So, I'm on a countdown to my brother's wedding in May. I'm extremely excited and would really like to go out and buy myself an amazing new dress - something slinky!
I need to lose some weight, but along with that I'd really like to tone up and get a bit fitter too. I'm really a dancing girl and any sort of routine to learn to distract me from the fact that I'm exercising is good. However, I've been struggling to find any classes that I can go to that I can fit in around kid pick-ups and work. I go to Salsa classes that I love, but I just need to up it a bit.
I'm not a runner, in fact the last time I got it into my head that I might go for a little jog I managed to make it to the end of the road before I thought my legs might explode! Well anyway, there I was yesterday, rather frustrated that I couldn't find a class to go to, when I thought it would be much easier if I could just go for a run! In fact I really fancied it (if you know me, you know how unusual that is!)!
Rather than just rushing off though, this time I first spent a pleasant couple of hours reading about learning to run on the internet :) I discovered C25K or Couch to 5K and realised that that was where I had been going wrong all along - I needed to build up my stamina slowly!! I printed out all the info, got changed into some very untrendy but vaguely sporty running gear, popped in my headphones (Gorillaz) and off I went! Apart from one time when I forgot and walked for a 60 seconds instead of 90, I followed it EXACTLY to the letter. To say I was pleased with myself it a huge understatement! And I enjoyed it!! My next challenge is to repeat it tomorrow - assuming I can actually walk! :)
The Info
Week 1 - Run 1
Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Completed Wed 12th Jan 2011
1.2First day first ever 'proper' run. I coped and I really enjoyed myself. I was on a real high afterwards! Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Completed Fri 14th Jan 2011 Second day, I enjoyed this run just as much. I had downloaded a terrific Week 1 C25K MP3 from a blog to countdown for me and loved the tunes. So much in fact that I think I started by running a bit fast in the beginning (in time with the music), but still had fun. So far so good! I'm looking forward to Monday - and my next run. How crazy is that! I even fancy getting some new stuff for my new hobby. I think I'll put that off though until I can see I'm sticking at it! 1.3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Completed Mon 17th Jan 2011 I set off for my third run a bit late today and ran out of time before I had to go and pick up the girlie, I'd done 15 mins and was still feeling good and raring to go. So I walked around as I waited for her to come out and then made the poor thing finish my last two 60 second runs with me :) (she was up for it though, gotta love her!). Overall I felt good though and although this run was a bit unorthodox I shall go on to week 2 for my next run. Monday is not a great day for me though. I twiddled my thumbs a bit on Sunday so I guess I should have gone then. I will do next week. All in all I feel great! 2.1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Wed 19th Jan 2011 It was frosty this morning when I woke up and as I wanted to go for my next run I was disappointed. However, I then had the idea that I could go for a run around the nature reserve as it has good paths, but they are a kind of gravel surface and so non slip. I did and I loved it. I had a niggle pain in my thigh/hip so I'll need to make sure I stretch properly there and I obviously had to push myself a bit more what with having to run 90 whole seconds at a time, but it was good! Well chuffed :) 2.2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Fri 21st Jan 2011 A local run again today. I enjoyed it, though I'm having a bit of discomfort on the inside of my shins. It may be to do with my trainers as they are Nike Air, and feel comfortable, but weren't 'fitted' and so may not be quite the right sort of shoe?? However, there are no funds for new ones, so I'm hoping that it'll settle down as I progress. The hip/thigh pain was better today, only a bit when I walk (not run). I stretched better today. 2.3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes. Sun 23rd Jan 2011 Went well again, another around my 'regular' route :) I do think I'll need to have my run checked as my right shin was niggly again. I'll have to run two lots of 3 mins straight next time - eeek! 3.1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes) Wed 26th Jan 2011 I did it!! I can now officially run for 3 whole minutes without stopping! I LLLUUUURRRVED how I felt when I got home :) It was fairly hard, but not so as that I felt I couldn't do it and I mucked up in the middle as I couldn't find the podcast on my MP3 player so had to do it with my own music and my watch. I did the 90 secs jog/walk, then I did the 3 mins jog, but only walked for 90 secs after instead of 3 mins. I was fine though and didn't really feel that I had missed out, it just meant that I had loads of time left at the end so I popped another 90 sec jog on at the end. No ill effects so far. And I've realised that I actually prefer listening to my own music and checking my watch than the pre made podcast. Next news is that I went out and bought some new running shoes :) The fella in the shop was great and sorted me out. He said I didn't overpronate by much - if at all, but could do with more cushioning than I currently had. I came away with shoes that are neutral but with a little bit of overpronation support (at least that's how I interpreted it- stabilisation??). They are Asics Gel-1150, silver and red and they feel great! They're not too pricey (last year's colour I think) and I think they're a fab for a first pair of runners. Can't wait to go out in them - I almost wish I hadn't already been for a run this morning :)  *Update - the Go Gel is disgusting! 