Slow running for the ❤️ of it! : I saw a... - Couch to 5K

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Slow running for the ❤️ of it!

rose-finch profile image
25 Replies

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? 🐌❤️

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rose-finch profile image
rose-finch
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25 Replies
ChannelRunner2 profile image
ChannelRunner2Graduate

Yes!!! I am also finding that running slower is also very meditative, which I am very much enjoying.

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toChannelRunner2

Meditative is a good way to describe it ChannelRunner2 . Do you listen to music or run without?

ChannelRunner2 profile image
ChannelRunner2Graduate in reply torose-finch

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!

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toChannelRunner2

Some songs definitely give an extra spring in your step! 🏃‍♀️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

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!

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toOldfloss

Thanks Oldfloss! I will carry on doing just that! 😊

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

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 🙂

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toInstructor57

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!

Karen59er profile image
Karen59erGraduate

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.

Runninggirl59 profile image
Runninggirl59Graduate in reply toKaren59er

I love slow, better to run slow and injury free than on the IC. Something learned from experience !

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toRunninggirl59

I hadn’t thought about injuries but you’re right! Although can I ask what the IC is please?!

Runninggirl59 profile image
Runninggirl59Graduate in reply torose-finch

That's the injury couch, no-one wants to be there!

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toRunninggirl59

ah, thank you!

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toKaren59er

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!

JetsNanna profile image
JetsNannaGraduate

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.

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toJetsNanna

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.

OldManRunning profile image
OldManRunningGraduate

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.

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toOldManRunning

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. 😊

Grumpypete profile image
GrumpypeteGraduate

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.

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toGrumpypete

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 😊

LindySearle profile image
LindySearleGraduate

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.

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toLindySearle

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!

Greysixty profile image
GreysixtyGraduate

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

rose-finch profile image
rose-finch in reply toGreysixty

Thank you Greysixty x

HRTHarrier profile image
HRTHarrier

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.

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