The couch to 5 km! Want to join me?

[CeCe]

Hi Anney,

I had a couple of weeks doing the week one program but I'm now up to the second session in week two - have to do the third tomorrow. I'm not sure I'll be ready to progress to week three as I didn't manage all the running in my last session so I'll see how I go tomorrow.

I'm feeling proud of what I've done so far. It's hard while I'm doing the session and at times I think what I'm doing to myself but always feel pleased with doing it once I've finished.

I've decided this year I need to take time to look after myself properly, hence the exercise etc. I think it's important for those of us who tend to look after others whether it's as a wife, mother or paid work to look after ourselves so we have the health and energy to continue.

[paradise lost]

Hey Cece!

Re: your leg cramps - are they any better now? Sorry i didn't get back ages ago, i've only just seen your post. Muscle cramps could be a hydration issue, especially if you're not a good drinker anyway (i can be terrible, about twice a week i end up drinking 2 pints of water at 11pm because i've hardly drunk all day!). If i were you i'd try to drink at least 500ml in the hour before you plan to run and if you can, take a little bottle with you to swig from during the walking intervals. The other thing that can cause leg cramps is potassium deficiency. There is a sodium/potassium balance in all your cells, my grasp on the science is a bit fuzzy but as i understand it exercise lets sodium out of the cells (and out of your body in sweat) and they can only release sodium if they can take in potassium (like a little on/off switch in each cell except it's potassium/sodium instead of on/off) so muscles try to get more potassium in, and if you don't have enough you can get crampy. Diet is the best way to remedy it. Potassium rich foods are bananas, raspberries, dried fruits (especislly apricots), sardines, bran flakes and most nuts (not salted ones). If you like them then a small banana or a handful of nuts about 90mins before you run (you can eat closer but i feel sick if i eat then run) that might make a difference.

How's everyone esle doing? My running has skyrocketed due to my getting a new running buggy. I did 45km between last monday and this Wednesday. LOL. I'm having an enforced rest day today because it's too windy to safely take the buggy out in the park (50mph gusts). I WISH i was running though!

Bx

[Kazbah]

Well I haven't been running since the wedding, as I've had a rather nasty cold. But I'm itching to get out there!!!!

I have been giving myself stretches of running the pram as I walk to childcare, just a block at a time. Feeling good that I'm recovering OK after each block and sorta keeping my fitness up. But since last Thursday nothing as I've been even more ill

And I thought getting fit would keep me more healthy!!!

[CeCe]

Hi Hoobley,

Thanks for the information. I still get some cramping although not as bad as the first week or two. I've really been paying attention to drinking water prior to and during the session. I've also been taking a few minutes before I start to really stretch and gently warm up my leg muscles. I'm hoping that once I get fitter and maybe loose some of the weight that I need to, the cramps will improve a little more.

I don't know about an enforced rest day - I tend to need the enforced exercise day

[paradise lost]

Kaz you're doing TOTALLY the right thing by resting up. I know (oh HOW i know!!) how annoying it can be when you feel like you're on a roll and then you get a cold or something and have to take a break but if you don't rest you can end up dragging the cold out for a lot longer.

As for exercise keeping you healthy...it depends on a lot of things i think. If i eat REALLY well - i mean ALL wholefoods, NO refined sugar, 9+ fruit and veg/day, i keep very well and don't get ill, but i enjoy life too much to restrict myself from having ANY treats. I also find if i don't have at least 1 day a week off exercise i tend to get ill more. Rest and get well, it's the best thing to do.

Longer-term, when your fitness is much much better, you might find you recover faster than you used to from illness. My sinus infections still come on, but they're gone in a few days rather than dragging on for weeks.

Cece LOL, i admit some days i have to FORCE myself out to run, but i always feel better for it after, and if i don't do a run i planned to do, i go to bed feeling a bit disappointed. Lol. Your hydration and warming up sounds great and it is important for everyone to let their body get warm before they begin the serious task in hand - it's so hilarious when you get to running longer distances. When i was training for the half marathon i was running 2 miles JUST TO WARM UP, and then stretching and THEN doing "the run". Lol. Try the potassium and see if it makes a difference too.

I ran 7k on Sunday when DD was at XP's. Felt crap for the first 2k but felt great for the rest of the run. It took me about 40minutes which is GREAT as it takes me 50 with the buggy which means with the same effort i am able to do down 5mins38ish/km, from 7mins6secs/km with the buggy! And that was my easy pace, not race pace

Bx

[paradise lost]

BOO!!!

Well cats, how's it going? Anyone at continuous running yet, or have you all had a month off?

I am still at it. I got rather too enthusiastic with my new jogger buggy and got injured 2 weeks ago, bit of bursitis in my right hip. Was really annoyed because i got the same injury last year, ALSO from overtraining - DOH! I just dialled it all down for a few days and am back at it now. My 10k is in mid May, and i'm behind in my training from where i wanted to be, but oh well, just need to keep at it and see what happens.

My speed has improved, i can now run 5k WITH the buggy (about 25kg i'm pushing now) in 29mins27secs. Not been able to run a speed test without the buggy yet but am hoping i can get round my 10k under 60mins in May, which, so long as i don't get injured again, seems doable. I ran my fastest ever mile a few weeks ago - 6mins 10 seconds! Ok, not breaking any records but i'm only racing against myself, and i ALWAYS win .

I just ordered summer (half length) running tights and a smaller (275ml, rather than 500ml) water bottle for race day (don't like to stop for water, don't like to go without either ). Both cheap but still excited about it! LOL.

Come on then ladies, tell me tell me tell me how you're runnin'!

Bx

[CeCe]

DH and I took some holidays and I've got out of the habit. I've pretty much had this month off. Just before we left I tried week 2 which I struggled to complete all the running so it's a bit of a battle to motivate myself again and give it a go.

I'm telling myself this weekend I have to start again ...

It sounds like you are going really well. There is no stopping you