Week 6 Run 1

[Dodgylungs]

Well it wasn’t easy, even after running for 20 minutes on Thursday. The first 5 minutes was straightforward enough but my usual lung issues and aching legs were ever present. I found myself feeling the pace halfway through the 8 minute part of the run. An acquaintance said hello at this point but I couldn’t hear them properly through my ear pods so by the time I turned to say hi I was already past them. I had been listening to my usual punk rock tunes, Babylon’s Burning by The Ruts gave me extra incentive to push through to the end of the 8 minute stint.

I ran my normal route today which included some inclines and by the time I started the last 5 minute run Gloria by Patti Smith was kicking in which gave me great cheer. Bands such as the Violent Femmes and The Damned kept me pushing through, along with Laura’s reassuring and dulcet tones. As I was nearing the end of the run up another incline and struggling, Iggy Pop came to my rescue with Lust For Life. I defy anyone not to have a bounce in their step to that song. My ear pods only came out once today (as opposed to twice on Thursday) but I seem to have discovered the mental strength to be able to keep pushing through the pain. The 25 minutes for Run 3 is going to be very challenging but I’m trusting in the programme.

[carolinestanford Graduate]

Well done!! 👍

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to carolinestanford]

Thank you!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done starting week 6 !

Just one more interval run to do 😬👍

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you. Yeah, that’s 10 and 10 so will see how I deal with that.

[acountrycabbage Graduate]

Brilliant! 🌟🙌🏼

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to acountrycabbage]

Thank you!

[VPOLLIE67 Graduate]

Brilliant Dodgylungs!!!

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to VPOLLIE67]

Thank you!

[mrsszu]

Just did week6 run 1 this morning too, well done Dodgylungs! A few things stopped me running this week so maybe the extra rest days have helped today,, I'm apprehensive about the last leg to 30mins solid running too. Trusting in the plan!

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to mrsszu]

You’ll get there. Well done!

[IngridKW Graduate]

Every week I doubted myself 5 minute running, not a chance!! As you know I smashed it today and I’m still in shock at how amazing the program is.

I use to see runners and wish I could get in the zone so it’s true about the mental strength.

You are doing brilliant, keep it up 👍

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to IngridKW]

Thank you. I was running 5k on the treadmill indoors before lockdown but could never run outside. Now I’m starting to be able to and though it’s much harder, I also feel it’s more rewarding. I never really enjoying running on the treadmill but outdoors feels more rewarding and a bigger buzz. Well done you too 😀

[JulesL69 Graduate]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 well done. Love Iggy Pop what a great tune.

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to JulesL69]

Brilliant isn’t he. Saw him in Vegas a few years back.

[JetsNanna Graduate]

Well done! I found W6R1 a real mare and that baffled me because you’d think that interval running would be a cinch after doing W5R3.

The runs with no interval are somehow ‘easier’ - you are clear how long you have to ‘stick at it’ and you don’t have the distraction of thinking about “how long until I can stop again” and “oh my days, have I got to start again already” - they are real hard work but they mean that you find some kind of rhythm to your running. It’s all to play for now 😊

[Dodgylungs Graduate in reply to JetsNanna]

I know what you mean but so far I've been very glad of the breaks. I too found Week 6 Run 1 tricky but not because I didn't want to stop - the opposite was true for me, I was still exhausted halfway through the 8 minute stint. I'll see how I fare after W6R2 - hopefully the running and football match I played yesterday will all add to helping me feel I'm on my way to fitness. My new FitBit broke down on me yesterday, so I'll have to send that back and get it replaced/repaired. I sincerely hope that the two lots of 10 minute stints I'm about to embark on will show me that there have been some improvements in my fitness since last week.