Let’s get this party started, week 2 - Feel free to join

[Realfoodieclub]

The Let’s Get The Party Started Quest

Week Two

It was great to see so many of you joining last week.

How are we all doing. Has the first week gone according to plan, or do you need some help and motivation to keep you on track.

Please feel free to join in if you have graduated. We will be running these Quests every week so don’t worry you can join in any time after Graduation, it doesn’t matter when it is even if it is just for the last week.

Also please join if you have graduated and are on the IC, I have found reading and supporting other runners when I am on the IC helps to keep my motivation up and I like to still feel part of this community so if you are on the IC put your name down, we will support you all they way back to your first run.

Here is the explanation of what the Quest is.

What the quest is:-

The quest last for a calendar month

You can join any time within that time.

The main aim of the quest is to help you find a focus or goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the Quest period.

We ask that you are a graduate . The main reason we ask this is that while you are doing the program your plan is very structured, so we wouldn't want the quest to interfere with that.

Most popular goals are:-

To run three times a week

To slowly increase distance

To train for a specific race

To add In Stretch and strength exercises

As you can see they are personal to yourself and it's totally your own choice.

Every week I will pin a new post where all the members of the quest can talk about how things are going.

My advise to you is to make your goals achievable as it is very easy to get discouraged if you aim too high. It is better to aim a little less and feel great at the end of the Quest and add some more in for the next Quest. Motivation is at its best when you feel a sense of achievement through something you are trying to do.

Please don’t forget that all the forums are here for your benefit. They are set up to help with questions and queries as your progress on your running journey. Feel free to join any or all. You will find different levels of help on each forum, so well worth a look around.

We have the Bridge to 10km - this forum is for runners who need a little bit more technical advise than is offered on the C25K.

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto10k

We have the Marathon Running and Race support.

Again this is another step up in the type of advise that is offered and it is there if you should ever need it.

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

We have the Strength and Flex forum, which is set up to help you with the NHS stretches and Strength workouts. Squats, lunges and the like are all in these programs.

healthunlocked.com/strength...

We also have the Active 10 which used to be called walking for health. It is a great forum for sharing your walks on your days off or if you are on the Injury Couch.

healthunlocked.com/active10

Please feel free to have a look round all the forums but also keep in mind we need your help for new runners so you can support and encourage them on the C25K forum as they learn to run, so they can come and join us on these Quests once they have graduated.

Happy running to you all

I can’t wait to see what your Quests are going to be!

Realfoodieclub, Oldfloss, Millsie-j and Roseabi. X.

.

[Happyrunningfeet Graduate]

Can't wait to join.. one more run left

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Happyrunningfeet]

Looking forward to seeing you. Have fun with your graduation run. Rfc x

[Happyrunningfeet Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

How do u join? Is there a link?

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Happyrunningfeet]

When you have graduated just put a reply on this post, (this one is up for 7 days now). Putting down what your quest will be and then you will of joined. Don’t forget to get your gradation badge before as well.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

It has been a mixed bag for me the last week. I have managed to keep going but I will be honest. We are in my hay fever season now and it does affect my running, it saps my energy and as soon as I go out the front door my nose starts running. For me hay fever also means and upset stomach and feeling sick. I am hoping it will be a short season this year and I will do my best to keep going. Hope you are all doing ok.

I have a little event on Sunday a 2.4 mile run with a bit of bling to be earned. I do love a medal 😀.

Happy running

Rfc x.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Fingers crossed on your hay fever season... have a wonderful time on Sunday and let’s see that bling.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Will do. 😀

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Yeurgh - poor you ! Hope it’s anti-pollen weather on Sunday x

[orcadia Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Fingers crossed it’s a short hay fever season for you. And enjoy earning your bling on Sunday.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

19k of my 20 target... forgot I had sprints this week... only leaves me about 5k to spare now on the 28th, which I can do on the 30th, but can’t afford to slip again soon! Having fun though... I have another thing to focus on. Think I’m still good to go 22k this coming week.

Lots of walking has happened and I’m ready for some running around parkrun tailwalking on Saturday, so I’m thinking I may tag on an crack at 15k steps to go with my run, and my active 10s should just happen.

