I am being too keen!

[sysip10]

I did my first Parkrun yesterday and managed it in just over 30 minutes. I did it with my partner who completed her C25K back in May. I started the C25K on my own (following the NHS app) in July as the local council were not running another course until the end of September.

I am now on Week 8 Session 1. When I did the week 7 sessions, I added on a bit, so I was running for 30 minutes. It felt ok and doable at a steady pace. It's been tricky in someways doing it on my own as I don't know if I'm going too fast (or too slow), I've just been going at what I felt was a comfortable pace and following the vocal advice from Laura, on the "app".

Before I did the Parkrun, I ran the course on my own the morning before! It felt ok. The actual race was harder as I was pushing it too much too early on and I probably should have taken a rest day, before the race! I struggled at the end of the Parkrun so I'm planning to do it again next week but at an overall steadier pace!

I’ve not completed the full C25K programme yet (but I will finish it in the coming weeks!).

I’ve jointed the local Athletics Club (a lot of the members are graduates from the C25K) and I’ve booked myself onto my first session on Monday evening. It's a track session but it's tailored for all abilities (I'm pleased to say).

I’m 58 and probably still around 1 ½ stone overweight. I have lost about ¾ of a stone since I started running and I'm a lot more careful with my diet (less wine and snacks!)

I have previously done the Great North Run (half marathon) back in 1997 with my partner, so it’s been 25 years since I’ve been running!

So I am being too keen or should I just embrace my new found enthusiasm?

My partner Helen says I have potential 🏃 😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Well done to you sysip10, I don't think that you should have ran 5K twice in 24 hours, one of the rules of C25K is not to run on consecutive days as that could cause a injury, next week if you want to, run that parkrun course on Wednesday yourself then run the parkrun on Saturday with everyone else

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

We do not recommend that you run on consecutive days until you have a minimum of six months of regular running on your legs........ regardless of what you have done in the past.

This FAQ Post about parkrun healthunlocked.com/couchto5... gives further details and our recommendation that whilst doing C25k you stick to the programme and walk the remainder.

We are all capable of doing way more than our bodies are conditioned to do, but not without increasing our injury risk. Sticking to gently progressive training plans is the safest way to push our limits, whilst gently increasing our resistance to injury.

Injury often strikes out of the blue and can stop you for days, weeks or even months.

When you run, the impact creates microtears in your muscles, which repair and strengthen on your rest days, not while running. Without rest, repair and strengthening are compromised and injury risk increased.

If you want to be the best runner that you can be, then do non impact cross training on your rest days, which will be far more beneficial than running every day. It is not recommended for new runners to run on consecutive days until they have a minimum of six months regular running on their legs.

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.

From what you have told us, it sounds like you may be treading a tightrope, with injury awaiting the unfortunate.

Take care and enjoy your journey.

[sysip10 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks

👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Exactly x

[Cmoi Graduate]

Learning to channel your enthusiasm, and not expecting to run in the same way you did 25 years ago, is key. The more I run the more I realise I have to learn.

[sysip10 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks. Yes I now realise I need to manage my fitness schedule much better and not try to "run" before I can walk so to speak! with rest days inbetween. I saw a YouTube video recently about the 10% rule in terms of increasing distance. Hence the C25K programme is excellent. Thanks again for the replies.

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

Well done you!. Im not going to offer any advice re your running, as there are much more experienced people on here to do that. But for me, as well as your training and being sensible with it, if you enjoy it, thats the main thing! So definitely embrace it!!!😀🏃‍♀️

[sysip10 Graduate]

Thanks

👍