3.2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes) Fri 28th Jan 2011 I went out for W3R2 today - golly it was cold! I had to put a hat on to start with but it was way too insulated and came off withing about 5 minutes - then my ears froze (oh and hot forgetting the lovely runny nose . I'll have to invest in a thinner hat! As for my run, I mucked up the timings AGAIN! I guess I don't do very well without the podcast! This time I did the 90 jog/walk, the 3 mins jog/walk, then ANOTHER 3 mins jog/walk!!! :S Then as punishment for getting it wrong again I finished with the 3 mins combo I should have at the end! It was harder today though (for obvious reasons but also I think to the fact that I didn't have my usual half a banana before I went out, but a little bowl of muesli instead as suggested by the fella in the shop. I felt a bit sluggish!?). I did it though so pleased. Mostly I am really pleased with the fact that I've now managed to go out 8 times! Shoes - had a bit of 'new shoe' feel about them. I was a bit worried they would rub, but they didn't. I think they helped me run better?? I had a bit of shin pain in both legs at first, though it did ease off....but then again it usually does ease off as I get into it!? We'll see if I settle in to them. I certainly feel like I've had a work out today though - and dropped 2.5lbs this morning so something's starting to happen. Hope it keeps up! 3.3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes) Sun 30th Jan 2011 I did W3R3 today. This time I managed to get the timings right (3rd time lucky!). I had 5 mins left at the end that I'm supposed to walk in but I wanted another run so did another 90 secs at the end. I so love how I feel when I get back. The first couple of jogs were hard - the second lots were much better - everything stopped hurting and I felt better. W4 next and I've got to do 5 mins straight - eek! As I was running today I was thinking what would need to happen to my body to make the actual act of running enjoyable. The absence of wobbling was number one! I'm so hoping that I will start to tone up soon. 4.1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Wed 2nd Feb 2011 I did it!! When I read about people running marathons, running 5 minutes sounds a piffley amount, but for me, this was a major milestone. I managed to do the whole W4R1 properly and am so chuffed that I actually ran (or more like shuffled ) 5 minutes - twice! 16 minutes altogether - hee hee! I actually took my new running shoes back to the shop this morning as they were creasing and rubbing on the toe of one foot. The fella was brilliant and swapped them for a slightly different model of the same shoe. It's made a load of difference and these new ones felt much better on my run. I was feeling a bit sad that my amazing new running shoes weren't all that comfortable - not anymore......  4.2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Fri 4th Feb 2011 I've just got in from W4R2. T'was very windy out, but not raining so it wasn't too bad. I found it harder to stop myself thinking how hard it was today - though I did have a period in one of the 5 min runs when I kind of forgot that I was running - perhaps I 'got into my stride'? Anyway, one more week 4 to go then it's on to the dreaded week 5! Bring it on! 4.3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Mon 7th Feb 2011 Bloomin' wind! Even blew my cap off so I had to run back on myself to chase my cap down the road!! At least it was behind me for the last 5 mins of W4R3 - just when I needed it! Totally mucked up the timings again today (I've discovered something that I'm truly crap at, it's embarrassing! :S). Anyway, today's timings go as follows: walk 5, jog 3, walk 90 secs, jog 3 1/2(!! - I'd thought 'great, that was easy!!' no wonder!), walk 3 1/2 (working out what I'd done wrong!), jog 4 1/2 (to make up for the 90 seconds I'd missed off the previous run), walk 90 secs, jog 5! Week 5 on Wed - I'm going on to it even though I mucked today up as I could've done it if I'd not got my ditzy head on! 5.1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Wed 9th Feb 2011 W5D1 and I was flying!! I've never felt so good when I've been out. My legs even felt like I was actually running rather than just shuffling along! :d I mucked up timings again (so nothing new there then!) but this time it was down to my watch playing up. First 5 mins great. Second 5 mins I looked at the stopwatch and the time was at 15 minute something so just under 2 mins left to run, looked again - 15.48 just over a minute left, looked for a third time STILL 15.48! ?? Fiddled with my watch a bit (still running at this point) and it jumped to 17.45!!? - so I'd actually run a whole 45 seconds too much! :) I felt as though I could have kept going though! Last 5 mins were a bit tougher as I knew I was on countdown I think, but still I did it all - yay! Looking forward to W5R2 now. I went out really early this morning - which I enjoyed. Also I ran in drizzle today and really enjoyed that too, is that odd? I came home bright pink and soaking wet but really didn't miind. I also had my old raquetball cropped legging things on and they really felt great to run in - think I may have to get myself some cropped running leggings sooner rather than later.  