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.
W5R1 Big Girls Don’t Cry 😅 and the importance of music!
W5R1 - Easier than I thought?
Clothing Catastrophe 
Week 9 Run 2
