Our Associate Director Amy Watson and Recruitment Consultant Erin McKnight have put on their running shoes and over the last 4 weeks have been taking part in the Couch to 5K.
Below they share with us their progress…
Amy
Starting strong… but hitting some roadblocks. I won’t give up!
4 weeks ago, we embarked upon a challenge as a team to undertake the Couch to 5K programme; training ourselves to run from essentially zero to a 5k run in just 9 weeks. We thought #nationalfitnessday was a good idea to update you on our progress.
I have done the programme previously, never actually hitting 5K, but this time I was determined to do so. I started out strong – I found the PaceSetter playlists on BBC Sounds that really help me to keep going, and I was actually enjoying the runs. Bear in mind, the early stages of the programme you might only be running for 1-3 minutes at a time, but still… I was seeing good progress.
Last night I finished the final run of week 4, and in honesty, this week has been more challenging for me. I have struggled to fit my runs into the same pattern of “every other day” and I can really notice the difference when I wait 3 or 4 days between runs. I feel like I’ve lost progress.
Last night was the hardest one yet – not necessarily physically (although my hips weren’t loving it) but mentally. For the first time I wanted to give up, and just walk home (but I didn’t I’m pleased to say). I hear people say that some runs are like that – some days you don’t seem to do as well. But it disappointed me, and I did arrive home a little downhearted.
But, tomorrow I will pick myself up and start week 5. I really need to keep a consistency in terms of when I am running – even if that means going over my lunchbreak, or after I’ve walked the dog in the morning. I will stick to every other day.
I could do with some tips from more seasoned runners than I am. How do you keep motivation high? If I’m struggling now, how do I do it when autumn kicks in with its dark nights and misty mornings?
Please wish me luck! I really want to achieve the 5K this time round. I know this is nothing to some people, but for me, who has never been a runner, it will definitely be an achievement.
Erin
Picking Up the Pace
The couch to 5K has been the challenge that I’ve needed to increase my fitness after the lockdowns. I should be on week 5. However, over the last couple of weeks I haven’t done as much running as what I should have. As a result, this week I’ve re-done week 3’s running routine.
I’m enjoying running along the quay in Lancaster in an evening after work, and now I need to pick up the pace and complete a minimum of 3 runs a week.
Well done ladies. We are behind you every step of the way.
Have you been inspired?
If you have been inspired and would like to find out more about the Couch to 5K, click here for more information and how to take part.
Do you struggle to stay active whilst working? Click here to read our top tips and exercises that can be done at work.