Yay! W7R1 in the bag :D: After the fun and games... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Yay! W7R1 in the bag :D

33 Replies

After the fun and games with my right knee, I never thought I would manage this run. I told myself that at the first sign of pain, I'd turn back and walk. I'm so glad I didn't need to!

I did stretches before, a slightly longer warmup walk than normal, and ran more slowly. The first five minutes seemed to take forever, but at the half way point despite feeling I'd gone rather slowly, I was still further on than W6R3. I turned round and jogged back, surprising a woman who was being taken for a walk by her dog. And before I knew it, Jo said I had a minute left. I upped the pace a little as she suggested, and it felt good.

So that's that, one more run done. I'm really enjoying this. I can totally see that I can do this! Who would have thought I could run for 25 minutes???

Encouragement then, I struggled to run for 1 minute at the start. 6 weeks later, what a difference. I am a runner! The app said so. And if I can, you definitely can :-)

Bring on run 2!

33 Replies
Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Fabulous, you did really well. Keep going, nearly there!

Djraw profile image
DjrawGraduate

Well done Neil ! Never doubted you! You are doing fantastic!!!

TJMazz profile image
TJMazzGraduate

Yay! Well done you. Hope I can follow in this ur footsteps in a few weeks. 😀

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate

I am well chuffed for you Neil, I know how much you wanted to get out there - and you nailed it! Good work! It does feel like a minor miracle, running for 25 mins, doesn't it?

Now, have a nice relaxing day and keep an eye on that knee. Don't forget to build some knee strengthening exercises into your week and stretch those calfs! (Calves?)

Very proud and very pleased for you, Mr Neil. No denying it, you ARE a runner.

Sadie x

in reply to Sadie-runs

I just popped in to Marple with the girls... spotted some baby cows in a field. Don't think they appreciated my attempts at stretching them :P

Seriously though, thanks for being so supportive. Miracles do apparently happen! When are you out next? Tomorrow?

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate in reply to

To-moooo-rrow! Treated myself to 2 days rest, longer runs making me a wee bit achier.

Run 1 of week 8. 28 mins. Wish me luck! 🏃‍♀️

in reply to Sadie-runs

Ah that's good. I was wondering cow you were doing. Don't take that the wrong way, I've got no beef with you!

All the best with w8. I know you can do it, but good call on the extra day. I'm thinking of taking an extra extra day this coming week just to make it easier on my ankle.

Can't wait to see your "smashed it" post tomorrow!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Very well done you.. start to feel your happy pace in those running legs now. You are doing wonderfully!

Brilliant..you RUNNER you! :)

in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks OldFloss, it was a good run, and tbh I felt like I could have done 30 minutes. Who'd have thought I would ever enjoy running? Your encouragement really means a lot.

DebJogsOn profile image
DebJogsOnGraduate

Yay -well done you! Knew you'd do it. 😊

in reply to DebJogsOn

Awww thanks! Funny how everyone but me has faith that I can do this!!

Amazing, well done Neil! So nice to hear you're managing it ok, it gives me hope for when I reach that week

in reply to

You totally can!! You're on week 4 now? Week 4 is a great week actually. How are you finding the program yourself?

Oh and thanks so much for the encouragement, it's almost like I have my own personal team of cheerleaders!!

in reply to

Yes week 4 now. Much like you I am loving the program and utterly addicted! I never ever EVER thought I'd say that about runnng! I was worried about week 4 as I'd read a number of people had to repeat week 3 but it was ok and I completed it without passing out! It's funny how on week 3 the three minute run felt challenging but on week 4 the three minute run was the easy part! Amazing how quickly your body adapts.

How's your knee doing now? How did you hurt it?

Haha better go and dust off my Pom poms 😂

Sarahb18 profile image
Sarahb18Graduate

That is great !!

So glad you managed it .... very well done !

🏃🏼🏃🏼

ejvcruns profile image
ejvcrunsGraduate

Neil, your success is assured. I often find that when I feel I am running slower, I run faster. I try to recapture that when I actually want to run fast. I think it has something to do with being relaxed...

in reply to ejvcruns

Thanks, from a professional such as yourself, that's real encouragement :-) how are you getting on anyway? Still running at altitude?

ejvcruns profile image
ejvcrunsGraduate in reply to

Professional LOL. I decided to take two days off since I was so tired on my last run. So tomorrow I go again. New week on ZR5K, hopefully I will be able to do it. Will not let the gremlins win! But they want to... You know how you have this dream when you are chronically unfit that if you were just to run 3x a week you will certainly look like a Hollywood star before too long? Yeah, that hasn't happened yet. It's kind of discouraging. I may post about it next time. :-)

in reply to ejvcruns

Hey what you have achieved is amazing. Amazing I tell you!! Who ever does look like a Hollywood star? And does it even matter? No, 'cause real beauty is on the inside!

You don't have to be someone you're not :-)

ejvcruns profile image
ejvcrunsGraduate in reply to

I would come right over to England and kiss you if it weren't for a) my husband and b) the extremely long flight. Thank you for a lovely answer!

in reply to ejvcruns

Awwwww thanks ☺️ Just saying it how I see it, that's all!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply to ejvcruns

Hollywood shmollywood.....this is the real world & you’re a star on here ejvcruns x

GrannyO profile image
GrannyOGraduate

Inspirational! Well done, keep running & enjoying. 😊

in reply to GrannyO

Thanks GrannyO and congratulations on your graduation as well :D

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Good news Neil😊.. W7 R1 nailed...

On the home stretch now. Take your time, enjoy these runs. Plenty of rest days and build up your running legs.

You absolutely will be graduating in the not too distant future 😊...

Take it steady😊x

in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Thanks Jan, extra rest days duly added, I tell you!

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

You are definitely a runner...definitely...& don’t let anyone tell you any different!!well done for nailing this run....with style !!

in reply to Mummycav

Yes, I am, aren't I, against all the odds? I'm still getting used to that idea. And hey, you are too!!

Sandyscroll profile image
Sandyscroll

👏👏👏👏👏 I'm so glad you got your knee problem back under control. That podium is getting ever nearer!!! Go you!!! 😀🏃🏃🏃🏃

in reply to Sandyscroll

Thanks Sandy, not quite there yet, but podium maybe in sight...!

Brilliant I knew you'd do it... you have the right mental attitude and keep a level head even when faced with potential injury issues. Nicely done Neil

in reply to

Thanks Jan, no point panicking I guess, just get on with it :-)

sjs1969 profile image
sjs1969Graduate

Fabuloso! you're onto the good runs now and so really enjoy them - well, maybe not those first five minutes - they are really annoying, aren't they?! 😃 Great work, especially given your unhappy knee - it sounds as though all is well with it, which is great.

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