I was a genuine C25K starter. At 58 had never run but was inspired to try. Overweight and not hugely fit it was going to be a challenge. I joined a running club beginners group but it didn’t suit. I could barely run a minute and although everyone was lovely I felt intimidated. So I started C25K and it was perfect. Not easy but I progressed through without any major hitches. At graduation I was running just over 3k. I did some consolidation runs and then about 2 weeks later hit 5k. I was overjoyed and I see now that that was the point it went wrong . How naive or frankly arrogant was I to think that because I’d done it once that was it and I would keep doing it and even move up. I completely ignored the 10% rule because I was loving running and the wave of endorphins it gave me. Everyone was so supportive including all the lovely people on this forum. My gorgeous hubby had bought me my Garmin (Gary) and I had graduated to bone conducting earphones. The world was my lobster!
My lovely mentor realised what I was doing and gave me a sharp warning. She gave me the example of her marathon training and that just because she is able to run a marathon doesn’t mean she does one every run! D’oh that really hit home.
So... weeks later currently unable to run as plantar fasciitis and tendonitis has laid me off. I also found at the sports injury clinic that my gait analysis had been incorrect which did not help me. But am doing as I’m told and making good progress and actually consider that at least I’ve learned this lesson early in my running journey.
So if you’re like me, a sexy but slow chunky bird who is new to this running malarkey, take it steady, build gradually and don’t assume because you can run a certain distance you always should.
That is all..... happy healthy running you lovely people. I’ll be back!! 👍🏻 🏃🏻♀️💕🏃🏻♀️
Written by
Vintage61
Graduate
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Hope you are soon recovered, thanks for sharing. PF is a total nightmare, I have had it on and off over the years, even when not running. I have it a bit again at the moment. Not sure that the running is effecting it. I am however being cautious. Hope you are soon back to 🏃
Thank you. I will take note - I graduated about six weeks ago and have been feeling disappointed with my progress. I can run 5k, but it takes me 35 - 40 minutes. I have run just over 8k very slowly. I'm being sensible, doing shorter runs sometimes, but because it makes me feel so good, I'm sorely tempted to go out every day and just keep running for as long and as hard as I can. I want to run faster and further, but I'm 55, and until this year hadn't done anything more strenuous than a stroll for 25 years. I will take your cautionary tale and take notice. Rest day today, having run 5k and walked another 6 yesterday, so I'm still in bed! Hope you're all recovered soon x
Good lessons here. We graduated about the same time. Doing the mind thing of running your own pace is so important. I ran my Finsbury Park run, I was soon left behind, but thought of you to keep running. I’m pleased, I wasn’t last .It was nearly 3 mins faster than last time 3 months ago. So i’m Progressing, i’m Not 40 ( in my head I am) it takes longer to recover. So enjoy the run, be it 20 mins or 40 mins, your pace, your way. Gradual improvements.
Thanks for sharing Vintage61 and I hope you are recovered very soon! I think we all get a bit carried away with the progress through c25k and it's difficult to not overdo it, but it's important to remind that even as graduates, we are still newbies
It is good that you've found all this out early on as you say. I hope you recover soon and can get back to running. Also thanks for being honest and sharing it will hopefully help lots of people. Good luck 😊
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Getting injured soon after graduation is a common occurrence.........despite the warnings.
Thank you. I have been very involved with you guys and have felt well supported and advised. I got carried away and it’s my fault I’m crocked for a while. But have learned my lesson for sure. Not running is not an option in my life anymore, so I’m going to be very careful in future
I have just posted that I have hurt my ankle. Sadly, i think for similar reasons. I was doing well and enjoying it. No I am sat with my foot up and contemplating what to do to continue the fitness that I had gained.
This was me seven years ago. I've regrouped. I've relearned to run. I've learned to manage the knee and the achilles tendinopathy. And I had PF a while ago. So here I am, older and wiser, running slowly. You will recover and get back out there, and you'll enjoy it all the more. Good luck with your recovery.
Thanks for posting this... many don’t at the time, and it’s a very important message that you send. Hope you have a speedy recovery and are soon back to where you were.
I know a guy who runs 5 half marathons and parkrun in a week... but he’s been running for many years and took a long time building up to this mileage.
Oh no! I'm absolutely gutted for you! Truly hope you get back on track very soon! Have you been been advised to stop running until your plantar fasciitis and tendonitis have gone?
I will certainly take note of your words of wisdom as I progress from 5k to 10k.
Thinking about this more now! I think I was focusing on my heart and lungs, and my leg muscles - I thought that as long as they felt ok, I could push on faster. I’ve realised that tendons and ligaments can be weak too - I don’t know medically if they themselves get strengthened, or if it’s the specific muscles that support them that need strengthening. And I DO know that once injured, the tendons take a long while to mend, and so presumably to strengthen too. So the time between runs and the gradual build up are vital to strengthening your whole body, not just lungs and leg muscles. Sorry to to go on, just thought it might help someone!
That’s it exactly. It’s easy to get carried away because we love it so much. And in my case I’m shifting a lot of excess baggage so even more strain on the joints. 😢
Yes, we love it and get over excited like a kid in a sweet shop 🙃🍭
Joints need TLC! Just seen my physio and he said yes, tendons are strengthened by exercise too but whereas you can build muscle strength for long runs in 4 months or so, tendons take 18 months 😳😳😳
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