Did my very first run yesterday. Have been cycling a bit lately 3-5 miles on the road and enjoying that but the wife and kids are getting into running and we may need an extra chaperone if the kids go for a 5K Parkrun so......
It was bloody hard work, harder than I was expecting having not really run since my teens (I'd managed to train and get decent at 800m but not much further!) and am now in my 40s - and I certainly wasn't expecting it to be easy, but wow.
The weird thing is I really enjoyed it! So hopefully I can keep it up!
Written by
jannerm
Graduate
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Thanks Given the effort yesterday it's hard to see how I'll ever improve, but having read other folks posts here it's obvious if you stick at it you'll improve, hard to feel like it as a shaking red-faced wreck huh? Also I think my brisk walk was almost a crawl at the end but at least I ran for all of the bits I had to!
5 weeks ago I was in exactly the same place you are, with exactly the same concerns, barely able to run a minute at a time. Smashed out 20 minutes today, it feels amazing!
They are important. Your muscles need that day to recover and it all helps build your strength and stamina.
Welcome to the family!
Congratulations for getting off the couch. That, in many ways, is the hardest part I think. I totally share your thoughts about W1R1 being hard, and from the point of doing no running, it certainly is, but it's acheivable, and you did. Actually, I found week 1 one of the hardest weeks due to all the really annoying intervals, although intervals are probably exactly what you need at this point.
I think your previous running experience will stand you in good stead, although distance/endurance running, which is what this is, is a different discipline altogether, and funnily enough going slow is the key. "Slow and steady" is a phrase you'll hear a lot of round here, and that will get you through. If you are getting out of breath, you're probably going too fast, so slow down, as this is about time not speed. After you graduate is probably the time to work on speed.
Parkruns are also great, and some people even incorporate their Couch to 5K sessions in with that, not sure how though (I never did).
Thanks for the warm welcome With my kids running junior PR's it's been great to watch their development, we try very hard not to be pushy parents and just let them go at their own pace so it's been great to see them get a real enjoyment out of running and they're now getting fitter and faster. So the goal here is to try to support them by getting fit enough to run with them in the 5k runs.
Other parents we know struggle to keep pace with their kids! But hell if I can do it at least we can get them in the runs! My wife is on W9 but has had to drop in and out due to her body adapting to the physical demands, and it's been good to see her enjoying it too.
I suppose I was a little shamed into starting, but I'm amazed how much I really enjoyed it having just run the once.
Hoping my body can cope with it now!
Oh and yep, thanks, slow and steady!! I've found a nice local route that is pretty well off the beaten track, mostly level but it's a bit down then up, so perhaps I was a little excited in the first few run sections!
I'll not take long to get back into it. Nice and easy does it. 😎
Thanks and good for you I noticed recently that our local 5K parkrun's fastest time was set by an "elder" gentleman! (He's a few years older than me) Not that I ever think I will quite get to his awesome times, I'd just be happy with managing to DO 5k, anything under the 30 mins would be amazing - although I have noticed that a lot of graduates don't quite manage it, so keeping expectations low
You will definitely enjoy it! This is an incredible programme which builds you up slowly but surely, and you can see progress each week - I think that’s the key.
Also, you’ll find this forum awash with helpful folk and their wisdom. Ask anything, they’ll answer!
Above all, enjoy your journey, and remember to post your progress on here! 😀🏃♀️🏃♂️💪🏻
Just (finally) got around for W1R3 today, R2 on Friday which was great, might have been a bit warm today as I found it hard going - body was ok, the heat was almost too much. Next thought is to get some better shoes as it's all on a trail rather than tarmac. Really enjoying it but nervous for the extra distance!
Brilliant that you completed the run especially in this heat.
Don’t worry about the extra distance next run. Your body will be ready (clever programme!) Great idea getting new trainers. May be an idea to even get a gait analysis at the same time’
Have fun - you’ll soon be hooked if you aren’t already! 😀🏃♂️😀🏃♀️😀
I’m just finished WK3 and each week I wonder how I’m going to manage the next, but then you do and it’s brill! Some runs feel better than others, but it just feels good to keep getting out there. Good luck and enjoy!
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