Hello 2017 new Quest week 4 - Feel free to join - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Hello 2017 new Quest week 4 - Feel free to join

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate
45 Replies

Hi Everyone !

Hows it going ?

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 are a graduate . 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 be added for the duration of the Quest.

Good Luck everybody !

Real Foodie Club, Ju-ju and Pops xxx

Jacs- W

Tortoise Girl

Real Foodie Club

Mfamilias

Miss Wobble

Tailsmo

CurlyGurly 2

Joe Public

Folkieboater

Old Floss

Mollydex

Wanawig

Carol Str

Razouski

Ancient Mum

Getfit Gran

Joy 57

Anne Droid

Google Me

Dunder 2004

Ju-Ju

Tanethra

Runaround Sue

65 go

Aliboo 70

mooning

ajwyld

Anniemurph

Pops

CookieM

June 67

Kaz 56

Maddee 6333

Linda_pink

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Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub
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45 Replies
Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

I'm starting to train up to 10km again. Hoping to do at least a 7km this week. If everything goes to plan hopefully a 10km event 29th May. Also keeping up with week 5 of S&F. Happy healthy week to you all.

Dunder2004 profile image
Dunder2004Graduate

My update:

Goal 1 - To run 3 times a week.

Ran 3 times.

Goal 2

To build up to 3 sets of 100 squats per week

Did one set of 60 and one set of 70.

Goal 3

To lose 3kg (from 82.5kg)

Weighed in at 79.9kg yesterday (down 0.2kg for the week).

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate in reply to Dunder2004

Hoping to run this week if it goes ok at the dentist. My husband asked me today when I was going running again. A sure sign to get moving 😊

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to misswobble

I know I've had to long a break when a MrRfc goes "when are you running again?". I'm prone to grumpiness with too long a break 😀.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Dunder2004

Wow that is done serious squatting you've got going in there. I'm in awe.

Dunder2004 profile image
Dunder2004Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Sorry, I missed your reply RFC (notifications were playing up).

I am gradually getting there. I used to do 4 or 5 sets of upto 150 a week (on instruction from Rignold) but I am not in that sort of shape at the moment :(

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

My week has gone well. I continue to run three times a week and am following my Asics plan. I am on course for my March 10k which I am really happy about.

I continue with stretches and foam roller work.....ouch!

I have done a Parkrun and intended running this past weekend, but it was cancelled due to ice. So I did a Sunday morning Parkrun on my own (freedom run) but did three laps instead of two.......7k sorted!!! I am very pleased with myself 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Millsie-J

Foam rollers, it's a love hate thing in my opinion. With more on the hate front. Sounds like your on course to be ready for March.

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

With running, swimming and cycling off the menu whilst I recover from the lurgi, I have focused on my other Quest goals.

A successful week: 6 out of 7 days of yoga (seems to have taken up residence as an evening activity instead of first thing) and 6 out of 7 days of recording my food intake.

Thinking of getting my running kit on today and trying a little one.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Im keen to start yoga regularly. Do you do this at home and if so what do you follow? 😀

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate in reply to Millsie-J

I started by using Ekhart Yoga's YouTube offerings and now have a paid subscription to their website. However my short (10-15 minute) daily session is something I put together myself based on their stuff (certainly with an eye to their programmes for runners) and do on the wooden floor of my bathroom. With some additions and variations I've been doing it for over four years. It's very gentle but I find it helpful and have back pain much less than I used to. I'd be no good with a weekly hour long class I had to show up and get changed for.

My most recent development has been doing it by candlelight.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Brilliant thankyou! I have practiced some yoga with my son, who teaches yoga etc but he is now in Northern Thailand 😀 I just need something to get me going again! I am like you, unlikely to turn up for a regular class. I am determined to get something underway at least twice a week 👍🏼

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Well done on your yoga days. Hope your run goes well when you venture out. Slow and steady for you first run out will help. Take care.

mooning profile image
mooningGraduate

Managing to keep to goals of x3 running a week and x3 gym.

Did an easy 9k this Sunday that gives me the confidence for the 10k I'm training for. Though I'm having to switch race after a wedding in now scheduled for that day. Gives me a few extra days training, no bad thing.

