So I decided to start another MyAsics Plan today. The old "Pre Illness" one had fallen by the wayside owing to almost six weeks of no running. I'd managed two test runs since last weekend - one of 1.5K and the other 3K and came through those with only minor incident. So this morning my plan said "Do a 5K slow jog"........so I did.
It's still pretty chilly round these parts so I wore two tops along with my lycra leggings. The sun had gone in so no need for shades. I bid Mrs Dan farewell and bounced out the door with my garmin on my wrist (very generously donated to me by Dunder2004 a few weeks ago. Thanks Dunder!) and my phone in my pocket.
I'd only done about 300 metres when I had to stop for a bloody coughing fit. DAMMIT! This bloody chest thing is a pain in the @r$e! Once recovered I set off again, my lungs having cleared and I was fine. I was going as slow as I could, which sounds a bit odd, but I naturally seem to want to go at about 5'45'ish per K and that's too fast at the moment. I settled in at about 6'10-6'15 per K and all seemed well until 2.5K.
I'd crossed Old Deer Park and was heading back into Richmond on the Thames Path when I felt my chest getting a bit weak and wheezy. "Oh Go! Here we go again" I thought and the coughing started. Pretty violent, eye watering style. I stopped, gathered myself and started walking for a bit. Walking felt good and it wasn't long before I felt totally back to normal - breathing fine and lungs clear. Off I went again. Slowly. I reached Richmond Bridge and mounted the steps to the street where I ran across the bridge, down the other side to meet the path on the opposite side of the river. My legs and hips and back felt fine and I wasn't getting tired like I thought I would. So luckily my leg fitness is still good - I just need to get on top of this breathing malarkey. The lungs started to get a bit wheezy again at around 3.7K and once again, I stopped briefly, spluttering and coughing like a smoker, then walked until I felt back to normal. I'd reached Twickenham Bridge and off I went jogging slowly again until Gertie Garmin bleeped that 5K was up. I stopped and breathed a huge sigh of relief. I'd completed the course, like I told myself I would and the time was 31'43. Not too far off 'Super Dan at Normal Fitness' pace which means once my chest is totally clear, I'll be able to easily knock 3+ minutes off that.
My Turks Head 10K Fun Run number came through the post the other day and I'm panicking slightly! I really couldn't do 10K at the moment, but I've got three weeks to prepare for it so fingers crossed I'll be good for it. I've already decided to run dead slow, walk lots and not worry about any time! That way it takes all the pressure off and should ensure I enjoy the run.
Off to visit Mamaaaa this afternoon and to bring her a photo of our two cats which Mrs Dan wants a pencil drawing of. Mum is a really talented artist and loves nothing more that to sit for hours with her drawing or painting utensils at her easel, creating fabulous creations!! Not bad for a sprightly(ish) 88 year old....
Thanks for reading. I shall continue with my My Asics Plan which has me running a half marathon a good 4 weeks before the one I'm doing with my crazy pal in October. Blimey...
Ta ra
Yer pal
Dan.
Just take it easy m'dear, you're not in any rush. Your legs sound like they're as strong as ever. It's just your lungs that still need a bit of TLC. Slowly, slowly does it x
