Does it get easier?

[UnfitNoMore]

I’m currently using C25K for some of my running as my daughter is doing the plan again. This is W4R2. It was two years ago (give or take a month) since I last did this run. While on the plan then I wouldn’t describe any of the runs as “easy” I’d say they were all “challenging but doable”

I didn’t have a Garmin then, so I don’t have heartrate data for the first run through... I know from my current perceived efforts and data from other runs that I would have been in heartrate zone 4 a lot of the time... today, I didn’t even hit zone 3!

I’m posting this for anyone asking if it gets easier... it does... it takes time, but it gets so much easier! You’re all doing great things, your bodies are adapting to running, you’re ticking off challenging runs only to face another one, which can give the perception that it isn’t getting easier, but don’t forget that your running for longer each week... while it’s taken me time to make this run about as taxing as a walk, the process behind these results has started for you too... and continues with every run.

Keep on running everyone, you can do this, and then you can go on to make it easy!k

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

There were many people including myself who stareted C25K around two years ago, this coming Thursday in 2018 I graduated with run 3 of week 9, to celebrate that occasion I am going to run my 9th 10K.

I suppose it does get easier as you go through the C25K runs and weeks, after run 3 of week 5 most people know that they will complete the course, I have met a few people who have got to week 4 but just cannot go further and give up, they have congratulated me on completing C25K and running several 5K's.

I hope Junior Unfitnomore is enjoying doing the plan for a second time.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Yeah... she’s loving it... fell off the wagon about 6 months ago and wasn’t motivated to get back into it until I suggested redoing the plan.

[PeggySusi Graduate]

Hi UfNM, I’ve hit a wall of lack of confidence partly thanks to my new Garmin.. I’ve never run since becoming an amputee at just ten.. but managed to complete couch to5k a few weeks ago at 63.. running just under 3k in 30 minutes so very slow. I found every run difficult.. I then did 3 consolidation runs of 30 minutes, each one still a major effort but the third just over 3k so I felt I was improving without actually trying to go quicker. Then got the Garmin as a wedding anniversary present.. and a sore stump so had to have a week or so off.. back to walking after that and I tried a short run towards the end of a 10k walk (in case it caused stump problems so not far to the end) and found that my heart rate shot up from around 130 to 170 after only a couple of minutes.. I only ran for about 4 minutes .. I’ve never monitored heart rate before and had no idea what it should be but having looked it up now that seems too high..! Any comments? I don’t want to give up but equally I want to live a bit longer ..😊

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

Seems quite likely you did a bit of a 'sprint to the end'

I know you are not aiming for the paralympics (or are you?!) but I wonder if you'd get best information from that sphere, given the different impact running with a prosthesis might have.

[PeggySusi Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Haha no.. I think paralympians tend to be a little bit younger.. my aim is only to become a bit fitter, improve my lung capacity, improve my freestyle swimming if possible and be able to run after dog and grandchild if necessary.. I’d be a bit embarrassed to seek advice from proper sportspeople..😊 .. but you’re right, there’s lot of info via google.., thanks..👍

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

If you felt fine then the HR isn’t an issue. The garmins are a good guide, but can sometimes pick up on cadence, so they’re not 100% accurate.

The other thing to keep in mind is that by default, the watch is using some simple estimate for your max HR to give you a generic number and then basing the heartrate zones off that. They’re maybe correct for the average person. There are ways of finding out your real MaxHR, which you can then put into connect and it will readjust the zones for you.

Perceived effort and how you feel are a better guide than anything on the watch.,, the zones on there are really useful for some training runs where you may want to stay below zone 3, as it’s a measure of effort... pace isn’t as some days it’s more of an effort to run a pace than other days. This article on the power of slowing down covers training to heart rate if you’re interested mensrunninguk.co.uk/top-fea...

I have had my heart rate to 192 with no ill effects, on one session, which is above the theoretical maximum that the watches used... I’ve set the Garmin to 190 max, and that helps.

From what you’ve said here, I don’t see any cause for concern.

