Welcome to ‘ Drop in, pull up a chair. Let’s talk running! January 2019.

[Millsie-J]

Hi everyone, and welcome to an exciting new running year!

For 2019 we have decided to have a new ‘Monthly Chat’ post. A place where we can each drop in when it suits, give a little update and encourage each other!

I will pin the post so it is easy for you to find it throughout the month.

Sometimes we don't feel like putting a whole post up, but just want to share something small, so this is a great place for doing that during the month of January.

If you're a lurker, this is also a great place to say a little hi, without the pressure of a full post.

Here is a chance to take five, and enjoy a good old natter about our running adventures, trials, tribulations, successes, achievements etc.

So pull up a chair, slip off the running shoes, and settle down for a little chin-wag!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, great running January!

Millsie-J, Oldfloss, Realfoodieclub, Ju-ju, and Roseabi

[Shelley2310 Graduate]

Hi, I’ll kick off! I’m doing w8r2 this afternoon whilst my granddaughter does w1r1. I’m doing it in daylight in the Park!! I normally run early morning when it’s dark and on the road!

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Shelley2310]

It will be great Shelley, enjoy it all!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Hi! I’m slightly addicted to this forum, having never been on any forum before in my life!

I have a question, this morning I sung along and found it rather enjoyable and not necessarily easy but easier. A friend suggested I might not be pushing myself enough. My thinking is if I enjoy it, I’m more likely to go on with it and anyway how slow, I’ll still be running for the same amount of time. My hear rate does go up to 177 and averages at 140 so I am doing an effort.

I run the last section faster to stretch my legs a bit.

Appreciate experienced runners thoughts on this.

X

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Oh and I wondered about running a little bit further at the end so eg week 2, an extra 90’’

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I would say stick with the programme and build those running legs slowly, help avoid overuse injury. For the same reason forget speed at this stage. Your aim is to run for 30 mins, and to be able to repeat that regularly. Friends always mean well, but slow and steady will get you there. Also, you are right, if you enjoy it, there is far more chance you will keep it up. Enjoy 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks Millsie. That was my gut instinct but just thought I would check!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

This isn’t a punishment programme - it’s about building fitness in an enjoyable and lasting routine. If you wanted to torture yourself you could find a sprint programme ! Slow and steady is the way. You’re doing marvellously every time you get out there, so go you !

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

That’s true. For some reason it feel wrong for it to be enjoyable! The extra run at the end is only because I really want to do it rather than because I feel I should. Thanks!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I was reading something the other day that said at your comfortable pace should be able to say a sentence clearly, not gasping, but if you can sing, you can work harder. It was a beginners tip... it doesn’t contradict what C25k advises or I wouldn’t repeat it here! It helped me, as there was no way I could hold a conversation but I found when I ran slower I was all over the place, it just felt uncomfortable. I could say a sentence but wouldn’t be able to run for 20 minutes chatting with a partner, which is how I interpreted running at a conversational pace. I’m just getting to a point where my fitness is catching up with my ‘happy pace’, I think (averaging between 145bpm and 160bpm, spiking at 170+. I don’t know how useful those comparisons are because we are soooo different). Once those longer runs are consolidated, I am looking forward to working on speed in the near future by doing fartleks, partly because of the excellence of the name. The MOST important thing, though, is enjoying it. If pushing harder makes you miserable to the point you want to stop, then clearly it isn’t as effective as a slow jog!!!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Having tried a few things last run, I'm going to try not to worry too much next run as I already have a new environment to contend with and that's stressing me out a bit.

I'm singing but only sort of and my heart is averaging 140 and peaking at 177 so about comparable to you. I am enjoying it though and I've been doing the last bit at a sustained rhythm because I used to sprint at the end of races (A LONG TIME AGO) and I like it to unwind. I think I'm going to stick with enjoying it, I can work on speed and effort later

But much more importantly, what are FARTLEKS?? Cos that sounds like something I could be good at ;-D

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Haha, isn’t FARTLEKS a great word?! Brings out the juvenile in me every time lol. It means ‘speed play’ in Swedish and just means running fast intervals during longer runs. Not blowing a raspberry every time you take a stride, like an oat-fed pony.

