C25K Encouragement Thread - Continued

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

I'm in absolutely no way qualified to start this thread but I couldn't see another one!

So after nearly 2 weeks of not running with plantar fasciitis issues, I've just done W6R1! I thought I'd go back a bit a build up gradually but it was actually ok considering I haven't run in so long. I haven't lost it completely as actually felt a bit like a runner! 🥳 We'll see how my heels are later today...

And I got back home just before the hail hit!

Hope anybody else running this morning is enjoying the crazy weather!

[EmilyDickinson]

I don’t think I’d go if it was 8am either! Far too early for a weekend!

[randomsabreuse]

I'm in Scotland so it's 9.30 which in some ways is a little late for not impinging on the rest of the day. I liked being able to be done and home by 10. 8am would be fine as the kids have me up well before then!

I'm impatiently waiting to explore my new local parkrun options - very much looking forward to it!

[DobbyIsAFreeElf]

I did w4r1 today, really surprised with how I managed stepping up to running 5 minutes. It's the first run where I feel like I have achieved something. Also had to lengthen my route as I covered more distance than had been doing. I managed 4K so I am getting close to the target of 5k.

[Cavagirl]

Well done dobby! I think W4 was where I really felt like I'd made progress too.

I've been a bit lazy the last couple of days and using being vaccinated as an excuse... heading out tomorrow morning though! Wind should have died down by then too!

redcandle I like running alone too but I do like the element of people watching on parkrun that distracts me there's usually a cute dog or two as well! 8am would be a no for me too though ugh! I've never heard of it being so early anywhere!

[RAINSh0wers]

I just finished my last week 4 run! I think this is the longest I’ve stuck to anything. I’m quite enjoying it although finding the motivation to get out of bed tricky with this rubbish weather!

[redcandlelight]

well done rain

the thing with getting out is for me the knowledge that coming home is so great.

[Bumpinthenight]

Week 6 Run 3 this morning!

I like the fact that by 0830 I have clocked up 5000 steps but that's about it

My pace is slower than a snail but I kept moving at the same pace! Hoping to speed up with the next week's runs being the same length. We'll see!

[purplesequins]

well done bump

week 6 seems to be the hardest after starting.

just back from a slow 1 hour run.
it was so pleasant, sunny and warm.
had to run a couple of detours as not all fallen branches had been cleared after fridsy's storm.

namechange from red to purple

[Talksunderwater]

Well done @Bumpinthenightand @RAINSh0wers. You’re doing well. I found the middle weeks difficult as they were a big step up in time spent running. I found the mental element the most challenging - telling my self I could do it and keeping going when I was finding it really tough.

This morning I ran my local Parkrun route as I’d like to give it a go when it starts up again. I was really pleased because I did it in 34:37 which was my best ever 5k time . I’ve decided I’m going to try running 5K on flat ground to see how much faster I am (it’s a bit hilly round here). Or should I expect to run a similar time on the flat - ie do the faster ‘downs’ on my hilly route cancel out the slower ‘ups’ I wonder? I’m intrigued to find out.

[purplesequins]

talks I find hills make me slower overall.

don't forget that going down hill is not necessary faster as you need to 'break' to avoid running faster than you can iyswim.
my hill route is definitely slower than the mainly flat route.

[Bumpinthenight]

Well done everyone!

What a great time @Talksunderwater

[purplesequins]

anyone got an apple se watch?
am still considering it. but not certain yet.
not having the sleeve for my phone and cable salad with the ear phones would bd a plus.

[KnobJockey]

Hi! Week 5 run 3 completed today ✅
I even got to the end, walked for a couple of minutes then did about 60-90 seconds of a faster jog, just to round off after my 20 minute snail crawl! Can already feel my thighs are going to be tight tomorrow though 😁

Interesting chat on the park runs, one to consider

[EmilyDickinson]

