0 to Marathon in 25 Weeks!! :-) - Beginners

MrsV

02/01/2013 at 17:20

Hello!

There are some great newbie threads starting out just now - and I've said hello on a few, but I really want to track my journey from not running at all to completing a marathon at the end of June 2013.

I've been inspired by many people on these forums just lately - but a BIG shout out to Booktrunk! So for purely selfish reasons I'm gonna update this thread with the results of my training and hopefully some of you will be in the boat, and we can compare, commiserate and celebrate together. Those of you who have been there, done it, and got the t-shirt please chip in too!

A bit about me; I turn 30 the week I'm doing the marathon - and I want to do something to mark that, also I'm sick of being unfit, overweight and generally out of shape. I'm thinking of trying for my first child in the summer (I'll have been married a year) and if I don't do this now I don't think I ever will.

I've had a go at running once before, two years ago, I did Race for Life which was 5K but the farthest I ran was about 9 miles, I've done nothing since I've got all the kit so no excuses not to be out doing it!

Wish me luck! lol

MrsV

02/01/2013 at 17:42

My plan is to get up to running 30 minutes continuously and then start working on distance.

So I'm following a 3 Weeks to Running 30 Minutes training program - the first session was 1 min running followed by 1 walking repeated 10 times; 1/1 x10, it also included a 5 min warm up and cool down. I think its quite similar to c25k.

Up to the first 5 reps it felt comfortable - supprisingly so!! Then I started to be a bit more greatful for the walking sections, I just concentrated on my running form and how free and flowing my body felt - I was grinning like an idiot more than once!

When I got in I took ages to streach - following the pictures in my book, I know it'll become automatic evenutally but till then... lol

I'm out again tomorrow so I'll see if I've picked up any niggles then.

I can't wait!

CraigOrtiz

02/01/2013 at 21:41

Good luck MrsV! I'm sure you can do it, you sound very motivated so keep it up

MrsV

02/01/2013 at 22:32

Awwww thanks for the vote of confidence CraigOrtiz, I just feel like its my time to do it

and Im all upbeat now but I'm sure there will be moaning in the near future! Lol

booktrunk

03/01/2013 at 21:23

Eeek Hello MrsV

Good Luck!!!

MrsV

03/01/2013 at 21:43

So I jumped out of bed (well stumbled!) had a quick drink and went out for my second run! It was the same as Day 1: 1/1 run/walk x 10 with 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down.

I didn't really notice any niggles after the first run yesterday but as soon as I started the warm up walk I could feel how tight my shins felt :-/ I was kinda expecting it but was some how hoping I would magically avoid shin ache.

The first couple of reps felt a little stiff and at that point I did think maybe his was all a terrible mistake but as my legs warmed up it felt good - and I could of done a bit longer then the one minute of running; but thats just as well because the next run has 2 minute running segments!! Don't panic!! Lol

I stretched after, and then following a tip given me by an ultra runner a couple of years ago - I had an ICE cold bath, I used to do this before and I never did pick up and injuries so decided to take the plunge (pun intended lol). I definitely feel like I've had a work out which is nice - I just make odd groaning noises every once in a while, oh well! Day off tomorrow and then back to it Saturday, can't wait!

MrsV

03/01/2013 at 21:49

Hello book trunk!

Thank you - you really are an inspiration btw! How you doing now - still taking it carefully I hope?

Any words of wisdom for someone who is in the same position you were last year?

booktrunk

03/01/2013 at 21:52

I don't do ice cold baths now as a few articles including one in runnersworld now say a cool/cold shower is as effective. So I don't do it now on my shorter runs improbably should but when I go a bit further say 8k upwards I run a cold shower head over my legs for a couple of minutes

booktrunk

03/01/2013 at 21:57

MrsV being as careful as I can.. Back running, but I must admit I fell over when running Tuesday, I almost did a somersault trying to cover and protect my new boobs! Hehe.

I have a nice big bruise on my right knee, but I kept my boobs safe

MrsV

04/01/2013 at 22:28

Ohhhh turning on the shower is definitely less hassle than running the bath and a lot less scary to get in to :-0 I know I'm pushing it a bit with the amount of running I want to do so I'm gonna try everything to prevent an injury - I was thinking about getting a foam roller if anyone has any advice them or on a good make?

Ouch!! But as long as the girls are safe

lol

Jo goes slow

04/01/2013 at 23:37

Really pleased to see this thread as also new to running in the last 6 months and hoping to complete London in April aaaah!

Got a foam roller for Xmas, is very painful but worth it as it gets right in to muscles, (go for one with nobbly bits on it)
Going to try cold shower.

MrsV

05/01/2013 at 16:16

Headed out this morning for my 3rd run, this session was 2 min run followed by 1min walk repeated 5 times, then 1 min run followed by 1 min walk repeated 5 times (2/1 x 5, 1/1 x 5) with a 5 min warm up and cool down.

