W7R2: Back after the break

[nowster]

Time: 7.05am Weather: 19°C, Partially cloudy

Why am I doing this to myself?

Back on my usual route.

I'd decided to take an extra rest day due to the heat yesterday. There had been a bit of a thunderstorm at midnight here and there was a lot of dampness in the air. I hadn't slept particularly well either due to the heat/humidity. Not the best preparation for a 25 minute run.

There was cooling breeze at the start which disappeared when I was returning. I know why now. It's a headwind on the outward leg and a tailwind on the return leg. So I have the wind on my face at the start, but when I'm going in the other direction the wind was roughly the same speed as me, so it was having no cooling effect.

Today's run did feel like a struggle and a plod, and there were several points where the little gremlins were whispering sweet pleas at me to give up. I didn't.

I did get about 25 yards further on the same route than on W6R3 at the turnaround.

I ignored Jo Wiley when she suggested I could sprint the last minute. I was feeling tired at that point. Not exhausted, just tired.

During the post-run stretches, I was definitely feeling the muscles being tighter than previous days, especially in the calves and shins. I probably would have benefited from a good walk yesterday.

I did it. Not a favourite, but I did it.

Stats:

Distance: 4.9km total, 3.82km running.

Pace (running): 6'33"/km. Splits (km): 6'30", 7'02", 6'17", 6'21"/km.

Top speed (ignore the image): 9.9km/h, 6'02"/km

~~~

And the jukebox played:

07:05 Peter and Gordon - Baby I'm Yours

07:08 Frankie Laine - Blazing Saddles

07:09 Connie Francis - Don't Break The Heart That Loves You

07:12 Olivia Newton John - I Honestly Love You

07:16 Smokie - Lay Back In The Arms Of Someone

07:21 The Chiffons - Out Of This World

07:23 Manhattans - Kiss And Say Goodbye

07:27 Stevie Wonder - Overjoyed

07:31 The Bradshaws¹ - Chicken's Feet & Alf's Hands

07:35 Frank Luther - The Three Billy Goats Gruff

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¹ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_B...

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Sometimes there are runs like those and they make the good runs even sweeter. Conditions were very humid in many places this morning. I struggled at just after 5 a.m. Just couldn’t get my speed up, breathing not good.

But you persevered and did it! Well done for that!👏👏👏👍

[nowster Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Being honest about these things and giving a "warts and all" account is probably beneficial for other people here. Letting them know that everyone has difficult runs from time to time is, I hope, a good thing.

Saturday morning looks as though it's going to be at least 3°C cooler and I'm planning a (mostly) gradual downhill route for W7R3 (then a brisk walk uphill for the cool-down).

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to nowster]

I agree with you.

It’s already cooler here than when I ran this morning. Quite breezy, too! Hope you enjoy your run on Saturday. I’m planning a long, slow (really slow) 5K 😊

[anthony_jeannot Graduate]

Still a very impressive run there pal. I actually realised the first half of my run is into the wind. On not hot days that is probably the way I'd prefer it but in the last week, you're right, it has made the second half of the run feel that much hotter.

[Hidden]

Love it ! Love it !

Very top gear I’d say... great results with such awful conditions...

Well done nowster 🏃

[BexJogs Graduate]

Love how honest this is - "not a favourite but I did it". That could have summed up my W7R3 (I didnt post about it but I did it!). Onwards and upwards - often a good run follows a "meh" run, in my experience. Do you find the same?

[nowster Graduate in reply to BexJogs]

I'll let you know on Saturday. 😉

My most memorable "slogged through it with gritted teeth" run, W4R3, was followed by W5R1 which I really enjoyed.

[sally1993]

Well done for getting it done! I know what you mean it's been too hot to move and the stiffness creeps in! X