Just a quick note to say WELL DONE for starting Eilidh!! DO take it slowly, personally, I definitely don't run for speed, and generally measure it by time not by distance. I think I did weeks one and two 4 times not 3 because I was just not brave enough to step up! Now you've got proper trainers that's the most important thing. and now that the weather improves you really should seek out 'green' routes rather than always run concrete/tarmac. The paths in the park, as long as they're gravel, soil or sand etc will already be softer than the road. I have run on roads all winter and am just switching back to park running now, on grass it's noticeably slower in my case, but easier on the joints in the long term.
When I started my legs ached for several weeks - it does get better and will disappear. Make sure you warm up and down by 5 mins brisk walking and do some stretching afterwards. Then suddenly after a few months my hips ached for a while, I can only guess that I was feeling more comfortable and started lengthening my stride...
What programme/podcasts are you using? I can recommend the podcasts from the NHS choices website, as well as timings they have a bit of encouragement (like "you might be feeling really tired right now but keep going, slow down if you want to but don't stop, only one more minute to go!"). Some ipod/phone apps just have audio cues to tell you when to walk and run and I really appreciated that bit of extra encouragement!
I haven't actually run for over a week at the moment because I was on holiday, but since August and up to then I did manage 3 runs a week (Mon, Thu, Sat usually), or very occasionally longer 3 or 4-day gaps. I ran on Boxing day and Easter Monday, and I always make sure to have at least 1 rest day between two runs.
I did reach the 30mins non-stop running in about 9 weeks as planned and by then I was running just over 5k in that time. If you're curious about distance there is a website called 'mapmyruns' that you can use to measure your distance, or an iphone can track your distance as well (I don't own one but I now have a Garmin sports watch...)
Anyway, if I can do it so can you. I always ran/run alone, but for Sport Relief met up with a friend who's been running for a few years and we ran togehter (me for 3 she for 6 miles) and found we were quite comfortably matched. I found it really enjoyable to run with company and being able to chat a little, but you do need to find someone who's 'on the same level'. I certainly don't run for speed, but can cover just over 6K in ~33 minutes on a good day. Other times I only do 4k in 25mins before heading home, it really varies, there are days you feel good and others you feel like you have lead in your legs, apparently everyone is like that....
Good luck, keep it up at YOUR OWN PACE and keep us posted!
