Crossing the Bridge Gang Week 5: Hello... - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

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Crossing the Bridge Gang Week 5

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator
42 Replies

Hello Everyone,

We are going into week 5 now. Thank you so much everyone for waiting for me. I ran 3 x 5K runs last week. Not fast, around a 7 min/km pace but I'm happy to be running it all. How is everyone getting on? One more week of consolidation and next week we will start moving across the Bridge together.

How are all of you doing? How do you feel? Would everyone be ready to start crossing the bridge to 10K next week?

So far in our gang we have, Devon_Straggler, Saratamsin, Raisemeup, DylanTheRabbit, Lablove, Kirst13, Tansycat, Foxile, MamaKeeves, Sammy_Lou, Popstess, Oldgirlruns, UnfitNoMore, Sueken, Joggingonthewildside, Tetleyteagirl, ThisGirlNowRuns, Knitruntalk, Howie1210, Meanmommab, Comaltdel, Tofino, kjm20, 51mc, berrinio, Tabbles

If I am missing anyone let me know. Also if any one would like to join in please let me know. All welcome. Have a good week everyone.

Damien

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damienair profile image
damienair
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42 Replies
Sammy-Lou profile image
Sammy-Lou

Hi Damienair yes I’m doing well and ready as I’ll ever be! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Sammy-Lou

Fantastic and looking forward to next week.

DylanTheRabbit profile image
DylanTheRabbitGraduate10

Sounds like you're making solid progress.

I'm still a little ahead, but being in this group has turned 10k into a firm goal for me.

Since we last checked in I've done one tired rubbish feeling 40min run (roughly 5k), one amazing feeling evening 50min run (nearly 7k) and another 40min run where I deliberately went to the only place in the village that there's an off road hill to run up. I'm sure it's good for me to do it, using different muscles. I find it very hard to control my effort going up hill, I always end up out of the conversational zone when I get to the top! On the positive side I've found a phone app that can measure my cadence and I got my cadence up to 180 for a little bit of that run. I'm pretty sure it was on an uphill section, it's very hard to stride out when going uphill.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to DylanTheRabbit

Very well done. Yes hill training is great for building strength and endurance. Great running.

Tetleyteagirl profile image
TetleyteagirlGraduate10

Hi Damienair, I’ve been plodding along too, managing 30 mins and up to 4Omins for 5k now, still struggling with heat, but sooo tough/ boring if I head to gym instead, much rather be outside. Regards to all 😊

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Tetleyteagirl

Well done and I am looking forward to starting to cross the bridge with next week.

Tofino profile image
TofinoGraduate10

Hi I'm doing 3 runs a week between 5 and 6 k but I am very slow. 5 k takes me around 45 mins. Hoping by increasing distance that eventually my speed will increase as well. 🙂

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Tofino

You are doing great. Speed is not important. You are already well set to start crossing the bridge. Happy running.

Devon_straggler profile image
Devon_stragglerGraduate10

Even on a flat route, 7 min/km average is only a dream! Glad you're back to 3 x 5k a week though, even if it's not at a speed you would previously have managed. As I said over on the quest, I managed 2 x 30 min runs this week, plus my longer run - 55 mins this week. All completed successfully, but I'm finding the long runs a bit tougher mentally. The thought at 30 mins in that I'm only about half way through makes the gremlins come out. I know I can do it, I have distractions in the form of an audiobook, and being several miles from home also helps me to keep running! But the thought of pushing past 1 hr isn't tempting at the moment (it'll take me at least 1h 15 to complete the 10k).

So although I'm ahead of some of the bridge gang, I might stick at the 60 min runs for a few weeks after I get there, as another consolidation process. Then as you get to the same point, I'll pick it up on the distance plan. I expect to do something just over 7.5k at 60 mins, so would join you on W4 of the bridge. I'll also need to start extending one of my 30 min runs to a 5k in that intermediate time too, as currently they're about 4k. That's the plan anyway!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Devon_straggler

Good plan and you are doing great. I did my very first 10K in a time of 1 hour and 20 minutes which I was thrilled with. I’m the same as you, I need to get beyond mental barriers which my gremlins throw up against me. Your doing amazingly well.

kjm20 profile image
kjm20Graduate10

Yes, I'm good to go.... at my new slow pace. It will be helpful to consolidate rather than increase distance this week. 🙂

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to kjm20

Great. Well done. Next week will be a nice gradual increase.

