Hello everyone - Hope you are off to a great start to your week! In looking for a topic for this chat, I got to thinking about the limits we place on ourselves and how we can sometimes surprise ourselves in breaking through them. I began running back in 2017 as I turned 50, and to my complete amazement, I’ve seen myself move past one imagined limit after another. It’s become apparent that so many things are possible that I previously thought were impossible. 5k, 10k, PRs and beyond. There have been setbacks for sure, but I've tried to learn from my many mistakes, to try and slowly improve over time. My current challenge is to train for a deferred 50k in race in October. I'm trying to improve my hill strength and speed efforts in the process - I realized with my "unofficial" attempt last year that I needed to work on hills a lot more the next time around. I'm doing it sensibly, all at my own pace and schedule and so far really enjoying it.
I’ve watched so many people overcome personal physical, emotional and mental challenges through running. I’ve seen over and over how the simple act of running has changed lives for the better. How about you? How has running impacted your life? Have you also surpassed limits you never thought you could? Are there any new limits you are looking to challenge this year? Perhaps if we can share our stories we may inspire one another to reach further than we ever thought possible.
As always, if you're new here, or just browsing through the community posts, this is a great place to introduce yourself and let us know how you are doing. You’ll find plenty of support and knowledge from your fellow runners here.
Have a great week, everyone!!!
The Marathon Team xxx
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Good luck with the 50K training Decker! I can’t imagine myself ever going for that distance but then again once upon a time I never imagined myself running 10K 🙂 I remember not long after I graduated that I saw a local 10K race and I just thought “OMG! I couldn’t imagine running that distance”. Now, that race has become one of my favourite annual events 😊
At the end of last year I set out with a sort-of-goal to go beyond HM but my running has been seriously derailed recently for all sorts of reasons and I’m running short distances only atm. But hey ho, such is a runner’s life and I know I’ll get back to my training again.
I had a full hour’s sports massage on Saturday and I’m raring to go. It was a new lady and she said she knew I stretched and rolled by the feel of my muscles. And how so many runners don't do either and she can feel the difference straight away. So, I was quite chuffed about that.
Anyway, I’m off shortly to help clean the village hall/church. I volunteered ages ago and forgot about it. Then. I’m off for a run ….. weeeeeee 🏃♀️
It is pretty amazing the things we can do after all isn't it IP? The human body is an incredible thing. I felt the same way on my first 5k trail race. I was so winded and wondered "How do people do this all the time?" Now I'm doing 20s each weekend. It's just slow adaptation I think.
I sympathize with your situation. It was around this time last year I went on the IC and it was really frustrating. but yeah, that is just the runner's life and part of the game. You'll be 100% soon enough.
Your physio sounds like she really knows her stuff. This reminds me I should be rolling much more than I do. Good for you for keeping on top of it.
I’m not on the IC “proper” thank goodness, the niggles have disappeared and the new shoes seem to be ok again 🙄 Life has just been working against my running routine lately but hopefully this week will see a return to semi-normality 🙂
That’s awesome that you are training for a 50k. Best of luck!
I’ve always had to have incremental goals. A few years ago, when I hadn’t run since school cross country except in the mum’s race at my sons’ nursery, one of my sisters suggested we train together for a HM. I said no on the grounds that it was just too much. When I eventually did c25k all I ever expected or planned was to be able to make it round the Parkrun course within a few minutes of whoever came second-to-last. For a while, all I aimed for was a slightly better 5k PB. I wasn’t going to go any further than that. Last August I was telling my parents that maybe I’d do a 10k at some stage but I wasn’t ever going to do anything as drastic as a HM. In November I went and did a HM. But I was never going to do a FM.
Last month, I found myself googling ‘Marathons Sussex Kent Surrey’.
I can honestly say that if I’d thought about running a marathon at the start of c25k I’d probably have found it such an intimidating idea that I’d have been put off running altogether. I’ve caught the running bug very gradually.
Yes I get it. It's our minds that have the limits. Our bodies are capable of more than we give them credit for. But the slow steady increases are key for most of us. There are a few outliers that can just not train and go run a cracking HM. But the rest of us have to build slowly and let the legs and lungs adapt to the new efforts in the meantime. Yes thinking about the marathon at the very beginning is just putting too much pressure on your mind. Small chunks is the way to go, I agree.