Not worrying sounds a good way to go! We have only just taken the stabilisers off! What’s your new environment?

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I might try a different type of fartleaks tomorrow (sorry to the community also find it very funny!). I'm back in Hertfordshire, no longer at my parents with the lovely park, butler et al Now got hills, people that know me and past failures.

I've at least settled on where I run tomorrow and if it's not good there I have a street back up but would really prefer non tarmac surfaces (so fussy!)

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Oooh hills, they are great for improving your fitness. I quite like them (little ones, anyway) - there is the target that is the top of the hill, it’s satisfying to get there, then the easy downhill is like a reward (save the downhill for the toxic 10). Past failures are like obstacles you can fartlek at on your way past.

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Haha, my 2019 resolution!! Fartlek at past failures

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

😆

[Cakerunner Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Sorry to 'butt' in here....but FARTLEKS just made me laugh soooo much!!! I'm sorry, I'll try really hard not to be immature........actually, no, laughing is good for you right?

And, I like the sound of what it actually is, kind of like the interval running I was just happily doing before the dreaded lurgy struck me down?

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Cakerunner]

Great word isn’t it? I am trying to casually get it into everyday conversations. Fartleks. Spell check wants to say fart leaks. 😆

[Cakerunner Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Oh that's brilliant!!! Fart leaks!!! Still....running sometimes leads to 'fart leaks' doesn't it? I'm sorry....I have managed to completely lower the tone.....I'm going now.... =)

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Cakerunner]

😳

[ktsok Graduate in reply to ktsok]

😂

[DiverIzzie Graduate in reply to Cakerunner]

That cracked me up - am I the only over 55 female that can identify with both Fartleks and fart leaks???!😂. I also sing when I run - usually to motivate me at around 20-25 minutes when I think I’m dying... and from some looks I get, I can only assume the singing sounds like I’m in severe pain and out of tune 😤

[Cakerunner Graduate in reply to DiverIzzie]

Hahah, there I go again....oh my, well Diverlzzie, I am a 47 year old female who can definitely identify with Fartleks AND Fart leaks.......and as for singing, I wheeze along to the old tunes as well, especially if Bon Jovi comes with me!! Probably sounds like I'm gasping my last to by-standers!!! :-}

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Cakerunner]

Don’t worry, we were not using it in a very mature way either... I can’t wait to fartleks!

[angelbetty Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I'm loving this conversation! Fartleks sound like fun - at least when you have a run partner. I just finished W1 and foolishly or otherwise I have opted to run my local hill. It's roughly 49m high with an average 6.1% incline but i cant imagine doing Fartleks on that route just yet. As for fart leaks that is just hilarious too 🤣 x

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to angelbetty]

They might propel you forward...

[angelbetty Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

That sounds good to me, anything to ease the strain on the ol'muscles.

I like to try and sing along with my music on my walk sections too to try and help to resettle my breathing. With having asthma the cold weather is wreaking havoc on my windpipe. Fart leaks might just be the way forward 😂 😆 x

[deadandalive Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I can't believe I'm just seeing all of the goodness that's this conversation! 😂

[Nannyto2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I couldn't agree more about running speed, i try to slow down, trust me though, I'm not running fast, but when i do i feel like im going to trip over my own feet!

I'm told I'll find my natural pace, think with 3 min run coming up, which i'm nervous about, it may be stop!!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Nannyto2]

Don’t be nervous! Actually, it’s funny this notification popped up. The original post was 2 weeks ago and things have changed for me since then - I have found my conversational pace! So for 7 weeks I really was going a bit faster than comfortable and whilst I felt great about completing the runs, I didn’t really enjoy them during... well, I slowed down about a minute and a half per km and bingo! I could breathe easily, laugh - and yes, hold a conversation (with myself). I genuinely thought in those first 7 weeks that I was going slowly... but there are other, slower gears to be found 🙂

[Erddig Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Sing away, I do.

