Hi All xx I posted yesterday ...: Hi All xx I... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Hi All xx I posted yesterday ...

runbabyrun123 profile image
32 Replies

Hi All xx

I posted yesterday about how I found W6 R1 a challenge (achieved but was shocked at how hard it was) and some lovely people came on the thread to support me xx

Today (rest day) I’m feeling sore and exhausted :-( I only walked a little distance to the shops today and could really feel the side of my calf muscles killing.

As I’ve progressed through the programme, I have noticed more exhaustion and soreness.

I have had three hours sleep this afternoon...forced myself out of bed as I wouldn’t have slept tonight and feel battered.

Also I have noticed shoulder, neck and arm ache (I am top heavy and have to wear two sports bras which I think is contributing).

:-(

Will I get used to this?

I posted yesterday that I am overweight...tall but defo could do with losing a couple of stone! Maybe I’m to heavy to drag myself around?!

A bit fed up!

Thank you xxx

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runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123
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32 Replies
UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

You’re doing great. Are you taking exercise on rest days? Keep the legs loose, walk, swim, do some yoga, anything. Shoulders and neck could be helped by YTW exercise... start off standing, and go gentle... with two sports bras we don’t want a double Barbara Windsor incident (if you’re old enough to remember)

You’re certainly not to heavy to do this... far from it.

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it! You know I am so interested in what you had to say...when I’m on a rest day I do very, very little! Because I figured I should be completely rested before taking on another run day. I never considered I should keep them moving! I will defo look into some swimming and yoga - thank you again! May I ask what YTW exercise is? Oh yes I do know of the Barbara Windsor incident haha! Xx

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to runbabyrun123

YTW is literally putting your arms in a Y (think YMCA) then return to front... then a T, back to front, then a W. There’s videos of it on you tube... some are lying face down with shoulders up, that is hard, standing version is more than enough for us mere mortals!

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to UnfitNoMore

Omg amazing! Right will check it out today - thanks so much!! Xx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

You got out there and did it! It’s a horrible run - I think the hardest in the programme, and the cruelest too. The fact you achieved it is fantastic, but it’s entirely possible you still took it a bit too fast. These guys are your friends ... 🐌🐌🐌

There’s no way you’re too heavy for this. All shapes and sizes post on here. 😀 Two sports bras could be a good idea though! Maybe an extra rest day would be beneficial.

You are over half way through the programme and doing brilliantly! Keep it up! We’re here cheering you on don’t forget! 😀😀👏👏👏

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thank you so much for your reply xx it was a real boost to me!! I do feel a little...self conscious when running as most runners I see around mine are tiny little things in super outfits....I wear leggings and one of my boyfriend’s gym tshirts 😂 Well I did complete w6r3 today so...although I don’t think I have the best physique for running, I can still do it 😂 thank you! Xx

mx5mada profile image
mx5mada

You doing great and make sure you keep mobile on rest days!

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to mx5mada

Wow! This is amazing! As above I never considered keeping things moving on rest days! I am definitely going to do this :-) xx thanks!

mx5mada profile image
mx5mada in reply to mx5mada

Runbabyrun123 by that I meant gentle stretches and nice walk maybe! But not too much sitting😇

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to mx5mada

Got you! Ha! Thank you so much! Xx

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate

Hi, like cheekychipmunks suggests - do slow down (it's always, always possible to slow more), and maybe an extra rest day would help - lots of people found this as the programme progresses. Also, week 6 is notorious for knocking people down. Rest, hydrate (all the time!), etc... (have you read the FAQ? Usually someone will have pointed you at it!)

About the extra aches - if you find you're having to wear two sports bras I'm concerned that neither one is up to the task. I know everyone's situation and size and shape are different, but could you look into a better bra? Have you a Bravissimo you could get to (they are so helpful)? You can often find bargains on ebay, once you know the right size and the models you want. Search this forum for two posts: "the A to E cup challenge" and "the BRAFTA goes to" if you want a laugh and some thoughts on bras.

If you remain exhausted, do get checked out. It could be something very simple :)

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to icklegui

So kind, Icklegui. All read and understood! Yes I have tried quite a few bras and the only thing that works so far is wearing a halter neck bra (thick straps) to kind of squeeze things together a little (lol...sorry TMI) and then a marks and Spencer’s high impact one on top. I hardly get any boob movement when I run...but the downside is the strain on the shoulders and neck! So grateful for the links - thank you so much! Xx

icklegui profile image
ickleguiGraduate in reply to runbabyrun123

Welcome! aah I see! It's tricky, eh! I'd been wearing the wrong size in my regular bras, until I started running and really looked into it ... turns out my band size should have been smaller than I thought (which did mean the shoulder straps were taking more of the strain than they should have been). Now I seek out my proper size in all bras - an unforseen benefit of running! Also not sure TMI is possible when talking about fit - these things are very important!! The Enell bras mentioned by another commenter look incredible, as they probably should at that price. Mind you ... perhaps that's the price of two bras!?

Sorry - I honestly could talk bras all day. Ahem.

Back to you - I hope you can find something that works for you! Keep going!

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to icklegui

So funny 😂 you’re right! I think it could be a real barrier to fitness, boobies 🙊😂 xx I am defo going to check out that bra - it will likely be a bit more comfortable what with all these straps I have to contend with now! I can’t wait to take them off after a run, not the most comfortable around the neck and shoulders for sure! Thank you so much again for your help xxx

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to icklegui

Ps I love that cat baba in your profile picture 😍❤️

Well done on completing a challenging run 😀 you are doing brilliantly and over half way through you should be very proud of your progress.

