Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm........

[TryingSoHard]

Having successfully completed the 25 minute run at the end of Week 6, I am a runner. I must be a runner, Laura says I am a runner. And Laura never lies.

So, as a runner I downloaded Runkeeper so I could see for just how far and long I am a runner.

25 long, slow, painful "I am a runner" minutes later, I checked progress. The good news is that, in total, I was a runner for almost 4km. The slightly less good news is that I actually travel faster during the 5 minute warm up and cool down walks than I do during the 25 minute 'run'.

That can't be normal. Surely?

I am now TryingSoHard to carry on thinking "I am a runner", as opposed to the "Why am I bothering if I can get there quicker by walking" that is forcing its way into my mind.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

[Ally-d Graduate]

I'm sure the graduates will blog in a minute and put your mind at rest, but from what I've read we're building stamina for now and the speed will come later, running for 25 mins is a fantastic achievement - you are definately a runner! ally x

[greenlegs Graduate]

Very normal! Very good! My brisk walking was faster than my running all the way through the programme (including my grad run, when I was overtaken by a man walking a dog!)

But I can now run at what I'd call a running pace for a short while (a mile in 10.5 minutes) and I can also keep going for up to 100 minutes at my slow pace - that took me 10 km. One day I'll be able to do that a whole lot faster, but I'd never have got this far if I hadn't done those first nine weeks at my slow pace.

Baby steps. That's what you need to be able to do the big grownup ones later on.

Don't lose faith! You ARE a runner.

Some of us just need to start off slower, as a step on the way to being faster.

OK. I'll shut up now.

Except - today - I OVERTOOK A WALKING MAN! Result!

[TryingSoHard Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

Oh well done you! I dream about the day I manage to do that!

In fairness though, today I did overtake a canal barge. Okay, so it was moored at the time...

[Poppy2010 Graduate in reply to TryingSoHard]

Made me chuckle!

[Hidden]

As Ally-d just said ..... you have shown yourself that you can run for 25 minutes.... okay might be a walking speed run right now, but you can do it non-stop for 25 minutes which is such a massive increase on where you were 7 weeks ago.

...

so imagine where you will be at the end of June.. which is in 7 weeks time!

[TryingSoHard Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I confess... even though it's walking speed, I am secretly quite proud of myself that I've stuck with it.

As well as getting faster, I hope that one day I will also start to enjoy it for what it is, not just when it's over!

[gdeann Graduate]

Even if you never speed up, you're out there moving and covering distance. Some of us will never be fast, no matter how hard we try. You are doing great! Gayle

[Poppy2010 Graduate]

Keep faith in the plan! You are a runner, building stamina and confidence in your own abilities at this stage... I always have trouble spotting the change on Runkeeper from the warm up walk to my running, but I don't worry about it, especially as I am following C25K+ and Laura dictates the warm up speed.

I feel like I am still running slowly (well I am) but then I have to think of how far I have come from struggling in the early weeks to complete the short intervals - I now think nothing of running 5k, and have taken 9+ minutes off my Parkrun times on my last two times, so something is working somewhere!

I now like to see other runners out and about and see how quick they are going and challenge myself to run at their pace for as long as I can; anything for a challenge! I know as a fat almost 50 year old I am never going to be a sprinter, but how good did it feel being able to chat to a group of people at work last night about being a 5k runner as none of them can do it (and they're all 20+ years younger than me)

Enjoy the next few weeks to graduation, then see where you can get fitter, faster and stronger!

[CouchtoKiltLegs Graduate]

Whatever the speed you manage, I personally guarantee you will be going faster than every single person who is at home sitting on the couch. 4km in 25 minutes is pretty good in my book, if you keep up that pace you will manage 4.8km in 30 minutes That is pretty darn fast in my book. You might just be a super speedy walker! Keep on going!

[TryingSoHard Graduate in reply to CouchtoKiltLegs]

Actually the 4km included the warm-up and cool down, so it was 35 minutes. Not so fast after all!

But yes, definitely quicker than I would have been on my sofa.

[LandRoverMad Graduate]

Well done you for doing the 25 mins. I found it really hard and like you my walking pace was faster that my running pace.

Today I start W7 I just hope that 3 days rest hasn't slowed me down even more.

Keep it up you are almost there ready to graduate.