I find that hills slow me down quite a lot. There are several where I live, in fact it’s quite hard to do a run without them. As purplesequins says downhills can be slow too. My run today had two fairly steep uphills and one steep downhill and I was practically walking down the downhill as I was afraid of falling if I ran it and to be honest gravity was kind of pulling me down as I walked so I felt like I wouldn’t be able to properly control a run. Then on the second steep uphill I actually had to stop me very slow run as it was just too much to sustain. On the other hand I feel like including hills does somehow make the flat easier. I had a flat run towards the end and even though it was at the end of what was (for me) a long run I kept going for a bit longer partly because I’d taken an unscheduled walking break and partly because it felt fairly easy compared with the rest of the run. I feel that when I run hills I’m pushing myself more and building stamina. I don’t actually know, but feel like it must be doing me good? I do feel like I’m beginning to get the running bug. It’s still hard work but less of a chore and at times I have moments where I seem to hit a rhythm and feel in tune with things.

[randomsabreuse]

Hills totally depend on the hill. I'm definitely faster down a familiar smooth tarmac hill (in road shoes) or a familiar track that is not rutted than on the flat. So long as it's not too steep and I know that the bottom is "safe" too... As soon as it gets rough or steep I'm making a tonne of effort slowing myself down - my next "trail" ambition is to increase my downhill comfort zone - it's bigger than it was but definitely needs work. My fastest ever km is the downhill start of a parkrun that I did most weeks though. I look at fell runners with serious awe as the fly down stuff that looks close to my definition of "cliff"!

Finally got out again after my Covid jab on Wednesday. Conscious decision not to run Weds or Thurs, exhausted on Friday and ate too much too late after a day out yesterday so ended up doing a progression run in the pouring rain which was not too bad. I'm going off plan next weekend though, a 2 hour long run 2 weeks out from my virtual half does not appeal, so I'm going to do a race pace 10k instead! I'm pretty sure my previous "human written" plans had a decent pace 10k a couple of weeks out as part of the taper so I'm going with that. After all I'm doing this for fun as well as shiny legging prizes!

[Cavagirl]

Well done @KnobJockey
Your username has really made me laugh- do i know you?? Hahaha

[purplesequins]

anyone got recomnendations for wireless headphones?
I'm not keen on in ear.

[emilyjeff]

Hi everyone
Messed up my training plan a bit as didn't run on Saturday but forgot to reschedule! Ran Sunday anyway, knew it was meant to be a 40 min one, watch died after about 30 mins! Very annoying, I'm normally pretty good at remembering to charge it. Was quite a nice run anyway, somewhere different as combined some errands with running. Last section was very up hill but I managed ok and was kind of glad in a way as last two runs before that I'd not felt great and this time I felt strong 💪
Rest days now, not planning to run again til weds

[ExConstance]

I'm another one who is getting a bit behind, but I don't like running in the rain and I've not been very good this week at taking advantage of the fine intervals. This morning I got up early for week 6 run 2, which was quite OK, much to my surprise. There was no reason why it should no;t have been but my mind makes all sorts of excuses and worries before I set out. I'm getting to like my little hill, I feel a sense of achievement when i get to the top and it levels out.

[BIWI]

I'm falling behind here too - have just had a lovely long weekend celebrating Christmas, having the Christmas we should have had at Christmas, with my DC and SIL and BIL (DH's brother and sister). Unfortunately I was also not very well on Sunday/Monday, so haven't had the energy to try and go out. I may try a shorter, slower run tomorrow - I've cancelled my morning gym session, but hopefully can manage a run instead.

[Cavagirl]

@ExConstance I know what you mean re. the rain showers. I use the netweather app and have found it quite motivational actually as I need to go now or I'll get wet! Plus you get to feel smug when you get back dry, close the front door and the heavens open

[purplesequins]

the weather is just not pleasant atm.
I never know what to wear.
either I'm too cold or too warm.
anyway a big black cloud moving in meant that I finally managed the 5 k under 30 min

[BIWI]

Brilliant!

[randomsabreuse]

@purplesequins. Nice one.

My last 2 runs I've got soaked. Didn't have a choice on timing for either - first one was as soon as we got back from a day out and the other one was a buggy run while older child was at an after school group so a very tight window!

I don't mind running in warm rain but it's not good for the old motivation to get out!

[GoingGently]

Oh I need to join this for some motivation! Got to week 8 after ages then gave up completely now I'm struggling in week 4, doh!!