Repeating Week 2

[HAPPYPLODDER18]

So my usual brand of trainers arrived (brooks adrenaline gts 23) and I slipped them on and I swear my feet went Ahhhhh.

I decided to repeat week 2 as last time I did week 2 I had the wrong trainers my feet and legs killed and I was ready to quit altogether.

So as you know week 2 is 6 90sec runs with 2 mins walk . I am happy to report I managed 4 of the 6 runs (which I’m taking as a win win) and my legs and feet were Absobloodylutely fine . HUBLOODYRAH.

I wished I could of managed the 6 but I’m listening to my body and my feet , because when you’ve been a runner for sooo long then get injured for the 2nd time it’s super hard to have to restart it all over and listen to what you and your body are capable of. It really tests your patience .

I don’t know weather I want to continue right to the end of the couch to 5k I’ll see how each week fairs . Being a trail runner doing massive distances it’s super hard being told when to run and when to not . If I complete it that’s fine if I don’t that’s fine I may end up doing my own version of couch to 5k .

Watch this space

[Annieapple Graduate]

🍏 yeah! New trainers! Your runs your way! That’s the beauty of having done Couch before you can use it to kick start you off again & then back to your own thing. Enjoy the trails xx

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Exactly . And I may end up doing my own version of couch as I’m really not getting on with being told when to run and when to not too. 🤣🤣 I am a stubborn bugger 🤣🤣.

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

Woo hoo, new shoes May you have many runs just as good as this or even better!

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thanks lovely . Me too

[Cmoi Graduate]

Being a trail runner doing massive distances it’s super hard being told when to run and when to not .

I also prefer trails and can empathise with the issues around guided runs, as I don't cope well with out-of-context audio instructions.

So while C25K was brilliant for getting me started on running, I've never re-done it, even when returning after after injury and illness. I prefer to build back gradually my own way.

I can't claim to do massive distances - my one-and-only one trail marathon was almost three years ago, and at the moment I rarely get much into double figures. But if you're used to running ultras, I imagine you're more than sufficiently experienced to return to running without necessarily using the full C25K programme.

Whatever you choose, I hope things go well for you.

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks lovely and yes agree . I just have that niggly feeling in me that people will say oh she can’t complete it then she can’t be a runner .. I dunno why I feel like it . I would love to run an ultra maybe one day . I’ve only ever done 2 half marathons and both were on the trails . I feel more at home running on trails I find road running such a ball ache 🤣🤣. I think I’ll always find it hard on the roads because I’m so at ease on trails . Thanks for your wise words … xx

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to HAPPYPLODDER18]

Well, you don't have to do C25K all on metalled roads - I didn't! I'm in mid-mountain countryside and as my routes got longer, including tracks was more practical and easier than repeating sections of road.

I dislike running flat, even routes because I find them monotonous and get very bored. I'd much rather go play in the forest. However, that's more physically demanding, so rarely sensible when I'm building back, and not a good option for all my runs.

I also have zero self-discipline and hate training plans. However, marathon training taught me that I can actually do things I don't enjoy for much longer than I'd have thought possible, when doing them means that I won't have to repeat them, and there's ultimately a positive pay-off.

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Haa OMG me and you are so alike . I find the same path so bloody monotonous, I found it once at parkrun I did , only went once as it was continuous loops and by the second time it was doing my head in I hated the 3rd lap and kept getting runners shouting at me saying fast runners coming through. I never went back to parkrun . I agree I’m happier in the forest too. Pavements and me do NOT get on , it’s boring . And yes as for discipline and training plans I’m sooo with you . That’s why I’m really struggling with being told when to run and when to walk . I was planning to do week 2 run 2 tomorrow but now I’m like do I do week 2 then after that try my own version ???

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to HAPPYPLODDER18]

From your earlier posts I get the impression that what's putting you off is a combination of programme structure, audio guidance, and the terrain you're running.

So in your situation I'd be looking to change what I could, without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. C25K works because of the principles behind it, so those are what I'd keep in mind for future runs. Of course from week 6 run 3 onwards you're simply running for a prescribed length of time, which you might find less frustrating than the earlier weeks.

If the audio guidance is bugging you, dump it, write the timings on your hand, and use a watch! If it's the terrain, and you simply can't get to trails, perhaps you could invent other ways to break the monotony? Music, podcasts, audio books, people-spotting, object-spotting, alphabet games, number games, shopping lists... Though getting too distracted isn't a great idea unless you fancy a visit to A&E (been there, done that, learnt my lesson.)

Your choice as to how you do things!

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Yea sorry I do have a habit of repeating myself 🤣🤣. Thanks lovely sound advice much appreciated

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

I totally agree with Cmoi . Couch to 5k is supposed to be a helpful way to start or return to running. It’s absolutely not the only way! I say that happily as one of the admins here. If it suits you, use it for as long as it works for you and ditch it for something else if not. I got injured and didn’t use couch to 5k on my return because I didn’t want to feel like I’d gone backwards. I know many, many others have loved it as a way to return but it just wasn’t for me.

Who on earth are these people who will think you’re not a real runner if you didn’t finish couch to 5k because you moved on to something else?! That makes no sense at all. Do you think this could just be a bit of self doubt creeping in? When I’ve stood on the start line of races and parkruns, nobody has ever asked me how I’ve got myself to the point where I can run that distance.

Keep in mind the goal and do whatever will get you there in the best way for you. Don’t let any gremlins stop you doing it your way!

Really good luck to you!

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Yup you seem to know me well . Self doubt deffo creeps in and I too feel like it’s making me go backwards with my running. Thanks so much lovely .

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

 MissUnderstanding has said it all in her reply....

Running is for me and for many , all about joy... the sheer pleasure in your runs... so..

Your runs... Your way....

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Here here you’re absolutely spot on . Thank you

[Raisemeup Graduate]

Well done ! You sound very self-motivated which is a good thing as you can work things out for yourself, set and achieve your personal targets according to circumstances.

I have the same trainers (blue ones), my third pair, and agree they are brilliant. So good, I tend to want to wear them daily , even when not running .Best wishes 🙋🏼‍♀️

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to Raisemeup]

Ahh thanks lovely . Yea I need to stop beating myself up and stop worrying what people think if I Do or Don’t finish C25k . I did once and completed it back in lockdown and that was inside not outside , so it’s not like I’ve never done it . I’m going to finish to the end of week 2 see how I feel and then decide . I miss the trails way to much that’s what I’m happiest and where I’m happiest , and also more relaxed and able to run my way . X

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to HAPPYPLODDER18]

You've got it!

*Self Confidence is the best outfit... Rock it and Own it ! " x

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I bloody love that . Think I need that on a t shirt . Thank you xx

[drl212 Graduate]

Trainers can make all of the difference!

Well done on the adjustment.

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to drl212]

Thanks and indeed

[GoogleMe Graduate]

If you've completed C25K in the past, then it is yours to play with now as you see fit.

If you haven't, do the programme, quibble after! I say this perhaps especially to anyone who is or has been a runner or sporty or generally fit because it provides soooooooo much learning. Holding back (so important when returning from injury) and matching pace to the particular challenge (otherwise known as running slowly enough)

I get the preference for locking on and just running - it's mine too. But I reckon that part of building resilience against injury is mixing things up sometimes.

[HAPPYPLODDER18 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Yes that is true . I can’t seem to find any pace and feel like I’m slower than before and is being slower making it twice as hard to lift my legs . So then I’ll try pick up the pace and I’m like why is this so damn hard and I end up not enjoying it like i used to . Yes I completed it once c25k back on lockdown