Week Two - Complete.: W2R1: I left the house... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Week Two - Complete.

22 Replies

W2R1: I left the house determined to get the job done. I found the 90 second runs very enjoyable and the breathing technique that Laura introduced gave me something to focus on. I couldn’t breath in for as long as she suggested but I guess that extends over time…?

W2R2: Bad start… 5:30am where are my running shoes? A member of my family who shall remain nameless had caused chaos in the shoe cupboard, it was like a bomb had gone off in there and my trainers were somewhere in the destruction that greeted me when I opened the door. I had to go, so grabbed another pair of trainers. They just didn’t feel like my regular trainers. They were uncomfortable and played havoc with my toenails the whole journey (my partner calls me grandad toes) - I pay very little attention to my feet/toenails usually… Toenail maintenance has now moved up from the bottom of the list on my (non-existent) personal care maintenance schedule.

W2R3: Good run! Though i’d mix it up a bit and modify my route slightly, It worked out really well - I thoroughly enjoyed it and arrived home on a high this morning.

A common theme on the runs this week was that I keep getting the urge to push myself a bit harder around the half way mark, it felt good, like I’d discovered a new vehicle in my garage that I’d never driven before. It’s how I’d imaging Lewis Hamilton might feel when Mercedes reveal the latest Formula one car “Lets put the pedal to the metal and see what this baby can do!”

But I’m not Lewis Hamilton, or a Formula one car for that matter… the best comparison I could make here would be to one of those beige motorhomes from the 1980’s that you see trundling along at 56mph on the motorway. The driver usually has a slightly concerned expression on their face, praying that he’ll make it to Dover… never mind the south of France. I am a Talbot Express Motorhome, with a dodgy gearbox and an exhaust that hits the floor when going over speed bumps. But still with some hard work and some TLC I think I can become a Volkswagen Transporter to be proud of… even if I do have to fiddle the emissions tests a little bit!

in the words of the great Baz Luhrmann:

“Enjoy your body

use it every way you can...

don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it

it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.”

youtu.be/sTJ7AzBIJoI

Week three, I know you can hear me… I’m coming for you.

⚡️ThunderSloth⚡️out.

22 Replies
UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Good work. I can’t get that breathing still, so I don’t try any more... I’m still alive so I’m breathing well enough!

I do burn a bit of excess energy off in the last minute of most runs... but it’s hard to keep it slow at the start sometimes.

Enjoy the next week, you’re doing great.

in reply toUnfitNoMore

Thanks UnfitNoMore! I’ve been enjoying your posts and comments 😎 keep up the good work 👍

ReluctantRunner1 profile image
ReluctantRunner1 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Thanks unfitnomore. I am also struggling with my breathing technique on w3 and was obsessing a bit. However I will now put it to the back of my mind and get on with getting through the run 😁

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate

I love your post <3 it made me smile, it made me want to go out and run to tune my car a little, even it's my rest day. I would say I'm probably one of the first, trial versions of Smart :P my speed is limited, but I can fit almost everywhere :P I need to work on my engine and fuel consumption ;)

in reply toIgaT

Thanks IgaT 😁 That’s great! Those little smart cars can go like rockets 🚀 you’ll be amazing after this!

IgaT profile image
IgaTGraduate in reply to

Thanks tiny pocket rocket :) I like the idea, this will be my visualisation, or however you call it :P

steviej99 profile image
steviej99Graduate

Haha great post Thunder. Looking forward to your report on week 3

in reply tosteviej99

Thank you steviej99 I see you're at a similar stage, I hope it's all going well for you too 👍

steviej99 profile image
steviej99Graduate in reply to

Yes thanks. W2 R2 today or tomorrow. Enjoying these early stages and determined to complete the programme this time round! I like the support and advice on this forum v much

Mayanow profile image
Mayanow

Hahaha i love your metaphores!!! It's hard at 5:30am to fiddle in closets anyway. Get your gear ready in the evening. I found everything disorganised on my graduation run and got sooo frustrated!

But still. Running has become our pleasure and that's the drive. That urge to really go at it halfway through is maybe something like second wind...?

Mayanow profile image
Mayanow in reply toMayanow

Oh and that four-step breathing didn't happen for me either

I found i got the right rhythm when i took away the focus! When i started listening to podcasts. I run, i breathe and it naturally goes in a pattern.

in reply toMayanow

Hi Mayanow thank you 🙏 great advice it’s amazing how one small thing can completely throw you off your run. Yes I’ll start getting organised the night before 👍 And great idea, I’m going to let the breathing take care of itself tomorrow and see how it goes - thank you very much. I’ve just read your graduation and consolidation posts, you’ve done so well you should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved 😃

Mayanow profile image
Mayanow in reply to

Oh thank you so much! I am proud cos l really was not the type and can't believe i transformed into achieving THIS!

I'm glad if i was any help. The music (not laura) was not motivating me so i had to change that. I love listening to comedy. Anything to shift focus from the effort and then it all synchronizes!

Let me know your progress! 😁

Ibot profile image
Ibot

Omg you are amazing!! Well done. I’m doing w2 R3 on Friday 😔 probably will die 🤪

in reply toIbot

Thanks Ibot! you’ve already nailed that run twice so probability says you’re more likely to smash it again than...actually die!!! ☠️ keep us posted on how you get on 😁

Ibot profile image
Ibot in reply to

Oh I’m not so sure!! I’m always followed on my run by 🚑 😳😳 that’s normal right 🤷🏽‍♀️

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate

Yes. Wear sunscreen.

I think you tend to find your own rhythm first and it develops as you become more fit.

Maybe there's a graduate out there who can share their experiences on breathing?

Ibot profile image
Ibot in reply toKatnap

Oxygen? 🤭🤪

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate in reply toIbot

Bottled oxygen is dead expensive. Stick to air white its still free 😸🐆

Ibot profile image
Ibot in reply toKatnap

Shhhh 🤫 some one might be listening 😳😳

Ibot profile image
Ibot in reply toKatnap

Sorry was that to sarcastic 😳 I’m a bit of a nightmare 😁

in reply toIbot

🤣😂🤣

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