[Makka62a Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I think that C25k is about building a base of fitness in a sustainable way. It’s very tempting to push harder or run further but the risk of over exertion or injury increases exponentially and if that happens you miss the next run (and the next....) and that base you’ve built disappears far quicker than the time it took to build. A lifetime ago I ran long distances and followed programmes that combined long slow runs and different types of speed work. The long slow ones were the hardest - trying to run for a long time keeping below a given heart rate was hard but had the biggest impact on my fitness which gave me the base to run faster. I enjoyed the speed work and it always made me hurt but it felt to me that although I was faster I wasn’t fitter.

So I would finish the programme then decide how i feel - do I want to go further or faster?

Sorry for the ramble 😂

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Makka62a]

Very wise and now that I’m further in the programme and not running on flat I have less inclination to do more... much less. I reckon I will complete the programme and then work on different types of running etc.

Main thing is to enjoy it after all!

[angelbetty Graduate in reply to Makka62a]

Sounds like great advice. Thank you

[Amerynthe Graduate]

Hello, fellow runners! This week I'm consolidating, having graduated (yay!) on 20 December (my very own Christmas Miracle!) and then I shall be starting on the Bridge to 10K with Ju-ju on 11 January. I finished work for the Christmas break on 21 December, and have managed to stay pretty active - Park Runs on 22 December, 1 January and 5 January, and consolidation runs on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, 29 December and 3 January. Even so, I've managed to put on over 4 pounds, so I'm not looking forward to my weigh-in tonight at Slimming World!

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

That is a great and exciting start to the new year 😀

Stay positive about the weight loss

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

Am sure it's all muscle!

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Hmm, I'd like to think so, but 5lb on SW scales? I think it's more likely chocolate than muscle

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

Me too! SW scales are my nemesis but needs must. It’s been a good week food-wise but I have a long way to go! I keep thinking about how much easier it will all be with less of me to carry around! Good luck on the scales x

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to molly1973]

I'm keeping that in mind, too. I tell myself that if I can do Couch to 5 at the weight I am now, once I've lost the rest of it I should be able to sprint through 10k!

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

Here’s to less of us!!

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to molly1973]

LOL and what little is left of us will be running so fast no-one will see us anyway!

[Sophia1712 Graduate]

Hi! got Week 5 run 3 tomorrow! I have got a new playlist and one song is 20 mins long so I am aiming to be listening to that. Slightly nervous as I do enjoy the brisk walking stretches of time...

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Sophia1712]

You will be great, enjoy!

[Sophia1712 Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you! I did it! At the 13 min point I saw a bloke in the distance and thought 'I will turn round when I get to him'. Turns out I knew him and I felt obliged to stop and chat!! But it was only for a couple of mins so I ran longer afterwards. I'm still counting it!

[Stratters Graduate]

Hello 👋 - new to all this, just started week 2 and so far so good.

A random question - what do we feel about running / walking barefoot along the sea shore?

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Stratters]

Hello and welcome. Running along the seashore can be very hard onthe legs, but the choice is yours, as is the choice to go barefoot or not. Myself, I would probably opt for an easier surface with suitable footwear.

[Stratters Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thanks for that - I’ll stick to the decent surface and running shoes whilst I do the c25 .... then maybe i’ll Have a better idea of what I’m doing 👍

[Sophia1712 Graduate in reply to Stratters]

I tend to run along the beach. I think it makes me go slower and I have to be careful where I put my feet but I enjoy it. I aim to run at the tide point which means the ground is a but firmer. Its too cold for me to go barefoot!!

[Stratters Graduate in reply to Sophia1712]

It does sound sort of liberating! I think I may give myself a reward ..... when I’ve completed week 2 (Saturday) I shall put in a fourth week 2 run - on the beach barefoot) before I go back to solid ground to start week 3 properly. I’ll post how I get on.....

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to Stratters]

I was thinking about this last night. I’m due to finish this plan a week before we go on holiday to Thailand and I was thinking a run on the beach would be lovely but do I have room in my case for running shoes, and do I want sand in them forever more??

