5k Prom Run incorporating Week 6 Run 2 - nearly......

[Duddles]

Having not learned the lesson of a fortnight ago, I tried to include another Couch run into our local 5k Promenade race. Should have known better....

A glorious day with a run alongside a very sparkly sea and also alongside my daughter and her friend. There really is nowhere better than the beautiful Isle of Man when the sun is shining...

In Manx races there are usually a smattering of race walkers, my natural mode. However today, I was the lone race walker and when I started off with my five minute walk, I watched in dismay as the entire field receded away from me.

Being a competitive old sod, that was a dispiriting feeling. So I curtailed the five minute warm up walk to three minutes, and then set off on the first ten minute run.

That went quite well, except I was now overtaking groups quite regularly. Yes, I was going too quickly - as I did the last time I ran it. I was upsetting the Gods and Godesses of Couch.

So at the end of the first ten minute run, I cut short the three minute 'rest' walk and set off for the second half. But by then the Couch Gods were very annoyed and I found I had to resort to Jeffing it. Walk Run, Walk Run, and so the second of the ten minute runs had gone up in a haze of sweat. I still maintained my place, and even overtook a few, but Couch had been outmanoeuvred by Jeff.

I finished with a sprint, but with an identical time to a fortnight ago - 31.06 for the 5k. In theory it would have been quicker if I had run more slowly, but for longer. Lessons still to be learned.

And for the second time my daughter beat me in a race. This is The Shape of Things to Come. And an excuse to show a picture of her with me at the finish before we staggered up to the nearby M&S Cafe to be re-united with her daughter and my grandchildren.

Lesson for the second time - Couch to 5k IS NOT A RACE!

[Gran4z Graduate]

But you did it - who cares how? And I think your time is amazing - yippee!

[Goforitmama Graduate]

31.06 is a fantastic time. Well done you! I would be delighted with that time. I think you must have have overtaken many people. I hope that you felt just a tad smug as you sailed past them.

I have not fun a 5k for a while (still getting back into running), but my goal was always to finish 'upright and smiling'. A good time was always a bonus. But I'm a 'runner', I'm not a 'racer' and that's just fine by me.

The photo is lovely. Thanks for sharing.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Well done! Super speedy!

[Duddles Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

I cheat a bit, in that I race-walk and before a recent illness could do a 10k walk in about 1 hour 6 minutes, so could probably walk a 5k in under 33 minutes. Running is much harder for me, I am trying to change my muscles from walking to running. On the other hand I was definitely the quickest (and only) runner born in 1946.....

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Duddles]

Either way it’s great! Well done!

[Duddles Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Just seen that you have whizzed through the process and have run 10k within 12 weeks of starting Couch! Amazing - I know I couldn't do 10k non-stop and that seems a long way in the future.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Duddles]

Thank you! I’m going to try and consolidate 10k and get faster at 5k. I bet you could - I’m very slow!

It’s such a fab program and forum. Best thing I’ve done 👌🏽