Wk 3 Run 3 completed

[nowster]

First post…

At the start of lockdown with the prospect of working from home for many months ahead, I decided to make use of the NHS Couch to 5k app that I'd installed on my phone several years before, but never been brave enough to attempt.

I tried week 1 in April, but stopped because I'd got ill. I started again in May and completed weeks 1 and 2 but the medication I was on (Roaccutane) was causing the exercise to destroy muscle rather than build it. Once I was several weeks off the medication, I started again last month.

The third time round, week 1 was much easier and week 2 wasn't too bad.

Week 3 has been mixed. During the actual running parts it can feel difficult sometimes. I suppose at three minutes it's just starting to move from anaerobic respiration to aerobic. Once I finish it feels great: leaving puddles of sweat everywhere, but great.

Now for the twist: EDS runs in the family. In me it's currently only manifested as a bit of hypermobility. As a consequence I have flat feet. But, counter-intuitively, after a botched NHS insole appliance caused blisters, for eight years now I've eschewed conventional footwear and have been exclusively wearing Vibram Fivefingers (minimalist "barefoot" toed shoes). And now I'm running in them.

Week 4 starts on Thursday morning.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Just couldn’t resist coming and reading your first post, haven’t you come a long way? Well done for keeping going