Getting Behind Of Myself

[LeeTimesThree]

After getting a bit ahead of myself at the end of week seven, runs one and two of week eight have been a good consolidation. Slow and steady wins the (Lee! It’s not a) race.

When Denise said to possibly challenge myself, I did - to go slower. Resulting in a much more enjoyable run overall and me not feeling like Denise’s watch must be on the blink when I was only five minutes in.

Indeed, in a complete contrast of fortunes, I felt able pick up the pace in the final five minutes and finish feeling completely spent rather than starting that way. So simple really but it felt like the sensible behaviour of the kind of regular runner I hope to be someday.

Now to keep a lid on my enthusiasm, keep my head and nail the penultimate week. I’ll miss this when it’s over.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You are doing so well, when it's over you can run as much as you like, and you'll have fun doing so.

[LeeTimesThree Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you. Enjoyment has been a surprising side effect of C25K.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate]

What a great run. You're absolutely right that starting slow is the key to having some energy at the end.

Good luck with the rest of the program

[LeeTimesThree Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Now looking forward to the challenge of adding those final two minutes next week. Thanks for the encouragement.

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏 Excellent 👌 you have it right! When it’s over, the running world opens up to you!! There are many new starting lines to enjoy!

[LeeTimesThree Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

What a great way to put it. I am indeed looking forward to future starting lines already - first Parkrun (running with others!), first recorded distance, first actual 5k, maybe even first running club membership if I’m feeling really brave!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow rocks... totally Well done!

[LeeTimesThree Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks. It’s been a revelation that you can actually feel more energy and power coming as you run. My assumption was always that you’d be at peak freshness on the start line.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

Finishing is a mix of emotions-you’ll miss it but you’ll be at the start of something new. Lots to look forward to ahead of you!

[LeeTimesThree Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Yes, I hope so. It’s helped me so much to have a larger goal that each run is building to. And to be able to see how each one adds fitness in a way I wouldn’t have thought possible. So some new goals are probably in order once I’ve (hopefully) reached this one.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate in reply to LeeTimesThree]

You will like Nike Run Club’s Running Towards Your Goals guided run! That’s really good for encouraging having big goals, small goals, goals that go in the the bin, ones that get achieved etc… Definitely worth a listen!

EDIT: I should have said Nike Run Club is an app many of us use after couch to 5k. Loads of great runs available. Cheesy but free and easily deletable if you’re not a fan.

[LeeTimesThree Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

This sounds perfect for some post C25K direction. Thanks for the tip.

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

You are discovering those untapped reserves of slowness that will stand you in good stead when the plan is over. Well done.

[LeeTimesThree Graduate in reply to sTrongFuse]

Thanks. I think the penny is starting to drop.