Well! I'm in training for a 10k and have been doing the B210K last couple of week runs just to get my head and body into it again after nearly three weeks off with my knee. I saw the C25K+ runs on getting the website link for someone else and downloaded three to have a go at.
I decided that the Stamina Run was probably the best one to go for and got it going as I left the house last night...
For starters I couldn't go slow enough for the first ten minutes with it's 1, 2, 3, 4 beat count and kept finding an extra step or two slipping in there every few seconds. To keep to the beat I had to spend longer in the air, which meant coming down hard impact wise. I hoped as my legs got tired I would be able to keep to the number count but no, it didn't get any better, and even after the first ten minutes when sliding into twenty minutes of a slighter faster cadence it still wasn't up to my usual 180 steps per minute, nor was the "fast energising" 165 steps per minute that is thrown at you for the last five minutes. That one did get the nearest to my natural step as I was tired by this time.
I'm at a loss as to how to keep my little short legs to this longer count without feeling like I'm "hanging in the air" at each step. I can only think that Laura must be about 5 foot 9 and have a long stride.
So, it didn't work for me; except to say that I was so intent on trying to count that the run seemed to pass really quickly.
Wearing the HRM (which I've only done twice since getting it free with my Garmin) was interesting though. The second time I trialled it I thought I'd go for a max heart rate test and did the hill from hell, Glebe Avenue, three times back last winter with the monitor on. Max heart rate then was 176bpm and I truly felt awful; breathless; knackered; couldn't go another step.
I wore it last night, just more out of interest than anything, no going for any max heart rate test. I came back, plugged in the Garmin, and was somewhat nonplussed to see that my max heart rate had been 179bpm and at no time had I felt as bad as I did last winter on that trial test, so I could have gone faster, got more breathless, and possibly have recorded an even faster max hr. Confusing? Here are the stats. Four miles in 37.17.
Hi Carole - maybe you're too advanced for the podcast? I've been reading these comments for a while but this is the first time I've commented because I don't want your experience to put others off trying them.
For the past 10 years I've been doing a bit of jogging whenever I want to improve my fitness but my friend recommended C25K so I decided some structure may improve my results. I started at Week 8 as I could already run for 25 mins non stop, I did Week 7 once, Week 8 twice and Week 9 3 times a week for 3 weeks. I got back from a 10 day diving holiday in Egypt last week to find the new C25K+ podcasts launched. I did Week 9 twice to get back into running and have done the Stepping Stones run today. It was EXCELLENT for me - Laura made me focus on speeding up and concentrating on my technique. I'm 5 ft 7, 42 and about 13 stone - quite fit but heavy set for a runner - I was a competitive swimmer as a child and couldn't run for a bus when I started. On the C25k podcasts I was running exactly 5K within the 5 min walk and 30 minute run - today my 5 min walk and 30 minute run took me much further - but I still did the VERY steep hills on my circuit. I've listened to the stamina and speed podcasts in the bath to see what i'm in for and I can't wait to get stuck in. I'm not a natural runner but I do love the convenience of getting out in all weathers and having a go. I don't know where my fitness quest will take me - but if I get out every other day and keep improving I'll be happy. For all those graduates out there - PUSH ON - the new podcasts gave me the confidence to try harder - still covering the same ground, still with Laura - but working a bit harder. Thank you NHS, the best things in life are FREEEEEE x
Thanks for the input - yes, well it was my conclusion too, on the advanced bit but I didn't want to seem like I was blowing my own trumpet. We definitely need a B210K type set of podcasts to bring people who want to further on.
Well done on your running. It is a tough, tough thing to do. I never thought I'd be any good at running, and was delighted when I realised that I was doing the 5K just inside the 30 minutes of running as the programme ended. Obviously I was fitter than I thought. I used to swim a lot too; in fact I fitted in swimming twice as cross training when off a few weeks ago due to the knee and was pleased to find I was managing 70 lengths (1750m) in fifty minutes.
Watching the men's triathlon yesterday was quite inspiring...now, where's my bike!!
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Fish, chips and mushy peas!
Hello all - 71 years old and hoping to run!
FAQ Post C25K COMPLETED…….WHAT NEXT?
