Im gobsmacked

[Titch121]

Every step of W3 R1 was agony. My legs ached, my knee hurt, my ankles hurt, my calves hurt, my hamstrings hurt, Laura was really getting on my nerves, her taste in music is dire, but I did it and I even managed a smile at the end of it.

[Beelady Graduate]

Well done you

[McFitty Graduate]

Week 3... oh how I hated week 3. Week 3 was the pits for me for all the same reasons. My legs! If I could have had a calf transplant I'm sure I would have been fine! But you finished it, you've done the first one, just 2 to go. Try everything to ease your legs. Knee strengthening exercises really do work. Stretching after a run means your muscles aren't so tight for the next run. Massage your calves. Ice your knees. It does get better, I promise. And I'm lying down too, so you look the right way up to me! Good luck for run 2. You can do it

[lightweightkate Graduate]

Well done for completing it My calves are the bane of my life - never mind McFitty 's transplant, I wanted to cut mine off :-), Stretching after has helped me. Music is a bit off putting at time I know - I can't wait until I can play my own!! Tough one but you did it. Congrats and enjoy your lie down x

[Hidden]

Bloody brilliant Titch121 Week 3 is a killer but you did it.

I remember the burning sensation but I don't get anything like that anymore and neither will you in time

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

But you did it!

Well done - you are showing the true grit of a C25ker!

Just keep plodding away - as slowly as you like. It will get better!

[TessHardy Graduate]

I know what you mean about the calf agony! Well done for running through it!

[Suebguineapig Graduate]

You kept going. And so long as the pain doesn't persist you will be fine. If it does, then take extra rest days. Well done; you are a good way along the journey!

[RunningGeek Graduate]

Well done for persevering. Did W3R2 yesterday & it was slightly better than R1! Everyone else seems to have had problems with their calves for me it's my thighs that shout. Keep going, we will get there

[Titch121 in reply to RunningGeek]

Well done for getting through W3R2. Im hoping to do it tomorrow, will let you know how it goes.

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to RunningGeek]

Hi, I forgot to check the podcast, can you tell me if W3R2 is the same podcast or is it a different one? I think I've picked up from somewhere that some weeks there is a different podcast.

[Titch121 in reply to Sofargoner]

Hi Sofargoner well done on getting to week 3 behind seemed impossible on paper but in reality was possible (just)

All 3 are the same in week 3. Good luck with your next run

[poppypug Graduate]

Well done ! You dug deep and completed it , excellent !

Sounds like " new runner niggles " but no harm in taking extra rest days if necessary.

Good Luck ! xxx

[Titch121]

Thanks everyone. The encouragement from you all and the bullying from our task master Laura definitely has kept me going.

Not only was I gobsmacked yesterday that I did it but Im even more gobsmacked today that other than a twinge in my knee (which I had before I even started couch to 5k all my other aches and pains have gone.

Bring in Run 2 tomorrow

[TheHack Graduate]

Good work titch x you fought of the Gremlins and won. On the music side, believe it or not there is worse to come.....

[Titch121 in reply to TheHack]

Worse no way. Can it really get worse.

Did love the bit half way through when she said to imagine I was running next to a hedge and the person the other side shouldnt be able to see me bobbing up and down. I live up to my user name (4 foot 11) so the chance of them seeing me bopping up and down would be a fine thing.

[dingdongthewitch Graduate in reply to Titch121]

I was actually running next to a hedge when she said it tonight, I became a little paranoid for a second, I thought Laura was spying on me 😂

[TheHack Graduate]

It's funny my family nickname is titch as my parents and brothers are all I the realms of 6foot. I am actually 5 foot 4 so not really that small. I love the idea of you trying to bounce high enough to be seen over the hedge. X🐇

[OldPossum in reply to TheHack]

Just need to find small hedges

[OldPossum]

Well done on your run. I've always found the first run of each week the toughest so they should get easier again for a couple of outings at least. Like RunningGeek , I didn't have problems with my calves but thighs, and feet. I've made it to week 9 and everything seems to have settled down now. You just have to grit your teeth with the music - I did find some of the later weeks were a bit better but I can't remember which ones I found bearable now!

[Titch121 in reply to OldPossum]

My trouble is I keep looking a week ahead of where I am so when the week comes Ive already decided its too hard for me. But then like yesterday even though i said it was too hard and there was no way on this earth I would be able to do it somehow or other I managed it and hopefully Runs 2 and 3 will go as well.

[OldPossum]

You're not alone. I'm a born planner so I was always looking ahead to the next week and beyond. It hasn't held me back though. I now only have two runs left to graduation 😱😱

[Titch121]

Yay yay yay. I knew my boss wasnt in work this morning, I knew I wouldnt get a chance to go for a run tonight so with bleary eyes I got up 20 mins earlier than normal and off I set for W3 R2 and I did it. According to my fit bit I went 2.8 km. No idea if thats rubbish, normal or good but Im very very happy with it.

What I can never decide is whether its my legs or my stamina that is my nemesis. Whichever it is as a 58 year old ex smoker for 5 years after a 35 year habit I am feeling very very pleased with myself.

[McFitty Graduate in reply to Titch121]

And so you should feel very pleased! Only one more week 3 run to go and in week 2 you didn't think week 3 was achievable! Go you

[Hidden]

You go Titch121 Well done for doing the second run. You are doing so well mate

[Titch121]

W3 R3 done. Sitting here with a massive cheshire cat grin on my face

Go me

[Sofargoner Graduate in reply to Titch121]

Gonna follow you if that's ok as I'm on W3R2 on Saturday. It's really good to hear from others at almost the same stage.

[Titch121 in reply to Sofargoner]

Good luck with it Sofargoner one you get over the mind game of running for 3 mins non stop it's not as bad as you think