W4, R1,2&3. False starts, competitiveness and legs of lead.

Run one got off to a bad start, I was dreading it, feeling as though it was a big jump between weeks 3&4, just completed the walk and was 2 minutes into the first run when the dog bagged a pheasant. Had to stop, remove the (very pissed off) pheasant, start again from scratch.

The first two runs really gave me legs of lead, you know when it feels as though you're running through treacle or something really heavy? Then Laura's choice of music for the first 5 minute run wouldn't have been my choice (rap music, really??)

But....it got easier by run 3 (the legs of lead, not the rap music, obvs) and I've been running every other day this week because I found a long dormant spark of competitiveness in me and wanted to catch butchdingle up! Something magical seems to be happening now...I can actually run for 5 minutes at a time and not collapse in a heap looking for a defib.

Happy running everyone x

PS no pheasants were harmed in the making of this post, Charlie-dog "soft-mouthed" it, so it lived to tell the tale. It did look bloody annoyed though.

[Hidden]

Well done for getting to week 4! I dropped out 3 weeks ago after twisting my ankle on w2. It was excruciating. Running on anything but flat roads is clearly out of the question at my age. The next week I had a bad cold and now I wonder if I will ever run again. maybe 57 was too late to start.

[Patrick1942 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It's never too late to start as long as the body still works, I am 73 and last ran at school, am now about to start week 3.

Listen to your body and take it slowly,

good luck.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Patrick1942]

Go Patrick!!!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Come on....where's the fighting spirit?

Loads of us a lot older than you.. you are a mere girl

Start again with end of week 2 maybe.. and do it slowly and really really steadily.. think snail on a go slow!!!!

Give it a go... keep posting, loads of great support on here..

Go on...go for it?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It's no wonder your confidence has been knocked after an injury, but, that you're still on the forum means you've still an interest. What motivated you to try in the first place? Maybe think back to the feeling you got after a good run and have another go?

My motivation is being fit enough to see my teenage daughter grow up and have children of her own :o)

[Old_trout Graduate in reply to Hidden]

57? A mere slip of a thing! I'm 63 and feel 23 when I've done a run! I agree about flat surfaces though. the tracks round us are right muddy and churned to huge ridges by farm traffic.

[Shivani05 Graduate]

I thought week 4 had the worst music so far! Moved on just because I couldn't listen to it anymore. Good luck for week 5!

[Hidden in reply to Shivani05]

Thank you and phew, that gives me hope the music might improve!

[Old_trout Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ha! Not necessarily!! You have yet to encounter the annoying Julie!!

The sometimes awful music is all part of the ritual tho. Look for week 6 " it's so Easy" or its so wheezy as most of us heard it!!

[Hidden in reply to Old_trout]

Hmm, I've heard about Julie on here before...I reckon it's a trick to gradually wean us away from Laura!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Brilliant... you did brilliantly, pheasant rescue included...treacle running, not good...

Great that it goes well... slow and really steady...

[secan Graduate]

Poor Charlie... he must be puzzled by that strange, strange human who keeps running for no reason and let the dinner go.

Well done for completing W4.

IMVHO W5 marks the transition from the (mainly) physical conditioning to the (mainly) mental training so keep the spirit up and maintain your focus; from here on your body is ready to arrive to the end of the programme.

[Hidden in reply to secan]

No problem Saverio, I'm already a bit mental ;o)

[secan Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I'm beginning to think that is a prerequisite to become a runner... why else would we voluntary go from a place to another in a way that leave us out of breath, sweaty, purple and possibly achy?!?

[Butchdingle Graduate]

Newbie_Pam well done even with the pheasant incident and I am glad that you have found a challenge partner 😃

Where are you upto week 5 ? If so I am planning on doing run 2 on Thursday but miss the swimming tomorrow as I am sure that was making run 2 difficult for me.

Good to have a running buddy to spur me on and keep me on the straight and narrow.

I haven't had the privilege of Laura's music just some good old 80s tunes ! to pass the time between running and walking

Butchdingle

[Hidden]

Well, I was planning a rest from running (as I grandly call my pathetic limp-shuffle) tomorrow, but now I know you're doing W5R2 on Thursday I'm tempted to get a run in tomorrow too. I'll see what the weathers like!

[Butchdingle Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Newbie_Pam I can't have you catching me up! I think i need to buck my ideas up and do it tomorrow instead -again weather permitting as it looks like it will be wet in Manchester tomorrow!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Come on Pam

Do that run

Its only 5 minutes

And then your done...

Hehe.

Well done Pam. I quite liked that upbeat rap song, it put a lift in my step...

Sounds like you are getting on brilliantly,

Keep going strong, steady and SLOW.

🏃

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Strong, sometimes...steady, occasionally...slow, no problem (I so wish I could get that to rhyme :o)

[skysue16 Graduate]

Great post! Very well done - keep going. What sort of dog is Charlie? I tried a new route today, only gradual uphill bits (just can't manage the steeper part on my other route!). My spaniel (on the lead) got very excited by loads of sheep and then two noisy ducks but we managed the run without any disasters! (week8, run2), so feeling pleased.

[Hidden in reply to skysue16]

Week 8? You're doing really well, almost a graduate! Charlie-dog is a springer spaniel (the best kind of dog in the world, as I'm sure you agree :o)

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Of course!!