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Re: After the C25K - Continuing the Journey

guest — Sun, 22 May 2011 09:31:44 GMT

I graduated today and ran my first race as well. Went really well and felt good. The whole thing went a lot better than I thought it would haha. And left me really keen to do another.

An easy recovery week and then onto training for a 12k in August - very excited!!!!

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Sun, 22 May 2011 09:24:09 GMT

I haven't had a chance to catch up on how everyone is going yet. Been super busy the last couple of weeks getting out rental property painted, cleaned and ready to rent again. On top of all the usual housework, school commitments, kids sporting activities and general mum/wife stuff I haven't been online much at all. I will read back later on hopefully though so I can catch up on what I've missed.

Today was a big day Was W9D3 and my first race as well. The race was only 4.5 k but I'm counting it as my graduation day anyway as I'm comfortable running the full 30 mins, and am covering a teeny bit over 5k now as well. Will have an easy-ish recovery week this week and then start training for the 12k in August the following week. Think I'll have to get myself a Garmin for that though so I can run for distance properly (and so I can use it during the race when it arrives so I can know my time without having to wait days lol)

Had a ball at my race Felt comfortable and fast the whole way through, and though I don't have an official time yet (or even a particularly accurate one since I don't have a Garmin yet) I think I finished the 4.5k somewhere between 20 and 25 mins. Was hard at the start as people had moved up corrals and so where walking across the whole road, not to mention the prams/strollers that where supposed to be starting up the back but that had gone up front instead. Almost had my ankles taken out a couple of times which wasn't fun. After the first km and a bit though it cleared up a little and then was a lot easier to pass people. There where 2 hills, the 2nd was huge and a bit of a challenge but I still managed it, and the dowhill on the other side gave a nice burst of speed lol. Then I had enough left to push with a big sprint at the end - that was great, sprinted past about 30 or 40 people in the last 80 or so metre stretch

The whole thing went by so fast though! And the people who won the 14k race came across the finish line not too long after I finished up and found DH and the kids. They started about 20 mins ahead, and the first few came across the line in around 50 mins or so. No way I can ever picture myself managing that far that fast lol. But looking forward to doing the longer distance next year for sure. I can't wait for the the next one now!!! I loved it

I'll have my official time and pictures on Tuesday - DH had planned to get pics of me finishing but missed it lol. He was watching from just over half way around the course to say hi and then as soon as I'd passed he went in but I beat him back - I was pretty pleased with that as he only had to walk across a little car park area, over a road and in the gates. Once in he had to walk straight up a ramp and then was at the finish area. Having my 3 year old son walking with him would have made him a bit slower than if it'd just been him but I still got back way before he'd made it there, which means I was going fairly fast lol. The whole thing went a lot quicker and easier than I'd thought it would - but I had an absolute ball and just want to go out and do it again

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:26:24 GMT

Good to hear everyone is still moving along Especially those who are having trouble but still getting on with it.

Going well still here. Finished W7 and starting W8 tomorrow. Squeezing my runs in around painting our rental property - and entire 4x2 house! A little time consuming but has to be done.

I think the graduation thread is a great idea - thanks for starting one Richard.

Almost there now and really excited. I got my race pack in the post today ready for my race on the 22nd. Can't wait. Then after that onto the Higdon 10k program (with some extra at the end) ready for a 12k in August It's exciting!!!!

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:33:01 GMT

Just a quickish visit. It's 1am here and I should be sleeping. I wanted to pop on and share and then was unsure if I should or not. I ended up deciding that I would and hope it helps.

I did W6D3 today and it went well. Nothing overly amazing to report there. I did however come out of and realising how much I love running now and how important a part of my life it is. I felt a little unsure and guilty about this when I came on and saw that people where struggling or not enjoying it at all. I wasn't going to post it as I didn't want to be annoying or seem like a perky, annoying PITA. But then I thought maybe it'd help?

I ran my run on the treadmill this evening. My DH said to me at the end of it "Do you know that you smile while you're running? Not a huge weird one, just a little one, but it's nice. It looks like you're enjoying yourself". That was what made me really realise that I do now. I love it, even the harder runs. I didn't always, but I think I've changed my mental outlook and it's made all the difference. I made myself think positively about my runs. I made plans that excited me to aim for. I faked it till I made it lol. During my runs when it was hard or I felt myself struggling I just pushed it aside and focussed entirely on my breathing and form. Nothing but making sure I was keeping my breathing steady and at the right level, and that I had my head up, eyes straight, shoulders down, hands loose, back tall, legs lifting and stepping under me - not too far ahead, not pushing off the back foot, just letting my momentum move me forwards. I'd tell myself I was doing great and feeling really strong. Over an over that was all I'd allow myself to think about. Generally that was enough to get me through the 'struggle' and on for a bit, then when the next 'struggle' came I'd just repeat, then eventually you get to the end and you get that massive feeling of achievement for having gotten to the end, and the endorphins that make you feel so good as well . On the occasions that'd I'd still be feeling like it was a bit hard even when doing all that I'd focus on just that little bit more. I find this a lot easier to do outdoors, as I can pick a landmark and say "ok, just to there". Then when I'd get there I'd do the little pep talk of "that's awesome! You've still got some left in you so now lets make it to there", and repeat till I'd finally get to the end lol. It's harder for me to manage this on the treadmill, but I just try to keep telling myself, ok, just a couple minutes more, you can do this.

