Had 2 unsuccessful attempts at joining beginners clubs recently- unfortunately even they were too fast for me!!
I’ve got plantar fasciitis, but as long as I take it easy and at my own pace, the running’s not making it any worse. Thing is, without the group, I’m losing motivation,so earlier this afternoon I joined this lovely group!
Happy to say, simply signing up motivated me and I’m just back in from my from my second W1 R3 (over 2 weeks). Probably need to move into to W2 this week but feeling a tadge scared!
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Lindarunner
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Welcome Lindarunner! Your post reminded me of the few runs I repeated at the beginning of the programme: mine was at the end of W2. I felt I wasn't comfortable enough to jump to the next week. Now that I've finished the programme, I can tell you you don't need to feel apprehensive: you can do it and move on to the next run! Trust the voice in your ear!
I also have a plantar thing but I run with special soles designed to support my arch by a chiropodist. It really helps. Make sure you start your run slow and find a steady pace: we tend to run faster when we know we can walk in between the runs, but it doesn't help for the longer runs. Breathing steadily did the thing for me. Enjoy yourself and let us know how you're doing!
thanks for your supportive message. I've used insoles for fallen arches for years in my hiking boots, is that what you mean? I've also a pair of wedges that suit some shoes and a pair of gel heel cushions for others. I'm using the heel cushions to run but could do with something better as my foot is still sore.
Yes, insoles specially designed after a doctor has examined your posture and gait. I saw that you're going to meet a physiotherapist and I was about to say that the massage and stretching exercises are complementary if you're in pain. For the soles, mine are supposed to prevent the inflammation and they're "dynamic", participating to the re-education. I don't know what's available in Britain. When I started the programme, the chiropodist said I was 70% on my left leg... Perhaps partly due to a beginning of PF inlfammation in my right heel, and back problems (or vice-versa!). Anyway, the soles have done me good as the pain has gone. I'm checking with the chiro next month to see if the situation has improved and if he changes the soles or tells me I can do without.
I hope you'll find a solution and wish you some happy running!
Thanks for all the info and advice Anthie. When you said earlier you’d completed the programme, I hadn’t realised it was only 3 days ago! Well done! Hope you’re still on a high!
The thing with this group, you have no idea where anybody is. So when you mention you’re not in Britain, where are you?
I'm in France. I got to the programme reading an article from... The Guardian lol! And I practise nordic walking with an athletics club but there's no way I'm going to run with the club groups (like a park run I guess): far too out for reach for me. I've just come back from my first postgradrun as it's very sunny today. Last 10 mns felt long!!! So I'll keep running W9 for a while! Thank you for the encouragement!
What is there to be scared of. You can go at your own pace and you will find that every week you think eek, how can I run for that long. Then you try it and, hey. You managed. It is possible you might not. In which case you just go again knowing that the practise run has made you stronger. More likely you will succeed first time and let me tell you that feels great.
Go for it without fear. Like so many before you, you can do it.
Stay strong Lindarunner. I prefer to run solo too. Go at a pace comfortable to you. My W1 and W2 I took too fast and slowed up for W3 and beyond. Every time you do a run pop a post up here and have a mooch at other people's posts. You'll see you are not alone, share any apprehensions and you'll get lots of support & encouragement
Congratulations!!! Well done 👍 keep going, I felt the same and still do a bit at each new leap but the programme, the support & our bodies are amazing. Do you have specific exercises someone has given you a for your PF? Targeted stretching got rid of mine completely without having to pay for inserts - good luck!
Hello back to you! Don’t be scared! Until you move on to the next phase, you won’t realise just how much you can do! You’ll get there! I didn’t think I’d get past the second week but my next run is Graduation Run! Yes, it’s taken me way longer than 9 weeks but I’m here, and so will you be!
About the plantar fasciitis- make sure you get some good quality running shoes; the lovely mentors on here advised me to; it’s made a massive difference. The right shoe supports your whole foot properly. I’d really recommend going to a proper running shop where they can advise you and assess your gait.
thanks for your supportive message. You're right about the running shoes. My heel does need to be supported/cushioned properly. I've even learned that walking in my hiking boots aggravate it as I reckon they are too stiff. Thankfully I am due to see my physio in a week's time (luckily, a good free one through work), I'll ask for advice then.
