Hey everyone....
Little update about us. I posted for the first time about 9 weeks ago (beginning of lockdown). I wanted to start running with my 7 year old (then 6.... he’s had a birthday!) I was keen to keep his fitness up as he swims for a club and wanted to limit impact of lockdown on his stamina. We are still here and entering week 8 (see later for why)🙄
I just thought I would say a few things about our experience that may help other people (or maybe not - feel free to scroll past) ❤️
1) I think running for his benefit has really spurred me on when I’ve wanted to give up.... it’s like I don’t want to let him down although it’s really hard when your out of breath yourself and your trying to spur on a pair of flagging little legs too!
2) I’m still finding it very strange that when I near the end of a (for example) 25min run I feel better than at the beginning! I think it may be related to adrenaline when you know you’ve almost done and can stop at any time afterwards - then you’re running because you want to rather than have to!
3) due to lockdown I hadn’t managed to get any running shoes fitted for myself and the gait analysis done as I would have done ordinarily.... thank you to everyone on here that helped me with that - I did the gait analysis myself at home with a brown paper envelope and water (as per someone’s suggestion), looked at the image and then used this to purchase a pair of ‘support’ trainers from Nike (zoom structure 22). These are great (what a difference)- see below. I also bought the boy matching ones 😍
4) prior to ordering my shoes.... in week 5- I injured my left foot..... I kept going all the way through week 6 and 7 because I didn’t want to let the boy down 🙄 and the pain was not too bad.... until the after the last run in week 7..... I then kept getting shooting pains and pins and needle all up my foot and calf (scary!!) so we had a full week off.
5) let me tell you... that first run back after a full week off was a killer for both of us - even when we had dropped back to week 6 to compensate! This could have really stopped us to be honest - and was the main purpose of this ridiculously long post. If anyone has to stop due to injury - don’t be surprised when you lose fitness even in a week !! Keep going... you got this !! 💪🏻
6) we are managing about 3.5km in the 25 mins - think we will probably manage about 4.25 in the 30 mins which I don’t think is too bad. Next goal will be the 5km. We joined parkrun last week (even though we can’t go yet!)
7) I’ve promised ‘little legs’ a medal when we graduate and he’s also asked for matching t shirts for us both 😂
8) BRING ON WEEK 8!!!
Good luck everyone 💪🏻