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!

I am now offically in the Scary Zone!
W7r1 Done.
25 minutes of solid running with no breaks!
I was wheezing like can old engine at times and I had some concerned looks off passers by because I had a face like a tomato about to explode AND my run was more like a jog.
But, I did it!

Wow. So you can run 5k in 20 mins @fellrunner85? That's so fast!
I ran this morning (W8 R2) and used a different app on my phone to measure the distance. I averaged 6mins 42 secs per km and I covered 4.17km (excluding the 5 mins walking at either end - I just measured the running bit).
So that's not too bad. I'm still a way off doing 5k in 30 mins but I'm getting there.

Wow. So you can run 5k in 20 mins @fellrunner85? That's so fast!

Yeah, I can, but I don't do it often because it's hard! Training pace is nearer 24 mins, and 20 mins is reserved for races only (not that there's been any of those for a while).

It still doesn't seem that long, though, since I was overweight, horrendously unfit, and really struggling to even get through the first week of c25k. It seems mad to me how your body can change and adapt so much with the right training.

@WhereAreWeNow

Interesting *@randomsabreuse*. I'm 5"8 and have long legs so in theory I should have an advantage. But I'm 44, perimenopausal, always tired, and have quite skinny/weak ankles so I have all that working against me! I'll try to focus on picking up the pace tomorrow and see how I go.

All the top long distance runners have skinny ankles!

Well done to those who have graduated.
I'm hoping you still post on this thread so that we can all pick up tips on where to go from here.
I've downloaded c210k, zombie run and the NHS podcasts in preparation for after graduation.

Thanks @likeamillpond that's encouraging I agree, I love hearing from those who've graduated. It's a real inspiration.

I can't actually imagine running that fast @fellrunner85 . So how long ago did you do c25k? You must be so fit.

It took me a while to realise that 30 minutes does not automatically mean 5k too, @WhereAreWeNow ! I'm 5'9 so should have a slight advantage, but my average seems to be about 7minutes per k.

I went for my second post-graduation run today, and decided to try and cover the 5k for the first time - pleased to say I managed it (yay me!) but it took me 35m30, according to the Nike Run Club app (which I definitely recommend). I sped up towards the end so I probably could have gone a bit faster out of the gate. It'd be nice to go a bit quicker, but I think that'll happen naturally as I keep going and get fitter, I'm not going to obsess about it. I still can't quite believe I can run at all, and that's enough for me right now

Also to add, it's funny how little I thought about running an extra 5 minutes longer than before - my thought process was literally "ah well, it'll probably only be another 5 minutes", which is mad given how hard it was to run 5 minutes back in the early days.

it's amazing isn't it.
I got lost in the woods yesterday, that added another km and another 6 and a bit minutes.
it was fine.

@YouFightLikeADairyFarmer Well done! You're right, it's incredible to think that now an extra 5 mins is no big deal. At the beginning I didn't think I could run for 3mins!

Although, having said that, the last 5 mins of today's (28min) run felt really bloody hard!

I'm usually ok with the last 5 minutes or so of any run, my low point is usually the last 5 minutes before half way or (on a route I don't know, especially in the days of races) when you round the corner on a hill to find more hill...

Well done all of you doing brilliantly.

I really wish they'd address the fact that barely anyone who starts on the couch will end up doing 5K in 30 minutes- I was so disheartened when I realised that and thought it was just me.

I graduated late October and I'm still at 33 minutes or so.

I'm consistently doing 5K three times a week and a longer one at the weekend but I think I'm going to concentrate on distance rather than getting faster (mainly because it's just not happening) but I'm happy with that.

10K is a real stretch at the moment but I'd like to achieve a half marathon at least once.

@schoolcook that's a great time. I agree they should be clearer about the fact that you're not likely to be running 5k in week 9. It might save some of us from feeling inadequate and put off!

I have run consistently since starting C25K nearly two years ago, running 5k twice a week most weeks, and I’m very rarely managing it in 30 minutes (and when I do I’m breathing out my arse at the end of it)! Please don’t any of you feel inadequate or put off! I do it because even though I’ll never win any races I love it (and because it gives me a wee escape from my 2 year old asking ‘why’ and the chance to listen to something that isn’t Hey Duggee’s bloody stick song).

@LilyLolo81 It's such an achievement to keep running so regularly for so long. I did c25k several years ago but then stopped (sore knee, cold winter....) and basically didn't do any exercise at all until I started c25k from scratch in Jan this year. I've only got 4 more runs before I graduate and I'm already wondering how I'll keep it up.
I'd love any tips on staying motivated and keeping on going.

I'm finding both this thread and the improved weather to be good motivation at the moment!
I've run on and off for about 10 years, but always seem to stop due to injury/ bad weather/ lack of motivation then when I start again I feel annoyed at myself for how much fitness I've lost. On a mission not to stop this time!
Had to go into the office today so not been back home long. Going to take the dogs for a quick walk as my warm up and then do 2 miles

@WhereAreWeNow it’s much easier to keep motivated when the weather is nice but I’m also pretty happy running in the rain. I find that having something I save for listening to on my runs helps, at the minute I’m enjoying podcasts and so only listen to them on a run as a bit of a ‘treat’. I also buy inexpensive but nice running gear, stuff that’s comfy but that I feel good in, that definitely helps. And I’ll quite often nip for my run at my toddlers dinner time so that I’m not too tired and I get to miss the feeding frenzy 🤣

back from a short run.
cycled to the beach and ran 20 min.
omg
I have muscles I never knew I had!
running on sand is hard work. even though most of it was on the hard bit near the water.

W7r2 done.
I felt teally clumpy and ploddy today. I think it's because the route was very flat. I seem to land on my heel too much.

Im wondering if the heels are too built up for my running style and I would fair better with more neutral shoes.

For some reason I seem to do better on a route that's a mixture of flat and inclines.
I also get really bored when it's too flat.

That was a bit of a moan. Sorry.
Hopefully have a better run on Sunday.

I'm back! Actually did quite a speedy 2 miles so feeling good now. Weirdly when I used to run I always used to go first thing in the morning and never got on very well running in the afternoon. This time round I'm liking the afternoon running plus less time for me to eat afterwards!!

@likeamillpond I know that clumpy ploddy feeling well! I've been wondering if I need a neutral shoe too. I'm looking forward to running shops reopening so I can get some good advice on shoes.
@LilyLolo81 treats are a good motivation. I've just ordered some new leggings and I'm going to ask for a smart watch and some earphones for my birthday.
@redcandlelight running on sand sounds difficult but lovely. I'm so sick of running on city pavements and muddy parks.

Starting week 4 this morning - I think this one might be the one that beats me . I shouldn’t have looked ahead!

It won't beat you @WellJuhnelle. Don't think about it too much. Just keep going. You'll be able to do it.

W8 R3 done this morning. I worked at picking up the pace and managed to cover 4.35km. Pace was 6"26 mins per km which I'm happy with. I did the 2nd km in 6"15. That's an improvement on my last run. It felt hard though. Up until now my biggest challenge has been my body feeling heavy and tired. Today my legs felt fine but my lungs felt like they were going to explode!