A flying finish to week 6

[Ringla]

My run 3 in the rain on Friday was an ignominious washout; after 5 minutes I had to remove my glasses, I ended dragging my feet the last 5 minutes, and crawled up the last gradient at a walk. I couldn't deceive Laura by pretending I'd completed it when I'd only managed 23 minutes; after all you can't pull the wool over your personal trainer's eyes when she's in your pocket.

I set out this morning to repeat W6R3 with a few advantages: piqued determination, sharp focus on keeping the pace down, better weather so no waterproof jacket and being able to see. When Laura announced the final five minutes I felt I had plenty in reserve, managed the last minute at a higher speed since it was downhill at that stage and was almost reluctant to slow to a walk at the end. With a little further than usual for the cool down walk, I couldn't resist the urge to run an extra couple of minutes in the middle, which leaves me feeling far more confident about starting week 7 on Tuesday.

I think I have learned two useful lessons. One is that it is the rhythm that needs to be relentless, not the speed.

Speed = cadence x stride

If I want to move a bit faster onn downhill slopes, and I allow my stride to lengthen a little rather than allow the cadence (step rate) to speed up, it is easier not to tackle the next uphill section at too fast a rate. The alternative might be to move from Yorkshire to Lincolnshire.

It was that 25% progress in duration from 20 to 25 minutes between W5R3 and W6R3 that defeated me last time. As I work through week 7, I shall try to add a little extra each time after the end to build up a reserve towards the 12% increase needed in week 8.

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Well done indeed for persevering with completing Week 6! I had not stopped to consider the challenges of uphill sections, as there are none in the Norfolk fens where I live. I’m not sure about adding to the program, I keep reading that it’s tried and tested just as it is. Maybe one of the admins will chip in with their advice. In the meantime, good luck with Week 7; I’m sure your determination will pay off!

[Blossom- Graduate]

Haha Ringla, great post! You've got this! I'm only 65 and graduated last Friday, looking forward to my consolidation runs next week. Isn't it amazing we can do this? Aren't we all amazing?! Go Ringla!😀

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Well done to you! 🏃🏻‍♀️😊🎉

Do many of your friends know that you have taken up running?

[Ringla in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks. I have told a few friends, and am not keeping it a secret. One in particular did park runs before they stopped, so when they start again he knows I want to join in.

[over61andstilltrying Graduate in reply to Ringla]

Sounds good. 😊