This morning's run was totally different from usual. Not only am I back in Aberdeenshire, so wasn't running on a known route, beside the sea, but I was also accompanied. My other half, who normally runs further and faster than me, accompanied me. He's got a running watch so for the first time ever I have 'stats' for my run. In the 40mins + intro we covered 4.97km. So close...
The running route was flat, as that's what I've been used to running; we went to a track which follows the route of a disused railway line. Nice enough route - though I missed the sound and sight of the sea, seals, etc. - and instead of the tangy smell of salt and seaweed we had the scent of slurry as it was being spread...
It was slightly strange being on an unknown route, as I didn't have any of my usual 'markers' to tell me if my speed was right so I would known I'd get to the end successfully, but we kept to a steady pace and I managed it fine and even speeded up for the last minute of the run! Very pleased and proud to have achieved this - I've never in my life been able to run for 30 minutes, not even at my fittest when I was younger and playing sport 5-7 times a week!
Now to decide what to do next... I think probably consolidate for 2-3 weeks then maybe start C25K on hilly terrain, as well as continuing with the consolidation runs. And I'm definitely going to do a Parkrun too. Running has been a great help to me in a particularly tough period of my life; it's definitely helped keep me sane over the last weeks/months - and I definitely intend to continue my journey now. Thanks to everyone for the support and encouragement, it's been much appreciated.