I was chuffed with myself last Sun having done my first 10k race, a small quite competitive race (but very friendly) in 1h 16.
I then went for my 2nd horse riding lesson Monday, and then, in the evening, urged on by my infamous 6 times marathon running 54 year old sis, went to the speed session (a v friendly group that meets down the road). She said take it easy. Once I was there I forgot this advice and pushed myself but it is SUCH fun!
Tues unsurprisingly, I had really really really tired legs. Same Weds. So I delayed my next scheduled training run to Thurs eve when I went up the forestry (Afan Argoed) for the planned 5 mile tempo run. This requires me to run a mile at my easy pace then 3 miles at 2 mins faster pace, then an easy mile to warm down.
Soon as I started, I realised my legs were still really tired. It was also warm and very breezy. I also realised that the forestry was not a good choice (it is a very slight but never ending slope UP). I basically lost the plot. Ended up doing just 3 miles running/walking.
Felt like a complete failure! Went home and ate chocolate. And drank lager. Yesterday I didn't even take the dog for a walk!
Today I was due to run 6 miles at my easy pace. I mapped out a 6.4 mile loop, same area, but starting from a hotel on the other side of the river, meaning a gentle rise on a cycle path up the valley then crossing to other side, turning down the valley and then crossing at mile 4 or so and going back up the valley back to the car.
I figured even if I couldnt run the whole thing I would end up having to walk it!
I went out late so it was a bit cooler, and took my neglected pooch (see pic), After a longer warm up walk (my Garmin took ages to locate satellites!) I decided just to run without looking at my Garmin. I had to stop once or twice briefly to put the dog on the lead whilst other runners/bikers/dog walkers came by. I also decided walk past the Cymmer "Refresh" (former station tea rooms, now a pub!), given that there were about 20 local oiks sitting outside drinking Strongbow!
I then went down a steep drop, over the river Afan, past dozens of floral tributes to a 37 year old woman whose body was found in the river on Thurs - I had heard loads of police and ambulance going up the road during my run, possibly a suicide. And then down the valley (mostly flat, slight down slope) and then a steep drop down a mountain bike track - big mistake, it was very dark and dangerous underfoot so I had to walk!
I then found that I had plenty of oomph left so although I was running back upstream and up a slight slope for the last 1.5 k I went faster!
I switched my timer off when I walked and did 10k in 1h 23 mins and LOVED IT!
Do you include your 5 minute warm up/down walk in your running distance?
Week 8 Run 2 - done! Only 4 runs left to the end of the programme.
Do you include warm ups/downs in distance?
Feeling down after a bad run
