5k - Finally!!

[doggymum]

After having a crisis of confidence this past week, to the point that on Friday I was questioning whether this 'running' lark was for me, I have finally managed 5k outside of a Parkrun (which has been a combination of running and walking)

I was struggling to maintain 30 mins continuous running last week, but looking back I was maybe being a little hard on myself as I was full of a cold and breathing was a bit of an issue when stationary, never mind plodding along on the treadmill.

So, knowing that today held no plans, I didn't have a time limit to squeeze a run in after walking the dogs, I waited for OH to take them out and took myself off into the garage. The plan was to just do more than 30 minutes, to bat the shoulder monkey away!

I looked at the clock for the 1st time after 25 minutes which surprised me as I didn't think I had been going that long. The next time was after 39 minutes, OOOO I'll speed up and finish at 40 minutes I thought.... but after 40 minutes the magical 3.1miles wasn't far away was it!!! So, I took a 50 second walk to gather my breath and set off again and I did it, I finally managed 5k and I think if I hadn't of sped up for a minute then I would've managed to run (ok, shuffle) the whole distance

Feeling a bit better about things now - onwards and upwards

[happierswimming Graduate]

Well done- the first time I did 5k was in week 9 and I had to run through the warm up and cool down walks to manage it, but it felt so good to know I could do it that it was worth carrying on for. I'm now doing the 5k+ podcasts to try and speed up so that I can do the distance in less time, because, although I love being able to run for 30-40 minutes, I'd really like to do 5k each time I go out for a run and not feel that I was digging deep to achieve it. (after all I like to swim afterwards so I've got to keep some energy for that)

[doggymum Graduate in reply to happierswimming]

I excluded the warm up/down walks but was still not hitting close to 5k & it was really bugging me! Am going back to try the new podcasts again now.

[Legion Graduate]

Congratulations doggymum. You must be so chuffed. I know I would be! I guess your treadmill, like mine, measures speed/distance in miles? Mine also has 'quick selection' buttons for speed (and incline) but oddly these are in kph. I think I will do my next W9 run on the treadmill and try to find out how far I'm covering, assuming I make it to the 30 minute mark non-stop (unlike today). Every single time I've been on the treadmill so far, I forget to check the distance! I think I must be trying so hard not to look at the time that I forget that the distance covered is also on the dispaly.

[doggymum Graduate in reply to Legion]

Thanks Legion, I am pleased to finally get it ticked off And yes, my treadmill is in miles so the numbers take absolutely forever to roll round!! Am a little disappointed that it took me 10 mins longer than my Parkrun time but its something to work on Good luck for your next run

[Legion Graduate in reply to doggymum]

Reading the manual yesterday, I discovered I can change the mile readings to kilometres. I'm in a bit of a dilemma now. Should I change to km to get readings that make sense in a 5k scenario, or do I stick with the miles that I've got used to and can compare to previous mph I've recorded? As you say, those numbers would tick over faster in km.

[RhonaL]

Brillant. Hoorah. You must be floating on air. What a difference a week makes. I think that is what has surprised me so much about this running lark. Well done!

[doggymum Graduate in reply to RhonaL]

LOL yes, not sure floating is how I felt at the time but it feels great to have ticked it off the 'to do' list finally