Thought I’d see what this early morning was all about

[UnfitNoMore]

Set my alarm early and was ready for the off before I’d usually be up. Nice cool morning, with a slight sprinkling of some cooling wet stuff. Perfect.

So... NRC benchmarking is 7 minutes light jogging, 3 minutes all out as fast as you can running, and 5 minutes of cooldown whatever you can still manage. I decided to leave the car and just run the road behind home that goes off into countryside... I hadn’t driven it for years, but I knew the road... at least I used to know the road. Off I went, super slow jog just warming me up, up an incline at 5 minutes, and I know the road then dips, goes round a corner and is flat... wrong! Dipped round the corner and as my 3 minutes starts I got two choices, long gentle incline in front of me or the shorter more serious incline behind... full speed ahead. Into a sprint that I somehow managed to maintain for 30 seconds or so, legs burning, breathing getting worse, grit the teeth and push, slowing little by little... 60 seconds, now I’m both having fun and really hating this, a beautiful paradox. 1 minute to go and I’m at the flat bit I thought I was gonna start at... back up a gear and driving to the end... and then coach counts down from 10... last push. Slowed to a walk, I had nothing left, another 10 seconds and I’d have been sat on my butt by the road. Great achievement I thought, but I was more interested in how fast I could recover... started jogging again at 2 minutes into cool down and felt the energy rushing back, legs feeling better with each step. Times up but it was time to jog home, the cooling wet stuff had done its job, but was gonna be cold if I walked. All the way home, and in, grab a brew and do some yoga postures while it cools. Log in to a graduation post. Then thought I’d best post this. Tea tastes so good.

That session kicked my butt hard, but I’m still standing. Early in July, W1R1 felt like that... only it did it 8 times... today, well, I couldn’t have done that in July... it’s so great to be able to run fast long enough to have my ass handed to me. I don’t do this session again for a while and next run is a recovery run, that’ll be nice!

[Hidden]

I’m in awe! A hill and speed - OMG! You’re braver and have more stamina than me 😆 I bet that felt good afterwards. Well done 🙂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It hurt... I won’t be doing that route next time 😂. It did feel great to be flying though... next time I won’t be fearing this, but in theory it will always be close to flooring me.

[Hidden]

Well done, sounds tough but you did it 😁 I did contemplate going out when my son woke me at 5 🙄 but thankfully the notion soon wore off lol. I'm saving myself for my daughter's 11 mile sponsored walk in the morning 😕

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh yeah, you’ll need your legs for that. I love that kids sign up for this stuff and yet parents just get dragged into it... enjoy 😂

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I've said I could do half as i would rather save my wee legs for a run... imagine lol.. didn't go down well 😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Nice try... good luck with that! Next year you could give them a head start and run the whole thing of course.

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks. I think I'll leave that to the likes of you UNM 😉

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

There is a route someone laid down from glossop to Sheffield on one of the apps... think it’s 24 miles and lots of hill, a tempting one to run, but I’d need someone to bring me home...long way off that one!

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

But something I could totally see you achieving! Your determination is amazing 😊x

And it's only 2.2 mile off a marathon 😁😁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That’s a point... I’d need to run around Sheffield after then I guess 😂. I have 5.75 mile run towards the end of my current plan and already I know that will be 6.25 to complete the 10k... so yeah, can’t go that close to marathon without finishing the job!

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I can see the cogs turning already 😉

[Beanjo Graduate]

That’s impressive stuff, especially this early in the (dark) morning 👍

Bet that’s set you up for the day- both the achievement and the physical exertion. There’ll be no stopping you- Friday here I come 😊😊🏃‍♂️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Beanjo]

Thanks. Right now I’m wanting to run, which is bizarre... could be a long day! Not sure I’m gonna be an early morning convert! Did love the dark though!

What you running tomorrow?

[Beanjo Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I’ll be glad just to run anything tomorrow 😯

Really struggling at the moment with parents and in laws in hospital. Desperate to run- even more desperate to not lose my new level of fitness, so as long as no medical emergencies tonight my plan is to get out earlyish tomorrow and just try a 3k.

Feels as though I’m going backwards but a run is a run and I can still manage 30+ minutes so- wish me luck 😊🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Beanjo]

That’s rough, but it doesn’t take a lot to maintain, when you can fit it in. Good luck getting out there 🤞 and enjoy the freedoms it brings.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Wow, good for you UNM. You really are living up to your name aren’t you? 👏👏👏

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That was the plan when I chose it... it’s kept me going a few times. Next week I get a couple of recoveries and a 3.5 mile long, so the path to 10k begins!

[GTTOBS]

Go Usain.....I mean UNM! 😁Good on ya

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to GTTOBS]

😂. He’s been working on endurance too, I assume as he’s now a footballer, so he’s been on a similar journey... he probably hadn’t gone over 400m in his career!

[hudsondoglets Graduate]

Awesome!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to hudsondoglets]

💪

[SnailRunner71 Graduate]

What a great post 👍🏃

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to SnailRunner71]

Thanks

[sunshinefish Graduate]

I think running up a hill would be my 3 mins speed/intensive, never mind going and full tilt! Well done you. And you still have the rest of the day free!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

Thanks... long day of not very much ahead 😂

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

The best!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

Somebody will come up with a way of making it busy 😂. I’ll enjoy the peace before the storm while I can.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Go you...great start to the day.. early is awesome... When I graduate the week before Christmas 2015.. I loved those dark days... Just you and the world....

