C25K encouragement continued

[Jibberoo]

Hi everyone

I've started this thread as I couldn't add any more posts to the other one. Hopefully you all find this thread!!

Hope everyone had enjoyed their day - so bored at home right now I'm glad I have the run to look forward to. Waited till it got dark and I headed out with my new running buddy - my 11yo ds. Yes he ran ahead of me and stopped a few times so I could catch up, but we ran 4.46km in 33mins and I'm so proud of both of us! (And little dog of course who's my faithful running buddy). It was a bit drizzly tonight which was actually quite nice as it wasn't that cold so the rain cooled me off a bit.

I've been thinking of how I can improve my stride length and I wonder if I can use my rest days to do W1r1 and try to do it with much longer strides? Seeing my son running I realise how inefficient my stride is. If I can only learn to open my stride I could run much further in the same time. If I can walk tomorrow I might try that to see if I can.

Hope everyone is enjoying their runs today!

Could do with jo speaking more, she’s gone very quiet on us.

@DobbyTheHouseElk I found that too !

I went out this morning and completed W3r3!
It was cold and drizzling, and I didn't feel like it but I was ok once I got going.
I don't have a treadmill so I have to go out. Maybe that's a good thing? I don't know.
I think it good to not over think it and just chuck some running clothes on and get out there. Thats what works for me.
I might take gloves next time as my hand was cold. But only my left hand. How.bizarre is that?

@DobbyTheHouseElk

Cava I was walking more and working outside but that’s all stopped with lockdown.

I’m going to do some strength work on rest days and walk more on rest days.

I’m sure I can run for 28 mins now, but in a miserable way! I’ve lost my bounce with running, it’s really hard work.

This will sound silly, but as I started my run I passed some “proper” runners, who gave me a withering look. I was struggling along and they were fast, bouncing and in all the gear in neon. I felt very dispirited and it took a while to shake off.

I know what you mean. I was speaking to two people not long ago. They were saying how they'd both been out for a run that morning. I said how I'd started running. I said "I'm doing c25k bit it's more walking than running at the moment " On hearing this, one of the ladies gave the other one an eye roll, which I noticed. Then they started talking about their running club and completely ignored me

Why are people like that?

I

whoever eyerolls at c25k doesn't deserve your attention.
those 'proper runners' (wtaf) have started at some point themselves. they also have off days and injuries.

yes c25k is slow to start with, but it's also very sensible and doable.
and anyway, anyone who gets out and stick with it for a couple of weeks is a proper runner.

Hi everyone. A friend of mine has invited me to join her with c25k. I’d love to give it a go but I’m apprehensive as I’m in my mid 50’s and absolutely hopeless at running! I also have a bit of a dodgy knee so I’m looking for a good pair of running shoes to hopefully help with that. Can anyone recommend some please? I don’t want to spend a fortune in case I don’t stick with it. Thanks.

Redcandlelight, absolutely.
Everybody has to start somewhere.

hi ina

for most people neutral running shoes are ok. decathlon for example have decent own brand ones that are not too pricey.
important is that they are big enough, usually one size bigger than normal shoes.

just don't go for fashion trainers.

@redcandlelight - thanks. Yes, I’m certainly not bothered about fashion! I’ll have a look at Decathlon. Thank you.

Hello and welcome @Inastatus

I am in my 50s and had never run (or exercised!) before I started C25k last Sept. I was also very overweight and have a dodgy left knee. I was very sceptical (and frightened) about doing it. But I did. And I finished it. Now I regularly run 5km (not very quickly and certainly not in 30min - yet). I still can’t believe it and neither can my family. You need to be determined but you can do it. I am proof. My knee is better at coping than I thought - it hurts less if I run on dirt paths rather than on pavements and also if I make sure I have a rest day (or two) between runs.
This is a really supportive group who will keep you going if you want to.

Completed W2R2. I spent yesterday sorting out a playlist and it definitely helped having music I like to listen to.

Someone earlier on this thread gave some tips about posture and style and that helped too

@Talksunderwater - thank you. Well done to you, that’s brilliant. I am a bit scared too but I’m going to give it a go. Yoga and Pilates are my usual but not great for losing the weight I need to!

