Hello everyone. I just found this forum. I started the couch to 5k program a few days ago and, whilst sitting immobilised in a chair, getting over the shock of my first go at it, wrote about my experience:
So……I just completed my first running session courtesy of the ‘one you couch potato to 5k’ app. I have no ambitions to actually run 5k… such a thing is in the realms of cloud cookoo land…. but as the app actually mentions me by name I felt I had to try it. I am entirely happy to spend loooong stretches of time sat at a piano or computer and it is all too tempting to do it far too much…
The app has a selection of coaches who tell you when to start and stop running. I was hoping that my one would also tell hilarious stories etc to distract me from the fact that I was actually off the sofa, but sadly no. He just gave minimal instructions. Fortunately I had set my phone to play a random selection of music. I wondered if there might be an ideal genre or tempo for running music, but as I had no idea what would be best I just went with random. That was a good move as my running gait turned out to be fairly random also…. growing ever slower with each step…
Clothes are, I suspect, a big deal to runners. I went to the back of the wardrobe and dug out my old ‘bargain’ trainers, purchased decades ago for £4.99 and hardly ever worn… They turned out to be shoewear sponges for the wet grass (my route was all on off road footpaths) and grew progressively heavier as the session went on. They also proved to lack grip, but might perhaps be of use on a ski holiday. My socks also turned out to be far from ideal: a one size fits all pair which I got free on a flight a few years ago…. They demonstrated the same spongelike qualities as the shoes, so at least my equipment was well matched.
The only surprise was that I ended up with no blisters. I can only put it down to the fact that I was going so slowly (even when running) that friction could not take place.
Added to these fashion delights, I wore a skirt and my (regrettably) purple bum bag to carry my phone in. If unfitness had a ‘look’, I would be it
The time of day I chose – early in the morning – was a good one. Cooler, more beautiful than noon etc. but most importantly….I met nobody else. I am not sure how I would have dealt with seeing the confusion on the face on anyone who happened to catch a glimpse of me... I suspect late evening would be a good choice also …preferably well after sunset when my purple pouch would look grey.
The run consisted of a series of 60 second runs (9 in total I believe) separated by 90 second walks. A severe shock to my system, but doable. It must be decades since I last ran anywhere. I don’t recall so much wobbling going on in my body….. A loud klaxon sounds when you are half way through it, so you can turn back and head home. I manged to stumble my way through the entire thing.
Now I am supposed to do two similar runs this week before progressing to the new challenges of week two.
Will I continue? Quite likely. Why? Because I think I may have worked out what is the best bit about running…..It is not necessarily the doing of it (especially for those of us who fit into the couch potato category with ease)….. No, the best bit comes afterwards. When you are back home with a slightly raised heartrate and a good feeling that you have done it …and can perhaps later reward yourself with chocolate..…. 😊
I suspect I will be turning up here from time to time for encouragement and to see how others are getting on. Very best wishes to you all! 😊
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