I have just had the most enjoyable shower, basking in the lovely warm glow not of the water, but of having just run for the longest distance I have ever done, namely the 8k run of week 4. And it was a blast!
To set the background here, I have had a hard week, not slept well, and I have a really bad cough. It wasn't looking good for 8k, so I set off with an open mind thinking that if I was struggling I could always turn back after 2.5k and make this the 5k run instead.
Off I trotted down the towpath, and I went the other way towards Poynton and Macclesfield rather than towards Marple and the Peak Forest canal. My idea had been to run 2k in one direction, 4k back, turn round, and then the final 2k would bring me home. I decided against that. At 2k I felt really good actually, and my right thigh which has been troubling me a little was not complaining at all. So - I decided to ditch my plan of turning around and keep going to 4k, so I wouldn't have any easy get-out from running the full distance.
I don't normally run this way along the canal, as I have in the past found it quite boring, but today, with the sun out but the temperature not too warm, it was just perfect. I felt I had Sadie-runs' robot legs from early on, and I just kept going at a nice steady pace. At around 3k I did hit a bit of a wall for some reason, but I quickly realised this was purely a mental wall, no sign of Donald Trump anywhere, so I just ignored it and ran.
By now this was getting quite interesting as I had never been this far along the towpath, and the changing scenery was enough to distract me from feeling tired or anything, and before I knew it, my headphones were telling me I had reached 4k, time to turn around, and say hello again to the dog-walkers I had overtaken not 5 minutes before, much to their amusement.
I have recently been using fixed-tempo running music from podrunner.com, which has really helped me control my pace. Today I ran to a 155bpm track, as I usually do on longer runs these days. That keeps me from going too fast, and stops me going too slowly. I can still vary my pace naturally, by adjusting my stride, but I find I always run at around the 7:20-7:30/km mark at this tempo. If I'm doing 4 or 5k I tend to go slightly faster, but this speed was perfect for me today.
I had a slight crisis at 6.5k when the music I was listening to finished, but I managed to find a new 155bpm track without slowing down too much And before I knew it, I had run 8k and it was time to slow down for my warm down walk. I was so tempted to keep going for another 1k then turn round, but I was good instead. I'm not sure how my body would react to that much increase in distance that quickly.
So there we have it, just the 5k run of week 4 to do now. I'm *really* enjoying this.
Oh - I'll add a pic I took to this post. It's quite hard to take pictures while running, but, well the canal is nice
I have no doubt in my mind that you will make it to 10k. You're already almost there. Ju-ju's plan rocks and has been so successful for many of us on here. You're in good company 😉
Thanks Tbae , the thing is though, I'm now wishing I had a nice new pair of running shoes too! I think Sadie-runs is having some sort of influence on me Thanks for all your encouragement though, it means a lot
Hey! Well done. It wont be long before you're clocking up 10k and beyond!!! That's a wonderful post, good run and splendid time x
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Thanks Hidden , but hang on, who said anything about "beyond"?!?!?! Mind you, I said I'd never run further than 5k, that was enough for me. Hmmmm.... food for thought I think.
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Well you don’t have to go further, but the longer runs give you more to look at, and you get into a kind of meditative state where you are one with the earth and everything around you. Love that feeling.
Thank you Wizziewood , I tihnk you've guessed my secret, the towpath is flat because water doesn't flow up, hence why I like to run along it, no hills!! Today's run was one of those really special runs where everything just goes right.
Canal towpaths are great... in the summer. Honestly, today was just perfect. It was sunny but not too hot, gentle breeze but not too windy, just altogether a very pleasant run, and I never thought I'd say that about running for 8km!
Thanks Jan, I'm very surprised actually, but I feel like the distance isn't the massive issue it was when I was doing C25K. I'm learning to adapt to it. The last couple of long runs I've felt like I could have continued to 10k, but I didn't want to risk an injury, plus I needed a cuppa, so I was good.
And the running tips were purely by accident I can assure you, though actually a lot of it seems to be common sense. It's really strange actually, I'm now enjoying the long runs more than the short ones, because I'm running faster on the short ones and it's harder, but I suspect that in turn is helping me on the longer runs. Anyway, enough sports science or whatever it is lol
Changing the subject... what do I discover next to the canal at the furthest point of my run but a cafe selling ice cream and bacon buns! I think that could somehow be worked in, in the future...
So proud of you, running buddy! And as I have yet to tackle the 8k (tomorrow, god willing) you have given me much needed hope! Well done! And you enjoyed it to boot; I am SO happy for you. The picture is glorious - lovely route and beautiful blue sky.
Seriously, you have taken to this like a duckie to water! 🦆 Now, could I please have my robot legs back for my run tomorrow please and thank you? 😁
Thanks Sadie dear! You'll be fine with the 8k, I know you will. Honestly, it was such a fun run, I loved every minute of it, all 60 of them. Me running for 60 minutes? Wow!
I can't wait to see your run report tomorrow. I shall be waiting at the finish line for you, metaphorically speaking, holding a cup of tea!!
And the robot legs? Of course you can have them back. It seems I have my own now!
Thanks ju-ju- , it's lovely in the summer at least. In winter the towpath is just mud and it's miserable lol!
I keep meaning to ask you, the repeated weeks in your plan, are they essential? Knowing me I'll be tempted to jump straight to 9k next week, and I was wondering if that's really unwise or anything. I know Sadie will tell me off for even asking lol
Jolly good I shall see how I feel at this point next week, but so far it's all good I think. I'm amazed I've got this far. I never thought I'd get past week one of Couch lol!
Thank you! It's very odd actually, it feels better when I do the longer distances than the short ones now, and the sense of acheivement is amazing. I still think back to less than a year ago when I was struggling with week 1 of Couch to 5k. It's incredible!
Thanks for the post. Just finished week 1 of Juju's plan , so this is a really encouraging because like you I can't quite believe I'm actually doing this! .Had a few tech glitches today so I accidently ran 6k instead of 5 this morning , ( very very steady) and also enjoyed some new scenery. Wow we are powerful and this running thing gives us such joy!
That makes me laugh, how many times have I seen on here, a tech glitch causing someone to run longer than they should have. I've even had it happen to me, so you're clearly in good company! JuJu's plan is good, I think. See you at the 10k finish line? Or is that the HM start line? Don't even joke
Well done Hidden ...I’ve done my last two runs at the side of the canal because of you & I’ve loved it....thank god Donald didn’t show up! I’d have been tempted to push him in!! Having a tough week has obviously made you more determined to enjoy your runs, fantastic distance & pace Neil....Thankyou for clearing the paths for me 😉
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And before I knew it, I had run 8k and it was time to slow down for my warm down walk. I was so tempted to keep going for another 1k then turn round, but I was good instead. I'm not sure how my body would react to that much increase in distance that quickly.
I ran in the rain 🥳☔
I actually ran 8k!!!!😊
Whooops...I just ran for an hour!!
