Starting From Scratch

Posted: September 13th, 2009 | Author: Mark | Filed under: Training | Tags: | 2 Comments »

I’ve started running again, after too long off. I’m currently doing the Couch to 5k plan, and have been posting updates on Runners World’s forum the last two weeks. Here are the posts to get us up to speed; I will update on here regularly now as well.

Week 1 / Day 1/Day 2

I’m not a ‘beginner’ per se – I’ve done four 10ks (including the two Bupa London ones), but my running hasn’t improved since the day I started (18 months ago!) so thought it best to take things seriously for 2010

So! I’ve started from scratch, and following a plan this time instead of just throwing myself out the door and hoping for the best. So I’m on the first week of Couch to 5K, and did the second run this morning. It was cold, windy, and knackering. But, in 6 weeks or so it’s meant to have me running for 20mins non-stop, and I’ve never done that

So here goes!

W1D3

3rd run of the program and end of week 1. It was easier today than Thursday, thanks mainly to it not being windy at all! I still found that a couple times I couldn’t last the full 60-seconds of running (usually stopping at the 50-second mark).

I run with an app on my iPhone that’s specifically for Couch to 5k, and beeps at me when to run and when to stop (cos I usually can’t think straight enough when I’m running to time myself).

Looking forward to next week to see how I improve!

W2/D1

Phew. Back from this morning’s run (out at 6.45am, how dedicated [mad] am I?!). Quite good this morning (day 1 of week 2), although the 4th 90-second running stint and all that followed were rather difficult.

My iPhone which I run the Couch-to-5K app on gets put on mute by accident sometimes when in my bumbag, so one of my walking sessions went on longer than expected; I reversed a bit but only got a 45-sec running stint on that bit. Nevermind, still a good workout.

I’m sure Thursday will be better

W2D2

Second run for week 2 this morning. More of a lurch than a run, if I’m honest, but I did manage to do all the running bits without stopping! Hopefully this means my fitness is increasing at least a little bit. I have to admit though, that my body AND mind were not very willing this morning, and I almost skipped it – but I forced myself out the door; why skip a run this early into a training plan when my only excuse is “I’m tired”?

W2D3

Week 2 / Day 3 this morning @ 7am. It started well, but the last couple of running breaks were tough! I had to stop midway through the last one. How I’m going to manage 3 mins of continual running next week I don’t know, but I’m sure the plan will work out .

Afterwards, came home and went back to bed.

2 Comments on “Starting From Scratch”

  1. 1 Chad said at 5:49 pm on September 14th, 2009:

    Glad to see you are back at it! Just finished my first 5k race myself. I forget that RW has forums. I should go check them out. Good luck!

  2. 2 Mark said at 12:12 pm on September 16th, 2009:

    Thanks Chad! Yeah, the forums are pretty good – a lot of people know each other, so it can be hard to dive into established threads, so I just started my own :) I do end up talking to myself in there though ;-)

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