5.2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Fri 11th Feb 2011 Well, I did W5R2 today and really enjoyed myself (I still can't believe I'm saying this about me running!). It was the double 8 mins run. I tried not to keep looking at my watch and managed to time 8 mins perfectly. I slowed to the 5 min walk but I could have easily kept on going. It felt like the 5 mins walk was rather excessive - I hardly felt out of breath and it actually felt hard to get going again on the next 8 mins. Still, it was fun! 5.3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking. Sun 13th Feb 2011 I did it!! 20 whole minutes whoo hoo!! It was hard, I went out in wind, sleet and mud, but I did it! When I stopped my legs felt very peculiar! The guide says run for 20 mins or 2 miles, but I've checked out my route on MapMyRun and it worked out to be 1.67 miles so I must very slow (I blame my short legs! ;)) I think I'm doing about an 11.5 min mile (according to where the time was at the mile mark). From not being able to run for a minute to being able to run for 20 mins in 5 weeks. Yippee! 6.1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Wed 16th Feb 2011 Well, I did W6R1 today and it was really hard!! It was a battle the whole way round to keep moving - why was that!?? I realised a few mins into my run that it was actually icy on the roads in places and I hate the thought that I might fall over, so was running quite cautiously too which didn't help. I wonder if mentally I thought going back to running just 5 mins or 8 mins at a time would be easier than the 20 mins straight and when it wasn't I was set for a tough time?? Anyway only one more run with a break, then it's no more walking! Hmmm, not feeling quite so confident today! 6.2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes) Friday 18th Feb 2011 I've done W6R2 today - two lots of 10 mins. It was okay for the first 10 then really hard for the second. I'm not really enjoying running after the walking bits at the moment. Hopefully I'll cope a bit better when I do 25mins straight?? Or not, 25mins seems scary! Anyway, it's not until Sunday :) I have just noticed, that W6R3 is 25 mins or 2 1/4 mile and W7R1 is 25 mins or 2 1/2 miles!! I'm not sure if I could up my pace yet, I'm already going as fast as I can without gasping for breath! Plus I don't even manage 2 1/4 miles!! Only about 1 3/4. Hmmm?!! I think I'll just stick to the time at the moment and then when I get comfortable at 30mins after Week 9 I'll start working on improving distance. Currently I think it would take me 30 mins to run 2 1/2 miles! 6.3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking. Sun 20th Feb 2011 I did it! W6R3 done, a lovely shower and my reward of a weightwatcher friendly bacon sarnie eaten. I feel good I am so pleased with myself today, I settled into my 25 min run knowing that I had to do the whole lot without stopping and it was a relief not to keep checking my watch. However, at about the 3 minute mark I had a MASSIVE stitch and no amount of slow or deep breathing got rid of it. In fact I did the whole thing deep breathing! Bloomin' hurt but there was no way I was going to stop! On a plus note I didn't even feel my legs - I think they could have kept on and on! I did 1.93miles/3.11km(!) in 25 mins. A new PB! :) 7.1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes). Wed 23rd Feb 2011 So I'm feeling a bit odd this morning - a bit disappointed I suppose. I did W7R1 and felt fab. No stitch this time and trotting along nicely. I got to the place where I stopped at 25mins last run expecting to have run fractionally faster and still have a few minutes to go seeing as how I struggled last time. But no, I was 35 seconds slower - I know it's only 35 seconds but still slower. I'd kind of slowed to a walk when I saw that the time was over 25mins, but then decided to try for the 2 miles instead. This I did - and some - as it was actually closer than I thought. I probably did 2 miles in 26minutes or there abouts. I did 2.12 miles/3.65km in 28mins but I did have a little walk in it so it wasn't running continuously. Next run I'll be going back to purely running the time as as soon as I start putting the pressure on, it stops being fun (though I might need to plan a different route as I know the markers for my usual one!). Mind you, another 25mins (+?) under the belt! 7.2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes). Fri 25th Feb 2011 W7R2 completed. I had a few stop/starts at the beginning where my shoelace was too loose then too tight so I actually started my 25mins 3 times! Did 