I have a plan - Zombie week 1, Run 1 (Z1R1) and thank you Mum for giving the gift of determination.

[spoonierunning]

That there is a picture of a coot for Miles_Yonder

Picture found via the wonders of google.

So finally I have settled on my post graduate plan, or at least what I am doing for the next four weeks. I have decided that I want to concentrate on 5k and being able to consistently run it and improve my time a smidge. I will then decide how to progress the plan further.

So what is my baseline? Well my first offical timed 5k was at a parkrun and I did it in 40 minutes 46 seconds.

My second parkrun time was 41 minutes and 58 seconds, I did walk a lot on that run, but hey that's allowed I was out there doing it, I wasn't feeling great so I took my time. Going out is never a failure.

Right so what am I doing? I am using the zombie app with zombie chases turned on, when I zombie is chasing me I have to speed up by 20% for up to a minute to evade the zombies. It doesn't matter if I don't manage it, oh and I don't know when the zombies are going to chase me.

Each week will still consist of three runs:

Run 1 - the long run, no set distance target just my long route and I will slowly try to increase the distance

Run 2 - the short run but finishing with my nemesis

Run 3 - the park run, or a 5k if I can't get to a park run.

So today

We set off later than normal and after a really rough nights sleep that even had me hugging an ice pack. The running belt on my last run was not my friend. I was in such a tizz about getting there on time I never adjusted it properly and I ended up with two nasty grazes on either side and I think the bit with my phone and car keys jammed itself just under my ribcage I feel very bruised and last night I was just painfully uncomfortable (a fab time to have realised I haven't ordered my repeat prescription of pain killers). Anyway so rubbish sleep but I went out anyway.

First task was to relace my trainers to see if a differnt lacing option would at least help while I am working out just how I am meant to afford a new pair of trainers (didn't help, will google more options).

Second task work out where to sit my belt so it was comfortable, I got there in the end around half way through my run I settled on low on my hips and ahem tucking the belt under my belly wobble.

Warm up walk, pass the horses (I swear one might be a zombie horse) and then it's time to set battle dog free and the zombie app going.

And we're off. Nice and steady.

ZOMBIES

I didn't manage chase one, I distracted the zombies by dropping some supplies.

It was hard work in places but I was determined to not walk, I started counting when ever felt myself wanting to give in to the walk gremlin. It worked. I wasn't counting steps or anything just literally counting to 100 and then repeat as required.

Dog related stop required, canal coming up and Ferd has to go back on the lead. We pass a man with two Shouty terriers. On we go, I run (slowly) up the embankment, now on the two path, a short walk required to navigate cyclist and ducks.

FERD NO has he tries to pull me into the canal.

Off we go again

1...2....3....4...5.......

Pass another dog walker and another walk as I navigate my way past fishermen.

1....2.....3......4....5.....6....7.....8

On we go.

I know I can make it to the next bridge, I know I can make it to the lock, I know I can make it to the next lock. That's the furthest I've been before but I want to get to the next bridge it not far.

1.....2.....3.....4....5

I make it.

Z1R1:

5.46km

39 minutes 14 seconds

Av. Pace 7.11 min/km

Zombie chases 3 (1 failed)

Really pleased with today's run.

And what a lovely way to celebrate my mums birthday - getting out and putting that gift of determination she gave me to good use.

5 years ago we learnt her breast cancer had returned, shortly after my wedding. The following year it was time to say goodbye, she never reached her 70th birthday. But throughout her life of arthritis, operations, and cancer she taught me to battle on, to not let my illnesses limit me, respect my illnesses yes, but ultimately to push and keep going.

Happy 74th mummy, oh yeah and you know that time you looked in the mirror and were shocked to see your mum staring back at you, OMG it's happened to me, which is actually awesome after the initial shock because you rocked.

[Mummysaurus Graduate]

What a fantastic post and such a lovely way to celebrate your Mums birthday, I am sure she would be very proud of you.

Since my graduation I have really wanted to have a go with the Zombies but sadly my elderly phone is just not up to the task but you seem to be tackling them well......good luck for your next run

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Mummysaurus]

Thank you.

Buy a new phone

I am really enjoying the zombies and they will be there waiting for when you upgrade your phone.

[frannyfran Graduate]

Lovely post and glad you are where you want to be, but sorry to hear about your intimate relation with the ice pack.

Zombies sounds fun, maybe I should investigate for post graduation.

And I love reading about Ferd antics. Keep running and keep smiling. Mum would be so proud of you!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to frannyfran]

Thank you.

Zombies is really fun, a story, your own music, a game and running all rolled into one what's not to love

[lizziebeth57 Graduate]

Lovely post and sounds like you have a great plan to keep you going. I also really appreciate the appreciation of your mum. Sounds like she was a real inspiration. Strikes a chord with me... as does the looking into the mirror and seeing her face, which you are right, is awesome

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to lizziebeth57]

Thank you.

