Nearly up to the hour mark

[Lizzie_NewStart]

Our plan to increase our running distance gradually took a bit of a jump a while back when the water company decided to close the road we used and dig a dirty great hole right across the street.

We were almost at the point where we were going to switch routes anyway with the new route giving us a lot more options to extend without doubling back. Our calculations must have been a bit off because we ended up running for 5 minutes longer on our first run. We thought that as we had done it once, we would do the same the next time as we had both felt fine after.

Our new found freedom to explore new running routes has had its ups and downs (literally) as some of the streets although running virtually parallel to each other seem to be either down or uphill! As we start and finish at the same point, I think we must do the same amount of up as we do down whichever route we take, it must just be the length and steepness of the gradient that changes. The longer downs seem much easier (even though we must have a steeper shorter up bit!).

We are almost up to an hour running on our long run days but have found the last couple of runs a bit more challenging as the weather is warming up. It would be disappointing to break the hour mark because we have slowed down rather than increased the distance.

I didn't think I would get to the 30 minute mark when I first started the C25K and to be at almost double that seems quite astonishing. My partner admits he thought one of us would have given up long before this. He was trying to work out the point at which his thoughts went from "Why the hell am I doing this?" to "When is our next run, I cant wait?". I must admit to looking forward to the days we run too.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Wow, congratulations! You’ve done amazingly. There are so many ways to measure progress and actively wanting to get out for the next run must be one of the best ones! Go Team NewStart!

Just shout when you’ve done your hour…there’s a virtual badge available for running 60 minutes. The magic plan builds in a really similar way. The “necessity plan” seems to have worked brilliantly for you!

I’d just like to really gently push back on this here…It would be disappointing to break the hour mark because we have slowed down rather than increased the distance

It’s absolutely normal (and sensible!) to slow down as the distances and run durations increase, especially when it’s hot! It’s not something to be feared or feel bad about. I could be totally wrong but I wonder if when you break the hour running, you’ll be so elated that you’ve done it that you won’t be too bothered about your pace? You’ll be able to correct me if I’m wrong very shortly when you nail that milestone!

Wishing you loads of luck on your next runs! I’ll give your badge a good polish ready for when you cross that finish line!

[Lizzie_NewStart in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks,

We do have days that are better than others and see variations in the time it takes to do the same distance on different days which I guess is normal. We don't generally worry about how long it took us, other than to get back so that we can take the dogs for their walk.

I think as we are so close to the hour, it would be nice to break that barrier on a day we increased our distance, rather than a day that was slower, I think its just s phycological thing. But, what will be will be. I must be the only one in the country wishing for it to remain cool for a little while longer. 😂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Lizzie_NewStart]

You are absolutely not alone in wishing for less sun! I’m not built for this!! Yesterday I ran at 3pm which was a ridiculous time on day and I thought I would melt. Today there was more of a breeze but still very warm, and that was at a better time of day. I’m increasing distance at the moment too and I’m going to have to be more organised and go late or early.

Can I whisper that I actually like running in the rain and would prefer it to very sunny any day?!!