“4k? Ain’t that some kinda telly??”

[Jay66UK]

New regime started accidentally on Sunday.

Swapping from three runs a week based on 30-30-(33, 34, 40, 43) to try to reach 5k and now doing 4k-4k-5k. This was my second 4k.

Knew it would be hot. Aimed to avoid the terrible gremlins and ragged breath of last run, which I did by starting as slowly as I dared. Overall time 7 seconds slower!

I start every run with total self-doubt that I can complete it (within 5 minutes I usually want to stop and go home) and I really wish I didn’t. It is mad because I haven’t bailed out on a run yet (SAS Parkrun excepted, but I just walked when I couldn’t run).

Music dragged me along with the Dad Dancing playlist on random - up Sirens Hill to the accompaniment of Eye of the Tiger this time.

A couple of encounters with dog walkers but not dramas. Did I mention it was hot?

Came back with the athletic sheen that sallenson mentioned yesterday.

Within moments I had gone from Charlie Sheen to Rickie Lake - sweat pouring off me as I strip off and get my gear in the wash. (A joy of solo living at the moment: clothing optional!)

Sat thinking about why I enjoy running when it gives me such mental anguish at the start of every run. Can’t fathom it.

Whatever it is, it seems to have bitten lots of us.

Enjoy your next run x

[sallenson Graduate]

You're cracking this, dude!! Nice stats. Nice run. You look good with a sheen!!

Now c'mon. Fess up. If you didn't love doing this, you wouldn't. Or do we just have addictive personalities and are secretly consumed with self-loathing?

You'll always be Mr Sheen to me, hon xx

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to sallenson]

It does smack of an abusive relationship. Insisting I wear certain things. Monitoring my food and drink consumption. Making me get up when it wants. Can’t stop until it says...

[David_G]

Hi Jay, congratulations on getting around in the heat! 🌞😎 It makes such a difference when it’s warmer, at least to me 🤯😳

I’ve no idea why we do it, but I’m glad to be here 😀 I’ve just finished my run in not so sunny Leicestershire - no idea where the sun is this morning 😕

Going to have some breakfast and a wash and brush up then I’ll post my results when I’ve calmed down a bit 😊

Happy running everyone 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[sallenson Graduate in reply to David_G]

Love it!

"No idea why we do it, but I'm glad to be here "

We should have tee-shirts made!!

I spent 30 minutes this morning on a bike trainer in the garage, sweating like a pig, making sure that the chest freezer didn't move. I should have been bored to sobs. But I kept thinking it was going to improve my running. I didn't quite love the experience, but it was close thing.

Truly bonkers...

[David_G in reply to sallenson]

Hi Stephen, if you could power the chest freezer from the bike trainer you could save the planet too! 😂🤣 Oh, great idea about the tee shirts. ☺️My local sports shop in Croydon does tee shirt printing too, so that’s my new objective when I get back tomorrow 😉👍

[sallenson Graduate in reply to David_G]

And there we were knocking Croydon!! Croydon rocks! And so does Our David!!

[Ripcurlrana71]

Great early run Jay. You are improving so quickly!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😎

[Antilala2018 Graduate]

Well done! My first graduate run will be Friday and sticking to 30mins but then I’m hoping to manage 33 at the weekend to edge closer to 4.5k.

Is that High Peak in derbyshire? We camped at Hayfield last year if it is. Beautiful place.

👍😁🏃‍♀️

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Antilala2018]

Good luck on Friday.

Yes, High Peak in Derbyshire. I’m about 4 miles from Hayfield. Lived up here just over 20 years. It is beautiful - I can just about see Kinder Scout out of my bedroom window.

[Crittermad Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Pretty up there! Do you manage to find a relatively flat route?

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Congratulations Jay!! You survived the heat and your times are brilliant. I’m right there with you with the mind chatter. But, wherever it comes from, we find the courage to get out and go for it! That’s pretty amazing! Well done you!! ❤️

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks! And now I have that deep, mellow calmness to see me through the day.

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

"Mellow calmness"? Yeah, right

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to sallenson]

Mate it’s the most awesome feeling.

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

I didn't inhale. Honest, guv....

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to sallenson]

🤣 I’ve smoked weed twice in my life and it just did nothing for me. I’m not a fan of feeling loss of control.

[_SimonT_ Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

What you need is some of Stephen’s shoe pebbles 😂

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Me too! 😁 edit: calmness! Nothing else! 😂

[Kar43 in reply to Jay66UK]

The very natural feeling ay 😊

[Cazza26 Graduate]

Nice one Jay! You’re doing great! This whole running malarkey is

definitely addictive....

I was out at 6am to beat the heat. Managed another 5K, but since the heatwave, my times are getting worse, not better!! Still under 40 mins, though, so I’m pleased with that. 😀

I cheat a bit though - engineer my runs to incorporate a massive downhill stretch at the start which I end up using as my “not-so-cool-down-walk”!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Cazza26]

That’s not cheating. It’s being sensible. Not enough of that around!

[Myrar Graduate]

Well done ...There good times ..Your getting there ...Hats off to you all running in this heat ...👍

[Kar43]

Fab run jay 😉 and your pace 😉 I'm catching up to you 😁😊😁🏃‍♀️

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Kar43]

I’ll slow down. “Chase me!”