Being over weight doesn't preclude you from exercising . Yes it can put extra strain on your body so rest days and stretching after each run are very important.

I tend to walk on my rest days to keep the legs moving I am 60 .. there is lots of info on this forum but if you concerned about the exhaustion maybe a trip to the docs to get checked out to eliminate anything else ..

Keep at it you really are doing great

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to

Thanks so much, Slow_Rob (I can guarantee you are not slower than me!) 😂 as above, I have not been doing anything on rest days but...now I am definitely going to add some activity in as you and the others have suggested. Feeling miles better now but, as it happens, I called my GP to see if they could offer any weight loss support. She said they certainly could and that I was required to have MOT blood tests to check for thyroid, diabetes etc etc before I could join. So if there’s anything amiss with that, that can obvs be corrected :-) thanks again ! Xx

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123

Hi All

I’d like to say thank you so much for all the lovely, supportive messages. And to apologise for being a bit of a grump ha ha! I read them...took away some learnings and then stuck to the programme. Today I thought of you all when I finished week 6 run 3 😀 funny but I felt the 25 minute run was so much easier than W6R1!? Not sure how that works but I’ll just go with it =D

Rest day and then week 7!

Thank you so much again for being so kind to me xx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to runbabyrun123

It’s what makes this forum so awesome - you’re guaranteed support, no question, no matter what your concern/query!

You really ARE doing great. And the fact you completed R3 is epic! You are a runner, do you realise that? 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to cheekychipmunks

😭😭😭😭😭 (something in my eye!)

THANK YOU ❤️ I will certainly come back and update and also I hope to be able to support others who may need it once I qualify (not IF haha!) xxx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to runbabyrun123

Fabulous! ❤️

Languid_Lil profile image
Languid_LilGraduate

I feel your pain, running comrade. I am pretty well-built myself and have tried loads of different bras but only the (phenomenally expensive) Enell will do, sadly boobydoo.co.uk/enell-sports...

Keep on keeping on and take care of yourself xxxx

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to Languid_Lil

Oh thank you so much! I will check this out today! Well...I suppose we get what we pay for haha! Maybe I can get myself one as a treat for completing the course haha! :-D xxxx

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123

Hello All xxx

Just finished W7R1 😃

I felt motivated by all the advice ha ha! It was quite a challenge as up here, it’s blistering hot weather and my calf muscles were screaming at me but...I did do it and felt amazing (once I’d cooled down!) xxx I am so slow though lol - I think people could overtake me walking 😂

Also going to do some yoga and stretching tomorrow and I’m focusing on my diet...running has made a difference for sure but what holds me back is my diet...it’s like I’m cancelling out all the hard work im doing re fitness with all this naughty food I eat!

I’m on it!!

Thank you again, lots of love xxx

Polly2810 profile image
Polly2810Graduate in reply to runbabyrun123

I am super slow 🐌🐌 rock! It doesn’t matter how slow you go, you are out there doing it!!

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to Polly2810

🐌😂 I’m not sure I could go any slower! Sometimes I think I’d be faster walking hahahahaha! Yes - you’re right! At least we are out there and doing it! Xx thanks so much xx

Polly2810 profile image
Polly2810Graduate in reply to runbabyrun123

Welcome! Ih you can always go slower 🤣I am frequently overtaken by dog walkers but I totally don’t give a 💩 just enjoy it and keep at it...blood tests good call though just to be sure. X

mx5mada profile image
mx5mada

I was just thinking about your tiredness! Have you been to doc to have levels of vitamins and iron etc are you getting enough sleep?

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123 in reply to mx5mada

Oh thank you for thinking of me!! Well...I have spoken to my doctor as I’d like to get on top of my diet and they said they would like to do some MOT blood tests to check for anything underlying that may be contributing. I am assuming this will include things like iron and other vitamin deficiencies...? I shall ask! Honestly...mx5 I am quite sure my weight gain and tiredness over the years is to do with all the naughty food I eat 😬🙊 But I am really focused on this now and hopefully not being so heavy will help with the running! :-) xx

mx5mada profile image
mx5mada in reply to runbabyrun123

Runbabyrun123 i had same problem and it was combination of iron and vitamins missing plus stress and sleep! Good luck here for u!

runbabyrun123 profile image
runbabyrun123

Hi All xxxxx

Thanks so much again for the lovely replies xxxxx

I just did W7R2...and it was the best run of my life!!!! xxxxx

Not sure what’s happened there....well, I went for a brisk walk on my rest day yesterday and ate well...got home from work today and wasn’t in the best place mentally after a bit of stress...but I felt like I could have gone on for a bit longer tonight!! Wasn’t gasping for air as is usual practice 😂 just felt like I was running on air with bags of energy!

Maybe it’s because I’ve eaten better?! Or just the programme kicking in at last 🤔

I am still getting some upper arm ache and neck pain but...I don’t feel as battered as I have been previously xxxxx

Thanks to you guys for the motivation, I am feeling quite proud of myself for sticking with it ..... if I may say so! 😀 xxx

I hope you are all doing well. Oh! By the way, when I did the last 25 minutes I clocked on my phone that this was = to 1.64 miles....so I can’t see me managing the full three miles in another five minutes hahaha! Oh well! Better than not being able to run for a minute a few weeks back I guess! 😂 take care and speak soon ❤️ Xxx

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