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

[Tinkerboo]

Originally Posted by Tim Sullivan

If you are following a proper program (which of course you are!) then trust the program. It might seem crazy to you now to think that you'll be running for 20 minutes in like... a week!!! But those C25K plans are tried and tested, and a LOT of people have a ton of success with them. And as you said, when you think it out, then you logically get there in smaller steps in the next few runs.

I'm getting better at trusting it I think...but I'm quite a cynic by nature so it doesn't come easily! It helps that the C25K group I'm in on Facebook has people at all different stages, so I often read accounts of people saying "I never thought I could run 3/5/8/20/30/etc minutes, but today I did!" and that's very encouraging. It's also nice that I see the posts of people behind me in the process, worrying about moving on to their next week and am able to tell them my experience and try to give them confidence. 'Pay it forwards' and all that!

Originally Posted by Tim Sullivan

Also, like Tanya said, there are a lot of people that use a run/walk/run method (most popularized by Jeff Galloway). As Tanya also mentioned, I don't personally use walk breaks, when I start running I run continuously... which is partly my personality coming into play. When I had to incorporate walk breaks into my return to running this spring it was difficult for me to stop running...and at some points I actually would forget to stop, I'd have gotten into a nice running groove, maybe enjoying the song that was playing...whatever the reason

I looked at his website and it really surprised me - like I mentioned before, I assumed that what I would till now have called 'proper runners' (i.e. anyone more competent at it than me) would see walk breaks as admitting defeat and avoid them unless they got injured along the way or something. I never would have guessed that there is such a big well-known programme based around it. But then, I guess that when you watch a marathon on TV (London for example), the footage is all over the place so you'd never notice people walking and obviously way more people do it than I'd realised.

I think at least part of it stems back to PE experiences in school – I remember being fairly okay at sprinting, but terrible at cross country...I’d always be the one walking at the back with a stitch, and with the teacher trying to urge me to run. It wouldn’t surprise me if psychologically that put me off trying to take up running for a very long time, as some sort of subconscious rebellion against those teachers. And it would also explain why I have always (till now!) seen walk breaks as being a failure to run, rather than an opportunity to recharge...it’s because the implications in those lessons was that if you’re at the back walking then you’re failing. Oooh...deep!!

Originally Posted by Tim Sullivan

So if it was ME, I'd try constant running without walk breaks...see how you like it, and how it works for you...but know that if you still have a need to incorporate walk breaks, you'll still be a runner, and part of a LARGE group that uses that technique to cover long distances, and in some cases, rather quickly. My guide for the 2014 Marathon (who is a 3:06 marathoner himself) regularly runs with a lady that runs a 3:30 marathon while using a run/walk/run technique.

I would definitely like to be able to run constantly - for 30 minutes at the very least but ideally for whole race distances. Nothing Olympic-standard, I'd just like to be able to do my funny little bobbling pace without having to stop and walk (especially given that a fast walk is probably faster than my run pace anyway!). So I'm going to aim for that, but know that it is Officially Okay to walk if I really need to.

Originally Posted by Tim Sullivan

Its also great to hear that your husband got out too...how did he find his first foray into running

Somewhat annoyingly, he was both faster AND less out of breath than me! His base fitness is clearly better than mine, despite the extra weight he carries around. I can't say I'm not pleased though - if he had struggled then there would be a huge chance he'd give up on it, so I was relieved! Not that he coasted...he did push himself (as much as the short intervals of Week 1 allow), and he came again for run #2 so it can't have been too bad!

[Tinkerboo]

Week 4 Run 2
When: Wednesday 21st May, 10.30am
Where: Private road by 'our' beach, with DH (Andy)
Weather: Warm and sunny - perhaps too warm as I am a bit pink today!
How long: 33 minutes
How far: 2.07 miles
What's the plan?: 5m (mins not miles!) warm-up walk then run 3m, walk 90s, run 5m, walk 150s, run 3m, walk 90s, run 5m, then 5m cooldown.
How'd I feel?: Less anxious than last time - I guess it's going to be the pattern each week as something new comes up...the first time will be scary and the subsequent ones less so. Much like life I suppose! Andy and I went out together again and followed the same pattern of catching each other up at intervals. He seemed faster this time, or at least he kept disappearing off from me more than he did the first time!

