So the weeks are fair flying by now and I find myself in the later stages of the C25k programme. How did that happen?! I ran my third 25 minute run today and... it was good, guys!
Kate Bush sang to me again today from her ‘50 Words for Snow’ album. I hadn’t heard it before and was immediately drawn into this ethereal world, which I found very relaxing. The songs vary in length, the first 3 are about 10, 11 and 13 minutes long, so no using songs to estimate times today!
I deliberately went out a lot slower today and stuck to the road with only short forays onto the grass. There was this lovely moment when the Nike App called out the first km and I realised I was feeling really good and had gone through the toxic 10 without difficulty. There was a minute somewhere of an internal conversation that went something like this: “you can stop now; why stop?; because this is feeling hard; it will get better; it’s hard; well, if I stop, I will just have to start it again; but that’s ok, you said there’s no rush; so let’s just do it another time; oh for gawd’s sake stop moaning, it’s not so bad now; (silence)”
Another recurring tough moment is when I get the ‘5 minutes until it’s over’ call. It’s like you have seen the finishing line, only to find it’s a mirage, somehow. Its hard to describe, but it pulls me out of being in the moment, whilst being too far away to finish. So it’s a moment to watch out for.
My average pace was faster than the last run, when I ran too fast in the first km and the whole run was so much easier. Yup, going out too fast burns you bad! (NB. For those of you who read the heart rate post earlier - my heart rate averaged 160bpm and spiked at 178bpm, yet at no point did I feel I was going full out).
Do you know, I am really looking forward to being fit enough to do some fartleks and sprints in a couple of months?! I know it’s not about times at the moment, but it’s exciting to see your pace improve.
Happy running, fellow runners! You guys are great 😊
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ktsok
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That sounds lovely. Although there were some tough bits you make the whole thing sound pleasant and relaxing. I know we say it’s not about pace or distance at this stage, but I still can’t help worrying that I am really slow - even though seven weeks ago I couldn’t run at all!! I looked at the local parkrun times yesterday and found that lots of ladies of my age do 5k in just under an hour so if I could do 5k at my current 3k pace, I wouldn’t be last. I guess it is this desire to be better though that drives us to get this far, rather than just being satisfied with the way things are right now.
Well done, enjoy the rest of your Sunday, will post later if I’m not dead!!
Yes, although we have been told (and know, really) that Parkruns are super friendly and there are are all shapes and sizes running/walking, we want to do well - whatever doing well means to us. Looking at our age/gender groups is a good starting point. Then look at how many of those are first time runners, how many are in clubs/on their 50th run to further adjust the expectations. Then, of course, we may factor in our own bodies lol.
You are right - it’s that desire to do better that keeps many of us motivated and what with all the gadgetry and the fact we are doing timed runs, it kind of makes sense to look at the stats. So long as we learn from them and don’t beat ourselves up by them!
And I am still resting so stuck on week 5 - and very envious of your progress. I know what you mean about the internal conversation - mine is pretty much the same!
Interesting that 178bpm felt fine. I tend to average about 165bpm, but apparently I peaked at 193 at one point today (running uphill), and yet here I am, still breathing. Stats eh?
Decent music while exercising is a must! It looks like you are totally getting used to the running game.
Sometimes you’ve just got to keep going and before you know it you have completed your run and feel great. I always get an amazing buzz after I’ve finished which just feels great.
What a good write up. I love reading these things. Peoples thoughts and feelings. It’s just great 👍🙂
Ah. Percentages, yes, those can work! I’m not sure it happens every time - our runs are changing all the time, so it’s difficult to identify the patterns as our effort changes. But certainly I was in a nice ‘phasing out’ frame of mind at the 20 minute mark, and a reminder of the time sort of dragged me back into the effort of the moment, which was unwelcome!
All food for thought when it comes to learning how we want to run post-C25k. A voice in the ear? A coach? Music? Silence? Time/distance reminders at intervals... at the end?
Well done nazz! I’m running Tuesday pm as the young ‘un will be at athletics and the beautiful track beckons, but I have decided to do 3 runs a week rather than every other day from now on. Partly it’s because the Tuesday evening works well, partly to get into a more regular routine, and partly to get additional rest now our runs are getting longer... all this is dependent on remaining injury and illness-free, of course!
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Where to go from here!!!
W7R2
C25K completed but not sure where to go now?
W7R2 - still slow, but faster recovery time
W7R2 MJ and I had a bust up, but we’re all ok now! 
