Red January done n dusted sit down time & rest 👍 - Couch to 5K

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Red January done n dusted sit down time & rest 👍

60 Replies

January is a long old month!

Red January doesn't make it any shorter, but it definitely makes it more interesting. Did I know what I was letting myself in for? Nope, ok run every day, it's easy to say it but actually do it! Challenging at times, enjoyable very, tiring hmmmm 🤔 tired doesn't exist when you work shifts you just ( I find) bounce from day to day in a daze.

Before January I'd ran four days last year, but never 31 but, if you don't try to never find out things.

The aim was a 5k a day, I got scuppered by the snow nearly and had to reduce two runs just for safety, it's certainly no easier running a 2.5k when the grounds snow covered.

Another trap I fell into a few times, repeating the same route but that was always going to happen the 5k loops are limiting.

The January weather, well as you know by now, don't be surprised, we are actually a waterproof species 🤓 running in rain won't disolve you, ok the wind may mess your hair, the cold 🥶 may chill your fingers, today I had to pleasure of ( due to being overly blessed in the nose department 🤥) a frozen nose, ouch tried the buff up and over, glasses fogged up🤷.

But these things they're short-lived, you forget the niggles, just enjoy the run!

Today was my choice to go out later, a couple of days free of work 🥳, but running later always throws me, but hey be flexible Ian.

I'd measured my distances the other day out of interest on the way home, it's almost 3miles to the english border, so that me today a run to and back again. I'm definitely going to need to build distance back up towards HM klms as I'm sure my legs have 5k muscle memory 😬.

The smell of baking still lingered as I left at dusk, the night chill so nice perhaps a long sleeved top instead of the windproof jacket would have been a better choice, as it's not frosty but, it's a cold one!

No towpath, as it's prime dog walking time so the footpath it is. It's pretty level, perhaps a slight climb out of the village, but nothing strenuous. It's not scenic, the boats are missing on my run but hey-ho, the next village brings up the 4k distance, so I figured a loop around the railway station, passing the chocolate factory should see me finish on a nice 10k plenty for today 👍.

I may just rest up tomorrow and well chill out in my slippers who knows.

Would I do it again 🙃 hmmmm perhaps, maybe, not sure, we'll see.

It's been great knowing others on HU have been running the same challenge, Mummycav and Tasha99 have both been tough ladies getting out there everyday, well done you two.

Enjoy that rest 👍.

As for you lot keep running please, safe, healthy injury free running 👍

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60 Replies
SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

I’ve been looking out for this post Congratulations 🥳 you made it to the end of the month and finished strong

Of course you will do it again, by new year’s eve you will only remember the good parts

Fantastic post i’ve really enjoyed reading your journey this month

in reply to SueAppleRun

Ahhhhhhhh Ian's kinda glad it February SueAppleRun

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

Well done Ian!!

I would just like to point out to those with less experience than Hidden that running every day is not recommended for new runners until they have a minimum of six months regular running on their legs.

in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thanks Tim 👍,

I realized I should've stated that 🤦, thank you! Definitely a very good and oh so relevant point for any new runner 🙂

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

Congratulations! 🎉

And did you remember to wave when you got to the border? 😉👍

Maybe next year. I'll stay with REOD for the moment.

in reply to nowster

Thanks nowster 👍

Noooo the border guards get grumpy if ya get too close 😆

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate

I’ve been looking out for your post, too! Many congratulations on completing the RED January challenge. It took a few days for me to actually realise what it was! Is January red? What am I missing here? 😂

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed following your journey by reading your well illustrated posts!

Now you can put your feet up and relax for a couple of days, before deciding on your next challenge!

Was I tempted by your inspirational posts to start my own RED challenge?

No 😂😂🤣

Well done, Imc50 😊 👏👏👏👍

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Jools2020

I was looking at the rules for Red January Jools2020, it means Run Every Day, however, you can run OR walk if you want to, many on this forum have ran every day, getting to over 100K for the month,I added up my total for walking and running in January, it came to about 70K altogether.

