My first outing on W1 was Sunday morning, quite uneventful apart from murderous feelings towards Laura when she kindly informed me, during my first 3 minute run, that I was half way there. There was me thinking that something must have gone wrong with the podcast, surely I've been running for at least 5 minutes. Wrong! My heart sank, just 90 seconds had gone by, the longest 90 seconds of my life. Laura then kindly distracted me whilst imparting a few words of wisdom about hedges, fences, bouncing and using up energy unnecessarily, then lett me know I had just one more minute to go. At that point I knew I could do it and pushed on.
Tonight I completed W3 R3. The first 3 minute run was still an effort, in fact the 90 second run before that wasn't great either. But ........ when I got to the end of the second 3 minute run I didn't want to stop. I was running at a steady pace (note I say steady not fast), breathing without thinking 'and for the first time I was actually enjoying myself during the run rather than just when it was over.
I decided to keep on running and ran for the next 3 minutes. I know a seasoned runner may scoff at my 6 minutes but for me it was my own personal marathon.
Up until tonight I have been wondering how I am going to cope with a 5 minute run next week, so sure I will let myself down and be crawling home, dejected with my tail between my legs. Not any more, now I know I can do it. It may not be easy, I may struggle again, I may have to resort to walking during a run, but if I persevere I will run 5k one day.
Bring on Week 4!