During the first five minute run I found the inner critic was surfacing quite a lot, telling me that this was hard and that I'd never be able to do the second five minute run, actually negotiating with me that I could do a little tiny walk break in the middle of it. Good grief it was impossible to turn that off! I think the fact it was warm didn't help (not Florida-warm by any means, but certainly warmer than any time I've exercised here before). I did my utmost to try and switch off mentally and finally when the second five minute run came round I actually felt stronger. So much so that when I knew the end of it must be approaching (based on the fact a whole song had gone by and songs average about 3-4 minutes) I actually felt able to lengthen my stride as if I was running for the finish line (or, running like an athlete you'd see on TV), and I even did an all-out ten second sprint finish! It was such a weird feeling! However I wonder if that's why my legs are aching today, more so than they have after any other session (?). That eight minute stretch is still looming on next week's horizon...keep trusting the programme Toyah, keep trusting the programme.

[disney_duke]

Toyah, keep trusting the programme!!! (so I just wanted to write it "British." )

Not every day is a good running day. Just keep that in mind. I've plenty of blah days. Some days the legs are just heavier than other days. And that's OK. Tell that voice that you just need to get the distance in. Even if you walk it, you're at least getting the distance in and the next time will be better.

But you know what? A lot of those blah days end up being very good runs by the time I'm finished. I don't know why. Yesterday was like that exactly. I started out and my legs were like bricks. So. Hard. To. Run. But I did it. And after about 1.5 miles, I actually felt really good and stronger. No clue what's going on, but it turned around! So that could happen for you too - keep it up!!

[kadterp]

You got this!! Slow and steady and before you know it you WILL see improvements! Remember even 5 minutes of running is better than that person who never got off the couch today!!

[Tinkerboo]

Week 4 Run 3
When: Saturday 24th May, 10.30am
Where: Private road by 'our' beach, by myself
Weather: Cloudy with a threat of drizzle
How long: 33 minutes
How far: 2.12 miles
What's the plan?: 5m (mins not miles!) warm-up walk then run 3m, walk 90s, run 5m, walk 150s, run 3m, walk 90s, run 5m, then 5m cooldown.
How'd I feel?: I had fully intended to do this on Friday after work, but our bizarre British Spring continues and instead of gales we are now being battered by torrential rain. Andy had no intentions of going and I kinda used that as an excuse for me not to either. Saturday dawned and it still isn't nice weather but it was dry (ish) so I knew I had to get out there. After all, if I don't I'm meant to be starting week 5 tomorrow and I don't want to fall behind my schedule as it takes me right up to the 5K I'm booked on at the end of June! Unfortunately Andy is working all day (literally, 9am-10pm) so it was just me. Hopefully he'll be able to catch up on his W1R3 soon.

I remembered how R2 got better as it went on and blimey, it was only by repeating that thought over and over that I got through today I think. It was hard for the whole first half, and I was so relieved when Stacy piped up with "you are halfway!" because I knew that at least I was on the home stretch. My whole being just felt so heavy, you know? I had to start counting my footfalls 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4 to try and drown out the inner critic, and I literally slowed to such a ridiculous pace during the runs in the second half that a baby could have crawled past me! But I didn't give in and I didn't walk (even though it would have been faster). When the cooldown finally came it was a real relief - I didn't feel like I was on the verge of collapse (bonus!) but I had nothing left in me (certainly no sprint finish this time). Those 8 minute runs next week (tomorrow!!! ) are looking like Everest at the moment...and not the fun rollercoaster kind, the daunting mountain kind.

[Tinkerboo]

Originally Posted by kadterp

Remember even 5 minutes of running is better than that person who never got off the couch today!!

That's one of the things I keep telling myself. I have like a hundred Pinterest pictures with variations of the same quote!

