Luckily it's not the pace that counts...

[SaCl]

...yet... W8R2 today. As I mentioned on Thursday in the questions section I did W8R1 on Wednesday morning, and then was away for the weekend. I had meant to run on Friday morning, but it turned out that I had to leave earlier than I planned. So, decided not to run two days in a row - but just leave a gap and run today. Well, just back and dead! Have spent the day slightly hungover and had a two and a half train journey which left me stiff and feeling a bit ill! But undaunted and pulled on the comedy leggings and my runners when I got in. It was a struggle. People talk about "being in the zone" - is what they actually mean is that they are engaged in such a strong mental battle to keep going that they can't think about anything else? While I was never in pain it did feel like my legs were not obeying me, and never particularly fluid; I reckon that's the effect of not running for four days. Well, win some, lose some, I suppose - and I did make it around the full 28 minutes - and just broke 4k!

5k race next Sunday. Getting a little worried that I won't make it the whole way around, but I keep saying to myself that if I get too tired I can walk a bit. Also hoping that the crowd and adrenline will keep me going. So, plan to run W8R3 on Tuesday, W9R1 on Thursday and the race on Sunday. One W9 slot behind, thanks to the weekend of beer drinking and burger eating. What do people generally do before the race? Should I aim to go out for a short (like 15 mins) run on Saturday to keep limber?

[Gridlet Graduate]

Well to say you were feeling ill and managed to cover 28 minutes in that time is pretty awesome I would say! What about doing WK9R1 on the Friday and then you have the full day's rest before the race?

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Well done, I agree, you will have no trouble doing 5k if you did 4 today in those circumstance x I wouldnt run the day before tho.

[Alaiyo Graduate]

Everybody has off days. I hope you consider that doing a new personal best, even if it didn't feel easy and fluid, is still a good day too. You will be fine for the race... just avoid alcohol/things that dehydrate you, and get lots of rest the night before.

[SaCl Graduate]

Thanks! I think I will look again at my plans - maybe run tomorrow and on Friday, which will allow for a rest day before the race, while still meaning that I will feel that I recently completed the 30 minutes. We have a holiday day here on Friday so maybe I will get out and run somewhere nice! Cutting down on the drink and eating good things all week - hope that will show results!