W7R1 - Uninvited guest 🤣

[sHAYM4N]

After the highs of Fridays first ever 25 minute run I was feeling a bit more confident about the run today. What I wasn't feeling confident about was the way I was feeling. My fiancée Becca had cooked a giant Sunday lunch yesterday with her parents round and I was feeling a bit of acid from it all this morning. So decided to get up early at 6am and give myself a good couple of hours to try and settle it. Felt a bit better but not 100% by the start of the run.

Becca had again taken our dog to the park, so was looking forward to maybe spotting them again as I went on my usual route. Today I had decided I might try and pick up the pace just a little and see where it got me. Nothing major, if I could get to the same finish point as Friday I would be more than happy than that but would judge how I was feeling as I ran. With the last few weeks being a bit more repetitive, thought the challenge for myself could be to first complete the new durations each week, then see if I can improve either my pace a little or just see if I can tackle the hills with a bit more power, but completing the duration will and always be the priority.

First 5 minutes went as Friday, nice sunny morning (though cool) and managed to spot Becca and our dog Odie playing with a group of other dogs down by the bowling green. Gave them a wave but didn't want to attract Odie too much in case he came running over. Luckily, he was having way too much fun, didn't see me so turned the corner and headed up steps across the challenging gravel carpark and up the road that runs alongside the park.

Then I felt something dart next to my leg, yup Odie! Was pretty shocked, I was probably about 200-300m from the bowling green now, way out of sight, and was sure he hadn't seen me. At first I thought Becca had come running after me (she's in a running group) but she was nowhere in sight. Was a bit annoyed with him (as we're trying hard atm to train it out of him still) but also couldn't help but laugh to myself a bit, and at least it was me he had followed, as he's never chased a runner before.

So I did a u turn, and ran back down the road across the carpark, and heard Becca shouting frantically for him. Luckily she took him straight away at the top of the steps & back on his lead, so at least I didn't have to tackle those again. Kept it going turned around and headed back on my normal route. I knew now I wasn't going to have the same finishing point for the run, but was at least pleased I hadn't had to stop. Distraction had also killed a bit of time, and I was soon running on a nice downhill to the roundabout.

Rest of the run went well, on a couple of occasions I did feel a bit sick (high up - acid again) but slowed it down and got through it. Didn't end up too far away from my finishing point on Friday, still managed to tackle the last steep hill and managed to pick up the pace again for the last minute.

Feel a lot better now after the run, and looking forward to R2 😊

strava.com/activities/19203...

[Ibot]

Well done sounds all very positive!! I did the same run today!

But my only drama was punching my friend 😂😂

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Ibot]

Many congrats (On the run) was it a rocky celebration punch by any chance? 😂

[Ibot in reply to sHAYM4N]

Rocky yes celebration no 😂😂

[jiggles7 Graduate]

Hey shaym4n. Well done completing W7R1! Have you tried bicarbonate of soda in water before running - it helps settle your stomach loads. Also you can get a one a day tablet from your GP to prevent acid reflux. Such a cute puppy!!! he can come running with me any time.

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

I haven't actually but I do take Apple Cider Vinegar in water before I run as that's supposed to be pretty good too. Doctors did put me on Lansoprazole for a while, but I just fell out with them really. I rarely suffer with acid unless I run, so prefer to find something a bit more natural to take when I can. Oh you can take him, he can run for miles! 😊

[Now-runner_NeedsAttn Graduate]

It's said that when dogs look guilty it doesn't mean they feel guilty. Hard to believe looking at that photo

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Now-runner_NeedsAttn]

Hah he has that face nailed, I think most cockers do!

[IgaT Graduate]

Very well done!

Odie looks amazing!!! <3 Such a lovely dog! Wish you luck with training! I know that it needs a lot of time and consistency. But after so many weeks of running, you are a master of consistency

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to IgaT]

Thanks, yeah he just turned 1 last month. He's brilliant in the house, does all the usual tricks, even rings a set of bells we hang from the door when it's toilet time. Just on parks really his recall isn't so great as he's so easily distracted. I've been taking him on 5 mile walks too through the woods, since I started CT5K and that seems to have helped him a lot. Though he behaves a lot more for me than he does Becca. Good cop bad cop routine! 🤣

[IgaT Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

Hahaha. I have similar good cop bad cop thing at home as well But I am a good one. I cannot be truly angry at her, and then after few minutes be totally fine and happy.

I noticed that running did help a lot for my dog. Have you thought about running with Odie?

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to IgaT]

I did W1R1 with him and had planned to do more, but running also seems to bring on his 💩 toilet breaks a lot more frequently and with less walking sections I really wanted to make sure I didnt have to stop! I will probably take him on runs if I graduate, but Becca does take him with the running group she goes to about once a week. Think he prefers it more with them anyway as there's a big group and he gets a lot more attention 😂

[IgaT Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

Running family yey!!! Happy doggie Happy sHAYM4N