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 did it! I haven't run since mid-December when it all got a bit crazy with two small kids. And then I've just eaten cheese for two weeks!

I'd completed week 7 before Christmas, but went back to the beginning of week 6.

It was the right place for me, had to push myself a little, but not too much so I feel good that I did it and I've got the win.

It was a monumental effort to get back out there. But I did it!!!!

Well done @vixb1 for getting back into it after 2wks! That is brilliant. I too took a bit of time off after my 1st5k and bogs did I suffer today! From the first k I was struggling and only managed 4.5km today - but my pace was faster according to the app (don't know how as it felt like I was crawling). Taking 4 days rest definitely doesn't agree with me. I've been using the weather as an excuse (cold and raining here) but really it was laziness. Now I need to work back towards the 5k this week.

@theyarereallytakingthepissnow I'm 45 and my knees really suffer after the longer runs. I definitely agree that it's a combination of being too heavy (I'm sadly obese) and running on the road plus getting tired. I've noticed that my knees really hurt after the 4th k now which means I've build stamina for 4 but not more yet. Lots of stretching helps and when they are too sore I take an Epsom salts bath and that really helps. My shoes are old but still good so that's my saving grace. I Recommend good shoes, lots of stretching and strength work. The key is to do it often - something I keep falling on which is probably why my knees are still suffering.

Hope everyone is using their running to keep sane this week

W5R1 done for me today - and very excitingly no shin pain at all this time!! Thanks so much for everyone's tips, with new trainers and lots of stretching I think it did the trick! I went at a snail's pace as I was wary of pushing it too hard but really enjoyed it So hard to get outside in this gloom but it's great once you're going!

W5r2 for me. It was so so so cold. Really cold. I didn’t have a hat. I had brain freeze and felt a bit dizzy!

I’m going to repeat this run. The 1st 8min run wasn’t great. I had to stop to let a walker go through a gate, then I got stuck in some mud. The last 8min run was fine though. I’m still very slow I think.

Got bored in the 5 min walk section. I’d had recovered easily which makes me think I’m not putting enough effort into it.

Lots of cold wind coming off the sea. At least it was dry!

Well done cavagirl you’ll overtake me soon. Dreading r3....does anyone have any tips.

How are we getting on with lockdown? I haven't run since Sunday (W3R4) and I'm desperate to get out but haven't found time between WFH and home schooling. I'll try tomorrow afternoon but I'm worried that after a few days it'll be much harder.

@RomanMum

How are we getting on with lockdown? I haven't run since Sunday (W3R4) and I'm desperate to get out but haven't found time between WFH and home schooling. I'll try tomorrow afternoon but I'm worried that after a few days it'll be much harder.

I'm taking the dc with me. the teens run with me (sooo frustrating how they don't break a sweat and can hold conversations and race each other to the next lamp post). smaller dc with roller blades usually.

it's my version of doing pe with them.

Dobby you’re recovering fine! I also find five mins to be too long between eight min runs. It is a good sign! Not every run has to be an attempt to kill yourself. Sometimes it can be good to enjoy that sense of plateau. And you’re progressing so well! Revel in it.

As for the dreaded w5r3, my advice is to see it as a series of four lots of five minute runs. I’ve said this before I think. So you just tell yourself when you’re starting that you’re just going to run for five minutes. And pace yourself so you’re sloooooow. Then she tells you that you’ve hit five minutes and you treat it like it’s the start of a run again - am just going to run this five minutes. And so on. And just be slow slow slow - literally run as slow as you possibly can, actively try to be slower. It worked for me anyway!

That’s really good advice misery. I must say 8mins wasn’t as bad as I’d thought. TBH I’ve so much going through my mind, I wasn’t conscious of running I was somewhere else. Once I’m in a rhythm I can tune out, but don’t know for 20mins.....

I suppose it’s 10 mins turn round run back....10 mins.

I’m going to repeat today’s run before I attempt it. I’m sure it’s mind over matter.

Evening all, just checking in. I had a few days off due to shocking weather but did W8r3 today - a repeat because last time I had to stop twice to recover. Lesson learned: don’t run on first day of period. Much better today.

I must say I’m glad to be past the weeks with walking sections as it’s so cold! Very hard to dress right for running and walking- have to admit I’m skipping a lot of the warm up due to this.

