Week 8 Run 3 - early morning run

[Goforitmama]

I got up early this morning to get my run out of the way before the day started. So I was out the door at 6.15, strapped on the very antiquated Garmin (tells me everything I could ever wish to know except the time) and my water belt and off we go. My last run was in the city, those exhaust fumes were not much fun, but I did like being able to run a circuit. Today I was back running in the country again today, just up and down the street, looking out for rabbits and hopefully nothing bigger than that (skunks raccoons, wolves and coyotes). If I go any further I will hit some big hills and I'm saving my hill training until I'm comfortable with 30 minute runs.

We live on a small island in a lake, and the road runs alongside the lake. It was a beautiful calm start to the day with temperatures just right for running. There are no footpaths here, but in my 28 minute run I saw only 2 cars - which is about 2 more than usual. The route has some gentle undulations that have definitely become easier over the last 4 weeks.

At the end of the run I was happy with the distance my Garmin told me. Another slight improvement. I had been feeling a bit drained this week and gave myself extra rest by skipping my spin classes and going to the gym. It seemed to do the trick.

So next week it's going to be week 9! It seems to have come around so fast. I'm okay with running 28 minutes, so I feel quietly confident that next week should not be a problem. I highly doubt that I will run 5k in 30 minutes - but I will give it a go. I just need to find a long gentle downhill that is about 5 k in length!

I'm also going to try 18windmill 's suggestion and try eating a couple of blocks of dark chocolate before a run and see if it gives me a boost. It's chocolate!! My addiction!!

I am looking forward to getting back to longer runs with hills so that I can take an early morning run over the other side of the island and see the sun come up over the water. It's about 8k there and back.

Good luck to everyone! Especially all the other week 9ers out there.

Thanks to everyone for your posts, comments, support and sharing your sense of humour.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Great to hear about your run. Good luck with W9!

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks, I just need that long downhill of about 5k, a wind behind me and a big starbucks hot chocolate at the 5 k point - then I can really get that 5k in 30 minutes!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Goforitmama]

I’ve just completed a full postgrad week and I’m nowhere near in 30 mins. My best is 3.7k in 33 mins. Speed will come later.

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

If I find a long downhill 5k I will let you know, I will meet you at the top and we can race down together!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Goforitmama]

Your on. Winner buys the hot choc. Warning: I’m slow and cheat!

[Myrar Graduate]

Well done goforitmama ...I'm right behind you ...Wk8r3 next for me ...Hope that podium is nice and shiny for you ...All the best 😊😊

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to Myrar]

I will save a space for you on the podium. I'm ordering the bunting for the podium, booking the band, the local newspaper will send a photographer, and breakfast tv may want to do an interview! Haha - yeah right!

good luck for your next run and our final runs next week.

[Myrar Graduate in reply to Goforitmama]

Oh I have my nice new running shoes to show off to the cameras lol 😊

[LuluLogue Graduate]

Did my Week 8 Run 3 today too. So we’ll both graduate next week. It feels great doesn’t it. I did 4.5k today so doubt I’ll reach 5k in 30 mins either but it will give me another target to work towards. Good Luck for next week☺️

[Goforitmama Graduate]

do you want to join Jay66UK and me on this long 5k downhill ? Winner buys big hot chocolates. He says that he is slow, but watch out he already says that he is going to cheat. I reckon with the a good wind behind us and a long gentle downhill we can beat this 5k in 30 minutes easy 😀🏃😀🏃😀🏃

Good luck for next week!

[limberlou Graduate]

Good luck for next week. After I graduated and did my first 5k run it took me just over 40 mins

I’ve run 4 more now and still only down to 38 mins so don’t stress about it. It will come eventually. And my daughter who is half my age and pushes herself like a maniac is still only on 33.5 mins.

Just enjoy the running and get the most out of the lovely scenery and weather.

[Goforitmama Graduate in reply to limberlou]

Nah, I'm not worrying about the speed. I used to run before and I never did achieve the 5k in under 30 that so many people talk about. It's not my goal, I just want to be able to get back to the 8k run that takes me over the other side of the island. It's just so peaceful and pretty. There are even fewer houses over there and it seems to make me more of a novelty. The farmers wave at the crazy running lady. Presumably they are thinking 'she looks like a runner only slower!'