Friday, May 01, 2015

word of the week #18


After our trip to Brussels I had dropped off with my three weekly "runs", and the more time that passed the less enthused I was about starting again. I was convinced it would be like going back to square one, where increasing my pace, even slightly, for any more than a minute felt really difficult, and the thought of ever running at any length seemed laughable. Then the email popped into my inbox last weekend and cheerfully announced that I only had 6 weeks until the 5k I had signed up, in my enthusiastic countdown towards 30 and I decided I had better get my trainers on again.

When I realised that I had built up the part of the training that entails running in 5 minute bursts, I wondered whether to go back to the start of the plan, and then realised that the plan was 8 weeks to 5k, and unfortunately that would require 2 weeks I not longer had. Dutifully I headed out, and was relieved, and somewhat shocked to find that I, just about, managed to shuffle my way through 5 minutes of something quicker than a walk, albeit with a lot of gasping for breath for the final minute (and the fourth and third if we're honest). I got through it though, three lots of five minutes per session, and incredibly my pace was only a little slower than the week before.

Then this morning, up early, I took a slightly sleepy Millie out and did it again, a different route this time, taking advantage of the fact that it was light to go through a woodland path and take in a few different sights (I usually go late at night under the cover of darkness and do laps up and down a small part of the road that has streetlights but no houses!). Joyously I got home to find that not only had I gone quicker than ever before, I had managed to break the so-far-elusive, 8 minute per kilometre pace. I realise this is still a mere meander compared to most people, the sight of Millie dawdling along and sniffing the grass as I go as fast as I can is a regular reminder, but I was thrilled, especially as it means I have reduced my pace per kilometre by 2 minutes since I started a few weeks ago. I hope you have all had a lovely week.

Linking up with The Reading Residence 

14 comments:

  1. Well done, you, that is good news and must be a relief! especially after that email arrived! Hope it keeps going well and you have a lovely week, too x Thanks for sharing with #WotW

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    1. thank you! I'm looking forward to the 5k now - something I never thought I would say!

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  2. Well done hon it sounds like you are making good progress!xx

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  3. Oh well done! I am very happy for you. Don't worry about what other people are doing, just concentrate on your own (amazing) achievements! X

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    1. thank you Penny, I'm quite content with my gentle shuffling, better than not going at all! x

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  4. well done with your running progress!

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  5. Sounds like you're really determined with your running. Hope it all continues to go well and you continue to make progress
    xx
    #WoTW

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    1. thank you for visiting, and for your kind comment x

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  6. Awww I wish I have your focus! I will start running again as I got my contact lens already (running is not fun with glasses on) and I hope I can be as diligent as you when I start =) #wotw

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    1. Ah yes, contact lenses are definitely the way forward. Diligent is probably undeserved praise! I am very stop and start, it has taken me about 6 weeks to do the first four weeks of the plan I am following, but having committed to a race definitely helps!!

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  7. Oh wow! I'm in awe of your determination, well done on finding a way to make it work- good luck in achieving your goal. #WotW

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    1. thanks for visiting Debbie and for your kind comment! x

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