Week 8 Run 3 🥵

[Jools2020]

Disaster! I was so worried about the poor air quality this morning that I forgot to check in the mirror before I left. I didn’t realise until I took a selfie at the end that my hair had gone wild and it looks like a hedgehog is sitting on my head! Had to crop the pic 🤣

Ah yes, the run. I had already decided to try and keep it slow this morning. It was 16 degrees, humid and ‘poor’ air quality as described by Accuweather.

Wearing my (rather bright) new running vest (I now have 2!!) I bravely set off slowly. I’m confident now that I can keep going for 28 minutes - I’ve done it twice before - but there’s nothing worse than struggling if it’s too warm.

So I don’t try to speed up for the second km, just keep it nice and steady. I’m still OK. I turn to go back - it’s not downhill on this route so I’d have to work harder to get a faster finish, but usually my body will go faster anyway as it’s warmed up. I get to 3 km before the 28 minutes and think I’m slowing down, but turns out looking at the stats that I wasn’t. The last half km or so I was really warm and a sweaty mess by the end. I have to say I’m really longing for cooler runs! And as I’m writing this, it’s starting to rain. That would have been quite nice, running in the cool rain!

This run was slower than the last one. I don’t think any of my runs in the heat have been at easy conversational pace for the whole run, I really struggle in the heat. I was happy with the negative splits though and that I managed to keep going.

So pleased to be starting Week 9 next week! 😊🥵🏃‍♀️

[backintime Graduate]

well done!! it's been awful weather for running that's for sure, so humid here

I'm sure no one gave your hair a second look, I have walked the dogs with my hair in a state many many (too many manys to mention) times when I walk them first thing!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thanks! I don’t really care either, but I always take a photo to put on my Instagram where I chart my running progress! You never know who might see that 🤣

[backintime Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

unless it's Jason Momoa or Simon Baker, I can live with scruffy hair All my friends have seen me at my worst

[Beatlesforever Graduate]

Well done!! Poor air quality+ heat is a lethal combo so slow and steady is definitely the way. Enjoy week 9, all your hard work is paying off and soon you'll be back where you were fitnesswise 👏👏👏🏃‍♀️🌟👊

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Beatlesforever]

Hello Beatles! Thank you 😀

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

Well done Jools!! 🤗

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to ToothPickJafah]

Than you! Hope you are resting well 😊

[ToothPickJafah Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

I am indeed! Spent yesterday doing nothing except some yoga and will do same again today 🤗

[Gthants]

Well done you for the early run and taking the hedgehog out too was so sweet! 😬🤣 I've only run in spring so far - coolish to warmish. But as we've both finished week 8 it seems there's summer-running to get used to!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Gthants]

😊 Yes indeed! Week 9. It’s come round quickly.

[Roxdog Graduate]

Week 9 beckons! Doesn't sound like a disaster to me! I woke up too late to run this morning as the temperature is rising fast

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Thanks! I’m happy with my progress and can feel my stamina improving 😊.

You probably made the right decision.I’ll only run in the early morning when it’s like this!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Well done, it's not easy running in the heat and humidity, we aren't really us d to it in this country. Negative splits too 😁 you are coming back strong

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks! A long time ago I said I only had one sleeveless running top. Now I have 2!!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

That's great, I love the colour, I have one a similar colour, and who cares about hair anyway? When we are out running it's not what people notice 😁

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

That’s very true! 😊

[Huffnpuf Graduate]

Well done 👏, your hair might be like go faster stripes, could be starting a new fashion trend 🤣😉 , keep going 👍 you're doing great🏆

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Huffnpuf]

Thanks! I’ll consider the go faster stripes, need all the help I can get 😂

[Huffnpuf Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Just had a thought, sonic the hedgehog is speedy!! Think I'll leave you in peace- for now. 😁

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Huffnpuf]

🤣 I think it was the way I was wearing my sun visor!

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

Well done Jools, I know how conditions affect you.You're running strong though. Roll on Week 9.

And I'm past caring how I look, I've been known to do a pretty good hedgehog impression myself.

I like the look of that vest, nice colour. I'm still looking for one I like

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Thanks, Diane. Vest is good. Only had time to look in M&S, was with son and grandson who thought it was fun to hide in the clothes if not closely watched! They only had one vest in my size in their Goodmove range. Luckily I really like it! Didn’t have to make a decision, job done. Colour is brighter than I would normally choose 😊

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

Well you look absolutely fine in the photo, like the sunglasses. Good luck for the startcof week 9 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

I cropped off the hedgehog part 😂

Sunglasses are prescription varifocal sports glasses. An essential part of my running kit! Love them, bought them online.