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!

Well done @Trulyatraditionalman It’s a huge feeling of achievement to complete W5R3 isn’t it? I remember being truly stunned that I could run for 20mins straight. To tell the truth, I still am!

@Cavagirl Thank you! How's your week's running going?

@talksunderwater. Absolutely thrilled! What week are you on now? I just looked at my weekly stats and I've already run 15.5km over the week, and I have another run planned for Saturday or Sunday. If I saw that I'd be doing that much a few months ago, I'd have thought I was crazy, but I'm thoroughly addicted!

Well done @Trulyatraditionalman! I'm doing w5 r3 tomorrow. Good to hear it isn't as bad as it sounds!

I had a physio appointment yesterday. It was really good. She identified various issues - weak muscles around my ankles and knees - which mean I don't have enough stability/control when I run which is why I've been getting pain in my joints. She's given me exercises to do every day. It's another thing to remember to do. But I'm hoping that strengthening those muscles will make running easier/less painful in the long run.

Great to hear how well everyone is doing. I agree running for 20 mins non stop is such a great achievement! Once you've reached that stage you feel like an actual runner.
For me I've always struggled planning where to run, I live in a tiny village so limited routes and all quite hilly! This time I'm devising a plan each week of what days I'm going to run, how far and what route. 🤞🤞 I stick to it!

@Onedropbeat

My cramps subsided enough just in time for me to go. I didn’t put any pressure on and just said I would at least do 30mins whether that is walking or jogging. It was hard going, more so than my previous runs but I’m glad I did. My pad wasn’t up to it and I’m glad I was running in the dark in black leggings. My big toe bled through to my sock too. It wasn’t even in pain so no idea how that happened. I’ve got new trainers coming tomorrow in a bigger size. I wished I could have held on until shops were open but I couldn’t.

I’m running in hiking socks (I thought that better than my thin office type socks) so possibly in need of socks too.

What socks is everyone using?

I wear Balaga socks. The man in the running shop flogged them to me when I bought my shoes. I resented it at the time as they seemed quite expensive for what they were. But I have to admit they've been brilliant. There s a small roll of cushioning at the top of the heel bit that prevents any blisters. The fabric supports different areas of the foot. There s hardly anything to them. They look like cheap secret trainer socks! I must admit they've be been brilliant. They don't move around or make my feet hot so it was money well spent in the end.

@Trulyatraditionalman I started W8 on Tuesday, original plan was R2 this afternoon but it's absolutely chucking it down here so I'll postpone it to tomorrow I think!

Does anyone else get a stitch in their shoulder sometimes?

If i get stitch, whether from running or anything else, e.g. swimming, it's always in my shoulder. I don't know what the latest theory is on why you get stitch but as far as I'm aware it's nothing to do with shoulder or arm position, it's referred pain.

I'm trying some different shoes to run in tonight - i've bruised the nail on my big toe, think my shoes are slightly too small. I realised the other day that they're actually 17 years old!

Thanks @YouFightLikeADairyFarmer! Glad it's not just me!

I did my second run today at lunch, not following the couch to 5k week cues but doing the same loop I did before alongside the DC on their bikes. I was planning to go out myself tonight but I had to retrieve one from a giant puddle and my shoes are soaked through so it'll have to wait!

I did Wk r2 today. I was pleased with myself for going as it was raining quite hard, but actually the rain was quite nice as it kept me cool.

@fellrunner85 ** thank you for the suggestion for shoes. The pair linked are out if stock unfortunately but that gives me an idea of what to look for.

My hip's still sore, but stretching seems to help and I'm doing the clam exercises everyday.

Great to hear how well everyone is doing. You're all inspiring ,e to keep going!

Week 4 completed just now! Need to rethink my layers now I’m running for longer as I got too hot today 😁

My walk run strategy to get faster was hampered by the fact my glasses steam up if i walk after running yesterday.

Different shoes better for my toes but uncomfortable on arches and I now have a slight blister on one. Finding shoes to fit is a nightmare at the best of times, does anyone have any tips for trying to buy trainers in the middle of a pandemic?

