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 ……😂
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate
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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.
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!
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 😊
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 😀
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!!!!
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 😊
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Week 9 run 1 done 😀
Wk 7 run 1 done! And a question about trackers....
