It’s a fortnight since we launched Uborka Running Club. We appear to have had eight people sign up, but of course the invitation is open, there’s no fee, and everyone is welcome. Honestly, you don’t even have to run. I was going to list the members and ask individuals for their reports, but that seems a bit strict, and we’re really not strict. Just dive in if you want to.
Your questions are:
- What progress have you made in the last fortnight?
- What programme or app are you using, if any?
- What do you listen to while you’re running?
I’d like to join, except I haven’t done any actual running in nearly three years (for the bus doesn’t count).
What progress have you made in the last fortnight?
I’ve bought running leggings and a top from the sale in Sainsbury’s, and I’ve thought more about actually putting them on, along with my trainers, and leaving the house for the purposes of getting some exercise.
What programme or app are you using, if any?
None yet, but I envisage choosing one of the many c25k apps when I finally get my lazy arse out the door.
What do you listen to while you’re running?
Normally, my own wheezing.
I’ve made it up to the end of week 4 on the c25k programme now, starting week 5 later today. Still really pleased with my progress so far, but am hopeful that it will get easier once I finally shake the tail end of this cold.
I’m using the “get running” app to keep me on c25k, nothing fancy, but does the job well.
I’ve tried listening to podcasts while running, but I miss too much when the c25k instructions kick in, and I’ve tried listening to a playlist of favourite songs, but they make me want to sing along, which doesn’t help with breathing, so I’ve settled on a playlist of tracks made up form the Word Magazine’s (RIP) cover CDs… music that I really like, but don’t know well enough to sing along to. Also a good excuse for me to raid ebay for cover CDs that I don’t have yet.
Also, my proudest point of progress so far: I’ve been able to run for the bus a few times recently without nearly dropping dead once I get on.
What progress have you made in the last fortnight?
Running wise. None. Have lost some weight by being a bit stricter on the eating front, and have started (again) the physio exercises for me knee.
Ask me tomorrow though 😉
What programme or app are you using, if any?
I have Runkeeper (have had it for a few years back when I was running regularly). But going to give Get Running a bash to get me back to 5K level (my one and only target).
What do you listen to while you’re running?
Dance music, preferably a continuous mix (those few seconds gap just make me realise how hard I’m breathing/plodding etc). Hed Kandi mixes are cheesy but ideal for me.
What progress have you made in the last fortnight?
→ I’ve gone running 5 times in May, totalling 21.15 kms.
What programme or app are you using, if any?
→ I use 3 simultaneously. Runkeeper, Nike Running and MovesApp.
What do you listen to while you’re running?
→ The 5Live Mark Kermode/Mayo Film review podcast.
What progress have you made in the last fortnight?
Sold my place on the National Lottery Run to a random bloke off r/Running and spent the proceeds on make up.
What programme or app are you using, if any?
I use RunDouble‘s c25k, which works brilliantly for me and uploads my data to a website so I can see a chart, and admire [or not] my progress.
What do you listen to while you’re running?
Jaunty stuff that makes me smile, including Alternative Eighties and anything by Shiny Tight Stuff.
What progress have I made? Well, I’m restricted to one run of about 3-4 miles at the moment due to knee ouch. The good news is that I’ve now seen the specialist and, in spite of “complex biomechanical issues” (gotta love MS-related footdrop), he’s recognised how important running is to my mental and physical wellbeing and is determined to keep me on the road. Yay! Lots of physio ahead, mind…. And it looks like my half marathon days are behind me.
App: Runkeeper. Picked up on Gordon’s recommendation back in the day, and I’ve now clocked up over 2000 miles. In 4 week’s time I am due to get my 50th weekly stamp in a year at my other running club and the prize is a Garmin forerunner. I’ll stick to my iPhone though as I use at for music anyway.
Music: my Robin Hood half marathon playlist is getting a good airing still: anything from Iron Maiden to Peter Sarstedt via Scott Walker, Harry Belafonte and the National. Nothing if not eclectic. It’s funny what will put a bounce in your step on any particular day.
It’s all good! We’re all fine here. How are you?
Runkeeper now has lots of training programmes too, btw Gordon. Maybe worth another wee look.
Sevitz, you informationaholic.
Damn. Dataholic would have been a much better word.
What progress have you made in the last fortnight?
None. In fact, just the opposite as my latest x-ray showed slow progress in fracture healing and I won’t be doing anything for at least another month. At least. So I consoled myself with tracking the progress of friends running the 145 mile Grand Union Ultra race from Birmingham to London.
What programme or app are you using, if any?
I have a Garmin 305 for training which I upload to the Garmin software and Runkeeper. I’ve got accounts with Endomondo, MapMyRun, FetchEveryone and have been planning to blog reviews and comparisons of all the sites at some point. I also track my training manually in a pen and paper diary.
What do you listen to while you’re running?
Either music or nothing, depending on my mood. Last couple of years, I’ve been listening to film, TV and game music a lot. Bear Mcreary’s Battlestar Galactica soundtrack helped me conquer adverse conditions in the Lake District last year. As did this tune by Orkestra Del Sol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccTP_V82g3U
What progress have you made in the last fortnight?
None this week as it has been half term and we have been away: even if we were here I can’t get out when the children aren’t at school. The week before that, I nearly completed the 15-month c25k programme, reaching w8r2. Back to it on Sunday (on the treadmill though which is never as good).
What programme or app are you using, if any?
I use the Zen Labs c25k app, which I like because it only has “start running”, “you are halfway”, “one minute left” etc – I have heard stories of some woman called Laura giving instructions on one of the other apps? I then get home and check my distance on google maps. I have downloaded the mapmyrun app but not tested it yet. I am old fashioned and have my music and podcasts on my ipod so unless I am going to carry two devices there is an inertia to me starting to use it.
What do you listen to while you’re running?
The archers omnibus podcast or, if I am up to date, the news quiz. I’ve tried music but it doesn’t do it for me.
What progress have you made in the last fortnight?
Yesterday I went for a ‘run’ for the first time in a year. Due to feeling that I was facing up to an audit, if you will, of my sorry condition, I decided to leave all electronics at home to be better mentally present for the reckoning. I did a C25K week 1 or 2 style forty minutes through, round and out of the local park, keeping rough time counting and reckoning, but with the emphasis on jogging rather than fast walking. It was very hard. I am currently the heaviest I have ever been, and it happened to be 29C/85F and 60% humidity last night, but it wasn’t temperature or strength that presented problems, but breathing. In the last few years in NYC I’ve developed seasonal allergies (in my 30s…yeah.) so perhaps that had something to do with it, but I guess my whole respiration operation has not been used for exercise for a long time.
What programme or app are you using, if any?
I expect I’ll use NikePlus again, despite needing to calibrate it…or Mapmyrun, which I’ve used in the past. I might check out this Runkeeper people are talking about.
What do you listen to while you’re running?
When Krissa and I were doing C25K the first time I made custom playlists for the first few weeks, using songs of different genres, but appropriate tempo and length for each of us. I found my running got reinforced at a certain BPM of music so I started hunting for tracks that way (not easy). I still have a few of them, with Mac-robot instructions. Might dig those out. If anyone’s interested? It sounds like you might all be past the first 5 weeks or so already.