Week 6 Run 3 Slow but enjoying it!

[Suzycabs]

I have just finished my week 6/run 3. A 25 minute jog without stopping. I still can’t believe it! I have definitely found keeping to a routine has worked for me.

My Dad has been my inspiration. He has Alzheimer’s, and running was one of his loves. I keep him up to date when I’ve done a long run. My mum says he takes his time replying with a text, giving me advice about keeping warm in colder weather and rest days. He’s such a lovely Dad.

Thoroughly enjoying the cold mornings listening to a podcast and feeling great being outside. I feel I’m really slow though, because it is literally a slow jog. I’m 62, worried about injury, so taking it slow. When should I push myself to go faster?

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi  Suzycabs , well done on your progress!

Please don't push yourself to go faster until after you've completed and consolidated C25K. As explained in the programme guide healthunlocked.com/couchto5..., slow is good.

Even when you've been running a while, it isn't compulsory to go faster. It's nothing to do with your age, it's about staying injury-free, and remembering that even elites do roughly 80% of their runs at a comfortable pace. Finding the sort of running that makes you happy is key. It might be track sprinting, it might be parkrun, it might be long hilly trails.

Enjoy C25K!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations to you Suzycabs on completing run 3 of week 6, you are now OFFICIALLY a RUNNER, onwards and upwards to week 7 which are all 3 /25 minute runs 🏃🏾 👍

[Suzycabs Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you for that…. Did my first 25 min ‘run’ (😂still thinking it as a slow jog tho) on the treadmill at the gym because of the snow. Gosh was it hard going….. all I could think of was getting to the end! Going to the gym this morning to run my second 25 min run, need to be in a better mindset!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Suzycabs]

If it helps you to think of it as a slow jog, keep it up but I’m going to think of you as a runner. No air quotes needed! Really well done. 💪 🏃‍♀️

Was it being on the treadmill you found tough today? I find it much more difficult without the distraction and variation you get outdoors. Perhaps think about some music or a podcast you’d like to listen to? This sound ridiculous but I also find it helpful to cover the display with a magazine or something so I’m not constantly staring at how fast I’m (not!) running and how long there is to go

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

I remember your first post where you talked about your dad. It’s so lovely that you can do this thinking of him and how proud he is that you’re a runner too.

I totally agree with @cmoi. Speed doesn’t matter. Slow is great! It’s the best pace for developing as a runner. What’s the difference between a “slow jog” and a “run” anyway? In my view they’re just different ways of describing the same thing. Don’t knock your progress. You’ve done everything that’s asked of you by the c25k programme. There’s no minimum speed requirement at all.

Really good luck for your next runs and enjoy your well earned rest day(s).

[Suzycabs Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you for your encouragement. I have since done my 25min slow jog on the treadmill because of the snow. It was really hard going and at some point felt like stopping but ploughed through. So much better running outside, so can’t wait till the snow has gone.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Suzycabs]

In that case, an extra bonus congratulations! You’re doing brilliantly.

It’s frustrating when conditions force you inside but it’s definitely better than an injury and a trip to a and e. It’s useful to know you can run on a treadmill too. I only use them very rarely and I’m not that confident with them. Having the option is great.

[Mezzysu Graduate]

Well done with your runs and it’s fantastic to hear that it’s keeping your dad occupied with cascading all his knowledge and experience to you. It’s weird as I see myself as an extremely slow runner! I run pass people who says well done and keep it up but I will never forget the person I recently went pass who said faster, faster’ 🤣 and yet I have the coach in my ear saying …… this is not a race!

[Suzycabs Graduate in reply to Mezzysu]

Yes I get that…. I feel I’m a slow runner and feel exactly the same! Hope you listened to your coach 😂

[Chinkoflight]

What a lovely story and such great motivation. I've started running at 70, I find it's great for the mind as well as the body and I hope belatedly setting an example to my grandchildren who have accompanied me on some runs.

[Suzycabs Graduate in reply to Chinkoflight]

Wow well done to you starting running at 70! That’s fantastic. Yes I agree, to be outside running, it’s definitely great for the mind too.

Great idea to get your grandchildren going out with you, maybe I’ll get mine out with me too.