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!!
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.
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...
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.
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
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!
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
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. 🏃♀️😀
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
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?
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. 😀
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 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!!
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...
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
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
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!!
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
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
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...
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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
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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 
Tough week - but got there in the end.
Week 7 done and dusted but oh ... that was quite tough.
A tough W8R2
Week 5 Run 1 - A Bit of a Struggle To be Honest
Hard work tonight 
