The Running Thread 🏃‍♀️

[Rxt156]

Can’t wait to get back to running after the baby comes! My balance is all over the place so I have had to temporarily retire for the foreseeable future

 

[Lollypad]

I entered the virtual London marathon to get my mojo back and already feel like it was a bad idea gonna start couch to 5k again, go from scratch...8 months is enough time right?!!

 

[Butthatsnoneofmybusiness]

Hello runners Just went for my first run in about 2 and a half years. Started couch to 5k and feel surprisingly okay afterwards (obv week 1 is a lot of walking so that helps ). Excited to be running again!

Get that foam roller out! Well done.

 

[BashmentLady]

I know what you mean! The furthest I have run is about 6.4km and I feel like that is my absolute limit. I really want to aim to do 10k before the end of the year but same as you I don't like running in the dark at night and the motivation to get up early before work has totally gone. I don't like running when there are loads of people around which is why the 1st lockdown was ideal, now I feel too exposed but I know that's all in my head and I shouldn't care what I look like or who sees me!

Are you working from home by any chance? I find going out during lunch is a good motivator for me [early morning just feels...unlikely].

 

[SpiceWeasel]

I always have a coffee beforehand! Argh! I’ve just had one and I’m going soon

I can’t actually function in the morning without coffee to the point I have an automatic coffee maker so it’s ready the second I get up

Have a good run Blair

 

[Tippingpoint23]

Well done!! Did you manage to run the full 10k at the end of it? Did you have much running experience prior?

I did (not in 60 mins like they said but 70) but not bad considering at the start I couldn’t even run 2 mins without struggling! I used to run a few years back but ended up with a nasty kidney issue which stopped me and I never got back into running. I used to go to the gym a lot pre lockdown 1 though and did spin classes/weights/the step machine. But hadn’t done anything from March until November when I picked the app up!

 

[Saddlesoap]

I have a lightweight 'wind proof' jacket I got from Decathlon which is good. It was inexpensive too. I despise running in the wind. Last week because of the direction the wind was blowing in, the last 2km of my 5k route was running directly into it on a plain between two fields and it was absolute hell the jacket really does protect you though which I find impressive for how light it is! I should know being on the North West coast, can be quite extreme here at times!

Jacket is shower proof too although I don't bother with it unless it's absolutely pissing it down. I've just been for a run in the rain now in a sports t shirt, when I do wear anything more I always regret it once I've warmed up. Learnt this from doing a 10k once and it was like -2 and snowing, I put loads of layers on then spent most of the run trying to take them off

Ooh I'm north west coast as well? England or Scotland?

I actually bought one last night, from new balance, but thanks!

 

[Reflected view]

Im now able to run a 5k in under 40 minutes! I know it’s not a lot, but when I first started it was taking me 45 minutes, sometimes even longer. My new goal is to try and get down to 35 mins. I’m also doing a much longer run once a month. Currently around 7-8k but hope to increase that to 10k eventually.

Brilliant, well done please send motivation my way been struggling since Christmas

 

[Shep]

Finally finished week 7 this morning. It’s been about 3 weeks since I ran for 25 minutes and thought I might struggle. Seems like the miles of walking in between runs has helped (an insane 17 miles on Saturday) as I managed quite comfortably. No reaction from my calf until I finished. It’s been sore all day. I will see what it’s like before I start on week 8 but if I can’t run will definitely walk some miles

 

[nbx512]

I have just done day 5 of couch to 10k and I am really enjoying it - but seem to be covering the exact same distance for the last 2 runs is this normal?

Off the top of my head the run duration each week is exactly the same so if you’re covering the same distance in the same duration that means you’re consistent, well done!

 

[eye_rolling_always]

When I decided to start running I tried runnning round the block but stopped far too easily. C25k has given me the motivation to keep going but also provided a structure that I know others have done and been successful with. Particularly the first couple of weeks you know it is only a short time running. Knowing the voice will come kept me going. If it was left to me I would stop earlier.

I was in the same boat: without Sarah Millican going, "well done, pet" in my ear I don't think I'd have managed to run for more than a minute at a time.

@pbontoast if it's gonna be your first time running, I recommend looking up good running posture. It can help prevent injuries and generally makes running a lot more pleasant.

That's the beauty with running... use an app, don't use an app. Run outside, run on a treadhill. Do 5k, do 1k. Whatever people find works for them, do that.

 

[nbx512]

Ooh glad I found this thread

I desperately need to get back into running. The year before last I ran almost every day and entered several 10Ks and a couple of half marathons. I'm not the fastest by any stretch but had my 5k down to under 30 and average 10k time was about 1 hour 6 minutes. Ran one of the half marathons in 2 hours and 16 and it felt amazing! Was running a lot again the first lockdown then I got back into the gym, but now it's closed and I'm struggling to get out there in the cold and bad weather. I have Raynaud's disease so I really struggle with the cold but ironically running really helps it and I'm fine once I get going.

