W3 R3 done and feeling goooood!: Hey brains... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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W3 R3 done and feeling goooood!

JoeyCoops profile image
18 Replies

Hey brains-trust. I know it's stating the obvious but all the advice given on this forum FREAKING WORKS !!!!

I've shortened my stride, channeling the Japanese guy in the Slow Running video. I've trained myself not to land on my heels .... something I've done since the 80s when I was told it was bad to land flat-footed or on your toes. I'm doing the dynamic warm up routine pre-run & the post-run stretches. I'm running even slower (if that was possible) to the point that my walking & running pace on the treadmill is the same. I'm running tall .... as if there's a string pulling the top of my head up. I'm trying to make my feet hit the ground when they're directly under my body but I'm not sure I'm completely succeeding there .... so in summary there is a shit-ton of technical info running through my head during my runs. And I'm so looking forward to the day when I'm outside, this new running style isn't new any more ... and it's more enjoyable info in my head like "look at that cloud" and "what a cute dog" and "check out the buns on that!!!".

Fingers crossed!

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JoeyCoops profile image
JoeyCoops
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18 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

It is clearly working for you... on you go! My mantra has ( as my friends here will tell you ) always been, slow and steady , you will get exactly where you wish to be, safely and having had huge fun!Well done you!

JoeyCoops profile image
JoeyCoops in reply to Oldfloss

Thank you thank you! I'm definitely enjoying the routine, I haven't missed a run yet. How long do they say it takes to form a new routine? 3 weeks? 4 weeks?

Purplefiona profile image
PurplefionaGraduate in reply to JoeyCoops

Re: routine - it’s anyone’s guess. A piece of 1960s research suggested 66 days, in addiction recovery it’s 90 days … I find it takes me about 6 months LOL

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to JoeyCoops

Suddenly.. you just find, it has all become part of you and your life... you find it comes naturally.If you have found your happy pace, then do try to relax... maybe just focus on one thing, each run... e.g. Light landing ( I call it kissing the ground with your feet). Then next time... rounding the ankles... and then the next, relaxing arms and shoulders and face... then...look around and when you get in, write down what you saw or heard:)

It will evolve... go with it:)

Fantastic. I still find it quite difficult to retain so much information and go through self checks through runs. Head up, shoulders back, arms back and forth, pelvis forwards, slight lean forward, short steps, foot strike, wooooo 🤣 Eventually it will become natural im sure. Well, i hope anyway lol

limberlou profile image
limberlouGraduate in reply to

I think it’s a bit like driving though because when you start driving you are thinking “ mirror, up clutch, down accelerator, up accelerator, down clutch , change gear, which gear am I in? Etc” and then you suddenly realise you’ve been doing it without thinking about it.

JoeyCoops profile image
JoeyCoops in reply to limberlou

A bit like breathing?😄 If only it was that easy!

Purplefiona profile image
PurplefionaGraduate

This forum is magic

JoeyCoops profile image
JoeyCoops in reply to Purplefiona

Yesssss .... I don't have any running buddies so this forum fills the void! There's a parkrun nearby so the dream is to get into that once I've graduated. Hoping lockdown will be over by then and parkrun can recommence! 🤞

Purplefiona profile image
PurplefionaGraduate

Park run is good fun

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

Week 3 is definitely where I got hooked.

All the things you did to get through Week 3 will be even more important in Week 4. The activity increases a fair bit.

JoeyCoops profile image
JoeyCoops in reply to nowster

Can't wait!!! Thanks for your encouragement and enthusiasm🙏

JoeyCoops profile image
JoeyCoops in reply to nowster

And .... I don't want to speak too soon .... but I think my body is recovering faster between runs!

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply to JoeyCoops

Just don't get tempted to run on consecutive days (not yet at least).

JoeyCoops profile image
JoeyCoops in reply to nowster

Haha no way! Rest assured I learned that lesson the hard way.

Wavy-chick28 profile image
Wavy-chick28Graduate

It definitely becomes the norm trust in the plan! Although sometimes I’m running and I think this feels a bit tough and I go through the checklist and then think she I wasn’t doing such and such and immediately you have your answer! Nothing beats a run before work and I still think it’s weird to be saying that 🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🙌🏻🙌🏻

tmbtrain profile image
tmbtrainGraduate

👏 that's fab, you sound like you're in a good place with running 🙂 you'll be at graduation before you know it!

Caro_Cotswolds profile image
Caro_Cotswolds

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing - just keep going🏃🤸🚶🙂

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