Week 6 Run 3 โœ…: Up a bit later than usual, but... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Week 6 Run 3 โœ…

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate
โ€ข26 Replies

Up a bit later than usual, but looking forward to this run. My hair looks like a hedgehog is sitting on my head, but no matter ๐Ÿคฃ

I knew I could complete this run. I did the programme before in 2020, so I trust it! I know it works.

That doesnโ€™t mean I donโ€™t have conversations in my head! Will I force myself to run slowly to conserve my energy? Will I stop myself going for negative splits?Will I stop at 25 minutes like Iโ€™m supposed to? ๐Ÿ˜Š Sometimes itโ€™s hard when youโ€™ve done the program before to remind yourself that youโ€™re building up to previous fitness. Youโ€™re not there yet!

I have a tendency to start too fast when my legs are raring to go. A good while ago I received some great advice from GTFC . Start the clock, but donโ€™t start running straight away. Keep walking for a minute or so - then glide into a run. I did this today and it worked. The stats show my slow first km, which helped set the pace for the rest of the run.

It was helpful to have the Coach tell me at intervals how long I had left to run. I saw that I would end up short of 3K after 25 minutes. It was tough, but I resisted the temptation to run on. I am sticking rigidly to the program! ๐Ÿ˜‡

So, Iโ€™m happy to be a runner (again)! looking forward to Week 7, but I might allow myself 2 rest days.

Forgot to take a pic so hereโ€™s one of my recent trip to Northumberland.

Iโ€™ve done my stretches, now for porridge and coffee!

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Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020
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26 Replies
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Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate

So good to hear - sounds like you enjoyed the run and were sensible about pace.

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to Roxdog

I did enjoy it! A nice (fairly) early run sets you up for the day.

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate

it is so hard to stick to not going over sometimes, isn't it! mine is "just to the end of this song" :D

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to backintime

Oh it was tough! Only a few more weeks though until I graduate again ๐Ÿ˜€. Then I can run on lol

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

Well done Jools, sometimes when you've done it before it's hard to stick to the plan, that's a stunning photo too

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun

Thanks, Sola. Yes, itโ€™s hard, but I can feel my fitness coming back.

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate in reply to Jools2020

It's quite amazing isn't it? We do the programme and run further and even faster over time then for one reason or other we run less, or have a break, and then we find the time or whatever to run more regularly again and realise what we've lost, it really is consistency that brings that fitness back, you are amazing , it's harder the second time round

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun

I think itโ€™s made it easier going back to the program. Itโ€™s removed all decision making! ๐Ÿ˜Š

GTFC profile image
GTFCGraduate in reply to SueAppleRun

๐Ÿ‘†๐Ÿฝ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

NettieNoo profile image
NettieNooGraduate

This so resonates with me ... I did c25k in 2019, then eventually my running fizzled out and I started again in January this year, graduating again in March. I was doing about 3k in 25 minutes too, and am still running at the same pace now, just gradually increasing the distance. I REALLY wanted to run faster, but have settled to the idea that I'm 4 years older, a bit more marinated in gin, have had covid, been bereaved etc. etc. It's the doing it that counts, keep going!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to NettieNoo

I think just gradually increasing the distance is perfect. Better, in fact! Thatโ€™s what I did before, when I realised I wasnโ€™t a fast runner. I gradually increased the distance, running at a pace I was comfortable at, with a longer run just once a week. I loved planning and doing my long runs. Before I knew what was happening I was regularly going on 10 Mile runs. Always slowly!

Part of me still wanted to run faster though - just sometimes, to show I could. So just once a week I did some interval work, or Jeffed. It did work and my PBs did improve, but I still got more enjoyment going on a slow 10 mile run.

GTFC profile image
GTFCGraduate in reply to NettieNoo

Absolutely this! Keep going, keep the consistency but purposefully run slower for longer and over time slip in a quick mile or km on its own and you'll see you've increased pace ๐Ÿ˜€ add distance when you can in increments but keep it steady. It's the magic key ๐Ÿ”‘

Bontobpat profile image
BontobpatGraduate

well done Jools!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to Bontobpat

Thank you! Iโ€™m getting there (again) ๐Ÿ˜Š

Petem56 profile image
Petem56Graduate

Just keep your hat on and nobody will know, glad you are enjoying the running, keep the reports coming as they encourage me onwards ๐Ÿ˜

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to Petem56

haha, I did exactly that! Squashed my hair down with the sun visor ๐Ÿคฃ

Glad to be encouraging!

Runninggirl59 profile image
Runninggirl59Graduate

Well done Jools, very sensible. My plan to get back to full fitness was going well until Saturday when my achilles problem flared up. Trouble is it is the other achilles not the dodgy one! I have prescribed a week off the running, for now ๐Ÿ˜’

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59

How disappointing! But we know we have to listen to our bodies and I hope youโ€™re not in the injury couch for too long.

Runninggirl59 profile image
Runninggirl59Graduate in reply to Jools2020

So do I, thanks ๐Ÿ˜€

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Well done jools !A runner again?

You were always a runner from last time!

Just a runner who was having a break ๐Ÿ™‚

Bet it's good though to be back on continuous runs ๐Ÿ™‚

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to Instructor57

Thanks, Ian - youโ€™re right of course!

I am pleased to be on continuous runs, but I think I feel protected by the program. I donโ€™t have to make any decisions yet ๐Ÿ˜Š

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate in reply to Jools2020

Haha, never thought of it like that ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ˜

GTFC profile image
GTFCGraduate

Love this Jools2020 I still start steadily and walk/very steadily slow jog before so many of my runs. Your experience also helped you as you went through the run. You're making super progress again and having that consistency is all the platform you need. Then you can experiment with how you feel in each run and adapt to what suits you. Really well done to you ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to GTFC

Thank you! Appreciate your encouragement.

ClairePC profile image
ClairePCGraduate

go girl! Iโ€™m on a break until Saturday (work) and then Iโ€™ll start week 7. So weโ€™re on about the same place. Running together!

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate in reply to ClairePC

We are! Iโ€™m thinking about starting Week 7 tomorrow. I keep threatening to take an extra rest day - but then wake up and want to run!

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