Week 8, so near and yet so far.

[Birra1]

I'm so pleased with myself having completed the first run of week 8. I find the first five minutes by far the most difficult. It takes those five minutes to get into some sort of a rhythm and then after that it just seems to happen.

I go oh holiday for 2 weeks next Sunday to visit my children and family in Italy. Lucky you, you may say. And yes, it's true that I can't wait to see my children (all grown adults) but my running. I want to graduate. I will be doing my first run of week 9 on the Sunday morning before leaving. I keep telling myself I can finish the other two runs in Italy, but if I am realistic I think it will be too hot for me to do it. And of course with all the overeating that comes with visiting family in Italy, reality is it will be difficult if not impossible.

If the worse comes to worse how far in the programme will 2 weeks no running set me back . I say running, but it's more jogging that I am able to do.

Thanks for any guidance

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done with your progress and enjoy your trip to Italy 😁👍You will not loose much if any fitness during the first two weeks and then it will be gradual.

I had 18 days off after week 8 run 1 through injury and then managed run 2 when I went back out (albeit quite slowly)

I might still be tempted to take the running kit though just incase 😁

[Birra1 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks. The running kit will most definitely be in my suitcase. 👍

[BrokeyNotSoBusted Graduate]

You should be fine after 2 week break but I'd bring some gear just incase the occasion arises to head out. Without running you could fit in some of the exercises from strength and flexibility which might keep your confidence high for when you return but there will always be other runs, enjoy that holiday and time with family whatever you end up doing 🙂

[Birra1 Graduate in reply to BrokeyNotSoBusted]

Thank you for that. I do need to start to do regular strength exercises.

[ArthurJG Graduate]

I graduated in Italy! Planned to finish before I went on holiday but got behind due to a minor health thing and ended up doing the last four runs on holiday in Italy. Graduated in Florence and added a few minutes to make an actual 5k. But I was out the door by 6.30 am to beat the heat (and believe me I don’t normally get up at that time). Either that or 10pm if you have good street lighting.. The trickiest bit is choosing a route in a place you don’t know. I was touring, and didn’t run on the first day I arrived in any given place because I wanted to get my bearings first. But it’s doable.

[Birra1 Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

Thanks for that. I now feel hopeful 😃

I know the area well as lived there most of my life. I'm in UK for a few years .

Luckily I am an early morning runner. I'm usually back by 6.30am. Bearing in mind 6.30 is already 7.30 in Italy.

Running late in eve is definitely not me. I'm usually tucked up in bed by 10, 10.30.

Actually would be great to graduate over there. I will be in the Padova (Padua) area.

I will let you know if I manage it .

Thanks again. Have a great day.

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to Birra1]

My penultimate run (w9r2) was in Padua. For simplicity I ended up doing laps of Prato della Valle 😂 I think it was 6 laps plus the jog from my accommodation. That was in 2018. You’ll be able to select a more imaginative route!

[Birra1 Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

Hopefully the Saturday market wasn't on. I'm sure Sant' Antonio was looking over you though .

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to Birra1]

I think it was early Sunday morning so very quiet though it got busier as I ran. Still remember the old guy with a beard and a stick sitting in a bench and calling to me ‘fa le giro’ - which from my limited Italian I think is not correct grammar, maybe he said fa il giro or something but that’s how I remember it. That was an amazing holiday. Sirmione, Padova, Firenze, Assisi, Rimini (went to San Marino and Ravenna from there) and briefly Bologna.

[Birra1 Graduate in reply to Birra1]

Yes, would have been "fa il giro". I'm sure he was amused watching you do your "giros". There is a main carabiniere station there too. At least you didn't get arrested by one thinking who is this mad English man running in circles 🤣 Or perhaps you blended in with the fashionable Padovani in their Sunday morning designer running wear.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I’ve been for a run in Greece this morning. I took my running gear “just in case” and it was lovely to wake up early and get out in the stunning scenery. It was still very hot compared to what is was used to and I made sure not to push on further than I was super comfortable doing. I wish I’d walked the route in advance and I would have taken money to get a bus back from the next village. I also never run with water but I wish I’d had some with me.

Great decision to take your kit and don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t get used. If you do run, you could shorten the time to account for the extra heat. Even if you did have a total break, you’ll be surprised how much fitness you retain and how quickly it comes back having already done eight weeks of the programme. Enjoy your time away and congratulations for what you’ve already achieved.

[Birra1 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you sooooo much. Enjoy your time in Greece.