Hornbeam

I've been away for aaaaaages. Did I miss anything?

Hi CloneClubber. I reckon I'll head to the main Zombies Run app when I'm done with the C25k programme. It looks like most eps are about 30minutes, which is much less daunting from here!

Hello! Sorry I've been away. Groin shenanigans have been massively frustrating. BUT, I've seen an osteopath and things are shifting to the right track. In a nutshell, the kinetic chain that is my left leg is a bit of a shambles. To be honest, it's something of a relief to have someone say, "This is your issue, and this is what you can do about it." My running form needs to change, so that's what's gonna happen. Basically, my left leg has been coming across in front of my body rather than moving straight forward. Glutes, hamstrings and core all need strengthening. So, I'm concentrating on form, and taking things back several weeks. I've shifted from Zombies 5k to NHS Couch to 5k, for two main reasons. First is that Zombies has a lot of 'free form' runs - longish sections where you can walk or run in the proportion that feels right to you. I very much err on the side of walking. C25k is a bit more arse-kicking and prescriptive, which I need. Also Zombies runs are often upwards of 50 minutes, while C25k are more like 30. That sort of difference will get me out of the door more. I've done a couple of C25k runs, and it feels a lot better. I'm getting the odd groin twinge, but not wince-inducing pain, and different bits of my leg are giving me, the I-have-worked-and-this-is-good achey feeling. Also doing strength work, with side planks and single leg glute bridges thrown into the mix. And foot massages with a golf ball. Those hurt! Good hurt, but still! Meditation's happening, and the flat's taking shape. I'm feeling a lot more positive about the running. I've taken steps backwards in order to move forwards properly. Like Lincoln would probably have said. Probably. Hope you're all doing okay.

Scream out for the double post!

First week's not been ideal. Flare up of groin injury has subsided, so I'm getting no pain now, but I've got quite an impressive cough, and not sure it's runnable on. Looks like a run a week might be the best I can manage with this old injury, but as long as I kick in strength training in between, I reckon I'll still be on course. Yoga hasn't been happening as much - groin pain has meant that even just sitting cross-legged has been off the table. Some upper body stretching each day, but not quite what I had in mind. I'm getting some quiet moments in, but not the formal meditation that would lead me to a pass on this challenge. Edging forwards on it though. This weekend is one of household chores to turn what's become a messy flat into a more liveable one. I only moved in a week or so ago, so we're going big on making space for my things, and sorting stuff out after a lot of plumbing and decorating and lifting up of carpets. That, I think, will help with the systems life quest. Other stuff has been going well with that. I'm getting into more of a routine with work, and sorting financial stuff out. To paraphrase Lincoln (I think), moving slowly, but never backwards.

I've got strengthening exercises that I've been lax with, so I'm getting them back into the programme. Really hope it's not a thing I'm stuck with. Good idea. Will give it a go. Any particular stroke good for the glutes, or just swimming in general?

Go, Wolfie.

Hadn't even thought about climbing being scouty. Interesting...

Stupid old hip/groin injury that I thought I was done with has flared up. This is balls, and has massively slowed my progress, as I can't really trust it with the running. I'm still going to run, but go for once or twice a week, and do some more strength stuff - I suspect I need to get my glutes working better.

I'm on week 6 of the 5k. Not running as much of the free runs as I'd like, but getting there.

It's a bit of a tricky one, really. I did the reintroduction (though not to the letter, admittedly), and all was well. But now I'm eating without restrictions, various issues have flared up again. I think, a bit later in the year, I'll drop things one at a time and see what happens.

Big up the writing goal! Hope it's going well.

Ran this morning! Hooray! Stilled walked most of it, and stopped for stretchings, but covered 5k in 51minutes. It's nice to have done that distance, and I can keep checking in with times, and gradually knock the minutes off. Got home and yoga'd. And meditated on a very delayed train. Not wholly what I'm going for, but I'll take the first day win so far. The above makes me feel like I'm edging towards a morning routine too, so it's all good so far.

Went for a run! Woot! I mean, didn't run much. Still very much walking. But doing bursts of 2.5 - 5 minutees of running, and when I think how 30 seconds used to break me, I'm really pleased. In less good news, my macbook charger has got lost in the post. Sixty-five quid to replace it! Jeeeeebus!

Subbed!

Stolen a march on the lifequest. Have applied to transfer my current account to a more ethical provider. I was with HSBC, but am so very tired of big corporations and tax dodging bullshit! Nice to have ticked something off before the challenge even starts!

Good luck on the noble, dumping Starbucks challenge. Remember, it's not you, it's them.

Wowzers. Big year and a great challenge! Subbed.

Thanks chaps. Woggles is what scouts use to tie their scarves. Trolleybags is what lazy people use as luggage.

...and joins the Scouts Running's been on my list of things to do for, somewhat, ever. I get to a certain point in a beginners' programme, and just stop. It's never my number one goal, and other things take over. But not this time. On this challenge it's my number one. That's why I've joined the Scouts. Hello. It's also why I've signed up to a couple of races later in the year. So: 1. Run 5k without stopping - will involve finishing Zombies' Run 5k training, and starting to go to parkrun (STA - 5) 2. Yoga 3 times a week. My osteopath put me on to doyogawithme.com. They've got workouts of different lengths, focusing on different parts of the body. I'd hope to do something every day, but for a pass, it's 3 times a week. (DEX - 3)(CON - 2) 3. Meditation. It helps every other part of my life, so I must make time for it. 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week. (WIS - 3)(CHA - 2) Lifewise: I'm going to sort out personal admin systems. That will partly be about morning routines, and partly working out how best to work. I'm an actor and writer, self-employed, and too often get waylaid. Systems to sort that are the way forward, so I'll be working on that this challenge. Trying some stuff out. It will also include finance: closing dormant bank accounts, shifting current account to a more ethical one, sorting out receipts for tax purposes, and putting a filing system together so that tax isn't a nightmare each year. (WIS - 2)(CON - 2) I found on the last challenge that I ended up concentrating on only one quest (doing a Whole30), which wasn't a bad thing. If the same happens this time, and I can only get one quest done, it's running. Bring it etc.

Does anyone else have a sort of attribute bogeyman? The one attribute they keep avoiding or not quite fitting into a challenge? Mine's dexterity. I can't quite work out if I'm avoiding it, or don't have a clear enough idea of it to put it into stuff. I may go for a yoga goal for the next challenge in order to do something about it...

Congratulations! You did it!!

Yep. What redtomato501 said. Are you going to do the next challenge?

Signed up. Water, okra and squats. Hear me roar. BTW, you're jolly welcoming, you lot. Thank you.

Gaaargh! Signed up to things! Macmillan 10K on 21st June Royal Parks Half Marathon on 11th October God help me.