Week 7 Run 1 👍🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020]

The forecast was sunny, so I set my alarm for 5:30 and leapt out of bed! No, it wasn’t sunny, so I faffed about and didn’t leave the house until just after 7. I like to run really early but only if it’s sunny, so I can play Queen’s “It’s a Beautiful Day” and ELO’s “Mr Blue Sky” and sing along to it on my warm up walk!

It was even a little chilly when I left the house, but I was fine in shorts and tee-shirt. Walk over and i start my watch, continuing to walk for a bit and gliding into a slow jog. I do get that Toxic 10 and it’s more obvious on these longer runs, so easing into the run really helps with that. I found a comfortable pace and tried to keep it consistent for the first km. Second km I’m settled into the run and was naturally running a little faster, so had to pull back a little. I didn’t complete a third kilometre in the 25 minutes but I did speed up for the last few minutes. Coach said I could 😀

I’m too conscious of my pace. It’s really not necessary for this stage, I keep telling myself, but I guess part of that is because I’ve done the program before. I was very slightly faster this morning although I noticed that I recovered more quickly.

I was happy with the run. I only pushed myself a little at the end (I didn’t run on) and it felt easier. When I settled into the beginning of the run, I remembered preparing for longer runs and that’s what keeps me going!

Oh the sun’s just come out! Typical ……😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very well done...yes..knowing the runs because you've done them before, makes a huge difference doesn't it!You're obviously really listening to your body too, as am I currently.

Glad the sun's come out for you...x

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss 😊 Sun is too late for my run, but welcome nevertheless !

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I don’t think I’ve ever leapt out of bed at 5.30am-I’m awe! Faffage-I’ve done though!!

Pace is a hard one to keep in perspective isn’t it-especially when you’re coming back and you’ve got old numbers in your head. Have you ever used the Nike Run Club app? That’s what helped me most to let go of feeling so invested in how far and fast I’ve gone on runs where that isn’t supposed to matter,

Sounds like you had a great run, and that’s always great start to the day!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I’ve often used the NRC app. I love Coach Bennett and those guided runs - but still try to run negative splits while I’m listening to him! I’m a lost cause, I think 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Never!! Nobody is a lost cause ❤️❤️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

🥰😘

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Great !Well done jools ,

It's good to see you getting back to continuous runs now 🙂👍

I already know my music for the week 6 run 3 🙂

Can you remember what it is 🤔😁 ?

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

oooh now let me see. Pink Floyd Meddle?

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Haha, correct album... To be more precise 'Echoes' as it lasts just over 24 minutes 🙂

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

ah yes, of course - the timing is crucial! Actually I think I’ll listen to that for my next run!

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

😬👍It's just like playing musical chairs !

Start the run, start the music and stop running when the music stops!

Job done 😁

[backintime Graduate]

I've gotten up that early to run, but it was never a leap, more a 'drag my sorry backside out of bed' at that time of the morning

Sounds like you have it all under control, or the non-controlled-ness is under control, if that makes sense.

Well done, another one ticked off

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thanks! I just love running early on a summer morning. I particularly love it if I can see the sunrise!

[Roxdog Graduate]

Wonderful! Week 7! Enjoy the rest of your day, after your coffee and porridge.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

You know me so well! I do have a banana and water when I get back, but I was just starting to think about coffee and porridge. 😊

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

I think you are pretty much there now Jools, if you're thinking of slowing down you've got it covered. 5.30am, makes me feel tired just thinking bout it! Well done 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

I’m not sure I could slow down much more - I’d be walking 🤣

[GTFC Graduate]

Another run banked ✅

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to GTFC]

Yes! Feels good to know that. 😊

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

Great job Jools 🤗 I love reading your posts!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ToothPickJafah]

Thanks and I love reading yours! 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Perfect, and enjoyable, well done 😄

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, Sola - getting there 😊👍

[ClairePC Graduate]

May I ask a question? I’ve done week 7 run 1, like Jools. I find that if I relax I can get lost in running and breathing. But I’m really slow. I did the 25 minutes but only did 2.5 km in that time. It’s going to take me nearly an hour to run 5k!!!!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ClairePC]

It doesn’t matter! Truly. This program is about time on your feet, not speed. Although this is the time that many runners (me included!) start to look at their pace - it’s not important. I think I did 2.8 km in the 25 minutes. Similar to you.

You will probably speed up anyway as your body gets used to the distance. So what if it takes nearly an hour to run 5K at your current pace.! You haven’t even finished the program yet.

Once you’ve graduated, you could - if you wanted to - start looking at your pace.

I’m a slow runner. I’m never going to be fast - although I know I’ll speed up a little. Eventually I’ll probably manage to run 4K in 30 minutes on a good day, at full fitness, going downhill and with the wind behind me. That’s what I was doing before. 😊

You may or may not choose to work on your pace later! Or you may, like me, decide to run for longer instead and work towards 10K, 10 miles or a half marathon. That might seem impossible now, but that’s what I did 😊