When I see people running it makes me want to put on my trainers and get out there. Then I remember I am a terrible runner. But I think I have always focused on improving and time and I now just look at time on feet and enjoying it, and it has made it much more enjoyable!
I say couch to 5k again as I feel I have done this multiple times before, but I find these plans work! Last year I used a plan that synched with my apple watch but I am back to using my good old faithful Garmin Fenix watch and so this time I opted for the Jeff Galloway Garmin Coach Plan.
Jeff Galloway 5k Plan
I knew of Jeff Galloway as the creator of the Galloway run walk run and that sounds like a plan I could get behind! It is claimed to help with fatigue and injury.
I know many runners and a lot who adopt different methods or structure run/walking at different ratios and felt that this would be a good fit.
The Garmin Coach Plan
The plan itself links from my Garmin Connect app direct to my watch. I set the days I want to train and it schedules the rest for me. You can reschedule a workout too if you need to change any.
Once the watch is synched I can start my activity and the scheduled workout is good to go! Once I finish it syncs again and the workout is then ticked off and progress logged.
There are 12 weeks in total in the plan and in the app I can see the schedule, the next workout and those that I have completed.
It could just be my personal preference but I like to know in advance what is on the plan.
Where I Run
I am surrounded by trails so spoilt when it comes to trail running and I much prefer that than pounding the pavements if I have a choice. There is also the canal at the end of my road too, which is very popular with runners. However, I have tripped up a few times so have a number of bruises on my legs. I think being a bigger and slower runner I have a short stride and there are no high knees so all the rocks and tree roots are obstacles as I go.
How It Is Going
When I go back to years ago when I did my first 5k I believe it took me somewhere in the region of 49 minutes. On the trails I think I am probably around about the same level now. I could let that dishearten me but honestly I don’t care (not sure if that is a good or bad thing) as I am actually enjoying it. When I go back to the UK and don’t run I look forward to getting back to it when I come home to Sweden. Who am I?
This morning was the final scheduled run on the plan and although it is Couth to 5k, the run was a total of 4.7 miles, so 7.5k. I won’t claim there are no walking breaks because there are and I am fine with that.
What’s Next?
I am not doing this with an event in mind or to increase distance. I am doing it to enjoy the trails, keep active and get some run fitness. This all helps when cycling and hiking so one complements the other nicely.
Hopefully there is less tripping up in the coming weeks!
Leave a Reply