This how Weasel and I both feel after this one!!
I really didn't think I was going to make it today. Put on some long sleeves as I felt really cold when I left home, but I hadn't appreciated how muggy it is!!
Accompanied by my faithful Weasel, I decided to go for my own music today. Sorry Laura - I love you but the thought of 25 mins of your music today made me even less keen to keep going! I did enjoy the music much more, but it's funny how that lack of occasional voice and encouragement does make you feel a little more isolated, especially running on a deserted Chertsey Meads in what eventually turned out to be rain.
Today more than ever, I had to rely on myself and my mind to keep going. I always thought that the beginning of the long runs would be easier, and that they would get harder the more tired I got. Very wrong. I'm amazed at how sporadic my energy levels, comfort and breathing are - I can have a really steady five minutes, followed by a couple of shockers and then settle in again for a few minutes that seem to pass by in no time. I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing in the good bits to see if I can extend them, and one of the things that seems to help is to tell myself to relax my shoulders. I then instantly loosen and calm down a bit, and I think it takes my mind off legs/time etc.
I have Ben slower today than on previous runs, but I guess a slower pace for longer in the 'long run' ( no pun intended) is better. I can work on speed once I have some stamina, right? Today I covered 4.5k in about 37 mins, so maybe I shouldn't be complaining too much.
Without Laura today I wasn't able to hear those magic W3R6 words, but after 6 weeks of puffing, panting and being outrun by a dog that had effectively 2 broken legs 3 months ago I can now say . . .
I'M A RUNNER!!!! And today I wore Lycra trousers to prove it - sorry Chertsey!!!