Couch to 5k - calling new/lapsed runners!

[Alexa]

Lulu08 - welcome! Great to have you with us? How are you training for the 26th?

EmDee - really hope you recover soon and can get back to running. I used ot have really terrible back pain (when at heaviest weight). I found gentle exercise, core exercises form a physio and acupunture really useful. Yogalates was good for gentle core work.

[lulu08]

ugh , not as well as I need to thats for sure! I run about 3 miles three days a week, but Im not to the point of running without slowing down to walk, and im so annoyed by it, so I just keep at it, hopefully I get better with each time and slowly increase my stamina. I am sure as more weight comes off it will get easier.

[ShannonK]

I love this thread. I have been wanting to do this program for some time now. I keep starting and then, well, stopping. Ha Ha

No more. I am gonna do it. I have every excuse in the book. Luckily, I commute on a bike every day almost 14 miles round trip. It is very good exercise so my cardio is decent. But, not good enough, you know. I get very leisurely sometimes on that bike!!

I am excited to start this program. Any tips?

[Alexa]

Lulu - 3 miles 3 times a week is amazing! That is like my goal. That would be enough for me for sure - I don't really want to be a runner as much as I need the cardio benefits it brings for other stuff I need to do! If you are struggling to add miles there are various plans out there for beyond the 5k (which is 3.1miles I think). I'll hunt one out for you.

Shannonk - glad to have you with us. I have started this plan so many times in the last year and I've enver finished it. Tip-wise I would say make sure you have good shoes and a good supportive sports bra. I love enell. Also if you find a week really tough, and really struggle, there is no harm in repeating that week. Also stretch before and after and hold each stretch afterwards for 30 seconds. The cool running site has stretches listed. Also I know what you mean about biking - it's just not the same for me.

Well week 2 is done it was surprisingly tough at first, but the last one not too bad so I'm on to week 3. This has 3 min running segments. This scares me! I can't believe I used to be able to run for 45 minutes - where did she go?? ANyway, I can do it again, starting slowly. So I'm doing week3 day 1 today and I'll let you know how I go!

[EmDee]

go Alexa, go!!

[Alexa]

Thanks EmDee and for the rep How are things going with you? Any back pain?

Well I dragged myself out of the house to run finally at 8pm. But I did it so W3D1 is done. Wasn't too bad. The programme does work.

[bellajgw]

Oh, can I join? I will probably be starting it this weekend as the rest of my weeknights/mornings are swamped!

I can barely run 60 seconds, so we'll see how well I do. Gotta start somewhere. Definitely need new sneakers. I have used and abused my poor New Balances to the point of exhaustion.

Speaking of which, how often do you guys change up your sneakers? I was told that if you exercise a lot and where them often you should every 3-4 months.

[Alexa]

Hi Bellajgw! Happy to have you join us When I started this for the very first time I couldn't run 60 seconds without wanting to die. This programme will build you up slowly and gradually - just make sure you stretch before and after and don't be afraid to repeat a week if found it too hard.

I try to replace shoes every 6 months, but sometimes it's yearly. But I have three pairs of shoes I rotate so they last longer.

When is you wedding by the way?

[Alexa]

Week three complete! Yay! Was ok. Ran with Kev and he barely got out of breath!

I've got further through the plan now than on my last attempt.

[bellajgw]

Was injured this weekend before I could even attempt to run dang back injuries. I'm feeling much better today and hope to be 100% by tomorrow. While I may not "run" I will be exercising and hopefully running this weekend!