You are doing amazingly...taking it at your own pace,but listening to your body... '...the voice that does not use words'.... always the key to survival! Huge well done...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks... I did get that “slow and steady” in my head when I resumed the jog after!!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

You know what you are doing...and your run sounds terrific... and that feeling after recovery.. when the gentle run comes easily and enjoyably, is amazing isn't it ? I love that feeling...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

It really is... I’d not felt that for a long long time. Can’t say I’m unhappy about the app saying “recovery run” next though 😂

[Oldlady57]

Sounds like a fab run that has its challenges. Looks like you tamed the beast (inclines for you. Would equate as a mahoosive hill for me lol) Enjoy your well deserved cup of tea.👍🏻

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Oldlady57]

I dunno it’s tamed, but it’s a little less scary now... if I shout “bring on the hills” any time soon I will be in need to psychological treatment.

[Oldlady57 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

🤣🤣🤣

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Yep! Embracing the hills is one thing..but wanting them.... ???

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I dunno how these fell runners do it... sure I want to run up Kinder, but once, not several times a week!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I'm heading over Shining Tor in a fortnight..😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Roof of Cheshire I think? Enjoy

[Tartancat Graduate]

Impressive UNM, not only sprinting uphill but getting up so early in the morning to do it!

Can't wait to hear about your next exploits!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

2.5 mile recovery run next... that’s gonna be great to do! I enjoyed the experience today, but pleased that benchmarking is only something the app uses occasionally to adjust my target paces.

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Mmmm, I’ve had benchmarking every week! .....just saying! Or does it just feel that way? 🤷🏽‍♀️🤣! You’re doing brilliantly!! ❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Hehe... I skipped one in consolidation!

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Brilliant UNM!! Benchmarking is giving it all you’ve got!! You did it!! Great job! I know the feeling of thank God it’s three minutes though!! 🤣❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks Fab, it’s supposedly a run that done right floors athletes as nobody can actually sprint for 3 minutes... I bet Kipchoge would come out of it smiling though 😂

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I’m sure he could!! 🤩🤩! We smile too of course, we just have to gather our breath back first. Then it feels brilliant!! 👌🏽❤️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Good and interesting post from you UNM especially the last paragraph, this morning I am taking the train to Balloch near Loch Lomond. The country park there is the place I ran week 4 back in May, but today I am just walking around the park, as yesterday I ran my fourth 5K in the morning and walked another 5k in the afternoon. Enjoy reading all your updates from you, as they say, "keep on running".

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

That all sounds good apart from the train bit 😱. I may need a walk later... todays run has me wanting more.

[Hidden]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading that UNM, absolutely exhilarating! Sounds like you gave it everything you had.

Having a day off lay in ...wanting to get out there in the rain and get my but kicked too now! It’ll have to wait. 😄 I think I might have a crack at this race plan after consolidation.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

It’s an interesting plan... and you get to choose from 4 weeks to 6 months... I’m doing 11 weeks but I overrode the early runs with my consolidation, so it’s changed a bit from the defaults (it adapts about once a week). The 6 month version takes your long run to 10 miles, 11 weeks got to 5.75, which is enough (almost) for me before Christmas.

[Jell6 Graduate]

Just read this.

You had a much more testing run than my, admittedly stupidly early run.

You are really pushing yourself, well done.

This programme makes us find hidden strength I think.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Thanks... it was short, but brutal... next couple of runs will be recovery pace, so no pushing for a week or so!

[Hidden]

I just have to ask what music did you play to get you up there?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I was playing harder than you think on the warm up bit... power song was bring the noise, both Public Enemy... later was the version with Anthrax.

[Hidden in reply to UnfitNoMore]

That would get me running fast...

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That was kinda the point... tomorrow I’m needing a very mellow soundtrack... 2.5 miles at 12 minute pace is the plan, so no metal! Maybe I’ll do a Nike guided run around the 35 minute mark... so music will be in and out as coach speaks.

I did consider house of pain, jump around... but that may end badly in the dark if I took it literally!

[Katnap Graduate]

I need to recover just reading about you run... Nice work UNM! 😸

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Katnap]

I’m fully recovered now 😂. Not gotta do that again for a couple or three weeks!

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Better check that programme!! Might not be! 🤣🤣🤩❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

November 8, November 22, December 5... then none until my next plan!

Actually next plan may not have any... thinking of doing better athlete plan for 8 weeks and then back to the race one.

[Katnap Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

And your first reply suggested you were dreading it,but replying to Fabulous450 now suggests you're looking forward to it! 😸

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Katnap]

It’s like during the run... hated it and loved it in the same moment... that beautiful paradox

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

It’s definitely a run with lots of anticipation in the build up, then a “how long can I do this for”?, followed by “I did it”! 🤩

I do seem to have a lot of them in my programme though. Or maybe it just feels that way! 😂❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

I think you should have one every Monday 😂

[southlundon Graduate]

Wow I am similarly impressed! Your profile name is spot on - Unfit No More!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to southlundon]

Getting there... on Monday my app will change all my target paces based on that run and my distances based on the rest of the week. So tempting to run a bit slow yesterday, but once out there and speed time came, there was no way that was happening! Hopefully it won’t lower the paces too much, though it did start friendly and went slightly slower than the paces I fed in to the plan to start with.

[southlundon Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

What's the app you're using?

[kwell39 Graduate]

Way to go! The hills you didn’t know were there can be tough and you did it. With work and life I have had to squeeze in my runs and exercises in the morning now. I will not (probably) ever be a morning person but have noticed a difference in my day. It’s only been a week but I do like the way I feel the rest of the day. There is science behind the early morning workout/run being the best for you as well. I’m proud of you for getting out there early!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to kwell39]

Thanks. Cock up this morning meant I didn’t have time to get my full run in before juniors so missed a mile. Had to pack for a few days away after too... packed the shoes of course.