Week 3 Run 3

[Jools2020]

We’ll now, I made a whole week!

I put my running gear on first thing. Sorted out all my tech last night. This way, I can’t make those excuses not to run if the gremlins strike !

I also decided to try and vary where I run. When I lived in rural Norfolk, I was happy running on the country roads. There were no paths and I just hopped into the verges if I had to! Now I’m in a built up area I try and avoid running in heavy traffic, so I’m looking for some prettier, green places to run. With that in mind, I decided to run around a little park about 10 minutes from my home.

There seem to be a lot of buttons to press this morning! Watch is hunting for a signal, have to choose music and start the C25K app! All works and I set off on my warmup walk. Then I realise I forgot my trademark sun visor. So back I go. My sun visor is an essential piece of kit. My eyes are sensitive and it shields them from the sun. If it rains, it keeps the rain off my glasses! I bought a set of 6 from Amazon.

Anyway - I start my warm up walk to the park. I get to the part that’s up a steep hill just when my coach tells me to start running. Oh dear - No Way. So I pause the run and wait until I get to the park which is level 😊. Hills can come later.

I enjoyed running here. The park is small but very pretty. People were out walking their dogs and children and moved out of the way for me. A dog decided to run with me for a while! A toddler waved at me and was delighted when I waved back. The lovely route was calming for my soul. Then all too soon it was over. I can’t wait to do my longer runs again, but for now I’ve finished Week 3 and head home for stretches and coffee 😊.

Attached a pic of part of my route today.

Happy running! 😊👍🏃‍♀️☕️

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Excellent!Well done jools 😁

Oh and love the picture, wouldn't it be great to have a whole route looking like that 🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, Ian! Yes, it would 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Fabulous, your run and where you run, the longer runs will soon be here for you too

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, Sola! It does feel good to be running again to a fixed plan.

[Roxdog Graduate]

That looks like a pretty park. I'm sure there are nice places to run. even though you now live in a more built up area. I was amazed at the hidden gems I found here in the suburbs during lockdowns!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Yes, you’re right. Lots of green spaces round here! Many of them are quite small so I definitely need to explore more.

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

The park looks lovely. Well done on your first week back at it, I'd call it a success! 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

it is a lovely little park and it felt good to be running along the part of it in the photo!

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Well done Jools! That looks like a lovely park. Im sure you'll enjoy exploring. I found so many lovely places around here through running. I always find it funny when dogs run along with you like that.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Yes, it is lovely. It is funny when dogs run with you, as long as they’re not too large!

[Oldwoman65 Graduate]

Lovely pic. Glad you managed to settle into the run after the initial hiccup. I just love all the greenery at this time of the year. Pity it's not a bit brighter and less rain but hey ho, just need to go out and do it. I'm missing the sunny mornings of Australia 🤭

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Oldwoman65]

Thanks! Some of the trees were flowering but I was in the middle of the running sections so couldn’t photograph them! I’ve not been to Australia this time of year but I imagine that the mornings are beautiful.

[Oldwoman65 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

It was starting to get chilly in the mornings and evenings in Brisbane but lovely during the day. 25/27 daytime temperatures. Just been for a run, felt really cool. Thought about putting my gloves on 🤦

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Oldwoman65]

it’s chilly today for sure! 😂 Well done for your run

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

What a delightful place to run. Well done Jools on your continuing return journey to 5k.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you, Brian. It’s hard when you’ve lost fitness, but the hardest thing about it is definitely getting out of the door. Trying to minimise the arguments in my head! It seems like I must have imagined running a half marathon.

That is a pretty place to run, but the park is small and for longer distances it won’t work. I do like to feel I’m actually running somewhere rather than round in circles 😊. Fortunately I’m on the doorstep of a huge park that I can drive to a bit later on.

[RunBrianRun Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

I am driven by goals, short term and long term, but even so, I do lack motivation to get out the door on some days. It’s natural and part of the journey. Today is a great example, I ran yesterday in a race and today is my second race day. I wouldn’t go as I ache a lot, BUT my arch nemesis (in my head), will be running. This chap won the race where I fell over last year and I’ve always wanted to beat him (that’s my goal!), so I shall be going along, He is a lovely chap, but that goes out the window when we’re on the track!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to RunBrianRun]

I hear you! I am extremely competitive and it’s only ever in my head. I, too, am driven by goals - usually achievable, fortunately.

Wishing for success for you with your arch nemesis! Leave him for dust 🤣

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

sounds perfect for where you’re at at the moment Jools2020 …getting back to it gradually is the best way to get your fitness back on form…I started c25k again a few weeks ago but abandoned it at week 6 and started a Jeff Galloway plan so I’m going to go back to week 3/4 and continue my revisit thanks to your post…I think it’s what I need too after not running as regularly as I did…that way, I know the plan will work like it did the first time I completed it…and thats why it sounds perfect for you too..

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks! I had thought about just getting out there and running, but I’m my own worst enemy and push myself too hard. This way at least I can strictly monitor myself! (Although I did jump back in at Week 3).

Good to know there are others going back to the plan. Good luck! We’ll get there. I so want to do a Park Run. It’s not just about the running, I need to meet like minded people 😊

[BR808 Graduate]

Well done on completing your first week back! The run looks lovely. I’m finding I too need to change routes fairly often- very low boredom threshold!!! I need to have nice views and trees! I’m turning into some awful high maintenance jogger! And psychologically need routes to be no more than one lap, so I’m not repeating anything! Do I just need to get over myself and have an intervention with myself ?!!! Yesterday completed Wk5 run 1 and enjoying it!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to BR808]

The route being one lap would suit me perfectly! A circular route with trees, a hard trodden pathway through - maybe a lake or two. But I appreciate that’s not going to happen all the time. I need to investigate a large park near me that might have all of the above - but with the risk of getting lost! I’m one of those rare people who have no sense of direction at all 🤣

Well done for W5 R1. You’re well over halfway through 😊

[Hidden]

Jools as a fellow glasses wearer the sun visor idea I love! Especially gor the tiny runs great tip xx

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Works really well! Very important part of my running kit 😊

[ClairePC Graduate]

Hey, go Jools. I finished week 3 on Friday. So we’re going to start week 4 about the same time. We can cheer each other on.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ClairePC]

Ooooh yes, well done! I’ll follow you ….. 😊

[ClairePC Graduate]

Right. Off for week 4, run 1 in about half an hour. When are you going out?

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ClairePC]

Tomorrow! Travelling today otherwise I would be going out 😊

[ClairePC Graduate]

well, I did it. Concentrated on breathing and the oxygen made all the difference.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ClairePC]

oooh well done! Makes me want to run. Have to wait until tomorrow. And there are lots of hills - so it will be a slow one!