Michael Johnson Got Me a PB

[Razouski]

Today I woke later than expected and the gremlins had obviously had something to do with it, as they were immediately on the case. “It’s too late to run now!” one yelled while trying to pin me in bed with my duvet. The temptation was to remain recumbent and return to my slumbers, but good old Mr Razouski, my knight in shining armour, came to my rescue, threw back the duvet and presented me with a cup of tea?

In response to my groans and protestations, he pointed out that he thought I’d planned to run this morning, and was just trying to be helpful. So I reluctantly admitted I could run, but it would have to be a short one as I had a hospital appointment to get to. I left my gremlins jumping up and down on my bed, while I got into my kit, thinking about how I could get the best from my run this morning.

When I did C25K I ran with the Lovely Laura, and have used her speed podcast a few times, but absolutely detest it. I couldn’t bear the thought of her torturous intervals even though I know they are good for me.I’ve seen so many comments about Michael Johnson, I decided that perhaps he could come with me on my run, and use week1 as a kind of fartlek programme. And so it was that Michael and I started off on a brisk 5 minute walk. When he said to run I attempted to run faster than my usual pace and when he suggested I walk I decided I would run at or below my usual pace to get some recovery. His dulcet tones kept the gremlins away, and at the end of the last “fast run” I continued with my usual pace through his cool down walk and further. Before cooling home to get me home. That last km of running felt such an effort, I think the gremlins had caught up with me and I felt like Gulliver with the Lilliputian like gremlins attempting to tie me down with strings, pulling backwards to stop me going on.

But despite feeling knackered afterwards I was totally chuffed to find the fartleks paid off and I’d beaten my previous PB for 5km. I’d been unable to get below 27mins for so long I’d almost given up on it, but today my 5km was completed in 25minutes and 30seconds. 😅

Perhaps I should get Michael Johnson to come running with me more often.

[Tbae]

Just amazing.You should have entered the speed challenge?

Mr Cool does it again.lol.

He does not even say much.

Don’t know his secret? lol.

Huge congrats., a PB I would die for.

Take care of you.

[Razouski in reply to Tbae]

Thanks Tbae , I was really pleased with it. I might have to try this again sometime.

[Tbae in reply to Razouski]

I read on the PARKRUN website re age related performance bands, I enter the 75-80 band soon and I should be able to get to a 28min, 5k. lol and I can dream.

But you are something else Mrs Raz, sub 28,5k’s and casual unplanned HM’s etc

More power to you.

Take care of you.

[Razouski in reply to Tbae]

I think you are amazing to be doing all this running at 74+. I only hope I'm as sprightly as you in 20 years time.

[Tbae in reply to Razouski]

You will be, believe it.

You are amazing.

I just love this stuff now,

do not know what I have been doing with my life.lol.

Happy days hey ho.

Take care of you.

[misswobble Graduate]

Good grief! A fair lick in this heat ✊😃👍🏃‍♀️✅

Well done 😃. I agree, running with Michael. Sigh 😁😍

[Razouski in reply to misswobble]

I didn’t run with him originally as I relied on Laura, so it was quite a treat.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Razouski]

There was only Laura in my day 😁. Bless her cotton socks 😃👍

He is the business though ey 😍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Wow.... go you and in the warmth too... well done

[Razouski in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss , I now realise that I should build shorter faster runs into my schedule from time to time.

[Equi-geek Graduate]

That's amazing! I wondered about using the run/walk intervals as fartleks later on - now I know - thanks!

[Razouski in reply to Equi-geek]

I had some good music to go with the app which made it more interesting in some ways than using Laura, as her music choice was a little niche.

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Razouski]

I find music makes a big difference for me too - really helps!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

Wow! What a great run.

Never heard of fartleks before (not has autocorrect and it wants tartlets instead!) and that sounds a great way to “recycle” the programme.

Impressed with your time.

[Tbae in reply to Jay66UK]

It is Swedish for speed play.

Self freedom interval training by you for you.

Worth considering Jay.

[Razouski in reply to Jay66UK]

A few people in the Bridge to 10k forum have been talking about them Jay66UK so it was worth giving them a go. I guess it's the same as interval training really which is what the Speed podcast does. In fact there are 3 C25K+ podcasts for recent graduates that build speed and stamina called Stepping Stones, Speed and Stamina. But as they are podcasts you have to be happy with Laura's choice in music, whereas using the app meant I could team it up with my own playlist.

It's taken me ages to get below 27minutes, so I was impressed with my time too.

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Razouski]

I have put off going to them until I’m a bit more confident doing 5ks. But I will get there.

[Razouski in reply to Jay66UK]

I would avoid Speed for a while (I hated every moment of it) , but some people find Stepping Stones helps them get to the elusive 5K. I wonder what Oldfloss and IannodaTruffe would advise about these. They are specifically designed for new graduates like yourself.

But I can see you have a pretty good strategy for getting to 5k already, and if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to Razouski]

I’ve managed 5k now - last Thursday. And plan to do it each weekend. But it’s a struggle.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Speedy! 🧡

[Razouski in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thanks Maddee_6333 , it's taken me ages to find a way of shaving a couple of minutes off my time, but that's probably because I'm usually running longer distances. I might try this more often.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Well done R! ☺☺☺☺☺

[Razouski in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks Irish-John it's taken me long enough

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Nah, like a Fine Wine - not a minute too early to come to the peak of excellence ☺

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Congratulations on the PB Razouski, not to mention winning the battle with the gremlins!! Brilliant!! ❤️

[Razouski in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks Fabulous450 , I think it was my turn to have the gremlins as they have been conspicuous by their absence in my last few runs.