WK 8 RUN 1 AND 5K ACHIEVED :)

[CRAZYCATME]

How happy am I...I did end the run away from home and ran another bit to get closer so ended up doing my first 5k....I never thought I would be able to run for 3 minutes let alone 30 when I started. Great plan that works..happy Monday running peeps!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great job... congratulations on the 5k. Don’t over run the next one though, keep that injury risk down... nothing to prove now, it’s all about building the strength now you got this.

[ktsok Graduate]

Wow, well done! You are going great guns! It sounds like you are a natural 🙂

[CRAZYCATME Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Thanks...still feels really not that natural as yet but I'm getting there lol!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to CRAZYCATME]

I was glimpsing a pattern of people starting this program who were relatively fit, going too fast as a consequence and then struggling with slowing down/with why it was such a struggle. That was my experience, anyway. I’m pretty sure I could have pushed through at the pace I was running and got to 5k in 30, but it would have been painful, my joints would have taken a bashing and I probably would have thrown up at some point and given up running once C25k ended. My target now is not to have a finish line... just benchmarks, I suppose, which include times and distances but also exploration and enjoyment.

I don’t think I’m a natural runner at all, although I’m starting to question that a bit. What is a natural runner, anyway? Are you youngish? Fittish?! To add a few minutes extra implies you are feeling comfortable in your running? Forgive my curiosity! This running bug has me in more ways than one 🙂

[CRAZYCATME Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I only look at pace not time and the pace is trending faster. I am 61 and although I had been swimming a mile 3 times a week..havn't run for many years! My local pool is closing for a long time for refurb so I was looking at something else to do. I just look at doing what I can for longer if I can and dont get too worried about the stats. I only have strava to keep a note of where I have been,for how far and pace...I am not 'techy' by any means...Just enjoying getting fitter and listening to hard house dance music very loud lol!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to CRAZYCATME]

Aha! Hard House, that’s your secret!!! 🤣

Wow, swimming 3 x 1 mile a week is impressive. I did a bit of swimming last year and did the 64 lengths on a few occasions. I really enjoyed it but finding time to get to the pool with a child is tricky. You must really miss it during the refurb. Although... do you cycle? Could be the start of your triathlon career..? 🏊‍♂️🚲🏃🏼‍♂️

[CRAZYCATME Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Swimming a mile takes longer than the running and no prune like hands so I am enjoying it..never thought of cycling. I havn't done that for years either and last time I tried I couldnt cope with the low handlebars and checking traffic etc...I could probably cope with a shopper lol!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to CRAZYCATME]

Haha! I don’t like the idea of having my feet attached to the pedals. Looks like a terrible accident waiting to happen! A sit-up-and-beg ‘shopper’ sounds much friendlier 🙂

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I feel a little forum analysis coming up again... bring on them stats!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

I just can’t resist trying to analyse... 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I find it interesting. I probably was a little fitter than I thought (not fit rather than very unfit) and I am overweight. When I started I had to reign it in a lot. I did run as a kid decades ago and I think you naturally go back into a known pace. I now run very slowly but it does get the muscles going nicely and I know I can run for longer. I think thinking running slow is for losers might also a gremlin... and we knownwhat we do to those!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

We tend to be hard on ourselves, I think. I considered myself unfit but I’m not. I just wasn’t fit the way I thought I should be - which was being able to run for half an hour! I still don’t think I’m fit - because I run for half an hour slowly lol! And you - the fact you had to reign it in a lot, implies reservoirs of fitness lurking.

The Oxford English Dictionary says:

‘run, verb. Move at a speed faster than a walk, never having both or all the feet on the ground at the same time.’

No mention of speed, or level of effort there! Yet a lot of us do associate running with sprinting, I think - playing ‘it’ as kids, races at school, catching a bus, etc.

Oops school run!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Haha! Good timing, off you run then!

Well there was definitely surplus of energy in weeks one and two, after that I’m not so sure... I want to graduate so I am pacing myself. Later I can work on other aspects.

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Agreed 👍

[Astroblue Graduate]

My goal is to run continuously for 30 minutes I’m not worried on how fast I go or the distance I cover once I can do that consistently I’m sure my speed and distance will increase

[Mojo1982 Graduate]

I agree astroblue. First comes stamina,then distance and speed.