Week 6 Run 3 ✅

[Jools2020]

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 🤣

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

That doesn’t mean I don’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 I’m supposed to? 😊 Sometimes it’s hard when you’ve done the program before to remind yourself that you’re building up to previous fitness. You’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 don’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! 😇

So, I’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 here’s one of my recent trip to Northumberland.

I’ve done my stretches, now for porridge and coffee!

[Roxdog Graduate]

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

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

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

[backintime Graduate]

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

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to backintime]

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

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks, Sola. Yes, it’s hard, but I can feel my fitness coming back.

[SueAppleRun Graduate 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 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

I think it’s made it easier going back to the program. It’s removed all decision making! 😊

[GTFC Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

👆🏽👏👏👏👏👏👏

[NettieNoo Graduate]

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 Graduate in reply to NettieNoo]

I think just gradually increasing the distance is perfect. Better, in fact! That’s what I did before, when I realised I wasn’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 Graduate 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 😀 add distance when you can in increments but keep it steady. It's the magic key 🔑

[Bontobpat Graduate]

well done Jools!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Bontobpat]

Thank you! I’m getting there (again) 😊

[Petem56 Graduate]

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

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Petem56]

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

Glad to be encouraging!

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

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 😒

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

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

[Runninggirl59 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

So do I, thanks 😀

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done jools !A runner again?

You were always a runner from last time!

Just a runner who was having a break 🙂

Bet it's good though to be back on continuous runs 🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, Ian - you’re right of course!

I am pleased to be on continuous runs, but I think I feel protected by the program. I don’t have to make any decisions yet 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Haha, never thought of it like that 🤔😁

[GTFC Graduate]

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 👏👏👏👏

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to GTFC]

Thank you! Appreciate your encouragement.

[ClairePC Graduate]

go girl! I’m on a break until Saturday (work) and then I’ll start week 7. So we’re on about the same place. Running together!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ClairePC]

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