Er ... ooops, I guess

[Gthants]

So, over on Bridge to 10k the other day I shared more of my story and set the intention to restart C25K as part of my recovery. Based on where I was, and having done a few 3 x 3 minute runs and some very comfortable 2 x 5 minute runs, I was popping back in at Week 2. And then building strength by completing C25K again ...

I prepared that on my phone yesterday; then I got up this morning, did half an hour of pilates, some nice stretching, had a drink, and set off ...

I was adjusting my new (over a month old, but new to running) headphones, so didn't quite catch what Jo Whiley was telling me, but when she said run, I did so.

It appears that I have re-set to Week 4. 😬

When I was actually doing it, it seemed silly to stop. I've done 10,000 steps quite a few times recently and at my walking pace a half hour walk is not THAT far short of a slow jog with interspersed walking ...

Today's second run was tough to finish, but the third and fourth runs were a doddle. It's interesting - having done this only a few months back and then gone on to run 5k a few times and to run for 40 minutes - to see how the gremlins can creep up on you, but can be overcome.

Anyone reading this who is going through C25K now, just know: the stage you have reached is a very accurate reflection of your progress. If you ran for 1 minute, you CAN do it again. If you're on 3, 5, 8, 10 ... 20 or heading towards the magical 28/30 minutes, you CAN do it. It's abso-flipping-lootely amazing, but you CAN.

Today some little dark corner of my mind tried to tell me that 5 minutes running was too much after the initial 3 minutes. But I have been running and walking for longer than that, so I didn't let the doubts take hold. (Though I did wonder how I mixed up week 2 and week 4.😬[again].)

So - to C25K-ers:

* Warm up before every run - the further you are in the process, the more important this is.

* Do the runs in order. 😎😇

* Do a warm down - including some nice stretching on running days.

* Always, always take your rest days.

* Exercise on rest days - stretching and strengthening (there are masses of suggestions on this site).

* Be really, really proud of what you are doing. We don't get told enough how well we're doing, but if you are doing C25K and you're in week 1 or you are nearly at the end - you are AWESOME! 🏃‍♂️💪🏻🙌

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great post and thank you for sharing this....hopefully our new runners will read it and know that if they follow the plan, they can get exactly where they wish to be!

Huge well done to you! x

[Ziggyliscious in reply to Oldfloss]

... Absolutely Oldfloss 👍🤞👌

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Well done you 😁 you cant be the only one to mix weeks up and it seems you are where you are meant to be

[Gthants in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks! I'm embarrassed at trying to operate my phone without glasses - again! - but as you say, it's worked out.

[Ziggyliscious]

Wow ... your suggestions are most welcome Gthants 🫡👌🙌 ...

I've been mulling over what to do on those rest days ... wanting to join the lovely Adrienne again. I followed her yoga journey for a couple of weeks in January and the benefits were incredibly fast. But great procrastinator here.😱

Also, I'm not keen on the C25K suggested exercise instructors. 🫣 I know they are 'real' people - but they don't have the 'X factor' to motivate me like the group of running instructors we are able to choose from ...

😁🫢🤫🙃 ... guess I'm finding out more about myself in more ways than one on this journey ...

[Gthants in reply to Ziggyliscious]

I'm back with Adrienne too. Can't do full normal routines, but am doing breath work, sessions for back pain, plus her hamstring episodes.

Plus:

nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitne...

This is specifically for back pain, but is a really lovely pilates session for general stretching too. I keep pausing to video to do more of the specific exercises that work well for me.

And I'm sure you've seen this link, but I find going through them and noting down a "pick and mix" from them really works:

healthunlocked.com/strength...

[Ziggyliscious in reply to Gthants]

Oh that's brilliant ... thankyou 😃😊

[Sax64 Graduate]

That's a brilliant post and so encouraging. I've not managed any running this week. Down in Cornwall looking after the older grandchildren and there's absolutely no down time to sneak in a run. Missing it already. Good luck with your runs and recovery 🏃‍♀️

[Gthants]

Thank you - and I reckon grandchildren are a more than adequate workout to tide you over! 🤣

[Jamesrunsforlife Graduate]

Brilliant Advice 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Great post from you! Had to laugh at you mixing up the runs, though.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏Such a thumbs up from the old apple! What an encouragement to others you are! Thank you 😊

[Slowanddetermined]

Well done you!!!! Just what I needed to hear too, I had got to wk7r3 and got sickness and D… not run for 2 weeks as out of the habit and had visitors but went for run yesterday expecting to get back gradually (set phone wk5r1) but didn’t actually need to stop for the walking…. Very pleasantly surprised! Thank you so much for your encouraging words and well done you too!!!

[Gthants in reply to Slowanddetermined]

Thank you so much!

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

Errr…ooops indeed! 🙈😂 fantastic post mate, thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way and we can both build back up to where we left off…you being slightly further ahead than me!

Massive well done 👏🤗

[Gthants]

Ta. There'll be an update on this tomorrow. I don't think I'll be ahead! 😬🤣

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate]

What a great and inspiring post, thank you! Those gremlins can really get hold can't they, and it does take great determination to send them on theirs way. Thanks for posting that, it's a good reminder to those of us who maybe lately have allowed those gremlins to much air time! 🤗