Week 7 Run 2 ☔️

[Jools2020]

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 😂

[packersruns Graduate]

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!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to packersruns]

Thank you! Yes, that devil on my shoulder is usually for the first five minutes!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

YEEEEESSSSSS. !

Well done Jools , so pleased to see you out there again today

But also pleased you took those days rest !

What I noticed from you post is the fact your hip didn't seem to bother you ?

Haha and you even does up a bit 😬👍👏

Well done you !

That will be a good one to have got out of the way after a few days off .

I'm happy for you !

I will be out later for my run (just need to let my breakfast digest , although it was only porridge😁)

Enjoy the rest of the day ! 👏👍

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

I’m just eating my porridge now 😀

Hip was fine, and yes! Really speeding up, now. Maybe I was hurrying to get back to the car, out of the rain!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Haha enjoy your poridge !

And I'm so pleased your back pain free 😬👍🏃🎉

[Fifitrixiebell73 Graduate]

Woooo! Well done!

We're all turning into proper wee Speedy Gonzales' these days! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Fifitrixiebell73]

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.

[Roxy71 Graduate]

Well done Speedy....

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxy71]

😂😂😂

[wobbles_when_runs Graduate]

Well done speedy!

Great run and pace with the looks of it, awesome 👏🏻

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to wobbles_when_runs]

Thank you ( I do know that it’s not really speedy - just speedy for me) 😂

[Tinytears60 Graduate]

Wow that’s fab Julia! 👏👏👏

So pleased your back out running again.... sounds like the rest has done you good.. Hip pain dealt with.

Don’t you just love ‘Our Michael’ keeping us company.

I’ve added a couple of Queen to my playlist - 🎵’Don’t stop me now’ a firm favourite but it’s rapid when it kicks in 👍

1 more then you’re on week 8!!! 👏👏👏

Completely fab!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Thank you, Jane! Yes, running again, hip much better. Always a concern if you have an injury.

I love Queen and ‘Don’t stop me now’ is one of my favourites!

Can’t believe I’m almost on Week 8!

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

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

🙈

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

And you are doing really well, too! Powering through those runs. I agree, I never thought I’d get to week 7!

Sometimes it’s good to change the routine. You’ll do your next run when it suits and good luck with it! 😀

[PlymBorn]

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 !

Upwards and onwards ! 7 runs left !

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to PlymBorn]

I’m ok running without glasses but can’t see into the distance so was annoyed I couldn’t find the copse! But that run felt gooood!

I know! 7 runs left! 1 more here in Bucks, then back to the Norfolk fens. Look out Week 8 I’m coming for you 😂