Five and a bit

[Yesletsgo]

Today's run was a gentle 5k along the Coastal Path. When I woke it was bright and sunny but the BBC weather app told me the temperature was 0C. Bearing this in mind I put my jumper on. What I hadn't factored in was that the cliffs would shield us from the wind, and the white surfaces reflect the sun back. Less than a km in the jumper came off. It was glorious.

I've forgotten to bring my running belt which is really annoying. The pocket on my leggings is at the back and too small for my phone so I had to tucked it down the front . This meant I had to rummage round like a football player on match day to stop it sliding down my leg. Not ideal.

I channelled Coach Bennett as I ran, he's with me even when he isn't , especially his suggestion of 'running relaxed'. I checked my form - chin slightly ahead, shoulders and arms relaxed. I tried breathing through my nose. I attempted to put a bounce in my gait. By the time I was half way through my husband was way ahead but I carried on to meet him after he turned back. He was happy doing his pace, naturally faster than mine, I just continued in my own world. The only worry was that he had the pass for the amenity blocks and I didn't want to be locked out of the showers once we were done.

I hit 5k sooner than expected but things were going so well that I carried on until Mr Y reappeared from his longer route. As we walked back I realised my muscles were complaining a bit so stopped to do a few stretches. My watch gave a few bleeps, I usually ignore it but had a look - Disaster! The battery had run out. I really wanted to compare my stats with the last 5k I did as this one was so much better.

After I'd washed and brushed up and put breakfast to cook I put the watch to charge. To my delight it asked if I wanted to continue or save the run. Woo hoo, it wasn't lost! When I checked the figures, today's run was faster and my heart rate was lower. OK, it's not really comparing like with like as the previous run was over lumpy fields but still, food for thought, run easy to run harder maybe?

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Wow.... look at that sunshine Lovely run... well done you!

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you 😁

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Definitely run easy to run faster in the long run, what a smooth path to run on, terrain makes such a difference

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Definitely

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Definitely run easy to run faster in the long term! No point in comparing runs unless they're reasonably alike though, SueAppleRun is right that terrain makes such a difference.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Lovely run although I think I’d have found it hard to run relaxed with my phone sliding around in my leggings!

I try and steer away a little from comparing runs over very different terrain, only because when I’ve done that it’s led to me wanting to avoid the lovely trail runs because they’re slower, tougher and my stats will look worse.

You’re on a bit of a roll at the moment…enjoy!

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

The phone storage situation was definitely sub optimal 😂

I tried tying up the waist cord, no luck, tying my jumper tight around my waist, no luck so had to revert to fishing expeditions. Fortunately it didn't get too far!

Slow is fine by me, I wouldn't give up my scenic runs either

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That turned out to be a great run! I’ve never run in a jumper, might need to start with the temperature dropping again! What a lovely photo, well done! 😁

[Yesletsgo Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thanks Frenc . I only put a jumper on when it's below about 6C. A few degrees colder and the hat, buff and gloves come into play, then the windproof jacket. So far these haven't been necessary 🤞🥶