what do you do on your non running days?

[changing-woman]

as well as non exercise things of course... what do you do? i go for a walk, somewhere between half an hour and an hour... not very fast, just a walk... not an amble but not power walking or anything like that... thru the city centre... just to keep moving... or do you rest physically? i am sure there are benefits to that too. am just interested cos i am new, still. x ps the girl in this pic looks like she is holding a small gun!

[itselenax Graduate]

Hiya! I walk every day to and from work. On my days off, I like to go for a walk with my nan in the park, usually about 1-2 hours. Other than that, I do pilates and yoga... not very exciting haha. But usually if I'm not at work, then I'm at home doing my assignment so I don't get a lot of time to get out of the house

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to itselenax]

gosh it sounds like you must be very very fit! thanks for replying x

[itselenax Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

Aw thank you haha! I think I joined the trend of fitness during lockdown with everyone else! x

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to itselenax]

and do you enjoy it all now?

[itselenax Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

Some days I really can't be bothered to exercise but I think it's important to listen to your body, like last night I was meant to go for a jog but felt so exhausted I just collapsed into bed instead lol. But I really do enjoy it once I get going x

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to itselenax]

i look forward to the time when i start to enjoy it. i am sure i can't be the only one who never gets to enjoy her exercise in the end. i am longing for enjoyment to spring into the equation. but i keep telling myself i am new to all this. very new. i still can't believe i did w2r1 !

[itselenax Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

I think I only started to enjoy running after Week 5 to be honest with you... but I am sure it's different for everyone. You just have to find the exercises that you enjoy!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to itselenax]

well i am going all out for this C25K right now and if you say you only started to enjoy it on week 5 then that gives me real hope, so thank you. i do get a sense of thrill when it's over though, and i have done another run. i feel really amazed and good abut myself.

[itselenax Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

You definitely should feel proud, it's a big achievement just to run at all! I hope you start to enjoy it soon! x

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to itselenax]

thanks so much. yes i am thrilled with my progress and will continue to walk in my days off.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Walking is perfect as a non-running exercise - carry on!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to John_W]

oh how kind of you to support me in this way, thanks. i will!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

I usually do a short run on Monday - about 20 mins, usually intervals

Tues - I do a Pilates class ( now back online 😏)

Weds I try to do a 30 min run but often don’t get the chance.

Thurs I do strength training with weights and or resistance bands

Friday I do a longer run - usually 5k

Sat I do strength training again

Sunday I stay on the sofa 😊

I don’t want to do any of them after a long day at work but I enjoy them after about 10 mins and never regret doing them. It’s hard to find the time tho.

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

my goodness me everyone does so much compared to me and i thought i was doing ok. wowzers. you keep fit every day apart from sunday. well done you. i mean it. well done you! what an inspiration you are...

[Rennur Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

I did half an hour leg and back stretches/stengthening last night (and played keyboard - it was too close).

But doing something is better than nothing.

I suspect we all know we should do something on our 4 days "off," but I know if I do 2 days of other light exercise then I consider it a win.

I also always try to walk 15-20 minutes before starting work now that we are at home - to mirror those days of commuting. Plus a walk also helps to massage those muscles used in the run the night before.

I am sure you will find your "sweet spot" and like me will beat yourself up over thinking you should do more.

I also doubt anyone will come on here and admit that on their non running days they sit on the sofa, watching telly and eating cream cakes.

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Rennur]

a great response. many thanks. consider me cheered up!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

Only since the lockdown. I only did the Pilates class before that. But now we can’t do much else after work so I keep fit instead.

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Good for you x

[changing-woman Graduate]

i thought people would say 'yoga' or 'resting' or 'playing with the kids' or 'i go for a short walk' but no, there are some really really busy fitness people here. it's brilliant. but oh, i don't know how i feel about this. i feel a bit bad. i know in my heart i certainly can't do more than i am doing just now. not from nothing. the C25K programme and a walk in between is by farrrrrrrrr enough! slowly slowly catchy monkey

[changing-woman Graduate]

just got back from my half hour not so slow walk. feels good that i did it. only 3500 paces but it's better than continuing with my sedentary situation, right? i just had to pick up coffee and milk from the store with a slightly red face and frizzy hair! how embarrassing! oh, who cares! at this point when all i can think about is tomorrow W2R2 (not allowed to say 'dread' anymore, lol, nor loser, nor failure... they are too negative, will have to find healthy alternatives ) who really gives a hoot?

[Roxdog Graduate]

Haha - not as much as I should do, because of working from hone. Usually a dog walk (not far), but always, always, first thing in the morning I do half an hour of a type of tai chi and my strengthening exercises. I do bridges, planks, balances, step ups, squats and a few other exercises. I used to do yoga but find it over-stretches me a bit. After an injury I was told to be careful about stretching my hamstrings so am being careful. I also have an allotment whichis exercise, but because of allthe rain can't do much there at the moment

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

blimey! x

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

It's not that much really. I had an injury which stopped me running for a few weeks earlier this year and I love running so much it requires a bit of maintenance! Your walks are just fine and are enough at the moment. Keep up your post run stretches. Later on, when you're running further (And I have every confidence you will) , you might want to think about building in some specific exercises, but for now, just do what you're doing! It's all good!

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

ah that's sweet... a really inclusive reply x

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I try to alternate between cycling and running. I also do Pilates twice a week. - Of course, life gets in the way sometimes, but that is my default. - Earlier in the summer I discovered the problem with this-if you have a long stretch with life NOT getting in the way, (eg lockdown 🙃) you discover that sometimes you need a genuine rest day! I also like walking, but that’s less frequent.😄

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

so impressive!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Not the cross training that I would like, or know I should do! I work 5 days a week in a primary school, so every day is busy and my class is on the second floor so lots of up and down the stairs too! To be honest, I don't know how I manage to get out and run some evenings after work but I do! 😀😂

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

primary school stairs are no mean feat in themselves!x

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

it says ambassador by your name. what's an ambassador on here please? x

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

Hi! We have various moderators and ambassadors - all part of the admin team who contribute in different ways - mainly through writing posts or responding to replies and hopefully offering lots of support both on here and our other running forums.

I did the program just like you - five years ago now and have continued with my running and continue to be a huge believer in the power of Couch to 5k to not only improve our physical health but also our mental wellbeing. We need that more than ever now! 🙏

Here is a link to a post I did when I was first asked to become an ambassador!🙂

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Good luck with your journey - keep posting!😀

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

great stuff! well done you ....W2R2 for me tomorrow... i hope it goes ok i am jelly scared again....lol

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

..believe!! 👍🙂

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

oh i do... its just my legs ... i don't want to fall over if they wilt under me... but mentally, i got it down pat... i push and push and push... thats how i did week 1 which was brutal to someone who had no exercise for 34 years... week 2 run 1 was less brutal... the upstairs of me is there already, the downstairs needs slow slow slow jogging and time...

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

i do japanese slow running...it really helps me...

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

Sounds like you are doing the right thing - I am sure it will all come together. good luck.🙂

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

thanks sandraj39 good to meet you...

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to changing-woman]

🙂

[Couchphoenix Graduate]

I watch TV and have a beer 🍺 👍, having finished work, nice to have a rest, that’s what rest days are all about.

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to Couchphoenix]

Good for you x

[CazzaW Graduate]

I do some yoga on my days in between and also try to have a walk. Housework and gardening count too 😆

You’re doing just fine with your walking 😊 don’t feel you have to add anything else it yet. Good luck with R2 👍

[changing-woman Graduate in reply to CazzaW]

Thanks !