Nice to have this community be able to tell someone. Thanks for reading.
I went off- plan this early summer morning. The target was 55 minutes on jujus plan. Didn't do it.
I took the car a couple of miles away as it hasn't been moved for a while, parked, and then ran along the drive past the hall, between the two lodges and looped back. The ground is flat and not all tarmac. I met a startled rabbit and and some pretty piglets, but nobody else . When my voice told me I had run for 5km I was back near the car and (Oh no!) succumbed to temptation. The 55minutes target would do for another day.
The success part is - I ran 5k under 40 minutes for the first time ever. Whoopee !(It was 39m 23sec) So now I know I can do it. It's been a long time coming.
I recorded the time on 'not Park run' and saw my age graded result. (60.47%). So I was pleased with that and proud that because , at the end of March and start of lockdown I found it a great struggle to run for even one minute .
If I live four more months my percentage should go up as I will be in the next age grade (over 75). So I'll just keep running and , of course , keep breathing.
Lesson learned?
Don't try for two targets at once
Don't park the car where you have to pass it before you have finished. The temptation is too much for a human.
Put a couple of soft dried apricots in your pocket.
Thanks for reading !