7:1, getting easier to tough out the harder bits

[ktsok]

6:3 was run on a athletics track. Not a bump or incline to be found, a gentle spring in the surface, a cool breeze blowing... My splits were only a few seconds different each time and I gently broke PBs for kms 1, 2 and 3 (thoroughly recommend the experience!).

Blah de blah blah blah de blah... today I: ran on a (single lane country) road for the first time, where cars had to slow down for me; ran across muddy fields for the first time; ran across uneven tracks for the first time; and ran uphill for an entire kilometre 😓

My splits looked like they were run by different people, my pace ageing a decade each km. The battle was real as I ran uphill, mostly on grass, between km 2 and 3. I wanted to give up, actually, and came very close to thinking ‘bugger it, that’s enough’ but these weeks of gritting my teeth paid off and I... just... kept... going... until suddenly it felt better again and I did the last 650m at my usual pace, even speeding up a little when Michael asked me too (I hope you are proud, MJ!).

It wasn’t quite the enjoyable run of 6:3 - my legs had a wobble as I came to a walk at the end and I didn’t feel there was much more in the tank - but it was properly earned, this one, and I feel good.

Good luck to E27 and the twinnie gang, and to everyone else out running today!

PS. I wore some compression socks and calf sleeves for this run. I couldn’t feel my legs (which might be a good thing), but maybe that’s too tight?! My feet felt a little numb but didn’t change colour and my legs feel fine now, no aches... does anyone wear them and have some advice?

[mafee Graduate]

You are sounding like a serious runner now - and your trainers are as muddy as mine! Having another rest day but aiming for W6 R1 tomorrow if the ankle stops hurting. I did a ballet class yesterday ( another mistake) well done you x

[ktsok Graduate in reply to mafee]

Haha. There were serious moments, to be sure, complete with gurning and at one point, almost running backwards. Thankfully I didn’t see anyone at my lowest point - last time someone wound down his window and said ‘that looks like hard work’. Yes, thanks 🙄😂

Ballet class must be taxing, not much rest there! It’s something you love though, right? So I guess it’s about finding a rhythm of rest, ballet, rest, running... and finding what is sustainable in the longer term...

Hope the ankle behaves itself and you are back out there soon Mafee!

[E27M14 Graduate]

Woohoo! Well done you. I’ve been looking out for this post all morning (yes I am at work, no I am not able to concentrate because I have a run to do later!) Some sort of calf support thing sounds like a good idea, do I find them online?

You look like you’re enjoying it! Keep smiling 😃

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

Hehe! I’m the same, not stalking you promise! They are called compression socks/sleeves. I got them on Amazon... hopefully someone here will have some words of wisdom. The test will be in how my legs feel later - after 6:3 I had some calf soreness (did some serious and painful massaging on it) but so far, so good, today🤞

Yes I had a big grin after (would have struggled to raise a smile at the 2.5km mark). I called this running journey an ‘exercise of faith’ the other day. You ‘just 🙄’ have to believe you can do it...

Good luck later E! Happy running 👟👟

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Finished work and had to pass sportsdirect........ I am now the proud owner of a pair of knee high compression socks. I’ll give them a go later!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

Woohoo look at you! If you are anything like me you might have to find a different route to and from work - running shoes/clothes/accessories are becoming more and more alluring 😆

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I work in different places all the time so it’s not too much of a problem!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

Have you got your running shoes on?!

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Not yet! Just walked through the door!!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

No pressure 🤣

Enjoy. Catch you later x

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Just looked at my work schedule for next week and it’s not going to make things easy 😥 Oh well, I’m off for a run. Will pop in and let you know how it goes later.

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

Good luck E 🏃‍♀️💪

[tadornas Graduate]

Ah, I think I've sort of done the same in reverse - just run 8;1 and that was the first time I'd run on an almost completely flat route. Incredible difference! Wondered why I spend most of weeks 6 & 7 gritting my teeth and fighting the urge to give up and go home... Btw, I didn't deliberately look for hilly bits to run on, it's just a lot quieter there - the flat bit is a main road. But today I decided I didn't really care about the cars and people, which was nice!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to tadornas]

Sooo different on the flat! Not effortless, but much easier to find your rhythm. And on a track there are no obstacles/cars/uneven pavements, so it’s almost relaxing.

I bet those hillier runs have stood you in good stead though! I have been running across parkland from the beginning too, it’s only twice I have been to the track (going to make it more regular whilst son goes to athletics club). I think the hills have been good training, but today was the first time I went on tracks and fields rather than (very long) driveways. Big difference again!

