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 Administrator 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 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 Ambassador Graduate]

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

[HAPPYPLODDER18 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 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

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

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 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 .