I'm thinking of the Goodwood motor circuit one in September. It has the benefit that if I get injured I'm never more than 1.9km from the start. I wouldn't normally build in a get-out clause to a race, I never have before, but I HAVE to be injury-free in December for work, so I've resolved not to run on with even a minor injury.
I never thought I could run 30 mins (the first week of C25K was brutal) so this running lark has been one surprise after another.
My life and home / work schedule are the main limitations that I have to overcome. I think I know I can do the running now. The last few runs have been really hard though and I am struggling to maintain 5K. I know why though and I will overcome those limits too somehow.
I'm feeling fairly positive, even though I am already behind on my plan, but I kind of expected that.
I did get to run outside on Saturday evening once it had cooled down. Had calf difficulties and my head wasn't in it, I was tired following a week long stomach bug that just wouldn't quit going around the family. I thought I'd stayed hydrated but I think I was still low going by the muscle aches I had yesterday which I have never had from running before. I'm back on the water and green tea today and I will go out tonight and get a good 5K come hell or high water!
I rollered my calves I've been stretching gently and doing calf raises, still it was nice to get my first outside run since starting C25K up again - I knew the transition from the treadmill would be hard as I've done it before, I am determined not to get overwhelmed - I've done it before and I can do it again! (she says determinedly)
That's a lovely photo. Yes this trip has been full of surprises. The life/home balance is one that I can relate to also. I wind up getting the runs done quite early so that things are not thrown off at home. Everyone has different circumstances - I hope you are able to make it work for you. Sounds like you are feeling good about it in spite of the setbacks.
It makes perfect sense you should have a hard time getting back after a week of illness. Your system is under a lot of pressure with recovery and the added running challenge, but easing back is the right way to go. Best of luck with your 5k! You can do it! Onwards!
“Humans are not limited”, says Eluid Kipchoge the first man to complete the Marathon in under 2hours.I believe him but not because the great man has said it.
I can believe it because of your achievements Decker, because of everyone on these three sister forums,because of finding C25k and HealthUnlocked support at 75.
Running and challenging yourself is just so worth it.
I remember when starting C25k and first hearing “running will change your life” from IannodaTruffe, that proved to be correct.
This relatively short 3 year journey has me believing that any challenge that I wish to focus on and are prepared to put the time into will be achieved.
As I reply to you Decker I am laughing to myself from a completely wiped out two weeks head cold and not having run for two weeks.But I have had a second -ve test result from exposure to the Delta variant.
I could not run to save myself at present but I cannot wait to get out on the road and pursue my first in a lifetime chunking marathon goal and my first in a lifetime chunking 50k.
Then hopefully a nine hour continuous marathon.
I am not a dreamer, it is important to me to have given this my very best shot and to so deserve the feeling of that experience.
Wishing you never ending success Decker with all your challenges.Keep on keeping on leading the charge.
You are a great inspiration to us all Tbae - your resilience and the work you put in are testament to making these dreams come true. Also I've come to believe that the process, not the goal is what really matters. If you can learn to love the process, then the goal is just a natural outcome of that.
Also GREAT news that you've tested negative!! I hope you are able to ease back into your plan once things are settled at home and you are feeling 100% again. All the best to you as you get back in business.
I experienced your belief ( during May just past) that the process and not the goal that is what really matters.So pleased you have pointed this out Decker.I was unable to register that gem💥.An enlightenment by you, never to be forgotten by me.Thank you Decker we are lucky to have you on here.🏃♂️🌟👏👏💪🙏💫⚡️
Good question. I think I’m always putting limits on my running goals. I injured myself twice in quick succession after C25K and completing my first 10k which I think has made me really cautious. This year I set the goal of 100k per month which I’ve managed to get up to 100 miles monthly, 10 miles was my distance goal for the year which really should have been a HM. I’ve also managed to crack my first running goal of a sub 30 5K with a PB of 28.30 without setting that goal this year. I’m always wondering whether I should be pushing harder but I really want to run as many miles as I can injury free. Hope the 50k training goes well. I’ve joked with my boys that their mum will run an ultra in her 50’s but maybe one day I will ❤️🏃♀️
It's a tricky thing coming back from injury RW. This made me rethink how I phrased this post a few times. I did not want to give the impression that we should just grit our teeth and go for it no matter what. That would be foolish. But even small wins fuel the bigger efforts. Especially when they are surprises like your sub 30 5k. We don't always need a big master plan, but just to be focused on our own improvement. And a key part of that is having the discipline to get there without overdoing it and allowing our bodies to heal with the time that is needed for it. I believe you both can and will run an ultra if that is what you really want. Good luck on the journey
Yes indeed. It really is just a matter of perspective. For you 10s are your new 5s. I really want to have 30s feeling like 20s by the end of the summer. You are doing great and I know that HM is coming!
