Do the Couch to 5k running plan

I’m keeping track of my week’s runs here, but tonight, for the first time, I was able to do an entire lap of the Meadows (about 1.6 miles) without a rest! Woo! Achievement!

I did stop after I’d finished the lap, and walked for a while and was going to do another half-lap at the same pace (i.e., v. slow). However, I realised that although my legs were kind of sore, my upper body felt like it could keep running and running. My heart wasn’t even beating very quickly. So, I decided to just force it.

I didn’t push that much harder, but what a difference it made. I was definitely out of breath by the time I ran back to my door! My legs will probably ache somewhat tomorrow, but I think on Sunday I’ll try and do the same format again.

Edit: total distance today was 2.25 miles.

22-Jul: 5-2-5-2-5
24-Jul: 6-2-6-2-5 (my leg was playing up again)
27-Jul: 13-3-8
29-Jul: 13-2-3-2-2

This time, I ran 6.5, 6.5 and 5 with 2 minute rest periods again. I seemed to have a stitch before I even started, but that disappeared until a couple of minutes before I stopped.

Time for some food!

I’m just making it up myself now, especially since this was my first run for four weeks and so I had no idea where a sensible restart point would be.

I ran for six minutes, walked for two, ran six, walked two and ran five. I tried to run six at the end, but my legs gave up on me (without giving out from under me!). I was pleasantly surprised by how easily (relatively speaking) I was able to run again. My right leg feels a little heavy, but otherwise I feel OK.

I decided that I’d repeat my 12-3-12 pattern from the other day, rather than the 5-3-8-3-5 pattern recommended in the plan. I really had to force myself to go today, since I hadn’t run since Tuesday (not counting football on Wednesday), and as soon as I started I didn’t feel right. However, I kept on going, right past the third day of a four day food fair that I had no idea was happening 400 yards away from my flat (lots of nice smells) and everything was going pretty well despite my misgivings (although it’s amazing how people can contort themselves to get in your way – if they just stayed where they were I’d run around them). Then, after about 11 minutes, my left leg gave out underneath me and down I went. Ouch.

I’m off to put an ice pack on and read something.

There’s been a very definite improvement in my overall fitness levels since I started this, which I’m able to notice due to my weekly game of football.

I ran for 12.5 mins, walked for 2 (and had a couple of stretches), then ran for another 13 mins (including picking up the pace for the last 250 yards again). I think I may have been able to run for a full 20 if my left calf hadn’t tensed up again (hence the stretches).

According to Gmaps Pedometer, I covered just over 2.5 miles.

I’m hungry! I hope I’m not eating the wrong way round.

I got a bit of a shock when I checked what I was supposed to do this morning: run for 8 minutes, walk for 5 and run for 8 again. I thought to myself “8 minutes is quite a long time”.

And you know what? 8 minutes is a long time! At least the first one was. The second stint went more smoothly, and I actually ran for 9 minutes. I picked up the pace for the last minute too, and then kept on going so I could get across the street before the traffic lights changed (I more or less made it).

No major leg problems to report – perhaps I just needed to rest a couple of days. Apparently the next run is for a full 20 minutes. I’m not 100% certain I’m ready for that, but I’ll give it a try.

Just not tomorrow.

Possibly I hadn’t had enough sleep, but once again my legs pose the problems. I seem to be doing OK in terms of actually having enough puff, but I think I might have a word with my brother to see what I can do to strengthen my seemingly puny legs.

On another note, I’m so glad I don’t have to drive around in this city, although I’m sad I have to be near all that traffic for at least part of my run. And where did that carnival come from? I’m pretty sure it wasn’t there yesterday.

I figured out my calf problem: I’m tensing my legs up too much. I experimented with relaxing them as I ran, and they don’t feel nearly as heavy as they did the other day.

The tensing probably stems from when I was weedwlt. I have narrow feet, and I usually had to use some sort of grip to keep them actually attached to my feet. I still have tendency to sort of curl my toes and tense as a way to add extra “grip insurance”.

I’m also contemplating using this as a target.