Things learnt so far...

[Ashencircle]

I have just completed W2R2. Having never run before I am finding C25K a bit of a shock to the system - although mainly was horrified at how much I struggled on W1R1 when I thought I was moderately active and therefore not un-fit. However I am surprised at how much I am enjoying it.

Things I have learnt so far:

1) Having a shower as soon as you get back is a bad idea, although you might think it will cool you down - you will continue to sweat after the shower and need another one immediately. Wait for a while.

2) Don't panic if you still look bright red an hour after the run - apparently this is normal and not a sign of impending medical doom.

3) Laura will nearly always tell you to stop just as you reach man with dog, lady with shopping or other person out walking, leading to a dilemma - do you stop and walk beside them huffing and sweaty, or do you get out of sync with the podcast by running a further 30 secs onwards? Still undecided!

Anyone got any other nuggets of wisdom?

[tantrumbean Graduate]

Do not step on a stick on the ground with one foot while running! It will cause said stick to lift up in the air, piercing a hole through the mesh in your running shoes and stabbing your other foot! Even if you avoid flattening yourself, it's still rather painful, puts you off your stride and leaves an annoying hole in a pair of almost new shoes! (P.S. You only need to adhere to this rule while your shoes are still fairly pristine - it will never happen to the ones that are old and tatty anyway)

[ange123 Graduate]

It's funny what terrible timing Laura has eh?!

In that situation I keep running for just a few more seconds - enough to leave them behind especially if you've got a nice brisk walk on you.

My nugget of wisdom is to avoid dogs where possible as they tend to love tripping up us poor slow runners!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Fab blog entry. Well done you!

Fully endorse the "wait before you shower" advice. The beetroot face syndrome does improve as your fitness improves. Can't comment on Laura's timings, always ran so early in the morning or so late at night I was the only nutter out on the forest track or canal path!

[redsheep Graduate]

Definitely agree with points 1 & 2! I did my early runs around and empty sports field so fortunately didn't encounter the bad timings.

[Skandia Graduate]

Glad to hear about the red face - I always look like a major health crisis is imminent when I get back, and stay beetroot red for at least an hour. I'm on week 6 and no improvement so far.

As for the timings yesterday Laura told me to stop running just as I was level with an old bloke having a pee in the bushes!! Needless to say I carried on running even though I was about to drop from exhaustion

[Noobie]

Haha, loved this blog post! Well done on getting this far. Hope each week is getting easier. Im on week 3 now and I'm finally starting to enjoy it but Im still huffing and puffing as I run! I find that Laura always tells me start running when I'm approaching a hill!

[eshaz14 Graduate]

Love this blog.... Boiled Lobster is normally my look after exercise, yep Laura's good at telling you to start running going uphill, and I generally miss all the people and dogs etc as I either go out first thing or later in the evening. Why is it getting dark so early in the evening? Where did the summer go?

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

haha! great blog - re number 3, I can really relate to that! I always carry on running until the coast is clear (if I physically can! When I can't, all care about that goes out the window and I've just very grateful to stop!).