Back to School, so a Wee(k) of Learning - Couch to 5K

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Back to School, so a Wee(k) of Learning

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate
12 Replies

It’s been an interesting week. My boys are fully back in to the swing of things at school now so I can get my routine back on track. My aim is to find new routes and test different techniques out and see where it takes me. As Eldest is now volunteering at Parkrun I’m organising my running regime around that, which is quite handy.

So, the week started with a run on Monday: I worked until 1pm, so I had an early lunch whilst I was still working. Unfortunately I didn’t quite leave enough time (1.5 hrs) for it to go down, so by the time I got back I was very uncomfortable. I managed 2 miles at a reasonable pace though, and my route involved a few hills but I learned that I needed to eat a full meal after my run. I did learn one other thing: bouncing runs...I have a favourite Strava Segment, and I found that if I bounced a bit more into my stride I went a lot faster. I would have beaten my PB and got fastest female this year if I hadn’t had to divert round a lady & her dog. Ah well, next time.

Tuesday was yoga which was lovely.

Wednesday, I had a snack whilst I was working and that was fine. However, I drank too much this time. I found a brilliant new route which involved going north of the river (ooooh!) and down to the old railway line and back up my new favourite hill (honestly! But it’s only diddy). I also wore my new lovely Ron Hill leggings with the zippy pocket in the back, and they fab because they are really snug. Unfortunately my new regime of keeping myself hydrated bit me on the proverbial. No matter how much I go to the loo beforehand it’s never enough. I don’t think I need to go into too much detail 😳😳😳 but I raced home very quickly once I got back over the river again. 2.6 miles at record pace! The running bit was fine and I could probably have done much longer, maybe even pushed it to over 5k at last, but it was not to be.

So, the new plan was to not drink as much and plan it around rest days, two of which I now had before Parkrun.

Two very busy work days later and I thought I had sorted the hydration thing. Eldest son and I went off to Parkrun, no morning drink and just a cereal bar inside of me. Because I was hanging around for longer than usual I think the cooler autumn air got to me and by the time we started I realised I would have to take a ‘comfort break’ somewhere on lap one. Luckily, I didn’t have to do a Paula Radcliffe 😳 as there were loos about 2/3s of the way round. I don’t know how long it took but I knew that was any chance of a PB today out of the window. Still I went flying out of the (loo) blocks and caught up and passed quite a few people and I was fine for the rest of the run.

Strava says I had a 9:24/mile pace which is a record for me. If it hadn’t have been for the loo break I would have finally cracked 30 minutes. Next week maybe...as long as I’ve sussed this feeding & watering thing. More learning for me next week 📖 🙄🦆

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TailChaser profile image
TailChaser
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12 Replies
Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate

Oh no! Fleeces and coat weather time already?

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate in reply to Katnap

Only around my middle at the moment 🤣

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Hehe... hydration the day before becomes important... but that also takes practice so you’re not peeing all night! Sounds like a great run otherwise though... good job.

Kudos to the eldest volunteering too.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thanks Unfit, I think the biscuits & cake were a big incentive 😄 You’d think hydration would be easy wouldn’t you? I suppose it was 30 years ago. It’s going to be an ‘interesting’ winter whilst I sus this out!

Flyingred profile image
FlyingredGraduate

Hydration? Too much of a good thing! :) In my first few weeks post-graduation, one of the gremlins I had was a desperate need to pee, even though I had been before I left home. I stopped obsessing about hydration and just drink normally, taking a couple of mouthfuls of water just before I go out for my run.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate in reply to Flyingred

I think you’re right Flyingred. I bought a new drinks bottle with gradients on it advising you how much and when to drink it during the day. It helps with my muscles post run but it’s just too much pre run, even the day before.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Well done TailChaser. I try and drink more the day before so that it has time to get in the bloodstream. I agree though, I can go to the loo at home and still want to go at the park on the way to parkrun. When I get there I don’t need to. I think it’s psychological with me.

Did all your family do parkrun today?

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate in reply to Dexy5

Not yet Dexy. Katnap has to take youngest swimming again and then they both did Katnap’s C25k run next door to my Parkrun. I’ve just taken eldest on his W1R3 as he couldn’t do it with the group (which was quite an interesting experience!).

It will be a little while yet but their C25k group’s plan is to graduate with Parkrun so I’m very excited about that 😀

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply to TailChaser

That’s excellent . You are getting those boys well trained. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate in reply to Dexy5

Yeah, I’m very chuffed, they are all doing very well 👍😀

Cakerunner profile image
CakerunnerGraduate

Oh my days you made me laugh TailChaser!!🤣🤣

The food and water thing is indeed a constant challenge isn't it. I've had some fast runs, too fast some times, because I've needed the little girls room quite badly🙄

Go you, sounds like you're really enjoying yourself, just how it should be!😊

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate

Hi Sonia! Isn’t it just! I’ve since found it was hormonal! I thought I was done with all that but it went and surprised me. So, fingers crossed, this week may be a bit more settled. I’m going to go and do my yoga now as it’s Tuesday 😊🧘🏻‍♀️😊. Yes, it’s been fun, despite it all! At least I found the answer ‘why?’ this time

Hope you’re having fun too 😁

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