Took mother out for w1r1 this morning, she did great, but means I'll have to do my run this evening. Not a fan of evening running. But small price to pay.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to mooning

If you can do. 9km a 10km will be no problem. Lovely that your going out with your Mum, even if it does mean a change of schedule.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

Hello Rfc and all,

I was doing so well... and then I DNF on a run last week. The Bupa plan said 40 minutes and I got to 35 and could not keep going. I was knackered. I came home and looked at what I had been doing and I'd been running more or less every other day since the start of the month - great, but not what I had been used to. I took advice from other Beyonders and it was "Rest!" I slept... and I slept... and I slept. However, I now have what appears to be a cold - sore throat, sniffles, cough - so I guess I was incubating that and I will feel better again soon. The problem is that it has mucked up my plan for the London Winter Run so I am stressing like mad about that - plus I am away at the end of this week so no running then either. Oh, well, I can just go and enjoy the experience, I suppose. I should be able to do the distance... :O

In other news, I have failed for the third time to go swimming, this time because both the printed and website timetables were wrong. My new approach will be to telephone them whenever I am thinking of going. I might do this twice, to speak to two different people!

Happy running, all!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Anniemurph

No.......... the pesky lurgy monster... will he leave us alone please!

Hope you feel better really soon x

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Aww, thanks, Floss! It's nothing like as bad as most people have had, it's just an ordinary cold, thank goodness! At least, I hope so... :O x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Anniemurph

I am glad.. it is just so many of us have been zapped in one way or another...I am putting the blame on the weather at the moment.

I am about to get togged up to trim a huge shrub, which has got to be clipped in order for a new fence to go up tomorrow...I am wondering if I can find it through the fog :)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Anniemurph

We all have runs like that, it really sounds like your body was desperate for the rest. You'll be fine at the Winter run. I'll be there with chocolate cake shouting for you.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Chocolate cake! I can run for that :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

The dreaded lurgy and the dreadful foggy murk have blighted my plans to get back up to 10K.

I have managed to keep on with the 30 Day Kinetic challenge... and managed one long walk with small one in a rare spell of sunshine.

So.. it may be simply, core strength exercises this week but on my cross-trainer.. I fear the clinging damp fog could increase the lurgy monster's hold on me! No runs until my body says I can head out :)

Happy running everyone :)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Ack, the lurgy! It has hit so many people. I hope you recover quickly, but you are right, the fog makes it so much worse. We have been living in a cloud here for the last week or so, with one sunny day to remind us what the world looks like! Rest up until you are better - hope that is soon :) x

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Well done on your kinetic challenge. The weather here has scuppered a few of my runs, but for me I just don't think it's worth taking a risk and with a lurgy you really have to be kind to yourself. Take care.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

You do... I am behind, because I started late anyway! I picked up hilbean 's link a couple of days after she had put it up...:)

I won't go out at all if it is icy and the fog and damp and the lurgy has floored me really for my 'normal' runs.. :(

I think quite a few people have started the challenge.. but I am not sure if we are all doing the same one? No matter..all intended to improve our running :)

I shall be sensible... ( hard for me) and I hope you are okay too.

ajwyld profile image
ajwyldGraduate

Managed the 3 runs that my HM plan wanted last week. As distances lengthen fitting them in time-wise is becoming a challenge - I'm not speedy at all which means a 10k run is a major commitment. Also its cold and icy which restricts when I can run as I don't want to risk a fall. This weeks major challenge is the 17k scheduled for Friday afternoon. This will be my longest ever, and I'm just a tad apprehensive ! (Have been doing 14 OK, and I have in the past done 16 but expect to be fighting off some gremlins.)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to ajwyld

I'm with you, some of the HM runs for us are more like marathon training plans they do eat in to quite a chunk of a day. Remember that you need to fuel more than the average runner as well to compensate. Strangely enough for me the leap from 10-14 km was the worst 14-17 was no,problem at all. Good luck.

ajwyld profile image
ajwyldGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Have been having a banana on wholmeal bread before going out up until now, but figure that above 15k I need to experiment with fuel. My current plan is 3 dates every 5k and a slug of water. Does that sound reasonable to folk ? I don't like the sound of gels one little bit.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to ajwyld

I would give it a go, we are all different. I'm not a big fan of dates so I went with dried mango, I found them less sickly than jelly babies. I had a little fuel every 2.5km after the first 7km. That's what worked for me. Also I changed from bought electrolyte tablets to 1/2 orange juice ( there are carbs in OJ) 1/2 water in my bottle mixed with 1 tsp salt. I felt more in control of what I was putting in my body. Now is the time to play around with it as well. I got up and did a simulated race day with my breakfast once and realised I really can't eat a big breakfast at 6am, so I ended up with toasted bagel before I left the house with marmite and an oat, banana, yogurt smoothie to chug on while on the tube trip to the event.

ajwyld profile image
ajwyldGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Gonna try it tomorrow. On minor issue might be that the race is in the morning, but 2 out of my 3 remaining long training runs need to be in the afternoon. But will do my best to mimic my plan by having banana on toast and a cereal bar before I go out. I guess a couple of dates every 3k won't do me any harm. OJ in the water bottle sounds like a good idea. Preferable to sports drinks which I find vile.

