From Couch to 5k to...who knows? About This Page:

[Tinkerboo]

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Hey! I read your comments about Friday the 13th but didn't have time to comment, and then forgot. Yeah, story of my life.

Worry not - I do that exact thing all the time...see I've got a Facebook message on my phone, intend to type a reply on the laptop when I get home (because it's easier), then forget and not even switch the laptop on for three days. People must find me really annoying!

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Anyway, I'm glad you figured out the side stitch thing. But I've got to ask - is counting your breaths and your steps a personal thing or something you got from C25K? I've never even heard of doing that before, and never thought of it myself. I guess I just sort of breathe without much thought. I know sometimes I give out big sighs in the in the middle of running, which is maybe weird. I'm glad you found the podcast though, that's good!

No it's nothing to do with C25K, I just found myself doing it. Maybe trying to keep it regular and not erratic? I noticed it specifically when I started trying to exhale specifically on my left foot and have sort of noticed it every time since. I find that I hold my breath sometimes as well..?!

Originally Posted by disney_duke

I've never run with music outside. On the treadmill, yes. But not outside. I couldn't even tell you what I'm thinking about, I don't really think. Just sort of run. So for your first time running without music, good job!

I can't even run on a treadmill because I can't coordinate myself well enough to risk letting go of the bar/handles - I always feel like I'm going to wobble to one side and end up stumbling and flying off the back. At least outdoors I can wobble left or right as much as I like and it doesn't matter! I wish I could run without thinking, it would be very meditative.

[Tinkerboo]

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Great job! If it makes you feel better, yesterday when I did Run 1 of Week 3 it was 72 degrees out and that was at 5:45am! Tomorrow is going to be brutal as it's getting humid too! I listen to Disney music when I run - Mouse World Radio.

Oh my good grief! What are you going to do when summer is in full swing?

[Tinkerboo]

Week 8 Run 1
When: Wednesday 18th June, 10.00am
Where: Private road by 'our' beach, with Andy doing week 4
Weather: Sunny and much too warm
How long: 26 minutes
How far: 2.00 miles
What's the plan?: 5m (mins) warm-up walk - run 28 - 5m cooldown.
How'd I feel?: Hold the front page...today's run was instigated by none other than my dear husband! As I had hoped, the last couple of weeks where he's not come out because he's been too tired were just a phase and something has caused him to feel re-inspired. I kinda expected this to happen - it's how he usually is with anything health/fitness related, start/stop/start/stop. I'm glad I didn't nag him about it in the meantime or I might have put him off. He's actually so motivated that he's entered the 5k event that I'm doing at the end of the month

So yeah, today. Week 8...the final week. *cue thunderbolts and imposing classical music* I'm faced with 28 minutes of continuous running and no idea whether I feel I can do it or not, so instead of listening to fast music (which might fire me up to want to go too fast too soon) I chose an album by a British singer-songwriter that's pretty mellow ( Nerina Pallot if you're interested), thinking that it would just be something nice to pootle along to. I think it did work in that way - I wasn't breathing as hard as I have often done and did feel more relaxed. But man...this heat.

It was somewhere in the high 60s and although going out was into the wind (WIND - DELIGHTFUL COOLING WIND!!) coming back was not and I just felt like I was melting. I'm wearing proper wicking clothes, it's just my face that feels like it's on fire. Today it really got to me, to the extent that about the 12 minute point I had to give in and walk for about 2 minutes. Worse still, for a moment I actually debated whether I should just walk the whole rest of it, or even go back to the car and sit in the shade. But I knew that wasn't really an option so I allowed myself to walk as far as a certain gatepost and then started running again. Cue the inner critic screaming "FAILURE! YOU HAVE FAILED! YOU DID EVERY OTHER SESSION PERFECTLY AND NOW YOU HAVE FAILED THIS ONE...YOUR PERFECT STREAK IS OVER!" and words to that effect. I counter-argued that taking 2 minutes away from the total 28 comes to 26, which is still more than the 25 of week 7 and that did shut her up a bit. Positive spin!

