Couch to 5k Running - Part Three

Chakani

alliwantistosave - I have just spotted your sig - wow. Just wow. Truly inspiring.

poly1

Well I did the 2nd run in the rain! I am not so sure it was any easier though, I think the rain helped keep me cool so it didn't really bother me. Thanks for the stretches alliwantistosave, sorry for being dumb but how do you do the curb ones, when there are no curbs , no seriously I am rural and its no excuse but there really aren't any! I reckon I got over half way through this time before thinking OH Not another 60 seconds :rotfl: Can't believe I will ever be able to run more than a minute though, even at snails pace.

Chakani

You will - and it really does get easier, honest!

Alternatives to the curb drops (although you could use your bottom stair if you have stairs?) - the one I use is to face a wall and put your hands on it for balance, left foot near the wall, knee bent, right out straight behind you far enough that your heel lifts off the floor. Slowly push your right heel into the floor (moving your back foot further back makes it harder). Then move your left foot a foot away from the wall, put your right heel on the ground with the ball of your foot on the wall, and slowly push your pelvis into the wall.

Then, of course, repeat with the other leg. It sounds complicated but it's not, honest! The first part stretches the big bulky part of your calf muscle most, and the second helps to stretch and lengthen the lower part, above the achilles tendon.

poly1

Well third run done now, so that is week one, onto week two on Monday. Is the change really noticable? or did you manage ok cos when I got to the end of 60 secs by the 6th or 7th one I needed to stop running and walk!!!!

ruby_eskimo

Hi everyone! This is my *mumbles some unrepeatable number* 'th time of starting the C25K plan and well, I've finished week one! Usually I'd do the first 2 days and then give up. But I've found that the more you do, the easier it gets! So on to week 2 tomorrow! I've seen a diference already.

Just wondering if you stick to the Mon, Weds, Fri routine? And if so, what do you do on the other days? I feel that tomorrow is going to be hard because I haven't been that active for 2 days.

poly1

Hi ruby_eskimo, I am starting week 2 tomorrow too, I was going to do Mon, Weds, Fri BUT ended up not being able to do it on Friday and ended up doing it yesterday instead and really I don't think the two days in between made that much of a difference (as opposed to one) but I have only just started so can't really give advice! On the other hand I do go for a long walk with the kids at weekends generally so that I am out and walking, as it is something I have done since I have been ill, and I am not giving that up (went out today) so maybe if you want to do something at the weekends go for a walk, it can't do any harm can it?!

ruby_eskimo

Hi poly1! Just had a think and I could alternate the running with Zumba (I have the wii game and only used it a couple of times but it is a really good workout!)

Something else I wanted to ask, what do you do with your keys when you go out running? I work weird shifts so I'm the only one in the house so there's no one to let me in when I get back, so I need to take my keys out with me. But where do I put them? I've been wearing a hoodie to run in so I have pockets (with just my sports bra underneath) but it makes me too hot really. My running trousers have no pockets so I'm at a bit of a loss! Don't really want to have to go out and buy new running gear and don't want to leave a key under the mat (I live in that kind of area). So what do you guys do?

poly1

WHat do you listen to your podcasts on? I only ask cos I use my phone, and have a phone holder thingy which I put my key in (I separate it from the rest of my keys so it is only one I have to carry). Alternatively put your key on a piece of string/ribbon and hang it round your neck under your t-shirt? Or maybe a shoe wallet or Wrist wallet? HTH

ruby_eskimo

I have one of the C25K apps for the ipod touch that you listen to your own music and it just beeps and tells you when to run and walk. I just hold it as I run because I like to keep looking at how long I have left. Thanks for the links, I kept searching all over the place and couldn't think of the right search terms for one of those wallet things. Will definitely check them out!

ruby_eskimo

Well I finished Week 2 Day 1 this morning. My God! I honestly thought I was going to throw up! It's not like I was running, it was definitely a jog. Twice I had to stop the "run" part at 80 seconds (not 90) because I couldn't breathe. Think the 2 days of doing !!!!!! all didn't help! Definitely need to start doing Zumba on the "off" days.