I left running until I was aged 66; three years ago. I started following a vertebra fracture which saw me sitting around for 6 weeks, experiencing great pain every time I sat up, stood up or lay down. A product of a fall which saw me do a Fosbury Flop through treading on black ice concealed by freshly fallen thawing snow! There was nobody about to help, so I staggered back to the car and drove home!! Sitting at home, I reflected on getting older, becoming less and less mobile and on the wonderful National Park 5 minutes from my front door! I wasn’t ready for growing old!! I just happened upon C25k when looking for ways to enjoy the woods. I was full of questions at the beginning; have I left this ridiculously late being the main one. Every pain (and there were plenty) when I started the course felt like the end of the road. But I plodded on, discovered health unlocked post C25k, bought a running watch and just built up from there. I did make assumptions about limits, but 5k came and went, I opted for distance over pace, so went on to 10k about 6 months after graduating, and then 10 miles and one HM. I also assumed that I would have to keep the pace down, until I started Park Run and broke the 30 minute barrier. Running with other people and sharing experiences on line has been key to challenging perceptions and keeping going. It is definitely a one step at a time, keep putting one foot in front of another experience for me. I suspect that I pick up more injuries than I should; evidence of trying to run too fast too often! But I have great physios!! Tomorrow is my latest come back run, so 🤞
You've been through so much BC! I agree, running with others and learning from one another along the way challenges our perceptions and grow and keep moving forward (or sometimes slowing down ). Fingers crossed for tomorrow. You've got this!
Cheers Decker; I am sure lots of people have similar stories. I think that I would now be an older 69 were it not for the fall. Heavily disguised blessing !! 👍
You did actually manage the 50k attempt last year, and I think you would find it easier in the full event atmosphere. Many runners need the support and the boost that the atmosphere can bring to help them through. But a bit of training always helps 👍🏻🤣
I feel like running has changed me a lot, and all for the better. Even when we started out cycling together I was reluctant to go on my own, and on my few solo forays only did routes I knew well. I was often responsible for creating the routes, that way if I found them awful I only had myself to blame, but it was always on Paul to lead, which given he hadn't even seen the route was not always easy 🤣
Yet these days I don't hesitate to plan myself a route and head out for the day, knowing full well I am capable, and can cope.
People on the outside have always viewed me as confident but much has always been bravado, being brought up to not show weakness. These days I'm happy to ask for help if needed but otherwise confident in my own abilities.
My attitude towards my body, and my nutrition has changed for the better. It was already heading in the right direction having lost 36lbs and given up animal products.
Each newly attained goal brings me new growth and confidence. Leading others in runs has been much more fun than I thought it might and I am going to progress that.
I never really thought I would reach 10k, let alone anything more. I quietly hoped I'd complete the C25K, which of course I did. The rest, well the rest has just kind of happened! 🤣
I hope so Jo. I do like the quiet efforts with no-one about but it may help to gave that race vibe in the air.
You more than almost anyone seem to have transcended your limits and I get the sense there is a lot more to come still!
Its great you gave your nutrition really dialled in too. Mine is out the window at the moment as I just eat whatever is going especially with two teens at home and a kitchen full of tasty snacks. But I think I need to work on this part too at some point.
I have lots of tasty things to avoid too. I don't believe in not buying nice things but I am very pleased at the self control I've somehow learned. A self confessed pig that I was, I now split up a 100g dark chocolate bar and take 3 squares to work each day with lunch. I never buy extra food during the work day. I eat a lot more fruit... and enjoy it more than I ever have.
Christmas I ate everything and anything I wanted... but I also ran 97 miles so it all balanced out 🤣
I'm just having my evening cuppa, I've had one biscuit... and that's enough 😁
Pretty much on the same wavelength here Decker I just posted on the begginer forum about how we can find strengths we never believed we had :)For me, finding I could run changed everything really - when I am out there in the midfle of a run I know that no matter what happens, it will not neccesarily be what the "previously assumed facts" about it try to convince me of.
