Week 8, Run 3

[Gthants]

Another one under my belt. Started before 6 as I was awake and am very busy with work - plus it was nice and mild even at that time.

I don't have any difficulty with running for 28 minutes, though I was tired at the end and when Laura suggested I might like to run the last minute a bit faster I did not take her up on her kind offer ...

I do seem to have lost the metronome pace of the earlier runs, so there's more than 30 seconds difference between fastest and slowest kilometres - and it's random, so I can be faster/slower/faster or slower/faster/ faster ...

The music I'm listening to is all fairly gentle easy listening at the moment, but I am wondering if I might be running a tad faster to tracks I like more ... no idea really, and the pace suits me either way.

It was a very slightly longer warm down as I was further from home when my running ended, so about 40 minutes in all, with 28 minutes (to the second!) running. A bit over 5km as usual - including a wander down the garden to take a photo at the end!

Trying to figure out week 9 as I have a long work day on my scheduled run 2 ...

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

Most excellent dude! Fist bumps for you! 🤜🤛

You’re almost done with the program 👏👏

Lovely photo 🤗

[Gthants in reply to ToothPickJafah]

The wander round the garden at the end was the best bit of the run! 😂

[Jools2020 Graduate]

Great running!

I had 1 minute 45 or so seconds between my fastest and slowest km. In my case this is planned as I run the slowest km first and gradually increase. I will try and finetune later so I’m more consistent though.

Music can make a huge difference to your running. Some people make playlists for a certain number of beats per minute. Maybe later you might want to have a look at that!

[Gthants in reply to Jools2020]

It sounds complicated! I might go back to podcasts - being lectured about science or history when I quite literally can't run away! 😂

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

No it’s not complicated. Just do a search for, say, 160 bpm. I think there’s an album called ‘Run to the Beat’.

Podcasts are great if you find one that holds your interest.

[Gthants in reply to Jools2020]

I see. I'll look into that. I did immediately look up 160bpm: if I pre-order the ambulance for about the 0.5km stage, that should be perfect! 🤣😱🤣😱🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Someone on the forum looked at my data and told me that I was quite capable of running at 160. Well I couldn’t! Think it was too rigid so I didn’t try it again!

[backintime Graduate]

you did great, when I run outside, every km is not the same, depends on lots of things, including how accurate your phone/watch is on gps (my old phone would record differences from one run to the next on exactly the same route), the varying altitude, twists, turns and all sorts, don't worry about it!

[Sax64 Graduate]

You're doing great, well done to you. And week 9... just take it a day at a time. You know you don't have to do a W9 run if you have a big/long work day. Do a shorter run to satisfy your running fix and the W9 run will still be there for another day when you're not so stressed. My running journey has certainly taught me to be more relaxed about these things. I mean you'll still graduate aren't you.

[Gthants in reply to Sax64]

Thanks and this is true! I'm turning into a slightly obsessed bean-counter! 😂 I have it in my head that I need to do it in 9 weeks and I can do that if I'm able to run on Sunday; but getting back home at close to 1 in the morning after a full day working in London on Saturday, that's probably not great. I think Monday, Thursday & Sunday is more likely next week. Getting the rest and recovery is essential too, I know.

[Sax64 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Ha, know the feeling. I started off like that, quite hare like. I was running alternate days so my weeks were only 6 days long. Then my body suddenly had other ideas and I had to stop running...not once but twice over. And actually although I was seething with frustration at the time, I'm OK with it now. Mainly because I have a better attitude to running and am happy just to run, even if it wasn't as planned. So what does it really matter! I'm still getting all the benefits, getting fitter and stronger by the day. 🐢

[Gthants in reply to Sax64]

That's terrific! I am already so much fitter than I was - now I'm awaiting the attitude adjustment! 😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just go with the flow and what suits you and how you feel...if you are comfortable and not struggling in any way then just carry on.. . sometimes trying to keep to a particular pace or rhythm can completely upend you...

For your Week 9, maybe take an extra rest day and fit the run in when you know you will enjoy it...

They wait.. Well done you !

[JoggingAnnie4]

I too wanted to achieve in 9 weeks, but my body had other intentions!!!

I’d reached W9R1 when significant hay fever symptoms wiped me out ! So just couldn’t run. A full 10 days not running then returning has been a gradual process and I took myself back to w6r2 now repeated x 3. Stamina back and moving onto w6r3! Maybe at 66 years old and first time running my steady as she goes approach is the one for me 🤣🤣👍

Though disappointed my momentum has been interrupted I’m back to it now and enjoying 😎😎

[Gthants in reply to JoggingAnnie4]

I'd like to get back to enjoying running again, that's for sure - as I did in the "easier" early weeks. But I am very much liking being fitter!

[LucieLocket1972]

Good work!