Dare I call myself a "Graduate" yet? I feel like an imposter...

[Wristy]

If you've been unlucky enough to read any of my previous blogs, you'll know that I was toying with the idea of jumping ahead a week or two. The last two runs, nominally W6R3 and W7R1 I had run 30 mins straight without stopping so skipped ahead to W9R1 given that I had covered that time twice already.

I did that today on the treadmill. I think I hit a "bad run" last time and was grateful to get to the 30 minutes. This time. not so much.

It's a bit odd to describe really. It seems like the first 10 minutes were really casual and not the usual negative "I can't do this" thoughts that had been in my head before.

Once I got to 20 mins, I was toying with the idea of running a bit extra past the 30, in preparation for trying to run 5k without stopping.

Once I had got to 35 mins without stopping, I wanted to get to 5k!

Once I had got that, I sensed that 45 minutes was within reach.

Even after I passed that, the treadmill clock was already approaching an hour. I had never ever run that long since I was about 13 (I used to be able to run 5 miles in 48 minutes) and decided to just keep going and going.

In the end I ran for 60 minutes and covered 7.5k! So so so happy about that and amazed in all honesty.

Given that my target is the Sheffield Half Marathon in 12 weeks today, I am going to start my new training programme as of next week, which is this:

bupa.co.uk/running/training...

Not entirely sure I can do 5k in 40 mins just yet (I think I might be just outside) but a few tempo runs in the next couple of weeks will sort that out.

All in all, rather happy.

[greenlegs Graduate]

That was an epic run then!

[didntrunthat Graduate]

It's more mind over matter once you get to this stage, unless you have a health concern to keep in mind go for it.

The Bupa programme is designed for beginners also so C25K has given you a great start. Good luck!!!

[snowymum Graduate]

Crikey!!! You have inspired me to get moving. I've tentativelt tried an extra couple of minutes each Saturday (when I do my 3rd run of the week) but am now wondering if I ciuld get yo 5k! Great work and best of luck with the half marathon!

[WepreRunner Graduate]

Hi Wristy

Well done on covering 7.5k, that's very impressive considering you've skipped runs.

I'm about to start the Bupa training, as I'm running the Chester HM on 12th May. Not sure if your doing any road running as well as treadmill, but I would certainly advise starting, as your legs will thank you for it on the day (I did all treadmill and trail training last year and found the Tarmac punished me during the run!)

Good luck!!!

[Wristy Graduate in reply to WepreRunner]

well, I am preparing for the Sheffield HM which is on exactly the same day! Going to get outside this week

[WepreRunner Graduate in reply to Wristy]

Well I've just managed to get back up to 5k over the weekend, so you're ahead of me!