Have a great week fellow questers

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

You really sound like you have got a handle on fitting it all in, well done. I’m sure you will hit your target. Rfc x

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

If not I’m quitting 😂

I’m thinking I’m gonna split my run around parkrun on Saturday so may do 3k and then tailwalk, measure any running I do and then finish a strange 7k after.

[damienair Graduate]

I broke through my 28 min 5K goal which was excellent. I’m away with work this evening and spent 7 hours in my Car today, I was dying to get out for a run when I arrived at the Hotel. I was delighted, managed a 5K time of 27:49. That’s my 3rd sub 28 min time in just over a week.

I will work now towards 10K. Did a 7K run last week. I’ll slow the pace back and go for another longer run on Sunday. I’m really looking forward to Parkrun on Saturday.

Damien

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to damienair]

Well done, there is no stopping you 😀, great 5km time. I know what you mean about long journeys, I hate sitting still for too long. Have fun at Parkrun.

[Time_to_run Graduate]

I’ve managed 3 runs in March so far and that equates to 12 miles of my 50 mile target .. I’m away on a friends 50th Birthday this weekend so suspect I won’t get another run in until Monday now, so I may need to up my game a little this week to stay on target.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Time_to_run]

Enjoy your weekend with friends, you will make it up next week, no problem, the main sticking points are usually motivation and you can tell you are determined. 😀.

[sofiaO Graduate in reply to Time_to_run]

Well done! We reached the 12 mile check point ✅ My legs have had enough now but my mind is still determined! Enjoy your weekend off!

[Time_to_run Graduate in reply to sofiaO]

Well done to you too 👍

[orcadia Graduate]

I managed my goal of running 5k in 40 minutes (that is a 30 min run with the two 5 min walks either side). Really chuffed considering it was a trail running route in the woods and I had to walk a little by if the worst uphill and the worst downhill (tree roots!). It was a surprisingly enjoyable run and I found that the undulating terrain meant I couldn’t stick to a constant pace but I felt good and went faster than usual on the flat sections and the main track.

Now continuing to work on getting in my 3 runs each week and sticking to all the advice about letting my body get used to the hillier runs gradually and not increasing the length of runs at the same time.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to orcadia]

I really must try a trial run, for some reason I’m scared of twisting my ankle. You make it sound such fun. Well done. Rfc. X

[orcadia Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I’m wary of twisting an ankle too - and have a dodgy knee which doesn’t like downhills, which is why I slowed to a walk for some sections. It made a nice change though. My knees certainly knew about it though, so have had an extra day’s break and this morning’s run has been along a beach esplanade instead - nice and flat and another enjoyable run - despite the rain.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to orcadia]

Now I do like a run along an esplanade, 😀.

[Runners Graduate]

Building up my stamina with 3 x 30 mins runs for three weeks has gone well even when I did face plant the pavement 😳 hasn’t put me off though ✊🏻

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Runners]

Eeek! Glad you're OK

[damienair Graduate in reply to Runners]

Ouch. Jeez, hope you didn’t hurt anything. Well done on the runs.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Runners]

Ouch... hope you are ok. Take it easy n.

[Runners Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

A fat lip and a scabby face 🙄

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Runners]

Poor you ☹️. Look after yourself.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Runners]

Not that OK then. Get well soon!

[orcadia Graduate in reply to Runners]

Ouch. What happened? Hope you’ve recovered from that now.

[Runners Graduate in reply to orcadia]

Got my feet caught up in a plastic strap, the kind that is around boxes of paper. It hadn’t been cut so there was no give and down I went. I don’t look pretty 😳 but I’ve ran twice and played tennis since 🙂

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to Runners]

Oh dear, that sounds nasty 😬

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Food recording going well, every day so far (and pleased to see that there has been some downward movement on the weight, presumably partly as a result)

Recording a few notes on good things about my day, again, every day

Two swims and one run towards the 8 of each.

Yoga is perhaps the weakest point so far - 3 sessions towards the 16+ goal for the month, so need to watch out for that.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Sounds like it is going to plan. Well done on the weight loss, that always makes my week when that happens 😀.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Wow, you’re really pulling yourself in line with all that lot - well done you ! Remember to be proud of your progress, don’t get distracted by things that don’t work out. Whenever I have a lousy day I remind myself of my first run in week 1, and that reminds me of how far I’ve come 😄

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Very true. It is one of the reasons I like to have a set of goals, some of which are more of a stretch than others. I often surprise myself with what works out best!

