Couch to 5km...Again!

[Glass half full]

In 2011, after being inspired by a bellybelly thread, I completed the c25k program. I got pretty fit, took part in the city to surf, lost 10kg.....then stopped
2 years later I have gained back those 10kg, I'm unfit, unhappy with myself and sick of it! So today it changes and I am typing this very slowly while riding an exercise bike in the gym

So the point to this thread, apart from admitting to myself how fat I am again , is to find out if anyone wants to join me in completing the c25k program? I found communicating with other ladies last time really helped to keep me motivated, so hopefully I can find that again this time
I'm thinking I will use the next few days to ease back in to exercising again and hopefully start running on Monday.

[LizLemon]

How does it work? Do you have to pay for it or is it all online or is it an app?

I want to start running, although I may have to just run in the backyard. Not sure how safe I am running in these parts!

[Teeki]

I'm trying. I downloaded the app, which I find fantastic.

The reason I'm 'trying' rather than just 'doing' is because the only time of day I have to myself is after DD is asleep and lately that's after dark If she's asleep early enough I run laps of our block (we have a very big block) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. By Saturday I'm loving it and finding the weeks program easy

Good luck completing it!

[Glass half full]

LizLemon, I use an app called Get Running, I think it was a couple of dollars but I'm pretty sure there are other apps, maybe there is a free one. You don't really need to use one, it just makes it a bit easier. The program basically just eases you into running, eg: the first week you walk for 5 minutes and run for 1 minute and this repeats for 30minutes. Each week the amount of running increases until you can run for 30 minutes straight. Make sense?

Teeki, it can be hard fitting it in with the kids, can't it. I did it all after the kids were in bed last time, and will be mostly the same this time, but I do it on the treadmill at the gym. I can never seem to find a good time to run outdoors. In Summer when it's light enough to go in the evening I usually still find it too hot and when its cool enough during the year, it's dark! It's amazing how great you feel once you get started, I always felt so good afterwards and would be so disappointed if I couldn't make it to the gym some says. Thats what makes me even more annoyed with myself for getting out of the habit, cause I actually enjoyed it! Oh well, I will get there again
Good luck with your journey.

[Teeki]

Yes, get running is the one I use - free for two weeks then just a couple of dollars.

I'd go to the gym but it's 20 minutes away and if DD wakes DH can't get her back to sleep, she flips out if he goes in. Hence running around the yard, I've gotta keep close to home!

[~ Mylitta ~]

I'm curious about something... When you started running, how long/far could you run?

[Glass half full]

I'm curious about something... When you started running, how long/far could you run?

When I first started, I really struggled to even run for 1 minute at a time! So not far at all and really slow as well. I was amazed how quickly my fitness increasesd and surprised myself each week when I was able to keep up with the increased running times.

[Teeki]

The first weeks program has you running for 60 seconds then walking for 90, there are 8 intervals. The first night killed me! I sucked so bad and wanted to quit, but I did it. The second time, I didn't want to quit the whole way around And the third time, I smashed it! I ran further/faster in my intervals and recovered better. I actually really liked it

[Pholi]

I did this for a while the year before last, and was thrilled with my progress (as a complete non-runner to start) but I was interrupted by our IVF treatment starting - I felt rotten and bloated and felt like I needed a bra for my bloated belly, so I stopped. But our first cycle was a success, and we now have a 4 month old DS to prove it, sop I can'[t really complain about my running program getting interrupted.

But I'm thinking of starting up again now. I would have to run with the pram, but I think it's do-able. I'm walking about 4 days a week, but it doesn't get my HR up at all, and I still feel so unfit, not to mention flabby around the hips and belly. So munchkin_mumma, I think I might join you - on the condition that I can run with the pram ok!

[Glass half full]

Congrats on your baby boy, Pholi! Sounds like a pretty reasonable excuse for stopping your running

I hope you manage to join in. I always admire women I see running with prams, I reckon I'd be way to uncoordinated to pull that off, haha.

[3_Girls]

Good luck! I've started the program about 5 times & failed to succeed. I don't have enough drive but hopefully I'll get there one day!

[Glass half full]

Thanks 3_girls Hopefully you'll get to give it another go one day.

So I did my first run last night. We had a bit of a meltdown situation with DD before I went to the gym, so I though running might help destress me a little. I worked pretty well
I'm relieved that even though I have put on a lot of weight, I don't seem to be completely unfit. I remember the first time I started c35k I felt like I was going to die after the first run, where this time it was easy and felt like I could run longer than the 1 minute intervals. I'm not going to skip ahead though, I'll take it slow and do it properly.

[krysalyss]

I am starting to jog again but am just doing my own intervals and not really following any program. I have started back playing soccer so it is all intervals in a game, but like you MM although I have put on weight I am not so unfit. The good thing with jogging is you do feel the improvement pretty quick. Yay to us all getting fit!

[~Ash~]

I've just started this again too! Today I completed my week 1 day 3 so on Tuesday I'll be starting week 2 - eek!!

I'd love to join in

munchkin - I'm just like you this time around lol I can't remember being totally wrecked when I first did the program but this time I can finish the first week easy - DH told me to skip ahead and I said NO WAY!!! Lol

[Glass half full]

I am starting to jog again but am just doing my own intervals and not really following any program. I have started back playing soccer so it is all intervals in a game, but like you MM although I have put on weight I am not so unfit. The good thing with jogging is you do feel the improvement pretty quick. Yay to us all getting fit!

Thats great, Krysalyss. Soccor would be wonderful for keeping fit I imagine. Unfortunately, I've never been a team sports kinda gal myself.

I've just started this again too! Today I completed my week 1 day 3 so on Tuesday I'll be starting week 2 - eek!!

I'd love to join in

munchkin - I'm just like you this time around lol I can't remember being totally wrecked when I first did the program but this time I can finish the first week easy - DH told me to skip ahead and I said NO WAY!!! Lol

Yay, Im glad I'm not the only one who has done it before and then had to start all over again! I look forward to following your progress

Well....I haven't actually done my second run yet! I remeber I started the same way last time, so I'm not being discouraged just yet. I would love to get to the gym tonight, but I have a job I really need to get finished while the kids are asleep. Sounds like a terrible excuse, but I really don't want and angry bride harassing me for her wedding photos Hopefully that will be out of the way this week and I can spend my evenings in the gym again. All I know is I cannot stay this size, it is getting me down at times

[~Ash~]

Have you done your second run yet???

I'm just about to do my first run of week 2 - I have a little voice in the back of my mind telling me it'll be to hard but I'm pushing through lol

[Pholi]

Alright, I've done it! I've started again, I did the first run of week one today - with the pram! It worked ok, but I needed to push with one hand and do the normal running action with my other arm, otherwise I felt really stiff running. And given how unfit I have felt since DS was born almost 5 months ago, I'm really, really pleased with my effort today!

Good luck with the week 2 runs, Ash.

[Glass half full]

No second run here yet, ahhhh! I'm totally pumped to get back into it tomorrow though. I went to Body Balance tonight so I'm feeling great and motivated again.

How are you girls going?