Jenny's Run Down

Did my Tuesday 4 miler as per usual. Nothing much to report. I thought I might be able to get another 5k PB, but alas it was not be. I was close though! If I hadn't have slowed down on my second mile, I would have done it.

It also spontaneously rained halfway through too.

I've got another busy weekend ahead and I won't have time for a run so I will go for my short run that I have down on a Thursday in the past. It's usually 2 miles, but seeing how well I do I may up it to 5k if I think it worth it.

Again, another delayed post.

But I went out for my Tuesday 4 miles last week. It as a lot cooler than usual, thank goodness. And I managed to get another 5k PB, knocking 8 seconds off my previous!

I was relatively surprised.

I started off thinking that I might be able to get a new PB. Then as I continued, I wasn't so sure. There were a few times I struggled a little bit, particularly when my legs felt really stiff.

Then as I was on the last straight approaching the 3 mile mark, I realised that if I gave it my all, I might just do it. AND I DID! WOO HOO!

I think I am anyway.

Last Tuesday when I went for my run, I managed to get a new 5k PB! That was very exciting, seeing as I've been struggling with my running recently (if you've read my recent posts, you'll know all about it). Fortunately it was a cooler day - it's been scorching here - and the was a nice breeze. As a reward, I cut my 4 mile run by 1/2 a mile. Sounds stupid, but hey, it helped. Saturday I went for another run with friends. Been doing the same route a few times, but it's suitable for our various abilities. Anyway, even those 4 miles felt a lot easier than normal. It was certainly cooler too.

Ok, it wasn't a trek.

It was, however, my first run in a week and half.

I also needed to pop to my local supermarket, so I did what all runners do, and incorporate this into my run.

Parts of the route were the same or similar to my usual Tuesday run, just with the added extra of the shop. I have to say, I was anxious about it because it was the first time I was running on some of the roads. Which was ridiculous because I was fine. Apart from when a woman nearly ran me over because she failed to indicate on the mini roundabout.

It was bloody hot too, I left a bit later than I usually would, but even so. And stopping at the shop didn't help with aching toes etc. You'd think the little rest would help, but personally I find it worse.

So for yesterday's run, I decided to try out some 'new' footpaths that a relatively local to me. Once of course I studied the map good and proper.

This involved driving to a local country park and starting from there.

It made a nice change to the usual (I get so bored of repetition) and now I know of a few more variations and places for the future too. There was one part that was consistently uphill, although did always look it, but I was rewarded later one with a great downhill section on a road so I made the most of that!

I still struggled a bit. But it was nice to take it easy and stop to take some photos.

I did a little Pilates session this afternoon. Haven't done a proper one for a while, and I won't be able to any more for a while as my weekends are filling up with my other hobbies now that restrictions are easing. So I may have to squeeze one in on weekday evenings or something.

And every other run day for that matter.

I'm really struggling with my running at the moment. I'm not entirely sure what it is. I believe it to be my legs wanting to run very fast, but my body can't keep up with it so that after a mile I am absolutely shattered and then have to struggle through the next few miles.

I've also been running with friends a couple of times so it's not lack of companionship. Although their pacing is far better than mine, they are naturally faster which may mean that I am speeding up too. And again, I then struggle. It could also be the weather. It's been very wet for the past couple of weeks, and also a bit warm too.

Sorry for being so quiet recently. What with UK lockdown restrictions gradually easing, I've been going out a little bit more etc so that has taken up the time when I'd normally write a post. And when I get in from a run, I'm usually too tired to want to write!

Anyway, so where were we? Last Saturday - 1st May - I was able to run with some friends for the first time in a long time. It was great fun! And obviously a good social too. I planned a 5k route to accommodate all/most abilities, which involved some up- and down-hill sections. Also, because I'm weird, I went for a pre-run run on my own and did 2 miles. I'm now so used to a long run at the weekend that it feels odd not to.

That mentality will make an interesting summer alongside the rest of my hobbies...

Then came along Tuesday. The usual route. Which was fine from what I remember. Oh yeah, the weather was annoying. It would be sunny one minute, then pouring down with rain the next. Which, for runners, is a real pain in the bum when it comes to deciding what to wear. So of course, I prepared for rain and got none (well, a few spots).

I almost got a new 5k PB, but just wasn't quite quick enough.

On to this Saturday, yesterday. I ran the 7 mile route I did when I had to go and pick up a parcel the other week. But it was also raining.

The.

Whole.

Way.

And there was the occasional head wind for good measure, just in case I wasn't wet enough as it was.

It was a tough run, I expect heavy clothing didn't help. And trying not to run through ALL the puddles. I also stopped a couple of times to admire some wildlife - a heron, and swan with cygnets.

But according to Strava, I set 4 new segment PRs, so that helps explain why I was a little worn out. I very nearly got a 5k PB too, but again, was just off by a few seconds.

When I got home, I was soaked through. I literally had to peel my clothes off.

Next week's weather is looking better!

Facebook kindly reminded me this morning that on this day 2 years ago, I went for my first ever run.

I remember it as if it was yesterday.

I pushed myself to run a mile, but my word it was hard! I used telegraph poles as markers, and I could barely run from one to the other without needing to stop.

But push myself I did.

And I never gave up.

2 years and 1 broken ankle later, 10k+ seems normal.

Had a crap day at work yesterday.

When I got home, my medal for the 45 miles Anne Boleyn challenge had arrived (there had been a delay in shipping). I had finished this within 2.5 weeks, ending on Easter Sunday so that was cool.

What with it being a Tuesday too, I was soon off out for my usual 4 mile run. And guess what?

GOT A NEW 5k PB!

I beat my previous PB by ONE WHOLE SECOND lol!

But I did it.

Literally.

I came home from work yesterday and had been carded by UPS. My parcel was at a collection point in a corner shop on the other side of town.

When I looked up this shop on the map, I realised it's not far off the usual route I run on a Saturday morning. In fact, it would mean running some track/roads/paths that I had previously thought about running before. So this was the perfect excuse!

This morning I set off with my rucksack and all my usual gear. It's so sunny here at the moment, and it has lifted my mood somewhat.

I still struggled about 2 to 4 miles in, I think because I always start off too fast and wear myself out. My pacing has always been rubbish. But the detour helped make me feel better.

I collected my parcel, and bought some cake too. That will save me having to bake any for a couple of days at least and I can get on with other jobs 😆

Then I ran down a footpath which got me back onto my normal one. And you know what? It made it feel quicker getting home with this slight change of scenery. Enough to the point that I am willing to do it again to mix things up a bit.

Another run I didn't want to do.

I just wasn't feeling up to it. Also, our pubs are now open for outside drinking, and my Tuesday run goes past right outside a pub so I had visions of there being a lot of people watching me run past. And this made me very anxious.

As it turned out, there was no one outside the pub. So that was a lot of necessary worrying.

I also swapped my vest top for a tee. I'm very self conscious, in case you weren't already aware of that, and I know I have flabby arms, so it takes a lot of courage, and very hot weather, for me to wear a vest for running.

What with the anxiety/worrying, I opted for the tee just so there was one less thing for me to get worked up over.

I didn't enjoy my run. Don't know why. Just felt tired I think. My timing was alright, all things considered, seeing as it felt like I was being really slow. Not my best, but also not my worst.