Onwards and ... well, onwards 😆

[NettieNoo]

I did week 7 run 1 last night (my 2nd 25 minute run!) Was it nice? No. Did I enjoy it? Hell, no. Am I glad I did it? Yes!It was the first outing for my new compression socks, bought because my calves feel uncomfortable when I run and I think they helped, a tiny bit. Mostly they seemed to help my legs recover quicker when I stopped, although then my thighs felt uncomfortable when they don't usually, so I think I need to buy a compression stocking for my entire body and push all the discomfort up to my head, where hopefully it will pop out of my ears.

I've decided to try and be content with the small wins, so they were:

1. I did it. No excuses, no wimping out.

2. My pace was ever so slightly quicker than last time. It still took me the longest time to catch up and overtake a dog walker ambling along in front of me 🤣

3. My heart rate was lower for the whole run than previously, and recovered quicker.

4. My legs felt strong afterwards, not like bits of wet string.

Next run scheduled for Saturday. I'm sort of looking forward to it!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Your description of the full body compression stocking literally made me laugh out loud! 😂😂😂

I’ve never tried compression so I’m not sure how it’s supposed to feel. I’m sure we’ll have some posters who have though?

Was your route a bit more hilly? Maybe wenta bit quick? Perhaps the socks affected how you ran and you used some slightly different muscles. I always find really focussing on stretching helps with aches and pains the day after runs, although they do occasionally happen if I’ve done a trail route (working different muscles harder) or deliberately speedy run. Some people really notice their hydration affects their legs.

Sometimes it’s just one of those things and runs just feel a bit tough. Often that’s followed by a really lovely run! Give yourself a good chance to rest and recover, maybe with a gentle walk to ease your legs out. You’ll be in a great position for run 2 of the week knowing you’ve already done it once and even though it challenged you, you rose to it and finished feeling strong. Knowing you’ve got that in you could be a great source of confidence. Good luck! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[NettieNoo Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you. I might patent the running body stocking! And no, it's nothing to do with hills - I live in Snowdonia, so have got very adept and knowing where is completely flat to run (disused railway lines mostly), I think any discomfort is down to being unfit and getting slowly fitter. No pain, just discomfort, so I'm pushing on.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to NettieNoo]

Well done on finding flat routes! That sounds like a big challenge-Snowdonia is such a beautiful part of the world but not exactly renowned for its flatness!!! Round here it’s all hills which is tough but I have grown to love them.

It sounds like you’re doing brilliantly. So much to be proud of yourself for. You’ll most likely find the aches and pains settle down as you get used to the longer runs. It’s absolutely fine (better in fact!) to take it steadily. It helped me to think of the sorts of runs couch to 5k asks you to do as “time on feet” runs and then pace/distance covered become irrelevant.

Have a great next run!

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

Well done!

I wouldn't get too hung up on speed, going too fast is probably the main cause of all the stuff people complain about, such as:

- achy muscles

- pulled muscles

- falling over

- discomfort of all sorts

- generally hating running

You've done this before, you know what to do. Slow down, breathe, smile. The dog walker may be ahead of you but who's the one who is doing something awesome? You.

We're not all built for speed, I often see my fastest ever pace being referred to as 'leisurely' by people younger, taller, fitter and often male to boot (not that I go round booting men even when sorely tempted).

Your wins: I'd add that you did the run and you're glad you did it. Maybe concentrate on the bits that you are enjoying while you run?

I hated running when I started C25K but realised that if I didn't sort my attitude out I'd never continue. If so many other people liked it then there must be reasons so I decided to look for them. Starting with the absolute awe that my (then) 63 year old legs can run. Move onto the joy of moving, of being outside, of the things I saw and the appreciation of my rapid progress, because it is rapid when you do C25K. There's plenty to smile about.

Smiling when you run makes it more enjoyable. So does yelling 'I'm having a fantastic time!', though you probably need to check that nobody can hear you when you do this.

Good luck, you're doing great

[NettieNoo Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Oh, this is lovely, thank you! One of the reasons my running fizzled out before was that I got hung up on distance / pace and pushed myself until I hated it and injured myself. Silly. This time round I'm 4 years older, fatter, more marinaded in gin, so my discomfort is at least partly my own fault, but will hopefully improve so I can start to enjoy it again. I did admire the moon last night and stop to take a photo of a frog, and I am, genuinely, looking forward to the next run. I don't really mind if I'm rubbish and slow - doing it at all feels like taking back a bit of control.

[Yesletsgo Administrator in reply to NettieNoo]

You're not rubbish, how many other women your age can do half of what you do? 😁PS speed is overrated!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to NettieNoo]

Totally agree with  Yesletsgo ’s reply. You’re not rubbish. You’re awesome! You’ve taken the really brave step to do something positive and you’re succeeding. You can run for ages and finish feeling strong 💪. What’s rubbish about that?

[NettieNoo Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you, I knew getting myself back on here would help me feel more positive! I hope I can offer similar support to other people.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to NettieNoo]

Your story will be so inspiring to anyone doing this programme. Honestly, you’re doing so well. Sometimes we need our virtual run buddies to help us see that. We’re often really harsh teammates and coaches to ourselves!

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to NettieNoo]

I can totally relate to the getting hung up on numbers thing NettieNoo . For me what works is simply not to measure. When I did C25K I used the podcasts - no choice as I'm outside the UK - so while I followed the timings, I didn't measure distance or pace etc until some time after I'd completed C25K.

I'd been running over a year before I got a running watch and I still don't wear it all the time. In fact this morning I went for a run minus both Garmin and Strava, and didn't even look at the clock before I went out. I've been putting myself under pressure to do stuff just to deliver "better" numbers and I'm sick of it.

So please forget the idea that you're rubbish if you're not constantly pushing yourself to go faster or run further or (if you're me) get in more vertical on more difficult terrain. There's a lot to be said for simply getting out there and enjoying yourself. Have fun!

[SkiMonday Graduate]

Seems to me that you’re doing great! Although I’m doubtful that a full body compression stocking will push all your discomfort out of your ears. However, avoid wearing ear plugs, just in case! 😎

[NettieNoo Graduate in reply to SkiMonday]

🤣🤣 Yes, that could end up injuring a passer by 😂

[Week7 Graduate]

Well done -I found week 7 runs tough but doable and, as with your experience I was always pleased afrewards.I love your positive "wins" list and I think you definitely need to go to Dragons Den with your revolutionary ear popping, full body compression stocking idea-sounds like a winner!

[Gael21]

that made me laugh at loud, I recognised myself so much in this (except for the compression socks, never used those). Keep going you’re nearly there but don’t push too hard too quick. Still nursing a sore knee after doing exactly that. Good luck x

[Beistol Graduate]

Ha ha! I love this. A nice lighthearted take on the the pain before the gain. Keep on truckin 👍