[Kar43 in reply to Jay66UK]

Haha 😂🤣🏃🏃‍♀️

[Razouski]

Well done Jay66UK , great run. No wonder you avoided the gremlins - they were too busy at my place plaguing my run this morning. You can have them back if you want them... 😉

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Sorry to hear that. I still had that “quit” instinct this morning but I fought my way through it. Hope your next one is better.

[Razouski in reply to Jay66UK]

Me too, as I hope I have more time for a longer distance run even if the pace is slower.

Happy running.

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Razouski]

You too ☺️

[SandieF Graduate]

Wow well done Jay! Your runs a getting longer & quicker. In this heat too 😳. To keep at your normal rates in this heat is good but to actually increase is amazing! *she says secretly seething cos her run was crap this morning 🤣*. Your the man 💪

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to SandieF]

I was 7 seconds slower!! (But my second k was my fastest second k so far.)

[SandieF Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

So one cancels out the other haha. Your doing 4K man and thats fantastic! 👏👏💪

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to SandieF]

And 5k at weekends 😇

[Jenniferfit]

You are inspiring and very funny I really like what you say thanks keep the posts coming 😀

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Jenniferfit]

Too kind! ☺️

[DeeRunning Graduate]

Lol Dad dancing playlist 😀 Did you do a few smooth disco moves along the way?

Your progress is so inspiring, every run you're getting better n better! Even if the first 5 minutes suck. 👍

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to DeeRunning]

I tried. But, you know, left feet.

I was finger clicking to “You can’t hurry love”, getting bouncy to “Jump Around” (lucky I don’t have lady lumps or I’d have black eyes), and getting my 70s groove on to Smashy and Nicey’s favourite...Bachman Turner Overdrive, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet” (b-b-b-baby...)

[_SimonT_ Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Got any Quo? 😂

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

Rocking all over the world on the warm down. I kid you not.

[_SimonT_ Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Perfect! 😂

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

It’s a brilliant playlist by Jancanrun.

[DeeRunning Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

😀 You are magnificent

[Ang33333 Graduate]

Well done! And in this awful heat! I also wonder why running, when I get up at 6 on holiday!! But it has bitten me too, as has a horsefly! 😰😰😰

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

Oh no. OldFloss had the same.

[Ang33333 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

It's huge! And all I want to do it scratch!!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Ang33333]

😔

[Hidden]

Brilliant Jay - take my hat off to you running in this heat! I have the same mental anguish- but hey- we did it - we got thru the programme- we’re pretty flipping awesome 😎

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well said. 🤣🤣🤣

[BellaJ Graduate]

Do you mind me asking what app you are using in that screenshot ??

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to BellaJ]

It’s the Apple iPhone Activity app. I’ve got an Apple Watch as well which drives it when running. It works well for me and lets me put a “split” in for each half of the run.

[_SimonT_ Graduate]

You are a gentleman and a scholar! Everything you type is dripping with warmth, humour and grace. And above all you are a runner! A self certified, totally bonkers running nutter! Nice one Jay! Great run! 😁

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

That’s possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. 😢

[Hidden]

I think they call it the Toxic 10 and it's quite common. Thing is, you get out there and do it, add hard as it gets you knuckle down. You're a force to be reckoned with, no backing down, no excuses, just get the job done. I'm massively impressed by those who fight through even though they're just not enjoying it. Jan was saying the same tonight, but you guys get the job done. Determination ✔ Focus ✔ Inspiration ✔

Need I say more...

You're doing amazingly Jay, loving your stats, they tell a different story!

Chin up, chest out and be very proud of all you've achieved!

Sharron 😊

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Cheers, Sharron. Very kind. I’ve said all along I’m stubborn!

Yes I definitely suffer from the Toxic 10 but also from rampant gremlins early in the run. I can control the Toxic 10 when I remember to go slowly at the start. But the gremlins hit me regardless.

(Please don’t mention “chests out”, though. I’m missing female company! 😳🤣)

[Hidden in reply to Jay66UK]

🤣🤣🤣

What about trying the EJB trick and getting some sugar to get you through the worst bit at the beginning? You'll start looking forward to the first 10 mins. I know the (stubborn) feeling... it gets me quite far too.

Sorry to hear your feeling a bit lonely. But you never know who you might meet out running - get smiling to the passing dog-walkers! 😉

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Good idea. I have some tiny packs of emergency Haribo and Haribo sours and I could break those out.

A bit lonely: yeah, it’s pants. Well into the 5th month of it (which I know is nothing but effectively I haven’t been single for 36 years before this through 2 relationships). Divorce comes through end of next month and then I will start to start thinking about it all a bit. Being old fashioned about it all doesn’t help these days and at my age!

For now, it is what it is.

[Gilly0410 Graduate]

Well done Jay! I’m with you, when I’m running I question why, but then within no time at all I’m planning my next one 😂😂😂😂😘

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Gilly0410]

Fantastic madness, isn’t it?

[Gilly0410 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

11 weeks ago that would NEVER have been me 😂😂😂😂😘

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Gilly0410]

Same here. I start things. I don’t finish them.

To quote something I’ve just heard on tv “all the gear and no idea”.

Not running.

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Well done you! 🏃🏃🏃 😊 Impressive! All the best for the next run.

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks!

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Well done Jay. We have watched you grow whilst you have been on this programme. You are more confident and provide brilliant advice to anyone and everyone. If you don’t watch out they will be asking you to join the mentors team!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Too kind. I got a lot of help to get here and it’s only fair to pass that along.

I’ve noticed that loads of the newer runners are supporting each other already which is fantastic - they’re doing what they see on here. It is a special place.