W5R2 - I'm fitter than the Gear Fit! 🤣

[sHAYM4N]

With the 20 minute run on Friday looming today was my last chance to make a decision on the route so I decided to stick with what I had done Monday, especially as it probably would mean tackling some of those hills this time on the 8min segments....

Boy did it ever!

Glorious sunny day (supposedly due to hit 20 at some point October?! What you doing! 🤣)

I felt confident I could handle the 8 minutes particularly the first one. Started off way too fast but mainly due to the immediate start having me dart across a road with a car on its way. 😖

Reminded myself I had 8 mins in front of me & adjusted it down and tried to settle into an even pace. First run took me up a gradual hill along the main road, I was feeling a little jaded by the time I reached the park but knew I could recover with the first side of the my loop there being all downhill. Last 2 minutes of this run were at the opposite side all uphill and starting off with steps gravel and finally smooth tarmac to coast slowly back to main road.

The glorious downhill wide pavement of the main road to the roundabout was now all going to be a walk 😪 such a waste...

The 5 minute walk I found way too long and probably felt good enough to go again after a couple of minutes. Still I knew I had more hills to come so took advantage of it and by the time of the second run felt like I hadn't run at all. Didn't last long.

Start of the second run was immediately on a hill just after the roundabout and took me towards the second climb I had been worried about on this route. I took it as slowly as I could head down reminding myself it would be over in a minute or two. I made it but the last 5 yards had really pushed me hard and I was chasing breath for the first time in weeks. 😵 Was worried I wouldn't recover but it was all flat and downhill to the finish and taking it slowly regained control of my breath and managed to pick the pace up again by the finish.

Laura now claims I'm done for today yay! I hit pause and finish on my gear fit and it doesn't respond, tap it again and the bloody thing reboots! 🤬

Strava still managed to pick up half of the run but I smile to myself at where it stopped recording, at the foot of that bloody hill! It froze, it couldn't handle it but I did! 🤣 I promise...

Anyway at the time I promised myself I'd take the easier route on Friday so I think that's what I'll do even if I do find it more of a mental challenge than a physical one. Sat here now it feels doable but I'll stick with my initial reaction I think. Also don't want to terrify my fitness tracker anymore by repeating that one just yet. 😀🤔

Bring it on Friday!

[emily-m Graduate]

For me, route variation is good. I find if I do the same one all the time I put myself under unnecessary pressure. ('I'm sure I was further on at five minutes last time!') But I know what you mean about flatter routes being mentally challenging sometimes.

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to emily-m]

Yeah that's a really good point, it hasn't been too much of an issue yet with the runs being made up of so many segments, but can imagine it will be an issue for weeks to come. I'm trying hard not to even think about the pace too.

I have two targets, 1 is to run for 30 minutes and 2 is to do the 5K within that, but got to just concentrate on the first target alone for now. If the 5k comes days weeks or months or years after, so be it - I'm determined to at least graduate this time!

[Katnap Graduate]

Nice work! Really for the 20 minutes?

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Katnap]

I feel ready! I know the flats and downhill sections I'll be fine, and as long as a hill doesn't knock me for six I should make it. Will just keep adjusting the pace, and make sure I have a good soundtrack for this one! You feeling ready for yours now Katnap?

[BeckySharp1]

Well done. You handled the hill i am doing week 5 next week and its a bit of an anxiety for me in choosing the route. Your post has reminded me to ger on with deciding

[IgaT Graduate]

Well done! You get through all the hills! Enjoy your next run!