Week 5 Run 3 (revisited) 😊🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020]

I was so excited about doing this run! Having done it before in 2020 I knew that the battle was only in my mind and that I was prepared for it. I have a busy day today so decided to run really early - so I left the house at 5:45.

Music this morning, everything organised. Gremlins despatched! Shorts and t-shirt. It’s overcast here, with a hint of mist in the air so not like the last few runs in glorious early morning sunshine, but the air on my skin was fresh rather than cold. My warm up walk was very determined this morning!

I knew my biggest problem would be keeping it slow and steady. I naturally run more slowly at the beginning and then speed up, so the pace of my whole run is set at the start, but it’s difficult to judge. This morning I set off just a little too fast, not helped by the start of the run being downhill. I must choose a better route! I had some doubts - would I be able to keep going, especially up the slope in the second half of the run? Well, I had to slow down - but there wasn’t any real risk of stopping.

Very happy to get this milestone run under my belt and although I didn’t quite feel the same sense of achievement as in 2020, I’m pleased with myself nevertheless! Because I recorded a workout, I have the stats to look at which also makes me pleased!

Now for the breakfast of champions 🥣 and ☕️

Roll on Week 6 Run 1, which I know is one that catches you out! 😊🏃‍♀️

Pic shows the no through road, where I like to run on the road 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done jools !I saw your early start on Strava 😊

That's always a nice run to complete!

I look forward to it soon !

Enjoy the porridge 😁

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks Ian 😊 Porridge was good with a banana and maple syrup !

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Well done Jools,you owned that run

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you Sola, yes - it was mine! 😊

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

Brilliant run Jools, well done! 🏃‍♀️☺️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

Thank you. Over halfway through now 😊

[Gthants]

Well done! This was my favourite run so far. Haven't enjoyed the first two of week 6. Hoping for more fun tomorrow!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Thanks! Week 6 does seem odd going back to intervals for the first two runs, but trust the program 😊

[Roxdog Graduate]

Brilliant, well done

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thank you Roxdog. How are you? Is your injury healing?

[Roxdog Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

It's very slow progress. The swelling in the rest of my leg has gone down, but the area I bashed still has a lump and is quite painful. As there was progress I haven't seen a GP. I think the shin is a very sensitive part! Unlikely I'll be running soon but fingers crossed!

[nowster Graduate]

5.45am?!?!? The only time I get up that early is on election days. (Got to get to the polling station by 6.20am.)

That said, if this warm spell continues, I'm definitely going to have to get out earlier.

Well done! Not the same sense of achievement as the first time, but it is a point of reassurance that you've still got it.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to nowster]

It’s interesting repeating the program and I can’t help but compare. You know I’ve never been fast. In 2020 I covered 1.87 km in the 20 minutes. Today 2.43km. Happy with the splits, too! I recorded the warm up and cool down walks, so Strava didn’t give me the splits for the run alone, but Garmin did as I’d written a workout. I think maybe I’ve retained more fitness than I thought.

I haven’t slept well since 2020, so it’s not a huge effort to get up 😊. I do recall running at 5 a.m sometimes the first time round! Wonderful to see the sun coming up over the fens. I miss that!

[nowster Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Interesting that Strava didn't pick up the intervals. I can't remember whether Strava did that with my vivoactive3 workouts or not. It does with my current watch. I'll have to dig back...

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to nowster]

Strava did pick up the intervals on a bar chart, but didn’t give precise times. I only have the free subscription though. Maybe I should cough up and pay them, they keep asking me practically every day!

[Plattszo Graduate]

Hey Jools! You have been lighting up my inbox with the posts of your successful runs. Well done on your run! I'm sure the knowledge of knowing you can do it is helping you along but I would imagine adds a detain level of pressure too if you allow it. You sound chilled though and taking it all in your stride (no pun intended!). Well done! Zoe x

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Plattszo]

Heyyyy 💕 How are you?

I think the pressure comes later when I’ve graduated! I’m chilled with the programme knowing that I’ve done it before. I haven’t run for months as I was ill, but maybe I retained more stamina than I realised.

You still running? x

[nowster Graduate in reply to Plattszo]

Another name from a few years ago. Welcome back!

[Starlight_23]

Congrats!! I did this run today, too. And I am proud with it. Slowed down a Bit and Miles away fromm what I managed Long Time ago. But it is what it is. Twenty minutes. Hurray!!!!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Starlight_23]

Well done to both of us! 😊👏

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you! On you go!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

thank you, Oldfloss!

[ClairePC Graduate]

jools, that is fantastic. Well done ! And I’m guessing that you’re going to enjoy week 6.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ClairePC]

Thanks! Looking forward to it already. I have company this weekend, but maybe I can sneak out quietly early tomorrow morning! It’s only for half an hour so doubt I’ll be missed!

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate]

Sometimes the roads are a lot better than the pavements!

Shame about the cars.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

It’s funny - because I love running in parks and by the water, but there is something about running on the road. After I graduated, I ran on the road for the first time, heading out of the village, to … where? I didn’t know. it felt like freedom! An adventure! I think that’s why I like it.

Running really early means there’s not much traffic about!

[MrBassmanjazz Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

I really must go run somewhere else! I'm 10 miles from the sea, though I don't want to run on sand.

I have two main routes, (4k and 5k), that take me out of town and then back in. Up the by-pass, back pas fields and then through, quiet residential. Then I have two, 4k and 5k that I run through the town. Usually teatime and not that many about.

They all bring me back to my house. I can't imagine doing an out and back!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MrBassmanjazz]

I would imagine running on soft sand is hard work. I definitely need some new routes. It’s probably time I actually drove somewhere to run. I’ll look on Strava to find some local runners and steal their routes!