Finally a 5k!

[DiscoRunner]

So two months after graduation, with as many 3 runs a week as I could manage to fit in under my belt, I finally managed to run 5k! I was aiming to run for 45 minutes, and with my slow running technique (niko niko Japanese stylee) I thought it would be more like 50 minutes before I hit the magic number. The last three weeks (after consolidating) I’ve added 5 mins to one of my runs - so built from 35, to 40 and now 45. With the slow running I found 35 & 40 quite doable. The last 5 mins of today’s run was hard - but I did it. I also enjoyed the achy legs as I brisk walked home.

C25K is a blooming marvel - more or less 4 months to the day I remember staggering in absolutely bright red, dripping with sweat and having to explain to my husband that I’d taken up running! I hadn’t said anything in case I didn’t take to it. Then I had to go and lie down for about an hour afterwards to recover! And now four short months later I can run for 45 minutes. And then just get on with my day.

Blimey - I can run!

(Note to self - still need to learn to run up an incline, let alone a hill!)

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

That's one for the record books.

Well done........ what's next?

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

🤣 consolidate that 45 min with 2 x 30. Maybe extend a second run - as I’m so slow. And then try some hills 😬

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Congratulations on that first 5k... and under your time estimate too!

Not sure if the Japanese run stylee has any specific ways of taking on hills... but I think the running form video below moves from “regular” towards that style a little, so I think it will be useful for you.

youtu.be/FcBlGb0qgS8(Not working as expected?)

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you so much! Will certainly try it.

[RunRunRun13 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Great video 👍

[welsby1967 Graduate]

Fab post DiscoRunner and a massive congrats on you’re achievement. As you always say slow and steady always wins out x

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to welsby1967]

Thank you! I’ve had a big grin all day!

[Wimborne]

5k!!!!!! 😀😀😀😀👏👏👏👏🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️. That’s brilliant and you got there the right way too. Slow and steady 👍 keep doing what you are doing as it’s working brilliantly for you. Be super proud 😀😀😀😀you deserve that runners glow today.

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Wimborne]

Thank you! Absurdly pleased with myself!!!

[Wimborne in reply to DiscoRunner]

And so you should be 😀. 5k is a magic number for us all. 💗

[RunRunRun13 Graduate]

Wowee !!!!!! Yipee !!!!! Amazing !!!!! Such a great achievement and you must be over the moon. Loving the idea of adding 5 minutes etc to the run after graduation. Big thank you too for posting about the “Japanese slow running technique” after I read this on one of your posts it’s changed the way I run for the better. Now open the bubbles and celebrate ! 🍾 🍷🍾

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to RunRunRun13]

Yay! I’m so glad that the Japanese slow running has really helped you too. Just so happy!!

[FionaLamb Graduate]

Wow. You are AMAZING 😉. You’ve done brill. I’m gonna be you soon 🤗

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to FionaLamb]

You so are! I’m really one of those ‘if I can do it anyone can!’ So you will too! xx

[Daffodil19 Graduate]

Fabulous!!

[Soozc25k Graduate]

Hi there disco runner

It was a treat to read your post. I felt exactly the same as you describe during the C25k. I graduated yesterday and now have same concerns you just conquered. I find that right reassuring and you’ve given me hope that I will improve as the weeks go on.

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Soozc25k]

Oh you will. You really will!

[sofiaO Graduate]

Congratulations, that's awesome! 👏

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to sofiaO]

Thank you 😊 xx

[18Windmill Graduate]

Congratulations!! V well done you. Have just heard about this slow running...interested in finding out more! I live in a very flat area of the country...a slight incline terrifies me!! 🎉🎉🎉

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

It’s great! That’s how I could build my duration - it’s called smile running for a reason!

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

Yay!! Well done on conquering 5k, and in less than 45 minutes too! I think I’ll be the same, not even hit 3k yet though I’m very close now. The slow running technique is such a revelation isn’t it, it’s helped me so much. Don’t be too scared of the inclines, I hated mine when I first started with them but now they’re no bother at all, n it’s lovely on the downhill side, I have to restrain myself from going full belt 😂😂

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thank you so much! And the slow running is just wonderful - it feels so good while you’re doing it - I am smiling!