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to AlMorr

Thank you, Al. 70K is pretty good! I was very lazy in January, I didn’t do any walking at all. Maybe I’ll do RED January next year. I only graduated in July, so I’m quite a new runner and shouldn’t be running ever day just yet 😊

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Jools2020

I graduated from C25K in June 2018, have ran many 5K runs, 10/10Ks, several 11,12 and 13K runs and one 10 miles, however, I am still in C25K mode as I have NEVER ran on consecutive days.

in reply to Jools2020

Thanks Jools2020 there's always next January 🤫

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to

Indeed there is 👍

9weeks2Run profile image
9weeks2RunGraduate

Yaay you did it Ian. Many, many Congratulations to you. You are so inspiring, what a great achievement you RED in January 2021!!! 👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️💪💪🏅🏅🏅⛄️💨❄️ Wow!!

Have been so looking forward to reading your post, fantastic stuff. Lol I have a feeling you will do it again next year!!

Enjoy not RED in February my running friend.

Well done and congrats to Mummycav and Tasha99 you are both amazing too 💪💪💪🏅🏅🏅👏👏👏

Happy not running tomorrow Ian!!!

in reply to 9weeks2Run

Ohhhhhh 9weeks2Run thank you 🤗, I'm definitely not committing to next January just yet 👀.

I'm glad you and others have enjoyed letting me waffle on endlessly

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

Awe thanks for the mention 😍

Huge well done to you too!

in reply to Tasha99

Deservedly mentioned 🥳

Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate in reply to

😍

GailXrunning profile image
GailXrunningGraduate

Massive congratulations! Any commitment ‘ED’ is a challenge (even just to 10-15 minutes of kindly meditation), so doing so while battling the elements this past month and fitting runs around shifts has been *totally major*. Guess it’s made you test a few of your limits, sense of flexibility, etc. And I can only imagine that it will take time to process all that fully. You can now rest. *It’s official.* Feet up on a stool by that glowing wood burner. Warm drinks. Baked goods. Snooze. Satisfied smile on face. Snooze again. 🧦🪵🔥🛋🥮☕️🔥😴💤

in reply to GailXrunning

Awwwww GailXrunning not that I'm a massive drinker if at all 😇 tonight is dedicated to pizza and a tiny single malt 👍 log burner glowing, thank you

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate

Congratulations Ian!

You’re an inspiration for your running resilience 🙌🏼

Handing you a virtual celebratory Ryvita brimming with oozy cheese 😬

in reply to acountrycabbage

And thank you acountrycabbage for joining me on that run earlier in the month 👍 I'll have a vimto with that Ryvita pls 🥳

Indielass00 profile image
Indielass00Graduate

You did it Hidden 🥳🥳🥳. Congratulations!! Now if you can just run for me whilst I’m out of action 😂.But seriously well done 👏🏻

in reply to Indielass00

Thanks Indielass00 awwwww you're outa action 🥺

Indielass00 profile image
Indielass00Graduate in reply to

Yep started getting pain in my calf and right side of my hip so I’m taking a little break from running 😢. I will be back though! 😁

CI578 profile image
CI578Graduate

Good job 👍

in reply to CI578

Thank you C1578 the old chassis and suspension needs a rest now 🥴

CI578 profile image
CI578Graduate in reply to

I know the feeling 😏

H4CS profile image
H4CS

What an amazing achievement!! Well done!

in reply to H4CS

I'm just thankful the month isn't any longer H4CS

H4CS profile image
H4CS in reply to

Thats a top tip, if i ever do manage to get through this C25K and decide to do the same ill be choosing february.. on a leap year 😁 seriously you are inspiring 🎉

in reply to H4CS

Believe H4CS you'll be on week 9 run 3 before you know it 👍 we're right here behind you 💪

Jericho2332 profile image
Jericho2332Graduate

Well done! Very impressive! 👍🏻

in reply to Jericho2332

Cheers Jericho2332

NusiaFab profile image
NusiaFabGraduate

Congratulations Imc50!! What an amazing achievement, you did it!!

in reply to NusiaFab

Thank you NusiaFab 🙂

Well done! I know about the foggy glasses, very handy eh? Watch out for that tree! ANyhow, your stories did inspire me, I am thinking about whether I could do it, running every day for a month. And I don't mean now, but next year. Whether I'd be able / want to participate in RED January next year. Let me think...

