W6 R1 (Biatch Run)

[BeaglesEnd]

The consensus amongst the C25K community, well those that I follow certainly, is that this is one of the hardest runs of the program. Am I about to dispel this as a fallacy? We’ll see.

It is forecast to be one of the hottest days of the year. So, with all the enthusiasm of a newly graduated 20 minuter, I set of for the ‘biatch’ run (thanks Jane!) at 5:30. Not sure I’d seen this time in the morning since my youngest was in nappies 10 odd years ago!

It was just cool enough; the sun filtered through the trees. Not yet bright enough to truly dazzle, but rather as if seen through a frosted window.

Off I go on the first of the 5 minute runs. Slowly working through the little creaks and twinges. Building up that rhythm that had served me so well on the euphoria giving 20 minute run. Then just when everything was falling in place. The simple, yet effective, metronome of “pickin’ ‘em up & puttin’ ‘em down; pickin’ ‘em up & puttin’ em down” was broken with the three minute walk. So, again with the 8 minute, the rhythm was engaged, after a period of 2-3 minutes, and not too long afterwards the rhythm was broken. It was different and it was annoying.

Every time I’d just about reached that natural gait, drifting off in to what ever reverie was triggered by the music I was listening to or the people I saw, it was broken by the walk.

At the end I was glad it was over. There was none of the high of Monday’s epic triumph. I’d run for 5 minutes before; I’d run for 8 minutes before. I could feel the efforts in my legs, the slow creep of a developing stitch, and the drawn breaths. But not the prize of achievement, of doing something unique. It was perfunctory and a stepping stone.

So, eventually we answer the question posed at the beginning of my ramble.

Yes, this was one of the hardest runs I’ve completed on this program. Why? Simple. My rhythm was interrupted and the prize was ‘just’ completing one more step on the road to 5k.

Should this mean we don’t celebrate it the same way we did when completing the 20 minuter?

No. This was hard. We have moved forward. It is these runs that enables us to get to the prize.

We didn’t cheer every time we picked one up or put one down on W5R3. However, we should allow ourselves the satisfaction that we are that one step closer to that goal.

Here’s to the ‘biatch’ run and all that complete her...

[Reggit Graduate]

Congratulations on getting through that one, I didn’t like 6.2 either - I found it gets easier again from 6.3 onward as it’s all running. (Easier is probably not the right word!) I’m just back from 8.1 after also getting up at daft o clock!

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Reggit]

Thanks. It was certainly a killer. Well done on completing the W8 run. It must be great being almost within touching distance of becoming a graduate.

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Firstly, well done for completing the run! Your write-up was interesting and thought provoking; maybe to help accomplish it successfully I need to know exactly what’s coming (I haven’t even bothered to look yet as it’s all been about W5 R3) and just deal with it in sections, like we have done on every other run besides the 20 minute one. Maybe think if it more as a stepping stone to the longer runs at the same time. I’ll be running it next, but I’m having a break of 2-3 days as I’m going away for a while. Need to scope out where I can run as I’ll be doing all of Week 6 in a different place. I’ll let you know how I get on with it.

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks, Jools. I honestly think that it is down to personal preference when it comes to knowing what is come next. I work a lot better when I can see what is coming; seeing the length of the runs doesn’t put me off. But, I can completely understand the other perspective where someone may feel intimidated by the runs. Whilst the program is quite ridged in some ways, there is still a lot of scope in relation to how you approach the runs. Short answer is, whatever works for you is the best answer!

[Overweightandunfit Graduate]

Well done, You’re doing great.

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to Overweightandunfit]

Cheers. Definitely a tough one today but getting closer to that goal.

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Ok let’s get this out the way before I comment further....

WAY TO GO!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏

I’m not sure what I’m more chuffed at you for... completing the run OR getting up at 530am to do it!

Bloody awesome!

I love your post... I mentally ran every second with you!... it felt such a flat run to me too!

You’re so right! I had the gait of an overworked cart horse ... just felt so out of step!

It’s certainly turning out to be a biatch of a run!... but we've done it!... YOU did it and if there was a graduate badge for the 530 get up I would willingly pin it to your running vest!

Another step on this amazing journey! I look forward to reading your R2 and 3 post! I hope you have a better run 2 then me... I didn’t set myself up well which made it a hard slog for me... slow and steady is the plan for R3...

I’m thinking midnight run for me for R3... when it’s at its coolest!

Well done Mister! Chuffed for you!

[BeaglesEnd Graduate]

Thank you so much, Jane. Having read your amazing post on this run I set off with half an idea of discovering exactly why so many had found it so tough. So armed with this knowledge I was better able to deconstruct the physical and mental difficulties.

Hopefully I managed to convey it well enough! I’d admit that reading your musings has certainly inspired me to add much more narrative to the posts.

Time for a little confession when it comes to how I managed to get out so early. My eldest is very near 20 and she was staying at a friends. Occasionally she has come home extra early (the comforts of her own bed with a hangover I believe). She also has another habit of forgetting her key. Lo and behold I get a desperate phone call at 5 asking to be let in. As I opened the door I caught a full blast of the fresh air. Too good an opportunity to miss!

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to BeaglesEnd]

Aww I loved reading it! So eloquently put... I just type as I speak I think ... I pour my thoughts all down and if it brightens someone’s day or gives them a bit of motivation then so be it...

I would put the monkey face with hands over eyes and sympathise with you 🙈 teenagers!.. but not a teenager any more... I have 2... i could so relate to your post...

ok for them to forget their key and wake me up at some unearthly hour but when they are in bed for an early night and it’s 930pm and I knock them up I am officially the worst parent! We love them tho and wouldn’t be without them and I dare say she did you a favour on such a gorgeous day.... must have been a beautiful morning and I can’t tell you how smug I would be having done a run before breakfast tv kicked off!

You’ve set the standard now.... and who knows if we lose our jobs due to virus we could always have a 2nd career as an author 📚😀 Keep your fingers crossed for me for run 3 ... coming over the next day or two 🏃🏽‍♀️

[gemms2000 Graduate]

I did this run this morning as well, not quite so early though, I think I left out at 7.

I really didn’t enjoy it, I felt every single second of it - my shins hurt, my feet hurt, I was out of breath and I was HOT!!

I think I’m going to have to give it another go before I move onto my next run, but there is no way I’m running again during this mini heatwave. Bring on the rain 🤣

[BeaglesEnd Graduate in reply to gemms2000]

This run really knocked my rhythm and spent a lot of time getting my technique right. Well done on getting it done, though. Chalk it up as a win!