Finally, today for the first time after my return to running, after the rather lengthy stint on the injury couch, I have reached the full distance of 5K again.
It took some time.
I took it slow and steady.
First, Couch to 5K (zombie version), then consolidation with the Nike Get Started plan, then the NRC 5K plan. And that’s where I am at the moment, that plan having a 5k run all set-up for this morning’s run.
So I took it slow and steady this morning, a leisurely, joggle, deliciously long and snaily 5K, and it was also an enticing journey down memory lane.
I chose a different route than the one I’ve been using for all my runs this year, one which I only discovered in the first year of my running once I had graduated. Then and now, I was in need of a longer route.
The route from today is a former railway line, now lined with mature trees providing shade, whilst having a broad, earthy and level path perfect for running. It has an ever-so-slight upward gradient, but as it’s an out-and-back route, it makes the second half of the run toward home so much more enjoyable.
And of course it’s my 5k memory Lane:
- Reaching the end of the line of houses on the side of the path, not visible for all the trees and hedges, but their roofs just barely visible through the thick cover of trees, I reached the point where I got to when I first was expanding my routes. Getting this far seemed awesome. I would rather use a different word now (‘pathetic’ comes to mind), but this just goes to show how long I’ve come.
- I passed the fairy house, an always welcome sight on my 5k route (or, more exactly, 4.7k route). It reminds me of the many 5k runs through the seasons, seeing this fairy house’s surroundings change as the leaves fell, or as the snow blanketed it with snow hats, or as the lush green sprigs of spring enveloped it.
- And then the return point, the highest point on this gentle gradient, provides a painterly landscape view down into the valley.
- And on the way back, now jauntily joggling down the gradient but wanting to make sure NRC records a full 5k, I took the little side-loop around the large, grassy and playing field. This I only discovered in 2020 once I was on the magic plan and heading towards 10k. These additional loops allowed me to use this 5k route but expand it to 10k.
- And just before heading back out of my green heaven and turning down the road towards home, another little detour, now running down the allotment plots. This was another discovery before my injury; that there was a level little path, intriguing as one could watch the allotment plots through sunshine and rain, wind and weather, watching the vegetables and fruit grow and be harvested, all whilst jogging through the seasons.
So a lovely trip down memory lane, whilst joggling along at a mesmerising, slow pace, one that felt like I could joggle on forever.
Back home, a nice stretch, plenty of water, a refreshing shower, and a gorgeous smoothie made with the blackberries that hubby picked just that morning.
And as we were drinking our smoothies and chatting about the day's news, I asked him to move my rowing machine back into the guest room, as our 5-week guests had left us last week.
He looked at me and said: “Okay, you want me to do this today? I will do this… maybe today… mmmhhh… Okay! It’s done!”
Hubby had not only done his walk, picked our blackberries, but also already moved my rowing machine.
It’s surprising how much joy I get from something so simple as that, as I felt like a kid in a sweet shop. I started moving my rowing peripherals into nice baskets into the rowing room: my shoes and gloves, my music stand that always holds my iPad, my sweatbands and towels, and my yoga mat and blocks.
The good thing about having guests is that one makes a considerable extra effort to tidy and sort one’s home, specifically the guest room.
So my rowing machine is standing now in a beautifully tidy, and all sorted guest room that just feels and looks great.
A great Saturday! Hope your runs have been as sunny as mine, your stretches are as easy and satisfying as they need to be, and that your runner’s high keeps you happy this weekend.
5k with added badges!
Is running downhill cheating? 
