Week 5; Day 1

[Dontlikerunning]

All around here are hills. From where I live, there's a choice. Either I can start off going uphill, or downhill. Doesn't really matter 'cause inbetween there are other hill's no matter which way I go.

So, plan was to walk uphill with a route set to take advantage of running downhill sections. Smart see 🤭

Schoolboy error 😬

Got distances all wrong. In use route required me to go UPHILL when running and gliding downhill on the walks. Worst point was pleading Laura to tell me to stop for a walk break 😯

All going well though. I really am finding C25k a delight to follow

[MissUnderstanding]

It’s exactly the same around here-I have been where you are many, many times and every time I curse myself for my lack of ability to route plan!! You are clearly made of some tough stuff to get through it!

Hills are amazing for building fitness. That will have been so good for your legs. If you feel a bit stiff tomorrow, try and have a gentle walk, swim or cycle to ease them out.

Really good luck for the next one! You’re doing amazingly 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Dontlikerunning Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It's been a busy day. C25k run followed, an hour later, with a 60 min yoga class.

After lunch snooze was well

earned, and welcome 😴

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi Dontlikerunning , it's impossible for me to go anywhere from home without going uphill or downhill. When I did C25K I attempted to plan routes where I wouldn't be doing much uphill running, but it rapidly became clear that was impossible. So I just had to get on with it - run as slowly as necessary, and keep going. That turned out to be invaluable, and hilly forest trails are now my preferred running.

Another thing: don't make the mistake of thinking that running downhill is easy. It isn't. Yes, you'll probably find it easier aerobically, but it considerably increases the load on your joints and muscles, and may lead to overstriding. All of this can make injury more likely.

If possible, try to find routes that will let you run part way up and down a hill. Learning how to handle both uphills and downhills during C25K should serve you well for your future running. Enjoy C25K!

[Dontlikerunning Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you - good advice

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hills will become your friends because they will make you so much stronger

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

I have hills all around me, but prefer starting with uphill when I’ve got maximum energy.

[Dontlikerunning Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

My approach was to use the 5 min warm up walk to go uphill and leave the downhill to the end for a sprint finish. Trouble came from the misaligned hills in the middle 😅

[Liono Graduate]

I swore the "hills" (slight inclines!) moved around on me when I was planning my runs during my first C25K! It didn't matter how well I planned, I always ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time, running uphill at the end of a long stint. All good in the long run (😂) though as it helps make you a better runner I'm sure!

[MissUnderstanding in reply to Liono]

And wind! Always in my face. Even on an out and back run!!!

[Liono Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

YES!!! 😂

[ps12345]

So I live at the bottom of a valley with gentle and sharp hills in all directions - tough for quite a long time as regards running, strides and breathing BUT persevere! You will come to relish the hills and your achievements - be patient!

[Bluemerlegirl Graduate]

I absolutely hated the hills when I first started out! They were exhausting. However, I refused to let them win. I started walking them very briskly on my “off running” days. I used my cooldown walks after running, to walk them. Eventually they became something I could run up. Now, I feel they give me a great workout and I find myself looking for more hills to add. What I don’t like, and doubt I ever will, is the wind!!!!😂

[Remus71 Graduate]

I'm surrounded by hills too. At the beginning, even a very slight incline felt like a mountain (my first week of C25k even going up a kerb was hard work) and I spent a lot of time trying to plan my routes so that the walking was uphill and running was down. It never quite worked out right though! Now, I love the feeling when you've done a tough incline and have that sense of freedom coming down the other side. Persevere it'll be worth it

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Hills will be your friend…honest! I was lucky to be able to drive to a fairly level location for my C25k, but…during consolidation, Lockdown occurred and I had to exercise from home. 😱

Living halfway up a small mountain is not fun!⛰️

However it’s an amazing feeling to find yourself at the top of an incline and realise that it didn’t feel as bad as last time!

Also, just to echo Cmoi …it’s important to take it easy on the downhill sections…I jarred my knee running downhill at the end of my first 60 minute run ☹️…and I’m not even fast! 🐌

Enjoy!