BACK TO REALITY AND MY 2ND 5K RUN - GET THESE ... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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BACK TO REALITY AND MY 2ND 5K RUN - GET THESE LEGS MOVING πŸ˜‚

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduate
β€’18 Replies

Firstly, I've missed you lovely people and glad to be back.

Well, I haven't been around for the past 2 weeks since finishing graduation on my first park run. I then went on holiday last week and arrived back early hours of Saturday morning.

Firstly, my holiday location was absolutely beautiful, even though I didn't jog or run through the cobbled streets of Sorrento, but my son and I did a lot of walking. We did 11 miles last Wednesday, which equated to around just under 29,000 steps. Not many for some folk, but a heck of a lot for one day for me.

I'm on a challenge throughout September and aiming for 150 miles of combined walking and running, after which I achieve a medal and compression tee shirt πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚ so excited, I'll have one medal to my name, lol!! This sort of thing isn't what I would do or have ever done in my life, not since I had the Fitbit and started running.

So yesterday evening, I was home earlier after visiting my mum and so tempted to get tea done and dusted, as I'm fed up of the late sit downs in the evening, but for an hour I pondered and pondered over whether to run, many negative thoughts flashing through my mind like, oh I will leave it tonight, or, I can't really be bothered etc. Plus, I've been giddy the last couple of days, unsure why, so not feeling that grand. But, as a few may have read from previous messages, my little urge problem to pass water, has eased 🀣🀣 oh, the moments I share with you, lol.

But I went ahead, changed, nothing was planned and I did think about the podcast, then realised I didn't have to do it, so thought I'd try my second full 5k. Could I do this without Laura telling me I had 15,10 minutes to go....? Yes, I did do it, though I kept thinking of walking briskly for say 5-10 seconds on every step that I took, because my legs just felt so tired. I could feel my feet dragging and scraping the floor, but kept thinking I mustn't stop, I slowed down a tad, not that my pace was quick, oh no, not at all, but after 15 minutes in, I seemed to notice my pace and breathing become more relaxed. Such a weird feeling, but it seems to be a pattern. Is that what is supposed to happen?

I recorded it on Strava/Relive and on my Fitbit. Fitbit showed 3.5 miles if I remember rightly. Slightly slower on Strava, about 2.9, I think. My pace was 12 point something, probably the best I've done, quite unbelievably. But pace for me at this stage isn't important. I'd rather achieve endurance/distance, than to how quick I can do it in..... for the moment. In time, it will prove its importance and naturally I will want to run a little quicker.

But I didn't give up, I thought I would, believe me, I was flagging, feet scraping the floor with me nearly feeling like hugging the floor, but I just kept saying I have to keep going, I must keep going. Is this a drug or is this a will to just keep running or to prove we can beat the tiredness and pain? Whatever it is, it's keeping me interested and wanting to do it. If I can do it, all of you who are starting off, who think you can't do it, well, YOU CAN!!! YOU TRULY CAN. I was, or am not so unfit now, getting there, so if I can do it, anyone can. I need to lose weight for my own reasons, so if I can do this, YOU can. Believe it lovelies 😊😊

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quirkybee profile image
quirkybee
Graduate
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18 Replies
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Dpsl profile image
DpslGraduate

Fabulous and inspiring post, quirkybee !

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply toDpsl

Ahh, thank you, no probs 😊

DBlou profile image
DBlou

Wow! Wonderful post quirky bee very inspirational ! I have a long way to go, but your words were still somewhat relevant at my early stage. Well done lovely x

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply toDBlou

Thank you, you really can do it, even at your early stage. I read folk saying, "if I can do it, then you can do it" and its true, it really is. I'd like to give up 2 minutes in from starting to run, but you have to keep thinking and saying in your mind, I must keep going and just try and focus forward.