I did my W5 R3 20 min run this morning! I'm feeling very proud of myself. At the 5 minute mark I really didn't think I could do it but I somehow kept on going. I felt like by the end I was just sort of dragging my body along rather than actually running!

@tizwozliz I've just ordered a new pair of running shoes online and wondering the same thing. I think you really need to try lots on in a specialist shop and get someone to advise you on whether you need a neutral shoe or a stability shoe etc. I probably shouldn't have ordered them but it was free delivery and returns and they were a bargain so I thought it was worth a go!

WhereAreWeNow well done! That’s feels so good to complete that 20 min run doesn’t it. After that run, I think mentally it’s easier because you’ve done it once and you know you can do it again, it’s not so daunting. I hope you are feeling very proud of your achievement today.

Today I did W8R3

Really pushed myself. As the flood water is starting to recede a bit I ran further along to see how bad it was in the next stretch. When I was halfway I decided to carry on to check out the path and it was not too bad. One deep flood I had to walk, but only 5 metres of walking. Not possible or sensible to run through liquid mud and flood water.

So I definitely went a bit further today. If the weather doesn’t do crazy stuff I’ll try a loop next time because I know it’s a 5k loop, but it’s very dependent as ever on rainfall.

Lovely run today, tide was in and high so the sun was reflecting off the water as I was running along. Beautiful.

Got home and looked like a beetroot. DH said he could tell I’d pushed myself harder by the state of me!

I’m nearly there, only 3 more runs! Whoop whoop.

Do you mind me asking where you ordered from WhereAreWeNow? I'd like to try on a few pairs but the returns cost is off-putting.

I've bought shoes from Sports Shoes and Start Sport and had other things from Wiggle. Can also get good shoes from Amazon, but get the info from eg Sports Shoes.

Well done @DobbyTheHouseElk ! You're nearly there. It sounds like you're in a really picturesque (if a bit soggy) part of the world. That must help with the running inspiration. I find trudging around my grey city streets and parks a bit depressing!

@Therearenomore I got a bargain pair of Asics Gel Nimbus 21 from Wiggle. I'm not sure if they'll fit or even if they're the right style for my feet (feeling a bit confused about underpronation, over pronation etc at the moment) but, as I said, I thought it was worth giving them a go as they offer free delivery and returns.

Thanks!

just looking at the weather forecast to plan my next run.
we are expecting the mother of a cold front to roll over us from tomorrow morning.
the dc are excited about the prospect of snow though.

Well I've run again this afternoon! Set out to do 20 mins non stop running which I did but I was still miles away from being back to my car so I walked for a couple of minutes then ran another 5 then still had about a 15 min walk back to my car- and it was raining by this point too! And I forgot headphones so had to run without music 😒 Anyway its done so feeling pleased with myself. Happy Friday everyone!

Well done @DobbyTheHouseElk and @WhereAreWeNow .. The last time I did C25k I gave up at W5r3. Never even started it, as mentally I couldn't face it.... so I am hugely impressed with anyone who does as it's such a big jump from W5r2.

I've just done w4r1. I was struggling by the end but am amazed that I ran for 5 mins where not so long ago I could barely manage 1 . To be fair though I did swear a bit at Michael.. poor Michael he was only being encouraging!

I have a new target! This morning I discovered that when I’m running ‘properly’ steady it’s perfectly in time to Mr Blue Sky by ELO ! (Showing my age here!) My target is to be able to keep running at the same pace for the whole song rather than just the first minute 😁😁😁

@Blobby10 that's on my playlist too!

Well done today's runners!
I'd planned to go today but work was nuts so it's been postponed to tomorrow!
I'd started to compile a "running to beats" playlist - haven't nailed it yet - but if you Google songs bpm there's loads of websites that will show you songs with the same. Mr Blue Sky is 180bpm & there are loads similar

Can I join you all please. I should be doing week 5 re tomorrow I am a bit nervous. Like emilyjeff above I live in a small long village which is on a slight hill. With steep hills or main roads that wouldn't be particularly safe at both ends.The longer I run the more I am running out of space that doesn't involve steep hills. I am sure this will be good later when I want to challenge myself.