W8R1 - Smashed It!!!

Morning virtual running buddies

I've just come back from my first week 8 run, around Buckshaw village again. Those very gentle, almost imperceptible hills are a killer, but fortunately the route I take means I hit the inclines first, so the latter part is flat or downhill slightly.

'tis a funny thing though, when Jo said I'd done 5 minutes, i felt like I had been running for at least 15. By 10 minutes, I was half way round. I took it nice and steady, so I didn't exhaust myself in the first part. My knee felt (and still does feel) fine, and I was enjoying watching the sky turn lighter as I ran, up the remaining small incline, past a few people sleepily stumbling out of their front doors on their way to work, round onto the main road, near the curious "Green Man" sculpture. Before i knew it 14 minutes was up and there was the half-way bell. Seconds out, round 2!

Now I had a challenge, I was half way through my time, and at least 3/4 of the way round Buckshaw. I ended up turning off and doing an extra loop around Tesco's, then as before, ran back towards work, and ended up finishing the running segment round Aldi's car park. Then the short warm down walk to finish. A shower would have been nice, but we don't have one at work, so I had to settle with a good wash in the tiny sink in the bathroom.

And the best part about it? I feel great, and I've recovered quickly. I must be getting less unfit by now.

But there we are. First run of week 8: done! 5 more left in the programme... I can't believe it. If you'd told me at the start of the programme I'd be running for 28 minutes solid I would have laughed in disbelief.

So the plan is, hopefully, R2 on Friday, R3 on Sunday, then on to week 9!

As always, thank you all for your support. I'm off to do some work now... doctors later as well, about my knee, though it does seem to have fixed itself, but it doesn't hurt to have it checked I guess.

Have a lovely day

Neil

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Brilliant! You ran for 28 minutes! Woo hoo! And the best thing OF ALL is you enjoyed it. I think it was in week 8 that I noticed how much fitter I really was, and how quickly my muscles were recovering after a run. Hope you are glowing with pride and buzzing with energy all day long, Neil.

Very proud of you and I am so impressed with your commitment and determination.

Hope the doc can offer some useful advice, but glad the knee seems to have healed anyway. My knees were so twingey weeks 1-6 - probably because there was no muscle to speak of in that area at first! I swear by the knee strengthening exercises. Knees feel pretty sturdy now - fingers crossed.

Well done, buddy. x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you, dear Sadie! Yes, I'm constantly surprised by the recovery. I can clearly see I am getting fitter. My breathing is easier, I recover much more quickly, and feel much less drained afterwards. Sounds like you've experienced something very similar.

I might actually catch you up at the podium before too long!! Is tomorrow the day?

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yup, that all happened for me in week 8 too - oh the joy!

Hmmmm. Final run for me either tomorrow or Friday. Friday would be better as I am working from home, but am not sure I can wait that long, (overexcitable, me) so may just get up and do it tomorrow. Either way, I am looking forward to r3 of w9, and beyond...

What did the doc say? x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

I'm just waiting now... I'll let you know later!!

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

Excellent run mate.

I may be in the UK the week after next and in Leyland. If I am I'll let you know. We can go for a shuffle together!

[Hidden in reply to GingerBohemian]

Sounds fun I've never been out for a run with anyone before, it will be an experience! And yeah, shuffle is probably the operative word for me!!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Great run there Hidden ...glad the knee’s bearing up, no harm in getting it check though...

Try & concentrate at work though as I can see it would prob be easy For your thoughts to wander about such a good run all day!!!!! 😉

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks Mummycav , though I'm not actually replying to you in work time, it's just an illusion

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It’s ok...I won’t tell the boss!!! Lol 😉

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

Well done 👍🏼 A full 28 minutes and you did it 😁😁

[Hidden in reply to Kimchoc08]

Yes, I did, didn't I? It was a good run actually, a bit slow perhaps, but good.

Oh - glad to see you haven't given up the running post graduation Are you enjoying life on the other side?

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Great run Neil,well done 😊...

🎵Ain't no stopping you now...you're in the groove.🎵

Keep going and enjoying the feeling that you can do this running thing😎xx

Hope the doc has some useful advice about your knee.

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan, appreciated

Oh - and now I have that song stuck in my head... yeah, thanks for that

I shall report back on what the doc says too!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome 😊xx

[TJMazz Graduate]

Sounds like a fantastic run Neil. Well done. Sounds like you’re loving your running journey. Good luck for R2

[Hidden in reply to TJMazz]

Thanks TJMazz . Against all the odds, I am indeed loving it. What's happening to me??!

And all the best with your running too. is it W6R2 for you next?

[TJMazz Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You’re turning into a runner 🏃 Goid for you. Yes, W6R2 for me tomorrow. Looking forward to it. 👍

[Sandyscroll]

Sounds like a great run. I often set out to have a slow run and enjoy it more. You're so nearly there! Great job 👍

[Hidden in reply to Sandyscroll]

Thanks Sandy, it just seemed to go quite well this morning. Runs are so unpredictable lol!

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

Sounds like a fantastic run! So glad the knee looks to be holding up too. And is that some new found confidence I hear? Already planning week 9? 😊 So pleased toread this today!

[Hidden in reply to DebJogsOn]

Awww thanks! I really enjoyed it actually. Yes, I suppose I am planning for week 9. I am feeling reasonably confident, because if I can run for 28 minutes I can do 30, right?

[Sandyscroll in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely!!👍👏👏👏

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

Definitely. I feel like I've come this far and there's no way I'm going to let anything stop me graduating now and imagine you're the same.

My Wk8 R1 was perhaps my best yet (though Wk5 R3 is clearly right up there!) so in my usual (slightly anxious) way I'm a bit worried about coming a cropper with R2 which I'm planning to do this evening if I can get out before it's dark (otherwise will put off until the morning).

Here's hoping the running gods keep the gremlins at bay 😂

[Jenny1970 Graduate]

Well done Neil, glad your knee is OK. I start week 8 on Friday, looking forward to it! 😁

[Hidden in reply to Jenny1970]

Thanks Jenny, week 8 is great! The only thing is the day a week I have to run before work, the route I have is now too short

I hope your run on Friday goes really well!

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Hey Neil well done 👍🏻 X

[Hidden in reply to Shelby1973]

Thank you Shelby Where are you up to now? Have you hit week 8 yet yourself?

[Shelby1973 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Just ran the first one of week 8 so sat in my back garden now cooling 😀 my breathing seems ok but god I sweat 😫 next run fri then Monday due to work over the weekend . We’ve got this 😀👍🏻🏃‍♀️🏃 x

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Hey well done Neil!! You are doing so well!! I ran on my knee on Sunday...seemed fine but has been niggling today, so the run I was gonna do tonight may just be put back until it feels better. I daren’t ignore it after the grief I gave you about listening to your body lol 😂

[Hidden in reply to Polly2810]

Yes missy, you get right back on that IC this instant!! Seriously, just a day or two's rest will do wonders, I've been there!

And... you ran on your knee? There's your problem, you're supposed to run on your feet

Hope it gets better soon Polly!

[Polly2810 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Hahaha there’s the problem!! Knew it would be something simple 😂 yeah will give it another day or two then try again but perhaps just 10 minute bursts rather than 25! It’s not proper pain, just twinges if I catch it wrong. Will be good and rest it!!

[Hidden]

Well done Neil, so glad you found week 8 ok and your knee is fine. How did you get on at the doctors?