Back on track

[damienair]

My preparations for my half marathon at the end of August took a bit of a hit a month ago when the day after a 7K run I tested positive for Covid. I’d managed to dodge it for two years and then it hit me. I was ok, my symptoms were very mild, just an underlying headache and light sniffles. I relaxed for 2 weeks with no running and once I tested negative I went to a parkrun 2 weeks ago. It was awful, after 2K I thought someone had poured concrete into my legs and my chest felt tight. I tried another parkrun a week later with the same result. I then did an easy 5K last Tuesday which felt much better. But I took an extra break until yesterday morning when I tried another parkrun. This time I relaxed and did not look at my watch. I paced along with a lady just slightly ahead of me for 4.5K and with 500 meters to go I picked up my pace. I was delighted when I got home to discover that I’d ran my first sub 30 minute 5K in almost 2 years. I was so spurred on that I attempted a 10K this morning which I ran in 1:07:29. I’m feeling more confident now. I’ve a real drive to train well for the 27th of August. I’m enjoying a beer in my back garden now. Cheers.

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

🍻cheers damienair! Well done on your 10k, and good luck with your half marathon plan

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

You deserve that beer Damien, well done on running that 10K today in a very good time of 1:07:29 after that sub 30 minutes 5K yesterday at parkrun, yes your preparations for that Half Marathon in August are back on schedule.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done! That sounds a tough return after covid so well done!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Cheers 😀 a good comeback after Covid, it’s a nasty virus, enjoy your training

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Wow! That’s brilliant damienair - sounds like you have definitely recovered now and it must feel great to get back to your HM training. Good luck!🙂

[damienair in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. Yes I got a good confidence boost this weekend.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh wonderful! What a well deserved beer 🍻

[Birdlady64]

Fantastic!What a well earned beer!

It's a very odd virus but sounds like you're back on track. Good luck with the HM training

[damienair in reply to Birdlady64]

Thanks so much.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

You’re well and truly back Damien! Hope the beer went down well, as you thoroughly deserved it after your excellent runs this weekend! 🍻

Bring on that HM - I can’t wait to hear all about it in August! 🏃‍♂️🏅😀

[damienair in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky. My legs are feeling todays run. Looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.

[Freecloud Marathon]

All of that waffle just to brag that you were enjoying a beer in your back garden. Bla bla bla 😂

Glad your getting back on track and you have plenty of time to get those runs in. The watch isn't important for times on the long runs for pace, but I always look at it to monitor the heart rate and make sure I am going at an easy pace and slowing down when it goes into the red. It's hard to slow down at first because you might think you are going too slow. But for me it makes sure that I am not burning myself out at the start and then suffering for the rest of the run.

[damienair in reply to Freecloud]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll start adding a little extra onto the long run each week. I’ll dial the pace back a little.

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

Cheers Damien! Good news that you are back on track.

[misswobble Marathon]

Oh that’s better news isn’t it! You can crack on with your training with renewed vigour. It’s all in front of you so have fun out there 😀👍🏃‍♂️

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Must be a relief that your form is bouncing back Damien- onwards and upwards!

[damienair in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks Jonathan. I have a long way to go but it gave me a great confidence boost.