This came about totally on a whim. I had a migraine first thing and went back to sleep. I woke up hours later and feeling much better, but in dire need of some fresh air. A nice easy run seemed in order. The plan was to load up the 8k and run/walk it. The sun was finally shining and I started feeling positive.
This run starts with an intro from Coach B and then he disappears until you’ve hit 1km. Maybe that’s not that long if you’re speedy but tor me, especially at the start of what’s supposed to be an easy run, that’s a lot of quiet. I’d prefer more chat at the beginning as I’m getting through the toxic ten and less later when I’m in the swing of things. Maybe that’s just me.
Often, I struggle to keep to a truly easy pace, but today chill felt natural and comfortable. It was one of those “get in a rhythm and just keep it going” runs. I’ve had so many more of those recently and I think that’s all down to going out more consistently. Hooray for having a plan! I’m really finding this one helpful.
Coach B invites you to be grateful for all sorts of things during the run. Good runs. Bad runs. People who put up water fountains and public loos (they’ve not made it as far as my rural route!). Books and libraries. People who make you laugh. I am grateful for all of these things but I was a bit less up for thinking about them today than usual. Perhaps trying to do this run alongside a talk based podcast was a mistake! It did its job in keeping me going though and I found the distance updates helpful. Maybe I’ve just done a few too many thankful/grateful runs and the comments were a bit too familiar to have that much impact today.
My run was really great though. It felt chilled out all the way through, even up over a couple of hills. I was concentrating more on my podcast than the run and that’s always a good sign that I’m having a nice time. Sometimes, inexplicably, running after feeling rubbish feels great and that was what happened today. Five miles came up surprisingly quickly and I finished exactly at the village shop. After a few stretches holding on to the community notice board, I popped in for a coffee and a bargain Turkish delight bar from the discount table! Looking at the stats, every mile was half a minute faster than the previous one. It’s always a bonus when that happens!
I’m grateful that I was able to complete this run, which is actually my longest since September. I don’t think I’d repeat this particular guided run but five miles is my favourite distance to run and it didn’t disappoint today!
Anyone else done this one yet?
PS: I forgot to take pictures so this one is from last night’s walk
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MissUnderstanding
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I'll start with the picture which is a beauty. The run was a good one and glad your migraine eased. Sometimes coach B is a bit much isn't he? I've got 1 run left of week 1, my easy recovery runs are slower than walking but I'm really enjoying them. And enjoying reading your reports of what I have to look forward to.
Thank you! Most of the time I really like coach B but you’re right-sometimes he’s a bit much! Maybe it’s a flaw of this plan to have too many similar runs together. There was a grateful 5k last week.
Sounds like you’ve made a great start! Keeping your recovery runs comfortable is exactly right whatever the pace. Enjoy the final week 1 run!
These pesky migraines !!! But look at the aftermath !
What a super run and so interesting... I am not super speedy by any stretch of the imagination, but for me, certainly on my favourite warm up route up the hill, 1km always comes really quickly! Maybe because I have used that route so many times..
I love CB 's company... and I do mostly listen... but sometimes my attention wanders, especially when there are lots of things to look at!
You and a super run and it is good to know that you are feeling strong and happy with it too... and how well organised to finish your run exactly in the right place... A coffee and a treat... route planning with a bonus...
Thank you so much! The route is well worn (it’s where I did most of my couch to 5k runs and the start of many of my other runs!) but the first 1km always drags as I warm up. It’s funny how we’re all different.
How are you doing with the Magic Plan rerun? I hope CB is doing a good job and keeping you smiling! ❤️
Lovely photo! Thanks for sharing it 😁I haven't done this run yet but am looking forward to it within the week. I know what you mean about the grateful runs, all good stuff obviously but...
Thank you! Maybe it was the grateful 5k last week that just felt like too much gratefulness. I know he says you can rerun the runs and get different things each time (which is true!) but if you’re looking for distraction and you keep thinking about how similar it is to the last one, maybe that’s not a good distraction!! Hope you enjoy it!
I’ve got a speed run still to do and maybe one or two of the recovery runs before I move on-I’ve done the runs in a funny order. I’m excited for 9k next week!
This week I'm doing them in order, so speed run next. I was going to do it today but it was so damp and miserable I'm afraid I decided to have another rest day. Did a couple of planks though, does that count? 😂 (literally, 2, for just under 30 seconds each lol)
Missed this! Think notifications have been playing up. Two planks definitely count!! You’ve reminded me I haven’t even been looking at the suggested training videos…oops! I’ve been doing strength and flex at the gym though so I’m not too worried!! My physio has convinced me I’m too breakable to go it alone without the weights!!!
I did attempt this run on the 10k plan but found it too big a jump from 6k the previous week and I stupidly didn’t fuel up beforehand! Not deterred though so have dropped back to 6k this week which went really well 😊
It’s a really sensible decision to take it more slowly if that’s right for you. There’s no rush and you can enjoy some more of the NRC runs on offer! There’s a 7k run you could add in as a stepping stone to 8k if you wanted to Your programme your way!
What a wonderful run for you. Sounds fab. I still find 8k easier than 10k and can completely understand if being your favourite distance. Oh, and great pic too.
It’s funny how different 8k and 10k feel! I’m allegedly doing 9k this week but I hardly ever run that because I think I might as well keep going until 10k. We’ll see!
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