C25K encouragement continued continued

[redcandlelight]

all welcome

total beginners
re-starters
recent graduates
fell runners

lets keep running

Bridge to 10k worked for me on my first time around - and increasing my distance confidence ability improved my 5k time.

I love my Garmin connect Coach plan for easy box ticking as well so haven't looked at other plans recently!

Hi all. Going out for a run later and already dreading it. W3 r1. I have already done the whole 9 weeks of c25k once, but was doing it at a email's pace. This time I'm trying to go a little faster during the running bits.

Obviously it wasn't at email pace, that would be terrifically fast. Mine was more of a snail pace.

It has been busy on here! Love hearing what everyone’s up to. I’m due for a run today - W6R1 - which I believe includes some walking breaks again, woohoo!

@SourMilkGhyll I did have a good chuckle at email pace. Let us know how you get on!

@randomsabreuse

Oops posted too soon there. Had a real mental block on the sub 30 5k for ages. Main trick is not to try for it too often - probably not more than once a month as pushing too hard too often isn't helpful for getting faster.

Didn't take my own advice today. My plan has all my runs as "easy" pace at the moment, which I do find a little dull - I prefer at least one interval session because I get a buzz from that. Today was supposed to be 70 minutes (or 50 minutes) easy but it turned out the farmer was muck spreading just the other side of the canal and upwind so I had to run faster to get away from the stink and as it was the last mile or so I kept going and did 10k in about 1 hr 08. Oops... My Garmin tells me this is unproductive (as was the bike ride with my 5 year old and the walk to the shop in search of dinner) but I disagree as I really needed to (a) escape the smell and (b) blow some cobwebs away after slogging through numerical and verbal reasoning assessments for a grad scheme yesterday!

Who are you running for though? You, or your Garmin?!

Look forward to hearing how you get on @BobVance. I’ve got W5R3 tomorrow and am more than a bit worried!
Love seeing everyone’s advice and experiences here - keeps me going!

email pace

that's what I'm after

Your Garmin does sound a bit of a dictator randoms

I'm thinking of restarting and using a Garmin plan to see if it'll help with the calf pain I was getting, it's over 15 weeks and I'm hoping it'll strengthen my muscles gradually since they seem to be the biggest issue for me. I'm not breathless when I run but I haven't run since school and cycling seems to use different muscles.

Ooh, you're flying though them Bob! Nice!

So I did week 4 run 1 this morning and found it really challenging. I'm glad I got up and did it though, a big part of me just wanted to stay snuggled in bed! I'm definitely more snail pace than email pace

#TeamSnail

@Randommother I did wk 4 rn 1 last night with DH. First time I think I've run 5 mins in 15+ years. How did you find it?
I had to stop during the 2nd 3 mins and 5 mins but only briefly. I was fasting yesterday which bizarrely I find gives me more energy

Yes my Garmin is an annoying dictator, but to be fair overtraining is generally not good for long term fitness gains! To be fair I have a sore arse today (bike saddle related) so it was probably right but it's all about balance, I'm training to complete a half marathon and not to peak for the Olympics.

I tend to need to balance building a strong base ("boring" steady runs) with getting too bored and giving up. Given restrictions and lack of local running mates (relocated in first lockdown) it's really difficult to do the shorter steady runs. Longer ones are usually easier as I can go exploring, I just didn't account for muckspreading and noisy burglar alarms motivating me to run quicker!

My biggest issue with running has always been "boredom" - my favourite sport is fencing as it's all about tactics and fitness was not that crucial so I could get away with minimal fitness training. I started running because of mud runs looking fun, then did a couple of parkruns before joining a running club which meant the regular short steady runs necessary for fitness were less dull as someone else planned the route and I had someone to chat with!

Having a programme (plus the whole "overtraining"/not enough sleep) is mostly about avoiding injury where possible - can't account for stupid stuff like appendicitis but could hopefully avoid overuse injuries or pushing too hard on tired muscles aka a good way to sprain ankles! Plus I like tick boxes and need the discipline of my watch telling me to hold a certain pace

Can I join, I’m only week 2, I did run 1 this snaking and found the 90 seconds so tough I actually cried during the 4th run 🤣 with luck it was fairly early so no one around, I was just so cross with myself.

I’ve put 3 stone on and it all sits on my stomach. Hoping it really does get easier.

Email pace I’m more dial up pace (if anyone remembers that)

I'm more like rural "broadband" while everyone is working from home.

Definitely remember dial up, can still remember the sound!

Aah, I had wondered about your username injury avoidance is definitely what I'm after, I don't mind how long it takes me to get there which is just as well really

@Oneborneverydecade I really struggled with it. I stopped the first 5 min run about 10 seconds early (was kicking myself for that, but I had no concept of how long was left) and I had to pause for a moment during the second 3 min run after a short uphill section. I managed the last 5 mins, but was huffing and puffing like an old steam train!! My legs were fine, it's my cardio fitness that's the issue.

When are you doing run 2? I'm planning it for Wednesday morning.

fencing random
I was thinking of signing up for a trial term after a taster session.
I loved it, it's definitely good for the core and flexibility.
maybe once indoor sports are allowed again.

dial-up internet.

the boing boing crrrrrsh is as elegant as my running style

@Randommother I'm going out again tonight. I'm the same, it's my fitness levels making it so tricky. Luckily I don't need to tackle any hills, that must make it so much harder

I did a fencing evening class/course once, I really didn't enjoy it. I'm not sure what I was expecting but I found it too... combative

@Oneborneverydecade if we all liked the same things I don't think most sports would have been invented! I can't deal with squash because I don't trust my ability to stop before I encounter a wall! I like other racquet sports but I'm not great at hitting the ball/shuttlecock- I do like planning where I should have hit it though, although over the net is usually cause for celebration!

Fencing is very "personally" competitive sport as you have to make your opponent fail to win - there's a common personality type (very competitive) among my fencing friends!

Right - W4R3 done! Knees were fine, and hopefully won't flare up again. It was actually lovely in the park today and nice and sunny.

"Boing boing crrrrrsh"
The crrrrrsh bit sounds very much like my running speed!

@SourMilkGhyll how did you get on? I did W3R1 today, was absolutely dreading it but actually it was fine and felt like I could have ran for longer. I kept a very slow pace though, I've decided I'm going to go slow, get the distance in and then I can work on speed once I've completed it. Felt so proud of myself after I had finished

@FAQs I found my first run of week 2 really hard too. I stopped on my last run and then was so angry with myself afterwards. I promise you, your next run will be better

Does anyone listen to podcasts whilst they are running? Any recommendations for short 20 mins ones that I can pop on. I think it will help me zone out a bit

@MammaGnomes

I listen to podcasts. My 'go to' is Kermode & Mayo's Film Review which is generally around an hour and three quarters in length - so it lasts me for several runs. There's a new episode each Friday afternoon.

But if you want something shorter/more self-contained I'd also recommend Off Menu, which is a comedy podcast run by James Acaster and Ed Gamble, with a different celebrity each week. It's based around the idea that they create the dream restaurant, and the celebrity talks about what they'd choose for their starter, drink, main course, dessert - lots of anecdotes about why their choices and it's usually really funny.

I also like The Kitchen Cabinet, which is hosted by Jay Rayner. It's a bit like Gardeners' Question Time, except it's about food. Similarly, he does one called Out to Lunch, where he has lunch with a different celebrity each week and they chat over the food. Sounds dull but it's really interesting!