Getting to know my lungs!! Must be a couple of flabby sacks

[boptillyoudrop49]

Have been doing my long, slow runs for about a year now and really enjoy them but have often fallen prey to that nagging runner's doubt: am I TOO slow? So now alongside my usual long runs, I've started to redo the C25K but this time running much faster. It is certainly a challenge. Legs are alright, no gremlins but oh my dizzy aunt - my lungs.

Gasp, wheeze, pant but I'm sticking with it. I know the C25K works so I think this will help me run a 5K much faster if my heart doesn't give out.

And I thought I was fit!

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Good idea! I often take Laura out on week 1, doing the running bits as fast as I can and slowing down to a jog on the walking bits. It is very tiring! The first couple of speedy runs are really fun, but by no. 7 and 8 I'm always longing for them to be over!

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Oh yes, towards the end when she says, get ready for another run now, I'm always thinking, surely it is the final run! Never is though. I am walking between the runs, think I would have a seizure if I jogged through them. Well done you!

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

I do similar JSS, my you know you've done it. It is great to mix things up though🏃🏻‍♀️💪🏻

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Yeah, it's really tiring. But does have its compensations - on my last run I went streaking past another runner and left her for dust. It felt good, but I felt a little guilty as we see each other quite often and it didn't seem very polite. I nearly called out "I'm doing intervals", but didn't have the breath! She'd have seen anyway as I slowed down 30 secs later🏋🏻

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

When you say 'streaked' past her ?????? Teehee, silly girly laughter 😆😆😆

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Well it is getting warmer over here😂

[Dunder2004 Graduate]

Good idea.

Nothing at all wrong with long slow runs, they are my favourites too but to maximise/improve aerobic fitness you do have to get that heart rate up towards it's limit quite regularly.

Everyone (except the sadists amongst us) hates intervals but they are probably the most effective way of doing this. I like Yasso 800's (800m fast and about 5 minutes slow) over 5km. Maybe some food for thought.

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Dunder2004]

Thanks Dunder. I've taken that one onboard. Sounds like a good plan.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Thats a great idea boptillyoudrop. I think I could do something like that too as I am only doing twice a week at the moment... 😊 its a plan. xxx

[boptillyoudrop49 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I don't manage to re-run the C25K 3 x a week since I am still doing my regular runs but maybe twice a week. It is making a difference though and I am progressing.