This thread might be the kick up the arse I need! I'm working from home again since this lockdown and I hardly leave the house unless it's to go out and buy food (or wine ) and barely move during the day, I feel like crap!

I keep saying to myself tomorrow morning I'll just get up and get out there, even if it's only for 15 minutes but I never do

I always layer up so much in cold weather! A few years ago I found what I thought were running tights but are actually thermal ski tights lol. In winter I'll wear them, a singlet, long sleeve top and a shell jacket (basically a plastic bag) so then I can take off and put on clothes as I need lol. I generally start out freezing but I magically hit 800m and start sweating. I also wear a band/ buff over my ears and gloves on my hands!

I second the struggle getting up early, especially in Winter. It's when my motivation just diessssss. I find having my stuff ready and in the bathroom the night before and not touching my phone gets me out the door. Then I tell myself if I completely hate it I can go home after 1km. By then I've normally become a bit happier about being outside at 5am.

 

[orange club biscuit]

Absolutely second this. And see if any of your pals are on it. The tiny competitions in my mind in my former job Strava - a surprisingly strong motivator!

I’m obsessed with strava it’s like my main form of social media haha. My work club leaderboards got very competitive during lockdown!

I look back at the runs I did 5 years ago when I first started running and omg - I have improved sooo much. And I thought I was quite fit back then!

 

[Shep]

Hello! I hope I can join this thread
I did nothing last lockdown and am determined to use these few months we are locked down to get fitter!

ive never been a runner, I just don’t have any stamina so ive been building up slowly. I started running for a couple of minutes and then walking.

I can now run for 15 minutes without stopping! It’s on a treadmill at 5mph pace so I’m sure it’s easier than road running but I’m definitely proud of myself!

Treadmill running is a bit easier but that matters not. It’s fantastic that you’re trying and good luck

Finally managed to run 24 minutes without stopping for the first time in two months!
Next goal is 30

Well done
About the same level as me then. But judging by your user name you encounter a lot of hills. I live in the Fens and it’s flat as a pancake

Well I didn't manage 5km, just 3.8. A bit frustrated, but it's better than nothing. My calf was a bit sore and I think it was distracting me.

I have massive calves and when I first started running they were constantly sore and stopped me a few times. I tried changing my technique, tubigrip and running in the middle of the road rather than the side where there is a camber (I should say I run on an empty road which has been cut in half by a bypass so there is rarely any traffic). Seemed to stop injuring me but they were still sore. Since I started using running tights I have had no issues.
3.8 is better than 2 or 3.5. You can smash it next time

 

[Lottiedooda]

The other year I lost weight and started running. I start work at 730 at home so was getting up at 5 30 to do c25k. It was the summer so lighter mornings which helped.
It was great as it really set me up for the day and I ate really good as I didn't want to undo what i got up early for....only downside was I finished work at 6pm and was falling asleep at 630

 

[Tippingpoint23]

Isn’t it the BEST feeling when you run further than you thought possible? I cried the first time I finished couch to 5k, but my first runners high was running for 8 minutes non stop in the snow

The best - running in the snow sounds cold but fun!!! I am a bit worried because the next run is 20 mins then 3 minute walk then 5 minute run and I am finding it so hard to keep going after the walk but I am also worried to stray from the plan haha.

 

[BashmentLady]

Just back on week 3.
Remember now why I find it hard to do
week 3.

You go from running from 1.30 minute to 3 minute run, such a big jump up.

@nbx512 makes a good point here about adding in additional weeks to it if needs be! I'd also suggest giving it a go, and if you're really not happy [and I bet you 1€ you will be ], to repeat weeks or even specific runs until you're happy you did it. It doesn't matter if you're a sweaty mess at the end, simply that you did it.

 

[nbx512]

Oh yeah definitely. Although during the current situation this is impossible for me to do so. So just looking at other peoples favourites and do a lot of research around them then!

Instead of that I'd get someone you live with to film you running. A full body shoy and then focusing on the feet and ankles. See if you can send that off to a running store. Otherwise watch the videos for yourself and see whether you probate, whether things are in line etc. That'll at least narrow down whether you need a more support or neutral shoe.

 

[orange club biscuit]

Anyone know how important it is to mix up your run route? I think this may be what's stopping me progressing.

Honestly? Not at all! I have a friend who ran a 2:40 marathon and does every single one of his runs on the same stretch of flat road

 

[kazizzle]

Couldn't be without my Garmin! I have a Forerunner 235 at the moment, hoping to save enough to upgrade to a Fenix 6S soon though.

My OH has the Fenix 6s. He loves it. He goes hiking a lot and says it's invaluable for being able to get really detailed maps etc up on the screen and view his exact location so he can cross reference with his paper maps.