Week 5 run 3 - finally conquered!

[Hephz89]

So when I first saw that in Week 5 I was supposed to run for 20 non-stop I decided there and then that I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it. Pretty much because I have never consistently exercised or run in my life and I was scared I would fail and want give up the whole thing as a result. 🙈

So instead I repeated run 2 a few times and when that felt easier I jumped past to Week 6 run 1 and run 2.

Over the last week I’ve repeated run 2 a couple of times, shortening the mid way walk from 3 minutes, to 2 minutes to 1 minute and adding running minutes onto the end until I knew I could do more than 20 with a break so figured I might just be able to do 20 minutes without one!

So tonight I finally tackled the blank circle of Week 5 run 3. I had quite a bit of shin pain towards the end, which I’m hoping is normal? But if it hadn’t been for that I think my breathing and energy levels would have allowed me to continue a few extra minutes.

I’ve had other aches throughout that have since disappeared so I’m guessing it’s just my body adjusting to something I’ve never asked it to do before.

Looking forward (never thought I’d say that) to the next one!

Anyway, bit of a nonsensical ramble, I just wanted to share instead of just lurking!

Thanks for reading

Hephz

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done indeed! Time now, to move onto the lovely longer, more relaxed runs Slow and steady, as ever

[Hephz89 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you for the encouragement!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Well done Hephz...you just need a positive mindset for Wk5 R3 it really is doable after Wk5 R2..

By skipping ahead you actually did harder runs than that 20 minute one! Your aches may be down to you overdoing it, before you were ready.

I would go back to wk6 R1 again now and progress as the program dictates.

No need to add extra bits onto the plan, but taking extra rest days once the runs get longer is fine.

Run lightly and slowly, keep hydrated on running and non running days and stretch after your warm down walk while your muscles are still warm.

Good luck 😊x

[Hephz89 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Definitely needed the positive mindset. Hopefully now I know I can... I will! Thanks for the support 👍🏻

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Welcome Hephz and huge well done.

W5R3, as you have discovered, is perhaps more about what you believe you can do, than what your legs can really do! Well done for having such determination to tackle it in your own way.

I found it quite challenging getting used to running continuously ( after half a century of believing I couldn't do it) and I still find it useful to break it into a series of shorter times in my head - so yesterday I ran for 33 mins continuously - but my brain thought about 15, 10, 5, 3mins! It sounds mad, but it works for me! The numbers are different every time I run, depending on how I feel.

Flatten those gremlins, you can do it! 😄

[Hephz89 in reply to Elfe5]

Haha I definitely break it up too. I also find I’m still counting steps. When I was struggling on week one I would count to 80 as that was about 1 minute and it saved me checking the clock. It’s a habit that so far has stuck!

Thanks so much 🙌🏻

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Hephz89]

Have you downloaded the app? Laura's voice tells you exactly when to walk & run & plus giving music of the right pace & encouragement. - No need then to keep looking at a watch repeatedly.

[Renar Graduate]

I'm just about to do session 3 of week 5. I was thinking it might be hard but I'm feeling more confident now. At 64 years of age and never having run before I'm still feeling fine.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Renar]

Good luck, nice and steady..You can do it. 😊xx

[Hephz89 in reply to Renar]

Go for it!!

[Hidden]

Aaaah well done! Week 5 run 3 was a bit of a mean interloper I seem to remember!! I am like you, I have had weird aches and pains come and go over the weeks.. they seem to settle down and don’t seem to be anything more than an ache which goes after a couple of days. I was chatting to a running guy at work today and he said that as long as you recognise what is an ache and what is an injury you should be fine..

[Hephz89 in reply to Hidden]

It was quite a surprise, especially when I was just getting used to 8 or so minutes! So glad it’s done and I’m trying to rest today. Glad to hear the aches and pains settle down, hopefully I’ll recognise injury but it seems to be relieving now 👍🏻 Thanks for the advice 😀

[Whatsapp Graduate]

Well done. But shame you didn't believe in yourself more. The programme will not fail you.

Yes, its perfectly normal to get aches and pains, just be mindful that it is only that. Don't run again until the pain has gone.

[Hephz89 in reply to Whatsapp]

I think now I’ve gotten over this one I hopefully will have more confidence in myself! Resting today 👍🏻

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

Congratulations! Wk5 R3 was my all time favorite run (well at least in terms of achievement) - the one when I finally believed I might actually crack and enjoy this running thing. Now just a couple of months later I can happily run for 45 minutes (slow & steady of course) - and that first 20 minutes was the start. 25, 28 and 30 minutes won't stop you now!

Enjoy!