On to week 8...

[I_can_run]

A few days ago we completed w7r3 and our time had improved a little bit which was a great boost - then very late yesterday we started w8 - we did r1 and it wasn't easy but it was easier than we thought it might be. For the long uninterrupted runs (ie w6r3 onwards) we do our run out and back along the same route rather than a loop, and turn around about 30s before the halfway point (to compensate for tiredness and going uphill on the way back) so we pretty well end up in the same spot for each of these long runs which kind of cons us that we haven't gone any further - its always the same target - so by the time we are there we have kind of forgotten the fact we have been running longer, we are fixing on the same finish as always. That seems to make it a bit easier than for example having the finish move another few hundred meters down the road as the runs get longer/faster.

Compeed plasters have allowed wife to keep running - really good I wish I had them back when I used to do a lot of hiking - and knees are not getting any worse so it is all looking good for the last 5 runs til graduation!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

You are both doing brilliantly. That out and back route really works too!

Keep going onwards and upwards 😊x

[I_can_run Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks! Yes it has its advantages - the only real disadvantage (although it is inevitable when we live on a bit of a hill) is that the return is always more uphill than the outward leg but there isn't much we can do about that other than jog into the town centre which really wouldn't be practical.

[Hidden]

Whatever mind tricks work are the best ones. I used to add an extra bit at the beginning of my run, so I couldn’t benchmark the same old milestones. It had the same effect. Only 5 runs to go - you both must be feeling great. well done and happy running to graduation

[I_can_run Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! It feels a bit unbelievable being so close to finishing - we are beginning to wonder what to do next...

[msanni]

I try to run a slightly different route each time do that I don't get hung up on distance. As I run in parks - I've added a slightly hilly one to my usual flat one - I can watch spring do its stuff and there's a beautiful surprise around every corner.

[I_can_run Graduate in reply to msanni]

That would be nice - we tend to run after dark and even in lit parks wouldn't feel confident about running - missing our footing or not spotting a gift one of the local dogs has left us on the path. We should try it though are route is comfortable but a bit repetitive - it just means finding the time during the day though with the much longer days that may be possible.