Week 9 Run 1 - easy peasy!

[Craftysue66]

I hoped after last week that today's run would be ok and it was. Getting my breathing right has made all the difference because I find you expend so much energy trying to breathe if you don't have your pace right. Still a long way off 5k at the speed I currently run but once I've graduated I plan to to try and run 30 mins but incrementally faster and alternate with running a bit longer till I get to the 5k. I have run several Race for Life 5ks in the past and they always took me at least 40 mins. Need to get to 5k by the end of October to do my first Park run with my son & son-in-law. Hopefully fit in my next C25K run in on Thursday or Friday. Feeling great!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great job... almost there! Hope that you enjoy your next two as much as you did this one.

[Marcia-H Graduate]

Sounds a great run, and well done! I’m in week 6 so it’s great to know what’s ahead from others perspective! Totally agree on using up energy trying to breathe-think I’m just starting to get it right!

You’re so close-enjoy the next few runs!

[Meganpippa Graduate]

Well done Craftysue66. I have just completed W7R2 and am feeling great about it. Looking forward to the next 2 weeks. I am intrigued as to how you get your breathing right - l don't really get that much out of breath but am breathing in and out through my mouth and it is slightly laboured. Any tips?? As you say if the breathing is right then the regular pace will follow - l hope!!? Many thanks

[Craftysue66 Graduate in reply to Meganpippa]

Hi. I think it is actually the other way around. I think when the pace is right then it is easier to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Your body needs the oxygen. When I was running outdoors I think I was running too fast and couldn't get my breathing right which in turn affected my rhythm. Since I have been running on the treadmill I can regulate my breathing by adjusting and maintaining my pace. I now try to breathe in deeply through my nose and then breathe out through my mouth then take 2 smaller 'natural' breaths. The mindfulness of it also helps to keep the rhythm. I usually increase the pace to more of a sprint for the last minute where I think I just take smaller breaths then. Once I've completed the programme I am hoping that I will have developed a natural rhythm so that I can run outdoors again as running on the treadmill for long is very boring but I find running on pavements is not good and don't have park nearby

[katsheare Graduate]

Fantastic run, and a 5k in 40 minutes isn't horrid! I found the NHS Couch to 5k+ useful to start getting myself thinking about speed and stamina. And yes, once you figure out how to get your breathing in line with everything else, you're not working against yourself. For me it was all a quesiton of relaxing in general, if you're tense it's very hard to run for very long...