W9R2 - Stop pummelling my back! 😖

[sHAYM4N]

After a shower, a drink & a belated breakfast, it's sometimes easy to think that a hard run wasn't so hard after all, but this one was so I won't gloss over it

Wasn't overly feeling it this morning. Had a bit of stomach ache, tried to settle it and waited until I felt it had subsided a bit heading out of the door at about 10am.

Today was my semi final run, back on the good ol route, but was feeling a little nervous for some reason. Hadn't run it since last wednesday, and it felt like I had been unfaithful to the route, 😂 was a little worried I wouldn't be able to pace it correctly after pushing it hard on monday, and that she may throw some new obstacles in my way for leaving her for nearly a week.

I had no intentions today of trying to claim a 5K and finishing was the only objective today. Also back in the old smelly trainers 👟💨. Have decided the new ones are going to be an everyday pair and going to look at some a little higher end just for the running. Figured it will be nice to have a pair that don't need an odour control warning for my hols. 😊

I probably set off a bit too fast, it didn't feel fast, it felt slower than Monday so should have been about right, after 5 minutes I was round about the usual point maybe 5-10 yards or so ahead, so took it steady then back around the park down the main road, and to the roundabout.

Crossed paths with another runner by the garage for the first time in weeks (actually can't even remember seeing any others at the time I go) I guessed she had at least 20 years on me and probably running at almost twice my pace. Proof to anyone that age means very little, and took it as inspiration that I still have time to get better! Laura called me a runner a couple of weeks back, but I still very much am an amateur

Took it steady on the way back, but was starting to feel a bit fatigued, just lacking a bit of energy really today but was determined to push on through.

Finally joined a gym last night after speaking with a friend also just starting his journey on the get fit train. We've planned to take our first voyage there on Sunday so didn't really want to have to repeat this one to put the graduation run back. Did feel like I could have perhaps needed another rest day though (despite having a pretty lazy day yesterday).

Anyway the run was starting to push me hard, the last hill up to Barney's barbers I managed slow & steady but at about the 20 minute mark I started feeling pretty bad lower back pain. Slowing down further didn't really help and I was fighting on every step.

Hadn't really had this before, so maybe down to a few sit-ups I'd done in the morning but it bloody hurt! I carry a small running bag with me for my phone & keys, and although it's light, and it rarely bothers me it started to feel like I was carrying a bowling ball. Took it step at a time and slowly ran on to my route extension across the mini roundabout up towards my usual turning point.

Turning point is on a hill, and started feeling it a bit in my calves, weird but it was welcome and it was taking the pain away from my back so I carried on a bit further up the hill than I usually would. (Never ever thought I would be using an uphill for recovery!)

After turning though it was back with a vengeance, every running step like being punched in the back. 3 long minutes to go, but the reward was a place in the grand final! I had to carry on, in 9 weeks I haven't repeated a run, and wasn't going to be defeated by this one.

Job done! Limped into my cooldown walk, but after a few minutes, as quick as it had arrived, the pain was gone.

1 run to go 🤞😊

strava.com/activities/19509...

PS: To end on a positive 😊 checked the scales after the shower this morning, and looks like I've lost around 8 pounds since starting CT5K, so quite a nice bonus prize there too!

[Katnap Graduate]

Yay! Save yourself for the final push!

Go sHAYM4N!

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Katnap]

Oh defo, I'll be heading straight to find those massage chairs at the gym on Sunday too! 😂

[Katnap Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

Massage chairs? Do they just jiggle you about?

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Katnap]

No idea, but I have every intention of finding out! 😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

It may have been tough and even hurt... but you got the chance to use that mental strength, that’s not a bad thing, one day an event run will be tougher then expected so that’s a good one in the bank in my opinion. That’s about the same as my biggest distance in plan too... how far would you go if you got an easy one? Very well done. See you on that podium after your next one... enjoy it, as coach Bennett would say it’s the celebration of the journey.

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Many thanks, I certainly will enjoy it! Won't let anything ruin that graduation run, it's been waaaaay too long in waiting 😊 Definitely starting to think differently about the harder runs, in a different way they can be even more of a personal achievement than a faster pace or a longer distance. The journey has been amazing, and really it's just the start!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

For sure... completing a run that sucks is an achievement. Nike have a guided run called SUCKcess that is meant to be done after one of those to pick you back up... I haven’t tried it yet, I’ve always found that the next one is much smoother.

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Hah love the idea of that, yeah I think my pattern seems to have gone like that too. Treating Friday now as my victory lap down the Champs-Élysées and plan to be grinning from ear to ear for the duration! 😁

[jiggles7 Graduate]

Fantastic effort there Shaym4n!! Super impressed! regarding the back pain, I've found doing a little bit of a pelvic tilt helps usually 'curling the tail bone under' for lack of a better description. I say usually, I did have to stop and stretch for a few seconds on the last run but mostly it seems to work a treat. EEEEP one run to go and you've got a clean sweep!! That's fantastic!!!

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Thanks Jiggles, yep may try a few stretches beforehand next time. I just knew at that point if I had of stopped I wouldn't have got going again! You and duck due for W9R1 now? Will make sure there's plenty of champagne left for you both at that finishing post! 🍷🎉

[jiggles7 Graduate in reply to sHAYM4N]

stretching is a great way to start the day! ha, that's usually the reason I just keep running in general. nope sadly not, still have another w8r3 repeat for duck, then on to week 9! it will be worth the wait i'm sure...your bottle must surely be on ice already, I can practically taste the bubbles!!

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to jiggles7]

Well if it makes you feel any better, there's nothing too much more exciting ahead in week 9 (yet) those extra runs you're doing are already consolidation runs so well done you, you'll breeze to the finish line now I'm sure, will make sure they refill that ice bucket for you both! 🎉

[Tartancat Graduate]

Nearly there sHAYM4N!

I bet it was the sit ups that did it, they can be a killer on your back. Better off sticking to planks.

But you made it - yay!!

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

Cheers Tartancat - yep definately think that's what did it, I only did about 10-20 😂 and thought better of it, but will save it for the gym and try planks instead

[New_Runner_KD]

Well done for keeping going - it would have been easy to stop from the sound of it. I've had similar runs and felt the same way, and like you, I didn't want to break the "non repeat" record, so one grits one's teeth and gets on with it! At least you're already doing hills, am starting my consolidation runs today and have planned to try and run up the hill I've always walked up to my start point. Only one run left for you - wow! Will be cheering you to the podium! 🏃👍

[sHAYM4N Graduate in reply to New_Runner_KD]

Many thanks New_Graduate_KD! 😉 Yeah when I say hills, theyr'e nothing drastic, just like a very very tame rollercoaster and would only call them hills on a running route 😂 Would be all too easy to find an actual hill around here! Good luck with that hill (bet its a real one). You enjoy some celebrations over the weekend?

[New_Runner_KD in reply to sHAYM4N]

Ha! Not sure if it is a "real" one, but it feels very hilly to me - I tried running up in in about week 4 and then decided to walk to the top and start again! Friends over this weekend so celebrating then, and one of the friends coming over is a "real" runner compared to me, and she wants to go out with me on a run - I've already tried to manage her expectations!!! Thanks for the New_Graduate monika - still sounds fab!!!

[Jazzyjeff11 Graduate]

Congratulations on finishing a tough run! Take it easy with your back - that sounds horrible. See you at the finish line yayayay!