Please like this post if you think it will benefit our forums

[Realfoodieclub]

I am wondering if a cross training forum might be useful to us. Either a new forum or repurposing the Stregnth and flex forum. If you have a spare second please like if you think this would be a good idea.

There have been a couple of issues brought to my attention over the last couple of days and it has got my old brain cells working.

No 1) there is no place for graduates who run for 30 mins or 5km to talk about their runs. I know they can do it on the forum here but some don’t like to post as they feel like it is unfair on the new runners. We do have a bridge to 10km forum but not everyone wants to go further or do events. 30 min running three times a week is a great exercise in itself and a great place to stay if that is your wish. I would like to provide a platform where people feel free to talk about these runs, and feel included in a forum that feels like it fits them.

No 2) there is no facility within the forums for cross training other than our walking forum. I would like this new forum to be a cross training forum, that means any form of exercise can be shared and talked about. I will totally hold my hands up and say I do not have experience in all forms of exercise ( I have an accredited level 3 personal trainer diploma) but I hike, swim run, cycle in a fashion, weight train, cross trainer and do core work. I am happy to learn about others exercises and think it would be good to be able to share and read about other people’s way of keeping fit.

It would have the same feel and responsibilities of posting as we do here, so it would all be about support no matter what your exercise of choice was.

I will have to have a word with Healthunlocked before I do anything but I wondered if you could like this post if you think this is something that you feel you would benefit from.

So I could show them that there is an interest in something like this.

Have a great weekend

Rfc x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

I "liked" your post Realfoodieclub, I think it's a good idea. I began C25K on 18 April and graduated on 18 June 2018, however, I did write a post on Healthunlocked about the exercises I do around December 2017 when I was looking for exercises for over 65's to do and wrote about them then, only by staying with the C25K running part on Healthunlocked I took up the runs back in April last year. 😊

[Sandyscroll Graduate10]

You've raised some good points there. I'm usually hovering between 5k and 10k, just happy to keep doing what I do. Part of the reason I run is for the sense of freedom and to destress a bit, so I'm unlikely to do any races (yes, famous last words etc...you never know). I rarely do any cross training but I know I should, so some motivation from others would be great...and I love a good running adventure to read, or occasionally post, so it all sounds good to me. Great idea! 👍

[Couchpotato2]

Looking at people mentioning swimming, cycling etc, I think it would be useful to have a post grad hangout where we can discuss this although I am equally happy to see people post about those things on the running forum but I suppose it might start bothering some. I think there is plenty to talk about!

[Knittingrunner Graduate10]

I think it’s a good idea too. I moved onto the bridge to 10k because I wanted to stretch myself but I doubt I will ever run further than 10k and that’s still some way off. So to have a space for the runners in that distance would be good. I also walk a lot and do strength exercises too but to have a space to discuss that and get tips and support would be good. I seem to be forever looking for ideas about exercise I can do at home within the capabilities of a 65+ person with dodgy knees and hips. Good luck.

[Hidden]

I like the sound of repurposing the strength and flex forum. I am doing both of those things because of or to help with my running. I can’t ever imagine myself cycling or swimming but never say never. I would love to post about my incredulously poor upper body strength and my shoulders that barely move. And Pilates and flexibility. And how all of that might prevent osteoporosis. Oh I’m all excited 😆

[grumpyoldgirl]

I've liked this too, as I'm exactly in that no man's land right now, not quite sure where to post, although lately I've started using b210k to post in as I feel the c25k forum should be for new starters needing support. I think I may well try for 10k, but I've hovered round the 5k mark for months. It's a great idea, as the cross training aspect becomes much more important once you can run 5k. We all need to maintain that level of fitness. Fingers crossed for this! 🤞

[jeffbird Graduate10]

I think this is a great idea. I post in bridge to 10K but only plan on doing 10K events a couple of times a year so most of the time I’ll be at 3x 5K. I’ve found the tips from other runners about strengthening exercises (physical *&* mental!) invaluable & I would certainly make use of a forum like this. Good idea!

[jayval70 Graduate10]

I think I would like a forum like this. I didn’t stick to strength and flex (I didn’t realise it had a forum) and I haven’t really stuck to the exercises on the Bridge either, even though I know they will make me a better runner. Perhaps I would be inspired and encouraged by others to do more cross training if there was a dedicated forum.

[Wimborne]

Oooo yes count me in. Sounds perfect. I am happy running 5ks in the week and a longer run at weekends but trying to build in different excercises to help build my strength. I run alone and don’t do parkruns or events. It’s just me and my running. 😀. I joined the gym for the treadmill over the winter and once the nights are lighter I will run outside. So need a gym plan to go alongside the runs.

[Anren Graduate10]

I love the idea too

Would be nice to have a chat and share place for when we are not aiming at specific goals but sharing what we are up too.

I love running/swimming/walking/yoga - I'm dabbling in Qigong I love hearing what people are doing and how they are getting on.

[Granspeed Graduate10]

That would fit perfectly with where I am now. Thanks for the thinking! 👏🏼

[skysue16 Graduate10]

I have commented on your post in the C25k forum but reading other posts here made me think about the S&F forum. I found it really useful to begin with but haven't posted on there for ages 😕. I think a S&F/Cross Training/5k running forum would have a wider appeal and be more interesting. The S&F exercises and advice could be on a pinned post and of course folk could write posts to ask questions and get advice about the best exercises for them as well as share ideas for other ways of training and exercising. It is a great idea and looking at the comments seems to be popular 😊

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Brilliant idea Rfc. I’m in!! 🤓

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

I fit the demographic you describe... except that I have never felt I can't post on any of the existing forums (no-one seems to complain when I cheer on the marathon and other event participants...)

If people fitting that description are feeling - to the point of contacting an administrator about it - there isn't a forum for them, it sounds like more of a signposting issue. IannodaTruffe is brilliant at sending every new C25K poster the link to the FAQ - is there a gap when it comes to those about to or recently graduated and letting them know about other HU forums?

Have there been complaints about graduates posting on C25K? Or about graduates who are not actually actively working towards 10k posting on Bridge to 10k???? Or about people setting goals other than running in the monthly Quests on Bridge to 10k (or when they were on C25K)???? (My goals are almost invariably about more than running and I have never felt other than support and interest)

So no, I wouldn't be in favour, not least because we have a great team of effective volunteer administrators, and I would not like to see them spread too thinly. (Nor would I wish to have others exposed to the rather unfortunate administrator recruitment process employed by HU....)

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

You raise good points. People have said that they feel like they are not ready for the bridge forum because they don’t want to do 10km but feel they can’t stay around the couch because they graduated. That has nothing to do with anything we do, we have never made anyone feel that they can’t stay around. We need to find a way that the ones who feel that way we can communicate that it is ok to stay and carry on posting. I will look into that.

[Flaraflarkin Graduate10]

This is a great idea! Like, like, like!! 👍👍👍