Going from week 1 into week 2

[Meepmum]

Just finished week 1, starting week 2 today, feel apprehensive but excited too. Going to keep running slow with aim of making 90 seconds by trying Japanese Niko style for my knees. Thanks to everyone who has posted on their first week, it's been brilliant to know I'm not the only one struggling.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and I recommend that you follow the link to the post about mental approach.

Enjoy your journey.

[Meepmum Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks, I will keep reminding myself to do that when the jitters come. I managed to keep going through run 1 so interested what run 2 will bring tomorrow.

[PVH1 Graduate]

You got this Meepmum- trust this programme, it really works! Slow and steady was the advice I received and if you still feel like giving up slow down some more- you got this!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow and steady... that is the way to go.. relax and enjoy

[BreakfastClub]

Good luck! 👍

[Hatman Graduate]

Hi Meepmum. That first week was a struggle for me too. So much to sort out all at once. Clothes, shoes, are these socks helping?. Can

I hear Laura ok? This road is not this steep when I drive it! Whoops. There’s a dog walker, will they laugh? That is all before you worry about how fast should I go? Breathe through my nose or mouth? Or just gasp? Land on my heel or the ball of my foot? What do I do with my arms? Will any body notice if I start walking, just a tiny bit before Laura says I can? Who thought a minute of running was soooo long? Another run? Again?

That was the difficult bit. You have done it. Few less runs next week!

Read the pages that Iannoda Truffe recommends, and then read them again next week. Save them, bookmark them, whatever you file stuff as. Look at Japanese Slow Running YouTube video. Not just for your knees. For your pace, stance, body movements and foot position too.

Believe that the plan works. You did Week one. It wasn’t easy. It prepared you for week two. You can deal with week two. That prepares you for week three. By now, at the end, you recover your breath quicker, pink face fades to normal quicker and you think that perhaps there’s a bit less tummy?

Are you a runner yet? Well done for getting this far. Keep up the good work. I start week 7 tomorrow. Never would have believed I could get that far. You can do it too. Enjoy running slowly.👍

[Meepmum Graduate in reply to Hatman]

Hi Hatman, you must be a mind reader 😀. The tummy would be a mega bonus for me, I'm hoping to work back to mid size Buddah, think the one in the garden is a step too far at present. Know what you mean about technique, if someone runs past I now look at their feet! I keep looking at the links as I have a tendancy to overthinking. Have kept watching the u tube video to see if it sinks in subliminally too😳. I have bi polar 2 so any mental benefits would be fantastic.

[OeyZoey]

Oooh, me too! I'm doing Week 2 Run 1 after work today! I managed week 1 no problem, fingers crossed for week 2 though! I'm not feeling quite so confident!!!! I'm going to google Japanese Niko style as I have no idea what that is! Good luck with your run today!

[Hatman Graduate in reply to OeyZoey]

Try - YouTube Japanese Slow Running. as a suitable search.

[Meepmum Graduate in reply to OeyZoey]

Thanks Zoey I'll post how it goes. Good luck with Wk2 1 the thought was worse than the actual for me, still apprehensive about 2 but better than before. Will watch Prof Tanaka again just before I go and see.

[Hatman Graduate in reply to OeyZoey]

Hi OeyZoey. Did you do week 2 ok?

Even less runs in W3. That’s a bonus!

Hope you found Japanese Jogging man? I did in W3 and jogged like him since. Today I finished W7! Slowly! Speed and distance can come later.

Good Luck. You Runner You!

[OeyZoey in reply to Hatman]

Hiya, yes, have finished week 2! I found Run 3 was nowhere near as hard as run 3 of week 1! Go figure. Going to do Week 3, Run 1 today!!! Absolutely loving it!!! And only 4 runs!!!! Fingers crossed!!!!!

Well done you on completing week 7! I can’t WAIT to get there!! Bring on the Summer!

[Meepmum Graduate in reply to OeyZoey]

Good on you, I ran last night and despite being a bit apprehensive got to the end. Channelled my inner Japanese runner and went slow but managed the extra time OK. Feeling ready for the next one tomorrow. Good luck

[OeyZoey in reply to Meepmum]

I managed it no problem. The 1st half was definitely tougher than the 2nd half. I guess my body/muscles had warmed up by then. It went really quickly too as it's 4 minutes shorter than last week and only 4 runs as opposed to 6! I have been using the crisp between thumb and finger method to try to relax my shoulders more. I must look ridiculous! LOL!!!!! Good luck for the rest of the week. x

[Hatman Graduate in reply to OeyZoey]

Look at Japanese Slow Jogging guy on YouTube. Does that look silly? I do quite a good impersonation of him. Hair colour too. Slow running is better than no running. Happy running

[JuniperC in reply to Hatman]

Have just given the same advice to another runner. Niko Niko running it is called (smile while talking or talk while running) - it got me back into running.

[Hatman Graduate in reply to JuniperC]

Thanks😃 Enjoy your slow running.

[Hatman Graduate]

Imagine running holding a potato crisp between thumb and finger. Don’t crush it! Then imagine holding an orange under your chin too!

You cannot have tense shoulders while you are holding yourself like that.

Feel better now? Go and be a proud runner!