W6r1 - running round in circles ...

[Beckipeg]

After the exhilaration of completing the last 20 minute run I thought today would be easy, I was wrong.

I missed being able to run in the morning due to other commitments so fitting in a secret run was going to be a challenge. It had to be between the school run and when hubby came home. When the phone rang "I'm on my way home see you in about half an hour" I grabbed Laura, the dog and my running shoes. Hopping up and down in the kitchen while making pasta bake is probably not the ideal 5 min warm up exercise but it had to do. Then the front door was jammed in the heat of the afternoon sun and we couldn't get out, we raced through the garage and onto the pavement just as Laura was asking if we were ready to run, calling back to the kids to set the table before we got back Poppy and I set off on the first 5 mins. Poppy couldn't believe her luck, another outing and so late in the day but she was already tired and so was I.

As we plod jogged our way around the fields we spotted another challenge. A family who would recognise us and spill the beans if they saw us. Never had Laura's advice not to let your head be seen bobbing above the hedge with bouncy running been more appropriate. Poppy and I slunk past the family behind a hedge almost on all fours (easy if you're a dog) and ran on.

Poppy was hot and tired and so was I, by the time we got to the 8 minute run she was digging her paws in. As she's on a long lead (she's still not trustworthy to be running free) I developed a system of running around her in circles while she rested. Works ok in a big field but looks rather daft on a narrow path.

We headed for home at a very slow pace for the last 5 mins but keen to get back before hubby. We didn't. The girls distracted hubby while I rushed upstairs to splash water onto my flushed face and hide the running shoes. We'd missed the end of the podcast, but are fairly sure that Laura would have said to have a drink of water and a chocolate cream cake to recover ...

I'm a bit disappointed but there are lessons to be learned. Rushing the run put us under too much pressure to enjoy it, running later in the day when we were tired and hot wasn't the best either - for the first time I've got sore knees and I'm back to aching all over like w1 - but I'd wanted to keep to the schedule in order to fit in a run on Saturday. Next week is school holidays so it might be easier. There's good news too. Poppy is definitely looking healthier and her hair is beginning to grow back from its somewhat moth eaten appearance when she first came to us. Fortunately I'm not hairier, but I'm fairly sure my favourite skirt is looser even though I weigh more than when I started this lark.

As I tucked our youngest in bed this evening she whispered "he knows you're up to something, you know". Don't want hubby getting paranoid I'm up to no good, might sneak in some anonymous hints on his blog about c25k ( he's been talking about writing a book on how to start running!) but I'd dearly like to get to the point I've heard others mention where Laura tells you "you're a runner" before he finds out. We'll be back on Saturday to let you know how w6r2 goes.

[sfb350 Graduate]

Your blogs should be televised, Becki. I loved the bit about not bouncing above the hedges and had such a vivid picture in my mind - I've worked hard at following that bit of advice. You've created a sort of Bridget Jones C25K vision in my head....roll on the happy ending where you reveal the Secret !

[Beckipeg in reply to sfb350]

Thank you, never thought of myself as a Bridget Jones before. Just an ordinary mum who's realised she has to get fitter for her own health and for her family. Revealing the secret is becoming a challenge in itself - hubby is clearly very suspicious and verging on checking my web history!

[shelleymcb Graduate]

sure that Laura would have said to have a drink of water and a chocolate cream cake to recover ..

this bit was my favourite

sorry the run was hard. if its any consolation I found this one hard as well & I stuck to my usual routine. X

[Beckipeg in reply to shelleymcb]

Thanks for the encouragement, it's not just me that found this run tough then, or just the time of day. Your support, and fellow C25k bloggers is great. Not sure I want to hear the end of the podcast now, you've put a doubt in my mind about the chocolate cream cake ...

[shelleymcb Graduate in reply to Beckipeg]

cream cake is definately the way to end a run

[BTX4 Graduate]

Great blog...it contours up such funny pictures!

Not long now until Laura says those magic words and you can reveal your secret.

C25K has got to feature in your husband's book!

Good luck with the rest of week 6.

[Beckipeg in reply to BTX4]

Thanks. Hubby may not actually get to writing a book as he's a busy chap but he's a keen blogger and I'm definitely thinking of sneaking a reference to C25K into the blog comments - possibly as a way of breaking my cover.

[colleen82]

I constantly look out for your next blog! I love reading them and the fact that there is a story behind it too

I missed my run last night due to other commitments but fingers crossed I will be back out tonight.

Keep running xx

[Beckipeg in reply to colleen82]

So kind, glad I can be an encouragement to you. Keep going, I'd never have believed I could get this far without the constant support of other bloggers. Sometimes it's just the thought of letting others down that keeps me going through the runs, other times it's the sheer thrill of going out in the fields and fresh air - particularly when Poppy decides she's enjoying it too.

[Hidden]

Excellent post.

I'm rubbish at hiding what I'm doing, you'd doing great keeping it quiet.

[Minuette Graduate]

Great post Becki, very glad that you're not getting hairier, that bit made me laugh out loud!

Hopefully you can keep the subterfuge up a little longer, when he finds out your husband will probably be relieved that it's running and not something else you're up to!

[TrickyHicky Graduate]

Really great post Becki, I love the images you manage to create whilst I'm reading your posts. I also really struggled with this one and then stupidly did w6r2 on Wednesday with sore knees and have had to postpone w6r3 today as my knees are still hurting.

Good luck with your next run tomorrow and I can't wait for another exciting chapter of "Beckipeg - the secret c25k runner"

Have a great weekend

[louby43 Graduate]

I did the same run as you earlier this morning. The first 5 min run was tough but then I just eased into it, I was even wishing Laura would hurry up and say start running as I was getting closer & closer to home and running out of running distance.

How come you're keeping your running a secret?

Louby