My C25k Diary (Will Update as I do each session)

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  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    AmyC2288 wrote: »
    Bookmarked this to follow your progress. Have been wanting to start this program for a long time- but feel like I need to get closer to my goal weight before doing so. Currently down 32 lbs with 15 left so not too far! Thanks for sharing your journey!

    why do you think that?
  • AmyC2288
    AmyC2288 Posts: 386 Member
    AmyC2288 wrote: »
    Bookmarked this to follow your progress. Have been wanting to start this program for a long time- but feel like I need to get closer to my goal weight before doing so. Currently down 32 lbs with 15 left so not too far! Thanks for sharing your journey!

    why do you think that?

    Well- I have tried a couple times on the treadmill at a very slow pace to switch between jogging and walking and it's kind of hard to describe but I feel like the transition between walking and jogging is VERY jolting to my body- more so than I feel that it should be. Like my steps are coming down harder and heavier than they should be? It's hard to describe but I guess I feel like when there is literally less weight to carry it will make for a lighter and less jarring feeling?

    Maybe I just never learned how to run correctly :sweat_smile:
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    AmyC2288 wrote: »
    AmyC2288 wrote: »
    Bookmarked this to follow your progress. Have been wanting to start this program for a long time- but feel like I need to get closer to my goal weight before doing so. Currently down 32 lbs with 15 left so not too far! Thanks for sharing your journey!

    why do you think that?

    Well- I have tried a couple times on the treadmill at a very slow pace to switch between jogging and walking and it's kind of hard to describe but I feel like the transition between walking and jogging is VERY jolting to my body- more so than I feel that it should be. Like my steps are coming down harder and heavier than they should be? It's hard to describe but I guess I feel like when there is literally less weight to carry it will make for a lighter and less jarring feeling?

    Maybe I just never learned how to run correctly :sweat_smile:

    if you had 100lbs to lose then i would tend to agree, but 15lbs isn't going to make much of a difference i don't think.

    good shoes and a decent sports bra are my recomendations! :laugh:
  • AmyC2288
    AmyC2288 Posts: 386 Member
    Touche' ... My tennis shoes are fairly new but probably not the ideal shoe for running. Guess I never considered that would make that big of a difference especially when not trying to do any serious running. Also- a good point about the sports bra- the ones I use now could afford to be a little more heavy duty lol. Thanks for the tips- maybe I'll give it a go soon and start my own thread. :smile:
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    bigbandjohn

    Thanks for the motivation, much appreciated.
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    AmyC2288

    Took me a while to get started, It was one of my New Year resolutions, had it 'pencilled in', to start in the warm weather of June, but had a accident on my cycle, which took over three months to recover, hence my late start.

    So far I have found the program challenging (especially first & second session) but achievable. My personal tips are:

    Don't worry about speed, just aim to complete each jog session.

    Get some comfortable running trainers and if your budget can afford it, leggings and a shower proof top. I found with the right gear did not mind running in the rain.

    Due to the cold weather, I suffered a mild cramp pain on my early jog sessions, fortunately I had some deep heat type cream.

    I don't own a mobile so I have to listen to the podcast on a tablet which I hold in a home made carrier, not ideal but will have to do for now.

    Congratulations on losing 32lbs am sure you will reach your goal soon.

    Thank you for your feedback, will keep this updated after each session, hope it helps you on your C25k journey :)
  • AmyC2288
    AmyC2288 Posts: 386 Member
    @Styggian thank you so much for the wonderful tips. I think you may have convinced me to try it out. If I don't love it, then I can check it off of my things I've always wanted to try. :smiley:
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    AmyC2288

    "Slow and steady wins the race" Good luck
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    Session 3, Week 3 done.

    As per the last two sessions, seemed to be over quite quickly.

    Kept the pace really slow, just wanted to focus on completing the jogging sessions.

    The cramp type pain in my right leg is gone, but the pain in my left knee when transitioning from walking to jogging still appears for a few paces.

    Felt quite comfortable, during the session, my calf's began to tire but not to the point where I thought about stopping

    Looking at the next session there is a extra 6.5mins of jogging and one of the runs is 5mins long. I really want to try it, but still, 30mins of jogging seem a long way off.

