Week 8 Questions

[Swanseajen]

So glad it’s not boiling hot now and I’m still not sure about morning runs. Are some people just morning runners and some not? Also, does anyone else feel like a lolloping, flailing walrus for the first few minutes? I’ve no idea what to do with my arms and legs. Every cell of my being is screaming at me, “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?! YOU’RE HURTING US PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD - STOP!” Then it gets easier for a bit until it’s nearly time to stop and I really hate it again. I’ve heard about the toxic ten but this is more the uncoordinated five. Is this a thing?

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Yes, some people prefer morning, others evening

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate]

You are so describing me! I am all over the place for the first bit. I am constantly trying to channel my inner Tom Cruise instead 🤣. In fact, my partner came out with me yesterday and he actually asked me what the heck I was doing at one point 🤪! Anyway, I think its probably pretty natural and just us getting in to our stride. I really suffer from the Toxic Ten, but now, knowing it will pass, does help. As for morning running, I wouldn't say I go crack of dawn, more some time between 8-11, or even before noon, but for me, I find it works better twofold. A) I have bad asthma and hayfever/sinuses. All of that seems to be better in the morning, as it is inevitably cooler. B) I try to go before I can talk myself out of it, get distracted, eat too much 😳 etc...But you just have to do what suits you best.

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Bloomsbury22]

Makes sense to go out before the pollen onslaught! No way I’d run with anyone else so I salute you! Realised yesterday that my run pace is my partner’s fast walking pace 🤦‍♀️

[Delgirl82 in reply to Swanseajen]

That’s me !! My husband walks do fast !! My 🐌jog would make him laugh I def go alone

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Delgirl82]

Ha! It would be seriously demotivating to have someone strolling along beside me, whistling a merry tune, whilst I pant and sweat along.

[Delgirl82 in reply to Swanseajen]

🤣🤣🤣

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate in reply to Swanseajen]

Ha! I felt that way in the beginning, especially as my partner used to run a lot (as he often reminds me), albeit many years ago. And he walks very, very fast most of the time. He came once with me at the very beginning of me joining C25K, declared it an utter bore, and never came again until yesterday. I had warned him it was a 28 minute run (in to wind too for the first third). He shrugged it off and off we went. I stuck on my headphones and decided to run my own run, whatever he was doing. I think he lasted three minutes before I noticed he was lagging behind and walking, breathing heavily. He spotted me looking and spurted ahead of me...then disappeared behind me again, and repeated this over and over each time I happened to look behind me. When I yelled out that we were half-way through at 14 minutes, he looked like his head would explode there was so much colourful language 🤯! By now considering him really bad juju indeed, I stuck back on my headphones and carried on, turning my music up even louder. When I finally hit 28 minutes I whooped, punched the air and turned around and he wasn't there! Spent my five minutes of cool-down re-tracing my steps to find him at which point he re-emerged from our house where he had returned to at some point 🤣! Needless to say he has made no mention of "the run" every since...

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Bloomsbury22]

I like this VERY much! 😁😁

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate in reply to Swanseajen]

😹😹😹

[CaptFrey Graduate]

The earliest I have been out is 5.15 as i sleep badly but mostly I started to go early as i feared being mocked. It takes my a good few minutes for my hip and knees to decide what to do then my run kicks in. What is the toxic ten 😬???

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to CaptFrey]

I just can’t do that early. Although rationally I know it would be better. You are my hero for even walking at that hour. The toxic ten people talk about a lot on here. It’s the bit at the start where it’s horrible before you get into it I think. Although I doubt they’re as all over the shop as I am!

[Bloomsbury22 Graduate in reply to CaptFrey]

There's some good science-y info on this forum if you type Toxic Ten in to the search bar. What it basically is, is the body goes in to a bit of shock, sort of, when we set off running, as everything was quite happy as it was, thank you! So it takes a while for the body to re-regulate, and send the right amount of blood and oxygen swirling around and get us properly acclimatised for a run. More or less. In theory, if we have done the training, and have no injuries, then if we continue running through this it starts to ease off. But like I said, there is some proper science explanation on here if you search on the forum.

[Hidden]

I just graduated today and I agree the first 5 mins are grim, settling into a good rhythm etc. I prefer to run first thing (between 4.30 and 5 30 a m.) as that's when I wake up and prefer to just get it done while it's quiet. I've also enjoying running at sunset (also a quiet time! 😀)

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Hidden]

*Shudders* 4:30. You are incredible. I prefer evening but they’re so late this time of year! Congratulations on graduating!!! 🎉🎊🎉

[SweatyHettie Graduate]

I tried an evening run in week 6 I think and I hated it! My body clock is definitely more awake in the mornings. I think it does take a few minutes to get into your stride, aside from the toxic 10 which doesn’t help.

I love the light mornings of summer, I’m dreading the dark mornings of winter but let’s not worry about that yet!

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to SweatyHettie]

Thank you! I definitely think it’s an inbuilt body clock thing. Happy running!

[Hidden]

Just to throw a spanner in the works I cant run in the morning or the evening due to kids so from day 1 I've run around 3 or 4pm depending on when I get home from work ( keyworker).

Ive just got used to this time also it's way after lunch and before dinner so that also helps

[Swanseajen Graduate in reply to Hidden]

When the lockdown ends and the kids go back to school I think it’ll be difficult to find time. Been easier during all this, being a non-key worker - in so many ways. Whatever you do, thank you!