Thought C25K running might be just a "Flash i... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Thought C25K running might be just a "Flash in the Pan". But no I've just become FLASH ! (Sorry more of a Tortoise Versus Hare Story).

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Not done an individual post for a while but been reporting on the pinned posts(See Mad March Hare week 6) where regulars report on their mini quests or targets to help keep their running on Track.

Started C25K about end of May so am near Runniversary.

At last completed a milestone of running for 45 minutes. Just want to report that by taking on board all the advice here (with a little tweaking) that I have managed to maintain my running.

The main points for my success have been:-

1) Take it slow and if need be if there's no shame in running barely faster than walking.

2) Priority has been increasing my time running for stamina not worrying about the distance or speed. Now run for 45 minutes for about 6 1/2K.

3) Not getting hung up on doing 5K in 30 minutes. Doing about 34 to 35 minutes for 5K. Have found that my speed had been increasing naturally. But by all means once got stamina have experimented with working on speed.

4) Experiment with routes podcasts etc. If doesn't quite work as expected don't worry. If got breathless then walked for short while when experimenting with speed.

5) Set myself small achievable goals mainly increasing time by half or a full minute per week running.

6) Whatever run I have reminded myself it's all better than the lethargic couch potato I was last year !

Results:-

Avoiding potential future on medication (was possibly heading towards being diabetic)

Great sense of achievement and health and well being mentally and physically.

More alert taken up studying again.

Finally got a habit that's good for me !

Side affects:-

Boring this forum with my "Words of wisdom"

Annoying friends with "Cheesy Grins"

Worrying that friends will think I'm a "Big Wuss" or worse "Kinky" talking about and taking photos of shoes !

Addiction increasing my time but am getting the 7K itch ! then want to become the "5 MILE" man. Not marathon man. But never say never !!

Annoying conversations that go something like this:-

"Oh well I just run 5 miles for fun what do you do for laughs !".

or "By the way 'Dien Dobry' (Hello) , I've just learnt to speak polish!"

In summary it's OK to be a Tortoise and not a Hare !

Happy running everyone !

5 Replies
Dunder2004 profile image
Dunder2004Graduate

Excellent post, Joe.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Brilliant post Joe! As long as we run pace doesnt really need to matter. Which is good, because I am real slow.

But we are running Joe, how great is that?

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

I love this post! You've done brilliantly and should just keep doing what you've been doing 😊

JaySeeSkinny profile image
JaySeeSkinnyGraduate

Wise words! Your enjoyment really shines through. It's pretty amazing this running lark!

I like your style !

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