Hello everyone.!
Well, here we are again folks...another month nearly over and heading into Autumn. The evenings are drawing in, the colours of Summer are steadily beginning to give way to those blazing shades of Autumn... and it is the perfect time for us to sit together and share our stories.!
I left posting this, so we could just have this time, the last week of September. This post is a bit of a revamp of one from a while back, and is as relevant now as it always was.
Since last year when the Corner first opened, we have had a real mix, of new runners, some Graduates and some really seasoned runners, who have joined us on the cushions!
I am DELIGHTED , and seeing folk each month , chatting, sharing and watching each other's progress is amazing!
You have all been doing the most incredible things this last month with so many new Graduates and so many recent Graduates, moving forward to new routes in their running!
But... and there is always a little but, we have new folks joining us every single day and although, if we read the essential pinned post on How to Run C25K, we realise that at this stage, speed and distance are of no importance, still for some of we runners, there is a lot of worry generated about both those things.
I did say, from the onset, that I may be sharing ideas and tips with you, as well as links to things you are interested in. So...in true Oldfloss rambling style, here goes, yet again.
I do, ( as long-standing forum friends know), have a bit of a reputation, as both an advocate of slow and steady, and a worrier, about all of you!
As an Admin' on the forums, I notice, sometimes the fact that we, ourselves, are our most severe critics. We really do, give ourselves a hard time and this is something I have posted about previously, on this and our other running forums.
We worry about so much; Missing runs, loss of fitness and maybe motivation, and often too, about speed or distance or time
Time now, to sit down together, take a breather and just re charge.
When we begin the C25K programme, it can, without us realising it, become too easy, to feel pressure, to move too fast; sometimes comparing ourselves with other runners, and even encouraged, often with the best of intentions, by other speedier, or less experienced runners.
So...the facts:
This programme is intended as a slow, structured build up to 30-minute runs after nine weeks. (If it takes you longer, then that is fine…. If you never make 5K, that is fine… you do not have to reach 5K in 30 minutes, to become a Graduate).
Fun is meant to be had on your runs towards Graduation, not just at the beginning, but in all the weeks; learning about yourself and your running, getting fitter and stronger with every week. However, the definition of what I mean by slow, is a tricky one to explain. But what I intend folk to take from any advice I may offer, is, simply, to find a comfortable, sustainable and happy pace for the runs within their own running.
My slow, is not your slow. My slow, is slower than some and speedier than others. There are runners on here, who if moving slowly, would be at least 1K ahead of me, moving slowly. But, my runs are done at my pace, my comfortable and happy pace and I choose to run as slowly or as quickly as I am comfortable with, depending on the run: challenging myself, yes, but never pushing to the point of reducing myself to an exhausted, over-heated, sickened wet-rag of a runner. ( yes, it can happen).
This is your C25K and your choice of pace; but try, maybe, to find that comfortable pace for yourself, and, if you are new to running, then do, take it steadily through those first uncertain runs of the programme, and as the runs increase in time, start to feel your stamina increasing, your strength building and those running legs growing.
Find that happy running pace for yourself. Get there having had an enjoyable time.
Many, many of us have busy lives, and are working, long hours, bringing up family, and as we all do, carry responsibility for all manner of things. At this current time too, there are things that we have little control of. Rising prices, lack of jobs, world affairs, the list goes on. Overthinking too can be a real problem.
So let's try to put things into some kind of perspective and try also, to accept, more; do what we are able and be a tad kinder to ourselves.
There are incredible, seasoned Graduates on the forums, amazing runners, who have proved their worth, over and over again, influenced and still influence my progress, with their tried and tested advice and their sound contributions to this particular forum. I am in awe of them.
Please do listen to their advice. Read the pinned posts, use the forums and the links to support your running.
So...Come on and let's do this... we will try to relax, follow our plans...but we will, take our time and enjoy.
Floss ramble over.
Now, we need to know what you have been up to. How has this month gone for you?
We are all still, eager to hear your experiences, maybe offer ideas or suggestions, or simply sit in awe of your achievements.
Please do pop in and let us share with you.
Floss x
I have watched you progress, steadily and always taking on board the advice from those who have run before you...
