 1st 5km doing the race for life on the 10/7/11 and my goal was to run all the way. Not only did this plan build me up to running I completed it in under 30 mins. I have such a bug for running now I have joined a local running club and went out for a 4.7 mile run last week so as I said before beware it can become addictive :rotfl: Good luck with run 2

sarsief

alliwantistosave wrote: »

I am still running 3 times a week when I can, I completed my 1st 5km doing the race for life on the 10/7/11 and my goal was to run all the way. Not only did this plan build me up to running I completed it in under 30 mins.

Fantastic work AIWITS!!! Under 30 mins is incredible, it just shows if you stick with it you can get there!!

I've been quite lazy but am trying to get back into it .... it's hard to motivate myself for the runs, but I have friends at work who go at lunch time so trying to join them.

Keep up with it guys, you'll be surprised how much difference it makes in just a short amount of time. I hadn't run for about a month and felt like I was starting again.

Good luck with your runs

Pigget

poly1 wrote: »

So now I have publicly embarrassed myself how is everyone else doing?

Congrats on getting started.

I actually plan my runs so that when I am running on the road (or pavement rather) the traffic is coming from behind me. That way the car drivers can't see the various faces I am pulling, or indeed, be blinded by my bright red face. I optimistically hope that those on the other side of the road can't see me that well!

I can only reiterate the advice that alliwantistosave gave you about taking it slowly. I sometimes feel that my walking pace is faster than my running pace, but it is important to finish the running even at a snail's pace than to drop down to a walk.

Chakani

Yes, if you are sore, or you are so out of breath you can't hold a conversation, then slow down. Don't stop running, just run slower, however silly it feels. The mistake most people make with starting to run is they go too fast. When I started running, I literally ran slower than I walked. But it did work, and I did my first 5k 8 weeks later in 26:22, so you don't run slowly for long. I'm not sure I've stopped looking silly though

And on the subject of looking silly, you must stretch after you run, it really does make a huge difference to how much you ache afterwards - it's just very offputting because you look like a plonker!

Good luck to all of you who are just starting out, it's the best thing I ever did for my body and my brain (and I joined a running club where they finish runs in a coffee shop or the pub, so it's pretty good for my social life too )

poly1

alliwantistosave wrote: »

I also found the cool down was not enough for me and kept getting cramps so I do some stretches after the cool down and I found this eased the stiffness.
I am still running 3 times a week when I can, I completed my 1st 5km doing the race for life on the 10/7/11 and my goal was to run all the way. Not only did this plan build me up to running I completed it in under 30 mins. I have such a bug for running now I have joined a local running club and went out for a 4.7 mile run last week so as I said before beware it can become addictive :rotfl: Good luck with run 2

Wow I am so impressed, I did the race for life in June and walked it in 1h 8min (could only walk cos it was only two weeks after my last chemo!) but that was when I set the target to be running 5k for next years RFL. So I have started this C25K now cos I have no particular expectation of getting it done in 9 weeks (9 months is probably more realistic) and am still undergoing active treatment so this will probably slow progress alot. Can you advise though what stretches to be doing once we've finished the podcast cool down section, I really haven't a clue!

alliwantistosave

poly1 wrote: »

Can you advise though what stretches to be doing once we've finished the podcast cool down section, I really haven't a clue!

I pretty do what this chap recommends (apart from the groin stretch) if that makes sense-
http://www.best-running-tips.com/running-stretches.html

I'm sure by going with the plan you will easily run your RFL 2012 And if it helps with your treatment I am sure it will be worth it.


sarsief - Thanks for your nice comments And I hope you manage to get back out with the people for your lunchtime runs.