I managed the rest of it okay, feeling stronger towards the end. I was pleased that I finally got to the 2 mile mark, though do remember that a little portion of that was walking, so technically I still haven't actually run 2 miles without stopping. Aaarggh - I'm clearly not going to be running the whole 5k in just over a week's time am I? I may take the strategy of running to the first K marker then walking for 1 minute, then running to the next and repeating - try and break it up a bit. We haven't decided whether to try and stick together throughout the 5K yet as neither of us feels we can run at the other's pace. Hmmm...

Andy was doing (I think) 5m runs interspersed with walks (surprising how quickly I have forgotten what the earlier weeks involved?!). He struggled with the heat too - not least because he's carrying a lot more weight around than I am - but said he felt okay with the running itself. He even felt strong even to do that same cheeky bit of extra running in the cooldown that I used to do!

[disney_duke]

Yay for Andy! Happy to hear he's still going strong - and even signed up for the 5k. So cool! It's ok if you don't run together. One of my good friends is 5'2" and I'm 5'10". Needless to say, we don't have the same pace! We will start a race together and then separate after 5-10 mins. Who ever finishes first can just hang out and wait for the other!

And great job on your 26 minutes!! In my 7 years of consistent running and training, I've never run straight for more than 20 minutes. Hats off to you, well done! You should be proud, that's an excellent accomplishment!

[Angela531]

I find what you have accomplished simply amazing...even if you did walk a couple minutes, it's still better than sitting on the couch!

I successfully completed the first week and am well into the second, but I decided to double up my weeks, so I am doing the Week 1 Run 2 again tomorrow, but it will actually be my 5th run. Next week I will begin the official Week 2 level runs. I am feeling stronger, which I like, and am dropping some weight, which I love, so I'm definitely going to continue giving this a go.

I'm really happy Andy has stuck with it and is now joining you! Your inspiration is contagious!

[OhToodles!]

Originally Posted by Tinkerboo

Oh my good grief! What are you going to do when summer is in full swing?

Considering it's 91 now with 46% humidity, I'll gladly take the 530am and 72 degree runs over evenings when it's in the high 80s! I sure do sweat alot! It took me longer to cool down today because it was humid.

Great job on running 2 miles!! And that's great that Andy joined you. I think DH would join me but he has to stay back with the kiddos.

[Tinkerboo]

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Yay for Andy! Happy to hear he's still going strong - and even signed up for the 5k. So cool! It's ok if you don't run together. One of my good friends is 5'2" and I'm 5'10". Needless to say, we don't have the same pace! We will start a race together and then separate after 5-10 mins. Who ever finishes first can just hang out and wait for the other!

We may well end up doing that. I haven't decided how I'm going to tackle it yet - try and run the whole thing (which I would really REALLY like to do), or run 10m/walk 1m till the end, or run 2k/walk 1m, or what. Hopefully inspiration will strike me before the day..!

Originally Posted by disney_duke

And great job on your 26 minutes!! In my 7 years of consistent running and training, I've never run straight for more than 20 minutes. Hats off to you, well done! You should be proud, that's an excellent accomplishment!

Thank you so much - it means a lot coming from an experienced runner!

[Tinkerboo]

Originally Posted by Angela531

I find what you have accomplished simply amazing...even if you did walk a couple minutes, it's still better than sitting on the couch!

Thanks so much - that is what I tell myself over and over when I struggle: "I'm still lapping everyone sitting on the couch!"

Originally Posted by Angela531

I successfully completed the first week and am well into the second, but I decided to double up my weeks, so I am doing the Week 1 Run 2 again tomorrow, but it will actually be my 5th run. Next week I will begin the official Week 2 level runs. I am feeling stronger, which I like, and am dropping some weight, which I love, so I'm definitely going to continue giving this a go.

Well done you! I love how flexible it can be, that if one bit feels like too much, you can just keep trying at it till you beat it. Whoever devised C25K deserves a huge hug!!

Originally Posted by Angela531

I'm really happy Andy has stuck with it and is now joining you! Your inspiration is contagious!

Believe me, you're not the only one happy about it - I was quite worried that he wouldn't drift back into doing it and I would have to find another way to subtly (or not-so-subtly) urge him to work on his fitness/health. I'm hoping that when we do the 5k event next week he will get the bug and want to do more...it had better be a really impressive medal and free t-shirt!!

