BigP54

[BigP54]

Did my first 25 minutes run this morning along Camber Sands beach had the wind behind me for the first 15mins then I turned to come back to say I struggled is an understatement,I failed to do it by one minute it was too much so going again Sunday 😱

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate]

Well done on your longer run!

If the wind is behind you, the sun is shining, you're in a beautiful place and all is well with the world the temptation to run as fast as you can is intoxicating and nearly irresistible.

The downside, as you have just found out, is that it's incredibly easy to overdo it on the first part of the run, leaving you with no oomph for the latter part.

You didn't fail anything, you did a 27 minute run. Not so long ago this would have seemed like a massive achievement. It still is. If you want to manage the extra minute you probably just need to pace yourself in the earlier part of the run and consciously go a bit slower.

We tend to speed up once we're past the first 'Toxic 10' minutes anyway and starting slower will leave you with energy at the end if you fancy a burst of speed.

Make sure you let us know how you get on on Sunday

[BigP54 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thanks very much, I’ll definitely let you know 👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You ran and you have done well... a beach can be very hard going and is quite unforgiving whether hard or soft sand. Your calf muscles really are impacted.

Maybe a few exercise to keep them happy Just take it very gently and if you can begin by runnin into the wind... then you have it behind you on the return journey

[BigP54 in reply to Oldfloss]

I always run in the same direction so will use your strategy next run thanks 👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to BigP54]

I hope it works... look forward to the result!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

You complete 96.4% of your run. That sounds like a win and not a failure to me! I totally understand why you’re disappointed though.

If it helps at all, we all have runs that don’t go to plan and they’re the ones that we learn most from and help to move us forwards. You’re in a really really big club-runners who have just had a mild off day!! Honestly, that run just means you’re that same as all the rest of us!!

Loads of great tips from Yesletsgo . There’s also a post here with more if you fancy a read…

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Wishing you loads of luck for Sunday!

[BigP54 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you so much

[drl212 Graduate]

We all have runs in which we would like to have done better. Like folks have said already. Celebrate the win.

I've started going out with a planned run in mind, but feel free to adapt to weather conditions, how I'm feeling, or anything else. Sometimes I'll run shorter than planned, but on other occasions I'll do more.

That run will be there when you next attempt it. Good luck and keep us posted.

[BigP54 in reply to drl212]

Thanks for the advice 👍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate in reply to drl212]

I've started going out with a planned run in mind, but feel free to adapt to weather conditions, how I'm feeling, or anything else. Sometimes I'll run shorter than planned, but on other occasions I'll do more.

This is a really helpful comment for people who’ve finished Couch to 5k, but for posters who are still going through the programme, I’ll just add a little disclaimer that it’s best to trust the programme timings. It’s always totally ok (and the sign of a strong runner who knows themself well) to cut short if they need to, but extending the runs beyond what the programme suggests is a bit of a no-no here. We’d always encourage everyone to stick to the run lengths as set out to avoid building too quickly and putting themselves at a greater risk of an injury. Sometimes it takes a lot of strength to stop when you’re still feeling good but it is the most sensible course of action. I hope it’s ok to add this here and you can see why I’ve commented,

[drl212 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

No, you're absolutely right. I followed the programme timings to a 't'. It was during my consolidation runs that I would sometimes extend. But as you say, stopping or cutting short a run is fine.

Sorry for any confusion.