Wk1 r2 - did they lie to me?

[RunningMigster]

As I peer, with bloodshot eyes through my bedroom blinds, I hear my still warm and comfy bed calling me back. That cosy duvet, the warm firm pillows, still with the indent where my head should be.

Come on we can do this, the hardest one is under my belt. The only fail, is to stay in bed.

So I'm out of the door for my 5 minute walk, daylight just starting to break through, and then I'm soon into my first 60 second run.

OMG... that first run is still in my legs, I'm hurting already. They lied to me, they said the first run was the hardest. They lied to me.

Into my 2nd 60 second run and I'm seriously wondering if I can finish this. But I got out of bed, so this wouldn't be a fail, right?

By the end of the 3rd run it's starting to feel a bit easier. The lady from my Runkeeper app kindly tells me my average pace. I have nothing to compare it to, but I know I'm clearly no Roger Bannister.

As I get further into my run, i realise something isnt quite right. I check the c25k app on my phone. Somehow I missed the bell. My course is simple, I run in one direction, get to half way and run back. I've now done an extra minute run in the wrong direction.

But I'm starting to feel good now and actually, I ended up adding a cheeky extra 60 second run onto the end (just to get to my much needed morning coffee quicker)

I'm doing this, I'm really doing this. And I have to say, everybody was right, they didn't lie to me at all. I feel better after this run than I did after the first and my recovery time was quicker. It was just harder to get going.

As for my pacekeeper from RunKeeper, i think next time, she can stay in bed asleep.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great you managed to pull yourself away from your nice warm bed. I bet you now feel so good for getting out running. Enjoy the rest of your day. Well done you 😊😊🛏🛏

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

100% right there. It feels good to feel good, if you know what I mean.

Have a great weekend.

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Yes I know what you mean and it gets better and better 😊

[Alast]

Well done 'Migs' and thanks for the entertaining post. It looks like you're doing really well, and managing an extra 60 second run (even with an ulterior motive) is impressive. Looking at your progress I think you're going to fly through this, but do be careful, don't go and knock yourself back with an injury that needs recovery time. You said you cold still feel the aches from run one when you started today? Make sure to do some simple stretches when you get back from your runs, I do mine in the privacy of our kitchen where no-one can see me, I've found those to be a great help to me. The other thing I'm doing now is drinking more(but only water) all of the time and already my body is getting used to it and telling me I'm thirsty, (Another helpful side-effect is that I am also getting more exercise walking to & from 'the little room' to dispose of the drinking water once it's passed through me!).

Keep up the good work I look forward to reading your next instalment.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Alast]

I have a real fear of being knocked back by injury. Especially as it was an ankle injury that put me on the couch in first place (many years ago).

I'm doing the right things by stretching and drinking water. But I really do think I might need to slow down a little.

I'm going to get to the end of wk1, take my 2 day rest days and see how I feel then. I think wk2 might be more of a challenge than I realise.

[Wenderwoo Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Having just finished W2 with a hiccup after R2 I slowed right down for R3 and it helped massively. And I’m also very cautious about injury and do all the pre and post stretched linked to in the How To post. I also found the two day rest between weeks helped a lot.

I’ve now decided to keep at a slow comfortable pace for the whole plan, and once I can run continuously for 30 mins (if I ever get there) then work on distance and speed.

Enjoy your rest days!

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

I think I'm going to follow that same logic.

Just get to that 30 minute run and then worry about speed and distance.

Seems like the safest, most sensible approach

[PolkaDot88 in reply to RunningMigster]

Hi 👋🏽

I’m a W7R1 Runner! & I have hated & also loved this journey 😂it’s been hard & it gets harder but with each week it somehow just makes you want to push on through the harder runs!

Never in a million years did I think I’d be running 25 mins straight! No way! Not Me!! But I’m living proof that you can & will get there!

Your body will guide you through & honestly it’s not as bad as we make it seam... it’s a head V heart game don’t let the negative one win!!

I had a bad leg break before starting this programme, but I don’t let it get in my head, I’m a year healed & I can walk so that means I can run!! Don’t over think it!

As for speed it will come they tell me!! I’m still waiting for my speed... 😂😂 currently I’m a snail 🐌 but I’m moving faster than if I was sat on my sofa 🛋 so it’s 100% improvement for me.

Breathing was a huge thing for me but I got some great advice- which was to relax into your run & it will happen naturally & it has! My pace is slow & steady & I up my speed for the last minute of the run as Laura says! It kills me but I manage it.

This is such a doable program its actually turned me in to one of the runners I’ve always envied & admired over the years! I just hope that when people see me giving it my best shot that it just might inspire 1 person to give it a go.

Enjoy & don’t over think 😁

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to PolkaDot88]

Great advice. I think I'm good with breathing 😆.

I had the voice in my ear phones this morning asking me to start counting between so many steps. I think I'll start falling over if I have to run, breath and count all at the same time

Dont over think it. So simple, but really great advice.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Great stuff, well done 👍😁

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

Thank you

[Debston Graduate]

Well done for getting out of that cosy bed and getting that second run under your belt!

