Six month anniversary . . . .

[Richroux]

Wow - so I started my first 1 min run on the 8th January, it took me three months to complete C25K, since then I have run around 5K twice a week and am thrilled with my new found ability.

It's been a quite journey, so what have I experienced so far??

I couldn't have done it without the support of my wife, who has taken control of bath and bed time of our children and allowed me to go out 2-3 times a week and put up with me moaning about aching legs.

This forum has inspired me, through all the stories of heroic ambition, of people just like me, that are aiming to run.

I need at least 2-3 days between runs to recover, (and fit in with a busy life).

Feeling self conscious fades with time, (starting C25K in the depths of winter allowed me to run in the dark), now it's mainly on the 5min warm up walk I still feel strangely conspicuous.

Wee before you leave the house, or its kinda uncomfortable.

Singing along to music, messes up your breathing, equally try not to swallow flies.

Sneezing repeatedly can put you off your stride.

Sometimes, my desire to run, is driven by the fear of not being able to - if I don't

Now and then, a run here or there, I actually feel amazing.

My legs ache as much now as they did on week 1, except now I'm running 5K.

Blaming your brand new trainers for aching knees and shins and going back to the shop to check they are the correct fit, leads to embarrassment when you realise it's all due to trying to go too far, too fast, too soon

You can come back from ten days off with a chest infection and find you can still run.

Stretching after a run does help the aches and pains, and it make you feel like a real runner.

Ahh there is such a lot more I could bore you all with!

So as I wonder what the next six months will hold, I aim to stretch my runs and reach 10k, but above all, just to keep on enjoying this feeling - it's amazing what you can achieve if you put your mind (and body) to it!

[Hidden]

Brilliant post. Yes to all of the above except the wife bit. I too feel strangely self conscious when i set out, especially if it coincides with school starting or ending either end of the day. And if I see other runners, I speed up and try to pull my posture in! This should be a pinned post; it covers almost everything a newish runner needs to know x

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Lovely post, and with everything you’ve learnt and applied I can tell you are in it for the long run... as it were!!

[Richroux in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks JuJu, yes I hope to cement, imbed, ingrain this fledgling running habit into my life.

Your posts have inspired me in so many occasions, reading your positive mantras about life and running. I have followed your 10K plan with interest and wondered if you thought it were achievable if could only commit to two runs a week, do you think my stamina would improve enough over time or would I need to train more regularly??

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to Richroux]

Thankyou I’m so pleased.... to answer your question, I think it could be done. Do you do other exercise??

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

And if you manage 2 to3 times sone weeks deffo yes. You could always do each week twice to consolidate your distances and see how you feel?

[Richroux in reply to ju-ju-]

Mmm I think you are right, my only exercise is running and twice a week may not be quite enough unless I can fit in some additional runs.

Does your plan start again soon?? It would be good timing to set myself a fresh challenge and follow it from the start.

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to Richroux]

Yes it starts on the 15th.... you could play it by ear?

[Richroux in reply to ju-ju-]

Oh great - thanks

[Richroux]

Thanks Flick, yes I know what you mean, this running think is so much more than a physical challenge, overall the desire to keep running and the enjoyment it brings, out ways the than the anxiety it causes.

I hope you got out of the house, I saw your post about the busy week and the gremlins setting in.

Thanks and have a good weekend

[Hidden in reply to Richroux]

Ah, I ran yesterday - another 10k - and posted about it. the gremlins did their best but i triumphed

[Richroux in reply to Hidden]

Week done you!

[pinkaardvark Graduate10]

Wouldn't 6months be July 8th?

[Richroux in reply to pinkaardvark]

Ah yes my mistake! It was December I started - oops!

[Wizziewood Graduate10]

Congratulations, well done you!

A lovely post, thank you. Many of us can associate with the things you've written.

Keep up the good work ... before you know it you'll be running 10k (and yes, you're legs will still ache!).

Happy running!

[Richroux in reply to Wizziewood]

Still ache! Oh dear..... thank you 10k here I come :-0

[runner56]

Excellent post and so true.

I only feel conspicuous now when I have completed my run and am on the warm down. I wonder whether people are looking at this red faced idiot and thinking 'hah!! LOOK at you - you've stopped running cos it's too hard'.

And flies add to your protein intake 😉

[Richroux in reply to runner56]

Mmmm I know the feeling! Flies / protein now that's a thought!

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

Great to read this. Completely identify with the fear of finding you can’t do it anymore. Every time I leave the house I wonder if I can really run that long.

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

Me too - i wonder if Sir Mo feels like that!

[Richroux in reply to Jay66UK]

Yes I think half the time I fancy a run and half the time I feel I'd better go or I'm going to regret it. But it's all good!

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

Fantastic! Go you! 😃