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10

Hi Damien and Le Gang! After my complete failure to run at all at Saturday’s parkrun (though completed as a walk in 45:45!) I thought I’d try running this morning. I only did 3k but didn’t stop or walk so I felt a bit better - after only running once in the last fortnight and having no enthusiasm, I was beginning to wonder if I really wanted to carry on with it! I’m impressed with your 3 x 5k a week Damien, you’re definitely ready for the Bridge ! Not sure if I am but I’ll see how parkrun goes on Saturday and give it a whirl - I really need something to focus on! Happy running folks!

Tabbles profile image
TabblesGraduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns

I think we all get the running blues.

Great that you have managed your 3k after the parkrun.

I'm sure you will smash the parkrun this week.

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10 in reply to Tabbles

Thanks Tabbles, getting back to 10k seems a long way off but I’m sure I’ll get there eventually! Slowly, but eventually!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns

Looking forward to seeing you at Lakeside OGR!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Oldgirlruns

Stay with us Oldgirlruns , I couldn’t run 5K without 3 walking breaks up until a couple of weeks ago. I am still not fit but I am going to continue with the bridge. Each week we will be doing one long run and the other 2 runs will be 5K. The first long run will just be 5.5K and each week we will just be adding 500 meters onto each long run. You can still do it and continue to have an odd walking break if needs be. I’d lost focus completely. This Crossing the Bridge Gang journey is helping to keep me motivated.

Tabbles profile image
TabblesGraduate10

Not sure what to run this week. The couch 2 5k app did keep me on track. But left to me own devices, I keep losing track, maybe I need to keep a spreadsheet. Last week I did the JuJu Week 6 but this should have been week 5 didn't realize that there were 2 subsequent 8k.

This week I have ran a 6.5k on Monday based on the time I had.

I think I will treat this as my 5k, So tomorrow I need to decide to short or long run and if long run do I go for another 9k.

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10 in reply to Tabbles

When I did JuJu’s plan last year I printed it off and stuck it on the fridge door so I could tick off each run - no chance of going wrong!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Tabbles

Your well ahead of me at the moment. From next week we will be doing 2 x 5K runs and adding 500 meters per week onto 1 run. Looking forward to seeing you on the bridge.

berrinio profile image
berrinioGraduate10

Thanks for the motivation, will try and do 3 x 5K this week. Just went and did one after reading this. 37 minutes, felt better. Will do another on Thursday and then Parkrun on Saturday - I’ve put it in writing now so I’ll have to do it… :)

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to berrinio

Well done, your doing great. Looking forward to starting to cross the bridge with you next week.

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10

Thanks Damien - all I can do is give it a go!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Oldgirlruns

You’ll be fine. We will all do it together. It will be a nice gradual increase.

Popstess profile image
Popstess

Hey gang, I'm not doing great with the running at the moment. Only managed once a week for the last couple of week, will run twice this week though, ran for 30 minutes yesterday and running for 40 minutes tomorrow

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Popstess

Very well done

ThisGirlNowRuns profile image
ThisGirlNowRunsGraduate10

Not sure what’s happened but am really struggling to get motivated. Originally put it down to the heat a few weeks ago but have since only been out a couple of times ☹️. Really enjoyed it when I did but just keep telling myself I won’t be able to run any more. Rubbish. Need to get back out there and join you all 🏃‍♀️

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to ThisGirlNowRuns

Yes come on and join us. I also found parkrun was a great way to keep running and stay motivated. We will be starting to slowly increase distance next week. I too was really struggling with motivation but I’m finding that this gang is keeping me motivated.

