Gremlin Slayer Sabotaged

[Razouski]

Having assumed I am now beyond the reaches of the gremlins my pledge to vanquish my daughter's gremlins as she works through Couch to 5K was put to the test this morning.

I got up early to complete Thursday's PE with Joe as a warm up, and (as my daughter puts it) to make sure I'm already knackered before she begins her scheduled run. By the end of my work out she was champing at the bit, wanting to get out before the sun got to hot. As she hasn't yet been inducted into the noble art of faffing, I was out the door with her before I'd given it much more thought.

The 5 minute walk at the start of week 4 run 3 lulled me into a false sense of security. Of course you're thinking why would that create any problem anyway. It didn't but then as we got started on the first 3 minute run I realised how wiley the gremlins had been. Seeing me in my gym kit had given them the opening they needed. With each footstep I became aware of a feeling not unlike being hit with a mallet on the sole. And then I looked down and discovered why... I was still in my gym trainers! A much thinner sole and at least half a size smaller than either pair of my runners. No gel insoles, and much less support.

Should I turn back and change into my shoes? But that way Miss Razouski would be completely vulnerable to her own gremlins. She found the previous run hard going so I didn't want to abandon her. And anyway, surely my feet would acclimatise after a few more minutes.

Wrong.

I decided to stick with her, but then during the first 5 minutes I now had her gremlins hanging on to the sides of my calves and poking my knees with blunt sticks; and then they started on my ankles; and finally grabbing my shins and squeezing as hard as possible. Meanwhile my big toes were shouting out that there wasn't enough room for them - as they squashed up tight against the end of my trainer. I wasn't even running that fast, but it was certainly uncomfortable. My one hour 10K yesterday felt like a walk in the park by comparison, but I hung in there to keep going. Miss K. was too lost in her running playlist and her own personal challenges to have any awareness of mine. And at the end of the run as she wheezed and panted at how tough it had been I bit my lip and hobbled homeward.

The Gremlins didn't beat us, but it was a close call.

So if anyone is wondering about the difference a decent pair of runners can make to you, look no further for proof.

[David_G]

Oh dear, yes having the proper shoes makes such a difference Razouski!🙂 I’ve got some barefoot shoes which have nothing whatever by way of cushioning😳 I wouldn’t think of running in them but they’re fine for walking around, particularly in the heat we’ve got at the moment🥵

I guess you’ve learnt a tough lesson with that run!😊 Well done to Miss R for keeping going too👏👏

[Razouski in reply to David_G]

I knew not to run in my gym trainers and in nearly 4 years since graduating C25K I have always run in my running shoes as I knew they weren't suitable. But it was interesting to see, that even when only running for 16 minutes" the difference was so noticeable. Today back to 10k in my New Balance shoes. Happy feet, ankles, shins and knees.

[SandraY1 Graduate]

Well done 👍 for Miss R

I hope that you have done to much damage. Hope you have a good run on your our day.

[Razouski in reply to SandraY1]

No lasting damage, although my achilles tendons are very tight this morning, so I think an extra rest day today and will put off my wn 10k run until tomorrow. Fortunately Miss R is having 2 rest days so I won't have to run my run and her first Week 5 run back to back.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Wow. I started C25K in my walking boots. I didn't own trainers and hadn't for years, and wasn't going to spend the money coz I basically knew I wouldn't see the program through. 1 knee injury later I bought expensive trainers from a proper running shop, then HAD to finish C25K to get my money's worth. I agree, running shoes are important.

[Razouski in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Walking boots... can you imagine running in them now?

I have a rule that however much I spend on running kit I have to run at least 1km per £1 to make sure I get my money's worth.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to Razouski]

I love that rule. I've definitely run my dues.

[Hidden]

Ooh you poor thing, it just shows that proper shoes are a must. My running friend in Holland who does marathons (more or less for fun) says your feet are the foundations to your body, and if your foundations aren’t right then your body won’t be either. But you’re a gremlin beater and so you’re back to sorted and well done Miss R too. How nice to share the running bug especially in these times.

Take care JCR XXX

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

I knew I didn’t want to run in my trainers but didn’t want to let Miss R down. X

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

That was such a lovely thing to do for miss r, so glad you got away without any lasting effects. Faffage is an important part of getting ready, skip it at your peril!

[Razouski]

I really need to teach the full art of faffage before she completes the programme.