[Pachyderm]

Princess, I wish you all the luck in the world for your new training regime. Even the idea of running 10K terrifies me

[PhatPhoenix]

How's the running coming along, Pachyderm?

[San*_*]

Good luck to all on your goals! You make me wanna run too
A couple of years I managed to jog, when I was using a heart rate monitor so I didn't overexhaust myself. I find it really hard to estimate how long I can go on for and at what pace I should go

[impossible princess]

I'm already incapacitated serves me right putting off getting some decent running shoes, Ive just managed to take all of the skin off the back of my ankle am limping. I need proper shoes

[Pachyderm]

Princess that's terrible. You obviously do need new shoes. Do you have anywhere local you can go to? I had a terrible time trying to find somewhere decent I could go, and now I've found somewhere even better. The guy who runs the shop is really into getting things right for my feet, and has insisted that I wear proper insoles in my shoes. He's taken out the gel ones in the asics I bought (muttering under his breath about gel the whole time) and put in some really supportive insoles. My shoes are sooo much better now, and I hadn't even realised that there was anything wrong with them!

PhatPhoenix, my running has been coming along fine, at the end of last week I was having a great time and was full of energy, but today I felt really sluggish and lacking in energy. I jogged so slowly. I'm hoping it is just a blip. Maybe I'm just tired, or didn't eat well enough yesterday. I don't know. I'll try again on Wednesday and Friday (incidently both forecast as rainy by the BBC 5-day local weather forecast!)

[YP1]

Definitely get some new shoes, I was amazed at the difference getting some proper running shoes made when I summoned up the courage to go into a running shop!

[impossible princess]

I will i'm really limping it was a huge blister but then it popped and is a mixture of scab and yukkiness. Its really sore am very cross about it because I'm limping everywhere hopefully it'll get better in a couple of days though.

[PhatPhoenix]

Princess - lavender oil or tea tree might help that clear up. They're also great diluted in a base oil (anything will do - olive oil, sweet almond, grapeseed...) and massaged on your feet. Anti-fungal, antibacterial and will make you less likely to blister in future!

My running shoes are almost exactly 1 year old so about to buy some more. If you are near a designer/retail outlet, you can often get £100 running shoes for half that! But first time out, you might be best going to a specialist shop for advice.

There's also some great advice on choosing shoes according to your feet/style of running, here:

www.girlsruntoo.co.uk

Anything but proper running shoes just won't hack it and the danger's not just to yer feet but your knee joints, etc! I got some Nike Air Vapors for under £50 and they have suited me great but we're all so different, try on loads and you'll be amazed at the difference when you run!

[lou1978]

i read on teh couch to 5k thing that if you were ok say running 2 mins walking however many mins.. that you could go to the next ones eg run 3 mins walk... x mins

i guess ur quite fit so if yo are confortable doing it then why not skip ahead!...

others might not agree... .. i think its more of a guide than rule book..

like wise if you found it a struggle by the 3 session carry on for a few more of the same.. dont go up a level!

lx