My fitness has always been a bit half-hearted. Yoga; because I could lay on the floor. The gym; mostly to offset partying. Climbing; for weekends away. Any effort towards fitness fell away since having my son.
Over wine and a curry last New Year, a friend and I made a resolution to start running. I downloaded a ‘Sofa to 5K’ app on my phone. The app promised that in 9 weeks we’d be running 5 kilometres. I was a little bit scared.
In January we began. With the phone on loudspeaker, the lady of the app issuing instructions we walked/ran/jogged through the local park.
We don’t have fancy running outfits, one of us runs in yoga trousers, the other in whatever top comes to hand. We run together for conversation and moral support. Sometimes it’s a bit of juggle trying to fit a run in at a time that suits two busy mothers. For several months we didn’t get past week 5. The photo was taken on week 5 run in June.
We always follow the same route, running a bit more, walking less. A little bit further. Then, inexplicably I had ‘issues’ with the app. I kept knocking it. The lady of the app would say encouraging things but be in quite a different place on the run than we were. We abandoned her and her programme and began running the whole route. 5K still seemed a long way off. At various times we’ve both moaned; “Oh God, how much further”. Having each other has been encouraging and motivating. I’m not sure I run regularly enough to be ‘fit’ but I’m fitter than I was. For me, running through nature is invigorating, it blows away stress and brings back balance.
We week ago it occurred to us to ‘Map our run’ (another app!) and discovered we have been running 5K. We reached our goal achieving sofa to 5k in 9 weeks months. That deserves wine and a curry.
This post is for The Gallery ‘Fitness’ at Tara’s blog. Pop over to Sticky Fingers and take a jog round the other entries.
I love the last line… the wonderful thing about taking excersize is your can then indulge in some of those yummy things without feeling quite so bloated and guilty afterwards.
Mollyxxx
exactly! Otherwise – what’s the point?
I didn’t know there was an app for THAT. I shall go get it now!
there’s an app for everything!
Wow! What a fantastic app!
it got me off the sofa….
Well done
There really is an app for everything these days LOL
*bows* thank you – there is!
That is downright amazing! Well done to you for getting off the sofa. I keep telling myself I need to and should.
if I didn’t have my friend for motivation – I’m sure I would still be on the sofa.
I had a literal school run this morning, trying to get home before the heavens opened. It effectively stopped me kidding myself that walking really fast is the same thing as going for a run. I may have to investigate this app…
I can recommend. Shout me if you want to name of it. I think there is a few it was recommended to me by runner types on twitter.
I think a friend and I used the sofa to 5k app!! We did it last year and managed to run a 5k in hyde park which was cool. Love the photo by the way I love the big trees and all the greenery.
thank you
That’s brilliant! Well done you! I think that these apps are so brilliant, maybe you’ll move on to the 10km one now!
oh gosh! that seem very very far.
Love the angle of the shot, and I’m very impressed that you have taken to running – my exercise quota is shockingly bad since Little A came along!
I had to do something – it was that or stop cake. Now I can eat more cake.
That’s awesome Gemma! And yes- a well deserved curry and wine! ;0)
Join me? X
The app sounds super! A lovely picture too x
thank you – I really like the picture.
Great work Gemma I’d up that wine to a prossecco as a celebration!
excellent suggestion – thank you.
Well done, I need to do the same and have seen the app. I’ve started walking more and I’m sure I’ll start soon, now both smalls are at school.
go for it! Mummylimited wrote a beautiful post about running yesterday – did you see it? very inspiring!
I think it would take me years to achieve 9k!! Well done, thats a huge milestone!
love it, well done. Although I do hope the yoga trouser lady also wears a top, and the lady with different tops also wears some trousers….
most of the time we remember
Wow! Well done Gemma thats some going – it dozens matter how long it took, the point is you did it! I love your idea of a celebration too! Lol. Xx
I’m all about celebration!
I think wine and curry sounds like the perfect reward! Well done you x
thank you.
Weeks, months, pah! You DID IT! Well done:-)
my thoughts exactly.
I think that sofa to 5k program is a great way for people to get into running. Gives you lots of support and encouragement and then once you can run 5k you can start doing your own thing.
I think you have the right attitude though, it’s not about times or distances it’s about just being out there.
Yes, for me it is. I think its about finding what suits you – as you have.
well done Gemma that is awesome! i’m not a runner but think I would have a go for wine and curry as the reward :0
the reward matters
Definitely deserves wine and curry! It does not matter how long it takes you, I think, as long as you do it. I completed a 10 km race in April, never imagined I would do this one day!
well done you! not sure I could ever run that far but maybe never say never!
Outdoors is definitely the place to exercise & I admire your efforts to stick with the running. I need to up my pace. An app & running buddy is way cheaper than a personal trainer.
way cheaper and they don’t seem to mind if I don’t turn up either!
You’re ALMOST inspiring me to get off my backside and do something. My fitness at the moment involves walking with F along the canal or down to the lake, going on the odd family bike ride… and that’s it. I just need a few more hours in the day!
Molly – normally I would encourage anyone to get out there, but you are the exception: you really don’t have the time, but you have youth on your side X
Hi Gemma!
I’m currently on week 7 of the couch to 5k plan and listen to the free podcasts for each session as I found I was looking at my watch after 30 seconds and losing confidence that I could finish.
7-weeks ago I could not run for 1-minute without feeling tired, out of breath and red and sweaty so it’s remarkable that following this plan, I can now jog for 25 minutes without stopping. The stopping and starting was harder, I think. Although, I still struggle with the first 5mins and the last 5mins.
Well done for completing the programme, I am looking forward to the day I can say I can run 5k now too.
Sx
well done you!
I would really struggle on my own – I’d just give up.
I think the apps are good and really motivating – and you will definitely get to 5K. Enjoy!
thats sounds a great app to get motivated * goes to investigate* maybe little man will run with me x
This is a gorgeous picture of your route. I never take my phone or camera with me and then kick myself when I see something that would make a great picture.
Well done on the 5K!
Beautiful photo, I might be more inclined to run if I had someone pretty to do it!