W5R1 - I. Kicked. So. Much. ASPHALT.

[Preserved_Moose]

Ok not literally kicked but I have to say that for the pun to work. Anyway, I definitely covered a lot of it. Asphalt means pavement, right?

*checks wikipedia*

Close enough. The pun stays.

So to say I overdid it slightly would be an understatement because I definitely went above and beyond on this occasion and as a result I am boiling, like sweating steam, and I am buzzing. This is the best high I’ve ever had from running and I’m still not completely convinced it won’t kill me.

Of course, before any of that I had to do the actual run. Three blocks of 5 minute runs, not too bad, that’s demanding but do-able, which would also be a good name for a Tinder profile.

I didn’t know what to listen to today so I went to my other go-to running album from the summer and put on Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads. Never Miss a Beat is especially good for running so it’s a pity it was wasted on the warm up walk.

Speaking of the warm up walk I had no less than two annoying hindrances. First of all, I’m trying to keep my pace up and a car pulls up on the corner, blocking me. It’s not clear what they want to do, if they’re stopping to let someone out, if they’re going to reposition. Whatever it is they need to hurry up and do it because they shouldn’t be there and they’re in my way! I got inpatient and walked into the road to get around them, I’m not stopping for anyone! Seconds after that some genius crossed the road on his bike, bounced up the kerb and swerved right in front of me. Really should’ve shoved him off. Cyclists are easy targets, their hobby is literally their weakness. But I didn’t because I’m nice, apparently.

Anyway not long after that it was time for the first run. I knew I’d need to pace myself though so I didn’t put too much into it, just a nice steady jog, although I did catch myself speeding up a little as I was getting into it but not so much that it tired me out.

The first run wasn’t hard but the way I felt after it made me think the second one would be. My legs felt a little tired and my shins hurt slightly so I thought I might peak early. But strangely enough the 3 minute recovery walk was all I needed to literally walk it off and when that finished I was good to go.

So the second run was going as well as the first, even if I was feeling it slightly more, but if you don’t you’re doing it wrong, right? Anyway, the music lined up perfectly for me because I reached the halfway point, Jo Whiley did her usual encouragement speech and then a song called Good Days Bad Days started. Check it out, it’s a nice gentle uplifting song that always motivates me and it came on just when I needed it.

I finished the run, I did the walk and even though I felt like that part ended just a few more seconds earlier than I’d like, I just went for it. Slightly tired, slightly more breathless and very sweaty, I got on with it, focusing on the music and distracting myself by thinking about the novel I started writing years ago and will definitely get back to just as soon as both of my kids are at university and I’ve got a bit of breathing room.

Sure enough, I made it to the end and I was surprised how good I was feeling. I knew I’d been running a fair a bit, I would have been very comfortable stopping then but I also knew I had a bit more left in me and with a 20 minute run just around the corner, maybe I should be prepared to push myself more. So I decided to run until the end of the song. Then I decided to keep going until the end of the next song. By that point I knew the 5 minute cool down period was nearly up so I thought I’d see it through. And THEN I kept going through Jo’s little wrap up speech, however long that is.

I don’t know how I did it but I squeezed in an extra 5 minutes and change so I ended up doing 5, 5, 10, which brings it up to a total of 20 minutes. I know I had two breaks but it makes me feel a lot more optimistic about Run 3. At the very least I know I’ve got a solid 10 minutes in me, which would also be a good line on a Tinder profile. Back when I was on it, I, um, didn’t get many matches.

Should I have stuck to the plan? Did this extra time do more harm than good if I’m not ready for it? I don’t know and right now I don’t care because I feel like a goddamn rock star.

So I feel good, I feel like I achieved something and I’m looking forward to the next one! Still a little intimidated by Run 3 but I say bring it on. In theory that one will be on Monday, now there’s a way to start a week.

[PaulS83]

Love the Tinder tag lines. Dislike the Kaiser Chiefs. They're probably cyclists.

Good luck on the twenty minuter!

[Katnap Graduate]

Don't fret the 20 minutes jog. The programme has been secretly preparing you for it.

You will be (rightly) pleased with yourself but don't let week 6 trip you up. It's tougher than you think.

I sailed through the remaining runs after week 6

[Preserved_Moose in reply to Katnap]

Yeah Week 6 is where I got to last time and it did not go well, it there was a lot of other things going on then too so I did not have the physical or mental energy to spend on it. Hopefully it’ll go better this time but I’ll be cautious

[Pianism Graduate]

Well done - that sounds amazing! I had more to give after W5R1 but decided not to push it as I push hard on Saturdays instead; at the moment I'm nowhere near the end of parkrun at the end of my C25k run.

I have to say that at the end of W5R2 I had no inclination to carry on but I think that was more because of the weather.

Anyhow, the next one is the big step up. Can't say I feel ready but I have faith in the programme and all the lovely folk that have gone before us so, ready or not, I shall be running it at 9am on Saturday.

Good luck with yours!

[Preserved_Moose]

Thanks I should be doing Run 2 tomorrow but weekends are always tricky for me so hopefully I can fit it in. I seem to remember loving it last time I tried it. Run 3 did not go so well...

[Katiepops Graduate]

Everyone is different. For some people it would be too much to go over the time of the plan, but I changed bits and bobs along the way and lived to tell the tale! If you felt good at the time and didn’t suffer later, I doubt if you did any damage. Try not to go too much over though the plan has proved itself many times over. W5r3 isn’t as bad as you think although it looks scary, and from there on you’ll know you can do it. Well done and good luck. 🥇😊

Re: Kaiser Chiefs. Not convinced but prepared to be persuaded! 😂

[Preserved_Moose in reply to Katiepops]

Well I did do Run 3 last year shortly before I put running on hold and I really struggled but it was a bad time to be running too. I *think* I’m more prepared for it this time but we’ll see. I’m still trying to find a good opportunity to sneak out for Run 2 today...

Also why is everyone so down on the Kaiser Chiefs? I know they’re not exactly the Beatles but their first few albums aren’t bad! I haven’t explored any further than that though to be fair. I definitely prefer classic rock anyway but sometimes stuff like this is just what I’m in the mood for

[Katiepops Graduate in reply to Preserved_Moose]

KC are ok! Not my music of choice though. Mind you I don’t run with headphones, I find that the music and/or podcast gets on my nerves after a while. Too distracting. Hey maybe I’m meditating while I run along! I know I look pretty vacant (I’ve seen the photos🙃)!

[Preserved_Moose in reply to Katiepops]

I think I need the music to motivate me and stop me overthinking the running. I’m not very good at meditation, unless someone is giving me a long list of complicated instructions, then I zone out whether I like it or not