W5R3 - I made it :-D

Morning fellow running buddies. I've been so excited to get to the point where I could share this post with you all.

I actually did get to bed early last night for once, and I slept well considering this run was on my mind. I left home at 6:15am and drove to work about 40 miles away. Traffic was lighter because I was earlier than normal, so by the time I'd driven, parked up and got my headphones and what have you sorted out, it was 7:15. And it was quite cold and very windy! I had planned out a rough route, so off I went.

5 minute walk. I was still a little chilly by the end, but enjoying running on a tarmac cycle path rather than a rough canal path, even though the scenery wasn't as nice.

The Jo said that it was time. So that was that. Off I went.

The first 5 minutes seemed to take a long time, and I was starting to get annoyed with the noise of the cars driving past on the morning commute. Gosh I'm so grumpy in the mornings. And the afternoons for that matter It didn't help that the first part was uphill, but then a slight downhill, and the next 5 minutes seemed to fly past.

The something strange happened, well not that strange knowing me, I got slightly lost. I knew the rough layout of the roads, but had somehow taken a wrong turning, so in my quest to get back, I stopped thinking about my legs, the fact that I now had to run up the hill I'd just come down, and I was still waiting for the 10 minute call, when Jo said there was only 5 minutes left. I was amazed that I'd managed 15 minutes.

The last 5 were uneventful and spent going slowly and steadily, just enjoying the feeling that I was going to make it. And I did!

Slight panic ensued when I realised that I couldn't remember where I'd parked, but fortunately the nice lady who hides inside my iPhone seemed to know. And I didn't slow down much either, as when the 5 minute warm down walk ended, I was only about 100 yards from my car.

I was a little slower than normal at just over 11 minutes per mile, as I deliberately paced myself. I am a snail! I got momentarily excited when I saw speed of 6'54" per mile on my running app, but realised I'd left it running whilst I drove the short distance to work lol!

Well I'm not paid to write about C25K, so i guess I should do some work. Thanks sooooo much for all your support and encouragement so far. You are all awesome!

[Hidden]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Wide grin alert😀

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Jan! Yeah - can't quite fit through the door it's that wide Gosh I wish we had showers at work

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It just so lovely to see someone's plan come together...

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

We do...no excuses for then really is there!!

[misswobble Graduate]

It often happens that if your attention gets diverted you stop thinking about your running and just do it

Don't push yourself on these sessions. Speed doesn't matter. It's all about the finishing!

Just go nice and steady 🙂✔️👍

Incidentally, you can do a longer warm up as it's good to go fully warm before starting the session

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Thanks for the advice misswobble, I shall give that a go for the longer runs I think, it does make sense. And I know what you mean about speed, I'm slow, but I don't care. I'm sure speed will come naturally to some extend, as I get fitter. Believe me, "slow and steady" is etched on my brain by now

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Hoorah! I knew you'd do it Neil! Loved the report too, fun reading. Getting lost is a great distraction technique, eh?

😊😊😊

So very happy for you. Well done, buddie. Onwards and upwards! 🏃😘

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie, still can't believe I just managed that. Me, the unfittest person on the planet! Well, I used to be

Yes - great distraction technique, if only it had been intentional though! And I realised looking at the map of my run that I could have just started from work and got back to work and it would have been the perfect distance. Oh well, I'll know for next time.

Thanks so much for the encouragement as always, can't wait to hear about your next one too.

[misswobble Graduate]

Yes, we get fitter as we go! Boy do we ever! You will amaze yourself that by doing these sessions slowly and carefully we can get ourselves fit 👍💪🙂

Walk more too! Walking burns lots of calories and helps with our puff Saves petrol too 👍

You'll be jogging home from work before long 🙂

,

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Well I think it might be a while before I end up jogging the 40 miles home, but I suppose it's something to aim for For now, I'm just happy I made it this far!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Congratulations Neil, well done, my personal definition of walking, jogging and running is a decent walk at 4 mph, jogging, 5 mph and running at 6mph or more, perhaps it is different with other people.

[misswobble Graduate]

Of course! Go you!

This time in your life is important so make the most of it and enjoy it . By going steady you should avoid niggly injuries and get through the programme in one piece 🙂

[lardofale Graduate]

Fantastic! That getting lost and forgetting where the car technique may well catch on! In my case I'd be worried as my car would be outside my house!! Well done chap, self satisfied grin nailed on!!!

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

Hardest ‘mental’ run over with mate.

You’ve also ran more weeks than you have left!

Nice one

[Beatlesforever Graduate]

Yay, congratulations! Well done you 🏃‍♂️

[sjs1969 Graduate]

Fabtastic! Really pleased to read your post - what a great run and what an achievement, you should feel very proud of yourself 😄 And on a personal note, I'm very glad that I'm not the only one who gets lost - it really is the perfect distraction! Rest well but keep moving as well, as I've found that the body needs it after the longer runs... 😊

[Renmurew Graduate]

Brilliant to hear it went so well. This is the next one up for me. Reading about others successfully taking on this challenge is so inspirational. 👏

[Hidden in reply to Renmurew]

Yes, it is inspirational isn't it? I often wonder if I woud have given up by now if it wasn't for the encouragement of everyone on here.

