I JUST RAN 7.3KM!!!

[whxnnxhw]

So I completed C25K two weeks ago (roughly) and I felt so lost I didn’t know what to do and I felt like giving up to be honest! But then I thought I would do the stepping stone run to check it out. I got to half an hour and hadn’t even done 5k! I really wanted to do 5K so I kept running. 40 minutes came along and 5k under my belt, then I was like...may as well do 6k right? Then it was 50 mins so I just had to run an hour! 7k under my belt!! If anyone is feeling down KEEP GOING!!!!!! Trust the system, I would never have been able to do this without C25K! Also, rest days are ESSENTIAL! Take your breaks and enjoy them! Good luck everyone you’re all doing fantastic!!!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Very well done, but please take care.

You are still a very new runner and you will be susceptible to injury if you overdo it.

You exceeded the 10% rule used by most experienced runners to extend their weekly training load, as mentioned in the guide to post C25k running.

We are all capable of doing way more than our bodies are conditioned to do, but not without increasing our injury risk. Sticking to gently progressive training plans is the safest way to push our limits, whilst gently increasing our resistance to injury.

Please take care and plan your runs.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Impressive stuff... but I’m with IannodaTruffe on the risks taken to achieve all this.

Today is my rest day... I’m using it to become a better runner, currently I’m on here, reading articles elsewhere and sipping my water. Some reading around “too much/far/fast too soon” may be useful for you right now. I’d suggest following an existing plan or writing your own bearing in mind the 10% rule and others. Back in the day when I had a coach, I got many a shouting at for going too far or running too fast... it took me a long time to learn why this was, sadly. My knee injuries didn’t come from running, but looking back I can clearly see how my comebacks and the way I actually ran them stopped me running for decades.

Your progress is amazing... you’re great... become awesome now and rein in the urges to keep running on... start each run with the goal for that day, stop when you’ve achieved it.

[whxnnxhw Graduate]

Thank you for the concern guys. I’m only 17 and I only ran in my comfort zone, I wasn’t fast or anything and kept it steady. I also did the appropriate stretches before and after. I felt proud and I want to continue feeling that way. I do havé a fitness plan and I follow it daily. I’m happy with my progress and knew myself that I could do it. My dad has had intense training over the years and was proud of me, he was happy with what I did, he’d never let me go too far. So while 10% may be important, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and simply wanted to inspire others with this post. Thanks!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to whxnnxhw]

That is great, but just because you are young does not mean that you are immune to injury.

Training plans are gently progressive for good reasons to try to minimise the injury risks.

I have a folder of posts from runners, mostly young and fit who thought the training plans were too tame, who went on to regret that they did too much too soon, simply by going their own route.

Injury comes out of the blue often with no warning.

It would be a great shame to have all your enthusiasm curbed by an injury that could stop you in your tracks for days, weeks, or even months, so please take care.

Have you read the guide to post C25k running? healthunlocked.com/couchto5... it is full of tips.

[Newbie59 Graduate]

Aah, those heady days of being 17

[whxnnxhw Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

hehe yeah, they’re fun!