Week 1 day 1 eeekk: Hi all, Just been sent this... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Week 1 day 1 eeekk

ourlittletroopers profile image

Hi all, Just been sent this way so I can shift my bum off the sofa and start making the changes I have wanted to make for so long and kept finding excuses so put it off. My motivation is to be ready and able to run 10k early next year for my twin nephews and niece who have all recently been diagnosed with a rare terminal illness (Batten Disease).

So today is the day I make a start :/ I will find it so difficult as even running up stairs gets my out of breath.

Any tips would be great, look forward to sharing and reading lots of posts from everyone x

Tina

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ourlittletroopers
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24 Replies
useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

Oh my goodness. I just googled Batten's Disease. What a terrible thing. Three children? I can't imagine how any family would cope with that. You have my deepest sympathy.

Still, running to raise money and awareness is an extremely laudable reaction, so the very best of luck.

Keep coming to this forum for encouragement and support. xx

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to useitorloseit

It is awful, it's very rare and for 3 siblings to have it is so cruel. They will be my motivation.

Thank you, I will be a regular on here.

facebook.com/ourtroopersfig...

That's the children's support page, I haven't told anyone I'm doing this yet, so will see how I go for a few weeks :)

xx

Welcome and good luck! :-D You've come to the right place.

My tips are: Take it slow, don't compare your progress to others - we're all different and post if you need any advice, cheering up or want to show off your most recent great achievement! :-D

I've just looked up batten disease, oh I'm so sorry to hear that, how awful. I think it's great you're hoping to run for their cause. Good luck Tina :-)

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to

Great tips, thank you :) Will let you all know how I get on later.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Oh Tina, I have never heard of Battens, so I have just googled it. That is heartbreaking, the poor children and your family , Im really sorry, that is so sad.

Good Luck in your quest and please keep posting as you will get lots of support on here xxx

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to poppypug

It is an awful disease, and myself nor anyone I know of have ever heard of it until it hit our family.

Thank you, feeling less nervous about it all already :) xx

hilbean profile image
hilbeanGraduate

How awful! I had to do the same and Google it and can only add my voice to what useit and mimsickle have said. My heart goes out to you all xx

Advice - just take it slow and steady and listen to Laura. She will become your best running buddy.

If you feel like you are struggling at all just go even slower. I remember times when I swear I could walk faster than I could run but just stick with it if that happens.

It takes time for your body to get used to running so be kind to yourself too.

Remember to stretch after your run as that may well help with any potential aches and pains.

If you are going to run outside then remember to look around you. It's a beautiful world out there and worth taking in ;)

And most of all... enjoy it.

Best of luck and looking forward to seeing your regular posts xx

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to hilbean

Thank you, we'll just from this post more awareness has been made already :)

I live in the beautiful Forest Of Dean so I will most definitely take it all in. Xx

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate

Just follow the programme, take the runs nice and steady and breathe deeply and slowly too. Not rust the programme and take rest days because that is really going to help you reach week 9! If I can, u can for sure!!

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to JoolieB1

Thank you. Great advice. :)

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate in reply to ourlittletroopers

I really rested on non run days as the runs got longer - electric blanket on, power napping, hard work being an athlete!! Rest is all part of it, that's what I think! Helped me to tackle the next run. Julie

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to JoolieB1

I will keep that in mind :)

Glen53 profile image
Glen53Graduate

had to google like the others, its so unfair, best of luck raising awareness.

the advice on here is superb.

Glen x

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to Glen53

It really is. It's all about helping them make special memories now and getting the awareness out there. X

Usain_Balti profile image
Usain_BaltiGraduate

What a horrid illness!

I've just made a small donation to justgiving.com/battendisease, but if you could set up your own justgiving page and publish it on here, perhaps we could contribute directly.

Keep posting, we're right behind you and your little troopers.

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to Usain_Balti

Hi that's so kind thank you. Our page is Gofund.me/h28yew

Wasn't sure if I was allowed to post it. Feel free to share it about x

smurf1303 profile image
smurf1303Graduate

I've also just looked up, what a horrible conditions, you and your family have my deepest sympathies.

I agree with the suggestion to set up your own justgiving page (and post here), I'm sure that will help keep you motivated and help your family and others at the same time.

As to the challenge, personally I take each run as it comes and just remind myself even if I was only to run a few extra steps each time, that is still progress, after all that ol' hare didn't win in the end did he! Having said that, it's actually easier than you expect in my experience, I mean it's not easy, but it is very rewarding and satisfying, and feels less daunting the more you do.

Keep us posted with your progress

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to smurf1303

Thank you, the children's donation page is Gofund.me/h28yew

I will make a new post up when back from my 1st run!

Thanks for the great tips

Usain_Balti profile image
Usain_BaltiGraduate

Thanks, I finally found it but for the attention of others, the full address is: gofundme.com/h28yew

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to Usain_Balti

Thank you, I will use full web address when I do the post :)

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Take it nice and slow and steady. Obey Laura to the letter and she will see you through. Your family must grief stricken, but this is a really positive way of reacting to a terrible situation.

We'll be here cheering you on, so lace up those shoes and go for it!

gary_bart profile image
gary_bart

Well now I'm also aware of Batten Disease. And it's horrible. I suppose the best thing one could hope for is some kind of gene therapy cure? Might be something the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation might be interested in. (They fund research that wouldn't otherwise get done; cures are just less profitable than lifelong treatments, so all the investor funding tends to just naturally flow away from where most of us would like it to be - until we vote with out pockets, that is).

Good luck with c25k. I think it might end up giving you a little space where you can just become nice and simple, and free of worries for at least a few minutes, and it'll boost you by making you fitter (which feels healthy, to split a hair).

ourlittletroopers profile image
ourlittletroopers in reply to gary_bart

The awareness really helps, so I'm glad a few more people now know about it, There are studies going on, but they cost millions, so we are trying to do our bit by putting on events to raise awareness, raise funds for the children and donate to the BDFA who help support families who are affected by Battens.

I will look into Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

I feel so much clearer just from my first day :)

laurav33 profile image
laurav33Graduate

I'm so sorry to hear that, that sounds dreadful :-( But good for you starting the plan! Take it nice and steady, listen to Laura, and make sure you take the rest days, they're so important otherwise you could get injured. The plan really works, I graduated a couple of weeks ago and on Wed I ran for 40mins non stop, I never would have thought that I could do that! So best wishes for starting the plan and do update us in your progress here :-)

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