I can't imagine the conditions being much worse for this but I've been stealing myself for this one. So in the cold rain, wind and dark I ventured out to tackle my longest run yet - 25mins non stop knowing that i had done the preparation, had a relaxing weekend and had hydrated well yesterday. Trusting that all you lot have got through this one I set off and dealt with the tough first 5 minutes including landing in cold puddles and getting soaked telling myself it would get easier once my body settled into its running state. Then got to the half way point which was further than I was expecting it to be but conveniently was on a corner - I won't say it was easy but my body wasn't complaining and the rain and puddles were no longer bothering me. Turning around and heading back I'd figured out where I should get to for the 5 minutes to go warning and then I hit a wall. As soon as Sarah Millican said 5 minutes to go my lungs just started complaining, it was hard to breathe in enough and breathing out felt uncomfortable. I slowed my pace telling myself I could keep going for just 5 minutes and how good it would be to finish this. It didn't help immediately but gradually my breathing eased off and I focused on making it to the 1 minute to go point. At 1 minute I turn a corner and start going slightly downhill on my route which is great as I allowed myself to go faster and managed to keep running right up to the end. I am so thrilled I did it, I can definitely feel my lungs have had a workout now, here's hoping for more adaptation ready for the next one on Wednesday.
I'm wondering if the sudden breathing difficulties at 5 minutes was purely psychological as nothing else changed except this was the point where I was running for longer than any previous runs. I'll find out, I guess, at the next run which is the same length only difference is now I know I can do it.
Hey everyone thanks for reading, it was a long one, enjoy your running.