Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No! It was a concrete beetroot.

[danzargo]

It's Week 9 Run2 in Dan Land. I did it but....

I am sooooo exhaauuuuusted! OMG, THAT was so tough. Probably because I had a terrible nights sleep and it was pretty warm out there by the river Thames but I DID IT! Having clocked 29'24 on my last 5K I was ten seconds slower today - but still sub 30 mins so I am pleased at that.

My legs felt like concrete on the 4th K and I was sweating like some sort of farm animal. I caught a rather unsightly reflection of this red faced Sweatosaurus in a shop window and nearly scared myself to death. Mrs Endomondo woman told me I had covered 4K, so another K to go.

Laura's music merged into the background of my brain as I contemplated the 5th K. Apart from the ridiculous heavy breathing, interspersed with a few "Oh God!"'s it was my legs this time that were misbehaving. My trusty, sturdy, newly muscled legs were letting me down just when I needed to smash this last K and romp home in a Dan World Record" time!

Alas it wasn't to be.

I was approaching the last few yards (metres???) along the Thames path when suddenly in front of me, a council truck had parked on the path blocking my way. Three thick set chaps in Hi Viz jackets looked at me with disdain and annoyance. "Damn it!" I thought. "I'm going to have to run up the incredibly steep grass bank to get round.". I forced my leaden legs up, up, up the slope and the Hi Viz Grass Cutting Thick Set Geezer stared hard at me as if to say "Hurry up! You're delaying me and the lads working!". Just as I passed them Lady Endomondo announced I had reached 5K and then a few seconds later Laura came on and told that I'd done the 30 mins and to start the 5 min brisk walk.

"Are you having a laugh?" I said to Laura. "A brisk walk? After running non stop for 30 mins? Are you seriously taking the p**?" I wasn't impressed as my body wanted to lie on the pavement and go to sleep. I didn't do that fortunately - I ambled home slowly and felt like a bit of a C25K rebel.

"Ha! Aint nobody gonna tell ME to walk briskly after running for half an hour!" I thought. And to punch home the point, I unplugged my headphones and let Laura fade away into the distance. Once home I got into the jacuzzi and had a lonnnnnnnnng soak. I can always make it up with Laura on my graduation run.....

WHICH IS THE NEXT RUN......

[Nerdio Graduate]

Isn't it annoying when the 'General Public' get in the way of a run. I used to curse at runners charging along like they own the path, but now find myself doing it. I have 5K to hit, and you 'aint goin' to stop me.

Good result though, you are obviously very happy with that, and only one more run to Graduation. Whoooo! Do you have a special route planned for graduation?

[danzargo Graduate in reply to Nerdio]

Special route? Not really, I've got a selection of fave routes near me but it will definitely part of the Thames path. It's lovely running alongside water.

[Hidden in reply to danzargo]

I couldn't agree more about running by water. So far, I have done all my runs by water (more by a happy coincidence than design), but it is so therapeutic.

The sound of the river running by, the wildlife, the soothing cool, the need for the loo!! That last one is the only real drawback!

[Keith2877]

dude dont stop posting after graduation best blogger by far bet you can get sub 29 on r3 go for it!

[Hidden]

I look forward to reading their sub 29 blog ~ and I have every belief that they will do it pretty soon ~ grass cutting aside.