Bridge to Madness Week 5 Resit

[UpTheStanley]

Having seen Sallenson’s latest, I really must make sure I get off this bridge at Dagenham 😉.

Anyone following this drivel will know I broke myself a bit on the long run last Monday, my left calf seizing up after 4.5k out of 8. After a couple of days resting, icing and stretching I tried a gentle 3.5k with Dexy5 on Thursday and, still feeling it a bit, Parkrun at her improving pace (34’20”) on Saturday. So I'm claiming that as W5's 5k .

On Tuesday, calf still a bit stiff especially up and down stairs, I was thinking of doing 2k with Dexy and 2k at, hopefully, my Parkrun pace (~5’/k), and claim that as my W5 short run. Then she announced she was going to try for 5.5k (odd distance, that 😉) so I thought I’d push mine out a bit to see what happened. 2k together in 14’45”, then trying to step it up I managed 4k at an average 5’42” pace, turning for home after 1.5k of that. Having caught Dexy at the 6k point (5k for her), I provided gentle encouragement (“of course you b****y can!” 😊) over her last 500m before stepping up again. With the café that marks the finish at the 7k point, it was quite an easy decision to push the distance to 8, and probably a stupid one to push the pace up for a 5’30” last k, with last 200m or so at under 5’. So W5 long run in the bag in 49’53”, first time over 6’/K average but OK in the circs.

Little change with calf on Thursday, and now Dexy has “come out” and admitted she’s on the Bridge, so for her it’s 2.5k with funny bits. So together …. a steady K in 7’02”, then 500m with 3 little pushes up to about 6’30” pace, time for 500m 3’24”, then a supposedly steady final K in 6’35” but speeding up all the time (no idea if this was intended 😊) with the last 500m in 3’11” and a final pace of 6’09”/k according to Mr Garmin. Blooming heck, what’s happening to her??!!!! And that left me to do 1.5k to complete my W5 short run, which I did in 7’06”, 500m splits of 2’23”, 2’27” and 2’16” for a 24’07” total.

So onto Week 6, hoping to start with a Parkrun somewhere close to 25’ but still a bit conscious of the damn leg …. Onward and upward!

[sallenson Graduate10]

Don't blame me!! Blame the parents!!

No-one's ever "come out" to me while running. That may be a forum first

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Well done, UpTheStanley! Some amazingly speedy bits, as to be expected. I hope the calf settles. 😃🏃‍♂️❤️

I’m taking it easy with my spine at the moment, so may have to settle for a short potter rather than a Parkrun this weekend...

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

So I gather ☹️. Get well soon!

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Hope the calf calms down - looks like you had a great run there with Dexy5 😁😁

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Thanks. She never ceases to amaze!

[LoungeLizaard Graduate10]

Ice ice baby! Hope the calf sorts itself out. Great write up. 🏃‍♂️

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to LoungeLizaard]

Yep, ice after exercise is the new regime. Trouble is, means I have to sit down with my feet up for ages 😄 - ooh that’s hard 🤗

[LoungeLizaard Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

You could always ask Dexy for a massage!! lol

[Hidden]

I get stiff calves sometimes as it's hilly here. I use a roller wand and also walk round on tiptoes at home, both of which help a lot.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick, if there is one thing I can definitely rule out as a cause, it’s hills!

[Hidden in reply to UpTheStanley]

LOL!