The Running Recap- Week Two

Hello!

Thank you all for the lovely responses last week on my small introduction of my Week One of Couch to 5K. It was heart-warming and I now understand why the group is titled a community.

I started out this week a little apprehensive. The duration of runs had been upped to 90 seconds, and something about those extra thirty seconds was enough to pull my guard up. A shrill voice, resembling that of Ronald Grump off Sesame Street, urged me to repeat one last run from Week One, just to make sure I was ready to move on.

It pestered me enough, that I was locking my front door in preparation for my session, I compromised with an attempt at Week Two: Run One. If I collapsed in exhaustion, I would either switch to a session from the week before, or crawl in a hedge and never leave.

This last minute compromise with my anxiety silenced Grump, and I tapped 'Go'.

In the first run, I made sure my running pace was a little slower than the 'sprints'- an ambitious term for my sped up hobbling- I was used to in Week One.

Laura in my ear was the positive answer to Ronald Grump, expertly suggesting advice to control my breathing in time with steps of four. I struggled with this throughout the week, and unfortunately still not have got used to it. It seems my lungs, during running, fill with air within two steps; a similar case to exhalation. I'm unsure as to whether my understanding is flawed, or my lungs just haven't built the stamina yet. Regardless, despite my avid following of Casualty, forging lumbar puncture equipment out of a biro and scissors in the park is not something I look forward to doing in the coming weeks.

The duration of the session was peppered with the runs, that each ended with alternate gasps of, 'Bloody hell' and 'Oh God'; however, they were each marked a smile similar to someone who has completed a bungee jump. It was borderline exhilarating.

As I walked up the steps to my home and fumbled with the keys, red-faced with my hair sticking to my nape, I checked in with Mr Grump who remained suspiciously silent. I firmly shut the door that day, leaving him outside.

Run Two

A couple of days later, I pulled my running shoes and tied a ponytail with a defiant look in my eye, that strangely rivalled Elle Wood's determination.

Not much of note occurred in this run, except a small annoyance that occurred with my socks in their latest attempt to sabotage my progress. Seemingly, there is more to the world of running socks than what I first expected. The typical ones from Asda tend to melt down the foot, morphing into a sad shadow of its former self. i'm unsure if ankle socks will be any better. Any ideas welcome on this crucial issue...

Run Three

Before this run, I took a sneak look at Week Three. A silly move, but it was enough to get me thinking throughout my run as to how on earth I'll be able to run for three minutes straight. Unfortunately, this marked my last run with thoughts that, within my ninety seconds, came with increasing force. Soft whispers stated, "You're breathing so heavily already, and there is forty seconds left!". Stronger statements pushed, "You might need to increase your speed, this isn't a run!". It all ended in a culmination of, "You find this hard, wait until Week Three".

I didn't enjoy this run, and as I unlocked my front door, I caught a glimpse of Mr Grump, rocking on an armchair in the front room.

I go on my first run of Week Three tomorrow, and whilst I can't deny the nerves, I will give it a shot. I will smile throughout it all, and support myself with a confidence that maybe false but will get me through it. Running is a little intimidating at times, and can feel embarrassing, even when no one can see you, but it is temporary. You can either live through it, or be imprisoned by it.

That is this week's recap! I enjoy this process of writing following my runs, as it boosts the mental stimulation running gives me. The story-telling format is a nostalgic instrument, as when I graduate, I hope to fondly look back on my experience.

Quick note regarding my weight. I started the week at 165lbs, and today I weigh 164. Whilst not incredible, I have noticed my legs seem slimmer, and more toned progress that I'm happy with.

Many thanks for reading this post. Feel free to comment with any advice and general musings.

Until next week!

-clocknumbers

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Wow what a great write up, thank you i really enjoyed that

Advice, slow down then slow even more, breathe however is most comfortable some never get the count to four, i can do it but not for long. Drink extra water on non run days as well as run days a hydrated body runs faster. Have fun and trust the plan, the first few runs nearly killed us, i can still see Willow bent double gasping for breath while I couldn’t hear anything above my rattling lungs

We learned to slow down and i’m now quite comfortable running a slow 5k

There is a great video on youtube called slow japanese running it’s a must to watch as explains it well

Keep posting I’m looking forward to your next weeks

And mostly well done for getting out there

Weight is mostly diet but i’ve got more toned and lost three and a half inches off my waist which is a fabulous surprise

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great post clocknumbers. You're right this is a great community.

Just keep going as you are and keep it slow and slower again if needed. Your breathing will eventually sort itself with slow running , sometimes if you concentrate too much on it with a breathing technique is makes it harder.

Keep posting and well done 😊😊

[linda9389 Graduate]

Excellent work, lovely write up. You made the right call at the beginning of this week and for the right reason - each step up is an opportunity to see if you can run further (not faster, slow it down to give yourself the best chance); it's not a pass or fail test but an opportunity to amaze yourself. Trust the program. It really does work. You too can do this 🙂

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Love it! Good luck tomorrow - remember to go slow, slow, slow, and Mr Grump will not be waiting for you 😁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Nice week... conquering some demons, getting used to controlling that pace, and getting the job done! Never fear the next week, just keep coaching yourself into each run interval. The intervals get longer 😱 but there’s less of them 😎. You’re doing great.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

Great post! 👍 you are going too fast!! You gain fitness & stamina by running slowly!!!! 🐌🐌🐌🐌 Don’t worry too much about breathing at this stage... if you slow down your breathing will feel normal. Rather enjoy your surroundings & your music & the feel of your body moving slowly towards the goal. The love will happen & then comes the addiction 🤣

[shrinkingjaz Graduate]

Very much enjoyed reading this!

I will echo what has already been said: slow right down! Who says that you have to run as fast as you can? I'm on week 7 and I'm still jogging very slowly. The program is designed to get you to build up endurance. You want to be able to run 30 minutes without stopping. It's not a race, it's not a sprint.

Slowing down will help with breathing and exhaustion. Let your body get used to the motion and rhythm of running. Speed will come later.

[Sparkey5000 Graduate]

Slow and steady beats this race...and mr grump! Loved your post, lovely to start my day off smiling. Keep going....already looking forward to your next instalment 😊😊

[Portlandprincess Graduate]

Fab running diary. It's amazing how quickly our bodies start to recover.

[Sybilw Graduate]

What a lovely résumé of the highs and lows of running! You’ll find that to continue you need to leave the house with your ‘can do’ hat on as otherwise you’ll struggle. I know I did when I went out convinced I’d find it difficult. Also I was surprised at other people’s reactions so don’t worry about that. I always ran alone and off the beaten track so saw a few dogs walkers but not many people and no one I knew - or so I though!! Turns out I’d been spotted by an acquaintance who (when I next saw her) said I whizzed past her looking the part. Who knew?! I thought I just shuffled by people who sniggered at the old lady running. Also I met a neighbour out walking her dog at the end of an outing where I’d resorted to walking several times (post graduation). I apologised as I said I wasn’t having a good run. She said - well it looks good to me!! So always remember you’re out there doing your best each day and that’s a lot more than others are. Sorry to ramble on but I think you’re doing a great job.