Well, now! I had to do this run in a different county; I’m used to running in the Norfolk fens and here I am in the hills of Buckinghamshire! Could be a total disaster!
I knew this run may possibly be tricky. So I told myself that all previous runs were to prepare for the 20 minute run on Week 5. That’s now done. Start again to prepare for a 25 minute run with intervals of walking, like before. I was sure that this approach would work; I like following a structure and instructions,
With this in mind, off I went! Out of the house, onto the path. This was my first challenge! I’ve never run on a hard surface before. I figured I’d try it this time and by next run, I would have found a park somewhere. Anyway, music ON, Michael ON! Off I go..... Fortunately, Michael seems to have recovered from his crackly voice of the previous run and is on top form. Santana through the headphones! Warm up walk - getting used to the feel of the hard surface. 5 minute run. Legs feel a bit heavy but feel settled with the pace. No problems with accepting the stop and interval walk. 8 minute run - maybe this was a bad idea, the road feels so heavy! At some stage I pass the 1km mark and I realise that my pace is faster than usual, so I slow down a tad to cope with the road surface. Michael says I am halfway - just as I encounter a SLOPE, oh no! I plod on, legs even heavier; this incline is NOT what I am used to. Start to wonder if I can do it! This is for you my forum buddies, I can’t give up now! That slope went on for 4 minutes, I tell you! But I made it. Really appreciated the next interval walk. Did the final 5 minute run without incident. When I got back, was my face a little pink with exertion, and was I maybe just a tad breathless? I tell you, I was a red faced, sweating, panting wreck! But I did it. Oh yes, another one in the bag!!