Restart Progress 4 - HELP

[stewieUK]

OK, here goes. Started Week 6 run 2 and it went well. So well in fact I didn't stop when the wonderful Laura told me to after the first 10 minute run. Then I ignored her after the 2 minute walk and then again after the 2nd 10 minute run. Altogether I ran for more than 25 minutes non stop and still felt I "had plenty in the tank" and could have gone on and on but the gym weight training was calling so I had to warm down and then cool down.

There are 2 questions that come to mind:

First and probably most important, have I pee'd off Laura😀😀😀. Will she still be talking to me?

Second, should I continue "off piste" or continue following the programme (if Laura will let me)?

I honestly don't know what to do for the best because I felt SO good after this fun and don't want to not have that feeling again. A very strange run considering I found run 1 so difficult.

The 2nd love of my life, the very gentle soul that is Lola.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

You should NEVER ignore Laura, you risk injury by ignoring her, all runners including you should keep ridgidly to the program, if not as I have said you risk injury, so from now on do what Laura tells you.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Finishing feeling you’ve got plenty in the tank is a great position to be in!

Have you read your restart post recently? You really should go back and see how far you’ve come…

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

It’s usually best to stick to the programme timings to reduce your risk of injury-it builds up slowly in a tried and tested way. We’d always encourage everyone not to extend the runs. People often get injured when they build too quickly.

If you’re carrying on with couch to 5k, all the timings for your runs are set out for you. If not, you’d be safest not extending by more than 10% a week, and that’s basically what Couch to 5k does anyway! It’s up to you. What sorts of things were you thinking about doing instead of couch to 5k? It’s not the only way to return to running and it isn’t compulsory to finish, but you really don’t want to be stuck on the couch with a sore [insert body part!] from getting too enthusiastic after a good run.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[stewieUK Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks MissUnderstanding. Problem is that I don't really know why (or how) I managed to just run on. I was just "in the zone" and felt really good at the end. I understand the programme regime and like the support from this group. I guess run 3 is another non stop run so I'll probably follow that and see how it goes. Today might just have been a flash in the pan but at the end it felt like I could have gone straight through to Week 9!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to stewieUK]

As Frizzbomb67 says, it’s a wonderful feeling and it’s usually the one we’re all chasing as runners! The problem is that your body needs time to build up strength so if you increase your distance too quickly, you’re putting yourself at risk of suddenly developing an overuse injury. We’ve got a lot of people on here who can testify to that happening to them. My physio says it’s the main reason he sees runners in his clinic!

It’s really hard to stop when you’re feeling good (harder than pushing through feeling bad in my experience!). It’s especially worth playing the long game when you’re doing to programme for the first time or coming back after a significant break.

We’re all adults here and we absolutely all get carried away sometimes!

You’ve made amazing progress so far and you’ve got so much more to come. Good luck!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

It is a truly great feeling ‘being in the zone’ 😁 It will happen many more times through your running journey, so for now, stick to the program. Laura is a lovely lass and very forgiving so you’ll be fine 😉

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

Fortunately you are getting really close to Week9 and you are obviously loving what the programme has done for you.

No doubt wise to stick with the plan for the last few runs as then you can really feel that you have built up your stamina and muscles in the prescribed and incremental way.

Not long until you will be a graduate runner and beyond….no rush !