Stepping Stone Torture - but fun, or something like that.

[chusan51]

I am just back from my first Stepping Stone run and boy was that tough, but fun, I think.

Surprisingly I realised my natural running pace was faster than the first two paces that Laura sets for you and I just couldn't slow down. I am also utterly hopeless at hearing and then sticking to a beat, and so I found myself actually running faster than I have ever run. I covered 2km in the first 10 minutes which I put down to having somehow lengthened my stride by listening to and following the running tips which are hard to follow first time but some of it sank in. I was too fast and felt it big time, so shortened my stride and that slowed me down. From then on in I settled and when it came to the last 5 mins that was at my natural pace and it felt good.

Rather incredibly I covered 5.3km in the 30 mins, and I am very chuffed, red, puffing and sweating like a pig at the butchers (a line I heard on the Young Apprentice the other day).

In the last 5 mins when my running felt more naturally I decided I'd keep running through the 30min barrier and push myself on to 6km for the first ever time - but when Laura said it was time to walk, and my mind said no it's not, time to keep running, my legs took over and said enough is enough, either walk, fall over or hang on to a tree. As it was busy in the park I preserved some dignity and walked.

Home now and been holding onto anything solid whilst my thighs continue to quiver like a jelly. Am trying to resist treating myself to a twix - it's sitting by the healthy alternatives of bananas and apples and I am sure I can hear it say 'go on, eat me, you're worth it'.

[rolphie2 Graduate]

You definately deserve a twix, it is amazing how chocolate calls out louder than fruit!! Haven't got to stepping stones yet - not sure I am looking forward to trying them. Well done to you

[chusan51 Graduate]

Resisted the twix and went to a lovely Persian restaurant instead and now treating myself to an enormous vodka and tonic and sterile TV.

[Pearsey]

Well done Tom! The answer for you is to repeat it until you are listening to Laura! This pod is about using your listening skills-and you will get there. I was hopelessly off the beat the first time round, then second time I got it! When Laura came in I was with her beat.

I have found the instruction on this pod invaluable.

Glad you treated yourself to a Persian meal-lovely!! Not so sure about sterile TV, but after the meal you needed some drivel :-).

Rolphie stepping stones is different-but satisfying when you have achieved it, so give it a go when the time comes.

Colette x