[Agelesslass]

Ran 10k Sunday, 8k Wednesday, not as much as I’d like but I have Chester 10k race this Sunday so didn’t want to do so much. I also suffer from runner’s tummy which is always on mind when I’m running. It’s a case of mind over matter.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Agelesslass]

Good luck with the event. Looking forward to seeing the race report and the bling. 🥇hope your stomach behaves itself. Rfc x

[sofiaO Graduate]

I've completed 12 miles out of the 50 for March race at your pace. To be honest last night's run was the hardest since graduation. My legs are really tired and I just need to rest for longer than 1 day. That would mean harder to meet the 50 mile challenge though so will stick with the plan for now!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to sofiaO]

Be careful I would rest the extra day and add in a little extra mileage at the end of the month to complete it. If your body is asking for an extra day give it to it. I have learnt from experience to ignore that one usually ends up with me being ill with a cold or something, it is beneficial to take the extra day, trust me. Look after yourself. Rfc x

[sofiaO Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks for the advice, I'll listen to the experts and add another days rest in! If it was just the running I would be ok, but the added strength exercises are killing my legs!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to sofiaO]

Good news then, by the end of the month you will be stronger to add the little extra distance in 😀.

[sofiaO Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I really hope so, I don't feel like I have progressed at all in the month since graduation. But I realise progress will be slow after no exercise in years!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to sofiaO]

Don’t worry we all have pits and troughs, even when you have been doing it for years. I have two seasons, November to May endurance training, June to October stregnth and speed. You will get there. Rfc x

[sofiaO Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thanks for the advice. Main thing is to keep it up and enjoy it. That needs to be be my main focus for now! Good luck with your training!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate]

I graduated this week so today will be my first post graduation run. I'm very slow so overall my aim is to get faster but first of all I thought I would just try to bed in the habit of running. So my quest is three runs a week (but not to beat myself up if I only get two runs in on occasion). This first week I'm going to basically repeat week nine, just trying a little faster where I feel good. Then I'm going for a week of one shorter run with the aim of going faster and a couple of thirty minutes at gentle pace. Might repeat that week if it goes well. I'm hoping to do my first park run in early April. At the moment I reckon it would take me 45 minutes to run 5k and I'm pretty sure that would be beyond me right now so it's gentle consolidation for me and just trying to get fixed in my normal routine that running is part of what I do!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Gwenllian1]

That’s where I’m at too - except that I’m much slower than you and it would take me about an hour at my current rate to run 5k. Keep it steady, just as you’ve been doing, and you’ll get to wherever you want to go x

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Gwenllian1]

Great plan. Welcome to the quest. We will help keep you going. Gentle increases and you will be at 5km before you know it. Rfc x

[orcadia Graduate in reply to Gwenllian1]

Sounds like you’ve got a good plan in place to consolidate and build your strength without risking injury. I like the idea of a shorter faster run occasionally. Might try that one myself.

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Slow and steady on my 4K (or 2.5 mile) target. I’ve run just under 2 miles twice this week - still in 30 minutes. I have two more consolidation runs to do and after that I’ll start increasing the time a little.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

You are doing really well, slow and steady increases that is the way to go. Rfc x

[orcadia Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Slow and steady is definitely the way to do it. Do you only count the running part for measuring your distance? I start Strava on my phone at the start of my run so am measuring the distance for the 30 min run plus the two 5 min walks. It’s amazing what a boost it gives you when you realise you’re nearer 5k in the 40mins. It definitely made it seem more achievable - and I can now get to 5k in 40 minutes.

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to orcadia]

I include the two walks as well. I know a lot of people only time the run, but I know I’d just drop my phone if I tried - and I still walk as fast as I run anyway 😄

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

I time the warm up and the run, then turn it off for the warm down. That is the beauty of graduation, it is your own choice. Rfc x

[orcadia Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Oh yeah, walking as fast as I run - I know that one well!

