Couch to 5K support thread.

Cherryfudge

My more experienced running friends tell me that 'running in the rain is great' and that however hard it's been to go out in the cold, they've never regretted it.

Coming up to my first cold season as a runner, I don't think I can escape the weather forever and I've really struggled when it's been hot, so a nice cooling wind might be good. I have invested in some new running shoes as my old ones are getting a bit worn and I think a good tread will help on wet roads. I think a good warm-up and cool-down routine will help reduce the chance of injury.

Glad your running is 'working' for you, days off & all! Shame there's no handy physio, but the information will be out there somewhere... can your GP give you a referral? Ours can.

If you are needing anti-inflammatories long-term, my best suggestion would be to look closely at your diet to make sure it's helping, not hindering. I know some people may have food intolerances that aren't actually allergies but which can have a negative effect. On the positive side, good hydration, balanced diet with plentiful anti-inflammatory foods, enough fats but good ones not bad ones - you probably know all this better than I do!

There is another running thread which seems to have very experienced people on it who would be more clued up than I am.

greengiant00

When buying runners for jogging it's best to prioritise function and suitability of the runner for your needs over colours and what looks pretty this season.

Injury prevention should be a consideration.

Fireflyaway

I was so proud to make it to level 7 at the start of the year but just lost motivation. I'd like to get back into it but I feel so heavy and clumsy now. Not sure if I should start up again or lose a bit of weight first? I watch extreme weight loss and they make 400lb people run but I'm unsure about myself. I'm not 400lbs but feel heavy and don't want to risk injury.

CattyCatX

After a really long illness/recovery time and a number of huge life changes (!!) I'm back on the programme... Just completed W3R1 and didn't feel like I was dying until the last run, which is an improvement for me. Get some odd looks with my beetroot-red face though... Ah well, loosely aiming for 5K by Christmas.. But not going to mind if I have to repeat a few weeks. Still loving Sarah Millican cheering me on!

Cherryfudge

Fireflyaway wrote: »

I was so proud to make it to level 7 at the start of the year but just lost motivation. I'd like to get back into it but I feel so heavy and clumsy now. Not sure if I should start up again or lose a bit of weight first? I watch extreme weight loss and they make 400lb people run but I'm unsure about myself. I'm not 400lbs but feel heavy and don't want to risk injury.

I found running made all the difference between me losing weight and staying the same. You could have a word with your doctor if you aren't sure it's safe to run, and if they say it's okay, start but be gentle with yourself: take your rest days, eat your carbs and protein to help your body cope, and enjoy getting 'off the couch'.

CattyCatX, well done on getting back into the programme! That's real commitment after so much to cope with.

CattyCatX

Cherryfudge wrote: »

CattyCatX, well done on getting back into the programme! That's real commitment after so much to cope with.

Thanks Cherryfudge! Just did W4R1 this morning... wow, that was hard! It's further than I got through the programme last time before illness stopped me so was unknown territory for me... At least I completed it. Did feel like I was counting down every second though but I guess a few weeks ago I felt like that about the 90-second runs so must be improving!

Also felt unreasonably angry with Sarah Millican when she told me I was only halfway through :eek::rotfl:

Merlin's_Beard

CattyCatX wrote: »

Thanks Cherryfudge! Just did W4R1 this morning... wow, that was hard! It's further than I got through the programme last time before illness stopped me so was unknown territory for me... At least I completed it. Did feel like I was counting down every second though but I guess a few weeks ago I felt like that about the 90-second runs so must be improving!

Also felt unreasonably angry with Sarah Millican when she told me I was only halfway through :eek::rotfl:

I get that too... half way isn't great, half way means I've got to do everything I've just done AGAIN!!

Now I'm into longer runs (just done week 8 run 1 :eek:) has anyone got any tips for keeping the boredom at bay? I'm doing this to stay healthy, not because I like running, and it's difficult to mentally keep going sometimes.

indesisiv

Merlin's_Beard wrote: »

Now I'm into longer runs (just done week 8 run 1 :eek:) has anyone got any tips for keeping the boredom at bay?

I find that its easy you have something that you need to plan. Or learn to switch off. I find on runs longer than about 10k I can just switch off mentally.

Cherryfudge

CattyCatX wrote: »

Also felt unreasonably angry with Sarah Millican when she told me I was only halfway through :eek::rotfl:

Halfway means you are stronger and faster than ever before and on the way to a new personal best.

Merlin's_Beard wrote: »

I get that too... half way isn't great, half way means I've got to do everything I've just done AGAIN!!

Now I'm into longer runs (just done week 8 run 1 :eek:) has anyone got any tips for keeping the boredom at bay? I'm doing this to stay healthy, not because I like running, and it's difficult to mentally keep going sometimes.

If I focus on the running all the time, I would get bored. Indesisiv is right - use the time to plan or listen to music. I would also suggest varying your route, varying the time you run, experimenting with going more slowly, taking shorter steps (those both helped me run better), running with or without a friend depending on what your normal practice is. I also get inspired by reading about running - amazingly I am finding ultra marathon runners putting into words things I'm discovering for myself! It also helps me sometimes to consolidate what I've been working on rather than pushing on. If it's been a tough week, repeat a day or so till you 'click' with that level. And take your days off!

Good luck and keep at it!

CattyCatX

Thanks for the encouragement CherryFudge - that's a good way of looking at it! Next run for me will be W5R1... the dreaded Week 5. I think I'm freaking myself out about R3 already, though R1 looks manageable so trying my hardest to block out the fear and take it one run at a time... Not like it matters if I have to repeat the week in any case.