I am off the couch week 2 - Feel free to join. - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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I am off the couch week 2 - Feel free to join.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate
47 Replies

Welcome to wk 2

Here we are at the second week. So good to see so many of you coming back and welcome to our new Questors

What the quest is:-

The quest takes six weeks. You can join any time within that six weeks.

The main aim of the quest is to help you find a focus or goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the Quest period.

I ask that you will be a graduate or about to graduate to join the quest. The main reason I ask this is that while you are doing the program your plan is very structured so I wouldn't want the quest to interfere with that.

Most popular goals are:-

To run three times a week

To slowly increase distance

To train for a specific race

To add In Stretch and strength exercises

As you can see they are personal to yourself and it's totally your own choice.

Every week I will pin a new post where all the members of the quest can talk about how things are going.

So if you wanted to join all you have to do is put

I would like to join the quest, or count me in and then I would like to. ..............

Your name will then be added to the top post and every week your name will be in the quest until the end.

At the end, only for those that would like to, we each put out longest run of the quest and it is then marked on a virtual run we are doing from John O Groats to Lands End.

Then it all starts again for another six week Quest.

Realfoodieclub

Gludwig

Wristy

Catch

Googleme

Misswobble

Old-git

Frockyhorror

Toonlou24

Ruth-canal-runner

Runswithdogs

The-tea-fairy

Ancientmum

Lizziebeth57

AngieS

Tanyag-163

Christian1

Buffy007

Nellyharte

Poppypug

Irishprincess

Actonhighstreet

Anniemurph

Ajwyld

PrincessStef

Net68

Operation2015

Potty

Fitfor60

Folkieboater

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Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub
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47 Replies
Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Bitter sweet week for me. At the beginning of the week we got the bad new regarding my husband health. He will have to start diayisis In The near future. Then at the end I did my Swimathon. 2.5km in 1hour 7. And a birthday party for my husband, with dancing, wine and friends. The edge has sort of been taken off everything but I will continue with my training for my HM.

BoPeep9009 profile image
BoPeep9009Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Oh, sorry to read the upsetting news about your husband rfc ... All the best with that.

On the plus side that was a totally fantastic swim time and a party's always good for lifting the spirits.

Good luck for your HM :-)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to BoPeep9009

Thank you. Hehe I think I partied a bit hard.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

I'm sorry to hear that RFC. I'll be thinking of you. I'm sure the running will help in some way.

Brilliant news on the Swimathon. That's a long time/way swimming!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Thank you. Running does help clear the head doesn't it?

Fitfor60 profile image
Fitfor60Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Bit of life changing news about your husband but you are so right in trying to both keep as fit as possible to deal with it . Would be so easy just to sit on couch but I know you will just continue running. Good luck in HM training rfc

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Fitfor60

Thank you.

the_tea_fairy profile image
the_tea_fairyGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Oh no, really sorry. X

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to the_tea_fairy

Thank you.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Still running 3 times a week in training and once for fun with the local joggers. I ran just over 26 m last week and it steps up this week as race day draws near

Still loving it!

Hi RFC. Sorry about your bad news. Do you find it's a help to have your training to focus on while dealing with difficult news? It sounds like it was a healthy response to stick to your plan as well as going through with celebrations. I hope the dialysis can be delayed as long as possible, and that you both have support around you for when it starts.

My week was (thankfully!) quite uneventful, meaning I could really focus on what I want to be doing. I decided not to keep doing 5k runs, which were really tiring for me, but to do shorter runs instead and work on my pace a bit more. So although last week I did 3 5k runs, this week I'm doing 2 days of intervals followed by a 3.5k run on Friday, which should be more manageable. I've also cut down the alcohol before run days as I intended to, and have started trying to make sure I get the recommended 8 glasses of water a day, as I think hydration will help me run better too.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to

Thank you. We both are aiming to be as fit as possible to tackle it head on. I am looking forward to cutting down my run distance a bit after the race, it is very draining always pushing yourself. I work on The principal it has to be fun at least 80% of the time. As it get hotter working on Hydration is important. I know a run can be totally scuppered if I haven't drunk enough. Good luck.

Bad running week here - haven't been able to run for nearly a week, due to a very painful hip, which has left me limping around the place in a rotten mood. I now realise it was in fact just the running that had made me so cheerful since January so I'm hoping I can get back to it quickly!! I had done too much too soon, and will take it easy and increase distance gradually when I can get back to it. It feels way longer than a week for some reason. On the plus side, I have kept up with the healthy eating, swimming and no tobacco/alcohol, and I'm determined not to let the fact I'm not running mean that everything else comes tumbling down, which might sound a bit over the top...

