W6 R3 done - with Michael and Gary

[MartinKH]

I’ve just completed the above run, and am buzzing 😎

It’s cold today, so on setting off I was a bit cautious of the conditions on the ground with any ice ❄️. Fortunately it wasn’t too bad and my run today was mainly on pavements and on tarmac paths in a park.( I must find other routes nearby for some variety).

I’m not going the lie, the first 5 or 10 minutes were a bit dodgy ( the fiddly 5 or the toxic 10 ) but I kept going .....slow and steady .... and before I knew it Michael Johnson was telling me I was halfway through the 25 mins. That was great to hear, and by then I was in a nice little rhythm and just kept on going.

Strangely ( for me anyway ) I felt I was getting stronger or at least more comfortable going on to the last 5 mins, so much so that I actually increased my pace ( prob difficult to go slower anyway ) for the last minute.

When the legend Michael told me that the 25 mins was up, I honestly felt I could go on further for a bit more .... but I decided not to do so. That is completely different to how I felt last week at the end of my first 20 mins run, when I was relieved it was over. In my mind, the confirms even further how the programme works so well and that each run we do prepares us really well for what’s ahead. I feel my stamina is getting a little better as each week goes by.

Only a few weeks ago, the thought of running 🏃‍♂️ for 5 mins was not a good thought... not now though 💪 . I particularly want to make this point for newbies, as I really hope it demonstrates that anyone can do it, and have faith in the programme and yourself. Personally I found the first few weeks the hardest, but get through that and stick with it ... slow and steady.

By the way, in case you’re wondering who Gary is... it’s Gary Linekar. Let me explain, I’ve been experimenting with listening to music 🎶 or podcasts this last week of so. I found a superb podcast on the BBC Sounds App called Don’t tell me the score. Each episode is a famous sports personality talking about their experiences in sport and how and what we can learn from these and use in our everyday lives. Today I listened to Gary Linekar, other episodes include one from the great man himself Michael Johnson.

Anyway, I’m waffling so sorry for the long post... put it down to post run high and euphoria 🤣

Happy running 🏃‍♂️ everyone 😎

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on completing run 3 of week 6, you are now OFFICIALLY a RUNNER and deserve to be buzzing and very proud of yourself 😊 🏃🏾, onwards to week 7.

[MartinKH Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you very much, yes it does feel great 👍

I must say, I never thought I’d be at this stage when I look back to the start ...but the programme works.

Happy running 🏃‍♂️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to MartinKH]

To most people who have ran that 20 minute run it is the longest run that they have ever ran in their life, the longest run before that run for me was 10 minutes, at school and another time when my feet were soaking wet after walking through very muddy ground, I thought I better run home to change my shoes, about a ten minute run, so that 20 minute run of week 5 was the longest run ever, after I completed it, like you I was on a post run high. 😊 🏃🏾

[Joanney69 Graduate]

Woohoo, well done 😁 🎊

That post run high is amazing isn't it?

I was surprised when Michael said only 5 minutes left - in fact I questioned it - 'are you sure Michael?!' 🤣 and that last minute - up the speed, OK I can do that - and I did 😁

You should be proud 😊 you are a runner 🏃

[MartinKH Graduate in reply to Joanney69]

Thank you very much Joanney.

You’re right, that post run high is amazing.

The cheapest and most legal high anyone can get 🤣

I was amazed I had the energy to go a bit faster for the last minute 🏃‍♂️💪

Happy running.

[Joanney69 Graduate in reply to MartinKH]

😂 🤣

I was surprised about that too - we are capable of so much more.... 😁 🏃

[MartinKH Graduate in reply to Joanney69]

That’s right. This programme does wonders for our stamina, and also our confidence.

😎👍🏃‍♂️

[Hidden]

I have also experimented with music and an audiobook and actually find it easier to get lost in the book (David Copperfield!) than in my tunes. That said, when I did 20 mins I listened to music last week but that was partly because my daughter and I ran together and she had an earbud so I picked things we both like.

Loved hearing how happy you are! Well done. What an achievement. It'll be me soooooon! (Sunday).

[MartinKH Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much 🙏

Good luck on Sunday, and let us all know how you get on 👍