    Going to take my own advice and go slow and steady. Next session on Sunday :)
  • Runaroundafieldx2
    Runaroundafieldx2 Posts: 233 Member
    Well done

    Trust the programme. It seems to jump up a lot at times but you can do it.
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    @Runaroundafieldx2

    Thanks for motivation, much appreciated :)
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    edited November 2018
    Session 1 Week 4 done

    Woke up tired, first time I did not feel like doing the program, which coincided with the program stepping up the jogging time and shortening the recovery walks.

    The session consisted of:
    - 5min warm up walk
    - 3min jog
    - 90sec walk
    - 5min jog
    - 2 ½min walk
    - 3min jog
    - 90sec walk
    - 5min jog
    - 5min warm down walk

    Had problems with the first 5min jog my calf & lower thighs were aching, really thought I was not going to last but somehow I kept going, am sure a spring fell out of my left knee during this jogging session :) was so happy to finish that I forgot that I had another 5min jog to do.

    Surprisingly the second 5min jog was not as bad. However after completing this session definitely felt tired. Just had a peek at week 5 and that looks challenging, if I fail it, will repeat week 4 till my stamina builds up.

    But lets see how I do on the next two session, before putting 'plan B' into action :)

    Next session is on Tuesday, hoping to do better.
  • Runaroundafieldx2
    Runaroundafieldx2 Posts: 233 Member
    You did it!

    Focus on that. Well done
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    @Runaroundafieldx2

    Thanks, as I said before, the program is challenging but achievable, but this time I got right up to the 'line' of achievable :)

    Again thanks for the motivation :)
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    Session 2 Week 4 done.

    I was quite nervous about doing this session, as I knew the 2nd run was going to be 5mins long and last session I struggled during this phase.

    This time it went better, though not easy, my calf's did not ache as much. Also my left knee was not as painful when transitioning from walking to jogging. I did notice the music had a nice 'beat', a definite sign that I was not in as much distress as the last session.

    The weird thing I got a dull ache in the of of my right leg near the groin area, seems that my legs are having some sort of competition for attention, wonder if they are reading this post?

    With that being said am very happy on the way this session went, I kept my pace slow suppressing my urge to go faster and keep up with the music. 5k still seems a long way off but has got nearer, am happy :smiley:
  • AmyC2288
    AmyC2288 Posts: 386 Member
    Sounds like great progress! Good work! :)
  • laceduplady
    laceduplady Posts: 2 Member
    Great progress! We're at the same stage too (my week 4 run 3 is tomorrow). I'll most likely repeat at least one more day of week 4 though, judging by yesterday's performance. Week 5 looks like it'll get progressively more awful lol. Good luck!
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    @AmyC2288

    Thanks, am definitely happier with this session, than the first.

    Also thanks for morale boost :smiley:
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    @laceduplady

    You have done great to get this far, got to admit Week 5 looks daunting especially Session 3.

    My 'plan B' if I fail Week 5, is just to repeat Week 4, till my stamina builds up, at this stage am not worried about speed, the goal is to be able to run 5k then participate in local 5k Park Runs and when am confident, do a 5k race :smiley:

    You should, write your own post, it's a great motivation tool and good source of information / tips.

    If you do let me know, I will follow your progress :smiley:
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    Session 1 Week 5 done.

    Week 5, the difficulty has been stepped up and the format of the sessions has changed, instead of repeating a run 3 times during the week, each run is different.

    This morning's session consisted of:
    5min warm up walk,
    5min jog,
    3min walk,
    5min jog,
    3min walk,
    5min jog,
    5min warm down walk.

    Getting changed into my running gear, made me feel quite 'sporty' looked forward to starting the session.

    Kept the pace purposely slow, still had a slight ache in my left knee and right groin area, not causing me any pain but serving as a memory aid, not to go stupid and speed up.

    Was never in any distress, actually enjoyed the session listening to the music, the only conscious thought I had was "Don't speed up".