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

I’ll definitely work on some hills too!

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

Mine aren’t hills, just gentle slopes but they flipping felt like hills for the first couple of weeks. They have helped me to realise that any hills I tackle won’t stay difficult for very long 🏃‍♀️

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Parts of week 7 & 8 between Xmas & NY, I was in Cornwall, in a hilly area. Found the flattest bit I could (not too bad from scoping it out), actually running those gentle inclines felt like try to run up a mountain! I think there’s a park not far that’s got some slopes, might try there!

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

I run on the flattest bit I could find locally. It’s not that easy to avoid the hills in Sheffield! 🥵😂

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

No, wow, I’m seriously impressed!!

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

Luckily the local nature reserve runs alongside the river so it’s pretty flat and the trails are easier on my knees. Need to tackle the hills at some point though!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great you did it you ran 5k 😊😊

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

I’m so thrilled- still!!

[Dowat Graduate]

Fantastic achievement. Well done.

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Dowat]

Thank you so much

[Lavender1962 Graduate]

Yeah! Congratulations on your 1st 5k!🎉

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Lavender1962]

It’s a real buzz!

[damienair Graduate]

Congratulations on getting to 5K. It’s a great achievement. Get to a Parkrun soon. Well done again.

Damien

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to damienair]

Thank you so much - still feeling pleased. Yes, must do a ParkRun soon

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Great work - well done ! 🏅

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thank you ButtercupKid - very chuffed!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

So you should be ! Great progress - proud of you x

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

😊 x

[TigerBiscuit Graduate]

Impressed! I can only admire you from my position at W2R3 - and struggling at that! Very curious about your Japanese slow run style. Where can I find more about that?

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to TigerBiscuit]

If you search ‘Japanese slow jogging movement’ on youtube you’ll find a great short film showing you the technique. There’s also an article you can find. Reading reviews of the book, it doesn’t seem worth buying as the film and the article/blog post seem to cover it. I’d put the links in bug people kept saying that they didn’t work! It absolutely changed everything for me! The first thing I worked on was the foot placement, then rewatched after I felt I’d got that right and worked on how to hold my body and arms - the breathing just takes care of itself! In Japan it’s known as niko niko - meaning smile! And I honestly am smiling most of the time now. When I graduated it was still quite hard but after 4 or 5 weeks of 3x30 (with gaps for holiday and illnesses) it became a real pleasure to run. Not just the wow that’s great & it’s over! But actually really enjoy the running while I’m doing it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Good luck with your amazing journey - it is simply staggering what you can achieve with C25K!

[TigerBiscuit Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

Thank you so much for the info and your words of encouragement. After discovering C25K, I actually want to run - for the first time of my line. It seems everyone here is totally hooked - and what a great thing that is too. All the best, now.

[Tonkabella]

Fanflippingtastic 🎉🎉🎉🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️. Well done you 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to Tonkabella]

Thank you Tonkabella - not long and you’ll be doing the same!! 💪💪🐌🐌🏃‍♀️🐌🐌💪!! x

[Tonkabella in reply to DiscoRunner]

Hopefully and definitely at snail 🐌🐌 pace 🏃🏽‍♀️😊

[primaballerina]

OMG - just read your post from a month ago... and I think I'm going to become your running-clone!!!

- From your description of your Run 1 ... to my slow-slow pace....

- Japanese slow-running obsession....

- your 'incline' phobia - I can SO relate to this....

I can almost forecast my first 5K / 50 min run in ... oh, about 2.5 months ... eh? LOL

... tell me, why did you pick your name: "DiscoRunner"?

Cheerio

x

[DiscoRunner Graduate in reply to primaballerina]

Running twins indeed! I started running to disco as it has a slow steady beat, I found most types of music were making me run too fast & I’d get out of breath. But I now listen to podcasts as they help me just get lost in the subject and my slow run takes care itself!