Run No.1
I’m sitting on the sofa in my work clothes hearing the
little voice in my head (lets call him Steve), Steve is already throwing negative talk at me…
Maybe you could start tomorrow, its freezing outside (for the record it is!) you
haven’t run in weeks…. But something is different with my running now, I have
more of a reason to lace up and run – in 16 weeks time I will be competing in
the Newport Half Marathon and will be raising money for the British Heart
Foundation. I use the word competing rather than running due to my competitive
nature, but I’m realistic enough to know I have no chance of getting anywhere
near the top runners but would be ecstatic to break the 2 hour mark which is my
goal.
I convince Steve to agree for me to put on my running
clothes which actually makes me feel good already! It’s amazing how wearing sports
clothes can make people feel fitter and healthier.
It feels great lacing up my running shoes (which I have
bought recently from My Moti after having Gait analysis) the half marathon
seems a long time away at the moment but getting out the door in the freezing
cold for this first run will be a minor success.
I haven’t run in 5 weeks after having a car accident, which
caused problems in my neck that forced me to have some time off that lead to me
getting out of habit with training and strangely I feel pretty good through the
first mile silencing Steve sooner than I expected. Spurred on by how I feel I pushed on through
mile 2 at slightly slower pace than mile 1 but still feeling pretty happy with
myself. Moving into the last mile of my 5k run I start to feel it a little and
Steve begins to take over, I agree to slow down a bit not wanting to push it
after a few weeks off and wanting to run again in 2 days.
I complete my first 5k run back in 27.20 mins, 2 mins 20 off
my PB. I’m thrilled I got out the door to run, I’m pretty happy with how I felt
along with the fact I’m not miles off where I left off 5 weeks ago and to be
honest I probably could have pushed harder.
To top off a great run I come home to see I have my first
two sponsors. I can’t wait for my next run in two days.
Run No.2
My legs were a bit stiff and tired the day after my run but
with 48 hours rest I set out eager to complete another 5k and build my weekly mileage
up. Its freezing and dark once again outside (though no sign of Steve) and I’m
happy I have invested in a pair of running gloves and a florescent running top
to keep me warm and viable.
The first mile hits me hard and I’m struggling feeling like I’m
running slow and feeling it, Steve is now in full flow telling me I have not
left enough rest time after having so long off, I should slow down and even
stop. But I have to push on through, I have to train and this struggle is
little compared to what so many people are going through in hospitals
everywhere.
Something interesting happens when I get vocal feedback from
my Endomondo App. I have completed the first mile quicker than the average pace
for my 5k PB. This surprises me as I felt like I was running slow and to be
honest struggling a bit.
Motivated by this I continue to run at this pace
through mile two and start to feel good running with good stride and tempo. My
audio feedback again tells me I’m running around my PB pace and I’m set to
finish the run just passed my PB. The feeling didn’t last long as soon after
the 2 mile mark I start to feel heavy and my stride shortens not helped by the
fact I have a cramp in my stomach (I think I have drank too much fluid on the
run too early). I decide I’m pretty happy I have run at this pace for 2 miles
and slow down slightly ensuring I finish the run strong enough.
I finish in 26
mins 10 seconds, 1 min 10 quicker than my first run and only 1 min 10 slower
than my PB.
Run two completed in a better time than last time out, for
all of Steve’s worry it turned out well, Time to focus on rest and recovering
in preparation for a longer run over the weekend.
Run No.3
Today I’m setting out to run 5 miles. My last long run over
6 weeks ago was 8 miles, in which I achieved
in 1 hr 20 mins.
Im feeling less
optimistic today, a bit tired from not sleeping well last night. I start a bit
slower, conscious of the long run ahead and keen to just complete the distance.
I finish the first mile in 9.11, which considering how I felt opening the door is
not a bad pace. However as I predicted, during mile 2 I start to struggle and have
to slow down slightly while starting to seriously question if I’m going to be
able to complete 5 miles.
The route takes me towards to point where I can go back
towards home for a 5k distance or continue away from home to my 5 mile planned
route. Steve is trying his hardest to convince me to do the 5k but I manage to
turn left and head towards the 5 mile route, another minor success.
Strangely once I cross the 5k distance I begin to have a
boost of energy and my stride starts to lengthen and I’m feeling good again. I
start to pick up the pace up building towards 8 min 29 seconds per mile with 1
mile left to go.
Im sure now I’m not only going to complete the distance but
have had a much stronger finish than first thought and I’m thankful I hadn’t turned
left and opted for the 5k route.
I complete the 5 mile distance in 45 min 35 seconds. If I had
continued for another mile I would have been on key to beat my 10k PB.
Feeling tired but fulfilled it seems as though having a
purpose and reason to run has spurred me on when I have needed it. I only hope
this feeling continues through any setback I am no doubt going to get.
I saw a quote this week that said running is not competing against
other runners but the voice in your head… in my case Steve. It seems like this
week I have won in my battle vs Steve.
I know this will be an ongoing battle as I continue to work
towards my goal of running the Newport Half Marathon and raising over £250 for
the British Heart Foundation.
Please sponsor me via www.justgiving.com/webbertjason
or text WEBBJ86 £3/5/10 to 70070
