A little advice...

[Rider2Runner]

Hi guys,

First time I’ve posted on here. You are all such an inspiration and have done so well with this programme! Hoping I can learn from your successes.

I started at the beginning of October with my bf. Was quite enjoying doing something together and progressing at (almost) the same pace. We got to Week 5, Run 2. Completed it, but I didn’t feel ready for Run 3 so repeated Run 2 after rest day. I failed to finish the 2nd 8 min section due to horrible shin pain. Bf completed Run 3 on the same day!

Obviously feeling very disheartened I gave up for a bit, partly to rest my shin and partly because I felt a bit rubbish.

I then tried to go back to an earlier run and struggled. Prob a mental block and fear of the pain coming back rather than a physical thing. Have tried to repeat other runs on and off, but really struggling to get my mojo back. Meanwhile bf has gotten up to 28 mins continuous running!

Has anyone got any tips or advice for getting back into it? Anyone done it with a partner and had similar issues?

Thanks guys! Sorry for the essay!! X

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I ran the plan with my daughter. I got injured for a couple of weeks (being a dumbass on my day off... I’m only a man) and she refused to run her 3rd 30 minute run, so did a few 28s... that was sweet of her and gave us an amazing graduation run. Maybe that’s an option, but him pushing on is good in the meantime.

Now, the most important thing to learn before you stand on a start line at race or parkrun, is to never compare yourself to someone else. We all have different paces, abilities, fitness levels, experience etc... so as far as running is concerned, forget the BF! It’s all about you even when you run together. Maybe that’s a little part of the mental block you appear to have?

Run slowly and very gently, especially after injury, and while you won’t be competing with Dina Asher-Smith, you’ll be able to run much further than she can. Relax and run, tell yourself you can do it, reduce the pace and just go. Maybe go back a couple of runs if you were out more than 2 weeks, otherwise just see what you have on the next run, slowly, and assess from there which run you are up to.

[Rider2Runner in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you, good advice! I am notoriously bad for comparisons. And I’m sure that’s a huge part of what’s hampering progress. Great idea about holding off on the graduation run too, that must have been a great feeling to share with your daughter 😊

Hope you’re recovering ok from your recent injury!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Rider2Runner]

Yeah... going out for a half mile tomorrow and then building slowly from there again. I won’t have lost much fitness but my ankle needs some TLC while it strengthens again.

Our graduation run was pure magic... I wanted her to just run it when she came to it, but now I’m pleased she didn’t I wouldn’t swap that run for anything. Maybe 12 year old female brain beats 46 year old male one?! 😂

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I agree with everything that UnfitNoMore has said.

Doing C25K on your own is my recommendation. My wife and I frequently run together, but we did the programme separately, because we don't run at the same pace. When we do run together, she dictates the pace.

To optimise your journey through the plan you need to run at an easy conversational pace, as described in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

This will be different for everyone, so someone, or both, are going to have to compromise when you run with your partner. When starting, it may be difficult to negotiate these issues, without feeling that you are not performing as well as you should, so in my book, you are better off going at your own pace on your own.

[Rider2Runner in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Great advice, I guess I hadn’t really considered that trying to do it all together would affect how I felt about my own progress. Will definitely take your tips on board and try again on my own. Thank you