Couch 2 5k Week 2

Two things got me out of bed and running this morning.

1. WordPress.
2. The London Marathon

A week or so ago when I was dallying with starting to run again and stumbled on the Worldwide WP 5k and thought – yup. A good reason to get up and out. I downloaded the NHS Couch 2 5K podcasts and got through Week 1. It’s narrated by a nice girl called Laura who sounds like she’s from Berkshire, gently soothing you to keep going through a total of eight intervals of running. So my third and final Week 1 run was also my contribution to the Worldwide WP 5k. Probably one of the very slowest ones, I cautiously stuck to the podcast programme then tagged on brisk walking to get to my 3.1 miles.
Today is the London Marathon too and although I’ve more or less given up on ever getting to that distance again, it’s always inspiring to watch people and hear the stories. I’ll always remember being on the treadmill at the gym the year Paula Radcliffe set the world record - I ended up doing about 90 minutes myself, unable to tear myself away from the TV screen above my head. The magic of something like the marathon is the group camaraderie that carries you along. I’m training by myself which means that it’s up to me to provide the motivation.
Progress with the 5k is going to be slow but that’s the way to do it.
Two things have struck me as important over these first few weeks: no pain, and compliance. Yes, there’s stiffness and the odd calf muscle twang but no lingering pain. I’m very afraid of pain. Ten years ago I was utterly debilitated with two prolapsed discs and then a myriad of other niggling conditions such as the flattest feet known to [wo]man ensued.  Progressing gradually is the only way that I’ll make it through. Along with compliance. Picking a programme and finding tools is the easy part. Getting off your ass and going out there is another thing altogether. What makes it worthwhile is that regardless of how far or how slow I’ve gone – I come home with energy to make me bounce off the wall. There’s no feeling like running – getting back to a safe, strong 5k is just about the best present I could give myself.