Congratulations to you, that fact you're nearly there! Do you feel like a runner now? Hope you plan to post when you've completed your next run - good luck!
Welcome! Also ouch & sympathy with the PF. You are obviously very determined to find a way into running- well done. This group of people are SO wonderfully encouraging and will support you on your running journey. 😃
It is natural to feel a bit daunted at the beginning - I decided to stop looking ahead! - I just went out there each time with Laura and let her surprise me. The program works really well, each run gets you ready for the next one. I think it was about W4 when I realised that I could trust the program and stopped thinking I might not manage!
I am now doing W9 and am amazed and delighted by what I have achieved- you will too, go out there and grab it! 😀
Let us know how you get on so we can cheer for you.
No, no injuries- the rest days are really important for avoiding them. I had a few aches in the first few weeks and occasionally one of my knees has a little grizzle - but nothing an extra rest day can't fix. Beginning to feel like a slow runner. Laura is the encouraging voice on the C25K podcasts I use. She tells you when to walk and run, gives sensible advice, (except for the breathing and heel strike comment at about week 3 which not everyone finds helpful) and plays music between comments. I have found them very helpful- no looking at watches - I just do as I'm told and take her advice! 😀
For some reason I thought everyone using the same app as me, the BBC Get Inspired - my voice is Jo Whiley. Yes, like the idea of just doing as I'm told, feel I do enough thinking and decision making the rest of the time!
Welcome! I'm not that far ahead of you but will also say that people are very helpful. Mentors also wise! Now my key question... If you are using the app, who have you chosen as coach? I'm using MJ, he just has such a calm voice, makes me smile!
Hi John, I chose Jo. Didn't want comedy as I need this to be serious and can't connect with MJ. Jo's more like me, a middle aged mum (but she's the successful, fitter one!!)
It was this lovely forum that got me through the programme! It was so nice to post and receive support, and I just learned so much from everyone here. These folks are my running family. 😀
Running alone will allow you to set the pace that you are comfortable with. I am a big fan of slow and steady, and the glow and buzz this gives me when I complete the run tells me this works for me! I now run for 30 minutes 3 x week and I am completely in love with running thanks to C25K.
Good luck in your running journey.
Sadie-runs 😘
PS Jo was my mentor of choice too, we became fast friends. 😀
Thanks Sadie. I get it when you say you're in love with running. Never really been a proper runner, only ever a novice but it's the one thing that can give me a high - the fact that I'm outdoors is the icing on the cake for me. Actually, the icing on the icing is to run near water, with trees, grass, big sky...... means I have to drive but have done it before and will be doing so again!
Yes, Jo..... the alternatives.... Michael Jordon is it? Didn't connect. Nor two comedians..... nop, I'm taking this seriously!
So aren’t you feeling liberated at this stage, being a graduate and all? 😉
Was your run today the same as your last run in Wk 9? Clearly I’ve not got there to know.
Foot sore today, despite doing my exercises. Will bring the ice out later. Just had a mouch round Decathlon, doing a bit of research Re new shoes. Fearful of making things worse when I go out again but won’t make any decision about a purchase until I see my Physio in a weeks time.
So Anthie, are you an ex pat. Don’t like to make assumptions yet it seems a reasonable one!
Welcome Linda! You are doing brilliantly. I graduated at the end of August and it took me about 3 and a half months. Keep going, the programme is designed so well that I couldn't believe that I would be able to run for 30 mins ( hadn't run for over 40 years) but I did and I can - still running for 30 mins and enjoying it! I chose Jo too but on some consolidation runs I used Mr Smooth - he was very soothing! Any how I have become addicted to bling and have done some virtual runs - they are definitely a motivator! Good luck😀🏃🏽♀️
A medal! I did a virtual poppy run recently and received the medal at the weekend. I am doing a virtual Christmas jumper run for charity and I will receive a medal once I send through proof that I did the run. I like the virtual runs, you can run on your own wherever you like; I'm a solitary runner, which I prefer at the moment. So, there's a sense of achievement, you are doing something for charity and you get some bling'
That sounded a bit thick of me in hindsight, just didn’t understand the connection with virtual runs! So a virtual run is still a proper run but you go it alone?
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