Do the Couch to 5k running plan

I’m so pleased, started the programme again by repeating week 2 run 3, and now I’ve also completed week 3! I think it was about the right level of challenge for me as I found week 2 quite boring. I thought the 3min runs would be a big challenge (I wondered why they move from 90sec to 3min?) but it was fine, yesterday I could have kept running. It was strange as the first interval is 90sec and each time I felt like I was getting stitch. But I remembered what D said about breathing and expanding your chest and it worked, yay! Can’t wait to start week 4 with 5min intervals! I ordered from roadid.com the coolest thing, an ID wristband. I heard a lot of accident horror stories so I’ll feel a lot safer running with ID.

thank goodness. I haven’t been doing anything at all, not even walking round the park at lunchtimes. I feel like a total blancmange but it has worked as my knees are much better – only in the last couple of days though. I really want to get back to the programme.

Rather stupidly I went running tonight even though my knees are very painful. Even though the programme allows for a 2 day gap between runs, I am going every other day so I don’t lose momentum/ interest. I ran carefully, slowly, close to the ground. It hurt my knees. And now I can barely walk and stairs are a nightmare. What possessed me? I was already limping on both legs. Doh. What happens now? :(

Aarghh. I ran tonight, this set seems quite easy – the 2 min walk is too long. I am finding that I can’t concentrate on running for 90 secs though, even though tonight it was fine stamina-wise. I kept slowing down and then catching myself. Lol I’ll never win a race! But now I have big blisters on both heels, and sore knees:( I wore different shoes as my others are making me roll in on the right as they are worn out (and not made for running anyway). But I soon felt them rubbing my heels. I am not sure what it says about me that I decided I’d rather continue running with blisters than quit! For the 5 min cool down I took off the shoes and walked home in my socks. I’m annoyed as I had planned to get running shoes fitted tomorrow and now I can’t because of the blisters. Grr! I’m concerned about my knees though. I might see if I can patch up my heels and go shoe shopping anyway as I will be running again on Monday.

I totally rock, week 2 is 90sec run and 2min walk and I did it! My running definitely gets ragged towards the end but I didn’t feel like I had to stop. It was actually over really fast! I weighed myself today, which was an unmitigated disaster but hey, at least I can see how much work I have to do. Thinking positive! (Trying)

I did it! I flag around interval 6 (of 8) and I am not sure it is getting easier. But week 1 is over and I’m really excited to move onto week 2 tomorrow.

Done! It was tough today and I’m not sure why as I had thought it would be easier than Friday, after having done it once. I put gel insoles in my shoes to try to prevent shin splints (too late!) and put tubigrips on my shins, and wore tights to support my hips. So I thought I was better prepared. Hmm. I felt more out of breath and sweatier afterwards so I think I might be going too fast. I am doing 2.5m/4k in just over half an hour.

At the moment I can’t see myself being able to move on to week 2.

However, I have just read about the Disney races! New goal? I think so…

I did my first run on Friday, I am so proud! I felt like 60secs of running was a bit too long but that 90secs of walking was too long as well. My running was not really running, especially towards the end, I was sort of tripping along but I loved it. I listened to a podcast which really helped, a song I love came on at just the right moment when I was tiring, and spurred me on. Afterwards my hips were so sore and my foot was not too happy about it either – I know my hips will get used to it but I think I will have to go to the doctor about my foot:(