8th week completed.

[Mezzysu]

it’s been freezing the past 2 days in London and I was really concerned about running on the frosty roads in case I had an injury and couldn’t complete my 9th week.

I struggled with running 28 minutes. I did it but I jog really slow. I’m 4.11 and I only have small legs. I know it’s not about speed but I’m conscious I am slow.

Once graduated, I will stick to and repeat the 9th week for sometime until I build stamina but also because I like the fact that someone tracks the time and tell me how long I have.

Once I run my little body is aching. Not sure if anyone else feels the same ?

I also find the first 10 mins of running the hardest.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi      Mezzysu , well done on completing week 8!

It's absolutely normal to find the first ten minutes of running the hardest. It's called the "toxic ten." Not sure whether you were given links to information about it in replies to your previous posts, I'll have to go and check. If not I'll edit this post later.

Now edited to add: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

I notice you mentioned aching in previous posts. Do remember that you can always take extra rest days if needed, and that stretching, hydration (if you're properly hydrated you really shouldn't need to drink anything during a C25K run) and not going too fast should help too.

You've almost reached graduation now - be proud of yourself for what you've achieved! 👍

(PS I'm only an inch taller than you. Height doesn't matter. I'm sure as heck not going to grow any taller now, so I just get on with it. It's far less of a problem anyway when running than it is when trying to get stuff off the top shelf in a supermarket!)

[Mezzysu Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Awww Cmoi, you made me laugh about the height. Thank you for your support. By the way, I didn’t know about the toxic 10, so I’m going to have a read now.

[Mothmoss Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Oh, that explains a lot...... it does always get easier after than first ten minutes. Thank you.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Knowing about the toxic ten was a game changer for me. It totally changed the way I thought about runs. Just knowing it would be hard at the start as I warmed up but would get better meant I could keep it super steady and patient and just keep going until it felt good. It’s the same when I start to swim but I’d never made the connection with starting a run!

You’ve done brilliantly throughout the programme. As Cmoi says, aches can be linked with dehydration. It could also be anything else that’s going on outside running. It’s a busy time of year. There are a lot of bugs around at the moment. Are you eating well and enough? Stretches/yoga can be brilliant for runner’s aches! Definitely don’t feel bad about taking plenty of rest days. That’s a really sensible course of action and it won’t set you back. It will help you move forward. Look after yourself ❤️

Wishing you a happy last week on the programme and we’re ready to celebrate your graduation when you finish!

[Chinkoflight]

I've got little legs too, and they tell me I'm running blindingly fast 🤣. C25K is about time spent running, it's not about running a fixed distance. Here is an interesting stat - if you look at Parkrun 5km run results you will see the spread of times by age and gender. PR's are skewed to younger runners and many are hobby and club runners who use PR as part of their training. Mid-point average times are around 30minutes the best are circa 18 minutes and many come in at 40 minutes+ including me. However your running times will improve just by running slowly and building up the the time and distance. It will take maybe a year after finishing C25K. Parkrun maybe a good motivator when you want something to move on to.

[Mezzysu Graduate in reply to Chinkoflight]

thank you Chinkoflight, you have made my day. My husband is also a runner and he told me it took him a year. I really appreciate the re-assurance and confirmation. This week is my last week and it’s snowed badly here in London. I haven’t gone out and don’t want to chance it