I've tried the C25k+ podcasts...

[laj1987]

Two blogs in one day, I'm keen. After a rest day I tried the new C25K+ pod-casts today. I was unsure of which one to pick but decided to go with 'Stepping Stone' and I'm pleased I didn't try anything more adventurous!! It was certainly a step up from C25K as it concentrated a lot more on form and how to run to a beat. It also discussed on how to run and move your legs and arms; as per my previous blog my co-ordination is slim to nil so this run must have been a veritable visual feast of hilarity for the people who walked/drove past me as I, red faced & sweaty, tried to keep my head straight, my legs in a cycling motion, my arms in and back & forward and counting out loud, yes out loud, 1 2 3 4. I may have looked a little, shall we say odd, but I felt really good. About 20 minutes in I think I managed to co-ordinate all the necessary requirements together and felt so proud; pride does indeed come before a fall though as whilst I was beaming smugly I lost count of the beat and I had to work on everything all over again! *sighs*

It was totally different to C25K and I enjoyed it, it made me think more about how I run, how I pace myself and how it affects me. I am going to do this pod-cast until I can co-ordinate my unruly limbs and then move on to the next lot.

Am so pleased the new pod-casts are out. x loads!!!

[TJFlute]

A great blog! It sounds as if this new podcast is going to be a big help

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to TJFlute]

Hopefully it will increase all of our stamina & speed we have built up over 5k. We'll all be running 10K faster than Mo Farah yet!!!

[Joysmum Graduate]

Thanks for posting. I think I'll do the same for my first go and I'll find it just as challenging.

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to Joysmum]

Good luck - I hope you enjoy it Let us know how you get on...

[sfb350 Graduate]

That sounds very useful, thank you. If I can just find my MP3 player, I could give it a go Can't find the thing anywhere, must have put it somewhere safe.....

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to sfb350]

Ahh the 'safe place' - the black hole where everything important disappears to just as you need it! At least I'm not the only one who has this problem lol!!

[Tiger79 Graduate]

I did the speed one today and found it really good. The 'normal' paced seemed a little faster than I normally run but felt ok and the 'fast' pace was actually more naturally comfortable for me, I just can't sustain it so hopefully this interval training will help. Actually enjoyed the run but was glad it was only 16 mins of running. Felt good an hopefully will help me up my pace

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to Tiger79]

That sounds interesting, so was it 5 minutes warm up, 16 minutes running then 5 minutes cool down? Did you run to the beat too?

[Nix1970]

I'll do this podcast at night time!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to Nix1970]

Good thinking - wish I'd thought of that!!

It isn't too bad, it's just I am an uncoordinated klutz. It really gets you thinking of running to a beat and your posture etc though.

[samjf25 Graduate]

thanks for the info, i've just downloaded the 2 new podcasts, and am going to try it out first thing in the morning, will try the stepping stone i think!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to samjf25]

Good luck - let us know how you get on

[samjf25 Graduate in reply to laj1987]

ok, did the Stepping Stone one this morning!! oh my goodness, hadn't realised quite how slow I was before this! had to walk a couple of times, but got there, and hopefully it will be easier next time!!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to samjf25]

It is tricky isn't it but just remember Laura got us moving this far so she can certainly speed us up

[tcaldwell75 Graduate]

Sounds erm, interesting I guess is the best way to describe it! Thanks for sharing your experience of it. I will look out for your later posts about being beautifully co-ordinated, I'm sure you will have fun with this new challenge!

Just in the process of downloading now but not sure whether to stick with what I know! I only graduated Friday and know I am way off the 5k distance. I was interested to read on here that others repeat the 9 weeks and just up their speed at the running parts. Oh decisions, decisions!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to tcaldwell75]

It was definitely 'interesting' but in a good way :). It was nice to have a new challenge. Congratulations on graduating too

[tcaldwell75 Graduate]

Thank you! I'm just back from trying it and apart from the "1,2,3,4" which I think I'll be saying in my sleep tonight, I really enjoyed it!!!

It was great having something else to concentrate on, the time flew by and it certainly helped me up my pace and really kept me going much faster than normal! Its so nice to have new podcasts to try, will mix it up with some of the other C25K original weeks as Laura suggested! Just whats needed to keep us all motivated! Tired but smiling!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to tcaldwell75]

At least I'm not the only one who got carried away with the counting lol! It is good isn't it? And like you say mixing all the podcasts up will certainly make things more interesting and keeps us on our toes.

[kayface Graduate]

This blog was fab to read, thank you! Just downloading the Stepping Stones podcast as we speak! Failed my first ever outdoor run today, much different to the treadmill like I'm used to! Having Laura back will be great, but your blog has relaxed me as to what to expect

Good luck with your future runs!

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to kayface]

You haven't failed - any run is a success as failure is just not trying at all.

What is it like running on a treadmill? When the bad weather sets in (has it ever left??) I will be investing a treadmill and I'm unsure of what they are like to run on. Any hints?

[kayface Graduate in reply to laj1987]

The treadmill was good because I could set a comfortable pace and stick to it, pushing my speed if and when I felt I could! There is obviously no change in the altitude of the ground you're running on (unless you decide otherwise) so it takes that pressure off too. I've only really noticed the huge difference in this since taking my runs outside!

[unfit Graduate]

Just completed the nine weeks of the original podcasts last week so will continue to just try and comfortably run for 30 mins for a couple of weeks then I shall definately move on to the next step. Sounds interesting.

[laj1987 Graduate in reply to unfit]

Hi unfit - I'm going to mix it up a little but I think your idea of staying running for 30 minutes is good too. I'm going to do some usual running &some stepping stones and maybe when I feel brave enough I'm going to try intervals. Congratulations on graduating btw - you will have to change your user name now