I try and keep as upright as I can, shoulders back and I don't look at anything in particular, just forward with every step. I didn'took at my Fitbit either until I approached the area, where I knew it was roughly 25 minutes going from the podcast. I was around 23 minutes, so I knew I'd done 3/4's of it and only had to get past 3.5 miles to achieve the 5k. Everyone adopts their own running posture though, so do what's comfy for you. I have alas learnt not to bend my arms up to tight, so tend to jog with them slightly raised at each side and inward as I jog, my shoulders don't feel so tense then. That's just me though.

Good luck on your podcast πŸ‘ x

hi quirky bee, i can really relate. i am about to start week 9, but have already run a 5k park run, kinda by accident! didn't intend to do it but just kept going and did it to see if i could! it looks like our speeds are v. similar. i too have the same kind of mental dialogue. i am willing myself and talking to myself to keep going and 'you can do it' self talk, and now and again feel like i am in flow. my biggest block i think is the mental one though. i am not going to stop (unless i get injured or health) and i am hoping this mental battle will pass. not sure if that happens? i like goals so runnng is good for that with all the apps and being able to see progress.

it helped me a few weeks ago to see a long term runner say that even when you are an xperinced runner you still run until yr peak capacity, if that's the right terminology, so feel out of breath etc by end. have to set the expectations, but i am looking forward to being able to run further and enjoy it!

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Hi Annie,

Yes, that's similar to how I think and feel. I know when the legs are struggling or I'm out of puff, it's so difficult to focus and think positively, but you just have to keep going, just as the coach Laura said. Push through the pain, lol πŸ˜‚

β€’ in reply toquirkybee

yep! i would love to have a run where i am running in flow and thinking about other things apart from ' i am now 30 secs nearer finishing'. i am sure it will come, and still can't quite believe i am running 3x a week for 28 mins, soon to be 30, knowing i have done 5k in 36.52 secs! i would love to finish my week 9 with a park run and do it in 35 mins.....we shall see, but main goal is to finish week 9.... don't know why i always have sub goals!!!

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply to

You'll soon be doing that, don't you worry. You've done the 28 mins so far, keep going and take it steady.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Missed you! Glad you had a super holiday though..you deserved it!

What a great post... they are always so supportive to the forum family :) Thank you.

It is super too, that you are finding what I call, your happy pace... it does come.. if you do, as you did, build up and take it all steadily, then suddenly... that feeling... your legs almost doing it without you thinking about them....I love it... you feel like they could take you on for ever!

Beautiful. Looking forward to some more posts as you move on... :)

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply toOldfloss

Thank you for your inspiring words and I missed you too. I'll keep going steadily Oldfloss, need to think now where to go from here. I'm going to keep doing my 30 min plus of running and build up that way, but might try the stretching podcast and incorporate some running with it too 😊 x

Tricky2836 profile image
Tricky2836

Heyyy welcome back, glad you had a great holiday and good to hear you have got back into the running, keep it up mate πŸ˜‰

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply toTricky2836

Thank you Tricky, good to see you too and be back 😊 Keep those legs moving my lovely.

KoKo30 profile image
KoKo30Graduate

welcome back! your holiday sounds lovely, would love to go to Sorrento. Your September challenge sounds amazing and you must be nearly there. And another 5k, I am well impressed!

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply toKoKo30

Aww, thanks KoKo, I've never been before, beautiful part of the world. I don't holiday often, so was nice to go somewhere lovely 😊 Last day tomorrow for the challenge.

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Ohhhh, how I have missed you Beth!! I’m glad you had a lovely holiday though...but glad your back...& posting these lovely inspiring posts that you always do...thank you x

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply toMummycav

Aww, thanks Bev, glad to see your lovely posts too. Look at all of us here buzzing with lots of enthusiasm 😁 x

I love your summary screen saying 'trending faster' that is a brilliant phrase to have immortalised on screen!

quirkybee profile image
quirkybeeGraduateβ€’ in reply to

Oh yes, haha, thanks Jan, that does sound quite trendy πŸ˜ƒ

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