Longer rest then planned after Thursday’s 5k. I had hoped to run yesterday but my leg muscles were still quite achey. Bonus: I ate healthy food and had little to drink Friday night expecting to run Saturday and repeated that Saturday night.
Then I had a bad night. My youngest is at home for the weekend with her boyfriend and they went out for a meal with friends. “Won’t be late.” I went to bed around 10:30pm, they roll in about 1:30am and wake me.
By 4am the cat has decided there are lots of early birds around and he wants to fight them for the worms. By 7:30am he’s yowling to come in because breakfast. I do as commanded and fall back into bed. This photo is his “butter wouldn’t melt” pose.
I know it’s just going to get hotter...up I grump.
So, on with the run. Plan was a simple 30 minute run. Nothing big. Keep things ticking over. I’m wanting to shift my long run to the weekend but I’m not up for 5k today.
First 6 minutes were hell. Brain really playing all the tricks. Again I came very close to stopping. Those newly discovered shin muscles were making their existence know and my head was telling me this is shin splints, so stop now. (It isn’t and I didn’t.) And my breath was awful ragged.
Next 5 minutes was full blown Toxic 10. I seem to have got a weird slight cough and I’m wheezing a bit and it generally feels like I’m not breathing enough yet gallons of air are flowing in and out of my mouth, so much that I constantly have to wipe my lips as I’m breathing too hard to swallow. Horrible.
And then all of that passes. Looking at my split times it’s clear why - I had gone off too fast again despite trying not too. Bad side effect of increasing fitness.
I reach further than I expect outbound and cross paths with a young lady runner who is walking the other way with headphones on. We meet on a bend in the road and manage to make each other jump a little.
Panic. I’m near my turn point. If I just turn and run back to her she is going to be terrified and I’m going to be embarrassed. What to do?
I reach the turn and head back around the bend (watch it!) and she is nowhere to be seen. Presumably she lives in one of the houses I’ve recently been running past. Phew. (If you are a C25Ker from Disley and passed a panting bloke in a white shirt and black visor this morning, hi!)
Long run back home. Slow and hot. I know I’m way down on my earlier pace but I’m much more comfortable. It just means a longer duration to get back to the start.
As I reach the bottom of Sirens Hill The Housemartins come on with “Happy Hour” and I smile my way up to the summit.
My watch tells me I’ve reached my 30 minute time and I’m a long way from my start point, so I press on. Get near to it and look at distance - 3.85k. Hmm coincidence. My 5k happened because I had run 4.85k. Right. This has gone from being a 30 min run to being a 4k.
I keep running, pass another male runner, smile, say good morning, keep running. Watch buzzes for the 4k. 34 mins 29.
Not going to break any records at my pace but that was 8 min 35 per k (compared to 8 min 36 per k on my 5k run) so I am at least very consistent in my slowness!
Walk back home feeling relaxed and very happy. I didn’t really want to get out of bed and face the world today let alone run. I did both.
I’ve started using My Fitness Pal to keep track of my eating and to try to shift this excess weight. It gave me a lovely surprise when I reinstalled it. The last time I had used it was 5th October 2012. I have put on 8kg since then. Nearly 18 pounds. And that is having recently lost a few kilos. 😔
No point fretting about it. Some serious dietin’ is needed. Hopefully I’ll be able to report some progress soon.
Whatever run you have next, enjoy it x
Written by
Jay66UK
Graduate
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Aw black cats are the best!! Ive had three! Now have an ancient terrier with dementia and arthritis. Love him even though he tries to bite me at least once a day!
I’ve rather inherited him. Step-daughter saw him looking unloved in a grotty pet shop and “rescued” him...to our house. Where she didn’t live. She then went off to work on cruise ships not very long after. Now Mrs Jay has upped sticks and daughter is only here weekends and completely moving out soon, I’m stuck with the cat sitting.
I would except I live in a rural area with lots of critters that he likes to catch, bring home alive and play with. Can’t leave windows open during the summer - only on the little “latch” thing and have to check his mouth (and pockets) before letting him in.
😂 I don’t have a cat flap for that reason - I have 3 😺 all rescues, and the youngest (3 years) is a prolific hunter.
I’m in an urban area but lots of gardens back on to one another - she’s brought back mice, birds, frogs, - mice mainly and leaves just a head on the patio like some mini Martin Scorsese film 😫 😼
Mine has a particular fondness for shrews. But he will also have any sized rat that might appear. His speciality seems to be killing them apparently intact, the serial killer.
😩 there was an old cinema about 500m from me that was knocked down and turned into a block of flats - must have disturbed a whole colony of rats - my old lady cat then Meg had a field day 🐀 gave her a whole new lease of life (not so the rats)
Well done Jay66 - getting out there & doing it. My cat woke me up at 4am too! He starts off with a gentle pat on the face but resorts to claws if I don’t respond immediately! Last time I used my fitness pal I was 2 stone lighter so not going back to that - too depressing! Have lost 7lb in last 7 weeks, so, slow & steady like my running. Enjoy your Sunday with your run out of the way🙂
Thanks. My cat took to biting me to wake me. Took a week of pushing him off the bed and not getting up to break the habit. Now he leaps on my bladder...
