Just want to say thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. Your words of advice and encouragement really helped! Sorry I didn’t reply to anyone but I am grateful!
Does anyone have any tips for running slower? I aren’t running fast but I think I’m running faster than I can keep up with and burning myself out too soon. The issue I have is when I slow down my legs feel heavy and it feels like a chore. When I’m running a bit faster it’s not so bad but then I get too tired to quick… help please!!
Made it through the 2nd run of the week. Woo hoo! I wont say I loved it because it was hard and I felt like I was dying! I had moments of “ooh this isn’t SO bad” and fleeting periods of absent mindedness. Maybe I’m getting the hang of this running thing slowly. Or maybe my little “be kind to yourself, you’re still learning” pep talk pre treadmill worked a bit!
I did walk for about a min and half when I was meant to be running in that 2nd block BUT I finished the last 1:30 with a run AND at least I did it. 5 weeks ago even the 1st little blocks of 60 seconds were a struggle. No one said this was going to be easy. If any of us could already run 5k easily I suppose we wouldn’t be taking on the challenge. Refuse to see this as a defeat, more of a learning curve: I have learned that running with a blocked nose and without eating or drinking first is not the best idea!! 😂
So my plan going forward is to keep up with everyone’s advice!
I really need to drink more! So many people have mentioned this might help and I don’t drink enough generally - water bottle and flavoured water on the shopping list!
Not clock watching really helped! Maybe long sleeves next time so I can’t keep checking my watch and looking at stats I don’t understand! I managed to not look at the C25k app much but my watch was still a distraction!
Reconfigure my playlist to stop me flicking through the songs I don’t like. Why are they on there when I don’t like them!? Also - need to maybe put some slower tracks on there. Trying to run to the beat of some of them most definitely isn’t happening!!
I think I need to make more of an effort to get out and run rather than playing safe on the treadmill. I managed to reflect a little bit while I was running 2day and actually - although it’s easier, it’s not very inspiring. There’s a big beautiful world outside our windows and I’m looking at just a tiny portion of it through the gym window and getting nowhere. I’ve been trying to plan new routes in my head and think about when I can fit them in… maybe I need to buy a head torch and not use the dark as an excuse? (Obviously keeping personal safety in mind!)… so that’s a positive to take from today! I might not have finished the way I wanted to / had a perfect session, but I did manage to reflect and find some kind of motivation
Keep up the good work people! Happy running
Written by
Rainbow2019
Graduate
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Slowing down to the recommended easy conversational pace makes it more achievable and for most, more enjoyable.
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.
Pay attention to your environment. Notice the changes from run to run, as the seasons move on. Try running without music. Listen to the birds whose song is at its most glorious at this time of year.
If a treadmill was the only option for running, I would never have become a runner. While they serve a mechanical purpose I can't imagine how they can provide the joy and wonder of communing with nature, with your senses and emotions elevated by running outdoors.
Finding your slow pace is key to progression and I found it easiest when occasionally running with my wife, whose natural pace is slower than mine.
This FAQ Post about hydration may help you understand the critical nature of adequate fluid intake healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Glad you’re keeping at it and the runs are heading in the right direction. It took me a while to start feeling at one with it and getting a body-brain connection going but it will come. You’re doing brilliantly.
If you’re looking to plan routes not just in your head, I find the Footpath app to be brilliant.
Hi Rainbow2019 , you sound like you're trying to make your running fit a whole bunch of external indicators - clock, pace, music beat - as well as the C25K timings. Maybe try ditching everything but the C25K app?
Talk to yourself while running, that'll help you slow down. As for hydration, the idea is to avoid thirst, not quench it. Tap water's fine, btw, unless yours tastes so bad you can't bring yourself to drink it. In that case I'd filter it in preference to buying artificially flavoured products.
I'd also say get outside if you possibly can. I'm with IannodaTruffe on this one - I can't imagine being stuck on a treadmill in a gym looking at the world outside if I had the opportunity to run outside. You said it yourself - there's a big, beautiful world out there, why not go and enjoy it?
I related to a lot of what you were saying in your post re treadmill, music, clock watching, tiredness, water etc I’m a treadmill runner the weather here it’s too hot and humid to run outside at the moment so I don’t have the choice I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but I do love it. Hopefully I will try the outdoors in the summer in the UK as they say “if there’s a will there’s a way”.
I’m thankful I have a full gym which has various machines, weights, benches etc and an added bonus it’s all free of charge.
I prefer morning workouts whereby I only have water and no food in my system this seems to suit me best and my work outs are always amazing. Working out at night with food I’m just too exhausted by and not comfortable.
Tips for running slower, the video Instructor57 attached is what changed my whole outlook on running. You really need to take on board any advice given by Instructor57 and IannodaTruffe I have found their advice and information to be outstanding and invaluable.
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