W8R2 - tough but fast?

Morning fellow runners. What a lovely morning for a run. Oh - taking a pic whilst actually running is really hard, not to be recommended!

Well that was actually harder than I thought, but looking back at my stats, it's because my speed was pretty much constant for the whole 28 minutes. Normally I tend to slow down during the second half. I guess it's the robot legs thing

Last time I ran along the canal I hit a brick wall 5 minutes from the end, and had to slow down massively. This time said brick wall was still lurking, but somehow I found a door through, and managed to keep up the pace, though I had to rest for a minute before my warm down walk. But I did it, knees feel pretty good, I feel really chuffed. One more before week 9.

Bring it on!!

Oh, and thanks to all my virtual cheerleaders, I'd have given up long ago if it wasn't for you. You are all amazing!

Off to town with the girls now... they want to go swimming!!

Neil x

[RunaroundSue]

Lovely autumn photo. It was quite thick mist here first thing. I was sorry it is not a running day for me

[Hidden in reply to RunaroundSue]

Honestly, a morning like this was just perfect for running! Even most of the puddles had dried up or turned to mud. And the slight mist lingering on the water was so beautiful.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I had mud x

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Oh no! My worry with mud is that I'll slip and twist my ankle or hurt whatever that thing was the doctor told me about :/ Be safe!!

[Feegle Graduate]

Good job Neil, sounds like it's all coming together. BTW, week 9 runs aren't too difficult

[Hidden in reply to Feegle]

Thanks Feegle, encouragement always appreciated! 28 minutes was hard work today though, I'm just going to have to trust that I can manage an extra 2 minutes...

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You can... you can

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Beautiful day for a run, you lucky sausage! I am gutted I am on a rest day. But enough about me – look at you go! Brilliant. Sounds like you really enjoyed it, Neil, and that makes me so happy. Double happy that your knee did you proud, too.

But (and I am a disciple of Oldfloss), watch out, speed demon! It feels good to go fast, but slow and steady for now, right? Maintaining a regular pace is good though, so well done on that. Is the breathing good?

Very very proud of you. You are going to so enjoy week 9, I know it.

Beautiful picture, too. Your run route is lovely.

Have a good swim with the little ladies!

Sadie x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie, the run was lovely, and although it was tough towards the end, I did still enjoy it.

Believe me, I am not fast. I did just over 5k today but that includes the warm up/down. Speed wise I was only managing 1k in 6:40, so still way off the magic 6 minutes. Which I know I can work on after graduation, that's if W8R3 doesn't actually kill me! I was proud that I kept the pace up, and that I had the strength and stamina to keep it up for the final few minutes.

Swimming sadly never happened, we had to go and buy swimming costumes because the girls forgot theirs, by the time we got back it was too late, as the traffic was just awful. So we shall swim tomorrow instead! Well I'm not that great at swimming so I'll probably sink.

Thanks as always for you encouragement. You're a gem xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh I think I know what you mean by pace now. For me, some of my earlier longer runs had a mixed pace – you know, reasonable, then slowed right down when the going got tough. I have had a consistent pace of late – maintaining roughly the same speed the whole time. That's what you meant, right? But 1k in 6:40 is fast in my book! I am hovering around 1k in 7:20. Fear I will never get to 5k!

Sorry the swimming never happened. Gah.

Happy Friday, buddy. x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

It's ok, we will try to go tomorrow afternoon. Consistency in terms of pace must be good, right? And I suspect that goes hand in hand with stamina and probably sheer bloody-mindedness too

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sheer bloody-mindedness? I have heaps of that! When are you next running, buddy? I am having two rest days (a little sore today, unusually) so out Sunday. 🏃‍♀️😀

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Yeah me too next out Sunday I hope, need to get this thing done, smash those brick walls, and prove the little voices of doubt wrong, the ones that say someone like me could never be a runner

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Funny. I think I had a teeny tiny crisis of confidence just before week 9. But here's the thing: you are a runner. You are. x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks as always! I'm having a permanent crisis of confidence

Oh - I suspect the reasons I may be running a little faster is simply that I have quite long legs, being 6'1". The whole of me I mean. My legs aren't that long!! Does leg length affect pace, it must, surely?

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Blimey, you're a tall 'un! No idea if leg length affects pace - but I imagine it must. I take mincing little steps, that's probably why I don't cover much ground! I'll get to 5k, in good time, am sure of that. 😀

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Yeah, you'll get to 5k I know it. You're too stubborn not to

[TJMazz Graduate]

Well done. You are going for it. You will be graduating in no time. Looks like a lovely place to run 🏃👏🏼😀

[Hidden in reply to TJMazz]

It is when it's not a mud bath lol but I do much prefer it to street running, nice and peaceful, only sucks, dogs, dog walkers, intrepid joggers and the odd heron for company.

Thanks for your support x

[DebJogsOn Graduate]

Looks like a great venue for a fantastic run - and you've caught me up again.

C'Mon Neil let's do this thing - only 4 more runs to go! 😊

Enjoy swimming with your girls - I'm off out to lunch (last treat of half term) - much less virtuous 😉

[Hidden in reply to DebJogsOn]

Ha! Knowing my luck I'll probably break my leg or die, both of which may well stop me graduating lol!