Went out for my first run in a while (10 days) now that the ice has melted and it was hard work. Managed 4km at a slower pace than usual. When I was huffing and puffing slowly uphill, a guy ran (bounced actually) past me wearing a neon outfit which made me smile given earlier comments on here about neon runners . I think I’ll get some neon myself as it clearly helps with the bounce factor!

Hello and welcome to newbies.

W7r3.

First run for ages when it’s been mild and no wind. Seems the cold temperatures and wind does affect my running. Today was much easier, got to the halfway point sooner and even had energy left for a sprint at the end. Well when I say sprint, it’s a fast run....

Lovely conditions, no ice, less flood, mild and drizzle. Should have put more into it because I’m not feeling like I’ve had a run today. So if the temperature stays mild I see no problem with building strength and speed (well possibly speed)

Week 8 beckons....

Hi.
I've managed to do 2 runs since I last posted. I'm still getting knee pain but I've been trying to strengthen my knees in between runs (doing these exercises www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/knee-exercises-for-runners/) and concentrating on trying to reduce impact when I run (trying not to land heavily on my heels). I've also avoided running on tarmac and instead running on grass.
I've managed to get a physio appointment next week. I'm hoping she'll be able to tell me if there's a problem with my posture or gait that's causing the pain.
I'm also wondering if I've got the wrong running shoes.
Running in the cold and dark is so hard! Roll on spring.

My DH has special insoles to stop his knees hurting when he runs. He went to a gait clinic to be assessed. Had to run on a treadmill and they watched his posture. The insoles were fairly expensive, but have solved the knee issue.

@DobbyTheHouseElk I think I might need something like that.

Hi all, new to this thread! I completed wk 4 run 2 today - I surprised myself by running for 8 minutes instead of 5 on the final interval! I'm sure this isn't strictly allowed but I made sure I did the full cool down walk afterwards.

Is week 5 as scary as it's made out to be???

Hooray well done @Trulyatraditionalman and welcome
No I found W5 fine actually - lots of wise tips here for the famous 20 min run - the best one that worked for me was to think of it as 4 x 5 min runs. If you're running 5/8/8 in W4 you'll definitely be fine.
And you'll feel brilliant once you've done it!

@Cavagirl I think I remember you from my thread about being scared to run in the day time!! If so, thanks so much for your encouragement. I've gone out quite a few times during the day now, and I'm learning to embrace my wobbly bits which will hopefully not be so wobbly once I've improved my diet and toned up a bit!

Great advice. I might go out for a cheeky 15 minute constant run as an added extra before I attempt week 5. I really want to build up my stamina. It's my calves that are causing me grief now!

What week are you all on?

Yes that was me glad to see you over here and really pleased it's going so well!! And well done for getting out in the day!
Everyone is on a mix of weeks and there are some wise graduates with lots of good advice too.
I'm just about to start W8.

On hearing this, one of the ladies gave the other one an eye roll, which I noticed.
Then they started talking about their running club and completely ignored me

Knobs. 99.9% of "proper" runners aren't like that, you know.
If you saw me in the street you'd probably think I was "proper" because I'm fairly fast, I'm fairly thin, and I wear tiny shorts even in winter. But it's not long since I was struggling through c25k, overweight and red-faced in baggy jogging bottoms.

Most runners remember exactly how hard it is when you're starting out, and are really supportive to newbies. I promise.

I did my first run with my friend yesterday and it really wasn’t too bad! I could feel my knee niggling slightly but not too bad. I felt good afterwards 😊 Going again tomorrow and will wear a knee support. I’m not going to think of how I’ll cope with longer runs - one day at a time etc.

I completed W3R2 this morning in the rain! Due to the snow early this week I had to do W3R1 yesterday and will do run 3 tomorrow - not ideal but I don't think it will hurt for a week to run 3 consecutive days.

I'm not a natural runner but its the only thing left at the moment as the gyms are shut, cycling is too dangerous (slippery/wet roads) and I can't bear home workout things in front of the TV! I hate the superior 'club runners' described earlier in the thread - I think anyone doing any form of increased exercise whether its walking faster, running, cycling deserves absolute praise rather than eye rolls and side glances.

Completed w4r1 this morning.
There's quite a difference!😯
I try to pick a rout with a few gentle Bill is, figuring it'll build my strength to a bit.
Was slightly out of breath a few times but I reckon that's a good thing.