Post Graduation Run 9 ....... can I run for 5K?

[SmashedPotato]

Well yes I jolly well can!!!!! Okay it took me 45 minutes and 11 seconds to complete the 5K run itself, plus an additional 5 minutes warm up walk and 5 minutes warm down walk afterwards. I ran the fields behind my house and I suspect the Ashridge hills stood me in good stead for this flatter run. I decided against hugging the hedge and cut across one field because there were Hereford cows with calves ambling in my direction! I think you are meant to wave your arms in the air, walk towards them and shout go away if they get too close? Anyway I decided not to put this half remembered theory to the test. Perhaps my success might have had something to do with the fruit pastilles in my jacket pocket though I failed to eat any because the zip stuck as I tried to prise the packet out - but I knew they were there! I also wanted to keep running when the 5K appeared on Strava, but reminded myself of forum advice not to do too much too soon. Two hours later post supper my feet still ache a bit, but other than that I feel fine and about to press on with sowing some veggie seeds for the allotment. Happy days! SP

[Nater85 Graduate]

Congratulations!!!

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Nater85]

Thanks muchly Nater85 SPx

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

Excellent! Well done! 👏👏

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Thanks muchly SeeJillRun SPx

[Neilix1971]

Awesome! 👏

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Neilix1971]

Thanks for the thumbs up Neilix1971 SPx

[Medicinelady Graduate]

Fantastic! And you wanted to keep running beyond 5k too! I haven't managed the full 5k myself yet, I'm just plodding on with running for 30 minutes - hopefully I can start to push things further in a couple of weeks!

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Medicinelady]

Thanks muchly Medicinelady! Well I am still plodding away too and yet (amazingly) the gains do creep up slowly bit by bit, and it was worth a 'go' tonight, even though I had told myself I was probably expecting too much and not to be disappointed if 'tonight was not the night'. I think a lot of it is to do with listening to your own body too - I would not even have thought of trying last week. Happy running! SP

[Purplemini Graduate]

Fruit pastilles stuck in your pocket and you didn’t stop to get them out?? Well impressed! I am plodding the streets of London so the thought of fields of cows makes me very jealous. Keep up the good work!

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Purplemini]

Morning Purplemini Yes indeed, only a few weeks ago there would have been a huge tear in my pocket as nothing would have kept me from the pastilles lol. I used to live in London many years ago and have fond memories of said times. That said with my dodgy feet definitely no street plodding for me and hats off to you for doing so as I think it is a lot harder in all ways when the local footpaths dry out. I am coming up to London soon to meet up with my best friend of many years and we are going to run together in one of the London parks (yet to be agreed upon) before settling down for a long overdue chinwag. Bit embarrassed about wearing the lycra on the train beforehand but what the heck. Happy running PM SPx

[Setters Graduate]

Best thing to do if cows with calves are coming towards you purposely, is stop running, you run they will too, try to circumnavigate around them giving them a wide berth and keeping your eyes on them but not your face. Walk calmly and quietly away, only if you are surrounded and hemmed in consider waving your arms and shouting. Best way by far is to be unobtrusive as possible, cattle are very curious of anyone behaving oddly.

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Setters]

Oh Setters thanks so much for the brilliant advice re the cattle. I will heed this when I am next out. They are lovely animals but so much bigger when you are barely a 100 or so yards away than viewed from a car window on the highway, and they move quickly too. Well faster than I can run lol. I was going to avoid the field completely, but that does mess up my route somewhat so I will give it a go. Thanks muchly. SP

[Tartancat Graduate]

5k done and dusted - well done!

I'll be planting some of my veggie seeds today - I'm in awe of you having an allotment - that's a huge plot to keep on top of. You must be very fit!

[SmashedPotato Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Morning Tartancat and fellow graduate (a brilliant name me thinks!). I am going to have another go at 5K today at Ashridge this time, but tis very hilly so have told myself not to be disappointed if this is a step too far ha ha - will just see how far I can keep going ... gulp! My allotment is 10 poles (253 square metres) and I have worked it for 7 years now. That said my fitness levels were and still are in the scheme of things pretty poor, but since C25K and weight loss diet at the same time, I no longer huff and puff as I push my wheelbarrow! Glad you enjoy growing too - doesn't matter where or in what - there is nothing like the taste and feeling of munching on some home grown produce yum! Happy running SPx

[Myzinnyboy Graduate]

I dream of running 5 k! I do my 20 minute run that’s Week 5 Run 3 on Friday. I think it will be a long time before I’m up to 5 k but I’m out there and moving!

[SmashedPotato Graduate]

Morning Myzinnyboy Fantastic you are doing your 20 minute run next - keep it slow and steady and you will feel amazing when you crack it I was the same and dreaming of running 5K and here I am 3 weeks post grad and gone and done it albeit at snail-on-pogo-sticks pace! Of course now I have to consolidate my 5K'stoo and will probably continue with a mix of running for 30 mins max, and praps once a week a 5K-as-long-as-it-takes! Then move on to the C25K+ podcasts to try and up my game pace wise. That said, if I only ever do what I am doing now I will be delighted. Happy running MZB and looking forward to greeting you over the finishing line as we continue our running journey. Thanks for replying - it lifted my spirits after a hard day coping with mum's dementia. SP x