W9R3 done and my reason for doing it

[ashishkulkarni]

Week 9 Run 3 is done.

So why did I do it?

It all started for me a couple of years ago. I had a desk bound job - I still do.

My boss at that time used to go for a walk at lunch time. One day, I decided to tag along.

I was unfit. But within a week, we were walking 4.5K in about 55 minutes. And that is where it all started.

That same year, I decided to participate in Great Scottish Run - Half Marathon and walk most of it. And I did. I finished it in 3:43:09.

Following year, I signed up for Tough Mudder. And then I started training for it. During a hill walk, I slipped and tore ligaments in my right ankle.

That was last year in April. Tough Mudder was well and truly out of the window. I postponed it by a year.

It took me 3 months just to be able to walk properly.

At that point, I started physio and the aim was to walk and finish Great Scottish Run - Half Marathon again.

As time went by, thanks to the physio, I was able to walk further and further. Still, Half Marathon did seem daunting.

I signed up all the same and went for it. It took me 3:48:23 in 2014 to walk and finish the Half Marathon.

In 2015, I started CrossFit as I was definitely going to do Tough Mudder. Strength wise I was there. The distance didn't phase me either. But I was still worried.

I managed Tough Mudder in 5 and half hours.

I searched around for a running coach, running trainer, etc. I didn't find anything or anyone. And a girl at run4it suggested C25K.

And so my journey started.

Midway through, I caught chest infection - just a week and half before Great Scottish Run this year. I recovered just enough, prepared a plan and finished the Half Marathon in 3:22 this year.

I have signed up for a few Obstacle Course Races - Tartan Warrior, Total Warrior and Tough Mudder - for next year and of course, a few 5Ks and Great Scottish Run - Half Marathon - again.

The plan is now to consolidate. I may go back to week 4 or something and start running outdoors, speed up gently and do some hill walking / hill running.

Once I am able to run for 30 minutes or 5K outdoors, I will do that for a couple of weeks and then go on to Bridge to 10K.

I have found an app which does not have Laura. But it has got a programme to go up to 60 minutes which I feel I will be able to follow.

Long term aim is to do a few overseas Half Marathons in 2017 and a Marathon. Probably Edinburgh or Manchester.

Aim for 2018 is to go for Lochness Marathon, Fort William Marathon and possibly, an Ultra Marathon.

All the while, I hope I stay injury free.

Thanks all for being part of my journey so far and for being part of my support network!

Best Regards,

Ash.

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

Quite a journey, well done! Hill running is a joy. Perhaps a slightly masochistic one at times, but definitely a joy.

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

Thanks TeaFairy

Luckily we have a few good hills near Stirling where I live. And there are a couple in Glasgow too where I work.

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to ashishkulkarni]

Perfect. Nice to find a longish ridge line when you're starting out so you can do one fierce up then a nice long flatter bit with views, then play aeroplanes with your arms out on the way down*, I think. And don't be afraid to walk up and run down at first.

*possibly only me that does this

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

Thanks for the advise TeaFairy

[hilbean Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

Haha TF Secret's out now. And no you're not the only one to play aeroplanes

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Congratulations! (And yes, what a journey!) Glad to see you don't intend to rest on your laurels. Nothing like a plan is there?!😉

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra.

Yes, having goals and plans always help

[LinaLamont Graduate]

Congratulations!!! You've been working so hard!!! I hope it all continues to go well for you.

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to LinaLamont]

Thanks Lina

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Well done Ash. Happy graduation. I like the idea of overseas events -what a great way to keep motivated.

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thanks RWD.

One of the events is the Paris Half Marathon - with a time limit of 2:50

[poppypug Graduate]

Brilliant Ash ! Many Congratulations to you on your Graduation ! It has been a pleasure following your progress and I would like to wish you all the very best for your future plans .

Happy Running ! xxx

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks so much Poppy.

I will be hanging around here for a while before moving on the B210K anyway.

So I am sure our paths may cross from time to time xxx

[poppypug Graduate]

Don't forget to ask for your Graduate badge , Ash xxx

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Poppy.

