W6R3 - OFFICIALLY A RUNNER!

[packersruns]

I can't believe it!!

I was nervous about this run as being back at work has really affected my poor little legs (even though I became active in lockdown, my body isn't used to standing up all day) so I was worried I wasn't going to be able to do it, especially as week 6 had thrown some rough runs in, but I almost found this run slightly easier than the others as I think the interval walking was throwing me off!

I tracked my run separate from my walking and my distance with running is 2.84km with an average pace of 8'56" so don't think I'll be getting that 5k in 30 minutes, but that honestly doesn't matter because I'll be running for 30 minutes which is a lot more than I could do before in the last few weeks - and I can improve on it after consolidating once I finished the programme

The run overall was a struggle in the first few minutes but once I found my rhythm it was fine, I did notice I struggled with my breathing quite a bit in the last 5 minutes and my heart rate was pretty high (176BPM average - my maximum heart rate is 200 based on calculations but it never gets that high) but thinking as I'll be 2 months off smoking on Wednesday, it could just be my smokers lungs struggling as I wasn't struggling a lot throughout the rest of the run.

Excited to see where the weeks take me now, I'm so happy!! Onwards and upwards

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Huge well done, runner!

You did really well and good on you for not worrying abut distance or time... the idea of the programme is to get us to those 30 minute runs safely, injury free and having had fun

Many, many folk never reach 5K in 30 minutes and never have... they run marathons and half marathons though

You are enjoying yourself and that is what all this is about.

Relax now into the lovely longer runs which are following...they are perfect for slow and steady

Well done too, on ditching the evil weed x

[packersruns Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I was focused on that at first but realised that I may end up close to 30 but it's not going to happen anytime soon whilst I'm trying to build up the skill! Just got to remember to take it slow and steady and not to get too cocky now 😂 I don't think I'd be as far into the programme as I am if I didn't give up the evil weed! x

[Iamaki74 Graduate]

Just completed this run too! Felt so much better than run 1 and 2! Ready for wk 7 now! Good luck!

[Busylady1 Graduate]

Well done! Keep it up! 💪🏼

[Gordygirl Graduate]

Well done. I too struggle with the first few minutes, I feel all gangly and out of sync and then something seems to click and I settle into a rhythm. Good luck with week 7 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 6, you are correct, you are now OFFICIALLY a RUNNER, well done, I am so glad that you enjoyed your run today and have stopped smoking, look how much money you will save to buy running clothes, caps, shoes.

Onwards and upwards to week 7.

[packersruns Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you! Definitely have saved a lot of money since haha! Hopefully can buy myself some new caps and looking at some Aftershoks headphones 🤔😂

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Well done you! fab post... you are attempting couch to 5k as well as recently coming off smoking!.. that is brilliant!..... 2 difficult things at the same time!.... I bow to your awesomeness..... and look at you - completed week 6 run 3!

Week 6 has been a bit mean hasnt it!... I did run 1 yesterday and I was so puzzled.... i handled the 20 min of week 5 so well.. was so comfortable... week 6 r1 comes and its like i'm back at week 1 ..struggling haha!....

I think i prefer the runs without the intervals of walking too but i was told its preparing our muscles ... these guys know their stuff so will stick with it

You most certainly are a runner!.. enjoy!

[packersruns Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Yeah week 6 is definitely my least favourite because it completely caught me off guard, I thought I was prepared but I definitely wasn't haha! Thank you

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

👍

[SMD13 Graduate]

Very well done to you!👍👏🏃‍♀️💪

[packersruns Graduate]

Yeah I definitely took it slightly slower to get it in the bag (apart from the last 20 seconds) but hopefully now I know I can do it, I can push myself that little bit further every time if I have the energy for it. That's a good idea about reducing it for 15sec per km, so might look into doing that if my breathing feels out of whack. I probably sound to other people that I'm struggling though 😂😂

[Hidden]

You are officially a runner from the first run you do on the first day.

Congratulations!

Keep going.

[packersruns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That is very true! Thank you

[Hidden in reply to packersruns]

What`s next for you then, running faster, further or just keeping it what it is now?

[packersruns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

hmmm, I think throughout the programme keeping it what it is now - I try and push myself at the end of my runs pace wise so that might come in time but I would like to focus on distance after I’ve graduated

[Hidden in reply to packersruns]

Maybe a park run in the future then?

[packersruns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've signed up and got a wristband for it so definitely on the table! Will most likely try the podcasts after as well - can't decide if I do want to do a 10K plan currently but possibly in the future

[Hidden in reply to packersruns]

Happy days, I hope it goes well for you 😊

Are you on bridge to 10k on here?

[packersruns Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yeah I signed up for it a while ago and looked at the plan and it does seem achievable - just the matter of when it would be achieved 😂

[Hidden in reply to packersruns]

Well that's the thing, but you will achieve it I think 😀