Started with my Apple Watch pretending to be bricked following an overnight update. Not at all stressful, trying to work out what to do. As if by magic it then just came back to life.
Took a different route today looking to the increasing runs ahead so I followed the canal south.
Lots of shade and, although I was out later than usual and it was hotter, there was a nice breeze and the humidity was dropping.
Had my usual mental struggle of being on a new route and feeling disoriented about pace and time left to run - I find this really difficult to explain or to fight with. Kept having that “you can’t do this” mental conversation, all the while being blown past by several faster runners.
Legs and body really tired on top so it wasn’t a fast run at all for me.
The route is mainly flat up to a canal basin and you can take different routes from there. One leads uphill to what I think was once a tram terminus. At 2.5k out I turned and retraced my route, so didn’t quite get that far.
It’s going to be interesting to see if I can take that hill when I’m doing longer runs, or if I bottle it and head in a different direction! It’s going to be the final part of the first half. I’ve done it on a bike and you need to use a lot of gears!
Anyway, another 5k chalked up. Second time on that route will be easier now I know the landmarks a little better. Big achievement: overtaking a canal boat!
Tip for the day. After a hot run try using Original Source Mint and Tea Tree shower gel. It really cools the skin and the feeling intensifies then lasts after you wash it off. (Be careful on your umm sensitive parts, though.)
Happy running.
Written by
Jay66UK
Graduate10
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52 Replies
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tackle that hill. you can always walk part of it to begin with. If you keep tackling it, it will get easier and will do your legs and stamina a power of good. Lovely run description, really enjoyed reading it x
Hi Jay, great post as ever. I’m glad you got your tech issues sorted out. 🙂 You’ve got to watch those canal boats, some can go quite fast 😂
Funnily enough, I’ve been looking for new routes to fit in with 7K, 8K and 9K for the next few weeks 🏃♂️ I’m hoping to be on holiday for my 55th birthday and 10K run, but I’ll see how I get on over the next 4 weeks first. 😀
It looks like the weather’s going to be warm and sunny for a while longer so we’ll all have to wary of that 🌞😎😳
I’ve found some local routes, just expanding my normal circuit route a few more roads eastwards 🙂 Time will tell whether I’ve got it right or not. No doubt Strava will tell me! 😊
If I haven’t, I’ll try local parks, particularly Lloyd Park where my nearest Parkrun is, or maybe further afield. 🤔
Holiday will be in Bognor then in Weymouth, so should be a little more scenic than Croydon ! 🌞😎😂
Not quite terrified but certainly very respectful of the challenge ahead as I’m still quite overweight and unfit. But I can grind out a slow 5k reliably now.
I'm sure everyone here would say reliable is perfect. Just go slow , go strong . That's my motto. Longer recovery time s are working for me. I'm taking about a week and a half to do three 'weekly' runs. I share your feelings of being daunted but you've taken the plunge and you're here. Congratulations!
Well done you for tackling new route. I agree it is challenging but looking back after done it is a good feeling. I’ve just started incorporating hills (previously terrified and there was no way I was going on a run with a hill) and there not nearly as bad as I feared in my head!! Firstly I jogged and walked and steadily jigging further up. Also the view from the top is worth it all. Give it a try I dare you! 🏃🏻♂️😬🙄😊
The first longer run is just 5.5k so you just go the extra 25 metres before you turn... then on the 6k you are just adding on 500m to your 5k til you turn. I know this is obvious, but when you actually come to run it, it helps to not overwhelm yourself with distance. You will be surprised that you can do it and I believe the short run plays it's part.
The short run is your lifeline, your recovery run if you like. You are out running, but you stop before you get to your limit. Physically and physologically a bit of a treat, but you know you are within the program boundaries and will benefit from it.
I hope this is helpful... and slow running is the way forward with this program. Do some extra exercises on your rest day if you can.
Very helpful. And that is exactly how I’ll “chunk” my way through this.
But my gremlins do love to have their little game at the start of every run, bless ‘em. I leave the overthinking to them cos they will do it whether I want them to or not!
I do know I can do this. And I do know it isn’t just as easy as saying it. Good lessons from C25K.
I do need to find some rest day exercise but I’m a complete wuss when it comes to joining things. Bad social anxiety for this sort of thing.
(I even lay awake last night worrying about an evening out I have today, mainly with people I know. Ridiculous and unnecessary but awful.)
Loved your run report Jay (descriptive run at home made me laugh).
Know what you mean about the social worrying - I rehearse all sorts of things and go over and over them when it's all done - and generally, it's all ok at the time with no need to go through all that!
Bluebirdrunner 's advice is great - obvious but doesn't often occur unless pointed out! I think the further you get into this, the gremlins will quieten and find someone else to annoy when they see it's not working😄.
Well done on your 5k, Jay! I have found switching up routes really helpful; but always return to my old favourite through the woods, eventually.
You can do 10k, you know. I have found the 5-10k plan easier than C25K, truly. You just have to take each runs as it comes, keep it slow and steady, and watch the miracle unfold LOL! Most of all, believe you can. 💪
I like the sound of your run along the canal Jay. Well done to you for moving off the bridge to increase your distances. I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly.
My husband UpTheStanley is just about to start the bridge too. He hasn’t run longer than 5k, or what it takes to play in s hockey match for many years so he’s taking up the challenge having seen how c25k has worked. So I will be living with it as well as reading everyone’s posts.
Sounds heavenly. I love showering before a run too on a hot day. You feel so fresh and still smell the soap as you heat up on the run, mmmm. Maybe it's just me! 🤪
Well done Jay. The overtaking a canal boat being a highlight made me laugh! We could outrun pedestrian not long ago 😂 Maybe if I ever increase my distance you could run south and I could run north on the canal and see if we manage to meet up!
I realised as I came up to the barge (which came from a different branch of the canal and met me running their way) that the people on board were going to be quite wierded out by me running alongside for a couple of K.
And I remembered the swing bridge at the end of my run. If I didn’t get there first it would spoil my cool down and delay my first cuppa. So I sped up.
you are talking to the queen of hills here! someone advised me to 'back stitch' an embroidery term I believe ..but basically run up the hill as far as you can then turn round, run down until regain your breath then run up a bit more and eventually you reach the top with added meters as a bonus ..win win
I will try that if I need to. It’s really not that steep, it’s just very very long. If I got my act together and started using Strava I could do that swish flypast thing that Sutsha does.
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Another change of plan - 5K + 2K 😊🏃♀️🥣
5k PB!
5k or fartlek? 5k fartlek!
Just a bit further
Enjoyable little 10k jaunt :)