Glad to hear you weren’t gritting your teeth and didn’t care about cars and people - you sound empowered!

[tadornas Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Haha, depends what day it is how empowered I feel! But variety is all to the good - 8:2 tomorrow and I think I'll do another flat run... but maybe I'll round week 8 off with some more hilly bits!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Great run... grass does eat some energy and muddy grass even more... then you added uphill to it as well, so that was a truckload tougher in that km than 2.5 laps of the track... I’m very impressed. Very well done not cutting that run short... you have a lot in the tank for sure. Enjoy the next one.

[ktsok Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Awww thanks UNM. You always say the right thing 🥰

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I don’t think I could do that km yet to be honest.

[ktsok Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I think it would be more accurate to say that km did me. It wasn’t pretty 🥴

[Changemylife]

Wow I’d be delighted to get to 4:1 well done. I was looking at calf sleeves today as suffer shin splints and calf pain. Do they help?

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Changemylife]

Hi Change! Well, today was the first time I have worn them running and I’m only a couple of hour post-run, so it’s early days. After 6:3 I had calf pain on my right leg - really knotted and tense which was mind-bogglingly painful to massage. But I did... I also iced it, had hot salt baths, took some pain relief, and then wore the compression sleeve yesterday. Well, there was no calf pain whilst running today and so far, so good. I’ll update you if that changes! 🙃

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to Changemylife]

My last run, I started having pain in my shins and realised that my foot was falling a bit in front of my body so tucked my fee away and the pain went away. Not saying that will sort you out but wonder if you could check where your foot falls?

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Yes, good tips. I’m careful to keep my feet under me and land mid foot. My pain was in the calf muscle rather than the shin. A tight ball that kept me awake at night and took a lot of massaging to unknot. I made the mistake of running two days consecutively because I had that track looking at me... won’t do that again 😐

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Yes was probably too much and/or your muscles hadn’t quite recovered from the first one. I’ve got a hard roller that I can use on legs, which I recommend!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Yes, I have one of those - a wonderful instrument of torture and pleasure! Apparently you can get vibrating ones too 🤪

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I’ve bought a vibrating cushion thing and it’s pretty good. Using it as I type!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Haha, you made me smile. ‘I'm pickin' up good vibrations (good vibrations, oom bop bop)’

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Ooh ooh ooh good vibrations 🎤. My mojo is coming back

[Couchpotato2 Graduate]

Wow well done, you're giving Michael a run for his money, he should be weary!

The change of terrain does make for a very different experience as I found out today. I suppose it's a good thing to learn too.

Interested to see what people say about compression socks, had no idea that they could be used for running!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Couchpotato2]

Yes, I’m interested to hear too!

[misswobble Graduate]

Maybe it was just too warm for calf sleeves etc.

Trail running is harder. It requires much more effort as you’ve found. Good though 💪😃👍🏃‍♀️

Slow things down and it will feel easier No need to hurry or push things. It’s only about completing the sessions 🙂

[ktsok Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thank you! Yes, feeling 💪 after the wobble. I really wasn’t trying to push the pace but in hindsight, went off too fast again 🙄. It’s hard to get right, this pacing business!

[Ethelbert Graduate]

Not gonna be able to tackle this one until Sunday (child number one is back off to uni tomorrow so I don't really want to go out tonight, and I'm out all day tomorrow too) so you'll be getting well ahead of me! Well done, sounds like a challenging one, I'm immensely impressed

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Ethelbert]

Thanks Ethelbert! Yes it was tough, I wouldn’t recommend uphill on grass at this stage of the game 😓 although you’ll be revved up and raring to go by Sunday! I hope you have a lovely evening with child no. 1 🙂

[Ethelbert Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I know it's the job description to raise functioning adults, but I do like having my babies home!!

Having not even ventured outside yet, uphill on grass has my utmost admiration! I'm actually itching to try outside, but with my back and ankle history I really need to play it safe and stick to the treadmill for now, until I'm confident I can do the longer runs without one or the other giving out on me.

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Ethelbert]

Yes indeed. Make the most of your (big) baby

Mine is only little still (8yo) - and faster than me by a long shot! He’s got a cross country race tomorrow morning 😳

I have only run on treadmills a few times and not for long, so not the best person to compare. I didn’t enjoy the feeling of the floor slipping away. I guess you get used to it. I love being outdoors and would recommend it when you feel it’s the right time 🙂