I saw a positive comment from Instructor57 about slow running, which made me feel better about my steady pace. I am slower doing C25K this time around and sometimes it gets me down.
I enjoy my gentle plods much more than I did any quicker runs! I know there’s a lesson in here somewhere…🤔 it is hard to let go of not feeling ‘good enough’ or ‘fast enough’.
It is slow running that is helping me fall in love with exercise again. Does anyone else feel the same? 🐌❤️
Yes!!! I am also finding that running slower is also very meditative, which I am very much enjoying.
Meditative is a good way to describe it ChannelRunner2 . Do you listen to music or run without?
Yes 🤣. I do both, though I've found that the music runs aren't as meditative - and sometimes I just want to run to music!
Some songs definitely give an extra spring in your step! 🏃♀️
Slow rocks...it gets us where we wish to be, safely and enjoyably!How do you think I've got this far? Slow and steady...and taking it all in !
Go you...slowly!
Thanks Oldfloss! I will carry on doing just that! 😊
For me slow running is my happy place !I understand this is different for everyone but for me that comfortable conversational pace where the miles can just melt away beneath your feet are the best .
And of course the ideal way to build up that aerobic base 🙂
It’s good to hear that! Sometimes there seems to be so much pressure to be the fastest you can be and run as far as you can. It’s so nice to hear that a slow run is appreciated by so many and just as good for you!
Slow is just perfect! - enjoy! it’s my happy place and the pace my mind and body enjoy. I’ve really fallen in love with running since I realised this and have stopped worrying about speed and distance, even though my husband is ultra performance driven and measures every run in these terms🤣. I especially love how being slow allows me to take time to observe and appreciate the surroundings of my runs and all the little joys of being outside.
I love slow, better to run slow and injury free than on the IC. Something learned from experience !
I hadn’t thought about injuries but you’re right! Although can I ask what the IC is please?!
That's the injury couch, no-one wants to be there!
ah, thank you!
It’s so good to hear you’ve fallen in love with it without worrying about pace etc. I’m really hoping i will love it more each time I head out without speed and distance on my mind!
I can empathise 100%. I am slower now than I was last year but I enjoy my runs more but I still get that slight feeling of disappointment when I see my time. I think I need to just not time myself. Maybe that’s the trick.
I am glad I am not alone in this. I run on the treadmill at the moment and have started placing my phone over the distance tracker, only running for the c25k times. It is ok so far. I think it will take time to work through the disappointed feeling but hopefully I will graduate and then move on to a 5k distance for enjoyment alone.
Hi rose-finch, my belief is you started running for you, you alone, no one else. Therefore you can only compare yourself to you and there is no one faster or slower than you. This is all about you😁👍🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃🤸♂️That said I know how you feel.
OldManRunning thank you for this - what a wonderful and positive thing to read on a Monday morning! I will keep this in mind on my run this evening. 😊
I am on my 3rd C25K following 2 lengthy injury breaks and definitely slower than the first time around three years ago( and that was slow!) Hopefully plodding along at a 45 min 5K for most of the time will keep me fitter this time.
It’s a similar pace me - I do seem to enjoy my runs a bit more at this pace, although must work to shake off the disappointed feeling. Best wishes for your re-graduation 😊
Like you I have had the breakthrough re:slow running. It’s great. I didn’t ever think I would say the words ‘I like running’ but this discovery has been liberating, and it’s thanks to the advice and support from people here.
That’s wonderful to hear - I am new to this forum but there are so many kind posters, words of wisdom and support. And other lovers of slow running!
Absolutely. I have to say, I didn’t really enjoy running until I made a conscious decision to run slow. That’s not to say I don’t record my times, but just that I don’t really care whether it’s slow or whether I sometimes surprise myself by doing something faster. Just go with the flow, do what you feel and, above all, enjoy it. X
Thank you Greysixty x
I’m a great believer in slow running. I go out with my next-door neighbour who is 70 and new to C25K and I’ve encouraged her to SLOW DOWN so that she enjoys the experience and keeps doing it. Have a look on YouTube for Japanese Slow Jogging; there’s a book too that explains the science of it all.
Slow Japanese running works 
Slow runs = more aches
Lovely long slow run tonight
Consolidation Runs- Slowing down is the key