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to E27M14]

Or maybe this is the excuse I need to buy more shoes.........

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

You are going to be an international runner!

[flywell123 Graduate in reply to Stratters]

I've heard or read somewhere if you run barefoot it's good for your feet. Also to run slightly less distance. It's the lower legs that it can impact I think. I think you can get proper barefoot shoes.

[Stratters Graduate in reply to flywell123]

Interesting thoughts - I’m just sat on prom with my post w2r2 banana - and I’m so tempted to get shakes off and try it!

I won’t - I will stick to the programme and go home to the couch and tv instead 🙄

[flywell123 Graduate in reply to Stratters]

Lol. ☺

[flywell123 Graduate in reply to Stratters]

Must be nice to run near the sea. Unlike where I run. Near concrete jungle looking for every inch of bit of greenery I can.

[Stratters Graduate in reply to flywell123]

I am really lucky to live where I do and to think I’ve only just discovered how running can let me take advantage of it! The dogs love getting out and about too - we’re spoiled for choice with orange groves, nature reserves, mountains and beaches - definitely helps with motivation to get the aching legs and sore feet out of the house 👍

[ktsok Graduate in reply to flywell123]

I have friends who swear by barefoot shoes/running. I overpronate quite badly though, and even as a child my ankles would ‘turn’, so I don’t think it’s for me unfortunately.

Running along a beach sounds heaven, but unless it is very well compacted, go prepared to put some effort in... we used to take the race horses to run along the beach to get them race fit as they had to work so hard...

[MrsH1969 Graduate]

Kept my runs going over the festive period but it was flipping hard work but I'm glad to say I'm back up to 30 min runs x3 a week and am getting back to it being more of a comfortable run rather than a punishing one!

[flywell123 Graduate in reply to MrsH1969]

I envy this. Won't be long I hope of which can enjoy the run rather than barely breathing through it.

[flywell123 Graduate]

A lovely group. I'm still navigating my way round this forum and spotted this group thought I'd take a look. My new motivation returning for running. When it's dark, cold outside nice to chat about it. My struggles are running while being a part-time working parent to a school aged child.

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to flywell123]

We all have our own struggles but this group is really supportive and really does help when you are finding it hard. I’m an overweight full-time working single mother of three and I find that not only do I love the feeling of being able to run but also having that hour every other day that is purely about me!

[flywell123 Graduate in reply to E27M14]

I agree on this one! Sometimes can often feel guilty like there are other stuff to be involved in esp when it comes to kids, however I realise as time has gone on , that I no longer want to be overweight. I have to do this for me. No-one else.

[Hidden in reply to flywell123]

Don't feel guilty! If you do, remember that you are modelling excellent self-care to your children. We are more likely to try things we have seen our parents trying.

[molly1973 Graduate]

Consolidating here after graduation. I’ve entered a 5-miler in April and a 10k in June so will be looking at Bridge to 10k soon but feel I need to chip away slowly. Like @Amerynthe I had a Christmas gain and can really feel it, but ran all my parkrun last Saturday without stopping. 44mins though... I love this forum and will keep checking in 👍

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to molly1973]

I’m still a few weeks away, but estimated yesterday if i can run 5k at the same speed I did 3k yesterday that would work out a little under 45 mins. I’d be happy with that, something to work on!!

[molly1973 Graduate in reply to E27M14]

My pace is slow but fairly consistent, so at least I feel I found my comfortable pace and can keep it going for long enough.

[emma_lynne Graduate]

All being well and there being no problems I will graduate this week which seems insane. When I started in November wasn't really sure where this would go or if I could even run 30 minutes. November seems like years ago and yesterday all at the same time. I am already active in my local Parkrun and have been walking/jogging for the last year with my kids but it will be nice to be able to start running the whole things with my 8 year old and I know that I can even thought it will be closer to 40-42 mins based on my best time before I started C25K and I am perfectly happy with that. Long term goal is to run a 10K by the end of the year but going to enjoy a few weeks of 30ish min runs once I graduate before I start working towards that.

