During April 2020, when we were in lockdown, I decided I needed to do something to keep me a bit motivated and also wanted to do some fitness. I thought I would do C25K (Couch to 5k) and downloaded the BBC free app. I am not a runner, broke my left ankle twice and wasn’t sure it would hold up, but needed to do something on a regular basis and decided this would be it.
It’s a nine week programme, and you run three times a week. The aim is to get you running non stop for 30 minutes – you may or may not run 5k in that time (some will and some won’t – it’s about running for 30 mins which is great)
You choose from a selection of celebrities who talk you through each session – telling you when to run, when to walk and giving words of encouragement. When they are not talking you can have you own music kick in. I chose Jo Wiley and loved listening to her.
I wasn’t sure I would stick with it – but I did.
I would go out early morning around 6am or just after and get it done. Mind you the weather was good so helped loads.
My plan was this………do C25K and then I would start doing Park Runs every Saturday – If you are not sure what they are check this link out here https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
Little did I – or anyone – know at the time that lockdowns and restrictions would carry on so long!
It was around week 5 of the training when I started LOVING it and also realised I could actually do this – run for 30 minutes non stop. My thoughts when I was on a session was ….if I can run for 12 minutes then I can run for 13…..and if I can run for 13 then I can run for 14……and so on.
I was following the instructions from Jo Wiley to plan – taking it steady. I didn’t want injuries and didn’t want my ankle I had broken in the past to flare up.
The weeks began to fly by and I got my nine weeks done. 30 minutes non-stop. It felt amazing and was a great achievement.
But……….my plan to start doing 5k at Park Runs was out of the window now as they were all postponed. I know that if I didn’t have something to focus on then I would be straight back to the couch! That couldn’t happen so ………..I decided in order to have something to plan for and train for I would sign up for a Marathon – as you do lol
I will do a blog on that training so check it out.
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