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Debston]

Thank you. It wasn't easy I must admit!

[LUHAN Graduate]

Brilliant. Well done for getting out on run 2. Week 1 is almost done already!

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to LUHAN]

Thank you. Looking forward to hitting that milestone. Harder than expected, which just brought home to me how unfit I am

[LUHAN Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

It really brought it home to me too. I thought I had an ok level of fitness but was really shocked. I also suffer with bad ankles and knees so found a two day break between runs helped as they got longer. (Only realised I should do this week 4) I am now able to run 5k and have ran up to 8.5 k . You are doing great.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to LUHAN]

Wow, well done. I feel like I'm in good company here.

[LUHAN Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Just take it steady and you will get there too.

[Hidden]

Well done getting out there is always the hardest part but once you do just keep going, trust the plan it's a great feeling that you do t get from anything else once you finish. Happy running

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Shar71. I'm looking forward to getting wk1 under my best and seeing how I manage wk2!

[Hidden in reply to RunningMigster]

You will smash it, good luck

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Well done RunningMigster ...not only for your run but for managing to get yourself out of that comfy bed, you’ve made me want my bed right now! Sometimes a run can feel like a real effort at the start but once those legs get warmed up it just shows that great things can happen!

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Getting me out running is a miracle.

Keeping going will be a truly great thing 😁

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Pace doesn’t matter, ooo it’s hard to get out of bed to run early, well done and the elation of finishing each run is great

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Pace is going to be one of my hardest lessons.

But it's one I need to learn quickly!

[PolkaDot88 in reply to RunningMigster]

Your pace will come naturally don’t rush it! It will just happen... 😁

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

There we are, now you are hooked! When I started W1r2 I really questioned myself and why I was doing it but by the end of it I was hooked and with the support here, I kept going. Make sure you stretch properly post run and keep enjoying! V impressed with your elary starts

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Absolutely. Looking forward to reaching that mini milestone tomorrow!

[AliHC Graduate]

😊 Will done RunningMigster

Enjoy completing Week 1 on your next run🏅

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to AliHC]

Thank you, I will. Wk2 r1 perhaps not so much 😆

[AliHC Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Oh you will 😊 That feeling gets better every time xx

[Smelliepoo Graduate]

Brilliant post! Nd loads of good advice. The best ones that worked for me were, stretch, slow down and drink lots of water. Really helped the pain in my legs from getting used to the exercise, especially the slowing down, and by week 4 it was all good.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Smelliepoo]

😥😥😥 by week4? You mean I've another 2 weeks of this?? 😆😆😆

Today is going to be a day of regular stretching I think

[Smelliepoo Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Don't worry, not a magical ceasing of pain suddenly on week 4! more a gradual lessening as I slowed down and got used to it.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Smelliepoo]

Slowing down is my hardest lesson!

[Smelliepoo Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

But a very important one! Watch the YouTube video on Japanese slow running (sorry, no link) that helped me. X

[PolkaDot88 in reply to Smelliepoo]

Ive done the Japanese slow jog! It really helps to slow you down & it also helps you find a steady pace if you tired & feel like stopping!! 😁

[Allymally1]

Congratulations on beating the pull to stay in bed! Well done onwards to w1r3 🏃‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏼‍♂️

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Allymally1]

I'm looking forward to the satisfaction of knowing I've got at least 1 week completed

[Ouchto5kmummy Graduate]

Ha ha - this brought a smile to my face!

[Bike_and_Run Graduate]

Hey, well done. You did what I think is definitely the hardest part of running - getting your shoes on and actually getting out the door. It made incredibly more difficult when the alternative is an extra 30-60mins in bed! So huge kudos to you for fighting through and getting started.

Also, I'm glad it eased up and by the end you felt good. Always remember that feeling whenever you're head starts questioning what you're doing and your body feels like it's fighting against you.

As for the app and missing the half way bell. I never really got on with the app. Personally I found it failed on me more often than not which resulted in running more than I should have. Not nescersarily a bad thing i guess, but it made those early runs harder than I'd have liked so I stuck with the podcasts. The music also helped with faster paced tracks for running and a more relaxed track for the recovery walks.

2 down, only 25 left to go. Keep it going. 👍

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Bike_and_Run]

Thank you. I did consider swapping to an evening run, but to be honest, I think I'd find that even harder after a day at work.

Struggling with music and voice over. Sometimes it's fine, sometimes not. So today, I missed the bell again, but only by a few seconds.

But, I'm still doing it!

[apatsyf Graduate]

How do you play the voice and music at the same time? Think it would help!

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to apatsyf]

So I set the Couch to 5k app going. At the beginning, it tells you to start your music.

So I then set my Amazon Music going and then continue with the C25k app.

Usually works. But sometimes, it gets a bit messed up and you miss the voiceover

[apatsyf Graduate]

Thanks. Will give it a try - am a proper technophobe!