W5 continues...

[ktsok]

... in good style! After the horrors of run 1, I applied the lessons learned and set off at a very steady pace. The first 8 minute run was almost entirely uphill, but it was OK. I had to dig in a couple of times towards the end, and recall having a conversation in my head about how the next logical step would be to run 10 minutes, not 20 minutes, so I must have been under the cosh a bit at that point! I ran my usual route and what was fun was to see just how far I was going, compared to previous ‘stop and walk’ points.

Just keep running, just keep running... does anyone else have Dory from Finding Nemo in their heads sometimes?! Actually, I had Kate Bush in my ear again today. She told me to ‘keep breathing’ in the final couple of minutes of my first 8 minute run, which was perfect. I tried out Joni Mitchell’ Blue for w5r1, but as much as I love Joni, we aren’t running compatible.

The final 8 minutes were really OK. I mean, really really OK. I think I enjoyed them! I’m not sure, but I think so! Whereas with the first 8 minutes, I transitioned from run to walk at precisely the moment Michael said I could (with relief), in the second 8 minutes I casually continued running to the cattle grid I had been eyeing up for a while as my target.

And guess what?! Not only did I feel good, but the Nike Running Club app told me I covered 3k in the 21 minutes (not counting warm up/cool down), ran my fastest 1k yet (6’35”) and ran that same time for both my running splits! Completely took me surprise, as I thought I was going slower! Maybe I CAN run?!!!

PS. I am writing this whilst endorphins are coursing through my body. Can you tell?! 🤣🤪😘

[strollguy Graduate]

Well done. I am two days behind you so will let you know how I get on with the 8 minute runs. At least there are only two! I am lucky to have an almost flat route which I am sure must help a lot. 😃

[ktsok Graduate in reply to strollguy]

It helps with speed - my fastest time remains the week I ran on a proper athletics track, which was flat as a pancake. But I like the variety that the inclines give... a bit of grit and determination here, the ‘reward’ of reaching the top there, or a ‘wheeeeee’ as you hit a downhill. I’m talking gently undulating paths here, as opposed to proper hills! I find the wind more problematic than hills - if you are running into a headwind, it wakes you up, but you have to work significantly harder.

Good luck on your run! I think there might be something in this ‘toxic 10’ people have been telling us about - the last 8 minutes were so much better than the first!

Happy New Year!

[E27M14 Graduate]

I’m planning to do this run later today, and have to say I’m a little worried about it. W5r1 was quite easy but 8 minutes?? Reading this has helped me feel a bit better about it though.

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

You’ll be fine E! Just keep it slow... I’m still leaping about here 😂

[AnnaKarenina]

This is a splendid example of posting whilst the endorphins are active and I love it! Well done. Week 5 is an important transition week. I am on week 9 and my experience is that the runs are all different and often within each run, there are horrid bits and brilliant bits with everything in between. Keep going. You'll be running well past that cattle grid in no time!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to AnnaKarenina]

Ah thanks. Week 9 - so advanced! I have a ‘cattle grid dance’, which involves lifting both arms up in the air, looking down and ‘tiptoe-running’ for a few seconds 😆

You are right, some runs are good and some not so, and most are good/not so in parts. I have just had two fairly awful runs, so I think I’m triple happy this time!

Happy New Year (you are nearly a graduate!) 🙂