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.