5k with added badges!

[MissUnderstanding]

It feels like ages since I’ve had anything worthy of posting about. I’m still running but it’s been short, slow ticking over runs because of the heat. Not that there’s anything wrong with that-it’s been a sensible decision but it hasn’t felt like the most exciting period of my running life!

Then there was this morning. It wasn’t supposed to be a special run, or a fast one. I wasn’t really up for it and couldn’t be bothered thinking about a new route or a new speed run, or anything other than just a “get it done” run. I picked the “5k run” I skipped from an early week of the NRC HM plan.

There were bunnies and butterflies along the overgrown footpath up to the start. The first section is a lovely quiet country lane with trees as shade. Saturday runs are always accompanied by Radio’s 1 Dance Party on BBC Sounds and that got me in the mood to at least put one foot in front of the other. The lane turns into a long uphill section with bright sun between patches of welcome shade. It was hard up to the halfway point. Coach Bennett made me laugh out loud as some cyclists were passing which was mildly embarrassing. I won’t see them again-never mind!

The reward from the long uphill was a long and easy downhill where I really got into my stride. It felt light and easy all the way. The last km was great and encouraged by Coach B, the pace picked up without any extra effort. I finished halfway down the warm up path. Walk and stretches to finish.

When I looked at my stats I was absolutely amazed to find fastest 5km, fastest 1km and fastest mile badges for that run. It was just an easy run and didn’t feel fast at all. There’s definitely something in this comfortable paced training leading to speed later. Super pleased with myself. I can’t wait to get back on some actual speed runs when the weather turns later this week.

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Oh well done! To get so many badges for faster paces in this heat is quite something 👍

And a run with bunnies and butterflies sounds perfect 😍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks! I can’t quite figure how it happened. A very nice surprise at the end! Have been in a great mood all day…although a chilled out bbq with friends might have helped with that too!

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Oh yes, it’s perfect BBQ weather isn’t it?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Definitely! We were chasing the shade around the garden but it was lovely.

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

We stayed out late enough that a few of the ladies in our group put on their woolly cardigans!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

What are these “wooly cardigans” you speak of?! I vaguely remember needing to keep warm! Seriously, well done on the stamina to stay out that long!!

My husband and I came home and sat around for a while but managed a lovely evening walk. I was still in a t shirt at 930pm!

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I know! When they arrived with them over their arms I laughed and said they’d never need them but come about 9/930 it got a bit cool …..lovely it was. I really was tempted to sleep outside on the lawn 😂

[Me_time Graduate10]

Oh wow, isn't it the best feeling when we think we have run just at our normal pace and at the end we find out all PBs we have achieved. Sounds like a nice run to get you in a good place for the next run. Bunnies are so cute and butterflies lift the spirits high.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Me_time]

Thanks! I was so surprised. It felt like a good run by the end but not particularly quick. Such a bonus! I might try and squeeze a quick one in tomorrow but otherwise, I’m out until after the heat calms down. Hopefully the local bunnies will be ok!