Week 8 run 1 wooden arms.

[Sparkyifhungry]

Today was tough, i underestimated how much of a difference 3 extra minutes would make. And I'm a tad annoyed at Laura for chiming in after 10 mins to tell me I'd only done 10 mins, when last week she was only talking at the 5min mark, halfway point and minutes before the end. When she started today I was poised to feel elated that I was halfway through but no there was another long 18 mins to drag myself through. It was blustery and although sunny actually only 6 degrees, though I soon warmed up. I got through though and kept going, slowly to start and then just settled to my pace. Why do some runs feel easy and some are a complete drag? My friend who is running her marathon next week (she's fairly experienced!) says she gets runs like this too, and both her and I can't work out the magic formula for a great run.

I started to think about how my body was feeling, which is a tip I learnt on this forum, to keep you going when the mind gremlins are out in force. I do a tick list. Legs, how you doing? Alright, great. Heel hitting the ground first - yep. Ankles straight and not slobbing about- good. well what about breathing, yes I'm still breathing, and it's isnt tight. Head, not bobbing around too much? Nope, good. and what about those arms and shoulders? Well today they were solid, tight, like the tin man. I tried to drop my shoulders, but I couldn't loosen them at all. And my arms were stiff as well. Then I started to think ....what are your arms meant to be doing. I've the feet well covered but no idea where my arms should actually be. Am I getting this bit right, I'm sure someone on here will know what to do with your arms. Anyway I finished my run, and got home for some breakfast of smoked salmon with cream cheese on a bagel, and I even brought the husband breakfast in bed. He says he's going to start this program, well he's threatened it a few times now. He's amazed at my progress, and I'd be glad to have him, really. Though I do like my internal chats to myself just as much!! 😜

[Hidden]

If its any comfort I find every time I go out there, it is tough, Ive yet to run and think, this is easy. I take my hat off to those who make it look easy and to those of all ages who get out there and go. Its easy to sit at home and look out the window and think, the weather is crap, I'm not going out.

[mancunianpoodle]

Congratulations on W8R1!

Yep, Ive had runs where things aren't 'right'. Frustrating, v.frustrating.

Like you I do a bodyscan and try and drop my shoulders.. not always easy.

I'm not sure what to do with arms. I try and keep them close to my body but not too close with a bent elbow (I guess almost at right angles) and move them lol.

I keep my hands relatively loose so as not to feel tension if making a fist.

I hope somebody with more experience can tell you about arms.

Good luck with W8R2.

[agedsnailspace Graduate]

Remember those games you used to play as children pretending to be steam trains, with your arms being the con-rods pushing back and forwards (bent at the elbow)? That's what your arms should be doing! Driving your elbows back (especially when running up hill) somehow (miraculously as far as I'm concerned) makes your legs move and will help with your rythm.

Some runs just never feel right - I still haven't cracked that one! The good ones are definitely work keeping going for (that and the being able to breath; the feeling healthy; ...etc...etc...etc). The really great thing is you kept going! Gremlins well and truly seen off. Great work. It won't be long now til you have that graduation badge along side your name - and brilliant that you have got hubby on board, too.

[runner56 Graduate in reply to agedsnailspace]

I remember a wee while ago getting a tip from a poster (I think it was Irish Princess) that moving those arms quicker automatically leads to an increase in pace. I use this on hills when my pace drops to such an extent that I am in danger of rolling back down . This seems a bit easier (to me) than conciously trying to increase my pace.

[Potty Graduate]

Hi, congrats on wk8 run 1! I'm doing the C25K+ podcasts having graduated just a few weeks ago. Laura gives some lovely advice on 'style and posture' during those. According to Laura your arms should be loose, elbows bent to 90 degrees, moving your arms backwards and forwards but parallel to your body, not moving across your body and with your elbows close to, almost touching your sides - so, yes, it's just like playing trains as aged snail advised above! (I guess we could add 'I think I can, I think I can, I think I can' on the hills ) Laura also says your hands should be loosely closed, with your fingers just touching your palms, and that if you start to feel tension in your shoulders or arms or arms you should drop them down straight and then shake them about until they loosen, returning to the light and loose posture once they've relaxed. I do all this and find it helps me to concentrate on getting this right every so often during a run - hope it helps you a little too

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Laura says somewhere, it might be in one of the plus podcasts, to shake your arms out at yyour sidesif you feel any tension, I do this all the time and for some reason it really helps me, not just with tension in my arms, but it seems to see off the gremlins too.

Try starting off slowly and building up your pace, the worst runs for me are when I start out too fast.

[Sparkyifhungry Graduate]

Thank you everyone, I'm going to try loosening my arms before I start. Maybe add a few more stretches with the warmup walk bit. I am still looking for that magical formula for the perfect run! 🌈

[hilbean Graduate]

Well done! Only 5 more runs until graduation! We all have runs like that at times. Just put it behind you and move on to the next one

I had a tendency to clench my fists, particularly the right one for some reason, which sometimes extended into my arms. I found that holding a scrumpled up tissue in my hand kept my hand loose. Discovered it completely by accident on a cold windy day when my nose seemed to run constantly. Worked a treat for me Other than that, pretty much what everyone else has said.

Oh, and by week 8 I had ditched Laura completely and just timed my runs. Found it much easier to run 'naked'