Magic Plan W3 R2, evening 5k

[Cp1965]

I don't go out of an evening very often, I feel more comfortable in a morning for whatever reason. But today I decided to go out before dinner and do Run 2 of Week 3, 5k run. It actually felt a lot harder than running in a morning, even though I'd had over 2l of water throughout the day, and my first 0.5km split came up with a time of over 7 minutes... wasn't expecting much after that really, so just pushed on at a comfortable pace.

I wasn't really listening to the splits tonight, heard Ms Strava say 6.42 and 6.32, so just kept going with no expectations. I was expecting the park to be busier than it was, having said that there were still the usual cyclists playing their game of "how close can we get to the runner", and the walkers ambling along in line abreast at the speed of continental drift... had to take to the grass a couple of times, and after Monday's off road excursion I was naturally a bit wary. I knew I was approaching the end so started to listen to the splits, and was pleasantly surprised when 4.5k came up in less than 29 minutes, so I consciously tried to lengthen my stride for the last 500m just to see if I could get a decent time in. Went a little bit over, probably because the actual 5k mark was under tree cover and I think the GPS must have been a bit wonky! But, another 5k under my belt, bronze medals for 5k and 2 miles, so all in all I'm quite chuffed with that. Back home then for dinner of home made Scotch eggs, salad and home made apple sauce, rehydrating now (treated myself to a low sugar hot choc!) and preparing for Saturday's 7k run. Done that distance before during consolidation so I'm hoping it won't be too much of a struggle, from then on it's uncharted territory!)

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Good run for you Cp1965, evening runs are great now that Autumn is here.

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Another 5k for you and it sounds like a great run. Good luck with the rest of the 10k plan 😊

[Hidden]

Lots to be positive about here!! Go nice and steady for the 7k and keep relaxed throughout and you'll be fine 😊

[Tillybeach Graduate10]

Well done, that all sounds great. I know what you mean by other park users. I try and tell myself that others are just enjoying themselves and as I approach I cannot expect them to get out of the way. However, I have found my list of annoyances are ever increasing, groups of dog owners (I am one too!!), other runners running beside each other so I have to go in the cycle lane, dogs walking in front of me to name a few! It's probably only as I'm exhausted, but running helps the soul and the mind, so I am calm 😌. This was very tested recently as I was looking at my watch loads as I was really close to 5k and couldnt wait to stop and a little girl rode on her bike and said in the cutest voice "do you know where the toilet is?" So I had to stop and tell her, I had paused the watch and as I had stopped running I thought that will do, I must have reached my goal. Fitbit reads 4.99 k! Was I annoyed- well yes!!!

The scotch eggs sound gorgeous by the way!!

[Cp1965 Graduate10 in reply to Tillybeach]

They were! On my "to do" list again, may well do myself a couple for my work lunch one day. I used some proper butcher's sausage which made all the difference, and sprinkled a bit of parmesan over before sticking in the oven for that tangy coating.

[TallTeal2020 Graduate10]

Nice one, that's a great run. If I've got a free day I prefer to run in the morning but if a run falls on a work day then I get the stresses of the day out by running after work, around 6pm. I often find it just as enjoyable as most folk are inside eating their dinner and the 5 o'clock traffic has passed so it can be quite a quiet and peaceful time to run.

Well done following the plan. I started it but struggled with 3 runs a week so building up my strength with more CRs before attempting it again.

[Cp1965 Graduate10 in reply to TallTeal2020]

I'm struggling to find the time at the moment to be honest, although now I'm doing the structure of the Magic Plan that is helping, when I was just running "ad hoc" I didn't feel as motivated to go out somehow. If you get my drift.

[CBDB Graduate10]

I still have yet to get used to evening runs. It is probably good to have the confidence running at any time in order to have that flexibility. But I also really struggle running at any other time than early in the morning. So well done!

And I’m rather intrigued by your segment titles. My runkeeper doesn’t have titles like that! 😉

[Cp1965 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

A local running club also uses the country park where I run, and my Strava has picked up some of their segments. If you know the area "chased by geese" makes perfect sense - the lakes in the park are home to many waterfowl which see human beings as a ready source of food!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Cp1965]

🤣🤣 🦆

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Sounds like you enjoyed your evening run! I'm intrigued by the 'chased by geese' section!

[Cp1965 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

My profile photo will explain much...