Short and Sweet 3K ☀️🏃‍♀️👍

[Jools2020]

Well, I didn’t feel like running this morning. The gremlins were doing their best! 😈. “Ive left it too late” “I’m tired” “I just don’t feel like it” “I haven’t really been enjoying my runs lately”.

But the morning was sunny (if a little chilly) and I knew I’d feel better after my run, so I forced myself to put my running clothes on. Once I started with the preparations, I knew I’d go. Long sleeved top, back in the running tights again, gloves & sun visor. Quick look in the mirror, yes - gorgeous again! 😊

Music today, one of my favourite playlists, ELO, Pink Floyd and Queen. I start the music and my watch. And I sing. I start off steady. I need to follow my own advice and slow down a bit more. First km done and slightly faster than I really wanted today. I’ve had trouble with the 2nd kilometre ruining my negative splits since I moved here. It’s slightly uphill on the route I’ve been taking, but nothing dramatic. I try to speed up slightly and it works. I’m singing along to Queen and greeting other runners as I see them. My watch buzzes the pace for the second km and it’s faster than the first! Other than that, I don’t care what it is, but I’m encouraged so I decide this run will be short and sweet, so I increase pace more for the last km. The first 300 metres are slightly uphill, so I take shorter steps and repeat my mantra “Hills are my friends” 😊.

Then it’s downhill all the way! I end the run. For the first time in weeks I enjoyed a run. It feels good! I made the right decision to keep it short. ‘Home’ for stretches and coffee ☕️ followed by a big bowl of porridge 🥣

Splits: 8:01, 7:39, 6:43

[nowster Graduate10]

Well done in tackling that hill. 👍

I had the opposite problem yesterday. My middle kilometre (with the hilly bits) of the three was faster than the other two, probably because I have been working on trying to keep the same pace uphill as on the flat.

3km is a great "kick start the day" distance. It sets up a nice buzz which lasts much of the rest of the day.

(As per advice from pretty much everyone here, no running for me today. You might not realise how much of a steadying effect you all have.)

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thanks, nowster. It works both ways; the encouragement I’ve received when things haven’t been going so well has kept me going.

You’re right about the shorter distance being a kick start to the day. Today I felt great both during the run and afterwards, for the first time since I’ve moved. My fitness has definitely suffered over the last weeks but I’m confident now about regaining it.

I’m glad you are resting today; it’s a wise decision.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I've been for my walk this evening, which has given me a clue to what I've been doing wrong. I felt the area "pulling" when I did my usual long legged stride (think John Cleese).

I'm going to do a very sedate jog tomorrow, with shorter steps, done at my 10k pace. If anything feels wrong, I'm walking.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Sounds like a plan to carefully test it out, but it’s going to be hard not running with your usual long strides.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I shall take it as a challenge.

[Hidden]

Pesky gremlins thwarted julia well done 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Ian. Soon sorted them out today, I think it was the lovely sunshine here. It does make it easier to make the decision.

[Hidden in reply to Jools2020]

That weather is definitely a game changer Julia, twas a chilly Welsh run this morning, but dry and bright 😎

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

Sounds like the perfect start to the day!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

It really was! Now I need to learn to love the longer runs again , too.

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I'm sure you will but in the meantime it's good to rediscover the joy of the shorter ones too 🙂

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Well done on getting out there Jools , Especially beating the Gremlins.

And nice play list 😁👍

I finished at lunch time today but then had a bacon butty after which the 'Couldnt be bothered gremlin' got the better of me 🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, Ian. Oh no! The ‘couldn’t be bothered’ gremlin is the worst one! 😂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

But I bet that bacon butty went down a treat 😋

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

You’ve said those delicious words again. Now I’m going to have to get bacon & rolls for after my Saturday run!!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Like you wouldn't have anyway...

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

😂

[LottieMW Ambassador]

WooHoo! Go you! Hills ARE your friend 😉⛰

Perfect negative splits 🥰

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Today, they were! 🥰

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Jools2020]

Yes!!!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

The Queen of Negative Splits is back! 😁👍💪

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Well, let’s just say she put in a rare appearance 😂

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Negative splits are awesome, I’ve never managed them, I’m pleased you got out even with a load of gremlins trying to stop you starting

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

First time I’ve managed negative splits since I moved here. Even on the shorter runs! Yes, the gremlins were there in full force, but the sun was beckoning, which helped a lot. I’m going to have to start my runs earlier, I think, to avoid the kids going to school.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

At leas they are going to school and not playing in my park on their bikes and scooters 😀but i know what you mean, at school time there can be droves of them

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes, they block the path and there are parked cars which make it difficult to go onto the road to run.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

Yes, large groups all chattering and filling huge amounts of space

[Peter44 Graduate10]

That's great your now enjoying the runs, which i guess shows that you must be more settled now, after the move, and that last km, well you were flying again!! 💨💨😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thanks, Peter. Yes, trying to make the best of it. 😊

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Give it time Julia, that's all you can do, but you'll get there!! ☺

[Hidden]

Well done for beating those gremlins! I know all about the 'I just don't feel like it' gremlins. They are baaaaaad (sounds like a sheep now). But you went AND you enjoyed it! Well done!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! 😊

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Sounds like my run on Wednesday! Same as you, I just didn’t feel like it, and did just over 3k. But well done for getting out there, and I’m sure you’ll be raring to go next time. Running’s a funny old thing really when you think about it 😊. Have a great Friday! 👍🏃‍♀️👏🏼😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thanks. I always feel good after a run, but this one was the first one in a while that I actually enjoyed running 😊

[58soon Graduate10]

Sounds perfect. Sometimes you get more out of a short run if you increase the speed. I did a similar thing yesterday and feel stiff today even though I ran 3k less than usual!Enjoy the sunshine x

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to 58soon]

Thanks! I’m trying not to put too much effort in, want to enjoy my runs again! 😊

[Fionamags Graduate10]

You won out over the gremlins - hardest bit done!!! 😂

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Yes, I did. Victory was mine! 😊