Returning after a looong break - week 1 completed!!

[Dorythemermaid]

Hi all,

Hope you’re all feeling proud of yourselves for your progress so far!!

Not very good at posting things but I’m doing this so I can look back at my progress and when I hit a wall - spur myself on a little bit.

The last time I attempted c25k was before the 1st lockdown (yep - a looong time ago!!) made it as far as week 3 run 2, hurt my knee then had to focus on home schooling (please god never again!) and staying alive and just never got back into it. I won’t lie - running has never been my thing. I’m doing this again now because I want to try mix things up and step out of my comfort zone.

I keep active with other things, joined a gym and swam quite a bit when lockdown ended and we were released back into the wild! Got a bit stalled with that and need a new challenge. Have been going on the crosstrainer with my 14 year old daughter (who’s discovered that she can watch YouTube on it and so although we have a chat and a laugh- it doesn’t push me a lot and I feel like I need my own separate challenge a couple of days a week)

So here I am - week 1 in the bag, moving to week 2 next week

Run 1 - hard!! I thought my legs might actually stop working by the last 2 60 second runs. Felt like I couldn’t go on. I did tho! I made it back home and without breaking a sweat (mostly because it was SO cold! Who’s stupid idea was it to go running on the canal in freezing fog at 9am on a Saturday morning?!?)

Run 2 - felt much better. Was able to pace myself. Last 60 second run was the hard part - I’d gone a bit further than before somehow so this part ended up been up hill! Note to self - time it so the hills the walking part in future!

Run 3

Wasn’t sure when I’d be able to fit in my next outdoor run . Didn’t want too much of a gap so I’ve ended up doing it in the gym on the treadmill. I’ve NEVER run on a treadmill in all my life. That 1st 60 second run I was clinging on for dear life and hoping my “arrrrgh’s” were in my head and not out loud. Nobody seemed to be looking at me. I think I did alright! There was another bloke shouting “you can do this” and panting a lot - but I’m fairly sure he was pep talking himself - at least everyone seemed to be turning to look at him not me!

Managed to conquer my fear for the second mini run… looked like I actually knew what I was doing. Felt so good by the end - completed week 3 AND didn’t come flying off the treadmill!! Oooh AND earned myself a new badge on my fitness app for most calories burned during a running exercise (i mean most of it was walking but shh. I won’t tell if you don’t!)

So now onwards and upwards to week 2. I originally wanted to do all the runs outside in the fresh air and get back to nature a little bit. However - fitting 3 outdoor runs in a week is going to be a challenge. It’s easier for me to do some at the gym. And I’m not going to beat myself up about where I do them. For me it’s more important that I just complete the programme.

I wish you luck in your own journeys. Don’t give up.

You got this!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This does not need to be hard. Counterintuitively, it is an easy conversational pace running that builds your stamina and endurance, not fast running.

Say this sentence out loud to yourself "Am I going slow enough to enable me to speak this sentence in one out breath?" If you cannot, you are going too fast.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.