After 4 rest days due to an aching hip, off I drove this morning down to the park. It was raining with no sign at all of it letting up, so took a couple of towels with me! I needed to run! I thought ‘Let’s make this one count’. I have not been the most speedy runner to date 😂 and hey, I know it doesn’t matter but I didn’t heed my own advice this morning as I thought it was time to be just a little less cautious. Michael was there to meet me, of course, and reassured me that I had done this distance before. Queen ON and off we went! Warm up walk over, watch started and I’m off! 🏃♀️ (Got to love all these gadgets and apps!)
As always, the first 5 minutes are difficult. For me, the doubts creep in and I struggle a little with settling into a steady pace. Michael announces 5 minutes and I settle down. I’m think I’m running faster than usual, but it feels comfortable so I push the doubts aside about whether I can keep it up and keep going! Shimmy round the gate, slow down a bit for the slope and I’m halfway!
Hip feels good, pace feels good and Queen in my ears, I’m enjoying it! Michael announces 5 minutes left and I look for the little copse I’ve found on other runs, but I can’t see it. I left my glasses in the car because of the rain. I like the copse because it’s harder underfoot and really helps me speed up for the last minute. Nope, can’t find it! So when Michael says I can speed up for the last 30 seconds, I did, but it wasn’t as much as on the last run.
Felt really good when I finished! I knew I was faster and checked my stats; yesss! Average pace was 9.37 min/km! First time under 10 minutes! You’ll have to start calling me Speedy! Annoyingly, Strava put the elevation (55 m) instead of my pace in the summary, I guess it thought that the elevation was more impressive 😂
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Jools2020
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Amazing well done!! I sometimes find not looking at your pace at all actually helps you be that little bit quicker, that's what I found today on my run and the last run anyway! I should have brought a towel with me haha, my cap was dripping water on my walk back it was awful, good on you too for not listening to the devil on your shoulder - can be harder in the later weeks but you've pushed through it so you know you can do that next time. Not long to go now!
Thanks! Yes, my middle name is now speedy! 😂 It was a big effort, though. Probably premature in where I am in the program, but just wanted to be less cautious today.
I know!.. it’s brilliant how well your doing... I don’t know about you but I looked at people on here with so much envy (and respect) when they posted about weeks 5 onwards, never dreamt I could get there but intent on giving it a go 🏃🏽♀️
We will get there...
I’m having an enforced 2nd rest day because I have an appt. I usually like to do the final run in a Thursday but hey ho - not this week
Well done ... hip rested and better .... and best time yet ! That necessary rest has obviously helped.
No glasses on ... that was brave ... I’d be like a mole ! That said when I can’t see through rain I tend to do my best times as I’m not checking my watch all the time !
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