I started running in May, a month off my 50th birthday, for the first time in my life. I'd always detested running - even avoiding it like the plague when I was at school and used to scorn the pavement pounders. However, when I committed to losing weight, I decided that "doing a bit of running" might help burn off some calories. As luck would have it, a friend on FB that very same day posted that she had signed up for Race for Life and was commencing the Couch to 5K programme. I'd never heard of C25K and swiftly realised that this could be my way in as well. Quick as a flash, I also signed up for R4L, so that I had some motivation to stick with the running. That first day out, I struggled to breathe and sustain 60 seconds of non-stop running.... but I stuck with it and over the weeks things got easier. And I gradually fell hopelessly in love!! I always managed to stick with the programme (often chanting "I can and I WILL" if things got tough as I pounded the local streets) bar a temporary hip problem at 7 weeks... and I ran my first 5K Race for Life in a passable 35 mins.
So for the past couple of months, things have settled where I run 5K a couple of times a week. Sometimes I find it difficult, sometimes it is easier. Hills are my nemesis and as I live in Shropshire, it's hard to find a flat route round here, so I inevitably have to slow to a walk up the steeper slopes. However, as winter is just around the corner, I decided to sign up with my local gym so that I can use a treadmill when it is cold, wet and windy. I joined a couple of weeks ago and quickly realised that running on a treadmill is as dull as ditchwater, so instead of running distance, I've been "playing" - doing a few minutes of power-walking up steep inclines or short, fast sprints on the flat. I've been working on the weight machines and doing some HIIT on the bike.
Yesterday morning I decided to bite the bullet and attempt a long run on the treadmill, as I hadn't run 5K for over a fortnight!! I arrived at the gym, fired up and ready to go, to discover that two of the machines were out of order and the rest were being used! I loitered hopefully for a couple of minutes, hoping that I'd guilt someone into shifting off (to no avail, unsurprisingly!) so... as my handbag was safely in a locker in the changing room, I decided to run outside instead. In the pouring rain!!! So, I grabbed my armcuff out of my car, switched on Endomondo and set off for my 5K. And I was flying! My first 3K passed in a blur of speed that knocked 42 seconds off my previous personal best. Hills were ran up with hardly any additional effort and I had a FAB old time. I actually ended up running just over EIGHT kilometres and felt absolutely wonderful. So it seems that all that "playing" in the gym has actually been doing me a world of good in terms of my strength and stamina
So I'm going to carry on in the same vein - short sharp bursts on the machines, pushing myself and then one long run a week, hopefully outside for as long as I can tolerate the weather.
It seems that running in the rain turns me into Forrest Gump!!!
If anyone is considering taking up running, I strongly recommend the C25K programme. I just wish I'd done it years ago.... It really can change your life.....
So for the past couple of months, things have settled where I run 5K a couple of times a week. Sometimes I find it difficult, sometimes it is easier. Hills are my nemesis and as I live in Shropshire, it's hard to find a flat route round here, so I inevitably have to slow to a walk up the steeper slopes. However, as winter is just around the corner, I decided to sign up with my local gym so that I can use a treadmill when it is cold, wet and windy. I joined a couple of weeks ago and quickly realised that running on a treadmill is as dull as ditchwater, so instead of running distance, I've been "playing" - doing a few minutes of power-walking up steep inclines or short, fast sprints on the flat. I've been working on the weight machines and doing some HIIT on the bike.
Yesterday morning I decided to bite the bullet and attempt a long run on the treadmill, as I hadn't run 5K for over a fortnight!! I arrived at the gym, fired up and ready to go, to discover that two of the machines were out of order and the rest were being used! I loitered hopefully for a couple of minutes, hoping that I'd guilt someone into shifting off (to no avail, unsurprisingly!) so... as my handbag was safely in a locker in the changing room, I decided to run outside instead. In the pouring rain!!! So, I grabbed my armcuff out of my car, switched on Endomondo and set off for my 5K. And I was flying! My first 3K passed in a blur of speed that knocked 42 seconds off my previous personal best. Hills were ran up with hardly any additional effort and I had a FAB old time. I actually ended up running just over EIGHT kilometres and felt absolutely wonderful. So it seems that all that "playing" in the gym has actually been doing me a world of good in terms of my strength and stamina
So I'm going to carry on in the same vein - short sharp bursts on the machines, pushing myself and then one long run a week, hopefully outside for as long as I can tolerate the weather.
It seems that running in the rain turns me into Forrest Gump!!!
If anyone is considering taking up running, I strongly recommend the C25K programme. I just wish I'd done it years ago.... It really can change your life.....
my excuse was it made me feel better (endorphins!)