(Am staying at the Premier Inn the night before the Brighton HM but will restrict myself to porridge and banana on toast for brekkie. Deliberately chosen as 5 minues walk to start line so no early morning start needed.)

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate

My quest got a bit redirected when someone (Frank NTJ) tagged me in the "Transform your running in 30 days" challenge. Then I got a cold, and donated some blood....struggling a bit with my runs at the moment, I'm sure I'll get back to where I was - eventually! The challenge has gone well, I just need a bit more ooomph to put it all into practise!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Curlygurly2

I'm sure you'll get back to form in no time, you have a great base level that hasent gone anywhere. It just feels like that with everything that's going on. Feel well soon x.

CookieM profile image
CookieMGraduate

I have two goals:

1 - to run 3 times a week - yup - went out 3 times last week

2 - to increase my distance towards 5k - well, kind of! I did get to 4k, but as both those runs were icy, I didn't run the entire distance. Hopefully I will be able to run the whole distance this week then I can push the distance a little further :)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to CookieM

I won't run on ice, for me it is too much of a risk, I'm accident prone on ice. There will be many more runs when the weather isn't so icy to get your 5km. 4km is a good run with ice.

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate

This week I have done just one run, but 2 gym sessions and one Pilates class. Had 3 alcohol free days and no cake! As a result I have lost 1.5lb this week so I feel back on track. 😄 On new year's day I had a vitreous detachment in one eye so I have been a bit cautious about running as I didn't want to jiggle it around too much! That's my excuse anyway!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Joy57

That's a great Weight loss, well done. Sorry to hear about your eye, hope it heals soon. Sounds like your still keeping active though.

Linda_pink profile image
Linda_pinkGraduate

I would like to join the quest my goal is to run 5k. don't care about time. running about 4k in 30 minutes just now x

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Linda_pink

Welcome onboard, I've added your name

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate

Me, I'm running 3times a week following my Asics plan for the 10k I'm doing with Curlygurly2 and Madge50 in Cambridge in mid-March. I do love a plan (as I've said umpteen times before) Lovely to read everyone else's progress x

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to AncientMum

Well done on your runs. Plans are good aren't they? I am hoping to start one soon, I haven't had a proper plan for nearly a year and it's just not the same.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

The plan is tyrannical! You have to comply or feel terrible. I am gnawing my nails up to the elbow as I've failed to complete a single run of mine yet. I keep striking them through.

Sings "maybe tomorrow, but what can I do" ..... tra la la

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate in reply to misswobble

Look on it as a 'wish list' not a definite. No pressure.

folkieboater profile image
folkieboaterGraduate

Variable week last week...

Working stupid hours at the beginning of the week, (7am-1am Monday) but did get 3 full meals Monday and Tuesday.

Run Wednesday, then first go at pacing parkrun - only 13 seconds over and closest 3 finishers to me got PBs so can't be bad - may try it again.

By Sunday I had caught the cold the OH brought back from Leeds...he could have kept it to himself.

No dry days. No weight lost - but none gained either.

Today's run went well also in Sunshine for a change. on a par with Sunday running for 43 1/2 minutes for 6 1/2 K. Managed 4 1/4 K run on Friday to work. Luckily pavements not frosty.

So all going to plan apart from still irregular plank exercises. Weight still at 10st 9lb which hope to get gradually down to pre xmas 10st 4lb . At least stopped going up. Last time the last few pounds took a long time to shift so not worried still feel good.

At one point the scales sort of "winked" at me briefly showing10st 8lb then returned to 10st 9lb ! Whipped off my dressing gown down to my birthday suit but again the scales "winked" at me 10st 8lbs and then went back to 10st 9lb !!

Just want the temperatures to finally stay at least a few degrees above freezing for more comfortable runs and make more progress. Don't like waiting till last minute to decide if need ice skates or trainers ??

Razouski profile image
Razouski

My week has been OK but I only managed 2 runs for some reason, and I haven't made much progress on my goals.

1) Improve my 5k time (currently stuck at about 28minutes).

I'm still stuck just below 28 minutes, and not really shifting it at all. I'm thinking of doing some tempo runs or other intervals. I'm also using my gym work for some intervals on the cross trainer, bike and arm bike to improve my overall fitness too.

2) Run a couple more Parkruns.

I didn't do Parkrun this week as it fell on my rest day, but I did do a nice long walk with hubby in the countryside. So, so far this year I've only done two.

3) Increase my distance.

I ran on the Isle of Wight for the first time on Monday, and got in a fair distance, which I was pleased with. Map My Run tricked me into a longer than expected run on Friday too.

I'm hoping to take things easy this coming week, as I have a checkup at the hospital that I'm not looking forward too.

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