Niko Niko - smile running… harness that inner snail!

[Rainbow2019]

I do apologies for the ridiculously long posts. I’m mostly trying to log and reflect so I can look back and see how far I’ve come!

Glorious morning to attempt that dreaded Wk5 r3.

Admittedly I haven’t stuck to the plan here. I was meant to be having a rest day and tackling this tomorrow, but I was still buzzing this morning from yesterday’s success. I just HAD to get out while my head was in the running space. Did some research into slow jogging last night and decided to harness my inner snail and give it a go. Niko Niko - smile running here we go!!

Oh. My. Goshness… I am converted. I can see why they call it smile running! I smiled the whole 20 mins, I carried on until I’d run 30 and then had to make myself stop and walk the rest of the way home. Still smiling.

Must admit I got a few funny looks from people who must have thought “seriously?! U call that running?!” But that made me smile all the more because it’s all part of my strategy and I don’t care what they all think. I am at 1 with my inner snail! Peace and harmony!!

I was so wrapped up in my little happy bubble and ENJOYING my jog. I felt almost in some meditative headspace. I didn’t register the half way mark to turn around and head for home. I wasn’t out of breath, my legs didn’t hurt, my heart rate was up at about 148, I probably looked ridiculous but I absolutely did not care. Surely THIS is what it’s all about? For me at least. I could have run like this for HOURS! (Or maybe a little bit longer. Hours might be pushing it!)

I can go to the gym and sweat it out on the crosstrainer and feel like I’ve done a “proper workout” anytime. And enjoy it more than the runs I’ve done before. This felt awesome. This felt like I could go for miles. I covered just over 5k this morning and most of that was actually running.

I know I need to stick to the plan now. I know rest is as important as running. Trust in the plan!! I have found my flow and I have proved to myself that I can run and enjoy it. Was it on a par with Usain Bolt? Absolutely not. Will I get faster? Maybe! But what’s the rush? Have I ever run 5k before in my life? Never. And I would have laughed if I thought I would be doing so well a few weeks ago. I almost run the full 5k 2day. Bring on week 6!!

Slow and steady definitely wins the race. And also lots of water before hand! I possibly maybe slightly addicted. I just need to reign in my snail for a day or so before I start trying to push too hard too fast and ruin all my hard work so far.

Onwards and upwards

We got this. Happy running!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Congratulations on completing week 5 run 3 However it is definitely not advised to have .

1, run on consecutive days

Please read the program guide .

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Non running days "Are non negotiable"

And

2, run for 30 minutes

This is a sure way of heading towards injury.

Overuse injuries strike out of the blue and can stop you in your tracks for days, weeks or even months .

Please stick to the program !

It's safer for you and a better example to others on the program.

Take care

[CBDB Graduate]

It’s great, isn’t it? Niko Niko gives me also a delicious, meditative slow joggle that makes utterly enjoyable runs.

For me that slow joggle way of running was the only way of running, but I love it and I increased my distance very slowly to 10k. In that slow joggle, 10k almost takes me 2 hours, but they are an amazing enjoyable 2 hours.

But as Instructor57 suggests, best to keep in mind that Niko Niko running is still running, and with that it still requires recovery days.

I found it amazing how fast my aerobic fitness improved and how fit I felt. But one’s tendons and bones and joints improve much more slowly, so these recovery days gives the rest of the body to catch up.

So great to read how fabulous it felt. Next time you’re tempted to run on consecutive days, why not consider visiting our Strength and Flex forum and start/increase integrating running-strength-related fitness programs in the days you do not run. That really worked for me and made me also a stronger runner!

Keep hold of that delight, and enjoy the Niko Niko way! I am certainly a fellow Niko snail! 🐌

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Follow the great advice given by Instructor57 ....as you say yourself...just sticking to the plan is the way to stay injury free and make that podium

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

So pleased you are out and enjoying your run! I did try the slow running but think I was doing it wrong and my calves burnt! now I slow run without even a proper technique, I'm just slow and I enjoy looking at the scenery It's true you can keep going for ages. 🔋🔋🔋

I think after your great effort you might want to have a couple of day's rest to let the legs mend properly.

Keep enjoying it!

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

PS: I'm sure people that look at you do so in envy

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

We love a long post 😝

We also love many posts, especially from new runners… so please stick to the plan and don’t get a dumb injury (I did 🤣) so that we can have more long posts about wonderful runs, every other day or so. Those long posts from the injury couch just aren’t the same!