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to

Oh no, I hope it heals soon. Treat it with lots of TLC. Great that your keeping all your good habits as well. Well done.

in reply to Realfoodieclub

Thank you. Hope things improve for you. Well done on the swim!

in reply to

Oh no GLudwig - if you can't run at least you should still be able to walk, swim, all the other things? Keep us informed about your recovery progress. I think this forum is just as much about supporting people who are off running because of injury as those who are pushing their running forward. Glad to hear you're feeling determined, let us know if we can help bolster that determination at any point while the hip fixes. Speedy recovery :)

Donkeywhistler profile image
DonkeywhistlerGraduate in reply to

Too much too soon shows how eager you are. It is very hard to find yourself back on the couch when you're getting so much from the running but you do need to be kind to your body and recover. You are just regrouping before you get stuck in again. Rest and recouperate and you'll be back out there soon. 🐢👣🏃🏿

ajwyld profile image
ajwyldGraduate

Well I spent the first week of the quest on the IC - resting my foot. Very frustrating. Hoping to be able to get back to it next Saturday... (Its definately improving)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to ajwyld

Oh no, same advice as above treat yourself with TLC. I hope time flies by for you and your of the IC soon.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

I stuck to MyAsics Plan with 3 runs last week. A 5K and 2x 7K's, all fast! Really pleased that my pace is improving and yesterday's run didn't feel quite so hard. This training lark must be working.

This week will be a challenge as I'm on holiday (hot) and I have 2 fast 10K's! Mmmnn....

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Wow impressed you got up to the fast running times, I always managed to be a little shy of mine. But saying that u we the whole plan my speed has increased so it does seem to work. Good luck with your 2x10ks, and enjoy your holiday.

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

RFC, you are a torpedo! So sorry to hear your rather life-changing news, I know it takes some organising, but pleased to hear you are cracking on with all the stuff that makes life sweet. As it happens my husband's family (several members of which have inherited kidney disease) have been talking this weekend about celebrating his aunt's 80th birthday - we've a few months to go yet but we never thought we'd be doing this.

I've had a successful week with my modest goal to run or walk every day and managed to log 20.4kms towards the 26.2 miles before 4th May Challenge, so I am half way there (would be further if I'd been able to log all of it but no matter). I encountered a variety of problems, notably our teenage cat who wants to walk with me and the dog. Since we got him after another cat was killed on a road, I find this impossible to be relaxed about and I've been trying to 'shake him off' or taking him home and making a dash out of sight.

It was great to get back on the meadows where I've not been for ages. I could take the dog through the sheep on the waist belt but it hasn't appealed. They've moved off now so I had a run and she had a run and several swims in the river.

It's been great for bird watching too!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Thank you and great words of encouragement. It's great to hear some positive news.

I can understand your worry about the cat coming with you. We have two and don't like them going near the road. Lovely that he want to come though. Sounds like your doing some form of sprint training trying to get out of the door without being caught.

Your runs sound great with swimming as well.

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Sadly (or happily, not sure!) only the dog takes a dip in the Derwent!

You are right about the sprint training. Strength too as one day I scooped him up and carried him round the block and he was not pleased!

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Sorry to hear about your hubby RFC. I hope all goes well and we will be thinking of you x

Well done on your swim and the running too. It is good for the soul isn't it ?

I had a pain free run yesterday ! I am going to take it soo slow and not put myself under any pressure.

The exercise bike I bought that was still in bits in the box ended up in bits on the carpet as it was faulty and my hubby declared it as a pile of old tat , or words to that effect , ha ha ! :-)

So, I am going to try running again towards the end of the week and have been doing my strengthening and stretches every day .

Good Luck all my fellow Questers !

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to poppypug

Thank you. So glad the training is coming together again even though the bike isn't, sometimes I am sure they out in the wrong instructions.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Thank you so much RFC xxx

Safe to say the bike is now in its box and going back ha ha :-) xxx

catch profile image
catchGraduate

Sorry to hear your news rfc, I hope the runninghelps take your mind off it, if only for a bit. I've managed to increase my distance slightly this week which was my aim. I ran the stamina podcast one day and covered 5.45k, the speed podcast another day, and then added an extension onto my normal 5k loop on saturday and managed 5.43k (not quite the 5.5k I thought it would be!). My plan this week is to do something similar with the stamina and speed podcasts during the week and then extending my weekend run by another half k. This weekend it will be interesting as hubby and I are in London for the weekend so I plan to go for a run along the embankment on Saturday morning (if I can get on it as it is part of the marathon route, the morning before the marathon! )

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to catch

Thank you. Sounds like your building up in just the right way. I think I am going to add in some strength and speed after my HM. I think the basics are the basics because they work. Happy running.

operation2015 profile image
operation2015Graduate

I would like to join the quest please, i would like to be able to run 5 miles/8k by the end of it!!

