I could not resist. How could I not run on such a glorious day? Tomorrow is the scheduled run slot, but today’s bright sunshine and my work pattern made a voice in my head go ‘do it! do it!’
This meant testing how my body would react to just a single rest day (two is preferable) and it meant breaking the news to M, who has too much stuff on and wants to run tomorrow (he was totally cool). So, after a morning in digital meetings, off I went at midday. This decision was all so sudden that I forgot my usual dynamic stretches and the joys of the foam roller; I only realised this during the warm-up walk. Oh, well, that’s more to add to the experiment. I’d also had a dreadful night’s sleep. But, hey, the sun was shining and I really wanted to get out there.
I decided this would be a good opportunity to try out some of the guided mindful/meditation runs on NRC app, several of which are perfect for 30-minute consolidation runs. I chose ‘Run with Headspace’, which looked to be the first in a group with Andy Puddicombe. He was in conversation with NRC’s Coach Bennet. I like the ‘naked’ mode, but, I figure, it’s also good to ‘train for’ them; get some coaching and refresh techniques. So I count this as part of the ‘naked’ experience, even though it strictly was not. (Not sure how @Imc50 would judge this!)
I enjoyed ii, immensely. I chatted to a few birds too; took in the beautiful shadow plays of leaf piles and trees; and today, I was really impressed by the wonderful verdigris bark visible on the plane trees. I chose the clockwise circuit, which is optimal in this light.
I followed the suggestions from the coaches. Especially memorable was the starting lesson in self-patience (essentially, stop worrying about the ‘toxic 10’). Throughout the emphasis was on accepting how one felt as well as any ‘distracting’ thoughts; just be with this, it’s human. The principle seemed to be that the body can just run, so let it do its thing. Nice outlook. No stress. And no stressing about ‘not being able to relax’.
Part of me knew that I was finding the run a little hard, but I found that intriguing rather that ‘difficult’. I sensed I’d started too fast. The coaches imagined setting out at 3 (on a 10-point scale), settling into 5 and then stepping down a bit at the end. I knew I was not ‘with’ this pacing, but that’s ok, I’m a learner. They kept addressing me as ‘athlete’, which felt both odd and funny - I both resisted and welcomed it.
I was also struck by the lack of ‘breathing’ in the voices; there was no crunching of footfall. Were they in a studio, I wondered? In this regard, it was quite different to Steve Hobbs’ mindful-run podcast, which is more like someone running alongside you and feels very embodied. Still, it was good - just different - and I liked having the stretches of silence.
The run was brilliant! 🌞☀️🦌🦌🦌☀️🌞 Gazelles joined in and helped carry (and carry away) any ‘difficulties’. The crows cheered us along. At the end, I felt as glorious as the sunshine that had tempted me from my desk - and still feel so now as the sun is going down. 😊 I’m just amazed that I am enjoying running so much.
30.09 duration, 4.07 km, average pace 7.24.
Splits: 7.05, 7.14, 7.28, 7.37.
Proof I was going faster at the start, as suspected, but much more than I realised. Can feel a very minor niggle in right hip flexor/ groin, but not too surprised by that, all things taken into account. And, as @Imoca observed yesterday, even post-insomniac runs can sometimes turn out to be the best.
W9R3 done!
W8R3....How’s that? Swans and Shade! 
Did someone say graduation?
CR3 Naked but not Commando!😱 😂 (long post alert!)
Just about managed week 7...
