What week you on?

[Bike_and_Run]

I'm just about to head out on W6R1.

I remember back in February when I first started C25K there was a few of us all pretty much progressing together at the same rate (give or take a run or two) so I was wondering if I was at the same place as anyone this time around.

I found it encouraging to link up with someone who was a few runs ahead to let you know "it's not too bad", someone at the same week as you to pretty much partner with and encourage each other, and someone a week or two behind so you can then be the encourager letting them know they can do it!

Be great to repeat this with a few if you're running w5, 6 or 7?

[angelbetty Graduate]

I wish I could be back where you are. I was at a similar stage with you back at the beginning of the year but teappw nerves in my neck put paid to continuing once I graduated. It's great to see you back here and I'm cheering you on from the injury couch! Xx

[Bike_and_Run Graduate in reply to angelbetty]

Firstly, well done for graduating and fighting through the injury. Gutted to hear it's stopped you doing any more. Almost sounds like you've done this thing backwards... 5k to couch.

How's it going now? Are you still signed off from running?

Oh, and thanks for cheering me on from the couch. I appreciate it and will happily take all the encouragement and support from wherever it comes.

[angelbetty Graduate in reply to Bike_and_Run]

Sorry, I just noticed the typo! Lol it's supposed to read 'trapped nerves'. Either way, it's meant that I can't run. I'm restricted to low impact exercise. I'm still learning what I can and can't do without aggravating it. When it's bad it can affect everything from just below my shoulder blades upwards and outwards across my ribs, along my arms, into my hands and fingers. Varying from cramps and spasms to pins and needles, including impaired sensation, reduced strength and grip.

Anyway, it's all good fun! I can still walk, I can sometimes swim, I can do some yoga. It's not all bad. I'm running by proxy!

I know you can get your graduate badge! Good luck with your running xx

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I am not at the same stage as you but it's great to have you back running. Good luck 😊

[Bike_and_Run Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks

It's nice to be running in dry weather this time around.

If I'm honest, I'd have probably benefitted from dropping back a couple more weeks, but I think my inability to run is more about my head than my legs so having the challenge of starting at W5 has probably helped.

I saw a quote a few weeks back from Ross Edgely (the guy that swam around the UK) which said "naive enough to start, stubborn enough to finish" which pretty much sums me up. Determined to graduate before October.

What are your runs looking like these days?

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Bike_and_Run]

I'm running 3 x per week sometimes 3 5ks sometimes 1 shorter run and one parkrun as there is now one near me

[Bike_and_Run Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

You've not got your sights on longer distances then?

A friend of mine from 10yrs back was running 5ks 3-4 times a week. I haven't seen him for 10years, and now discovered he's about to run his 3rd 100mile ultramarathon in as many years. As crazy as that seems, I'd love to be able to run that distance, but there's no way I'd be up for the training. He's out running 20miles of an evening as if that's no big thing

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Bike_and_Run]

I often think about attempting 10k . Still trying to work out a better route because at the moment my runs have inclines and one has 2 hills .

[Bike_and_Run Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

I was invited to run the Plymouth 10K next month but I'm working that Sunday so I've had to decline the invite. I've yet to decide if that's a good or bad thing.

I know what you mean about the hills, I live in a very hilly area so I always try to plan my recovery walks for the uphill bit. I feel it big time when I get that wrong!🤣

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Bike_and_Run]

I would say that was a good thing declining that 10k run as you are on wk6 just now so another few weeks to you finish c25k . Doing too much too soon can result in injury. You've got lots of time to eventually compete in 10k runs . 😊

[tiggs1 Graduate]

I’m about to do W5R2 in the morning, great to see you are back out running and good luck with week 6

[Bike_and_Run Graduate in reply to tiggs1]

That's great. How you finding the runs? I found W5 to be the first real show of my progress.

[tiggs1 Graduate]

I found W5R1 really satisfying as it really felt as though I am achieving something. Heading out for run 2 now so will see if I feel the same when I get home

[tiggs1 Graduate]

Wow, run 2 was really enjoyable which I think I owe to the slower pace I now run at. I am still a little scared of trying to do the full 20 mins of running on Wednesday though as not sure I have that in me but I never actually thought I could make the jump from 60 seconds to 90 seconds lol.

How was it going back to intervals in W6R1?

[Bike_and_Run Graduate in reply to tiggs1]

Most people are nervous about W5R3. You'll find lots of posts about it. I was the same but in truth it's not that bad. For me it was the first real demonstration of just how far I'd progressed. Get your steady pace right, pick a route you're comfortable with, and with the help of the podcast you'll smash it.

Dropping back to intervals for week 6 is a nice bit of recovery before the final few weeks. I think of it like climbing a mountain, where you have to go up a bit to climatise, then drop back down again before ascending to the top.