Where do I do that? xxx

[poppypug Graduate in reply to ashishkulkarni]

It's on the right in the blue pinned posts under Graduate badge November 2015 , you just have to write that you have completed xxx

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Poppy xxx

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Requested my new shiny badge

[poppypug Graduate in reply to ashishkulkarni]

Well deserved too ! xxx

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thanks Poppy xxx

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Brilliant Ash! Congratulations - first step on a long journey!

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thanks Ully xxx

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Oh that's fantastic, you are a hero! I have so enjoyed sharing your journey with you, I hope you stay around and tell us what happens next! And of course share your knowledge with new C25K-ers xxx

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Thanks CG2.

I need to up the elevation for the entire run to around 1.5 on the treadmill and then venture out.

Plan is to do 10-1-10-1-10 run with 1.5 elevation on the treadmill followed by 15-1-15 and then 30. And then all outdoors after that

While I will never match PoppyPug, I will do what I can to share my knowledge xxx

[nhs2015 Graduate]

Wow, what a story! You have been around. Well done.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

Thanks NHS2015.

What I have noticed is if I don't run for more than 2 days, it becomes a struggle.

So I am going to run at least 3-4 days a week and once I am able to, get to 5K distance

[hilbean Graduate]

Congratulations!

Thanks for sharing your journey Ash! You've certainly come a long way and you certainly have your future goals all lined up in a row! Well done! Happy running

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to hilbean]

Thanks HilBean xx

[aliboo70]

Congratulations Ash! Now there's a man with a plan! Excellent that you have some amazing ambitions to aim for! I have no doubts you'll succeed with all that determination 😊

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Aliboo70

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Fantastic achievement Ash - very well done! And what a plan! Wow.

Quick question: now that you can run 30 minutes on the treadmill, what is your thinking behind going back to Week 4 (outdoors) as consolidation ? My friendly and gentle suggestion would be to simply try and jog for 30 minutes outdoors - you might surprise yourself! And <then> consolidate

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to John_W]

Thanks John.

Yes, I take your advise on board.

I will start with a potentially flat path and go from there

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to ashishkulkarni]

Good man - just take it nice and easy. Take confidence from your W9 runs one treadmill, go a bit slower on the road and smile!

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to John_W]

Well, here goes. Doing my first post-graduation run outdoors tomorrow morning

[Purple_faced_woman Graduate]

Well done, Ash. It has been great following your story so far, and I look forward to hearing how those future runs go. What an excellent plan - so many of us get to this point and stall and hesitate, not knowing what they want to do next. May you achieve all your goals and remain injury free.

So pleased for you, graduate.

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to Purple_faced_woman]

Thanks PFW.

This is my first reply with my new shiny badge

[Purple_faced_woman Graduate in reply to ashishkulkarni]

Wooooo! Go you, Ash - it definitely looks good on you.

[davelinks Graduate]

Well done!

That's it, get outside tomorrow, take it slow. Be good if you can keep your eye on the weather forecast and plan when to run, thus avoiding the dodgy stuff...

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Thanks Dave!

[Jeleybelly Graduate]

wow, you've already shown such grit and determination I'm sure you'll have no problem achieving your goals - and what goals!!

I too did the programme indoors on the treadmill, only venturing outside once I'd graduated. Only real issue is speed - the treadmill keeps you at a steady pace - I found that hard outside at first, but I got there - just went as slow as I could! Plus side to running outdoors is that I don't get quite so red in the face - well only when its windy

Hope it all went well today if you made it out

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to Jeleybelly]

Thanks JB.

I had a chat with my physio who herself is a big time runner about what to do next.

I am looking forward to going for my runs outdoors

[Hidden]

So glad you made it. We started at the same time so I'm delighted to see you've graduated.

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Cath

[W1KSP Graduate]

I've so enjoyed reading your journey well done keep it up 😎

[ashishkulkarni Graduate in reply to W1KSP]

Thanks W1KSP