Getting closer to the finish (or is it starting?) line.

[Lizzie_NewStart]

Week 8 started and todays run went well. Having accidently run W8R1 last week I knew I could do it, but I was still apprehensive in case anything went wrong. Luckily nothing did.

I am finding the continuous runs a lot easier that those with a walking section. I am not sure it it that I am getting fitter of if the walking element had some affect. I don't necessarily feel as tired at the end, my breathing seems more relaxed now. I do however find that once I stop running, my legs take a while to get back to used to walking, they seem to still want to run but I don't think the rest of me would want to join them. My boyfriend says much the same so I guess it may be a common thing.

While walking the dogs after todays run, an older gentleman ran passed us at quite a speed and Oscar, my dog started run run alongside which is unlike him. I called him back and the guy lifted his hand in acknowledgement but stopped further up the path. I apologised when we caught him up but he said it was no problem and that he was just finishing his 10K. We got talking and he said he had seen us running a few times and we told him about our C25K. He said that's how he started nearly 10 years ago, WHEN HE WAS 70!! I would have put him late fifties to early sixties at most.

He does 10K every day and a bit longer when he has the time. It made me realise I have a long way to go yet!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏Well done Lizzie! So pleased you are enjoying the longer runs because that’s what we set out to do.. to run! What a lovely encounter with the older runner & a fab example to us all of staying fit and strong in the golden years!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good run for you today Lizzie, but that now 80 year old man running 10K every day, wow, there is a 80 year old man at one of the parkruns I go to runs 5K regularly in around 23 minutes and has an age grading of 90% practically every week..

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

I am not sure which I would most like to reach, 10K or 80 years 😀

It just amazes me how fit some older folks are.

I have seen nearly all my family pass away before 80, some well before. I am hoping it is to do with lifestyle and not genetics. None of them did any vigorous form of exercise, some smoked and some well overweight, but some slim, teetotal non-smokers and they went first.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Go you! Well done... yes.. the longer relaxed runs are just super... the legs do what they are getting made for!

P.s

The Finish line is a NEW starting line!

[nowster Graduate]

Wobbly legs at the end might mean you're not drinking enough through the day. (Don't bother taking fluids with you on a typical C25K run. It's just extra weight and any fluid you take on during the run is not going to be absorbed in time.)

But it's not unusual when you're just starting out. I suspect it's to do with your muscles' glycogen stores becoming depleted.

For me the rubber legs thing kicked in the first few times I ran for over an hour. The body adapts gradually, and eventually it's no longer a thing.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You may have a long way to go but look how far you've come