    Once done, I got home and still had some energy left to get changed and go for a bike ride.

    Definite improvement from the start of the prgram, not sure how I would do in some kind of competition scenario, but as I said before my main aim is to be able to run for 30 mins, once I achieve that, my next goal will be to run 5k within the 30 mins.

    Next session on Monday.

  • HaleCry
    HaleCry Posts: 387 Member
    You can do it! I remember that run and how much I was dreading it. But if you slow down as much as you can and don’t think about it youbreally CAN do it! It’s a mind game. Amazing job for your progress though!
  • beerfoamy
    beerfoamy Posts: 1,520 Member
    Styggian wrote: »

    A lot of this seems to be mental attitude, the great Terry Pratchett, in his Discworld novels had a character called Granny Weatherwax who explained it as 'headology', in the real world I suppose psychology would be the appropriate word, I prefer headology as the phenomena seems surreal.

    I endeavour to live by her codes! :D (random but am Discworld geek so yay!)

  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    @HaleCry
    Think if I CAN do the next session (1 x 20min jog), 30 mins will be achievable in the time frame. i want to get past that barrier.

    Thanks for the motivational support :)
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    @beerfoamy
    I thought all the books were amazing, going to have to re read them again. Great to meet a fellow Discworld fan.

    My intoduction to the Discworld was Guards! Guards! So my favourite character is Samuel Vimes :)
  • beerfoamy
    beerfoamy Posts: 1,520 Member
    Styggian wrote: »
    @beerfoamy
    I thought all the books were amazing, going to have to re read them again. Great to meet a fellow Discworld fan.

    My intoduction to the Discworld was Guards! Guards! So my favourite character is Samuel Vimes :)

    My fave is Granny. My first book was Mort so I love Death as well hehe
    Currently reading Going Postal and yes re-read them all on a regular basis 😁😁
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    @beerfoamy
    So many great characters, must re-read them. Thanks for the memory :)
  • Styggian
    Styggian Posts: 465 Member
    edited November 2018
    Session 3 Week 5 done.

    Woke up tired, saw my running kit on the floor and remembered that I had to do 20 mins non stop jogging.

    Mentally was not really prepared for this, so crawled out of the house.

    Did the brisk 5min warm up walk and the 20 min jog session started, all went well till about the 17 min point,

    I stepped onto some glass, tried to kick/scrape it off my trainer sole while maintaining my jogging pace, it was in too deep, so stopped running and tried quickly to pull it out but the glass kept slipping out of my fingers.

    Saw the high pavement, tried the kick/scrape manoeuvre again on the edge of the pavement curb, it worked :)

    Started to run again, so with the 20 / 30 second 'pit stop', the thought in my head was "do I count this as a successful session?" Laura congratulated me for completing 20 mins.

    Took that as a sign from the Universe and marked it as a pass.

    As I was still far from home and feeling guilty for 'cheating', So I decided to continue running for the '5min warm down walk'. After this extra 5 min of running, I was still some distance from home, so walked for about 6mins as a 'warm down' and arrived at my front door.

    Felt good about the session. My left knee ached, but noticed after 10 mins of jogging the pain disappeared.

    While taking off my running gear noticed there was blood all over my running top, glancing in the mirror I saw blood on my face.

    I looked like a drunken vampire who just had participated in some kind of messy blood orgy. Then noticed my finger was bleeding.

    If it was a official race, I think the 'pit stop' would have been marked as a fail and I would have to repeat the session, but am confident I can do the Session 1 of Week 6, which consists of x2 5min jogging stages and one of 8mins.

    So next session is on Friday.

    What about photos? you ask.

    The damage to my trainer after pulling out the glass:
    2c7zdy3wm9n8.png

    And for the more blood thirsty among you :smiley::smile:

    Finger cut = http://prntscr.com/ll0dju

    Blood stained running jacket = http://prntscr.com/ll0e1f

  • AmyC2288
    AmyC2288 Posts: 386 Member
    Omg that's a lot of blood on your jacket! I'm glad you're alright and did so well with your run. I'd say you more than made up for your pit stop so you should be very proud! Awesome job!