That definitely shakes your entire world view and self concept
There are certainly a few unexpected surprises that come up along the way, aren't there? And some of the incredible runners I've been lucky enough to know have shown me that just about anything is possible with the mind and body working together.
My limits are guidelines that I've read about: minimum of one rest day a week (prefrably three), training runs no longer than three hours or twenty miles (whichever is the most restrictive) and, most importantly, the 10% rule.
I've always kept to the rule about resting because I think it's an important part of training. Guess I might try a red month some time but that would have to incluse some days with very short, easy runs.
Think I've kept to the 10% rule too. OK, there has neen the odd occasion where I've pushed it but no more than when going from training distance to a race.
The three hours / twenty miles training limit went out of the window when I started training for the ultra!
Yes I try to take the rest days seriously too. And the (roughly) 10% rule. The times I've broken that rule ( like when an easy 28 turned into a tempo 42 last year) bad things were the eventual outcome.
Yes the ultra training - especially beyond 50k, gets really time intensive. It's one of the main reasons I've not gone down that road yet. I fear Mrs Decker may change the locks on me if I'm out of the house too long
It is amazing what the body can do if you build up, good luck to you and all the others on the thread pushing their boundaries.
I'm really challenging myself with the running club's 5k plan at the moment - achieving my target would mean knocking 3:28 off my 5k time so it is quite ambitious, but it is great fun to train in company and push yourselves together. They were quite clever and ran a poll asking what our "ultimate achievable" 5k time was, challenging us to go well beyond where we are at the moment, which definitely got me to set a higher time than I might have otherwise. We've just started week 3 and I'm still not sure if I'm going to achieve my goal time but if I don't try I'll never know.
Good for you! Setting goals with witnesses make them that much more real! It doesn’t even really matter that much if you achieve it, it’s the fact that you went for it that counts. My old run leader used to have us set one BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) each year. And sometimes we’d achieve it and sometimes not. But choosing the goal opened up some kind of permission for us to shoot for something we otherwise would never even consider. He was testament to the process as he’s accomplished greater things in running than anyone I’ve ever met, including a 900k run over 2 weeks (60k+ days every day) to Boston to then run the Boston marathon in 3 hrs and change.
My current challenge is my trail marathon at the start of October. Not something I'd ever have imagined writing a year ago when I was about to embark upon C25K Week 8!
Memorable "surpassing limits" moments? W5R3, and my first 10K, which I'd previously assumed was a scary race distance reserved for fit young guys.
I find it easier to minimise new challenges, though, than to build them up as achievements. It makes them seem much more do-able.
That’s an exciting milestone, and I know what you mean about minimizing these challenges, mentally making them more manageable. That’s a wise tactic! 🙂
An inspirational read. 50k is an awe-inspiring goal!😀⛰ It seems like a whole different league to the running I have come to understand my body can achieve over the last two years. However, two years ago, I was amazed that I could run for 8 minutes. Every new barrier brings its own sense of wonder; I think that is the appeal. Running distances still feels very new to me and I'm aware of my inexperience. I signed up for the Cheshire Half-Marathon in September and I'm training using NRC. I ran 8 miles (longest run) yesterday, not unhappy with my pace but...five extra miles?
Early runs work for me. To be ready for work, I get up at 4.30 on running mornings. I enjoy the sense of peace, having the world to myself before work begins. Tuesdays bring yoga classes and this is where I have to stop kidding myself that an hour and a half of yoga is going to compensate for regular post run stretching. Trying to find time in the evenings for some core strength work and I'm struggling a little.
Today is a rest day with a lovely yoga DVD filmed on a beach in Antigua. So it'll be the sound of the surf on Half Moon Bay and a post yoga rum and coke later.
Yes it’s just amazing what we can do with incremental progress. The legs and lungs just seem to keep adapting. Those 5 extra miles will just melt away as your training progresses. Your yoga game seems strong too. Your strength work sounds like my strength work. I’ve been busy lately and it has slipped. Yes I do my weekday runs early too because of work. I agree, the quiet of early morning runs is tough to beat!
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). Fingers crossed for tomorrow. You've got this!
