W5R3 done, despite stamina issue!

[AnUladh]

Hi everyone, my first post although I've been logged in regularly over the past few weeks taking encouragement from all the greats posts on here.

I'm just gone 57, fairly unfit and very overweight and I knew I had to sort myself out before some real health issues decide to visit me.

Today I had my W5 R3, which I was quite apprehensive about, but I had taken on board the regular advice on here to take it slow & steady. I had felt quite comfortable on my second 8 minute run in R2 and even went a bit extra but the jump to 20 minutes seemed daunting.

Wrapped up this afternoon and myself and the mutt went to our usual running place on the pathways around Stewartby Lake & the Millennium Country Park. All was going well until the stamina issue I mentioned - my phone battery went flat!! Luckily I was just gone 15 minutes in so it was easy enough to guess how much further I needed to go. When I (sorry mutt, we) got back to the motor we had been out for just gone 50 minutes, so allowing for the warm up & down and time faffing with the phone I'm sure I must have done 25 minutes even though it was just a slow & steady pace.

I'm amazed at the resilience that my body has built up in a month, in week one I was gasping for breath after running for one minute, now I did my 20 and recovery time was seconds rather than minutes. This run has given me the confidence to believe that I will be running for thirty minutes when I finish week nine just before Easter although I am mindful of the challenge that W6 can be thanks to the messages I've seen from you guys who have been there.

My challenge for lent was that I would do the Bedford ParkRun on Easter Saturday and now I'm feeling pretty sure it's a realistic aim.

Thanks again for all the encouragement that you guys radiate and honestly, without the wise words that I have read on here, I'm not even sure that I would have made it this far.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done you... what a super pikkie

Slow and steady works.... just take it gently and everything falls into place

Just do what you are asked to do...keep within the structure, always finish with something left in the tank

[AnUladh Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks and yes, I am lucky to have a lovely spot to do my running

[Hidden]

Beautiful pic, what a glorious place to do your run especially the famous W5 R3 wide grin run.

Good luck for W6 - but I don’t think you’ll be needing luck, you seem to have your method and motivation sorted...

[AnUladh Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hopefully W6 goes well but taking nothing for granted

[Anthie Graduate]

Gorgeous picture! I envy your scenery. Well done for your efforts and keep going: yes, be confident, the programme really works!

[AnUladh Graduate in reply to Anthie]

Anthie, now that I'm well into the programme, I can see how it's really well structured and does enough to push you beyond your normal comfort zone but still very much achievable. Looking forward to seeing it through and I must be honest, a few weeks ago I don't believe I saw myself thinking like this

[Anthie Graduate in reply to AnUladh]

I felt like you at the beginning and most of the other members I think. I thought I'm going to give it go (my issue was getting rid of headaches after short intense efforts and getting more breath) but really didn't think that it would be that efficient! Graduated in November and I signed up for Ju-Ju's 10 k plan two weeks ago (to keep motivated :-). So, you have plenty to look forward to!!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Fantastic. Well done 👍😁

Its such a great feeling to feel fit again isn't it? Enjoy that high 🌟🌟🌟