in reply to

Way to go Evy January here you come 💪💪

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate

Very well done you! You did this with great determination and spirit 👏🏼. So impressed. I think you can put your feet up for a day now, and enjoy the afterglow. 👍🏆

in reply to Frenc

Cheers Frenc think I'll definitely have my feet up today 👍

Kevin41 profile image
Kevin41Graduate

Well done - you did it. No mean feat at all!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

in reply to Kevin41

The weather did it's best to derail running at times Kevin41 but 👍 I didn't disolve 🙂

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate

Well done Ian, what an achievement! I bet you’ll have one day of rest before you’re itching to get out that door!😂🏃🏽‍♂️

I was aware that RED included walking...but not until after I had a complete rest day (not even a walk) on January 1st, after completing my 60 minute run on NYE. 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄Doh!

Happy running!🥰

in reply to LottieMW

Ohhhhhhhh LottieMW next year you'll know we can walk it 🤦

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate in reply to

Let’s make a date 😂

in reply to LottieMW

Well errrrrrrrrrr 😉

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate in reply to

😂

mrschad profile image
mrschadGraduate

Well done Ian! I did REDJAN, but I didn’t run everyday, I did walk and sometimes for 5/6 miles! I love it, it’s tough at times but it keeps me focused during what is generally a depressing month, and a lockdown too! Fantastic achievement! Looking for my Feb challenge now! Maybe not everyday though 😳 x

in reply to mrschad

Thanks mrschad that's a brilliant red January for you those are some lengthy walks, we can wave goodbye to a best forgotten January 👍

limu_mu profile image
limu_muGraduate

Well done Hidden that is an amazing achievement and to top it off 10km on the last day! Running on consecutive days is hard, (one day) but for 31 days in ❄️⛅🌧️ and in our global condition, is incredible!!!!🏃🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Thanks for raising awareness of the RED campaign too- and reminding us why we run in the first place. Your posts made Jan 2021 that much more delightful!

Thank you limu_mu you encouraged me to keep on posting run reports, it seems people do still like to read, but if one non runner, starts to get that bug then super! And us being a little healthier, that's gotta be a good thing especially nowadays 🙂

Golfisgood profile image
GolfisgoodGraduate

Amazing Hidden - well done.

Cheers Golfisgood a day in the armchair was well deserved today 👍

Peter44 profile image
Peter44Graduate

Well done Ian, that's a great achievement, seeing your post makes me more frustrated, i'm having to rest, with a sore hip! ☹ was just wondering how long you've been running, ie: c25k, etc 🤔Anyway, put your feet up for half an hour!!! 🤣 👏👏👏🥳🥳🥳🏆🏆🏆

in reply to Peter44

Thanks Peter44 sorry I've added to your frustration, but I'm also glad you had time to sit down and read it, that means you're resting that hip 👍 what's occurring with the hip, is it that darn itb pain I know that sometimes radiates to the hip area 😬... How long have I been running hmmmmm tricky, I completed c25k fairly anonymously, and then I just didn't really run, I was still playing squash etc, so keeping active. Then the squash sorted fizzled out due to shifts etc so I decided to go for a run once again, that run is attached for you......

Strava run
Peter44 profile image
Peter44Graduate in reply to

Just been reading up about itb pain 🤔 never heard of it before, think that's what it might be ☹That's nice you've got that first run saved on strava, mine was around the warner bros studios, feels like an old friend now! 😊

in reply to Peter44

If it is that ITB band ?

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/k...

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate

👏👏👏 have some virtual recovery calories on me 🥧🍻

in reply to Katnap

Why thank you Katnap but but I'll be like the side of house especially after the cheesy Ryvita that acountrycabbage has been tempting me with 👍

Littleoyellow profile image
LittleoyellowGraduate

Just catching up with you after being AWOL in January (quite the opposite of what you, yourself were doing!) Very impressed with what you have achieved by RED January 👍hope you're rested up and enjoying a little less running in February 😁 sending congrats on your achievement 👏👏👏🎉

in reply to Littleoyellow

Why thank you Littleoyellow twas a long grinding but enjoyable January 👍, February definitely is involving some more sit still time 🥳,

Hope that hip niggle gets resolved asap 👀

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