THANK YOU for the slow running tip!

[SummerDark]

I read a tip on here on to try slowing the pace. It was on someone else's post and I cannot remember who's post or who wrote the tip but whoever you are, THANK YOU! The tip to try slowing my pace while running was the breakthrough I needed.

It's one of those times I think, oh, I'll try that, without realising what a profound difference it would make. For 11 months I haven't been able to go past the run for a minute or two, walk a minute. Within two weeks from slowing my pace, I can now run for 4k, in 34 minutes without needing to stop!

The first time it happened, I got to 3k and thought, maybe I should walk a bit now. This was simply because I was so used to breaking my runs up with walking and it was a bit of a surprise to be able to keep going! Then I thought, am I out of breath? No. Are my muscles crying out to walk? No! So I kept going!

It's such a joy to reach a place where my breathing is being sustained and my muscles are working comfortably. I get into a groove, a balance has been achieved and it has made me so happy!

My whole attitude has shifted with this improvement. Instead of going out in slouchy trousers and jeggings, pretending I'm going for a walk, I'm now wearing my co-ordinating running leggings and tops, and thinking to myself "go me, running without needing to walk"!

I'll never be a fast runner, or achieve great distance. My aims were to enjoy the fresh air and exercise, get stronger, improve my cardio-respiratory fitness and make some personal progress. I didn't ever expect to be able to run so far without needing to walk. I didn't ever expect to be looking forward so much to my next run!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Go you 😁 there are loads of posts about slow running, it makes such a difference! I'll never be fast and if I try to be I have to take walk breaks, so I mix it up, do some longer slow runs and some shorter faster run walk intervals

[SummerDark Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Good idea to mix it up a bit. At the moment, I'm struggling a bit with the inclines. When I've mastered the inclines well, I'll try adding in some faster intervals. And I'll also try some faster 2k runs in the new year. Thank you!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to SummerDark]

Sounds like lots of fun in your future, those inclines will make you even stronger

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏👏Delighted to hear this news! Any one of the team may have given you the tip! We all tell our runners to slow down if they are having problems with breathing! You are a wonderful advert for how it works. Well done & thanks for your encouraging post!!

[SummerDark Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you I'm so surprised at how quickly it worked too!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you... slow and steady works... it gets us where we want to be, safely and having fun!

Snail power

[SummerDark Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you!

[John_W Graduate]

Slowing down to an easy, comfortable jog really is the 'secret sauce', the 'cheat code' to success, for any beginner doing C25K or similar program.

Now that you've joyfully discovered it, re: "I'll never be a fast runner, or achieve great distance. " why limit yourself?

But hang on, what do I see here?

"When I've mastered the inclines well, I'll try adding in some faster intervals. And I'll also try some faster 2k runs in the new year."

The running world is now your oyster. As long you're sensible, you'll be very pleasantly surprised by what you can achieve.

Good luck!

[SummerDark Graduate]

Thank you

I'm not following any programme as I don't have the technology. I also like to hear everything going on around me on the trails where I run.

After I had a high BP reading, I read a bit about C25k on the NHS website. Having realised it didn't have to be completed in one go, I've made it up as I've gone along, keeping an eye out on here for tips.

Yes, I think it's important to set myself small, achievable challenges for the new year! Being able to run without walking has already been one huge surprise! Maybe I won't have to walk at all on my next organised 5k trail run and I can beat my 47 minutes!

[Rustyhoumous Graduate]

A massive well done from me. It’s great to read about your success and it’s encouragement for me as I am slow too 🙂

[SummerDark Graduate]

Thank you so much I'm enjoying running so much more since I decided to run slower. I think what's important is that we're out there doing something which is always a gain!