3 X 5 is?

[Richard7]

In a week where school timetables have been in the news I thought I would pose a little teaser. What is 3 X 5?

Well the answer to some is 15 but to me the answer is .. tough going!

This week rather than pushing myself to run for 9k to try and exceed my distance from last week I chose to do two things ... Firstly this week to just keep to 3 X 5k ... Secondly I signed up to do Ju-Jus 10k plan so that I could get myself to 10k without busting a gut.

So in this week prior to starting the 10k plan I took it easy - after my 8k run just 3 X 5k could not be that hard! Ha!

My first 5 was on Monday and if memory serves me correctly it was ok. Tough after running 8 at the weekend if I am honest but I expected that.

I left my second run until Thursday. It seemed the best next day weather wise and gave me a nice break from the previous two runs. It felt like I was running inside a wind machine. My legs were OK for most of the run but the last 1k was difficult going having exerted a lot of energy battling the wind.

My third was yesterday. The weather was great (for this time of year) despite what the BBC weather app had predicted upon getting up and the wind was down. The previous two runs had left me wanting to take it a even slower which I always think I am doing - it turns out I only have two speeds - slow ish and very slow with nothing between the two! It was tough going from the outset. The usual first 10 mins or so of waiting for my legs to get rid of that toxic 10 feeling (for me it's more like toxic 15) and then a downhill decent. By 2k my mind was saying to me why not have a rest at the midpoint, it won't do any harm - I really thought about it but took a firm stance and continued knowing that when I get up to 10k I would want to do it in a single run without breaks so had to get this 5 done! In the final 2k I managed a few spurts of speed but not for long. It had been another tough one.

So by the end of the run having had a harder week than expected I was questioning my wisdom of doing Ju-Jus plan! How could I run for 10k!!!

So this morning I gave myself a good talking to and decided to look back through my training log at my achievements for some inspiration. It turns out that whilst I thought I had been a good boy gradually increasing my distance each week ... well it had been a bit all over the place! Each week my total distance (km) has roughly been 10.5, 9.1, 6.1, 10.3, 10.6, 16.1, 17, 15!

Not exactly following the 10% rule!

Looking at Ju-Jus plan 13, 14, 15.5, 17, 17, 18, 18, 19 you can see the weekly increses are all around 10% and there are even a couple of no incremental weeks.

So I guess in true C25K style I am going to approach this new challenge knowing that each week I will get stronger and each week therefore will prepare me for the next. And ... that rather than the haphazard approach of increasing my distance that I had been doing it is good once again to be following a plan.

I will let you know how I get on - first run is only 2.5k - ha ha listen to me I never thought I would be saying that so nonchalantly back in August when I started out!

So wherever you are, in the programme or a post grad runner know that each week makes you stronger and prepares you for your next run. Keep believing in yourselves and happy running everyone. 🏃‍♂️

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Interesting post Richard, demonstrates the usefulness of a running diary.

You are doing great, that first 10k is within grasp!

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Fingers crossed

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Ha, Well done Richard...good spot!

Once you can do that 5k, you can do Ju ju's plan. Its so good and those shorter runs are so welcome...

I think you will enjoy it 😊 Good luck🍀xx