Apart from that though, well done for getting as far as you have. We SO can do this!!!

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

Nice one mate, nice pic.

[Hidden in reply to Martin_Rose]

Thanks Martin, it's lovely when it's not raining

[poppypug Graduate]

That looks absolutely gorgeous, just wants to make you want to get out there and run !

Well done ! xxx

[Hidden in reply to poppypug]

Thanks I had fun, and thinking back a few weeks, I'd have been out of action for the rest of the day. So I think it's all good!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Certainly is ! xxx

[Kimchoc08 Graduate]

A lovely autumnal picture 🍁🍃🍂 Well done on the run and enjoy the swimming 🏊🏼😊

[Hidden in reply to Kimchoc08]

Thanks Kim Swimming got delayed until tomorrow as we ran out of time, largely due to traffic, and the amount of time it took my elder daughter to choose her cossie!!

[Kimchoc08 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

So many costumes, so little time 🤣

[Hidden in reply to Kimchoc08]

Oh it was ridiculous. We all needed swimming stuff. I chose mine, as in, "fine, these will do". The girls just took forever!! Still, if it makes my darlings happy...

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Good going Neil 😀enjoy ur swim 🏊 im just off for my run , x

[Hidden in reply to Shelby1973]

Thanks Shelby! Yeah - swimming is now tomorrow (see comment above) but we'll get it done. Hope your run went well!

[Shelby1973 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ah yeap read it , kids eh my youngest is the same takes forever to get him sorted and out of the house. Run completed just shy of 4K so my plan is to complete this slow and steady and then try to smash 5k before increasing speed 😀 x

[Hidden in reply to Shelby1973]

Well done you! Doing 4K is pretty amazing as far as I'm concerned

[Shelby1973 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That includes the warm up and cool down x

[Hidden in reply to Shelby1973]

Don't you worry - just go at YOUR pace. You know what feels right for you. I had someone at work say to me they could probably do 5k in 15 minutes, it can't be that hard! I'd like to see him try lol

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yeay... getting closer.. go you... great run and great photo too...it was a beautiful morning wasn't it

Keep it slow and steady and cruise all the way to the podium... we will be waiting for you

PS

Next time you think you see a brick walk... just kick it down as you run onwards x

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

Haha - I think I ran right through it this time, I can be rather stubborn sometimes I wish I hadn't needed a "moment" before the warm down walk...

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Great job Neil! Glad to see you're back at it!

[Hidden in reply to ejvcruns]

Thanks ejvc, so am I. My legs are a little sore but I did walk round town for an hour with the girls, so I am not surprised!

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Fantastic achievement very well done 👍

[Hidden in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

Thank you! To be honest, each new run feels like a milestone now. I'm still high on the buzz from W5R3

[Fishypieface Graduate]

Sounds like you are doing a brilliant job! Not long to go now before you are up on that podium - it's gonna feel great!

[Hidden in reply to Fishypieface]

Thanks Fishy I can't wait!! 4 more runs.. 4!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Blooming good run there..never mind robot legs I need robot blooming lungs sometimes!!!! Nearly there now Hidden ...let the polishing commence x

[Hidden in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks mummycav, and I know what you mean about the breathing. I was fine until the last 5 minutes or so, and I felt like I just could breathe quite fast enough... but it is getting easier. But yeah, if robot lungs are a thing, I want a pair!!

[Sadeskin Graduate]

Well done on finding that door Neil! Isn't it great when that kind of thing happens? I have yet to find my robot legs, I'm hoping they make an appearance in week 9. Just in time! I also find it difficult taking a photo while running (talk about multi-tasking!) but it's a great documentation and memory to look back on. Looks like you've got a pretty route too! All the best for the rest of week 8 and 9

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Just read this Neil. Well done, and as Sadie has mentioned you are quite the speed merchant...

To get robot legs and no brick walls, you need to START your run really slowly. During the first 8 mins or so you are using up all your oxygen and your breathing gets quicker to take on the extra oxygen you need for the exertion. Your heart rate goes up to pump the oxygen into your bloodstream. By running slowly you get to the point where you are running aerobically without too much lactic acid building up or wearing yourself out. Then the robot legs kick in and you will be able to run more freely and finish strongly. There are articles about this called 'the toxic ten' if you want to look into it.

You will still complete your run at a good pace and enjoy it more without that exhausted feeling..

Knowing this has helped me a lot and also its one of the things that Laura teaches during the follow on podcasts.

Good luck with W8 R3😊xx

[Hidden]

Sorry been awol for a while, well done you on getting this done and yes taking photos whilst running, definitely a slight hindrance...

Great job and a lovely pic...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jan! It's a real struggle to keep running whilst lining up a shot! One of these days I'm sure I'll drop the phone in the canal

[quirkybee Graduate]

Hi Neil, ooh you're not far off the 30 minutes, you're doing absolutely grand. I'm routing for you my friend 😊

[Hidden in reply to quirkybee]

I'm getting there! One more run of week 8, hopefully tomorrow morning, then week 9!! Can I really run for 30 minutes? Really??