Day three. In which I spend almost the whole run thinking about Day Four...

[Fingalo]

Fear is a strange demon, because at the moment I am battling with it in two forms, one driving me on and the other telling me whoa there. But more of that later.

Today's run went well, allaying the (very) slight doubt I had that the improvement I felt from run 1 to 2 wasn't 'true', whilst making it clear the curve wasn't going to be quite as dramatic every time. Or possibly ever again.

Out of my scratcher at the same time as Monday and on the beach by 5.30, Laura (lovely lady) gave me the go and off I went. One thing I noticed (and I imagine this will be familiar to established runners) is that I noticed. I noticed the waves on the sea, the frost on the grass and also that unlike Monday, I wasn't the only person out that early. Of course the first two may well have been evident on Monday but I'm convinced there were only some people around today because it's slowly getting out that there's amusement to be had watching some optimistic nutter dressed as if he intends running to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch but who only reaches Lla and starts walking, before starting up again. If this goes viral I could well have the most widely attended graduation run in the history of the programme.

Oh and given that it didn't rain today and my hat stayed in place, I've concluded that my theory is sound and my head does indeed shrink in the rain.

Glad to report that recovery is already quicker too, I had barely any soreness in my legs the day after run 2, had no lightheadedness post run this morning and felt grand after ten minutes, a pint of water and a banana.

Which brings me to Day Four. If truth be known it's been on my mind since my run went so well on Monday as I'd previously felt I'd definitely have to repeat this week before stepping it up but decided if this run went as well, I'd go for it. However I now have a real fear of it doing to me what Day One did to me last Saturday, a day so bad I considered ending the programme there and then. On the other hand I relish the idea of the challenge, feeling (fearing) that if I don't accept it it will be a personal failure. And if I do and don't complete the eight runs....well, I'm sure you know what I mean.

Actually, whilst writing this blog I've realised I am going to go for it, the decision is almost in the title for it occurs to me that if I've already gone from thinking during my run "all I have to do is reach that bin and that's the end of this 60" or "thank god there's only two running sections left" to "bloody hell, can I move on to 90 second runs and only a minute recovery" then perhaps I'm ready.

As a precaution, instead of taking only one day off (as I'd prefer) I intend taking two because if it does give me the kicking I expect, at least I won't have to ready myself for work on Friday morning whilst nursing the bruises, so Saturday it is. And the bonus is, I'll get to see if the old guy tries to jump the fence onto the beach again.

[Jeddahpm Graduate]

Just keep at it, one run at a time....no more. You are doing so well! I still have some crazy fear moments but mostly I fill my head with positive "you go girl" type thoughts lol. I would never have thought I'd reach wk 6 as I have, so I just stopped thinking about how far I would or wouldn't get and settled into the program.

There are lots of videos on you tube and info on here about running form, perhaps that would help? For me form and not going too fast has kept me going and so far injury free. I hope you figure it out and can run more comfortably in the future.

As many have said on here, including to me this program is often more mental than physical.

Wishing you and the entertaining fence jumper all the best. You can do it!

Jems

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to Jeddahpm]

"Settled into the programme".

Thanks Jems, I think you hit the nail on the head there.

[Jeddahpm Graduate]

Yeah also the longer runs are better because rather than focusing on getting to the end of the 5 mins you settle into being comfortable, breathing and finding your place of peace. If you look back over old blogs you will find so many who have shared your thoughts and experiences in the early days and have gone on to complete the program....just as you can.

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to Jeddahpm]

Oh don't get me wrong, I know I'll complete it, it's just how I go about it that concerns me. That's why your comment about settling into it resonated.

[Jeddahpm Graduate]

Yeah I get that

[rolphie2 Graduate]

Believe me if I can complete the programme you can. It definately is a mental as well as a physical process, but just keep doing what Laura says and you can do it. Every week I thought this is it I'll never do that somehow I just did, yes it hurt and I ached but I did it. I did have a couple of fails later on in the programme (for me wk8) but I did it and can now run 5K in just over the 30 min mark and have joined a running club. In August I couldn't even run down the garden!! Keep going you will do it

[Jeddahpm Graduate in reply to rolphie2]

Well said!

[Fingalo Graduate]

I'm looking forward to the days when I can do the occasional Parkrun, I'm not anticipating being overly competitive either against the clock or other runners, just being able to go for a run and enjoy it is my goal.

[joblotone]

Your blogs are well written, having done run 2 today i knw exactly how you feel, today was better than number one so i just taking one at a time, keep at it you are keeping me inspired.

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to joblotone]

Thanks Job, you'll have seen my doubts about the negativity of my first blog but I'm glad my honesty has worked, at least in your case. I'm ignoring the thought that as a result of reading it, a hundred others have taken up cliff diving into shark infested waters as a safer option.

Run four for me on Saturday, as I said, I expect it to have a similar outcome to last Saturday but I'm up for it.

[Jeddahpm Graduate in reply to Fingalo]

Wishing you all the best for Saturday Fingalo! I have my first 25 min run on Saturday so I hope it is a good day for us both.

[Fingalo Graduate in reply to Jeddahpm]

Ditto to that.