10 days post-graduation 🍃

[Mayanow]

Feeling very happy about all this.

I run every other day, aiming to better my time/distance ratio. I went running at a football field (cos it's flat) to see what my pace is at perfect conditions. So i am still slow, at 7.11p/klm but it's the running that is amazing, not stats.

I even ran without anything to entertain me last night cos i left without my earphones! Anytime before c25k i would've just gone home with my excuse. But no! The new me stayed and ran (!) without aid for 30 mins and then tried a little sprint to see what 'real' runners do!

I'm thinking i will do my consolidation weekly runs as follows: 2×30mins and 1×5k. I enjoy running a lot. And all the feelings after! It is not 'a breeze', i still have a lot of practice to do to feel confident but still. Even my 17 yr old daughter said i will be such a cool grandmother,fit and a runner! Well... that's a first! Cos remember i told you how 'meh' they both were when i graduated?

Anyway autumn is here. I love the changes. I want to wish everyone here "happy runs"!!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

What a lovely run, Mayanow! You sound so positive and that makes the running so much more enjoyable. Having a plan helps too. Yours isn’t too dissimilar to mine (1 x 4k, parkrun or 5k elsewhere if I can’t make Saturday, then another run increasing by 0.25k each week.) Today I did 5.5k in a lovely light drizzle, and it was amazing!

How lovely that your family is proud of what you’ve achieved! You should be mighty proud of yourself too! 👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀😀

[Mayanow in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes i do sound positive don't I? 🤣 so. This is good. Running is flowing through me!!!

Regarding the support, as i said before, i found more excitement in here than from my daughters! But that was a nice comment. So maybe it is a good example i passed on, after all!

I like your plan! I might increase by 0.25k AFTER i reach and do consecutive 5ks. Not bad. Thanx for the suggestion.

I can't wait to run in the rain too. Sounds amazing.

Question: when it will be RAIN (not just drizzle) do you think i need to get a light raincoat? ...I do don't i?

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Mayanow]

It’s a good plan, one suggested to me by a fellow forum member. It’s good because there’s structure and I can see results - I found I was no good flying solo! 😅 Hope it works for you if you end up trying it!

As regards rainwear, I have no idea, in fact I’ve been wondering the same myself. I get hot so quickly, and find having a jacket tied round my waist annoying. But the time will come! Hopefully someone with heavy rain experience will help us out! 😀

[Mayanow in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That's exactly IT for me too: i get so hot! But like you say, the weather will cool and slowly the attire will change too.

Yes it is hard without a plan. Makes it easy to dodge. Or get 'bored'. That's why i like the tracking apps. It helps set targets for PBs.

I am still at the stage before the 5k so i Have a long road up ahead! You are there and moving up the klms!!!!

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Mayanow]

You may not feel you’re ready, but you’re faster than me! I’m still snailing along - my 5k takes about 40 minutes! 🐌 🐌 But my legs are definitely stronger and don’t feel like lead weights or jelly so often now! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Mayanow in reply to cheekychipmunks]

🤣😂 not confident i will be faster than that.. probably slower! i will let you know.

If i had my headphones, i had decided to do 5k and see how long it takes me. Oh well. Tomorrow hopefully!

Feeling the body strengthen is such a high! Congratulations! You know i think every detail counts in this achievement.

[Hidden]

It's so good to hear that you have graduated AND that you enjoy running. I wonder how many stop running as frequently when they finish? Or how many run more frequently?

Aye, the autumn is just 'round the corner and with it will come the usual rain, cooler weather and the dreaded winds - BUT, we will also have the glorious russets and yellows of the changing leaves to marvel at. As you run past trees you will see the pools of shimmering leaves under the skeletal branches as they succumb to the nightly cold and surrender their foliage to the coming winter. Enjoy every moment of every run...

[Mayanow in reply to Hidden]

...I hope you weren't taking the mick cos i really loved your description of autumn! It is not only the colours and images as a whole but also the smell of wet soil, the aromas of leaves and flowers, the rain...

I still have not managed to run in the rain. Everyone says it feels good!

Yes it would be good to see some statistics. From what i read in here, even fitness 'haters' get hooked on running so... i run every other day and alter my schedule to fit around it! How crazy is that!!!

How often fo you run?

I still yearn for the time when i will not struggle with it (at all i mean) and not fear hills etc. But still, from below zero, i now manage 30mins running so yes, i am sooooo ffff proud i could scream!!!

🤗

[Hidden]

Good job for keeping on going for a starter. I have a love hate relationship with the running game but I always feel great ( and a little achey) after a run.

Running in the rain the other day was a new one for me. Mmmm soggy running gear! 😂😂

I’ve noticed my pace slowly improving which is always good.

How was the sprint? I usually find that a bit of a killer!!

[Mayanow in reply to Hidden]

Hi dave!

just in (well, shower etc) from my run with mixed thoughts.

I will not stop running every other day because (glad you said that) i can easily skive now that i don't have a deadline of sorts. I realised that today because: it was my first day back at the gym this morning. I did pilates. Then my usual day (not on the couch obviously) and when it was time to go for the run, i REALLY wanted tojust go chill out at home.