[Tinkerboo]

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Toyah, keep trusting the programme!!! (so I just wanted to write it "British." )

Not every day is a good running day. Just keep that in mind. I've plenty of blah days. Some days the legs are just heavier than other days. And that's OK. Tell that voice that you just need to get the distance in. Even if you walk it, you're at least getting the distance in and the next time will be better.

But you know what? A lot of those blah days end up being very good runs by the time I'm finished. I don't know why. Yesterday was like that exactly. I started out and my legs were like bricks. So. Hard. To. Run. But I did it. And after about 1.5 miles, I actually felt really good and stronger. No clue what's going on, but it turned around! So that could happen for you too - keep it up!!

Thank you for this. Even though I know for a fact I'm not the only one like this (there are hundreds of people on the C25K Facebook group who post the exact same worries and concerns every day) I can't stop myself feeling like I should be feeling better/stronger with each session - it's just frustrating.

I think my problem is the word 'should' - I use it way too much about all sorts of things. I really need to just 'be' (or just 'do'?).

[Milichal]

Just to put it in perspective, I have had two yuck running days this week and my race is two weeks from today. It does get easier, but there will be days that just feel off. Just keep running. You've got this!

[disney_duke]

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.....
This is why I say 90-some% of running is mental. You're constantly battling that voice in your head. Your body can (likely) physically handle it. But your mind says no.

Stacy. I still get a kick out of that!!

[Tinkerboo]

Only a PassPorter would understand why I chose Stacy...it would take far too long to explain to anyone else, and even if they listened all the way through they would then probably look at me like I was nuts.

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[Big Baloo]

I think its clever!

[OhToodles!]

Keep at it! I think you're doing great!

[Tinkerboo]

Week 5 Run 1
When: Monday 26th May, 11.30am
Where: Private road by 'our' beach, by myself
Weather: Sunny and warm (and me with no sun lotion!!)
How long: 35 minutes
How far: 2.06 miles
What's the plan?: 5m (mins) warm-up walk then run 5m, walk 3m, run 5m, walk 3m, run 5m, then 5m cooldown.
How'd I feel?: It's yet another public holiday here (seriously, including Easter there have been four in the last few weeks - it's great and all to have time off work but the way my hours are set up, I end up losing flexi time on every holiday so I wish they weren't all so close together! ). But I digress.

For the first time since starting C25K, I really didn't want to go. Andy was at work so couldn't come with me. My bed was just too cosy and I didn't get up till about 10, then I had to walk the dog, come back and get changed to go out for this and I just didn't want to. "Oh no," I thought, "it's finally come - that point where Lazy Toyah slaps HealthyToyah back down into the subconscious and the whole thing fizzles out. It wasn't the weather (that was lovely), I don't know if it was the prospect of the increase in runs/duration (even though I trust it), or the fact that I have an exam next week and really need to revise, or if it was just a blah day or a combination of all those, or what. Echhh. But I tried to imagine you all telling me to "just go!!" (perhaps in a 'Let it go, let it goo-ooo' singsong stylee) and that kinda worked. Got changed. Got out. Got it done.

Lots of tourists getting in the way - in addition to the public holiday, it's half term here so schools are shut for the week and we are on the coast where they all come here to stay in caravans - but I dodged them as best I could. Felt a sneaky bit proud that all the people lazing around outside the cafe were obviously impressed by my Being A Runner (okay maybe they weren't, but I like to think they were) . As seems to be the norm now, the first 5m run was a struggle, like I hadn't got going properly, the second was better (though my paces were tiny) and the final one felt stronger again - just enough to lengthen my stride a little, not enough to put in an extra surge of speed or anything. Perhaps this is why people generally seem to find the dreaded 20m run not so bad - they gradually get stronger throughout it and with not having the walk breaks the difference between 'I am running' and 'I am walking' is removed? Takes away some sort of psychological barrier? We shall see...

[Big Baloo]

We all have days like that, but good for you for powering through! We've never met, but I'm really proud of you! (And even if you HAD stayed in bed, would you have truly enjoyed it? I know I never do, even if it's a legit excuse.) So good job, you!

[disney_duke]

Good for getting out there and getting it done. I have had those days too - and I've skipped the workouts. Only to feel guilty later. I'm sooooo glad you did it!