W1R2 - 112.5%!: Ok this was good, this was... - Couch to 5K

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W1R2 - 112.5%!

Preserved_Moose profile image
13 Replies

Ok this was good, this was encouraging.

As we know, I am capable of much more than this, or at least I was, but I need to work back up to it because I’m out of practise. Not just with running but also preparing for it.

Before, I’d figured out a good routine that worked for me. I knew what snacks gave me the energy I needed, I knew when to eat them and I knew how to pace myself while running. It doesn’t help that I don’t have the benefit of a long walk home beforehand anymore and there really is no way to fit one in at the moment.

Now I’ve lost my rhythm and I need to get back into it or this whole experience is going to be a lot harder than it needs to be. Problem is, with our own routine at home up in the air at the moment, it’s hard to know exactly when I’ll make it out. Yesterday I was delayed, today I got right on it.

This run did not go badly at all, but it took a lot more effort than it would have just a few months ago. Having said that, I had a much easier time than I did when I ran Week 1 originally. So, I haven’t quite lost all my progress from before.

Today I thought I’d change it up with a new soundtrack, partly because I’m getting a little bored of the same Fratellis album but mainly because I’ve been listening to Madness every day since watching them on New Year’s Eve (only on TV unfortunately).

So today’s album was One Step Beyond and it was the perfect choice. First of all it’s really fun and energetic so that’s a mood boost right there, but also, just as the warm-up walk ended, Night Boat to Cairo began and I can’t think of many songs better than that to kick off a run. I had to resist the urge to skank.

So it started well and it got better because made it out before it got dark, which meant I could follow my favourite route through the park with a slightly reduced risk of getting stabbed. That’s one good thing about the cold at least, no one wants to hang around on a park bench for no reason. It was pretty cold it I didn’t want to wear too much so I went with combats and a hoody, just enough heat to keep me warm but not enough to overheat when I’ve warmed myself up.

I didn’t start there, I did my usual route along the footpath around the houses and followed it round, passing my partner who was out with the baby and the boy. She decided to take him out on his bike while I was running and it was so perfectly timed, I got to witness him falling off. Fortunately he landed on the grass and got right back up so no need to stop!

So I carried on along the path behind the houses and headed down the steps towards the park. It was nice and quiet, apart from a few people walking dogs and, although one of them ran up to greet me, I was able to get on with it undisturbed.

I was about halfway through at this point and still going relatively strong but feeling it. My legs were still a little painful from Run 1 so I had some concerns at the start but it turned out to not really be a problem. I was feeling it most in my ankles, especially near the end, so I’ll be keeping an eye on that in case my shoes turn out to be the problem. Might be time to invest in a new pair...

Since this was a much shorter run I decided to just do one circuit of the park, there’ll be more time for that later, especially as it starts to get lighter. So I headed back onto the path for the last two runs and I was a lot more breathless at this point, although I doubt the cold was doing me any favours.

When the last run rolled around I was feeling good but ready to stop, only I didn’t, not straight away.

Something I always enjoyed doing before was pushing myself a little further, especially if it was the end of the week. If I had a little more left in the engine, I’d keep running after the last run finished, just to see if I could. It really made me feel optimistic about the longer runs around the corner.

I had no intention of doing that today and right up until the last second my opinion had not changed. But then Jo Whiley told me I could stop and I thought, she’s right, I *could* stop. Or...

So I kept jogging a little further. Not too far and not too fast, I just wanted to see if I still had that drive in me and I did! So I ended up adding just over a minute extra to my run. It’s not a lot but 9 is more than 8 and it’s nice to know I can comfortably run for two minutes at a time.

So for the first time in literally forever (I’m a very serious man, I don’t exaggerate), I’ve done two runs in the same week. Tomorrow I’ll try and squeeze a walk or two in and then we’ll see if I can make it a full week! There’s hope for me yet...

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Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose
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13 Replies
Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate

Nice one, two runs in one week 😊

And you can't beat Madness to run to - they always bring a smile to my face. Them and The Wurzels!

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply to Tartancat

Yeah I’m loving it! Madness was always a greatest hits band for me growing up, it was one of our car tapes but I never really sat down and listened to them properly. Then I saw them on TV, remembered they exist and downloaded EVERYTHING.

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate in reply to Preserved_Moose

Car tapes - I remember them!

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply to Tartancat

Yeah I love the convenience of having everything on demand, much easier to get into new music and explore it, but there’s nothing like a mixtape. Making someone a mix playlist just isn’t the same.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

There is.. there is...always hope... and you are proof of that....Huge well done to you!!!

I did quite literally run that run with you... thank you.

Out from 'The House of Fun...." taking.... " One Step Beyond..." surely " It must be Love"?

On your way..brilliant!!

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply to Oldfloss

Good thing I was wearing baggy trousers

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Preserved_Moose

... and no.. " Cardiac Arrest" x

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply to Oldfloss

Well let’s hope not!

Pianism profile image
PianismGraduate

Well done! I love the idea if pushing just a bit more at the end of the week if you feel capable. I'm not sure I WILL feel capable, but I'll bear it in mind. :)

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply to Pianism

It’s usually spontaneous when it happens, one day you’ll reach the end and realise you’ve got a little more fuel in the tank. If I remember correctly I’d been running a few weeks before I did it but it’s a nice realisation when you know you could keep going, even if it’s just for a few more seconds.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

Nice running and getting the runs into your routine... enjoy yourself on the next one

Preserved_Moose profile image
Preserved_Moose in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thanks I’m looking forward to it

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate in reply to Preserved_Moose

No sweat. You'll be fine 😸

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