My mum was a lovely lady and my best friend. It was distressing at first to think I was going to look like my mum but she looked really young for her age, she skipped grey hair and went white that just looked blonde and she had a great sense of fun. When other mums were serious she would do cartwheels

[AncientMum Graduate]

Great post Spoonie. What a lovely way to honour you mum, by acknowledging her gifts to you. I love your running plan, challenging but do-able and I'm sure you'll see tangible results at the end of 4weeks. good luck

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thank you.

I think being able to tick runs off will help to keep me motivated (and 50 parkruns = a top).

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

Yes, the 50 Parkrun t-shirt is a big big incentive! You could get one in a year if you were never ill, never had a holiday and never had a lie in on a Saturday morning. Hummmmmm that doesn't sound like me

[no-excuse Graduate]

Lovely post Spoonie, and your zombie tactics are already working! I am sure your mum would be proud of you. x

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to no-excuse]

Thank you

[Tomas Graduate]

Great idea with the zombies! And thank you very much for a very motivating and entertaining post.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Thank you

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

KittyKat

I have a very inexpensive Android phone with a prepaid mobile plan - and I hardly ever use it as a phone It is basically a portable mini-computer that I use for all kinds of things -- especially running these days. The GPS in it is absolutely invaluable - as is the MP3 player and Runkeeper App. I also have a metronome App in it ( also for running) - it collects my emails when I am mobile for a weekend and I can check out Internet things (like this Forum) on it. When running I carry it in a spectacles case with a clip on the back and clip it to the waistband of my shorts. Next week I am intending to use it with a new free App that I have which will detect my running cadence - and tell me to "hurry up" if it gets too slow

[spoonierunning Graduate]

I have a cheap contract £12 a month because I like the security of knowing I have the phone if I ever needed it without having to worry if I have credit, but I rarely use it as a phone (although that will change as we are planning on ditching out landline) I mainly use it for the apps.

Of course you can get good deals with pay as you go, depends on what you want. Oh and there are a lot of running apps to play with

[spoonierunning Graduate]

Thank you

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

Really really nice post, Spoonie. Your running tenacity is brilliant and does make me smile; your dear mum would definitely be very proud!

I'll check the zombies out at some point soon as I want a go! Hmmmm, it could be a zombie horse (it's very much what I've got! Ah Professor Elemental, a quote of every occasion! ) but what about the possibility of zombie bicyclists? The thought is unthinkable.

So THAT'S a coot! I did wonder; I do believe I've seen one, yes, but wasn't sure what it was. Feathered Entity Recognition (FER) isn't one of my strong points!

Your plan sounds good, by the way.

Great post, as ever!

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Haha M_Y FER, perfect! A TLA for every occasion

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Thank you. Zombies is fun I am sure you would enjoy it. Have you started week two of your plan c? I was looking out for your post

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

Hey Spoonie,

Yes, I started week two yesterday morning with a run to work but I was in a bit of a rush when I got there so didn't get chance to post, though did feel later that perhaps I should have made a brief post when I got to work.

It was a 6.5K run, with rucksack, in the sun, and very hard work! Where's the rain when we need it?!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

glad it went well despite lack of rain.

Have you heard about the sweatshop running community - you get a technical top after 5 runs and can collect stamps for other rewards (50 is a pair of trainers)

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

No I have not! Thank you, I'll look into that right away; I do love me a new technical top! Sounds great; I'll have a look shortly. Thanks for that, Spoonie

[Miles_Yonder Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

This does look good. They have one here. Bit close to work finish time, but doable if I go a bit earlier. I remember now, the Sweatshop fellow at the Parkrun on Saturday mentioned it but I didn't realise it was an organised community - with rewards!

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

here we have pre-paid plans where you pay a fixed amount of money and use it up in a certain amount of time - so the plan I have allows me to put $50 on the plan and i have 6 months to use it up.

[Lavender1962 Graduate]

What a beautiful post.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Lavender1962]

Thank you

[emkeenan Graduate]

Well Done Spoonie Always so nice to hear how other graduates are fairing. I absolutely love the variety of plans we have going on and reading about Z1R1 was no exception. I was also interested to hear about your counting technique, I store these things up for whenever I find myself in running-crisis mode (often!)

I don't have the technology to use this app at the moment either but will certainly be telling the boyfriend about it. It sounds like great geek-friendly fun

Keep us updated, Emily

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to emkeenan]

Thank you. Yes it's a very geek friendly app zombies and run stats what more could you want

A friend told me about counting, though she was referring to counting your steps but I found that blooming hard and just general counting seemed to work.