[PeggySusi Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you UfNM.. that makes me feel better about trying again.. I’ll have a look at the article too..😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

No worries... if you were in any danger you’d be feeling nausea, dizziness, feintness etc... I have to remind myself sometimes that athletes did really well for a long time without watches... GPS has only been usable for such thing for about 19 years. I heard the podcast “at home with” a few months back... Paula Radcliffe still runs every day, but never records them and doesn’t own a fitness watch.

[PeggySusi Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I do really love my new Garmin though! No need to carry my phone but can still use Strava and music.. I’ve not worn a watch in years, but now I’m a real convert..😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

Same here... I find my runs even more liberating when I don’t carry my phone. I do take it when I’m likely to be out of sight of people for more than a couple of minutes though... just in case. While I was impressed that Paula doesn’t use one, all that made me think was that the numbers don’t matter... I still like to see them though... and I’m trying to decide which version of the Fenix I need... I have issues separating that from the one I want 🤣🤣🤣

[PeggySusi Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I’ve always hated carrying stuff.. can never understand people who do the Norwegian walking because why would you carry sticks?.. luckily my oh carries water..😊

I did look at the Fenix but I decided that was definitely beyond my needs..! As admin though I’m sure you could justify it for research purposes to help others..😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to PeggySusi]

If only 🤣. I can probably get the regular one past senior management (the wife) but not so sure about the solar one 🤣

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to PeggySusi]

I've had runs where my heart rate was sky high especially after. If it is always so, then I'd say ask your dr, if it's a one off, and only during running and you feel fine after then keep at it and you can always ask your dr still...

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

That’s amazing UNM 🙌🏽🤩!! I agree it does get easier. The best part for me is just naturally considering myself a runner. I haven’t done any great distances or big races, but I’ve adopted running as one of the best tools to boost your mind, body and spirit!! Nothing like a bit of ME time!! And it genuinely doesn’t matter if it was a long run, short run or even a don’t want to run, run! If it’s completed, it’s a massive win!! 🏃🏽‍♀️✅ 😁❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

For me, running for the reasons you do is much more sustainable... your reason is still there every day... I do have nagging doubts that I’ll quit after a marathon. Obviously this now has me looking at those ultra things just in case 🤣

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Now....why am I not surprised? 😂 I do tend to tell you that...a lot!! 🤣🤣

I think your running journey is safe!! 🤗❤️

[IvyMB Graduate]

Thank you UnfitNoMore! I’m looking forward to the day when 30 mins might feel like a breeze. I’m now in second week of consolidation runs and I can’t feel it getting easier yet. Maybe that’s a good thing as I love feeling that sense of achievement after every run, challenging myself, and ultimately loving the running. Even after some terrible runs, I try to find something good in them - as I’ve learned to do through this community! As someone here said something to the effect of “A bed run is still better than sitting on a sofa”.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to IvyMB]

There’s always good in a run... I do like the tough ones as they make me mentally stronger. Not pushed over 5k for a while now... but starting to look forward to it.

The sofa is really bad for us... worse than the bed apparently! I’ll be a pain next time I’m in the cinema... not sat for an hour for a long time now 🤣

Keep on running... when it does become easier, there’s lots of plans that will make it more challenging again!!

[Dolphin-Girl]

This is really good to see. Thanks!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Dolphin-Girl]

No worries... one day our tough runs become our warmups!

[Dolphin-Girl in reply to UnfitNoMore]

This made me laugh...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

That’s really interesting... never considered that one! I used to run mainly in the evenings, but now I’m running daytime I should have a look at this. Do you monitor HR? In wondering if the difference is in how long you’re in recovery HR before it drops to resting.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Cool... thanks for this... food for thought there. I guess something new may be a one off that the body deals with, same thing again means it has to start preparing in case it becomes a regular thing 🤷‍♂️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Yeah... I do that when buying cider 🤣

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Absolutely

[WineVeevil Graduate]

Thanks for this. Very reassuring. I come back to this after a long period of idleness and it hasn’t been easy but, yes, do-able. The thought of enjoying a run rather than enduring it is something to look forward to 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to WineVeevil]

It’ll all come to you... all we need is to let it happen.