Half a dozen reasons why this SHOULD have been a bad run...

[CouchToHockeyPitch]

So last night I found my kit in the washer, right where I'd left it on Monday night, still soggy and honking. Who gave the washing fairies the week off? Hastily assembled an inferior set of kit and put it ready for this morning. This morning came, and the two-day headache/sore throat combo has mutated into blocked sinuses. Marvellous. Got to the gym to realise that the afore-mentioned hastily assembled substitute kit does not include a towel. Flash my lashes at the lady and pay one of my finest English pounds for one of theirs. In the back of mind I'm worried that my sore knee from Monday, which I'd decided to give a whole extra day off, wasn't going to hold up. And actually, I've been swimming on my "rest days" so haven't had a day off as such since last Friday.

And yet somehow, I was still SOOOOO up for it today. I knocked out week 7 run 3 without much fuss at all, marginally increasing my speed and distance so that within the 25mins I just shaded 3km. So I'm not breaking any records, but that's definitely a big achievement for my 40ish BMI lump of a body, and not a million miles from sub-40 minute 5k pace. Have decided to hit the streets for the first time for W8R1 on Saturday, I've mapped out a flat(ish) 5k route and I'm ready to take the plunge! I'm hoping the dreadmill gradient will have prepared me enough for the transition. Bring it on!

Thanks to everyone who keeps blogging and keeps inspiring me. I'm totally feeling the Laura-love at the moment! <3

[pingle Graduate]

Well done you for not using any of the potential excuses to skip your run! Nothing worse than finding the kit not washed when you're all fired up. Its happened to me too - someone should give those washing fairies a good talking to! Week 7 music is the worst so at least that improves in week 8 (Sorry Laura!). You're doing brilliantly but don't be surprised if you find it a bit strange running outside - more distractions, uneven ground, a bit harder on the knees. On the plus side - the air and the trees and the birds and flowers in this lovely time of year - much nicer than other peoples sweaty bodies to look at! Good luck!

[CouchToHockeyPitch Graduate]

Thanks Pingle, I'm really looking forward to it. I'm glad it's not just my washing fairies that go on strike! Thanks for the cautionary advice too, I don't have any expectations so I'll just get out there and see how it goes. I have been militant about keeping the gradient up on the dreadmill so I'm hoping I have prepared reasonably well. Hurry up Saturday!