2.5k + 2.5k in 33 minutes - I think!

[Anniemurph]

Well, that's what mapometer and my stopwatch tell me. If it's true, I'm really pleased!

It was a beautiful morning here, warm and sunny, so I headed up to the heights to try another 5k. I swam half a mile yesterday so was wondering how fit I'd feel

What I hadn't considered was that word 'heights'. All the icing-sugar snow is long gone from my garden - but up there, there are still snowdrifts to run through, which was a new experience! Anyway, I toddled on, deliberately not pushing it, and had a small walking breather at the halfway point (it's a there-and-back-again run). I stopped my watch, had a brief walk up the track to rest my legs, turned round and walked back to my half-way point and set off again.

Even if mapometer and my watch are lying to me, it was still a great run. I felt okay within myself, if you know what I mean - not heavy and clumpy, not out of breath, just moving along at a steady pace. I still may not resemble a gazelle, but I was happy!

It's actually inspired me to sign up for Race For Life in the summer I'm not sure if I'll do the local run, which is in a very hilly park, or possibly make a weekend of it and go and do one of the big London runs. Hmmm... things to think about.

Anyway, it was a great run. All I have to do now is survive tomorrow's Swiss Ball class and the Mistress of Pain

[thinnerandfitter Graduate]

Well done! Sounds like a lovely run today Isn't it great when everything works out well.

I love your comment about the Swiss Ball class too - I was just exchanging messages with my aerobics instructor - she's planning a "house of pain" toning class for us on Friday morning! Eeek!

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to thinnerandfitter]

Thanks, Ann - it is indeed great when you have a decent run! I hope your Friday class isn't too painful - it's always bad news when instructors plot and plan I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[SBG356 Graduate]

Great run Annie! Isnt it lovely when you have one of those runs that seems to be almost effortless - such a good feeling!!

Good luck with your class tomorrow and the Mistress of Pain!!

Sue x

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to SBG356]

I'm not sure I could describe my run as 'almost effortless' Sue, but it's a huge improvement on how I've been feeling lately Thanks for your good wishes about tomorrow. If only she wouldn't smile when she asks for 'just four more reps' !

[notbad Graduate]

Well done! Swimming a mile, a 5k run & now a Swiss ball class (not sure what that is but I'm impressed by the technical sound of it) you must be fighting fit.

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to notbad]

If only I was fighting fit!!! The swimming (only half a mile, sadly) and the class are intended to try and get me slightly fitter from my current blobby self I am still wondering how my life has changed so much from she-who-would-not-get-off-the-couch, but it is amazing, really, that I have more determination - and energy - than before. Let's hear it for Couch to 5k, and all those of us on this programme!

[notbad Graduate in reply to Anniemurph]

Absolutely Annie (half a mile swimming still impresses me!), the wonderful thing about this programme is how we can surprise ourselves, the spin offs are so many.

[greenlegs Graduate]

Keep up all that good work Annie! Hope the ball isn't too painful!

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to greenlegs]

Thanks, Greenlegs - fingers crossed for tomorrow

[Burstcouch Graduate]

Go for it and sign up for Race for Life, its just a brilliant sense of achievement . I did Hyde Park last year in 27 degrees!

Its not completely flat but almost!

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to Burstcouch]

Thank you - that's just the information I need! Flat is good Congrats for doing it last year, and especially in such high temperatures!

[Burstcouch Graduate]

I run better when its flat, me and hills don't get on very well!

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to Burstcouch]

No, I don't really do hills either, and I live in the Derbyshire Dales so finding a flat route can be challenging sometimes! Hyde Park sounds good

[Tish1970 Graduate]

It's great when a run like that just happens. It really is inspiring. You just know all your hard work is paying off Good luck with your plans. A big London run sounds exciting! Tx

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to Tish1970]

Thanks, Tricia - the next step is to get runs like that to happen more frequently And yes, now I'm looking forward to that London run!