Couch to 5k Running - Part Three

Kiwisaver_2

Good on you HBS though for keeping going, I feel your pain and it can be quite upsetting and distressing to find that we haven't quite got what it takes to run as far, as fast or whatever we think we must achieve today. It must be even worse when its physical injury that hampers progress.

These past few weeks have definitely taken their toll on me and I guess we have to accept the natural rhythms of life mean that some days we just don't have enough in the tank physically or mentally to do all that we want. I am sure that's true of people that run all time too. I have never felt so physically tired as I have done these past couple of weeks and my legs are aching like crazy again today.

Hopefully we will be back on form and feel stronger again tomorrow. :T

heartbreak_star

Am determined to thank you Kiwisaver

HBS x

Kiwisaver_2

Hope you feel better about it today HBS, its such a mental rollercoaster of highs and lows, I'm sure you will bounce back.

I'm back on cloud nine after having just done week nine with the proper podcast. Even though I ran near to 30 minutes on Tuesday it didn't give me the same sense of satisfaction as it did today, actually hearing it from the lovely Laura and knowing I did the full 30 fair and square.

Had plenty of time for some brain chatter, to think about where we've come from to get to here; it's probably taken me longer than most but four months ago I struggled to run three x 30 second intervals and couldn't even begin to contemplate running for thirty minutes three times in one week.

I don't care if I never run for thirty minutes ever again - I made it and you all helped - thank you! :T

Jacky-f

Well done for getting back on track Kiwi :beer:. I think we all need to celebrate what we've achieved. I stepped on the treadmill for the first time sometime in August and I struggled to complete a whole minute at barely faster than walking pace. It's taken me a lot longer than 9 weeks too but I'm delighted and still in a state of shock when I complete 30 minutes.

I did week 9 run 2 on the treadmill today and including the warmup and cooldown walks I completed slightly over 5K :j. I plan to do the final run outside either Saturday or Sunday and then have a bit of a celebration.

Already looking for a plan to follow next - I think I work best with a definite plan. I've found a 9 week 5k to 10k plan but again I don't expect to complete it in 9 weeks, especially with winter fast approaching!

Bluegreen143

Awww heartbreak_star - sorry to hear you had a rubbish run but if it's any consolation, I find when I have a bad run/gym session/exercise class, the next one is always miles better, so hopefully you find the same too.

Completed week 9, run 1 today - a whole 30 minutes, yay :j ran much slower than I did all of last week though, think I was afraid I wouldn't complete the extra two minutes. I know I went too slowly as I found it fairly easy and recovered much quicker than normal when I started walking at the end. Still chuffed I did it but I really want to push myself a wee bit harder when I run on Saturday.

I'm nowhere near running 5K yet but that will be the next goal once I've got week 9 under my belt

Oh and I'm finding it hard with it being so cold. I have skin that's really sensitive to the cold so though I feel warm when exercising, I've lately been coming out all itchy, blotchy and even getting a rash all over my body when I come back in if my skin's been too exposed to cold air (it only lasts til I properly warm up again). I'm going to get some running gloves I think and hopefully that will help, as I really don't want to give this up now I've started. Dreading the ice and snow starting though

Kiwisaver_2

Good one Bluegreen, whilst you're all getting colder I'm at the other end of the spectrum with an unexpectedly warm 26c here today - I have been hedging my bets all day as to whether to even attempt a long run in this heat.

Anyway I waited until after 6pm and hoping it might be a bit cooler in the park, I set off with the Week 9 run, knowing I wasn't realistically ever going to make it to thirty minutes. I decided just to do the best I could and at fifteen minutes I was really struggling; so I pushed myself on for two to three minutes more before giving up. So I have to listen to that blessed music again and my final week nine will have to wait until Tuesday.

I have downloaded the NSH Couch 2 5k + podcasts and quite looking forward to trying those now,

CupOfChai

Well done to all of you and especially HBS for finishing your run even though you hated it. Maybe you just weren't quite ready for it after your injury, try not to worry about it and just have a good go at your next attempt.

I'm hating going out in the cold, I don't dislike winter but it makes me want to hibernate. At least I've managed to avoid being rained on so far (knock wood!), but I couldn't get going this week and had to force myself to go out on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. So I'm taking some comfort that I still managed to do my 3 runs for the week and not slack off any more than I did.

Don't know what I'll be like when there's ice and snow, I don't think it'd be a great idea to go out when it's below freezing in case I slip on some ice I can't see in the dark and hurt myself. There's a gym near work and I might be able to pay-as-I-go into there to run when the weather is too bad to go out, but I don't think it'd be all that MSE to pay five quid to use a treadmill for half an hour!

Interesting to hear there are 5K+ podcasts to follow on to, I might try those too but may leave it until spring...

krustylouise

Just a little update to say I managed week 2 day 2 yesterday. My lovely supportive bf came with me (he's played football for 22 years so über fit) and at the times I was saying "I can't breathe" or unable to speak at all he would reassure me this was normal and as long as I'm not on the floor I'm doing well lol. His motivation seemed to work as we trebled the run and did approx 5miles (still jog 90secs walk 2mins) and I made it home in 1 piece!

I can't wait until I'm on week 8/9 and updating you all then well done to everyone on here, thank you for the welcomes and for keeping me motivated and inspired xxx

Jacky-f

Well that's me finished :beer:. Week 9 run 3 completed :j. I managed to get out of my warm cosy bed this morning into the drizzle of Edinburgh, but at least it wasn't too cold or windy.

I don't know how you run at all in the heat Kiwi. I struggle if the temperature gets above 20C and much prefer to run in the cold. I definitely find it easier to run outside than on the treadmill - I end up far too hot with a face the colour of a tomato. I won't be able to run outside when it's icy though so I've got a membership for the council gym just outside my work so no excuses!

Still debating with myself about what to do next. Will probably try to increase time running rather than speed. I don't think I'm built for speed .

krustylouise

Just a quick question, do any of you go jogging on your lunch breaks at work? I could but I'm concerned about feeling dirty sat back at my desk (no shower at work etc) I'm determined to get trough this but I'm a single parent, work full time and so don't have much time to myself to do this regularly and once a week when DD is at her dads really won't build up y stamina or endurance