Gentle 5K run this morning, was lovely and sunny for a change!

[Redcello41]

Just got back from a gentle 5K run round part of the race course for my 5K race on Sunday - I accidentally took a wrong turn and got a bit lost about halfway but then I managed to find my track again and ran back the way I came! It was so nice to run later on in the day - I finished work at midnight last night and didn't get to sleep until 1AM and I was not about to repeat the same mistake I did last week, running the longest I have ever run on only 4 hours sleep, it took me about 3 days to recover from that! It's was also so refreshing to run a different route than usual!

Because I have my longest ever long run before the Bath Half tomorrow, I wanted to really watch my pace and not go too fast on today's run, especially when the route is relatively flat. The running coach said to me a few weeks ago to let my breathing control my pace. I usually breathe 2 in, 2 out but today I experimented with breathing 3 in, 3 out - when I found maintaining 3 in, 3 out difficult or if I found myself going back to my usual 2 breathing rhythm, I knew I was going too fast so I slowed down until breathing in 3s were a bit easier. It's such a useful tip that I never thought about before and it has really helped my running and control!

My stomach felt a bit better than yesterday but still had a few niggles - I left the house making the decision that if the run felt hard like I was fighting against my body then I would stop the run. Luckily I felt fine while running and my stomach had no issues. So that's relieving because when I do have stomach niggles, I worry about whether I'll be able to do the Bath Half and that's just stressful especially when it's only two and a half weeks away!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done on today’s run Redcello. It’s a lovely day isn’t it - so lovely to see the sun for a change. ☀️

Good luck tomorrow. Take it nice and steady and you’ll be fine! Do you have your exact route planned out? Let us know how you get on won’t you? 😀🏃‍♀️

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks, the sunshine was lovely! Ye, that's the plan slow and steady! I'm planning to run part of the actual race route so let's see how that goes! And will definitely let you know how I get on!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Sounds to me as though you are bang on target Redcello41, despite the late nights. I am learning that regaining lost ground is a real challenge, at least for me! My 5k pace is very slowly picking up, run on run, but I am miles away from my PB times of last October and November. I have managed one plodding 8k too. Two chest colds have clearly knocked me back. But, just as you have done, I am building back up steadily and trying not to get frustrated with myself. You will have the adrenaline rush of all those VRBs around you Bath; I am backing you for a PB; on to a good thing I know as it is your first! .... Brilliant recovery 👏👏👏👏👏

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you so much! Colds (and any other health blips) are so annoying when they set you back but as you say, it is important to not get frustrated and just be patient. Easier said that done, I know!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

The breathing sounds great, I do similar and its just really comfortable that way. Good luck on your long run, I hope it goes well...

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks! Yeah the breathing technique is great if you just want to run at a recovery pace! I'll be using that on my 5K race on Sunday because I will be treating that as a recovery run and not really a race.

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

Good plan. I go recovery runs slot at the moment as my foot has been bad and I want to keep up my runstreak

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Another great run RC! You're definitely back in the game. Enjoy the next one, making slow and steady your biggest priority. Get ready for a shiny new 10 mile badge 😍

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda, will definitely focus on being slow and steady and I can assure you that I won't be doing any accidental speedwork on this one hahaha!