Putting lockdown to good use and rediscovering fitness

Being largely housebound and restricted to just one form of outdoor exercise a day encouraged people to use that time wisely.

Running trainers were dusted down, the dog’s walk became that little bit longer and have you ever seen as many bikes on our roads?

For those choosing to pound the pavements, the Couch to 5k programme became the go to form of exercise.

Easy to get into for beginners, a simple motivational app downloaded to your phone talks you through the very early stages of getting back running again.

Your runs are broken down into small segments of running and walking while building up your stamina.

Couch to 5k, an idea which was formed in the USA 25 years ago to help folk into jogging from square one, had been popular before lockdown but has seen a surge of participation over the past few weeks.

Leven Las Vegas Running Club has been helping beginners into running for some time and jog leader Ian Shield says it’s the perfect way to refind your fitness.

He said: “LLV is a group focussed on helping beginners exercise through jogging and running, but it became apparent a few years ago that we weren’t attracting those who wanted to become more physically active but who didn’t want to turn up to a running group by themselves.

“So we started doing ten week-long C25k courses where participants all start at the same time in a group, progressing literally step by step until they all do a 5k together.

“It makes it a social activity rather than something folk have to do by themselves.

“You’re more likely to succeed in a group where there is mutual motivation and support. LLV has over a dozen trained jog leaders and they provide support throughout the course, taking turns to lead, advise and motivate.

“Graduates from previous courses are also a great help during training sessions.”

Couch to 5k is heavily promoted by the NHS and the BBC who both have their own apps which can be downloaded.

Leven Las Vegas hosts one course a year with around 50 people joining up.

Unfortunately the March 2020 course had to be cancelled because of lockdown restrictions.

“The course begins very gently with a warm-up then very short segments, usually around one minute, of slow jogging and walking,” added Ian.

“There is one formal session per week and participants have to do another two ‘homework’ sessions themselves.

“Jog leaders will usually help at one of the homework sessions, normally on a Sunday morning.

“Jogging segments increase each week in keeping with capabilities.

“Training is time based, not speed or distance based, so people can go at their own pace. As a running group, it has been truly inspirational to watch so many people take this on and achieve what they had previously thought impossible.

“The final graduation 5k run at St Andrews parkrun always attracts lots of LLV members who come to run with the C25kers.

“It’s a real celebration.”

Info can be found at levenlasvegas.wordpress.com/couch-to-5k/