My shins didn't feel stiff during the warm up which was a relief, the day off really paid off. I started my running heading up uphill, I'm gonna have to get used to hills in my neighbourhood :-/

I was a little bit nervous about 2 minutes of running but it felt good! I'm doing a VERY slow jog but I'm really pleased that I can keep going and not look at my timer praying for the walk section - no doubt that will come with the longer runs! Lol.

Over all it felt great - my poor dog refused to run at the last couple of reps and I found myself shouting encouragement at him, pretty much the same things I tell myself; you can do it, not far now etc...

I ended up a bit further away from home than intended so had a 10 min cool down, I was glad when I got home.

Stretching as normal, then tried an ice cold shower - I have to say it was slightly more pleasant than an ice cold bath! Thanks booktrunk!

Same session again tomorrow, bring it on!

MrsV

05/01/2013 at 16:22

Hello Jo goes slow, good luck and how's your training going? Are you following a specific training plan?

I figured the roller might hurt! Lol It sounds like a case of no pain no gain - but I think I'll give it a go, nobbly bits and all :0

booktrunk

05/01/2013 at 16:22

Well done that's brilliant, I'm really impressed with how seriously your taking it all.

I staggered around 11.27km today i'm still slowwww but hey it's better than nothing 78:14 so 7 miles basically. It seemed a nice day and oh took the dog for a walk at the same time,.

Steph

MrsV

06/01/2013 at 21:57

Okay so my 4th run today, didn't get out till 3:30pm - I hadn't got around to eating anything but had a few sweet drinks so I risked it. Today was the same as yesterday: 2/1 min run/walk x 5 reps, then 1/1 min run/walk x 5 reps, 5 min warm up and cool down.

Ran the same route as yesterday, going up hill for the first couple of reps and I felt like I was going a bit faster. Although I was glad to get to the top of the hills they feel like an achievement, so I take a deep breath and smile and they are over before I know it

and then I feel like a runner! Lol

My legs and breathing felt good but I had a touch of stitch - weird as I hadn't eaten so I put it down to my stomach muscles adjusting to being giggled about, it didn't really bother me. Lots of stretching and a cold shower when I got in and that's it. Day off tomorrow then back out Tuesday

MrsV

06/01/2013 at 22:04

Awwww thanks booktrunk, trying to start as I mean to go on - well that's the theory! Lol

Well done on the 7 miles and a bit of multi tasking with the dog! Hahaha thats a proper runner talking, I dream of getting to that speed!!

MrsV

08/01/2013 at 22:03

Day 7 and 5th run today: 2 min running followed by 1 min walking repeated 6 times (2/1 x 6)

I've have a 7 yr old step son and its his first day back at school so dressed in my running kit and used the walk to school as my warm up and then jogged off down the road.

As I've mentioned my local area is quite hilly, so I hit a couple of steep hills straight off - I just pick a spot to focus my gaze on and kept going till I was at the top - in your face hills!! Lol

I did feel a bit of stitch again and I think it's due to a slight increase in speed - I kept wanting to go faster, again up and down hills makes it hard to keep an even speed. Overall it felt quite a short session compared to the others, but up to 3 minutes continuous running in tomorrow's session :-0 Eek!

booktrunk

08/01/2013 at 22:54

Doing this thread is great, because in a few short weeks you will be looking back just like I did thinking am I the same person.

Just remember when you have a bad day it happens we all get them, the only thing you can do is laugh it off, write It off to experience and just get on with the next scheduled run, do't longer over bad things, just enjoy the good runs

so that when you think about running it brings good memories to you

Makes it easier to go out in the bad weather when you think running and you feel yourself smiling

MrsV

09/01/2013 at 22:54

I wasn't feeling over confident about today's run: 3 min run / 1 min walk x 4, 1 min run / 1 min walk x 4 (3/1 x 4, 1/1 x4), as I felt that running 3 minutes continuously was a real test of my fitness - which is pretty much zero! I haven't been near a gym or run for 18 months, I don't walk very much either :-/

I was on the school run again, so as soon as my s'son was through the gates, I set off up and down a hill and then on to the flat of a canal path, which was a way of making it a bit easier on myself.

The 3 min running sections weren't as bad as I feared - I followed the advice given to all newbies: keep it slow and steady, and it worked a treat! I was glad of the walking section but not crippled by the 3 min run - yay! I felt really strong all the way home, and no niggles to speak of

Out again tomorrow, not looking forward to it being a bit colder but it'll feel warm soon enough once I get going!

MrsV

09/01/2013 at 23:01

Hey booktrunk, I think you are soooo right - and to be honest that's my main reason for doing the thread

I went to Boots today and got weighed on one of those super duper scales that does body fat % ect cus I know my overall weight might not change but hopefully by body fat will reduce. Also doing full body measurements with a tape measure, and a pic of me in my swimming cozzy - again I hope being able to see and feel a difference will help keep me motivated!!

And that's a great bit of advice about positive mental attitude - will definitely keep that in mind!