Could someone explain what 5x50 is? Many thanks

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

[gdeann Graduate]

A challenge made up of like-minded individuals who get together via real life or virtually and lose their minds. ACTUALLY, it was a challenge of taking 50 days and doing a minimum of a 5K distance every single day or 30 minutes of exercise/activity. We just completed a challenge and had the very best team ever! We have Theresa (tjflute) here on the board who upped the pace and is doing a 100 day challenge on her own! Gayle

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

Thanks for explaining Gayle, it sounds a good idea. Me and my friend were wondering how to keep motivated after we graduate and this might be a good way to do it.

Is the challenge for 50 consecutive days?

How do you keep track of what you have all done or do you just hope everyone has been able to do something each day? What happened if someone was unable to do something on one day?

Last question - how did you set it up? Did one person just ask people on here if they wanted to start it?

Sorry for the questions - just really interested as seen a few posts on here about the 5 x 50 and you all seem so passionate and committed.

Jen

[gdeann Graduate]

5x50.co.uk/ If you visit their site, this will help. The challenge just finished, but I am sure there will be another one! Last year (their first year) there were 2 members from the NHS C25K group, this year we had over 70 members! Yes, we started Easter Sunday and it went 50 consecutive days! If you search the tags on this site under 5x50, I'm sure you can pull up some old blogs to read as well. It was quite an adventure working it around daily living and weather.

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

oh I didn't realise there was a website I thought someone here suggested it - I will have a look many thanks. From the blogs I have read so far on this site I think I would love to do something like this to keep me motivated I just didn't know how to get involved.

I'll keep my eyes out for when the next one starts.

Well done on completing it you all did so well!

Jen

[greenlegs Graduate in reply to nonrunner_for_30_years]

The next one is likely to be same time next year - rather a long wait, unfortunately. Though it will probably have a lot more publicity next time, as it's now linked with Comic Relief.

I think we may have overdone the blogging about it on here, and may have tended to forget that new c25kers wouldn't know what we were going on about - sorry! It was brilliant though, and I was very lucky that it came along just after I'd graduated, so it was perfect timing for me.

[gdeann Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

I remember being so overwhelmed with it all last year when I read swanscot and Georges postings! I never dreamed I would participate! I found through my C25K journey, I need goals/structure so the challenge came at the right time of my getting through 10K training. I wonder how team challenges on the NHS board would work here? Do you think we would have enough interest? It would be interesting to even do monthly challenges like oldned working toward a 100K/month type thing.

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

Thanks greenlegs just checked out the website and was a bit disappointed to see it looked like a yearly event. Who knows though perhaps if it was popular they might hold another one this year?

I have loved reading about it so don't worry. I didn't quite understand how it worked but the fact people were so committed to it and supportive of each other just made me want to get involved.

Maybe I could see if I can find people to do an unofficial one once I graduate

[fitgal2013 in reply to nonrunner_for_30_years]

I will join you! Like you I have been curious about this challenge but having just started C25K I have more than enough on. But it will motivate me after I graduate to perhaps try other activities. Keep me posted

[swanscot Graduate in reply to nonrunner_for_30_years]

> Who knows though perhaps if it was popular they might hold another one this year?

Unfortunately not. The core team is a small group of 4 or 5 people who have volunteered hours and hours of their time since the idea for the first challenge was first suggested about one year ago and they're taking a break from it now.

However, one of our members on this site is shortly going to launch a website with a tracking system, so we'll be able to do similar challenges ourselves.

[Joanne37 Graduate in reply to nonrunner_for_30_years]

Hi,

Have you thought about parkruns for when you graduate. Im thinking of doing that. its a free run in places all across the UK where its a 5K run against the clock. its free to sign up but you register on their website and take your barcode along and you are registered to run. I think some people do it to keep fit, some to get personal bests, some to join a like minded group. I think I might considered one of 2 near me when I have graduated.

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

Wonderful I'm up to week 5, what week are you up to?

I'll keep you updated I'll put a question up to see who would like to get involved once I graduate.

Jen

[TJFlute]

It's perfect if you are on the c25k now, or just finished: it's something to have in mind for next year! Last year I read Swanscot's and Georges' posts and it inspired me to enter for this year...next year I hope we break the 100 members for our team...so I might see your name ??!!

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

Yes i hope so!

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

Swanscot - thanks for your message. Haven't they done well with such a small team! I'm excited to hear we might be doing similar on here

[George42 Graduate]

I found this year was easier than last year, at least it wasn't October this time round.

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

Hi Joanne37 I've already done a parkrunj just over a week ago. I found out about them as they were running in the same park at the same time as me. I wanted to do it again this Saturday but it is cancelled due to another charity run. I've wrote a blog of how i found it if its any interest to you. I loved it - even though i cam last!

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

George42 - was the first 5x50 held at a different time of the year then? If so I'll have to keep my eyes peeled so I don't miss the next one

[George42 Graduate in reply to nonrunner_for_30_years]

It was, 9th September 2012 - 28th October 2012 and it was blody freezing.

Dark and miserable, so they moved it this year to Spring, where it snowed, rained and is still freezing.

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

i think I would much prefer to do it this time of the year rather than the autumn - the longer nights just make it that much easier to get out and about after work. Fingers crossed it was a permanent move

[LouisaJayne Graduate]

Thanks for posting this question I'm also interested in doing this challenge. I kind of felt like I'd dropped off the end of the slide when I graduated but this forum has keep me motivated to keep going