Introducing the next part in my running series! Here we’ll find out how hard it actually is to be a runner, and to stick with it. If you’re new here, I’m trying to complete the Couch to 5km app! Make sure you check out the story so far, because I’ve made significant, albeit slow, progress since then…
When I first decided to download the Couch to 5km app, I thought I’d be able to complete the programme in the suggested 9 weeks. Turns out, even that is harder than I initially thought. Although I might not have got all the way yet, I’m not stopping now. Yet it’s important to reflect that running doesn’t come naturally to everyone. It certainly hasn’t been that way for me.
So if you haven’t been able to complete the app in 9 weeks either, you’re not alone. Here’s how I’m doing so far as a runner!
Week 5
So here we are with week 5, and it begins with an anticlimax. By that, I’m referring to the fact it took me three tries to get started again after coming back home from Florida. But the important thing is that no matter how many times it took, I did it. Third time’s the charm!
The whole point of the app is to push yourself and progress. But there’s no denying that this was definitely the hardest week so far. A mental challenge as well as a huge physical challenge. Going from 5 minutes of running, to 8 minutes and then 20 minutes all in one week? You must be joking?
By the time I had gotten around to the 20 minute run, I was nervous. If you had told me 5 weeks ago that I’d be able to go out and run 20 minutes – even at an incredibly slow pace – I would not have believed you. But I did it, and I’m proud of it. That goes to show the progress that I’ve made, and what I am going to continue working on!
Week 6
We’re now back into the swing of it! Dropping back down to interval running threw me off completely. I’d say I found it much harder than doing the full 20 minutes in the week prior. But I had an important reminder from someone far more experienced than me, that the hardest part is getting up and going for it, so I should feel proud in what I’ve already accomplished. It’s certainly helped me to keep up with it.
The hardest part is putting on the trainers and getting out the door so you should be proud every time you do
Getting out the door again is just what I did, and I ran for 25 minutes straight, concluding week 6! Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy but it was hugely rewarding. At this stage, I can also start to see a small improvement in my pace. There’s nothing like those little gold medals in Strava to keep you motivated!
My thoughts so far?
As I hinted at earlier, one thing I’ve learnt is that although it’s still a physical challenge, I am finding it mentally challenging more than anything. Sometimes I dread going out, not because I am going to find it hard to run, but because I don’t know what to do with my mind in the process. Part of the journey is realising these obstacles, but making the effort to overcome them every time.
Another challenge I am still yet to overcome is getting out and about in different places. Throughout this entire journey, I’ve stuck to the same route bar one, in which I failed miserably at when I attempted it. I’m too conscious of people seeing me whilst I’m puffing and panting and running with my arms flailing! (Okay, maybe I’m not that bad, but it does feel like it sometimes.) I need to remember that no one actually cares what I look like, and to just get out of my head. Will the last 3 weeks see me running on the road? We’ll see…
So in terms of the Couch to 5km app, I’ve only completed 2 weeks. But this felt so much longer as I reran some runs, and it took me a while to get back into after coming back from Florida. There’s not much to update in terms of progressing through the app, but more about how I’m progressing as a runner overall.
(Yes, I find it strange to call myself that, even at this stage.)
I would still say it’s hard to be a runner. I can’t imagine it will ever be “easy”, but I’m hoping it will become more manageable.
You’ll just have to tune into the final part in the running series to see whether or not I’ve accomplished 5km!