RFC, i am ever so sorry to read about your husband. In my experience having looked after lots and lots of people undergoing dialysis, i hope i can reassure you both a little that once you get past the fact that its a pain in the backside having to have it done regularly, that is all it is. Nothing to be scared of, it wont "change" him in anyway, wont make him feel ill or anything (infact you will probably find that he feels a lot better and a lot less grotty after each session). Its a frightening concept but it really does just become "one of those things" that you, and life, adapts to :)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to operation2015

Thank you so much for your lovely words, the good news is one thing we are great at is adapting, I've added your name above, welcome to the quest.

christian1 profile image
christian1Graduate

3 runs this week. i wanted to do 7K on one run but only reached 6.5 then just could not face the last half K. May be next week?

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to christian1

You will get there, so close now. Sometimes half a km can feel like 10.

Wristy profile image
WristyGraduate

I did two 5ks midweek last week but missed the long run at the weekend due to two nights out in a row! Got out tonight though so all is well. 5k intervals this week and a 7k on Friday is the plan. Going to Germany for the weekend so going to take my running stuff too.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Wristy

I did two drinking days in a row last week as well, it messes up my running schedule, but sometimes it's good to let your hair down. Hope you get to run in Germany.

AngieS profile image
AngieSGraduate

Really sorry to hear your news, RFC. Well done on your Swimathon.

I managed 4 runs last week and 2 strength training sessions. I've started running with a local community running group on Saturday mornings, which is lovely. I'm enjoying running with a group, as I've only ever run solo before - it's amazing how the time passes when you're chatting to someone else. For my other three runs, I've been following a 10k improvers training plan (but only on week 1 last week) which should increase my distance up to about 14k by the end of the 12 weeks and also improve my 10k time.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to AngieS

Thank you. Wow you are doing so well. Great that you are getting on with a running group, and well done on adding strength in as well.

Potty profile image
PottyGraduate

Sorry to hear your news, RFC, I'm sure you're doing the right thing keeping as fit as possible though. I hope things settle down soon.

I'd like to join the quest please! I want to aim to reach a 7.5K 'long run' by the end :-)

Thank you

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Potty

Thank you. I have added your name, welcome onboard.

the_tea_fairy profile image
the_tea_fairyGraduate

Not too bad this week, though my second run got eaten by ridiculous workload. 4 miles on Tuesday, and 10 on Sunday :)! Then a 3 mile walk Sunday afternoon, which seems to have stopped the dreaded DOMS and is kinder to the soul than the foam roller!!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to the_tea_fairy

Wow well done you are doing so well. I agree with the walking to stretch the legs out. I went for a run yesterday and had to cut it short after 1km my legs weren't healed after the swim. Apparently breast stroke uses the same leg muscles as running. So I went for a walk later to stretch them out. I totally agree my foam roller is a little lonely.

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogsGraduate

Ack. Sorry for your hard week RFC. Hopefully the running has taken your mind off it for a little while.

My stretching quest is going okay so far. Forgot after my first run this week but did a good stretch after my longest run to date and feel much, much better. I just have to make it a habit, so it'll be a great quest for me.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to runswithdogs

Thank you. I have to do the same, I used to stretch every night before bed last year but as the training has got tougher I just fall into bed shattered. So after the HM it is definitely going to be my plan.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

Very sorry to hear your news, Rfc. I hope that it will improve things for him though and that you both adjust to it when it starts. Congrats on the swimathon.

I have had a very good week. I decided that I should start to run hills, having basically avoided them for three years - quite an achievement when I live in Derbyshire! So I set off to tackle what seems to me to be a huuuuuuuuge hill out of town, deciding to run as far as I could, noting where I stopped and trying to get further next time. And I ran the whole thing! Then on Sunday I did 6.5k for the FB run in memory of grandparents, so that pleased me as well. I am increasing my swimming too.

Hope everyone has a good week 😊

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Anniemurph

Thank you. A whole hill wow, I'm in awe. You will have to find a mountain next. Running in memory of your grandparents that's a lovely idea. Happy training.

lizziebeth57 profile image
lizziebeth57Graduate

Aww RfC I'm really sorry to hear about your husband having to get dialysis. You seem to have had an awful lot to cope with this last year or two. Hope that it makes a big difference to his health though.

I did my 3 runs last week but no yoga as teacher was off and I just didn't get round to putting on the yoga dvd I have. I also learned that running on a warm afternoon the day after drinking lots of wine and not drinking enough water is not a good idea :(

I did enjoy my run on Sunday though, which I did in memory of my grannie.

folkieboater profile image
folkieboaterGraduate

So sorry to hear about your husband rfc, best wishes to him and keep strong both of you.

Don't know how I missed this quest start, but count me in.

Aim would be to keep on going, aiming for about 15k a week at the moment, either in 2 or 3 runs, depending how busy I am.

Last week was a 3 run week, 5k and 2 x 5.7k's. It's highly likely this week will only be 1 as I'm working away. Long one on Sat or Sun.

Good luck everyone and thanks rfc.

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