Week 8 Run 3 and a new personal best

[DuncanS]

It feels a bit surreal, but I only have one week left to go.

Last night's run was entertaining to say the least. On the warm up walk I was assaulted by a ferocious hail storm, then it rained for the first few minutes of the run itself. Made the roads a bit slippery for running but at least it kept me cool.

Kept the pace up and covered 5.32k in the 28 minutes, with 5k coming up at 26m 31s. My kilometre times stay pretty consistent throughout, slowing down a bit as I tackle the hill on the way back. Have to say I'm feeling it a bit this morning in the lower calf muscles and ankles, my shins hurt a bit last night but have recovered now.

Week 9 coming up. Definitely going to take the first run a bit easier, then I am going to do a parkrun for run 2 on Saturday. My local one is Oak Hill in Barnet. I hope it's flat.

[Rose885 Graduate]

Bloomin' heck 5k in 26mins?! That might be a C25K record! Well done, I'm sure you'll do great at the park run.

[TJFlute]

This is awesome! A record indeed. Greg got super fast, but not until after he had graduated (he won't mind me saying )

If your tortoise is 5.35 pace then I must be a tortoise with lead as it's shell!

[Anonymous36 Graduate]

Have you got super long legs? How do you do it do fast? My husband isn't much quicker than that and he's been running considerably longer!

Well done. I'm really impressed

[DuncanS Graduate in reply to Anonymous36]

I don't know - I just run at a speed that feels right. I wasn't used to aerobic exercise before I started but I did do a daily 4.5 mile dog walk, tried to walk rather than drive or take the tube, and was bang on the "ideal weight" for my height. I'm 42, wasn't sporty at school, never run for anything in my life before, only do occasional swimming and badminton, and am a computer programmer sitting at a laptop all day. On the plus side I don't smoke, gave up alcohol in January and have a good diet. I took up the programme following a really rotten period of illness between January and mid March which had left me exhausted and looking like a zombie. Stuck religiously to the programme, mostly running every other day but with the occasional two day gap and a whole week off between three and four.

[Anonymous36 Graduate]

That's quite a lifestyle change you've made. Keep it up, it's obviously working

[Gridlet Graduate]

That's great Duncan! You are doing so well! Fantastic time! Don't know what laps and splits are but they look very impressive!

[Angel-Cake Graduate]

ME TOO!!! That is that I have also completed week 8 today, not however 5k in 26mins!!!

[AliB1 Graduate]

Wow that is a fab run & time. Think it's great that your 'lap' times are pretty consistent...that's what I need to get too. I do one fastish one (well for me) and then the next one trying to inhale as much air as possible and it's slow.

You've made loads of great changes to your lifestyle which I'm sure have played a part...inspiring!!!! So if I give up alcohol and improve my diet will I be as fast lol?