The good thing now is that I've been doing it so much that it's almost second nature now and it brings me the added peace and stillness of mind that letting everything else go and just focussing on what my body is doing. And I've learnt to praise myself for a job well done. Whether that's the easy run on a good day or the struggle on a hard day. Every little bit is something I'm proud of and that I pat myself on the back for. I've finally learned how to be happy in myself for doing a good job, and I know that each run I get out there and do the best that I can - so whether it's a good one or a bad one it's something that I should be proud of.

I don't know if the way I've managed it would work for everyone. I do know it did for me, and that if you stay positive and keep plugging away you'll find what works for you too. Big hugs to all and hope everyone is going well. I hope this doesn't sound preachy or sickening to everyone lol. I'm just hoping it can help somehow and that you can all get to the point where it's all a joy for you ya know? xx

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Sun, 01 May 2011 11:51:43 GMT

Angel - I'm glad your next run went pretty well . And If you feel as though you'd benefit from a couple of repeats I say go for it. You know how your body feels better than anyone else And I'm glad the bugs made you smile - at least they where good for something hehe.

Did W6D2 today and went well. Nothing of note to report, just that it was done lol.

Hope everyone is going well and good luck to those running in races tomorrow - you guys will do awesome

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:25:44 GMT

That whole post had me smiling I can just picture you running down the road chasing and growling at a dog. And congrats on the weightloss! That's a wonderful acheivement.

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:40:38 GMT

W6D1 done Pretty pleased all in all. Even got some added protein lol - heaps of bugs flying around, my sister met me for a run today and we both swalloed one. I had 3 try to fly up my nose and she had the, flying into her eyes most of the way around haha - an advantage of my needing glasses hehe, meant they couldn't get into mine . Felt pretty good though and we both had enough left at the end to pick up the pace for the last minute or so. Looking forward to the next run actually. I don't expect it to be easy as such but I'm feeling a lot more confident in my abililty to push on even through a harder run now. I've been researching today my next steps for after the C25K as well and think I've decided what I'm doing from here After my race in May I'll have 14 weeks to the next race I'd like to do, which is a 12K one. So I'll follow the Hal Higdon 10K and add the same progression to the end to reach the 12K and just see how I go

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 06:33:05 GMT

Awwwww mate. You're going on time, so you should through the distance out the window. C25K is either run 5K by the end or run for 30 mins continuously. A lot of people stress about not being fast enough but really you pick one or the other to focus on - and if you pick time you don't have to be covering the full 5K by week 9 - it's something you'll continue to work up too. Once you get to the end you can add to the distance if you want. But even then it's not a necessity. And you'll find the longer you go the more conditioned you'll become and therefore the 'faster' you'll get. The fact of the matter is that you are out there running. So many people don't bother to get out there and do some exercise. To make the effort to look after themselves or try to improve their fitness and health. Even when you're struggling you are miles ahead of any of them.

I saw a really good tip the other day for dealing with a bad run - Give yourself 1 hr to feel crappy about it. To feel upset or overwhelmed or angry or whatever you need to feel. Then, when your hour is up that's it. No more negative thoughts allowed. Focus on the positives you've had from your running, work out what you can change or adjust next time out to improve. Start visualising you getting past the problems of that days run and thinking positive thoughts about how the next one will go. Think about what you ned to do to prepare yourself for the next run and focus on doing it, then head out to the next one feeling positive and calm - even if that means you need to do some meditation, or breathing exercises or something ahead of starting. Remember that everyone has crappy runs sometimes, the measure of a runner (instead of a 'pretender') is that you put it aside and get back out there to do it again. You have in the past and you will again - YOU ARE A RUNNER!

Big hugs and a pat on the back. You can do this xx

Re: Starting C25K week of March 13

guest — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 05:32:59 GMT

Big pats on the back and congrats for everyone. I love how many are still going in this group. It really shows what good support and inspiration everyone inthis thread is to have so many still completing the program (and a few add in's like me haha)

Cate - I'm so glad to hear some positive news about Scout!

Laura - At the end of the day it's really up to you and how you feel you'd go with switching. Personally I'd recommend finishing off the program on time and then adding time to each run after completion until you manage to complete the whole 5K. It'd be a lot easier on your body as you would have a sudden jump in distance, but a gradual increase instead.

Julie - I'm heading out for W6D1 this evening so I'm hoping mine goes as well as yours did

Re: Newbie here : Running and breathing !

guest — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:03:12 GMT

Don't really have anything different to add. Just wanted to say take it slow and give yourself some time and you will get there. Good luck!