I wasnβt planning on running this morning. Of that I was certain. Then when I got up, I looked out of my bedroom window and saw a runner! A seed of doubt entered my mind and I started thinking about the NRC guided runs. If I were to go out running, perhaps I should increase my time spent running slightly. Just by 10-15 minutes. And if I were to run it would only take 10 minutes or so to have everything charged. So I got dressed and out on my running gear. I didnβt have to be anywhere today. Before I knew it, I was out on my warm up walk up the hill towards the park. How did that even happen? After my warm up walk I turned and set the guided run. Iβve listened to this one quite a few times, but definitely not in the last 6 months. Perhaps even a year.
I press the button on my watch, start the guided run and off I go - walking briskly to start with down the hill. This is my new tried and tested way of keeping that first vital km slow. After a couple of minutes I glide into a slow jog, listening to Coach Bennett and Andy Puddicombe. Love these headspace guided runs! I head towards Tesco and start my 2nd km. In my head I already know the route Iβm taking to extend my running time. Iβm hopeful that there wonβt be any steep hills, but Iβm not sure. Iβm warmed up now and overdressed for the mild morning, but didnβt think the world was ready to face my white winter legs so stuck to my lightweight tights and long sleeved top.
I run on, straight over a roundabout where I would usually turn left to head back towards home. I head to the next roundabout instead and turn left at that one. I notice that Iβm running in heartrate Zone 4, which was not part of my plan, but I keep going as it seems fairly comfortable. Iβm hoping for a gentle downhill towards the town, but it was not to be! The road is curving upwards instead and now Iβm in heart rate zone 5. I decide to turn round and go back the way I came, back to the first roundabout. There I get the downhill I wanted and was able to speed up for a faster finish.
The guided run is good and kept my mind occupied in a way that music doesnβt. I had it in the back of my mind that this 45 minute guided run would probably mean a 5K run for me and it was! Very happy with that! Home for stretches, coffee βοΈ and bacon butties!! πββοΈπβοΈ
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate10
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Awesome, very well done! πͺπππππ It sounds like a great run ππ soon enough you'll know all the ins and outs of the terrain, go Jools! πππ that breakfast sounds amazing π and definitely well deserved! I wish there was some decent vegan bacon out there but it's just one of those things I've had to learn to live without
Thanks Beatles! And a second run this week, very happy. Yes, getting to know the area. Had a few visitors in the last week or so, too - all good! I had a brief flirtation with a vegetarian diet a few years ago and I missed bacon the most I think π
Iβm exactly the same with bacon. I donβt mind the Richmond one but I have made myself accept that itβs a compromise substitute rather than anything like a like for like replacement.
Itβs great to spot someone else who is a fan of the good coffee as a run reward! Sounds like a fantastic one this morning-you absolutely earned your butties and caffeine.
Those βIβm not going to run today but Iβm now going runningβ last minute changes of mind always end in great runs!
Ooh bacon butties π₯π and it's not even the weekend!Nice 5k Jools. Sounds like you're settling in. You'll have all those routes with a downhill finish mapped out in no time!π
Thanks, Diane. It feels like it should be the weekend, though! Not sure why, itβs been an odd week. Yes, Iβm getting to know the area. Lots of green spaces here - not sure whether to go out and find one, or go into town (10 minute walk) for a bit. Spoilt for choice ππ
Sounds like a good run this morning Jools and how exciting to have a new area to discover. I did a 5k this morning too, the weather was gorgeous and bumped into a friend running in the opposite direction - 15 mins later.......... Have a lovely Easter π£
It's good to know that there are positive gremlins out there too, persuading you out of the door when you didn't mean to run - much better than the normal kind of gremlins! Even better that you had such a positive run, exploring a new area.
I love the headspace runs as well. Iβm a bit injured so not running hardly at all, so find the guided runs really helpful. The one with English Gardner is excellent π
Nice run for you today. Perhaps you will have some new exciting routes to explore in your new area - all in good time I'm sure.Lovely to have coffee to look forward to!
Thank you, Roxdog. Iβve been trying to get a feel for the area. I have no sense of direction and I donβt want to get lost! I look at the map first to look at where roads go and Iβm starting to feel more comfortable here. Thereβs a huge park to the south, but it involves woods and Iβd need a running buddy for that. Once Iβm confident enough with 5K again, Iβll join the park run and see where that leads! I walked into town after my run and had a really good day ππ
Thanks, Ian. I had a great sense of achievement today! That NRC run is really good. Iβll do another one next time for a shorter run. Just wanted to do 45 minutes today ππ
Sounds like a great run. Funny how sometimes we are overtaken with how we are not planning a run and then it just happens! 5k in the bag too ππ»πββοΈ
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