25mins straight though eventually, and covered the usual distance so pleased. However, I am really slow, at one point another lady runner over took me (obviously a lot fitter than me) and then soon disappeared off into the distance . I noticed that her stride was slower than mine but longer, so I tried this a few times. It's definitely something I could work on. 7.3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes). Sun 27th Feb 2011 Week 7 done yay! I'm on to 28mins next week. I certainly do feel like I'm getting better at this and I am trying to push myself a little without having a burnout (though not overly successfully!). I did a PB of 1.96 miles in 25 minutes I smashed my previous record by 0.03 miles :D! 8.1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes). Wed 2nd Mar 2011 Cor, Week 8!! I did W8R1 this morning. I really enjoyed it! I paced myself and settled in for the run and rather than constantly looking down at the path I seemed able to look around me as I ran too, seems odd, but I haven't been able to do that before now. I was still pretty slow I did 2.17miles/3.5k in 28mins - but I realised that I don't really care. I felt good, my legs weren't screaming nor was I totally out of breath and I could have easily gone up to or even past 30 mins! Lost some more weight this week too so feeling chuffed :) 8.2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes). Fri 4th Mar 2011 W8R2 for me today. I totally upped the pace at the end and for the last 2 mins I managed flat out gazelle! Back of my thigh just above my knee was a bit achey when I slowed down, but went as soon as I got back and stretched. Ran EXACTLY the same distance as yesterday but all is good! I don't know what I'm going to do when I graduate yet. I think I'm going to build on distance rather than pace. At least until I get to 5K then think about speed perhaps. 8.3 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes). Sun 5th Mar 2011 I've had a bit of an odd morning. I had a migraine and had to go to bed so wasn't able to go for my run :(. I was gutted. I woke up about 12.45 and got up expecting not to feel up for running (migraines usually wipe me out all day), but it was SUNNY out - and I'm definitely a bit addicted, so off I went! It was a hard run, but I beat all my PBs along the way. 1st mile was 11mins 30 Secs (usually 13mins) and I ran 2.32miles/3.73km in 28mins, yay! nearly 1/4mile further than usual! As I did my Sunday run I was allowed my bacon sarnie and I feel like the day wasn't wasted afterall! Whoohoo! 9.1 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes). Wed 9th Mar 2011 So, the last week of C25K has arrived! Off I went - pacing myself for my first ever 30min run. I started easy but still made good time on my first mile 11min 45secs. Then settled into a really comfortable pace. Listening to my music and bird spotting as I shuffled along. I'd already decided to change my route a little as now I'm on 30mins the distance means I'd have to do an extra lap of the block or double back. Anyway, off I went, enjoying the new scenery - checked my watch (25mins 41 secs). Pootled on for another song, checked my watch again and it was the SAME TIME!! No idea when it had stopped. As I was feeling okay and was heading home I decided on a place to stop up ahead that I thought must be 30mins+ and ran til then. I've just got home and checked it out on Map My Run - I'd done 2.6miles/4.18km!!! Whoo hoooo! No idea how long I ran for but don't care! Look how close to 5K that is! :) 9.2 Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes). Sat 12th Mar 2011 I've just done my penultimate C25k run. I usually run on Friday, but my daughter was poorly on ALL Thurs night and I got next to no sleep! I was pooped and was out salsaing the night away last night so I needed to preserve my energy :). Anyway, got up and went today. Took a new route that I wanted to explore - it was rather dodgy so I don't think I'll do that route very often! Rubbish everwhere, grafitti, subways, alleyways the lot! Interesting though. It also included my first steps up over a railway bridge and my first HILL :X! I coped fine and enjoyed the pace I ran at. I did 2.46miles/3.95km in 30 mins so am pleased overall. However, the worst part of the whole run was running round the back of ASDA and smelling the hot cross buns they were baking mmmmmmmmmmm! One more to go!! 9.3 The final workout! Congratulations! Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes). Mon 14th Mar 2011 I've actually done it!! I'm a graduate :) HOORAY!!
Only 10 weeks ago I was a couch (or more accurately a computer chair) potato. Little exercise and lots of 'snacks'! And now I've actually run for 30mins+ (over 4K), I'm losing weight and I feel great. I LOVE it!
My last C25K run was a hard one, I had to push myself all the way round (I had to go to work first and I just don't think I like running in the afternoon??). Anyway, no way I was stopping until 30mins was up and I didn't! It also felt like I went really slowly today as my arms ached from painting and I generally felt a bit 'off', but it turns out I actually did okay and managed the same distance as the last run.
Now, what shall I do next?? :) B210K?
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