Reflections on week 8.

[Thorfinn]

This morning I completed the last run of week 8 and I am looking forward to week 9. Since Week 7 run 1 I have stopped over thinking what I am doing during a run. I used to focus on how my feet were hitting the ground, was I bouncing too much, is my breathing OK and so on. But now I just relax and let my body do what it wants with the occasional check-in to make sure I am not letting myself get too sloppy.

The first run of this week was hard. I have no idea why, but it was a real grind. I just wanted it to end and it was just determination that kept me going - I was not done, it was not going to beat me. My splits while running were in the range 6:33 to 6:42 per km.

For the second run I made a few changes: instead of having breakfast before I ran, I just had a banana and a cup of tea, I wore a sweatband on my head (this was a really useful change as I hated getting sweat in my eyes and I have no hair to stop it), my phone was moved out of my pocket into an armband. These changes made a difference. My run was pleasurable and a fair bit faster that the previous one. My splits were in the range 6:22 - 6:31 per km.

This last run felt harder than the previous one even though I went into it with the same attitude: relax and check-in for form, breathing etc occasionally. I wanted it to stop about half way through. Interesting, to me at least, was that in order to keep my self going I kept telling myself that the train would leave without me if I didn't make it. This was a reminder of a trip I made with my wife several years ago where we caught a train from Hamburg to Copenhagen. There's a part of the trip where the train goes on a ferry and if you get off it for a bit. If you don't get back on it, the train will leave the ferry without you - which happened to us. We had to run from the port to the next station to catch it again - maybe 1-1.5km. I ran so hard i was sick (I was also very out of shape) but we managed to get back on the train were it was warm and comfortable. The same idea pushed me today. Not a carrot or a stick but a consequence. Even though this run was harder I was faster again. My splits were 6:11-6:23 per km.

I'm not trying to get faster and I don't know what my splits are until after I have finished and look at the data on my phone. But relaxing, with the occasional check-in worked for me. Visualizing a consequence worked for me. Changing when I eat worked for me. Wearing a sweat band and putting my phone on my arm worked for me. I feel ready and eager for week 9 to start. I won't complete 5km in 30 minutes but I'll be pretty close to 5km after 30min running.

[Equilux Graduate]

I agree with you about all runs feeling different. Many folk on here say that’s just how it is, no rhyme or reason for it (other than maybe not being hydrated enough). I was interested to hear that small practical changes have helped, especially putting your phone in an armband. I hate the feel and weight of my phone in the side pocket of my leggings, so I’ve always just carried it in my hand, maybe I’ll get an armband and try that. Good luck with Week 9, you’re nearly there, just don’t miss that train!

[Thorfinn Graduate in reply to Equilux]

I'm still not 100% convinced about the armband. It's fine when I am running but messing around with it at the start is a bit of a pain especially as my eyes don't focus too clearly when it's up close on my arm. It is a hell of a lot better than having it in my pocket though. I'm going to persist with it a bit and if I can't come to terms with the fiddling at the start of a run I'll try a running belt.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Most things we do in life are different from day to day as they’re influenced by a million and one factors, running is no different to that... we work out what works for us with nutrition, we get on top of hydration, we make sure we sleep enough etc... but some things we can’t control... that’s life! Each run feeling different actually helped me a lot, there was no chance of it getting tedious! You’ve done a lot of learning... and while pace doesn’t matter at this stage (if ever) what I love about your post is that you’re running to a perceived effort, not chasing the numbers... which is definitely the way to go, and over time that effort level will reduce for most runs. It sounds like this is already happening as you no longer have to think about it as much.

30 minutes and 5k should come in different runs... that means two celebrations, I kinda feel sorry for anyone who nails both on the plan, they’re missing out a little 🤣

Happy running.

[Thorfinn Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

You're right, I am not chasing the numbers. I would not have looked at all unless a friend that is a runner asked about them. He's itching to do a Parkrun with me and can't wait until I get to 5km

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Thorfinn]

I think you have plenty of time to be at 5k, I’m pretty sure they’ve already said there will be none worldwide in June, and as we are behind Australia and New Zealand with this thing my money is on August for its triumphant return.

[Thorfinn Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Good thing I live in Australia then

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Thorfinn]

What’s the odds 🤣

I’m now a little jealous there... sadly parkrun volunteers can’t claim travel expenses!