Lablove profile image
Lablove60minGraduate

Well, I was doing reasonably well until this morning…. My 3rd 5K plus run this week was going really well, then I tripped on a paving slab and went flying. Embarrassed doesn’t cover it but it did make me finish after a bit of a walk. Going to have a long soak to get the bits of my leggings out of my knee 🙄 Hopefully still up to cross the bridge though.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Lablove

Ah no. I hope you are OK. Don’t be embarrassed, I really hope you are OK. The soak will be a nice relaxing way to recover.

Lablove profile image
Lablove60minGraduate in reply to damienair

Bit bruised and scraped, but all fine thanks.

Popstess profile image
Popstess

Managed to get out for a 30 minute run tonight 4.50km it was really hot though, I prefer it cooled even raining 😂

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Popstess

Very well done. Great pace.

Tabbles profile image
TabblesGraduate10

Well I did my long run on Wednesday , I think it was 9k but forgot to turn on the app. Recorded 8k and as I retraced a previous run should be 9k.

So 2 short runs and then I have a decision, do I go for the 10k or repeat a shorter distance.

Time is the main issue as I normally run in the morning trying to hydrate and get back to shower and start work for 8. May leave the long until next weekend.

Picture from my last run, with the Balmoral and SS Great Britain. Also had views of the suspension bridge.

Balmoral and SS Great Britain.
damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Tabbles

Very well done. Yes I used to do 2 shorter 5K runs during the week and a long run at the weekend. Loads of time to relax and do it then. Excellent running.

Raisemeup profile image
Raisemeup60minGraduate

Good morning Damien and all 10k Bridgers. I had a good run yesterday afternoon, warm with that welcomed cool breeze appearing just as it's needed. I thought I would slow down from the outset and see how far I could go and I'm pleased that I managed 4.2 miles (6.7k) and for me that is the furthest to date. In fact, I think I could have gone on but I had reached the main road and needed to allow for a cool down walk back to my car.My pace was quite slow so my time not to shout about at 1hr 4mins, but at least this was all running with no walk breaks. I'm sensing I might just be on my way to 10k and, hopefully, if I feel it, I'll do it! . A big bonus I'm noticing is that I have no aches and pains the day after running - my daily yoga stretches are paying off I think!

So on we go, and best wishes to Damien and all of you 😊

Kirst13 profile image
Kirst13Graduate10

I include my warm up and down walks in my distance, so most of my actual running times aren't 5k, but a few have been longer. I took about 20 weeks to do the 9 weeks of c25k, but feel I will be able to add distance/time more steadily now, as after that 1st 10 minutes I settle into it and often feel I could perhaps go further at the end.

Raisemeup profile image
Raisemeup60minGraduate in reply to Kirst13

Whatever works for you and gets you to where you want to be is the best course.As you say, the first 10 mins are also when my body complains, I feel aches, heaviness but I just get on with it and before long they fade, I find my pace and my plan takes over.Good luck with your quest for 10k, it will happen when you are ready and may just surprise you as you add distance and with that reserve you sometimes feel you have in your tank!. Best wishes ☺️

Lablove profile image
Lablove60minGraduate

Had a good feel this morning, bit of drizzle which was actually quite nice. Had planned a 5K route but when I got to the point I planned to turn off I just kept going. Ended up doing… this, the furthest I’ve ever run. Feeling well chuffed. 😊

Run
Raisemeup profile image
Raisemeup60minGraduate

Like Lablove, I went out for a Bank Holiday run thinking I'd do a 5k around the lake and through the park. However, it was my kind of weather, cool and overcast with a gentle breeze and I settled in slowly but surely. I didn't even check my watch until 3.6 miles so already beyond 5k, and as my pace had been slow, found I could keep going.I'm so pleased to say that I managed 5. 01 miles, or a little over 8k. I wasn't breathless and only slightly achey so just went on until I reached a main road and then my cool down return walk to my car.

I'm now feeling that 10k is going to happen before too long, admittedly it won't be record breaking but, for me it will be a real achievement in my late 60s.

Good luck everyone and happy running.

Best wishes ☺️.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Raisemeup

Fantastic and very well done.

Tabbles profile image
TabblesGraduate10

I thought I had already posted this but I can't see it. So I have decided to join the cancer research run 60 miles in September, this will be 10 more than I did in August.

First run of the week/month and 5.2 miles banked.

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