Advice on w5r3 - it wasn’t as bad as I expected. The main things that helped me were 1) distraction - I chose a new route and new playlist and 2) slight cheating - I made sure my last 5 min were downhill! Good luck with it Cava and Dobby!

It's chilly out there today!

This morning I finished W5R3 - eek! I was absolutely dreading it - found the earlier runs this week quite challenging so I didn't see how I was going to manage it, but I did it! Had a slightly slow section when I had to go up a hill, but picked it back up again.

Feeling so proud of myself/smug this afternoon - can't believe I actually ran for 20 minutes when it's only a few weeks since I struggled through week 1.

Dobby - if I can do it, you can! I set myself up with a super motivating playlist, and tried to distract myself by thinking about anything but running.

Well done @YouFightLikeADairyFarmer and @minipie! Go @DobbyTheHouseElk, you can do it!
I have completely wimped out this week due to the weather and have not been for a run since last Friday. I think it will be tough going when I do get out there. Gulp. I have been doing some hard work on the exercise bike though in the hope that helps.

I will go out later today.
4 degrees and rain.
at least that greatly reduces the number of dogs on my route :o

good work everyone.

Good luck redcandlelight! Hope you get a patch of clearish weather for your run.

well, that was a very slow and hard run.
went to a sport park so dc could play on the playground whilst I did my rounds.

my feet felt odd, I had to stop and tie them loser as they started to 'fall asleep'. could this be because of the cold?

Brand new person here - have basically been sedentary most of my life and increasingly so since changing jobs to a desk in 2017.

We've just bought a running machine (or, rather, we bought it in October and it's only just arrived). Had my first go, managed 11 mins alternating running and walking (including 5 mins warm up walk!) and am now having a little lie down. It's WAY worse than I thought!

Can anyone advise me, if doing C25K on a running machine, what's a good standard speed for walking and what for running? I started jogging at 6kph but then realised it was a fastish walk.

I'm rubbish and unfit at the moment so happy to start slow but would be great to have something to aim for that's reasonably respectable for c25k before I try anything too ambitious and overface myself.

Thanks 😊

I'm no expert on treadmills, but for outside 6kph (which is 10min/km) is ok to start, but of course it's easier to adjust speed if you need to slow down or want to speed up.

better put the treadmill on an angle, only a little gradient or it will feel very tough if you want to run outside.

Oh, that's a good idea. It is always easier on a machine (she says, remembering the glory days when she could run for five mins outside without passing out). I will do that tomorrow and try to match what I did today but a bit inclined. Thanks!

Welcome Elizabeth !

redcandle yes you've reminded me, my feet went a bit numb in places on my last run too! I put it down to cold and too tight trainers. I was mainly happy not to be in pain!!

Sheet ice here and low temperatures today. So no run for me today.

Huge encouragement and good luck for anyone who has warmer weather and is about to smash a run today!!

W5R2 done!! Gosh I regretted not wearing gloves, it is chilly out there!
Like you Dobby I found the 5 minute walk a bit long, hopefully that's a good sign.
It's definitely legs not lungs for me - I'm puffing but not heavily, whereas my legs are the ones wanting to stop! Does anyone do strength training in between runs? Any suggestions?
Hope the ice melts for you soon Dobby! Good luck out there for everyone else!

Hey cavagirl I think it’s a good sign the 5 mins walk felt long. It did mean I was super keen to do the last run.

Well done! You are getting stronger. 8 mins run...no problem.

The weather looks better next week. We’ve had freezing fog for two days now. Black ice everywhere. W5r3 is calling!

I should have done w9r1 today but DH has been on calls all day so couldn’t leave DC with him. Home schooling starts on Monday so not sure how that will affect my running - much less opportunity, but perhaps more motivation (as a chance to have a break from chivvying the dc!) all depends on DH work though, sigh.

@minipie how old are dc?
is there a playground where you can 'park' them or can they come with you on bikes/skates/scooters?

Thanks. They’re 8 and 5 and very much NOT sensible types! So would be nervous about leaving them anywhere ... I could possibly run with one on a bike but not two of them, I think. Maybe if I had a bit more running under my belt but at the moment I’m too focused on not expiring

TBH I’m being a bit pathetic - I can go out when they’re watching TV but that’s 4.30+ and dark and cold and I’m a wuss!!