I will admit, without the motivation of C25K I wasn't fussed about heading out this morning and told myself I'd do my first consolidation run tomorrow. But after my evening walk with the dogs I found myself not quite willing to sit back down on the couch.
Changed into my running shoes and changed my top and thought okay, let's try something different, let's do my first ever night run.
I still did a 5 minute brisk walk as my official warm up (didn't count the dog walk) and decided not to run with headphones tonight. All I really wanted to focus on was having a comfortable 30 minute run.
I don't know if it was the street lights playing tricks on me but my shadow looked a bit slimmer. Small wins and all that but I'll take it 😬😂
Wasn't quite sure on what route I was taking but wanted to keep it fairly level and also well lit as I don't yet have a body or head torch. I know I know, need to go shopping now winter is coming and the evenings are drawing in pretty sharpish now too.
Anyway, seemed to settle into the run and did as planned, kept it nice and comfortable. I've decided that for the next 2/3 weeks I want to feel good and strong at running for 30 mins and forget about time or distance for now. My initial aim at the beginning of C25K and still is my key aim was to improve my fitness and lose some weight along the way. I think I'm still too heavy to be performing running miracles just yet but as my weight keeps coming down then I shall adjust my runs to suit. The last thing I want is an injury that is going to set me back.
My left calf felt a bit tight at different stages tonight so I need to be mindful of that.
But overall, it was a sensible run, a solid 30 mins and a quick recovery I noticed.
I think that's going to be my default CC, when my body says 'hey, I think you could do a run right now' then I'm going to listen and go do it 😁 I certainly had the energy tonight so I think I need to utilise those moments of madness.
Those consolidation runs are so rewarding and you ran naked 🤦, that's brilliant, a run becomes so much more involving without the tunes you can sense it more, watch that calf Burkey46 listen to those niggles 👍.....
Headtorch vs body torch 🤔 I opted for the headtorch, my thinking is that it's gonna shine where you're looking.....
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You're absolutely right. I actually enjoyed the lack of noise tonight and could hear my breathing in a different way. When I've got headphones in I sound like a dodgy heavy breather but realised tonight that actually I'm not 😁. I just felt a bit more connected to what I was actually doing so 'naked' running it is from now on. Or maybe some cool podcasts might be an alternative.
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Hmmmmmm maybes if podcasts are your thing, I'm preferring the uncluttered type run...... I remember I think twas just before or after graduating, I quite literally had MJ chirping encouragement in my ear, alongside strava beeping and my garmin merrily vibrating arrrrgh, stripped it all back and now I'm freeeeeeeee ahhhhhhhhhhhhh..... But saying that, I'm thinking if I'm to go on longer runs 🤞 a decent audio book or even poddy cast may help pass the miles....
That's part of the key thing, mixing it all up. If you run the same route, listen to the same songs, etc, the fun may wear thin. Changing routes, times of day, listening to new songs (or no music at all) brings that important element of surprise to your running.
There's so much you can do. There are programs that can boost your interests and types of training that can keep you going. You simply have no idea where that can end up! Let's put it this way. I could barely run for 90 seconds because my nicotine filled lungs wouldn't let me. Four years later I completed a 50k run in one go and lived to tell the tale.
Challenge yourself through fun. Keep motivation going by remembering how far you've gone. And mix it all up! You can do it. 👍
It's brilliant that you felt compelled to run - you are becoming addicted! You have a really sensible approach and as you consolidate those runs steadily your legs will feel so much stronger and allow you to increase the length of your runs. Sounds like a head torch might be a good plan if you're an evening runner!
Well done! I’ve tried twice to run this week, once today and once yesterday. I got to 5 minutes both times and bailed out at Gail’s and had a skinny latte instead. I’m going out tomorrow morning early and giving it another go. It’s got to be a purely mental thing but I honestly feel like I’ve never run in my life. So weird, wheezing, tired legs, completely unmotivated. I tried this afternoon by repeating the final run again and even with Laura’s help I couldn’t do it. Will try again tomorrow. So bizarre. Well done you for getting right back on it.
I think I'm going to run when my body says go and do it -eg when I have the energy and buzz. Definitely a mental thing DL, affects us all doesn't it. I was chatting to a friend last night who's been running 20 years and still maintains she has mental struggles so it's not just us 😁
That’s so true. I remember from my treadmill days there were some times I’d do 5 minutes and go home. The next day I’d run the full thing with extra verve. I find outdoor running so much more difficult. Last Friday was such an effort to get it done and my stomach muscles were still sore yesterday. Today I think I just wanted a coffee. So tomorrow I’ll have to get out there before the rush and focus down. It’s hard because my route involves running past Gail’s in the first 10 minutes! I then double back to it after the run. Delayal of gratification is hard some days!
I have the opposite syndrome. I get out fully expecting to be able to run and it’s a nightmare. At the moment I feel no extra fitness at all as a result of running for 10 weeks. So weird. I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll wake up and feel ready to rumble. I would like to blame it on my lungs but on Friday I ran for a total of 50 minutes so it has to be psychological. Well done you for keeping going. I will have to keep it up because it has such a positive effect on my mental health that I don’t want to be inside my head if I’m not exercising.
On Saturday I did my first ever run where it wasn't first thing in the morning and I didnt enjoy it very much if I'm honest, I think I'll need to approach it differently next time.
Similarly to you, I also had a pain in my calf/shin for he first time since I restarted the C25K back in June, I wonder if it's the evening where our bodies are naturally more tired? I did have piggish lunch though so my body is probably better off in the mornings
I've never tried running without headphones but it's definitely something I'm considering as running without headphones in the dark before sunrise probably isn't the safest time to have headphones in ha
So I've downloaded the Nike Running App, I'm not sure which is best for recording stats but I've got my Garmin fitness app anyway that seems to do the trick. Once I've got some consolidation runs under my belt (like a lot) then I might look for something to give me my next challenge. Kind of thinking that without these mini challenges I won't push myself as much and I don't want that to be the case.
I didn't mind the peacefulness of an evening run, but it's definitely different and you need to be more careful of what's underfoot. I loved the non headphone bit. Less restrictive and I felt safer somehow. 😁
I get you, it's much harder to remain motivated once the programme is done....there has to be something after. It's like when I've done diets in the past. I get the weight off and then think, what next? Psychologically, I realise I need something to follow on to keep me going....Maybe it's just me but I definitely need some sort of ongoing challenge. Same in work too I'm afraid, once I master the task I get bored! :))))
Well done Burkey46! I think you’re absolutely right to take it slow and steady for the time being. It’s great that you decided to get out for a night run and very sensible to stick to a level route. The nights are definitely drawing in now and the morning is dark too. I’ve invested in a head torch, although I can run at lunchtime if needed, at least while I’m working from home🙂👍
I've just picked up a head torch for these dark evenings, I have hand torches for when I'm walking the dogs too but I don't like carrying things when running. The freer I am the better really 😁 am hoping to get out again tonight but just started lashing down.
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Consolidation run
First consolidation run
Consolidation runs are tough 😢
Another consolidation run 👍😊
First post graduation run. 
