Consolidation Wk 2 - Feeling reflective and happy to be a runner!

[flute_of_fancy]

I'm in my 2nd consolidation week since graduating on the 19th September and I'm pleased to say that I've continued with my routine so far. Having graduated, it feels quite a pivotal time and important to continue the good work. I discovered very late in the C25K programme that I enjoy running in the dark, early in the morning. I did this the first time just for practical reasons, having to get three children ready and out of the door for their first day at school in 6 months. This in itself was daunting, but it was a running day, and running I was going to do! I loved the stillness, and felt very liberated by the absence of anyone else around. Since then, 3 days a week I've set my alarm for 5am and out I go. Is this normal? Has C25K done something to my head? If so, long may it continue, my run days set me up well for the day ahead, whatever the day brings, particularly in these very difficult times, I know that I've already achieved something great for my mind and body. I'm so grateful to all the forum contributors whose positive posts and handy hints and tips have kept me going throughout my journey and given me a sense of community. To all the C25K runners new and old, congratulations for being out there, just keep running! xx

[linda9389 Graduate]

That's brilliant ... to use an overworked phrase - it's your new normal! Early morning runs are the best, and as you say they really set you up for the day too; a smug glow that lasts til bedtime 😊

[Newbie59 Graduate]

All through C25k I have loved early morning runs, when the sun was up! I graduated end of June and kept up the running 3 times a week, then twice a week, now I am only getting out once a week (well about every 5 or 6 days) and it's down to the cold dark mornings.

How do you get started (eat?), warm up, and what do you wear? Do you run in lit up streets or trail?

[flute_of_fancy Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Hi there, when I go out early on run days I just have a glass of water before heading out. I do a brisk 5 min warm up walk, nothing else and then do static stretches immediately after my run. So far I haven’t needed to eat beforehand as I tend to stick to 30 min runs. It’s too cold for me to wear just a t shirt now so I wear a very thin long sleeved running top and this morning as it was about 9 or 10 degrees, I wore a t shirt over that. As the mornings get colder, I’ll layer up more but generally you need less clothing than you think. An essential bit of kit for me was a bright, chest light with a light front and back for safety. Where I live, the street lights are off at that time of the morning and I feel very comfortable wearing my chest light and I can see perfectly well. It wasn’t an expensive one, bought from Amazon. Hope this helps 😊

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to flute_of_fancy]

Hi that's helpful. I did manage to get out this morning at 10 am but I had eaten a small breakfast at 8 am and it was all right. I am definitely better on an empty stomach, just a little water first thing. I am wearing a short sleeved wicking tee shirt over a long sleeved wicking tee shirt with thick winter leggings - temperature was fine and if it is a bit nippy I wear a neck tube.

Well done for getting out so early, if I did that once a week I would be very pleased