Week 9 run 1

[RubyTiger]

I should be feeling elated, only 2 runs to go but last night was hard. Very cold, running into a strong easterly wind, had to grit my teeth to keep running. Not sure if it was the cold and wind but for the first time I had sore feet and slightly uncomfortable knees. Having got this far with no injuries I am slightly concerned. Had planned to do the Park Run on Saturday for my final run but unless run 2 goes well, may postpone. Like others, I am just not making the distance- only 4.2 km last night. I have now done 8 long runs but I don't seem to be running any further/faster? Concerned I have plateaued. I read that with consolidation this will improve and I hope they are right as I want to run 5 km with no walking, preferably in the next month. Maybe I am being unrealistic as I didn't do any running or in fact any sport when younger and I am now 71! Have I left it too late? Anyone one else in a similar position?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Wow. You’re heading for a 35 minute 5k at that pace... I think many half your age would be happy with 35 minutes first time at 5k. I ran 6k yesterday and have just looked, I crossed the 5k mark at 36:30, and I was really happy with my run. I’m a proud member of the 90+% club of C25K graduates who hadn’t hit 5k at the end of the plan.

I was always told you can add pace or distance (in our case duration) on a run but never both. So, you shouldn’t be going much further if at all while on plan. Consolidation too is all about running 30 minutes until it becomes comfortable, these runs ideally will also be at the pace you’re doing now.

If you want 5k, all you’d need to do is take one consolidation run and take it to 35/36 minutes and it’s done. You can work on speed later, but that also involves doing a longer run.

You’re doing great, stop being negative about your achievements and look back to week 1 run 1... how was that? Now, look at you now... and be very proud of those huge achievements.

rest the couple of aches and pains well and then enjoy that next run, forget about anything other than the fact you can do this now.

[RubyTiger Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Ta- didn't mean to sound negative, just surprised at how hard it felt last night. May be partly because I usually run in the morning, not after a long day out. By product was that when I got back at 8pm, I was starving and tucked into Pitza and cake, very unusual for me. Luckily I am not overweight so a lapse or two doesn't matter! Thanks again for the encouragement. I am not into social media and have never posted anything before but this forum really helps

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to RubyTiger]

Me either... I’m new to all this social media stuff... I was waiting for antisocial media.

[Bloodhound1]

Wow you are doing great. My final run is planned for Thursday with a Park Run on Saturday although I am still struggling for the 5 k. I think I can do it in around 38 mins but time will tell. Today I really struggled to do 3.5k in the 30 mins but have managed over 4.25k in 34 mins so I may hit my target on Thursday. You are doing so well and as another ‘oldie’ at 68 I know how strong you are to get this far as everyone else says it’s the 30 mins not the 5k which is the goal. We can add the distance when we are graduates

[RubyTiger Graduate in reply to Bloodhound1]

Thanks-hope to find someone in a similar position. I plan to do run 2 Wed or Thursday then see about Park run on Saturday. Fingers crossed for both of us!

[Bloodhound1 in reply to RubyTiger]

Everything crossed😀😀😀

[Silverfox1943 Graduate]

Hi Ruby Tiger.

I completed wk9 run3 on Monday and I'm over 75. By pushing a bit too much got a calf strain during wk 8 and had to have a break of just over a week. Got another strain on Mon not as bad but taking it easy; should be out today but will just do exercises then pos out tomorrow. Main aim is to keep injury free, and to run regular for 30 mins. I will do a parkrun but not yet; not pushing it but a few months consolidation first.

[Amblerman Graduate]

Hello Ruby Tiger. Only 4.2k? That's 4.2k more than you were running a few short weeks ago. I think you have done amazingly well and you should be so proud of yourself. I would still go for your parkrun as they are such great fun. My graduation run last weekend was at one and everybody was so supportive and friendly. You don't have to run it all as long as you do your 30 minutes. When I first went on one during week 7 I walked to warm down after 25 minutes or so, well apart from the last 200 metres, there was no way I wasn't going to run over the finish line!