W4R3 - My first night run: So I finally had my... - Couch to 5K

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W4R3 - My first night run

Preserved_Moose profile image
7 Replies

So I finally had my run, a lot later than usual, but that’s parenthood for you. I have no idea how this will go when the baby’s here. Maybe I should carry him on my back while I run.

I had to change my route because the park is dark and isolated and to even get there I have to run along a dark path right next to some woods so, in short, it’s not happening. Even the footpath behind the houses can be a little rough at night, depending who’s out. It’s a nice quiet area away from town but sometimes the drunk YOOOUUUTHS wander down this way.

So I headed out to the main road. Not my first choice but it seemed to be my only option that was well lit and not too populated. There were cars obviously but not too many at this time of night.

To be honest, there’s not much to report on. I ran for three minutes, crossed the road and took a minor detour up a side road to cross over more safely and then ran back to the main road.

I ran up the road for five minutes and then turned around. Oh, minor drama at this point! During the walk after that I had a piece of gravel in my shoe and, not wanting to stop for longer than was absolutely necessary, I pulled my shoe off, hopped along, shook it out, and tried to quickly shove it back on again. I don’t know how or why but it really hurt my shoulder! Then I did my next three minutes.

Now for the most part I’d been doing alright, apart from a little tiredness in my ankles, but by this point I was starting to struggle and my chest was feeling all stabby again. But i didn’t let that put me off so when that last five minutes rolled around all too soon I was motivated enough by my determination and the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 soundtrack to get on with it.

So I did! And it was hard! And I didn’t slow down! And my chest got all right and my throat felt like there was a huge lump blocking it! But I did it!

And then I stopped. No heroics today, Jo Whiley said stop and I was all too happy to listen. It’s strange because I was in a worse mood on Wednesday after a bad day and I struggled a lot more during that run but I still had it in me to overdo it. Not today though, I stuck to the programme. Which is what we’re meant to do anyway so I can’t exactly feel bad about it. But I always find it exciting when I’ve got it in me to go further.

I think I know what happened anyway. Despite everything I had working against me on Wednesday, I’d timed my preparation right and ran when I needed to. Today I’d already used up that energy I was storing for the run thanks to our boy’s dramatic bedtime, so I was kinda running on empty when I started it but I didn’t want to have to start it any later. Important thing is I did it but recovery for this one may be longer, it really took it out of me!

Fortunately I have a very unhealthy takeaway arriving soon. After all that, neither one of us is in any mood to cook! I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again. That boy is simultaneously one of the best things and one of the most infuriating things that ever happened to me. Yay, parenthood! I wouldn’t have it any other way.

So, next week’s runs actually look more manageable, I think three blocks of five minutes would be perfect for me. But I won’t know until I try it so, until then, I sit here sweaty and broken.

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Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose
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7 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Not broken.... amazing... all that... and you ran.. you did it... be proud... we are..of you!

Children? Like music..high notes... low notes... but what an incredibly beautiful song :)

Go you!!!!

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks now I just need some serious recovery because I’ve forgotten how to move my legs

LapoftheGods profile image
LapoftheGodsGraduate

Well done for getting out there - I’ve done the same run (W4R3) earlier today, after my first week back in work after the lovely school hols ( I’m a TA at a local school). I’ve had to put my running shoes on as soon as I get in from work because if I’d sat down first, I wouldn’t have got up again.

Bring on week 5 🙌🏻

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply to LapoftheGods

I’m looking forward to next week and also a little scared of it. Should be fun!

LapoftheGods profile image
LapoftheGodsGraduate in reply to Preserved_Moose

Me too, this time next week we’ll have out first solid run under our belts 👍🏻

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Parenthood... it gets worse. Running.. it gets better. 😂

Great run tonight... keep the heroics for that parkrun PB attempt in 10 or so weeks... good job following the plan. You know you got this don’t you?

Keep doing it just the way you are.

BossLadyTinaK profile image
BossLadyTinaK

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

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