Having graduated a while ago I did say I'd start pushing now towards 5k and towards running more often. More often isn't *quite* happening yet but I did do a midweek 6am run which I was happy with (despite the catcalling incident).
Today I pushed to 4.6K, so small increments still (only 200 m more than last week's longer run). I tested out a route which involved a few road crossings, and some were quite busy so it got a bit stop-starty, but can't be helped.
The silliest encounter with a driver though was on a quiet residential street, a car driving towards me slowing down. I looked over to judge whether they were turning into a drive or parking on the road. I kept going at a steady pace. They had ground to a halt, no indicators ... and were quite far away so I thought if they were going into a driveway, they'd easily be able to go before I reached it... and then the longest 30 seconds passed by as I slowly jogged past and realised they'd been waiting for me ... starting a queue of traffic ... oh dear! Did I look like I was going fast enough for them to wait? The worst part is I checked my phone after looking at them for a while so it must have looked like I was just dawdling ... and I didn't thank them because I just didn't realise they were waiting to turn ... oh well!
Then I had to slip into the road to avoid a cloud of boys smoking (weed) and then ...oh, the hills (ok ... slopes) that I've not been on for a while. Oh, I'll have to do these more often, or I'll never do them! I was thrilled to feel that I could keep going after the last uphill though, which previously would have been the end of a run.
Anyway, work has been dreadful, so I will have to manage my time properly and hope to get in another run this week.
Onwards, upwards, downwards, and across many roads...
Written by
icklegui
Graduate
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4.6K. Your within a hairs breath of 5K. Your only one lap of an athletics track away. When I’m exhausted and I get to 4K and I want to stop, I just tell myself that I’m 2.5 athletic track laps away from finishing. It breaks it down and does not sound as bad as 1,000 meters. Well done. You’ll get there and beyond.
I never thought I'd "work" so hard at having fun lol
(at having sane, sensible and healthy fun I should add! 😂)
sigh...sounds like an average run for me, though the boys smoking weed would be from the local school in my case. I was chased down a long slope with no safe verges, in the dark, pinned in the headlights of a car once. Talk about feeling like a rabbit!
You're ahead of me with distance. the longest outside run I've done is 4.2k, and it took me 38.42 minutes, though I did do 4.33 on the treadmill a week ago. At the moment, with my breathing being so bad, I'm lucky to manage 3k, in fact my last three runs have been less.
I've only just pushed up the distance! And check out how much longer ago I started and finished C25K...
The pot smokers are everywhere round here. Some of them are very ... generous with their smoke
Just seen about your breathing on other posts - sorry to hear it's a bit of a thing at the moment! Hopefully it will ease. It's not just the dog allergy then? I'm allergic to my cats (more in the eyes though). As for cars and verges, I am lucky round here with pavements but I probably get a bit complacent; your rabbit in headlights scenario would have me diving into a ditch.
I honestly can't work out what is causing the breath thing. The allergy dog is moulting more, the cats are moulting. I hoovered upstairs thoroughly yesterday, and that helped, but i still couldn't run for toffee.
Except for my muddy cross country ventures (which I think i will give a miss till spring) it's mostly well lit pavements round here, but that particular lane led down to the church and the edge of the countryside. Probably a mistake in the dark. I tangled with a tree across the path in the churchyard too.
I wouldn't compare time since graduation. I manage to run three or four times a week because I don't have any other commitments except dog walking, while you have to fit it round work.
Well, it's a matter of time management, which I don't do very well! I see how many people get their runs in with kids and jobs and I know I could do better on that front!
Ooooh so very close, icklegui, so very close! And that sounds like an eventful run. Being the antisocial bugger that I am, I run very early mornings and other that the odd runner and a Fox 🦊 or two, I don’t have many cars or people to contend with.
I see you running 5k within a week or two. You mark my words. 😀
I'm an antisocial runner, no doubt, and usually it's quite quiet when and where I run. I avoid running on a Saturday morning when I know people will be making their way to and from Parkrun ...!!
Lovely story! I find myself improving my posture and speeding up slightly when cars appear on my local single track roads....then slumping back down when they are out of sight round the next bend!
You are within touching distance of your 5k, it won't be long now...
See, I wish I'd done that! I was quite tired and I really thought they couldn't be pulling in ahead, no indicator! Elfe5 I didn't think I was going to be mown down, the driver was too careful of me, if anything, bless them. They weren't impressed as I snailed past . I did speed up to pass the smokers though.
Oh the shenanigans around cars (I put that word in for Anthie, hope she notices!!) Very glad they didn't run you over icklegui! The only time ever that I switched from customary snail to adrenaline driven gazelle was when I thought I was going to be mown down - I suspect the driver wanted to see how fast I could run - hope he was impressed- I certainly was!! 😀
Respect. I'm so in awe of all you guys who "take it to the streets" and mix it up with the traffic and the youth. Makes me realise how lucky I am to live near a park. And to think I never ran in it once in 14 years....
You are lucky! I've been to your local park only once I think. And yes - I never ran by the seaside where I grew up, until last Christmas, I get that feeling!
But I wouldn't say I've taken it to "the streets", it was not that busy! The youth were easily avoided and I kept my headphones in so as not to hear any comments.
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Wow! Hills... and best run in days ;) 
Sunday's run
Wirral bull running...
