I started my journey on March 27th 2018 having never run before. Whilst I'm hardly an expert runner, after 18 outings, I am now beginning to see myself as a runner.
As mentioned in a previous post, I chose not to feel pressured by the nine-week/5k target and, instead, focused on learning to run for 30 minutes. I'm not even particularly bothered about the distance although, with my current progress, I have no doubt that 30 minutes will equate to roughly 5k.
I found running really tough going to start with and I suffered quite bad lower leg and knee pain. Reading this forum helped me to properly understand what was going on with my legs, knees and body and also to realise that lots of people suffer in varying degrees and mine was actually on the low side! Personally, I think knowledge and understanding is really important because it sets your mind right.
Once I knew I DIDN'T have shin splints (I was convinced I did) and began to really focus on what and where the pain was, not just saying 'my legs ache', it made me concentrate on my style and change the surface I was running on.
I also learned about 'over pronation' and thought that may be causing my knee pain but there is much conflicting advice on the web and I decided to 'find my feet' before considering whether to invest in better/different footwear.
I persevered and quickly found myself really enjoying running (much to my utter amazement!), I mean REALLY enjoying it and, for once in my life, feeling like this is something I could really stick with to get fit. I also decided to run every other day, not three times a week. I stuck firmly to the 'rules', making sure I had a rest day between runs but also listened to my body and rested longer if needed - but only once I was 100% happy that I was genuinely knackered and not just making an excuse!
My decision to learn to run 5k, and not run 5k in nine weeks, massively took the pressure off. It meant I repeated W1 twice and W2 three times for the first seventeen runs in total. In fairness, I did try W3R1 once but, for me, doing a three minute run after only six runs (ever!) was a step too far and resulted in a three day rest and more painful legs.
However, on April 2nd I ran W3R1 and felt brilliant. I ran W3R2 on April 4th and, whilst it was tough going (warmer weather, generally tired etc.) I did it, and the acid test was that my legs felt absolutely fine the following morning. Woo hoo!
This to me was a massive breakthrough. Whilst repeating W2 served its purpose for me, it did also mean I began to fear W3 a little. Breaking through that barrier and feeling great the following day means I now, finally understand, that fitness is truly happening. I really am improving and getting physically fitter and, whilst I will definitely repeat each week at least once, I will see the jump to the next week as a challenge, not a barrier.
In terms of how running has made me feel, I've dropped a few pounds (I'm not hugely overweight, just mostly middle-age/no exercise spread) my body is changing clearly shape, which is great. However, I had read, and largely dismissed, that a positive benefit of running is improved mental capacity. All I can say is that both my mental clarity and memory have noticably improved. I can't be more specific, just that it's all good. My only frustration is that I've left it so long to do anything about my fitness.
Onward and upward. I just wanted to share my story in the hope it helps other newbies me.
Good luck to everyone on your journies, especially if you're starting out.
Clive
Where oh where has my fitness gone?
Now, how did that happen?
C'mon Malcy - you're meant to be fit!
W7R3 - something magic happened...
What's your Fitness/Speed improvement?
