W9R2 - G minus 1 - advice appreciated pls

[PaulBrad]

Only one more run left until graduation - R2 last night went well and was better than the R1 on Monday night - although there was very little air movement last night and much warmer than of late, which made the run feel more difficult - but hey - its in the bag.

Now for the help part - I'm not normally a superstitious person by a long chalk - but I have been so surprised by how I've taken to this running lark I feel there must be some other reason for it - the way I tie my shoe laces, the socks I wear, the time I run at and the route I take (not changed it for the whole program) the days of the week I run on. I run Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings - have the weekend off and start again on Monday.

My times/distances have been improving on each run over the past 2 weeks and I'd really love to finish on a high and am thinking about changing the routine to have the best chance of achieving this - so I'm thinking of having a couple of days off between R2 and R3 , run on Saturday and in the morning.

What do you think - would you change your routine??

[Jay66UK Graduate]

“Hold on to everything lightly.”

If you are happy to change the routine, do it. There is no magic about the days you run (unless your other life schedule dictates it). But it needs to be what works for you.

My days vary as my other life (read: work!) varies. Do what you are comfortable with.

If for any reason you feel anxious about the change (and the fact of this post suggests maybe) then stick with the routine - you will be on W9R3 once and a graduate runner forever after.

Be happy with your choice 👍

[PaulBrad Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Thanks for that Jay - its ridiculous really at the start of the program I would have been happy just not to have coughed my lungs inside out and now I'm thinking about the best way to maximise W9R3 - who'da thunk it!!

[Jay66UK Graduate in reply to PaulBrad]

It’s a big deal run in the sense that it matters to you. In every other sense it’s “just another run”.

Maximise the enjoyment; minimise the stress. Looking forward to the report back whenever you choose to run it.

[Visionon Graduate]

I love changing my route, its part of the joy of running, discovering new places and alleyways you never knew existed!

[PaulBrad Graduate in reply to Visionon]

I think I've enjoyed keeping the same route so I know roughly if i'm progressing - I know there or there abouts where half way was on the last run. I've really enjoyed the challenge of this program but am definitely intending on changing the route for the consolidation runs. Cheers

[Visionon Graduate in reply to PaulBrad]

I know what you mean, but keeping the same route causes me a problem, my competitive nature goes a bit wild and I start to push myself harder than I should.

[ACHG Graduate]

As graduation is a special run for us all, a change might be nice. If you were thinking of a Saturday there is always Parkrun, the community is fantastic, (at least it is in Ashford where I have been going) and you get a properly timed run for your final efforts.

If not, I’m sure your graduation run will be great anyway, best of luck!

[PaulBrad Graduate in reply to ACHG]

That's a really good idea ACHG thanks - I might just look into that!