My second run and some honest doubts...

[Lesaspie]

Two days later - it was January 9th just gone, so my little Epiphany was slightly mis-timed - I ran again. My thighs especially were aching still even when I walked around, but it was made easier because I was just visiting Kent for a while and needed something to fill my time, and even more so, my over active mind. Laura was as good as gold, and the precision of her instructions is actually very valuable. I genuinely felt that she was really with me, so much so that other people would have heard me swearing at her! But the structure and routine of this Couch to 5K programme is very well done, I think. Now that I knew what to expect, it was harder than before, and, really fighting for breath, I counted off the repetitions. I was amazed to find I was at five....six.... omg. I. Am. Actually. Doing. This.

There are many ways to experience a town. We become familiar with driving around it and we know which turns and corners to take. We walk to our favourite places (maybe we walk ) and see things slightly differently from when we drive, but we are not focused on performance when we do this. When I ran, in Canterbury, the first time, it was dark and the streets were empty. I found a school with an open gate and went round the silent sports field. The second time, it was daytime and I found I had not thought about where I was actually going.... gosh there are controlled crossings! There are clumps of pedestrians! There is traffic, too much of it, and now I am in a bloody industrial estate.... Morrison's Car Park..... aaaaa and I am trying to keep this going, keep a rhythm of sorts, but not stop. Laura says "try not to stop this brisk walk"... "just two more runs to go, you are doing really well".... that's when I swore at her. I can smell the car fumes but before I know it I am back at my friend's flat with one more to go, so it's up the street once more and then turning back while trying not to break the .... I can hardly call it a rhythm.

I have a stitch on both sides. My lungs are hurting. I am tense. I want to cry. You stupid old man, I think. Who do you really think you are? You are finished. You have had your life. You are in decline. I feel very alone and foolish. I have to fight this feeling. It reminds me of school back in the early 1970s and I don't want to think about that.

And then I am done! I fall against a wall as Laura chirpily says "well done, that wasnt easy, now a five minute walk to warm down, and have a banana". I'm thinking yeah, ok, you are probably young, perfect and beautiful, don't be so bloody patronising, until I realise I have said this out loud and she isn't even there and actually she might not be so young after all. And I am laughing out loud and saying "I bloody did it again and I am ok!"

My breathing is easing already. I remember to stretch. That is sheer heaven on my legs, the beautiful pulling on my thighs and whatever they are called at the back of the calves. A frog hops by, improbably on this concrete estate and I wonder if animals are ever unfit and out of breath. But he knows exactly what he is doing.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Well done and please slow down, you might feel a bit silly running slower to start with but believe me it’s much more enjoyable when you can breathe while you run and do t get stitch, we had Michael and i regularly swore at him

Trust the plan it’s amazing and have fun

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Bless you for your encouragement! Truly. There is more to tell, but so far its going well

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Lesaspie]

Glad to hear it

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Loved your post 🤣🤣 please not so much of the old, there is a year between us 😉 sounds to me like you may be going a little too fast, we are aiming to have fun at this stage in our lives and lots of success. Slow down a bit and give those lungs a chance, from your profile, they've a lot to deal with. This plan is fantastic, hold onto all those positive thoughts and you'll find as you progress through the plan it's not just your ability to run that improves. Happy running young man 🏃‍♂️🙆‍♀️😀

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you and congratulations on your impending Grannyhood! I am still learning and adjusting and realising that a lot of things will change. I am just finishing week 3, but only just discovered this forum, so I am trying to write a little retrospectively, as it were, so to speak. I believe that how we feel mentally is almost as important as how we feel physically too so I will try to be honest and open about that. Young man.... well maybe in some ways.... thanks again, young lady!

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to Lesaspie]

😁 keep talking, keep posting, keep happy

[Buddy34 Graduate]

🤣🤣🤣 love the talking to yourself out loud bit. Now if you're fighting for breath you are going too fast just slow down it will help.

You could have done some shopping while you were at morrisons 🤣

Don't doubt yourself you're doing great

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Yes I have found a more consistent pace, and have to remember to bring my inhaler with me. I will always fight a bit for breath, especially when it is cold, but I am seeing/feeling improvements slowly which is amazing actually.

I wonder how people would react if I ran around the aisles!

[Buddy34 Graduate in reply to Lesaspie]

🤣🤣 maybe they would join you

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

[Roxdog Graduate]

Well done. You are describing the experience of running so well. It isn't easy but don't be hard on yourself. Please slow down if your breathing is a problem.

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Great post! I think many of us will relate with the feelings you describe, I know I do! I was at school in the early 1970’s so we must be of a similar age - let’s sock it to ‘em, and get this thing done 👍😁

[Alast]

A great post and really descriptive, I felt like I was there with you. I think there are quite a few of us on here & doing this who are of a similar age (I'm a few years older than you) and It's great that we can, and will try this type of thing. (I've just realised that I would have never expected my Dad, or any of his peers to have started running at our age!). Well done for what you're doing, but as you've already been advised, if you're struggling for breath you're maybe doing it too quickly. Keep up the good work, and keep on with the entertaining posts, you will get lots of sound advice on here and be able to feel safe in the knowledge that everyone is behind you, cheering you on through the adventure.

[Tigertailor Graduate]

Hey you know what? You Can Actually do This!!😁🙌

Really well done for fighting through your urban jungle to get to the end!!!😅

You made it!! And yes, you're still alive!! Keep positive! Everyone here is rooting you on!!🙌

[Redvic97 Graduate]

Well done. You’re doing great. It’s lovely to read your posts -what a vivid picture you create. Keep posting so that we can cheer you on 😊

[Moonglow42]

That made me chuckle. I am three years older than you and the last time I did any serious running was when I was in my school athletic team (1975!!) but the programme seems to work (unless, of course, you follow my example and fall over and do damage to yourself :-)). I was surprised when I started that I could actually manage to run for 60secs. I am sure as the weeks go by you will find it easier - you can do it!!

[Lesaspie Graduate in reply to Moonglow42]

These little victories - finding that even 60 seconds is possible - are to be cherished. I am in no hurry as I don't want to overdo it, which is a tendency I have anyway. Please don't fall over . that must have been awful. I hope I don't do it. Thank you for responding!