First intervals session for months

[Gwenllian1]

I stopped running on my doctor's advice in August and started again doing couch to 5 k just before Christmas. Last week I finished it and of course was way off being able to run 5k in running for 30 minutes. That's totally fine. I know that even when I get back to the distance it will take me somewhere between 42 and 44 minutes. I am not and have never been fast and one of the good things about having been running slowly for quite a few years now is that I have a pretty good idea of what I can do. But I would like to get back to running longer distances so this morning I started the nrc programme to get to 5k. I thought I'd do the 27 minute speed run which is 8 runs of 60 seconds and 8 recovery walks of 60 seconds. It was probably last July that I last ran an intervals run and I had truly forgotten how much fun they can be. I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed reminding myself that I can run a bit faster and feel strong. I enjoyed the recovery walks listening to the birds singing and noticing the hedges just beginning to come into leaf.

My progress is really slow but I do feel I'm on my way back!

[Jancanrunagain Graduate]

sounds like a great consolidation exercise to do . Well done on being able to do it and still appreciate the surroundings

[Gwenllian1 Graduate in reply to Jancanrunagain]

I am really lucky to run in a beautiful place which is great because I can distract myself!

[Vragtes Graduate]

Great to read you’re back and with a plan. Slowly is the way to do it. I know myself that’s the case. Currently I’m recovering from a sprained ankle (17th February) and will not start again until I’m pain free. Then, for the third time, I’ll begin Cto5k from the beginning. Disappointing but truly insignificant when you realise the troubles others have!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate in reply to Vragtes]

Best of luck with your plan! I know just what you mean. I remind myself when I feel super slow that I'm so lucky to be able to run at all. Sometimes I quite deliberately run for those who can't of you know what I mean!

[Tessie66]

Well done on getting back running and time really doesn't matter,the intervals sound great fun

[Gwenllian1 Graduate in reply to Tessie66]

I decided after I first started, amazingly now in 2019, that I would really focus on running for my health. It's a run not a race! I'm so slow that it only works for me if I just focus on myself! The moment I compare myself to others I just feel a bit of a fraud!

[CBDB Ambassador]

Fabulous! I found the NRC 5k plan tries to get me to run faster, and does not quite cater for my kind of slow. But I loved doing it, as it makes you run through all sorts of different training workouts!

Happy running!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

I hadn't thought that there were different types of slow but I'm sure you are right! I'm a slow and steady type of slow so the fun of intervals is finding its not the only way. Yes, I do like the variety in the nrc plans and because there are usually 5 runs and I aim to do 3 in a week I can pick and choose a bit.

[CBDB Ambassador in reply to Gwenllian1]

Nice! Yes I love the pick and choose functionality, and I love that it doesn’t attach runs to certain days of the week, which never works for me.

Fab!!! Looking forward to reading more!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow progress is steady progress... very well done to you , as you make your way back to full strength.

[Gwenllian1 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

It's just commitment really isn't it OF? I know you know all about that! In a way it would have been easy to give up but I really didn't want to! So here I am, again!

[Anna_8892]

I love this, well done for getting back to running and actually enjoying the journey and process of your run. I’m sure you will do amazing with your running profession. Keep going 😀

[Gwenllian1 Graduate in reply to Anna_8892]

For me it really helps to focus on enjoying the run which is helped by sunshine and trying to notice what's around me. Then every now and then I look back and see how far I've come!

[Reggiegirl Graduate]

Hi Gwenllian1. Well done on getting back out there! I too had to stop running in December, on the advice of my physiotherapist, due to a knee issue. We’ve been working on it and I also went back to C25K. I am now on W3 R3 and am thoroughly enjoying it (unlike the first time).

This group of wonderful people are an inspiration to keep going when things get tough. So thank you 🙏

[Gwenllian1 Graduate in reply to Reggiegirl]

It's interesting that you are enjoying it more this time round! I did too. I suffered terribly from the toxic ten first time which really didn't happen in the same way thus time. And yes indeed to the impact of this group of lovely people!!

[MintT Graduate]

Well done — great achievement

[Gwenllian1 Graduate in reply to MintT]

Thank you! I'm very pleased to have redone c25k. It seemed quite an ask at the beginning but as reggiegirl says, not as hard as first time round!

[Run46 Graduate]

Fantastic, glad to hear you're back out there & finding the joy in running...well done too on making the effort after an enforced break 😊👏