And as for W5R3 - I was surprised - way easier than I expected, but you have done 21 minutes total in run 2, albeit with a brisk 5 minute walk thrown in for fun, so in terms of the amount of time spent running, you're only running for 4 minutes longer than you were, and you already know how to handle small increases. You can totally do this, and be grinning like a cheshire cat afterwards""

All the best with the next run, will you let us know how you do?

Thanks, Neil

[Renmurew Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I know exactly what you mean. I told no one other than my husband , who might have noticed lol, that I was starting this programme because I didn't really think I would keep going. Then I started reading some of the posts especially of those around the same stage. It really gave me a huge boost to think that could be me and those people felt exactly the same way.

Thanks for the encouragement for run 3. I'll definitely be back later in the week to report how it goes.

Wendy

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well said Neil😊..

'I was surprised, way easier than I expected'..

Remember that everybody😆..

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Ah well done!! Knew you would do it!!! I got lost the other day too and they was in my home town!! 🤣🤣 i also did the track g in my car bit lol!! Snails rock 🐌 never forget this!!

[Hidden in reply to Polly2810]

Thanks Polly! I shall never fail to appreciate a snail again Oh - and thanks for having faith in me. I just didn't think I would ever get this far, so it's all rather unexpected

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well take it from another non believer!! This programme really works!! Well done you!!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Well done!

[Hidden in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thank you Maddee

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Ha! It's great when you know you can!! You'll be on the podium in no time!

[Hidden in reply to ejvcruns]

It's a good feeling to get through this one with no major problems, well, apart from getting lost!! What's the view like from up there?

[ejvcruns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Breathtaking -- both figuratively and literally. Be going out later today. Hopefully they won't have to send an ambulance after me. This town is so small I'm not sure they even HAVE ambulances.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Just Brilliant Neil, 😊Well done. Don't worry about speed either, those hills slow you down a lot😆..

You ran for 20 mins...and nailed it.x

Onwards and upwards....

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan, I'm not worrying about speed really, I'm just glad to have managed it. And now I'm thinking I don't know what all the fuss was about!

Talking about going upwards... I'm thinking of my local park run for when (not if!) I graduate. Lyme Park... apparently nearly the most hilly one there is! Oh well if you're going to do it, do it properly lol!

[Hidden]

Superb! Well done!! 😃

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Lorraine! It was actually fun. Never thought I'd say that

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You have inspired me! Will post my W3R2 tomorrow because I can do it!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You'd better believe it You'll get loads of support here, you know that, right? I think the programme works really well from what I've seen so far, so long as you take it nice and slow, don't try and run before you can jog Can't wait to see your progress updates!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I could not even envisage doing this without this support! I work abroad 5 weeks (here now) and then home to work for 8 weeks so I'm out there on my own and this program is my godsend lol I need you all! 🙁

[Tasrunner Graduate]

That W5R3 is just the best feeling - well done - enjoy everyone at work wondering why you are grinning all day!

[Hidden in reply to Tasrunner]

I'm back now, but I did tell pretty much everybody!! Not sure they were terribly impressed since I work at an online cycle retailer, so most of the staff ride 100 miles on a bike at the weekend... but hey, I know I've acheived something good.

[Downtwo]

Thanks for this post. Not only very entertaining but extremely encouraging as I still haven't done my Week 5 Run3 this week for various reasons but have had lots of great encouragement so will be doing it very soon. So well done to you. There are definitely a lot of very impressed runners on this forum and lets face it, cycling is a doddle compared to this. . Nothing like your own two legs - no freewheeling for us!. You've passed the big run barrier. No turning back now. But I wonder if there is an orienteering course on this NHS site, I am sure you are not the only one who loses their way. Keep the grin, you've got the grit already. xx

[ChallengerGrandma Graduate]

Your slow is my fast! Once I've got 15 minutes done things seem to flow a bit more. Good luck with week 5

[Hidden]

I was away yesterday and didn't see your post, so am late to say WELL DONE 😁😁😁, but I expect you're still celebrating! I think 20 mins is when you start entertaining thoughts like 'not everyone can do this!', and 'the last time I ran for 20 minutes I was probably about 12', and things like that ☺. Keep going!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Awwww thanks yes, if by celebrating you mean going to work, and having a well deserved cuppa on getting back home, then yes!! But honestly, I wasn't prepared for the feelings and emotions on realising that I, the unfittest person in the world, had just jogged for 20 minutes. Non stop!

Thanks so much for the encouragement, it does really help!

So what's next for you then? Just keep doing week 9, or start afresh with week 1?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I think I'll keep running about twice a week, mixed in with gym. I have a parkrun nearby, so when I feel brave enough I'll give that a go! I don't want to lose this feeling of being fit. I'm also a little lighter than I was! ☺

[TJMazz Graduate]

Yay 😊 You did it. You must be very pleased. Good luck with Week 6

[Hidden in reply to TJMazz]

Thanks you know what, I never thought I'd make it past the first 60 seconds of w1r1, so yeah, pretty chuffed! Still got a stupid grin on my face...

[TJMazz Graduate in reply to Hidden]

So you should. Such an achievement 😀

[Djraw Graduate]

Brilliant - well done Neil!