W8 tis done. W9 awaits…

[ktsok]

I’m quite impressed I got myself out the door for this one. I was in college all day wrestling with light questions such as what are my core philosophies, how do problems arise, how do I think change happens… then home and I was tired but went immediately into autopilot mode, because thinking would have meant stopping, pulling on the leggings, lacing up the shoes, oh, find the reflective thingy, where’s the merino, oh, this jumper will do, let’s go before I decide not to…

Off I trot. Trot trot. Decided not to use the watch again to gauge pace. It didn’t go so well last time but tonight it was buried under a base layer with one of those thumb holes, with a glove over that, and the jumper, also with self-created thumb holes (I like a thumb hole, it’s the long arms, stops the jumper riding up). Anyway, it would have too much of a faff or too chilly to look at it.

5 minutes in and I was regretting not spending 30 seconds finding my performance wear. A cheap 69% acrylic/28% polymide/3% spandex jumper DOES NOT ALLOW YOUR BODY TO BREATHE. I have felt slightly embarrassed in the past about donning all the running gear, then plodding. No longer. The gear is good.

For the first time since starting C25K The Return, I paused the watch (through the layers), stripped off the reflective vest, wrestled the jumper off my (normal-sized, unlike PaulS’) head, put the hi-viz back on, restarted the watch, and continued.

I instantly felt better, then hit 50m of mud. I managed to keep running, skating at times. It felt laboured for a long while and I realised my feet weighed more than usual. Another unusual skating move, scraping my feet like a cross-country skier against the road as I went…

Finally, at about 18 minutes in, I started to feel better, and enjoy the run. (Coincidentally, feeling better coincided with a downhill). I sped up a bit, and started wondering what sort of pace I had been travelling at.

Well gang! Despite the challenges, I finished feeling OK, having run at my fastest average pace since restarting, and wasn’t far off 4k in 28 minutes.

Week 9 awaits…

Happy running, all.

[Katnap Graduate]

Yay! The final week 🎉

[PaulS83]

Your run-route looks like a brain. Must be your subconscious still at work after a pressing day of contemplation. What did you land on for morals? Personally, I don't use the merger lane to cut three car lengths and nosedive into traffic. I feel that's pretty saintly.

We've got thumbholes in common. Love 'em. But, you can't go running in normal clothes. If I did, I'd have do-gooders chasing me to a citizen's arrest. You just need more gear. More gear makes you a better runner. Spend, spend, spend!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to PaulS83]

That’s very good of you. I don’t get too bothered generally in the car, but people driving in the middle lane drives me bonkers and I have been known to provocatively undertake…

Thankfully, I spent loads first time round, and it still fits!

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to PaulS83]

I support your spending philosophy, and thumb holes. I recently bought a top that also has a watch viewing hole. #coulditbemoreexciting!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

On you go!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Trot trot trot

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

ooooo…I can hear the elves polishing your graduation badge as we speak!!!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

do we get one second time round?!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to ktsok]

of course!! It’s not there next to your name now so yes!! X

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Whoop whoop!

[Runningbeetroot]

Love your description of undressing en route! The other week, it was very cold so I decided to do the 1km circuit past our house - on the first lap past, I threw my gloves over our garden wall, on the second my hat and snood-thing went over, third time past and my running jacket followed. Fourth and fifth laps there was no more undressing (sighs of relief from the neighbours!) 🫠

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Runningbeetroot]

I love that. Like the dance of the seven veils. I bet your neighbours are agog.

Overheating is a frequent problem. I go from white fingers to blazing saddles within 5 minutes. Not having the luxury of laps past my garden to chuck stuff, I tend to end up with jumpers and coats tied around my waist, buffs and gloves stuffed down my top, looking like the bag lady!

[E27M14 Graduate]

I found similar the other day, my watch is buried and it was too cold to roll up sleeves to look. I did contemplate putting it on over the sleeves next time but then realised then it would not record heart rate and that is data that I would miss! I never know what to do with my head - I hate anything touching the top of my head so cannot stand wearing a hat, but my ears get cold. My daughter bought me a head band thing with a pony tail hole in but not sure I like that either!! Welcome to week 9 - you’ll be back freestyling in no time!!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

My mum knitted me a kind of fat headband that covers the ears… it isn’t the cutting edge of fashion, but it does the trick.

A friend’s daughter can’t stand anything touching her head - in her case, a traumatic forceps delivery seems to have caused that. How are you with hairbrushes?!

Free styling sounds a bit scary! I’m just starting to branch out slightly further… it will be easier in Spring, I think, with the longer days and (hopefully) drier ground.

How are you getting on?

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

I’m ok with a hairbrush! I can tolerate my partner stroking my head/hair but not if he stops, and just rests his hand on my head 😂

I’m not doing too badly really. It’s been a really stressful week at work and running has been a great escape! I’ve done a couple of 5ks and went to the gym this evening. Trying to decide between braving parkrun at the weekend or seeing if I can manage 10k on my own!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

That’s amazing Em. You are doing so well. I’m dead impressed. Remember those early days?!

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Absolutely! I remember that very first run, I had to repeat it as I couldn’t run 60 secs 8 times 😂 Since then I have run a half marathon, I have run in 30 plus degree heat, I have run in snow, I have even run for fun on holidays!! I’m 51 and a grandma and thinking I would really like to run a marathon …… 🏃‍♀️The couch2 5 k program is amazing and has given me a confidence that I didn’t know I was missing!!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

You are the epitome of what this program is about, Em. And the fact you are contemplating a marathon… I remember vaguely fantasising about it, but I’m fairly certain it wouldn’t be worth the cost to my knees. You go, Grandma!

PS. I remember (I think) that weight loss was a goal, back then?

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

Yes, the reason I started running was to try to lose weight. I have not!! My weight is very stubbornly shifting up and down within a stone of where I started. However, I am quite a different shape!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to E27M14]

Lean muscle machine?!

[PaulS83 in reply to ktsok]

Yes?!

Have I been summoned?

[ktsok Graduate in reply to PaulS83]

Ha! What happened to the smelly gusseted snot rocket gammy-kneed slob?

[PaulS83 in reply to ktsok]

😆 Sorry, I thought you said mussel.

[Jell6 Graduate]

Your knees seem to be holding up to a pretty good pace 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👀

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Jell6]

I was amazed at the sub-7. Honestly didn’t think there was a bat’s chance of holding that pace.

There are quite a few twinges. Pain is normal now, so it’s distinguishing what’s within acceptable ranges and what might be non-redeemable. I climb twice a week and sometimes fall, so that impacts the knees. I’m not sure whether it is climbing or running that is behind the current twinges. I think the next run might tell me…

How are your various body parts holding up?

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to ktsok]

My various body parts😁, not bad considering I'm an old bird.Running on hold right now though, I'm not risking running on iced snow🤪

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Sensible… sensi-jell… Sensi Jell! 🧘‍♂️