You ran 18K - that’s amazing 😉. I’ve stopped snacking & reduced portion size. Some weeks I don’t lose anything or even put on a bit. I still have 2.5 stone to lose, so in it for the long haul! I’m 56 & definitely find it harder to lose weight & easier to gain than I did when I was on my 30s. It sounds as though you’re doing great - fitter & a better shape! Sometimes the scales aren’t the best indicator of improvement. Had a mini magnum today as a treat😋
Well done Jay for getting out there despite an interrupted night ! I hope your pleased everything is going in the right direction and all through hard work and perseverance on your part. I love that running has secretly crept into my lifestyle and, tough as it is to get out of bed sometimes, I know if I don’t I’ll regret it. The post run buzz and cuppa are bliss!
As for cute kitty - I suspect they’re all the same.... ‘Yeah I know it’s early but if you could just sort me out now because I have a whole day of sleeping ahead of me!’ 😐 good luck with the next run 🏃♂️
Nice legs tho Jay so the programme is worth it!! The cat is cute too! I loved that story of your run and the dilemma of frightening the young lady. I had the same issue on Thursday re turning round and seeing the person I just took ages to pass! At least it gives us something else to think about than legs feeling heavy. I needed amusement this morning so thanks for that post and well done!
Yesterday evening. There was a gully beside the grass path we were walking along but it was covered with grass too so you just couldn’t tell it was a deep hole. Trod on it and there was a horrible crack as I went right over on my ankle. Leg is broken just above the ankle. 😥
Love the 'butter wouldn't melt' pose, but waking people up at 4am puts him firmly into the critter category. At 1.30 am I think I would have put DD and her BF into the critter category too. 💤💤💤.
One of the best things about running is that it is your time. None of the critter elements of the household can bug you for anything. It's totally your time and that is precious.
That was a lovely post. It's nice to read about other peoples' runs, being able to picture your run makes a good read.
P.s. After reading your post earlier in the week about developing a muscle on your shins, I am relieved to see that your legs look normal and that there are no alien misplaced muscles.
If you try to point your toes towards your knees, bending at the ankle, you might just spot them. They are broad, flat muscles with well defined edges (but don’t stick out anything like a calf or bicep).
Fab stuff. Well done you! Every run counts. Every run contributes to forming a new habit and a new lifestyle. You won’t hit a PB every time and that doesn’t matter in any way at all. Keep going my lovely x
I sometimes wonder if all these stats we obsess about makes us lose touch with our bodies? Maybe we should listen to how we feel? If we have energy and we feel good and we’re not bursting out of our clothes, what does a few pounds here and there matter. That’s what i try and tell myself anyway - i don’t always listen though!!
Back when I was using MFP before I was doing the 5:2 intermittent fasting. I got down to a 38 inch waist from 40 (where I am now, but it’s getting loose) and was in L rather than XL shirts and things.
Seeing that is “only” 8kg away and knowing I have lost 3 since about 6 weeks ago is actually quite motivating for me. All without the pain of fasting.
I really haven’t been denying myself pleasurable food and drink, just been a bit more aware (especially the day before a run, when I try to eat well, drink more water, drink less or no alcohol).
It is what it is, as a wise person here says.
I need to shift my belly and I’m on to it. With that gone and when my ****** wedding ring mark eventually fades away, I’ll know I’m ready for the next chapter in my life.
I’ll snatch motivation from wherever i can get it! So if it works for you - hurrah! Enjoy the journey to that next chapter though - it’s not always just about the arrival....i’m sure that was once said by an ecclesiastical person to a thespian? Or was that something else?!
Great post Jay, and glad the run went well. And loved the photo of the cat - in fact if I took a photo myself right now it would be very, very similar... feeling very happy after the run this morning, sat watching the football, with one of our Siamese curled up in my lap
I love the fact that even when we might be tired and/or just don't feel like it, a run makes us feel so much better. Am so thankful to have got to the point where I can do that...which is all I really wanted to be able to do. Well done for motivating yourself to get out there Jay 😊
Can't give you any tips on that I'm afraid. It's taken me a long time to learn to start out slowly. Like you I pay for it if I don't!
Well done Jay & that cat is gorgeous- but then being mad cat lady all cats are gorgeous to me. You & me both friend - I’ve used my fitness pal before & thinking of using it again - I just can’t work out how I’m not losing anything with all this running. As I think Ringnold has said on here - you have to be in a calorie deficit & I think I’m prob kidding myself abt what I’m eating. Mind you - no excuse but I am on beta blockers & I know one of the side effects is weight gain - great!
That’s how I feel- I’ve just had a weekend away in Bath for a cousins reunion- I hadn’t seen some of them in over 20 years so it was great but lots of wine & unsuitable food was consumed & no running was done!
Cat picture, story of running anyway even when circumstances (oh, the struggle for enough sleep) conspire against us - nice work!, and a determination to keep up the running and work on your diet - great post! Keep going!
Hey jay how was the cat last night 😁😉 he's looking at you as if to say "round 2 tonight" 🤣🤣 I have 2 cats 🐱 🐱 and they both wake me almost every night, one taps me on the nose till I wake then opens me eyes and he's there staring into my eyes 👀 frightening 🐱🤣my other tries sitting on my head nasty 😷 bum 🤑🤣
I always feel better after a run 🏃♀️disturbed sleep 0 run 1 😁
Cat stayed out all night last night. If he yowled I didn’t hear it. But I’m not back from work until late evening tonight and he’s not come back for breakfast yet, so I’m likely to be in the errr dog house!
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You just know the end is going to be a let down!
A happy 5K and a Personal Best!
Graduation Run - Happy Birthday to me!
Back in the groove- happy happy happy 😃 
Do i HAVE to wait 48 hours before I can run again
I am sooooo happy to be doing week 1 run 1 again