BUT i went. So proud. But it was tiring.

I'm thinking maybe it won't be so easy doing yoga or pilates everyday and running every other day.

Unless it's the remainder of muscles i woke up today after two months and it might get easier?? We'll see!

So mixed thoughts cos i had an even slower pace today! @#$%#arghhhh! I have yet to see an improvement on that. So WOW! congratulations on your pace progress! You are doing great!!!

Did you dare try a yoga class?

I can't take credit for a long (or very fast!) sprint mind you. And i do it after the 30 mins so i'm not worried about keeping it up. Just as long as i can.

It's not long yet! But it's a start! 😁

Oh i was a bit disappointed in me today. Like i will not improve after the high of reaching 30 mins. 🤐

[Hidden in reply to Mayanow]

Yeah I have to have the mind set to carry on going out. I went out at 5am the other morning and it was still dark 😂😂 had to carry my phone as a torch (I live in the countryside not near many street lights!) still persuaded myself though. I did think of staying in bed.

I’m not really sure what Pilates is, but if you can keep up the yoga it’s most likely going to help your running, strength and recovery?

How difficult is the yoga and Pilates? So long as your not over doing it all is good in the world.

Nope I’ve not dared do it yet!! 😂 it will probably take me about 6 months to dare do it. I might try some moves at home in the dark with no one about 😂😂

I’m not following any training plan. I just had it in my head I wanted to run to a certain point. Good or bad idea I’m not sure. My last run was approx 7.5k in 40 ish minutes. I have knee ache and leg ache and the list goes on but I struggle through!!

[Mayanow in reply to Hidden]

You are running plenty! Wow.

I don't have good strength first thing in the morning.. but it sounds awesome. Not sure i would dare go out in the dark like that but i' m a girl so. 😄 still with injuries and hardship, you still do it so again well done!

Pilates is a type of exercise originally designed to help injured athletes. It has some similarities. Some.

Noooo not in six months!! 😂🤣😂

[Hidden in reply to Mayanow]

Thanks. I appreciate that. Are you struggling with yoga and running? I thought they were supposed to work in harmony??

It’s nice to see the sunrise I guess 👍😁

[Mayanow in reply to Hidden]

Yes they do. The thing is, group classes stopped for the summer and as i find it boring working out by myself, i am out of practice.

I just need a week to adjust my energy levels!

Sunrise is a gift. Especially if you've just done your running! Maybe i should dare it one day....

[Hidden in reply to Mayanow]

Yeah you totally should! I’m always too tired after work to go then. It’s very quiet where I am at that time so no one can see me running and judge 😂

[Mayanow in reply to Hidden]

Hmmm yes, maybe in 6 months!😉

I understand your 'worries' where yoga is concerned, but what are you afraid would be judged whilst running ...?

[Hidden in reply to Mayanow]

Not sure really. The yoga thing wouldn’t be too bad if I went to a beginners class. Some of the videos on YouTube are daily advanced legs behind your head sort of thing 🤣🤣

I guess people don’t know what they look like while they are running?!

[Mayanow in reply to Hidden]

Ahaha legs behind the head come much later! Or not at all. Don't worry about that! The beauty of it is progress. All positions have difficulty levels which you progress to in your own time.

And don't get me thinking about how we look when we run!! The hard part was the first few runs. Now i don't care. Or actually: i am quite proud to be out there! Aren't you?

[Hidden in reply to Mayanow]

🤣🤣 maybe I would need to focus on the progress. I’ve watched one yoga video, I probably need to go from there!!

Yeah to be honest I am proud, there is this lady who runs past and she looks like a professional, not sure if she is. She’s got all the gear in etc. I guess I shouldn’t judge myself against others.

While I was finishing my run a couple of morning ago I had a thought that I wouldn’t have been able to run for as long as I did 2 months ago!!

Although I am experiencing a little discomfort with my top chafing. I’ve bought something called Glide to see if that helps as t hurts like hell 😬

[Hidden]

Erm, you should stop considering yourself as slow, your race your pace 😊

It seems the running bug has well and truly bitten and doesn't it feel great 😊 and a positive role model as well

...

Yes Autumn is rolling in now .. if we didnt run outside would we appreciate the changes as much ?

Your consolidation plan sounds good 😊 no point saying enjoy your running as you quite clearly are 😊😊

[Mayanow in reply to Hidden]

Yes you are right about personal pace. And thank you. It's just that i would like to REALLY be a c25k graduate. To reach 5k and indulge! ☺

I still have some way to go. I will feel bliss when i reach the stage of running without struggling at all. To really enjoy every step and breath...

It is truly wonderful this bug. Never ever would i believe it if someone told me i'd get it!!

Thank you for your kind words and support. I will try not to belittle my achievement so far!

[Hidden in reply to Mayanow]

I am sure you will reach your goal's with your determination ... 😊😊

[Mayanow in reply to Hidden]

I reaĺy really hope so!