NRC 10k plan: 6k run (week 3 long run) aka “when the fun starts”

[MissUnderstanding]

If I’ve managed to stick to it, the end of week 3 of most plans is when I suddenly notice I’m feeling quite fit. Today, that day arrived and it felt good!

This run almost didn’t happen and on paper, if didn’t look particularly promising. I’d been out all day and got home knackered. I’d just woken up from an hour’s nap, I’d stuffed myself full of toffee popcorn and it was getting dark. Lots of reasons not to go. But in my head was “your quest is consistency, just go and run something. It doesn’t have to be 6k…” I almost just went guidance free but I’d had enough of week 3 and was moving on so thought whatever I could manage of the run would just have to do.

It didn’t start promisingly. I felt sluggish and heavy, probably because of the ill timed pre run sleep and “nutrition”. I kept telling myself to get to ten minutes and see. At ten minutes, it still wasn’t much better but finding a rhythm seemed sort of possible so I decided to try for fifteen minutes. Something happened at thirteen minutes when it was dark enough to need the head torch. Still ten minutes more of uphill to go but the legs finally wanted to go.

The commentary is quite sparse at the start and I was missing Coach B’s chatter. Often I wish he’d talk less but I was glad when he came back with questions about strengths, weaknesses and reasons to be proud of yourself as a runner. Super cheesy but I really did need that today.

I hit the hill top around 2.5km and turned back. I’ve run this run a lot and the mental boost always turbo charges the legs! Luckily Coach B decided to throw in a few pace pick ups. Often I grumble but during this particular run, they hit the spot. That got me in the zone for the rest of the run. It’s been a while since I felt like that free feeling of flying where you’re pushing yourself and it feels like and effortless effort. I absolutely love those runs. It must be the week 3 effect!

6km arrived quite quickly. Not my fastest but still quick enough to take me by surprise. I finished next to some particularly jolly daffs by the side of the road. Who knew head torches made them glow so nicely!

Hope you enjoy this run as much as I did…eventually! Bring on week 4….

[Annieapple Administrator]

🍏🤗🤸You did your 6K toffee popcorn and all!! Well done MissU xx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you! I’m not sure I’d recommend it as a run fuel but it seemed to work!! Still in a good mood this morning after yesterday’s effort. Maybe I need to bin my oatcakes/peanut butter on toast/dates/bananas and switch to Butterkist!!

[Annieapple Administrator in reply to MissUnderstanding]

🤣

[GTFC Graduate10]

We loved this one MissUnderstanding because it's so relatable. You deserved the boost at 13 minutes because that's the consistency in your legs popping in to say, 'We're ready now...it's in you!' Keep going and good luck with the rest of the plan. We're running shortly by the sea in Frinton 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Thank you! Doing my bit for well intentioned but a bit haphazard runners all over the world…😂 I’d love to be the sort of person that schedules runs and m sticks to it, but “just about making it work” just about makes it work for me!

Frinton looks like a lovely place-enjoy!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Oh MissU, you're tempting me, I planned to do that plan as soon as I saw it.It's working for you 😄

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you! It is a really good one and starts quite gently-there’s a nice mix of runs. NRC is great! Super adaptable too. There are some runs that I’ve enjoyed less than others but overall I’m finding it really motivating. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it when you’re ready! ❤️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I've done run 1, nice and slow nice and gentle and really enjoyable as the sun is shining here and it's warming up with a cool breeze. I never stick to plans but I'm going to try this time 😁

[Yesletsgo Graduate10]

What a lovely run! Isn't it great when the 'speed up' comes at a point when you feel like doing it? 6k is a really nice distance, not too far but you have that 'I ran more than 5k' feeling all day 😁

Here's to Week 4, can't wait (even though I have to lol)

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you and you’re right about the pick ups needing to come at the right time. I usually hit them just as I reach a big old hill! 6k is great-underrated in fact! I’m real looking forward to 8k. That’s one of my favourites to run. Haven’t been there in ages. I’ve forgotten how good it is being on a plan!