went back but not backwards: Hi, I haven't... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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went back but not backwards

melindes profile image
melindesGraduate
6 Replies

Hi,

I haven't posted for a long while because at first I felt rather embarrassed that my progress was more regress. I'm posting now because actually my plan is working well - for me - and I wondered whether many others have done the same. After a disastrous attempt at stepping stone, I went back to week 4 and over the last however many weeks it's been since stepping stone, I have continued running regularly but have stayed on the same run until I felt really ready to move on. I'm now back up to wk6 run 1 and in no hurry.

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melindes profile image
melindes
Graduate
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6 Replies
MoGr profile image
MoGrGraduate

I was thinking I may do the same at some point. Was really great with 10 minute runs and then seemed to struggle over longer times! Just did week 6 run 3 - which in my head was 20 minutes and is actually 25!! the last 10 mins were really hard, but am hoping that repeating it all on week 7 may make it easier!! I think the important thing is to just keep moving!!

melindes profile image
melindesGraduate in reply to MoGr

You're absolutely right. By all means repeat week 7. I pushed myself to finish in the nine weeks and I didn't do myself any favours. I'm very happy now with my plan. As you say, the important thing is to keep moving and feel okay with it.

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogsGraduate in reply to MoGr

I personally like run-walk intervals. After graduation I'd mix up sessions of 100% running, with​ sessions of intervals from short to long. Variety is the spice of life.

That being said, long runs will get easier. It's just practice and consistency. Happy running

runswithdogs profile image
runswithdogsGraduate

Running is very individual, and it's not a linear journey. And that's okay - nothing to be embarrassed at. I've been back at week 1 a few times over the past few years, and am currently running less than week 1. You modify as you see fit.

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate

I've stopped running almost as many times as I've started ;) But I always come back and get back into it. At the moment, I'm coming back from an unplanned month off, so have gone back in at a week of 20 mins, then a week of 22 mins (due to do the third of them tonight. Eep!), then will go for week 7 next week... The thing is, it's fine to vary the plan (as long as it's in the direction of doing less rather than more!). This isn't a school thing where you'll get a detention if you don't achieve X in Y time. It's about doing something for you, which you enjoy, and find life-affirming/relaxing/calming/rewarding/whatever works for you. So if going back to week 4 and building up more slowly works for you, then go for it. If carrying on doing run/walk intervals works for you, then do that. (For me, run/walk always sounds appealing, but for the fact that bitter experience shows that once I walk, I find it really hard to get back into running again!)

Happy running :)

nikkiwabit profile image
nikkiwabitGraduate

Sounds sensible to me. As long as you get there progress can be slow - whatever suits you. Certainly better than giving up :)

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