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to orcadia]

😂

[Granspeed Graduate]

Well, the 3x30 minute per week goal which I took as the manageable option had to give way to a resurgence of the chest infection, which moved into a frantic coughing phase ☹️. I filled in with walks in new locations, looking for good run options for the future and that was rewarding. Managed 2 good walks and finally one gentle 25 minute jog yesterday. 🎉 if the weather cooperates at all, I think I should be back onto a Plan over this next week as long as I stay slow. Coughing has calmed down & no bad effects from yesterday, so feeling much more cheerful about it all now.

I’ve realised I am a really rubbish patient!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Take it easy, sounds like you are looking after yourself. I hope the weather plays ball for you. Rfc x

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

oh poor you, I hope you get over the infection quickly. Good that you got out for some walks ☺

[Anna675 Graduate]

First week done and I’ve run 🏃‍♀️ 3 times! Now to keep it up for the next week 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Anna675]

Well done, good luck for next week. Rfc x

[Millsie-J Graduate]

I managed to get out three times this week...... my chesty bug has gone yeayyyyy!

So im upping my quest to covering at least 30miles during March..... even though I have had a slow start to the month this is just the push I need to pick up distance again. I am also going to try Fast walking...I think It might be a good thing for me as my knees dont like too much distance running. I saw your post on the Active 10 forum Realfoodieclub , with the Race Walking Videos, I am going to give it a go.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

I still Race Walk once a week if I can, I love it, well worth a try. So glad your chest bug has been kicked to the curb. Take care. Rfc x

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I have no idea when I transitioned from Kilometres to Miles, but it appears I have. Its those long runs that do it I think......

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Well done you. I tried that in January and hated it so much. I thought doing a HM would be easier if I trained in miles but my brain just would not transition, it fought it every step of the way..

[Zaza0309 Graduate]

Been sticking to my Pilates sessions this week along with running every other day. Decided today that if I remain injury free ( still feel like I’m not running quite 100% following Jans stint on the IC) i will start training towards 10K when the clocks go forward.

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to Zaza0309]

How do you find pilates? I have never tried it.

[Zaza0309 Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Really good, I just do it from beginner videos on you tube. It isn’t hard and my leg muscles have felt miles better for it

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to Zaza0309]

That sounds a good idea, I will have a look at some, thanks 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Zaza0309]

The Pilates will help get you stronger for building up towards 10km.

[skysue16 Graduate]

Good to read about everyone's week.

I only managed the one run 😕 fell (not literally!) at the first hurdle - family visiting all last weekend to celebrate Mum's 91st birthday 😀. Then I had a busy time at work plus rehearsals for the community panto! BUT......managed a short impromptu run with doggie this afternoon so I am determined to achieve at least two runs this coming week!

Enjoy your running everyone 😊

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Well a 91st Birthday definitely lets you off one hook. Hope it was fun for all. 🎉 Onwards for your 2 runs this week. 👍

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Thank you, you too 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Good luck for getting out this next week. A 91st Birthday. Now that is one that has to be celebrated 😀. Rfc x

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Yes, certainly a great celebration - especially since the Beast from the East curtailed our celebrations last year 😕

[18Windmill Graduate]

My quest was to up my pace...but seem to be going slower!! Think I just am v v v slow! Rubbish run last week which I abandoned in the rain. Better one this morning but still so slow. So slightly amended quest...use speed podcast for next 2 runs to see what happens. Happy running/slow jogging all. 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

Let me know if you find a key. I toyed with that quest but not quite ready to commit....

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

The speed podcasts are fun, I found they did help me a little but the best thing that helped me with my speed is to be more accepting of what I am capable of, I’ll never be fast but I am getting faster. 😀

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

That’s a good point, and one I need to remember! Thanks.

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to 18Windmill]

I found it best to use the Speed podcast once a week, (I found it quite hard!) and do a slower run after it.

[18Windmill Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Thanks for the heads up. Will try it once and see what happens.

[MiddleP Graduate]

Hello, I would like to join the Quest please. Graduated a week or so ago, and have done 4 runs since. Aiming for them to start feeling a little easier soon I hope! My aim is to continue running 3 times a week and over time slowly increase my distance, but for now just enjoying listening to podcasts whilst I run - loving this new distraction which stops me focusing on how tired my legs are!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to MiddleP]

Welcome to the Quest, Congratulations and well done on your graduation. Sounds like you have a sound plan there. Rfc c