Mindful jogging

[Ijsvogel]

I’ve just finished the first run of week 5 and found it quite challenging, as Laura warned it would be. Her advice to slow down was helpful. What also helped me was remembering a couple of tips I learned from a running coach years ago: try to run as softly as possible (to avoid bouncing and plodding, which is tiring) and open up your chest (to inhale more air) by keeping your hands in a loose fist with the thumb on top. This makes me pull back my shoulders just enough to make breathing easier.

[BahamaMama1 Graduate]

Good tip about the hands - thank you

[Ijsvogel in reply to BahamaMama1]

Yes, the “thumbs up” tip was quite a revelation to me. Good luck!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

It sounds like you’re doing really well! Some runs are like that-tough…but you’re tougher! Slowing down is a great tactic and it’s good you’ve also got that advice from the running coach to draw on.

Good luck for the next one!

[Ijsvogel in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks! The sense of community here is also a great driver.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you... slow and steady does it.. and that run style... I call it, kissing the ground with your feet..

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

The advice we give in our How to Run C25K, post, well, your coach has clearly read it... So, well done you for heeding that advice!

On you go!

[Ijsvogel in reply to Oldfloss]

Nice post! Thanks for sending through the link. “Kissing the ground with your feet” is a great image.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Ijsvogel]

Welcome

[drl212 Graduate]

Thanks for those really interesting tips! Now I want to go out for a run and try them.

Congratulations on reaching week 5! That's really tremendous.

Something I learned doing the C25K is that every run is different. I remember setting out thinking 'this is going to be a very tough run' and finding it wasn't so bad. And the flip side of repeating the same exact run and thinking 'piece of cake' only to find it wasn't.

Try to enjoy them all...