[Tinkerboo]

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Considering it's 91 now with 46% humidity, I'll gladly take the 530am and 72 degree runs over evenings when it's in the high 80s! I sure do sweat alot! It took me longer to cool down today because it was humid.

I said it before but I'll say it again: oh my good grief!! My face would totally look like this: (probably with the sneezing!) I struggle just walking round the parks in the Orlando 90s heat, I couldn't even contemplate breaking into a run. Is that the hottest it will get for you or will July/August be even worse?

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Great job on running 2 miles!! And that's great that Andy joined you. I think DH would join me but he has to stay back with the kiddos.

Thank youuu! Tricky one, having to consider the little people in relation to training plans...luckily we only have the dog and he is quite happy to lounge on the sofa while we go out...

[Tinkerboo]

Week 8 Run 2
When: Friday 20th June, 7.30pm
Where: Private road by 'our' beach, with Andy doing week 4
Weather: Sunny and bearable, nice wind!
How long: 28 minutes
How far: 2.3 miles
What's the plan?: 5m (mins) warm-up walk - run 28 - 5m cooldown.
How'd I feel?: Andy was raring to go, so once again after work I came home, changed clothes and headed back out the door. He has actually done three consecutive days this week - I know, I know, not good that he had no rest days in between, but he wanted to get to the end of week 4 and work will mean he can't do anything this weekend. I have warned him about the perils of having no rest days!

Another lovely sunny day, with yet more strong coastal winds but as last time this felt refreshing and not so much like it was pushing you backwards/sideways. I was back to my pop/dance running playlist, not for any particular reason, just because I felt upbeat and positive about how it was going to go (pushing the memory of Wednesday's unofficial walk break aside) and fancied hearing some of my favourite songs.

Off I went, slow and steady - no stitch this time (yay!) and breathing (uncounted this time ) balanced and regular (i.e. not fast or desperate, as it can be). Legs felt a little sluggish, as usual, but I just put everything aside and looked at the nice flowers growing at the side of the road, at the dogs being walked (some really cute ones tonight) and all that good stuff. Somewhere around halfway that magical feeling came over me, like I was kind of flying along with minimal effort (you know the one!), but almost as soon as I realised, it faded a bit... But it left me hopeful that such a feeling can - and will - return.

Pottering along, trying not to sing along with Kesha (or at least, refrain from shouting "TIMBER!") I hit 25m and the pace was still consistent - about 13 and a half minutes/mile (yeah, I said consistent, not fast!). I decided that I was going to do it. I was going to try and carry on PAST 28 minutes to 30. Oh yes. What's an extra two minutes?
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AND I DID! Ha ha - I lied in the 'How long?' bit above!



I know, right??? 30 minutes!!!



Check my awesomely consistent pace - with more higher-up purple spiky bits in the second half!



And behold what came in the post today (a coincidence? I think not!):



I'm hoping that there are more than 20 of us doing it, or the chances of me coming in last are extremely high...

And thus concludes my Friday.

[Angela531]

That is Awesome....30 minutes at 13 minute miles, you did it!!! :wayt ogo:

[DISNEYGOOF]

Congrats! Love reading about your journey into running. I'm 2 weeks into my training for a 10K and you give me hope that I can build my stamina. Good Luck in your RunFest!

[disney_duke]

Look at you GO!! That's just awesome! What's an extra 2 minutes, indeed!
And you're 5k is coming up. You're gonna do so great.

[Tim Sullivan]

That's AMAZING that you've got to 30 minutes now, so awesome for you! Just think...keep this up and a you'll be able to run the full 5k without a problem!

Love reading that you found some mellow music easy to run to as well...that's why I mix up my playlist with all sorts of tunes...I sometimes find those mellow tunes help me to float along, rather than pumping me up...and I also notice my pace doesn't really change that much either.

Enjoy the Mickey Miles Pod...and when you get to episode...130 I think....can't remember which one... consider that me saying hi to you :P (I guested on one of them in December of '13...can't remember the exact number...)

Can't wait to see how you finish off the program!

Tim

[Tinkerboo]

Tim, I didn't know you were famous!? I will go and download all the Dec episodes right now...

Thanks so much to you all for all your kind and encouraging words - you can't imagine how much they have helped me along. PassPorters are the best! [emoji1]

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