Crowded Bay 2016

[vere]

I haven't been on a run for a while now as I find it too difficult at the moment, so am keeping to two half hour (at least) walks with my dog until I feel more up to it.

[saphxx]

Better to do it when you enjoy it rather than pushing yourself and hating it, at least your some excercise still, you look great btw

[vere in reply to saphxx]

Thanks for your reply. I think I might need a good kick start.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate]

Sitting in the sunshine with a cup of tea isn't too bad either! Walking the dogs is still great exercise. Why are you finding the running difficult at the moment - is it injury related?

[vere in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Thank you for your lovely reply. I think I will kick start soon.

[vere in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

No, I think it is a bit disappointing after finishing week 1 not to be able to carry on with week 2 as I found it so hard.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to vere]

Just seen you're 71. You certainly don't look it! A lot of people repeat weeks, even several times before moving on and it is probably a very sensible thing to do. Maybe repeat week 1 a few times, then have another go at week 2. It will definitely be easier and after all there is no big rush. All running is training you to run so it really doesn't matter if you're running week 1, 2 or 3, you're training and strengthening the same muscles. The stronger we become, the easier it will be but it does take some time. I am a lot stronger now than when I started out but I am definitely still growing those running legs.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

If you can do a couple of half hour plus dog walks a day, you can do the NHS Couch to 5K programme if you want to... provided you understand that your walk segments don't have to be 'brisk' and your run segments are just a different motion and don't need to be faster than your walk. (I know that it may be that you can't both run and take your dog for a walk at another time, I can't, so I am glad I can combine them)

I know you have health limitations and sometimes a little test is appropriate... sometimes we risk waiting forever for something we want to do (and it looks as though you've been thinking about C25K for a long time)... I have lost count of the times that I haven't felt up to it, and like you I have good reasons for that, and will sometimes be right... but other times, provided I go gently, gently, gently, not only do I achieve what I thought I couldn't and wouldn't but I feel better for it. Like you, I found the first week terribly hard - although I had some disagreeable runs after that, they were all successful ones, probably because I had learned to slow down... not that I was ever going 'fast' but far too fast for me to sustain.

If you don't want to learn to run, you are being active anyway... but it is clearly niggling at you, so this is either about needing to just get on with it... or freeing yourself from the idea that you 'should' take up running and be content with your walking or find another activity which suits you better.

[vere in reply to GoogleMe]

Very encouraging. I think my legs feel too heavy sometimes but again this might be an excuse.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to vere]

Vere, we've had a few posts about why the beginning of runs (up to 5-10 min in) is so hard. It seems to be something to do with how oxygen is circulated through the body in response to the increased activity. I cannot recall all the details but apparently it takes 5-10 min for this to be working effectively at a level to match your running exertion. When you're running intervals and runs under 10 min, you're always fighting this which can make your legs feel leaden and heavy but it gets easier with time and in longer runs you have to get through this stage then you can settle into it and enjoy the run. I found in the early weeks I needed to think about something in a concentrated manner to get me through the runs - go through your closet in your mind, think about and bless everyone you know, redecorate your house in your mind, list everything you like about yourself and remember things you've achieved, things you're proud of, imagine your dream holiday in detail.

[vere in reply to boptillyoudrop49]

Thank you so much for this very encouraging email.