[Sophia1712 Graduate in reply to emma_lynne]

How's it going emma_lynne? I have week 6 run 3 tomorrow. I normally run in the morning but ran after work yesterday. It was the first time I've felt so far, oh sod this I'd rather walk. It's so true its all in the mind as I did carry on and finished but my energy felt low and I thought about how I'd much rather a casual stroll with the dog!

[emma_lynne Graduate in reply to Sophia1712]

I did W9R2 yesterday and hated every second of it. Couldn’t get my breathing or pace right and my legs felt like lead but I finished. Loved R1 so know it can be good. Going to give myself an extra rest day or 2 so I can really enjoy my graduation run.

[Sophia1712 Graduate in reply to emma_lynne]

Good idea. I frequently have 2 rest days instead of 1, just to keep the enthusiasm!

[flywell123 Graduate]

Wondering. What to do on 'rest' days? As this a new habit forming my interest has changed into all things running. However it probably healthy for me to have alternative interest too for rest days. Wonder other's thoughts.

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to flywell123]

Any non impact sport is fine on non run days flywell. Yoga, Pilates, swimming, cycling, strength work, walking, etc etc etc.

[Sophia1712 Graduate]

W6R3 done! So pleased with myself! Not only did I not stop, I didn’t want to either! I even think I sped up a bit on the second half. Walked along for my warm down with a big smile on my face.

Lower legs feeling it a bit now!

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Sophia1712]

Brilliant run Sophia, you are a runner!

[bizteach Graduate]

I’m having to have a break docs put me on steroids due to asthma. Annoyed and disappointed Im on wk8r3 next too as well. I so want to go out there though 🤨

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to bizteach]

Those runs will wait biz..... get well first then you can get back to the programme.

[bizteach Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

True thanks chick x

[LadyWineGum]

Hi, I'm just wondering about how essential the rest days are. I ask because during the winter I'm finding it so much harder to get out in the evenings after work (cold/dark/wet/unsafe/socials/tired) so if I go for a run on a Sat and a Sun is that better or worse than just once a week?

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to LadyWineGum]

Hi LWG. New runners really need to take a rest day after each run day, otherwise there is far higher chance of injury.

If you could manage one run mid week plus a couple of strength sessions until the days lengthen you should maintain your emerging fitness. Yoga or Pilates using Youtube means you can do it anytime.

Hope you can sort things to suit.

[Suetink]

Never run before, but decided that I need to start!

I walk my dog daily and go on several walking holidays a year, but that is it really.

So....I joined my local gym this weekend! Another thing I have never done before.

I bought a pair of trainers yesterday and some sports wear so no backing out.

I will have an induction tomorrow. WISH ME LUCK!

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Suetink]

Enjoy and good luck!

[Hidden]

Ugh! Week 1 run 3 done. Thought I’d mix it up and run in a field rather than the park. But despite the cows not being there on the weekend they were back but I carried on and then this lady’s dog thought it would be fun to bark and snap at me. So then I went into the woods but there was this man behind me and I felt uncomfortable so I went onto the hill. But no one had cut a path through there in a while and it was really brambly and I kept getting my leggings stuck so I went and ran round some streets instead and some men sniggered at me and I had to bite my tongue not to tell them where to go. But I finished the run at least. I’m sorry this is one big moan. I’m sure the next run will be better. Back to the park for me I think!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well done, that sounds a heroic run! I went for a walk on a rest day to ‘scope out’ a new running route, putting on a run app so I could gauge the distance. There was a wooded section around the back of a housing estate that I wasn’t comfortable with, so I have planned a deviation around that, also there are a few muddy places so need to go when the ground is frosty/dry/feeling strong(!) - but the rest is open road, field and bramble-free! My thinking is I can relax and enjoy the run without the other worries by planning ahead 🙂

[Hidden in reply to ktsok]

I should totally have done this! I don't have a run app, but this is a good reason to get one.

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Nike Run Club is free and does what I need it to, but I know there are lots out there. Happy trail blazing! 👟👟

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Brilliant coffee catch up month folks,!!!!!!