Advice Nobody Needs

[Swanseajen]

I'm now on week 7 don't you know. I am absolutely dreadful at running but I have some incredible running insights that I have to share. Things I wish I had known at the start.

1. Never wear an overcoat to go running. It was cold when I stared C25K but believe me - you don't need your big coat on.

2. Don't ever try to run after eating a KFC.

3. When your trainer says, "now have a glass of water and maybe a banana" it's not a good idea to have a glass of wine and some crisps.

4. It's hard and you'll hate it then love it a bit straight after. Then hate it mostly and secretly quite like it.

5. It doesn't matter how red your face or how wobbly your bum is when you run, no one out there cares. Getting out and starting is the hardest bit and I don't care if I haven't finished it yet, nothing could be harder. Especially for anyone large like me. I honestly thought there might be pointing and laughing, but there's been nothing like it so far. Just complete indifference or sometimes someone smiles which is nice.

There we are. Solved all of your problems. Go forth and run.

[Hellsteeth Graduate]

6. ... and smile. That is what I wished I had learned at the start. Relax your face and look like you are enjoying it. When you smile you will feel better.

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Hellsteeth]

Have to admit there’s still a bit of a grimace on me chops at the end of 25 minutes. But I hope it will get less painful eventually...

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good post from you Swanseajen, I remember before I started C25K doing a few "test runs" wearing anything but proper running gear, well anything, it was during the winter of 2017/18, I used to do short 1 or 2 minute runs, wearing a thick jerkin, walking boots, although I didn't eat the liking of a big burger from KFC before I ran those very short runs, once I began C25K in April 2018 I ran on lighter clothes and trainers, I only bought proper running shoes a year after I graduated in time for my first parkrun,

I must have ran about five 5Ks and a "unofficial 10K" in my old trainers before I got a gait analysis and proper running shoes , the unofficial 10K was actually a extension of the runs of week 1 of C25K using my new Smartphone until I got to 10K, it was ran in 1 hour 28 minutes but I don't count that as one of my 6/10Ks that I have ran in my proper running shoes non stop with no walking at all.

I agree with your last sentence, 'go forth and 🏃🏾 run '

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

And a jumper! I wore a jumper too what madness. Now I’m so hot I wish I could run naked but that would be so awful for so many reasons. Always so encouraging to hear other people have graduated and gone on to such awesome distances.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Swanseajen]

👍 🏃🏾

[Orl365 Graduate]

Made me laugh out loud 😂 best advice is not to worry about what people think. I am sure if they think anything it will be admiration for having a go and a little bit of envy that they don’t have the guts to try! Good on you and keep going...hardest is week 1 run 1 I think...once you get on your head that you will do it you will! Good luck! 😃

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Orl365]

Totally! Week 1 run 1 biggest challenge ever. Thanks for your good wishes!

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate]

That is brilliant! Exactly how I feel!

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Really points 1 to 4 😮. But if everyone know about point number 5. You must love it. Look where you came from since W1 R1. You have got this. You rock.

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to SandraY1]

Thanks (sobs) you too!

[SandraY1 Graduate in reply to Swanseajen]

😂 you really have got this.

[Jak66 Graduate]

This made me chuckle - having just graduated last week I can completely agree with point 4 😂

And also you are so right - nobody is taking any notice except sometimes to offer support - we are running laps of the park and we sometimes have people clapping as they are sitting on a bench and we come rolling past every 5 or 6 minutes!

Not long for you to go to graduation - keep up the great work 🏃‍♀️👍

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Jak66]

Thanks!

[CaptFrey Graduate]

Great advice 😁

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to CaptFrey]

Thanks!

[Irish-John Graduate]

#3 - I m damn glad I paused my coffee drinking on reading #1 and thinking it would be one heck of a Post. And it is and I'm glad I wasn't expelling coffee through my nose as I would have reading on 😂😂😂

Love your attitude - I have often over the last thirty years changed trains in Swansea and thought to myself it would be an interesting place to spend a few hours but never have. If the rest of the populace has your sense of humour and wisdom, I'm moving there!

Seriously - wonderful post on far more than "just" the humourous level

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

Thank you! That has made my day!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Swanseajen]

👍🏻