Consolidation #1 - I'm not being lazy, promise! 😁

[sHAYM4N]

Just a quick update to prove I'm not resting on my laurels since donning that 👨‍🎓cap.

Really enjoyed that graduation party on Friday, and was pretty well behaved (only a couple of 🍺and a curry). Plans since took a bit of a turn on Sunday, it was my first time at the gym, ever! Joined with a couple of friends, who are trying to get into shape for a wedding next year. Wasn't sure what to do there at first, rowing machines and the treadmills were pretty quiet so took a little go on those. I'm the only runner in my group but been trying to convince the others to give CT5K a shot too.

Ran for about 20 minutes, and rowed for a couple of km, with 5 minutes or so on the bikes but nothing too strenuous. Had originally planned to do my 30 minute run on Monday, but was a bit worried about overdoing it. At the moment we're planning to head to the gym for about 3 times a week, so maybe tricky right now to run outdoors as well as the gym work.

Will hopefully get back to it, once I move from the treadmills onto something else, but it's pretty busy there and will probably just try 1 or 2 new machines each visit for now.

Second trip there yesterday, straight to the treadmill and decided to try out my first 5k on it. Started steady with my usual fast walking pace and upped it to a jog - then light run at an average of 10.5kph, with a couple of faster intervals when I felt I could handle it. Didn't bother with the incline on this occasion, but managed to beat the 5km in just over 29 minutes, so was pretty chuffed with that. May add that 1% next time.

Cooldown for 5 minutes, but even then when coming off the thing was feeling a bit lightheaded and dizzy, (like the whole gym was still moving) Took a 5 minute rest and finished off with 1km rowing, 10 flights of steps on the step machine, and an extra 1km on the treadmill over 10 mins with a mix of hill walking, jogging and put a couple of sprints in there for a minute or so too.

Did find it a fair bit easier on the treadmill (though more monotonous), so hoping it still does the same job! Have definitely felt my legs aching a bit more today than in a long while, so guess it was a good workout.

Have a fitness induction class booked there for tomorrow, then will see what the weekend brings, hopefully may manage to squeeze an outdoor run in somewhere.

Happy running all, look forward to seeing how those adventures unfold 💨👟🍺

[Katnap Graduate]

It's not the same as being in the glorious outdoors. 😸🌲🍁

But at least you are carrying on and consolidating.

I like doing the rowing machine though when I do go to the gym as I can go for it and get the dizzy wobbly feeling without the danger of a fall. 😸🚑

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Katnap]

Definitely not! To be honest I've always been pretty against the gym for that reason! 😊 Always thought it better to do what I could at home or out in the fresh air. Used to work as security at a local University (One pretty well known for it's sports facilities & achievements) and cringed when I'd see gym goers taking the lift instead of taking the stairs! Still not convinced I'll end up being a gym lover, but nice to be active in company for a change, and helps to gee each other on too 👍

[Katnap Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

I'm a PAYG member of the gym.

Can't remember the last time I went...

And yes, it is laughable that people take the lift to get to the gym when there are stairs 😵

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I don’t think you understand the word lazy... maybe you once did, but not any more!

I’m trying to resist the treadmill for as long as possible, the rest of the gym would be ok to look at and I don’t mind rowing, takes me back to my university days... I used to watch the rowers a lot then 😂

I’d just hit the gym, lay 30 on the treadmill and do the rest. Keep rocking the fitness.

[IgaT Graduate]

Congratulations on starting the gym! I am still only thinking about it, as I have nobody who could go with me. So it's easy to postpone my decision :/

You can definitely count that 20 min on treadmill on Monday as your consolidation run. It's good to mix lengths of runs, not up it every time

Try some strength exercises for runners and during induction I'd suggest to mention that you run to the instructor.

Good luck and have fun!

[jlw34 Graduate]

I struggle with the treadmill as it sets off my vertigo and feel sick and dizzy when I get off. No idea why? 😯

[Ibot]

Congrats on graduating!!

Looks like all my pals are there way ahead of me ☺️

I have a friend called Jim much easier and slightly cheaper 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Amblerman Graduate]

Careful with the rowing machine, it can get addicitive… I used to row a lot in my younger days and I have been using the rowing machine on my rest days during C25K. The next thing I knew I was making enquiries at the local rowing club about whether they have an ancients programme and lo and behold I'm in. First day back out in a boat coming up this weekend. Oh and hopefully my graduation run in the local parkrun on Saturday. What has this programme done to me?

[BeckySharp1]

Wow that's a jam packed fitness extravaganza! I have been going to the gym twice a week on top of my 3 runs and I feel I'm fairly happy with that. Enjoy your induction!