Week 3 completed with a flourish, Jo Whiley and a bit of that thing called rhythm.

[Pm3eak]

Interesting run today.

The first 90 second stint felt a bit sticky for some reason and I was a bit worried. But, Jo Whiley was assuring me ( via my app) that everything would be fine and Jo can do little wrong in my eyes so I powered into my walk. She was right.

The first three minute session was over before I realised and the final three minute section saw my 'rhythm' kick in-for the first time to date-and all was well. I'd been hoping against hope that this would happen. For twenty years my chosen exercise has been swimming- 2 to 3 km of front crawl on main sessions supported by shorter sessions concentrated on form, power and other strokes. Relaxing into a rhythm and just zoning out in the water is what I really loved about swimming-and cycling-and is what this damned shoulder injury has robbed me of. I really didn't think that a 93 kg swimmer, 3 weeks away from his 60th, would ever experience that as a reluctant convert to running...but I did...a bit.

During the final 3 minute run something just clicked into place: I heard Jo say it was time to stop but I just wanted to carry on a bit more as I felt comfortable, relaxed, lighter on my feet and my breathing was in a nice rhythm. I ran through the 3 minute warm down and felt great, in fact I did 6 and a half minutes before I decided I had better stop as I didn't want to do too much too soon. I've done that in swimming, cycling, weights and other sports I've been involved in over the years...more than once! My session covered 4.9 km ( including the walking sections) and I felt fresh afterwards.

Anyway, I am sure it will kick me in the teeth next time but I really feel encouraged and have a sneaking feeling that, despite my certainty that I would hate this, not be able to do it and would only stick it until I could swim again etc...that I might actually like this and might just have found a new interest. I'm sure though that the longer sessions will test me more.

We'll see!

I have to say in closing, that reading the posts from other people and seeing the obvious sense of community here is really inspirational.

[misswobble Graduate]

Another one roped in 👍😃🏃‍♂️

[Fatflabtofitfab Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Do you always listen to jo wily? I generally listen to Michael Johnson and wondered if they all.just say the same script?

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to Fatflabtofitfab]

To be honest, as a long time listener to Jo Whiley I didn't consider anyone else. I find her voice to be quite comforting and unobtrusive. I think-but am not certain-that each of the speakers has their own style and content, albeit all similarly motivational and encouraging.

Once I had progressed to the longer runs, without the walking sections, I stopped using the app and just set my Garmin to the required timings. That is just a personal thing as I like to settle into a rhythm and dislike the interruptions

(especially when they keep telling me I haven't done half as long as I thoughtI had).

Good luck!

[Hidden]

I just finished it too, tonight. There must be something about this final run of this week, because I was buzzing with energy when I finished, and would love to forget about rest day and go out again tomorrow,though I shant. So well done us 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 😊😊😊

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well done!

I am having a couple of days off now as youngest daughter is home for weekend...plus I am woefully behind with garden work.

I have w4r1 scheduled for Monday: we'll see how that goes.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

It's great when everything falls into place and you feel like you can run "forever". It's just a matter of time before the addiction sets in, mwah ahaha 😈

[RuthL Graduate]

I have week 3 run 3 scheduled for today. Am looking forward to it now 😄

[Fatflabtofitfab Graduate in reply to RuthL]

How did it go

[Pm3eak Graduate]

I hope it went well?

I might be struggling to do much this week as I dropped a gate on my foot ...

...as you do.

[RunningRosie]

Well done! I'm trying again tomorrow to get w3r2 done - at this stage I can't imagine my breathing being in a nice rhythm!

[misswobble Graduate]

Speaking of Rosie, Rosie, and speaking of run rhythms, when you graduate and want a good running tune you can’t do much better than Whole Lotta Rosie! It’s just been on the radio. Brilliant 😃👍🏃‍♀️🎶🎵. I have it on my music player 🙂