Tales from a Slow-Jog Comeback #6: Runs and Rows

[CBDB]

I just got back from a glorious little run, representing Run 3 of week 1 of my C25k Zombie version! Write-up is over at the Couch forum at healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Quite eventful, not only hills and dog walkers were encountered on my route, but also a group of police officers and a circling helicopter. Intriguing… and slightly concerning. Life of a female runner…

But really pleased to have just managed to do my first week of C25k🧟‍♀️ over the span of two weeks, with an additional three yoga sessions, nine rowing sessions, and ten stretching sessions thrown in!

You probably can tell I’m enjoying my new fitness-diary a bit too much! (excerpt in top right pic)

But over the last week, I also managed quite a few fitness-firsts. As a runner, I’m, of course, experiencing for the first time repeating the C25k journey. I think I count that as a first as well. The other two are in my rowing practice.

I met up virtually with some other Zwift-Rowers on a Discord Audio channel. Three of us indoor rowers (including the developer of the Zwift-Concept2-connecting app RowedBiker patreon.com/posts/38157103 ) wanted to try a new setup. It gets quite complicated (Android, iPhone, iPad, PM5, and five apps), but the result is that on the virtual running platform Zwift we were running side by side with each other (top left in pic), but physically we were each on our individual indoor rowers in the US, Germany, and Uk. So, even though we had different paces on our physical rowers, we kept the same pace within the virtual world of Zwift. It was like having continuous handicaps to keep us, runners, together!

This way, everyone had a great workout. No matter how advanced we were, we could chat to each other through the audio channel, just as if we were rowing together in a gym.

I really loved that and will be doing more of this.

Another rowing first is that I rowed to a Concept2 podcast, equivalent to an audio-guided run. And the brilliant thing about it is that not only does the podcast give you a series of varied rowing workouts, but they explain how to use the PM5. The PM5 is the equivalent of a Garmin watch. So these podcasts are like Coach Bennet coaching you through a run while teaching you how to use your Garmin settings! 😀😃

(Podcast series www: concept2.com/indoor-rowers/... )

So I’m still continuing in exploring rowing while I’m revisiting my running journey aimed at getting back to 10k.

I seem to also be beginning to dream of getting a double seat rowing boat for hubby and me, as double rowing must also be such fun. But so expensive m, as well 😱😱😱 (See whitehallrow.com/who-buys-a... ) So first, we thought we might try this on summer vacation somewhere 🤣🤣😁

Running has truly made me interested in all sorts of fitness aspects, more than I could have imagined.

Happy running, everyone!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

You are doing amazingly and whenever I think of you I always have the running and the rowing linked in my mind.

It is great that you have completed Week 1 of Couch again... and that you are getting plenty of other work in too!

Yoga, stretches and rowing! That is fairly impressive

The rowing fascinates me... I am not sure how it all works... I took a look at that link, but still cannot get an image of how it goes?

The other link.... they look really amazing but, good heavens ! The price!

How much do you feel the rowing gives you in benefits for your running? Is it a strength and stamina pay off?

I was, pre pandemic thinking of taking up low level rock climbing again, sadly Mr. OF will be the second, on the ground or above me, as his balance has completely gone now...I have been working out what I would be getting from that which would support my running.

I really find it so interesting... !

Huge well done to you !

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Awwwhh thank you. I’m super slow in everything, mind you.

How had rowing improved my running (and yoga)?

1) aerobic fitness is the biggest benefit I’d say

2) mobility and leg strength: constantly compressing your knees or basically doing horizontal squats has given me a lot of ankle flexibility and quads-strength as well

3) arm strength and wrist mobility: more benefitting my yoga practice is the work with arms. I can feel certain positions are easier. Wrist mobility has also increased, but rather because of post-row mobility/stretching exercises (bending/stretching wrists both ways) .

Some things that I was surprised that were not improved:

1) my back has gotten worse in the time I’ve not been running. This is strange. But I find slow running more comfortable on my back than any walking. Strange.

I keep on thinking of needing to start walking more, but the thought doesn’t actually fill me with joy. So I must look up some back-strengthening yoga or Pilates.

Thanks, oldfloss! Climbing! 🧗🏽‍♀️ oh my! I did a bit of free-climbing in my twenties in Germany, but I definitely could not do it now or even contemplate it. Since giving birth, my balance has gone as well! So big huge Wowsa! Impressive! Will look out for what you decide.

[Mormor1 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I liked the horizontal squats and that it's a low impact exercise.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Mormor1]

🤣🤣 yeah! Gentle on the knees! 👍🏽

[Mormor1 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Good enough for me!

[Hidden]

Very impressive CBDB. You have put me in mind to rerun C25k as the Zombie version when I eventually get the all clear to go again. I can't claim to understand the technicalities of the rowing, but you are clearly having a great time! Brilliant.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I am, I have to admit.

Yes I had such a hard time choosing which C25k I would do. My close seconds were:

- redo our NHS app based C25k

- do the Guardian learn to run podcast series from 2013. That was tempting as well: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podca...

- Podrunner C25k

(Wasn’t 2013 such an innocent time 😇)

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

That's absolutely amazing! It looks like you've unleashed your inner fitness monster, fantastic 💪👏👏👏👏😃

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

“Unleashed the inner fitness-monster”! I love that line! Thank you! (Now if I’d only look like that inner fitness monster I’d be over the moon!) 🤣👍🏽🙌

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I'm guessing that inner fitness monster doesn't look like one of the zombies you keep running away from 🧟‍♀️🧟🤣

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

😂😂