The grass is greener on the other side, or is ... - Couch to 5K

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The grass is greener on the other side, or is it? 2nd consolidation run πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate
β€’17 Replies

After my first consolidation run in Sweden which consisted of never-ending hills (elevation gain 36 compared to my usual el. of 13), I decided to try the β€œmotionsslinga” on the other side of town. I knew that track was also hilly, but hopefully fewer hills. Off I went! First hill not so bad, looking good. Followed by a bit of downhill, and then the first serious hill stood before me... Deep breath, one foot in front of the other, and the distance between my feet very quickly became just that. At some point up that hill it felt as if I was running on the spot, and it most definitely would have been faster to walk! However, as you all know, this is about running continuously, and the program has taught me to be very obedient so I did. There were only two other runners who joined me in the track this rainy Friday evening: roughly 2 meter tall 20 something males built like vikings (probably members of the Swedish cross country skiing team πŸ˜‰) who overtook me after I had covered a quarter of the circuit. Well, I thought to myself, what better way of improving my stamina and lung capacity in preparation for 5k in 30 minutes than training with the elite πŸ˜‚. Once the 30 minutes was up, and cool down walk over, I checked my stats on MapMyRun. No surprises there: slowest run so far with an elevation gain of 63!!! Other side of town overrated πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

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Dragonflies
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AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

How can you compete or compare you times with elite Cross country Swedish skiers🎿, just go at your own pace on those hills and enjoy your run πŸƒ.

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate in reply to AlMorr

πŸ˜‰

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Hard to tell the colour of the grass in the dark πŸ˜‚

Great run... those hills will do you favours in the long term.

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

I really admire your stamina! 13 elevation is at the beginning of one of my runs and almost kills me off! πŸ‘πŸ‘

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate in reply to

Thank you, but you would roll over in laughter if you saw my running on the spot speed πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

New_Runner_KD profile image
New_Runner_KD

Well done though Dragonflies! It must be really good running in Sweden, regardless! Read your first consolidation run post with interest, but didn't get chance to post before you wrote this one 😁

It's my final run in a day or two, already thinking about consolidation routes. Enjoy Sweden!

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate in reply to New_Runner_KD

You will be on that podium in no time! I’m looking out for your graduation post πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

Good idea to think ahead about consolidation runs. I knew I would be here in Sweden for a couple of weeks and that it would be hilly, just not quite as much as this. It’s a beautiful place for running, but obviously totally above my ability at the moment. But I am not letting it stop me, just keep moving forward at whatever slow motion speed it takes. It will be so good to get back to my usual track!

uncle_wiggy profile image
uncle_wiggyGraduate

Elevation 13, that's my cumulative elevation over the whole programme so far! πŸ˜‚πŸ€£πŸ˜‚

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate in reply to uncle_wiggy

Uncle_wiggy, you have a pretty good PB, not sure how to measure mine as it was mostly running on the spot πŸ€” Time: 30 minutes, Distance: πŸ˜†

Benttoe profile image
BenttoeGraduate in reply to Dragonflies

This made me laugh so much! I get cross that my activity watch can’t even tell I’m running...it still thinks I’m walking.

πŸ€£πŸ˜‚πŸ˜†

As soon as I saw the title of this I knew!!!

Didn’t expect an elevation gain of 63 though 😱 ...no wonder you were jogging on the spot, I’d be going backwards I think πŸ€”

Running with actual Vikings too, you’ll be as strong as Wonder Woman when you get home from Sweden Dragonflies! That 30 minute 5K is getting closer every step πŸ˜† loving your Swedish adventures - well done you πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡ͺ

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate in reply to

Well, we shall see about that! πŸ˜†

Definitely overrated 🀣😬 You’ve got some sheer determination to keep on going tho! πŸ’ͺ

Well done Dragonflies πŸ€©πŸ™Œ

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate in reply to

Thank you Dreams79, determination is my only tool at the moment, helping moving an elderly relative. The consolidation runs in challenging terrain seems like a walk in the park in comparison. Definitely an excellent vent and afterwards I have better perspective and stamina to get on with the move and house clearing. Definitely back to motionsslinga No. 1 tomorrow! πŸ™Œ

in reply to Dragonflies

Ah Dragonflies, you’ve got such a lot on your plate! Sending you a virtual hug πŸ€—

You sound as though you’ve got this all under control tho, using your runs to release the stress & pressure is a fantastic way to vent it out! πŸ’†β€β™€οΈWell done for keeping your chin up & staying positive! I’m sure your relative will appreciate all of your efforts & time!

Enjoy your next run... on motionsslinga No.1 πŸŒ³πŸ’›

Dragonflies profile image
DragonfliesGraduate in reply to

πŸ€—πŸ™

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