A week of firsts

[Lentlily]

This last week, week 5, I ran my first 20 minutes interval, all curiosity & trepidation before hand and quiet satisfaction afterwards, I did it! Was it easy? No, but nor was it difficult or a struggle, it required effort and took me ever so slightly out of my comfort zone and I suppose that is the point of the program. It pushes you a tiny bit every time and that is how it builds you up for next time. I have found all the information on this forum explaining just that, really helpful and then I go out and experience what people are talking about, so thank you for all you experience & wisdom. The 'slow down' message has been revelatory!

Another first this week was running in the rain which seems extraordinary for January/February but all my sessions in the first four weeks were either on sunny mornings or cold, moonlit evenings, the latter stunningly beautiful. Week 5 run 1, it rained, a first test for the waterproof jacket, trousers & shoes all bought in the January sales. I had been wearing them anyway, they keep out the wind and mud. I did quite a bit of research before I bought them and finished up with Omm trousers, a bright orange Keeler jacket and Asics trail shoes. Can't fault any of them, they work. The trouser material feels soft and is silent. The jacket is a bit crackly but I forgive it because it is a beautiful colour! I suppose how much noise clothes make matter to me because I run without music/coaching in my ears. I need to hear the beep of my watch and I want to hear the great outdoors - I know I am lucky to live & work in a rural area and so make the most of it.

A third first was buying a running magazine - I am becoming obsessed! One tiny paragraph caught my eye, about running lightly, it interested me because I think the one change, almost imperceptible, that I think I have noticed about my running is that I feel slightly less clumsy & heavy-footed than I did at the outset. I hope that continues to develop as the idea of running as something agile & free appeals. I guess strength & stamina exercises might help? Does yoga count? I try quite hard to fit yoga into my life but there has been a lot of posting and links about other exercising routines that sound quite important but I can't do everything! Might be reaching saturation point.

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏☺️Welcome to the forum and what a beautiful name & very apt at the moment. Thank you for this delightful post that will be so encouraging to others. Yoga is perfect & if you can manage a few dynamic warm ups prior to your run and some gentle stretches on return you’re all set!! You are doing great! Please keep posting when you can! I enjoyed reading this! ☺️

[Lentlily Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

thank you, that's a relief! So I'll adapt to warm ups before & stretches after, that sounds manageable and thank you for your kind words too

[RunforMum Graduate]

Well done! That's my next run and I'm excited and nervous about it as I found it to be a real landmark run last time. I remember feeling, Woah, I really am doing this! I feel 'like a runner' and I that comes through your post too a bit I think... congratulations!

[Lentlily Graduate]

Thank you, and yes, I think 'I'm really doing this' is exactly what I felt, also excitement alongside the nerves. Enjoy the next run, I'm sure it will be fun.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Kissing the ground with your feet, is what I call it

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

A super post from you, but I am really amazed that you have not found us on the Strength and Flex Forum, or being doing any strength and stamina support as you move on..

So much advice on the How to RunC25K post and we on the Admin tamas are always banging on about it.. well I am !

Your running body needs support as it moves in to the longer relaxed runs. There is so much you can do too on some of your rest days and if you have a really busy life, loads of quick but really impacting stuff you can fit in anywhere... including the things to fit in your normal day.

healthunlocked.com/strength......

Do please, pop across to the S and F forum, and into Catch up Corner , here on this forum too. A new one going out today, on Core strength... essential for your running, really from the word , go!

Good to see you... do keep posting too please !

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Hi  Lentlily , since you're already doing yoga and say you "can't do everything! Might be reaching saturation point," I don't see why you'd need to add in more strength and stamina work right now. If you choose to do so as your running develops, all well and good.

[Lentlily Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you, yes I am hoping the yoga will suffice for now. I also dance in a Morris side, it probably doesn't really count as cross training because it is quite as impactful as running I think. We do do dynamic warm up & static cool down exercises before & after practice so I'm going to do those before & after runs. I work full time and have a daily hour and half commute so life feels pretty full at the moment!

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Lentlily]

Congratulations on fitting all that in Lentlily !

I find dynamic warm ups and static cool downs essential for my running, so of course I'd recommend them.

As for Morris dancing, it sounds like great cross-training to me: aerobic activity, balance, coordination, keeping to tempo, and using different parts of your body. Not to mention that doing the right steps and following the choreography is a brain workout too! I'm biased of course - I sing and dance Renaissance.

Happy running!

[Lentlily Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Ah ha, someone in the know! Does Playford come under the renaissance banner? Before covid I used to go to English Folk dances including the occasional Playford ball. I started the running because I wanted to be fitter for dancing now I think I'll run just because I like it. Anyway, thank you for the encouraging words.

Happy dancing!

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to Lentlily]

I'm in France and our repertoire is primarily 15th-16th century, so Playford's a bit recent for me! 😉

Running, dancing and singing are definitely complementary for me, and yes, I have been known to combine them. 🌲⛰️🎵🏃‍♀️🌲

[Lentlily Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Lovely expression! I like that. Week 6 run 2 this evening, the second interval felt great, quite relaxed and dare I say it light! Big run on Wednesday, and as ever just very curious as to how it will be.