On the morning of what is promising to be the hottest day of the year, I am doing my 20 minute run! I set out early (just after 5) as the sun is low in the sky. It’s not too hot, thank goodness. Start the program and my music. Michael tells me I can do it! Pink Floyd start playing “Breathe”; very appropriate and a reminder to do my deep breathing to focus. Warm up walk over, start tracking on my new watch and I’m off! First 5 minutes all over the place. Problem with the music, sorting it out as I run, set off too fast, slowed down too slow - but second 5 minutes got into my groove and stayed there for 10 minutes. When Michael announced the last 5 minutes, lost confidence a bit - was I going too fast? (no, looking at the stats afterwards! 😂). Can I make it? It would be awful to give up now! Slowed down a tad just in case. One minute to go - Yessssss! Made it. Just cannot believe I ran for 20 whole minutes!!! Wasn’t even seriously out of breath. SO proud of myself!! This is HUGE!
Stats show 1.87 km; 10.48/km. Yes, it’s slow - but I just ran for 20 minutes!! I can speed up later. Just want to get used to recording the info for when it matters.
I had the ability to do this run, it really is more about believing it than anything else. 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
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Jools2020
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Amazing!! Well done! You might find once you track your runs separate to your 5 minute warm up and cool down that your pace is quicker than you think without even trying! Mine used to be 10'40"/km on average until I tracked the run by itself and my most recent one is 8"58'/km! I wouldn't do this until you end W6 though, as you'd be faffing about with your watch too much when you go back to interval running!
That view is absolutely beautiful, is it countryside the whole time that you run? I run by the sea but I want to find somewhere like this I can run in my area!
You should feel very proud of yourself - because it IS absolutely amazing! Bathe and keep hold of that buzz and happiness, it only gets better as the week goes on!
Be careful about the next run, W6R1 threw me off as it's the longest run you have done yet, so just take it easy and you'll absolutely smash it like you have this run!
Er....... that was just the run I timed 😂😂😂. I will be careful with W6R1.
The wonderful view is the Norfolk fens. I run along a high riverbank (man made). It goes on for miles and is the boundary of an area known as The Washes, a holding area for floodwater. The other boundary is another high bank on the other side. Keeps all the floodwater where it can’t do any damage!
Oh no I feel silly now hahaha! Your pace is your pace anyway, and it got you to 20 minutes perfectly so you are doing brilliantly!
Wow that's pretty cool! Is that the route you use every time or do you switch it up with something else? Wouldn't blame you if thats your every time route, it seems like a brilliant one from what you've said!
No, don’t worry about it! I know it’s slow, I’m just amazed I have done it at all.
It’s the route I have used so far as it’s so close to where I live; but I just turn round at the halfway bell and come back, so it’s not ideal. Now I know the distance I typically cover in 20 minutes, it will be easier to work out a circular route for specific runs. I have a number of walks already logged, so I’ll be able to choose one that’s close to what I need.
Yay snap, I did mine today too not quite as early as you but just after 6. I’ve not started tracking yet but I know that I went incredibly slow in places, but I’m not bothered as I know that will come much later for now I’m just ecstatic that I actually ran for 20 mins.
Snap! I think a lot of us took one look at the weather forecast for the day and thought "I'd better get out there early". Isn't it great to get that 20 minutes done and dusted first thing? I was out there running before I had woken up enough to overthink it.
Great post, and a fantastic achievement in your W5R3! The way you described everything that went through your mind will be exactly the thought process for so many of us at that stage in the programme, maybe because we’re daunted by the prospect of that first full 20minute run. But the programme prepares us so well, we hardly notice that we’re actually ready for it!
Love the Norfolk coast, used to visit there often when I lived in Cambridgeshire. I always used to think the big skies and open landscape meant the sunsets were particularly spectacular.
Yes, Norfolk is definitely the big sky county, particularly in the fens. Sunsets and sunrises are both fantastic, much appreciated by me as a photographer. The north Norfolk coast is stunning; I am about an hour away from it, though, near the Ouse Washes.
Jools!..... how fab!... I knew you would do it!.... Well done!.. Its an amazing feeling isn't it.... ?
I've got Michael as my coach too- his calm voice sees me through! What an amazing journey you are on... I love reading how you succeed..... and the photo shows somewhere nice to run - lucky you!.... So Week 6 (YES!!! Week 6 here you come!) Its a big milestone me thinks...the W5r3 I mean.... and once you have it under your belt you think... why did i doubt myself...
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