Nerves!! 😯 I felt them pretty bad this morning, I don't know why, maybe because this is the furthest I've got in the program so far, or maybe because last Fridays 20 minute run seemed so long ago. Either way it was pastures new & felt the pressure a bit. Especially knowing I would have to crack this run, repeating it 3 times next week.
I even delayed my start by another 20 minutes or so to make sure my stomach was settled, but had to face it.
Very cold morning despite the sun, & I took the start very steady. Laura announced the start of the run so hit start on my gear fit & set off as it counted down from 3. Damn it will be an extra 3 seconds to make that up for the record! 🤣 Must try to remember...
I tried to think of it in 10 minute sections, anything in single figures seems easy, but after a few minutes decided best not to think about it at all. I had a lot of doubts about it, but knew as the timer dropped down I'd gain more confidence in getting there. The slower pace I find more mentally challenging, but if I deviate from it do start to feel the effects on the longer runs. Kept telling myself it's just an episode of emmerdale, real runners can go for hours. Get on with it!
I did.
The first 15 minutes of my route have a couple of long uphill stretches which end at the top of dog 💩 alley. It's mostly downhill & flat from there with just one short steep hill at about the 20 minute mark. I decided to still take it steady on the start of the first decent to try and recover a bit & so glad I did. After a couple of minutes when Laura started counting down the time I was into single figures for minutes & couldn't believe it. I was going to do this one!
From then on the nerves were all gone, and I got a second wind. The short steep hill now it feels like I breezed over it, and carried on running to extend my route further than I had before, past the pub and to the mini roundabout. I had 1 minute 30 to go and at the other side of the roundabout was a long quiet fairly flat road perfect for running. It was beckoning..
There! That's where I'll go for my 30 minutes 5k attempts, that's my final route! 😁 Glanced back at the gear fit. 1 minute 30 to go.. "one for another day Jonny lad, one for another day..."
Ignore the temptation, & I turn around and head back to the starting point picking up the pace a bit for the finish high that Laura had just suggested. It was over and I quickly bashed the Finish button on my wrist.
I'd done it!
but damn, I'd forgotten the "extra" 3 seconds. 😁😁
As soon as I stopped my right calf was letting me know what I'd just done as I transitioned into the walk. It eased off thankfully as I headed back home on the cooldown walk. Laura then pronounced me a runner, and I'll admit I nearly choked a little 😊
W6R3 and officially a runner!!!
W6R3 complete - and my first run with Laura!
Week 6 Run 1 - A series of unfortunate events
W6R3 - An emotional ending to a tricky week :) 
