Weeks 4 & 5

I'm combining these weeks together just so I can cheat as Week 4 was a bit of a write off.

Day 1

Went out in the morning with Joe and tried to go for 5k but struggled so cut it short. Felt rubbish and legs were still very sore. Couldn't catch Joe again.

Day 2 & 3

Didn't happen! We were busy with selling our house and hosting a Halloween party, although I think because I was so disappointed with day 1 I didn't have any motivation to go out again anyway.

So, without further ado I will skip to Week 5!

Day 1
Horrible rainy dark Tuesday morning I managed to peel myself away from my nice warm bed and get out there. I dragged Joe out of his slumber and we set off onto the streets. 

A lot of training advice I have read says to keep your pace 'conversational'. Personally I didn't think the two were very compatible, when I run I breathe so heavily I can't hear anything else. Picture a red sweaty puffing and panting, headband wearing mass and you have me. Not exactly a conversation starter.

So I set off as slowly as I could to try and maintain a conversation with Joe, and it worked! I'm usually running as fast as I can to get the pain over with more quickly, no wonder I can't go very far! But this time I felt really good. We did 3 miles and I felt I could have gone further, my pace also increased with every mile so I was obviously feeling good (lets ignore the fact the second two miles are more downhill).

I think the rest did my legs good also as they felt a lot better than after previous runs. 

Day 2

Same again. Didn't feel as good but managed it a little quicker with a sprint finish which was fun!

Day 3 

Same again, although Joe pushed me to start quicker to try and get our time down to under 30 mins so I obliged but the inevitable happened and I ended up having to walk after the first mile. Really annoyed with myself so went a wee bit further (actually tried a shortcut but got lost so ended up having to run further!) and did a sprint finish again.

So you can see from this weeks activity my mood got worse throughout the week and run 3's pace ended up being the same as week 1 even though I went out faster because I had to walk, so the moral of the story is...

What I have learned
To start slow!!!!

My Goals
To build up to 4 miles next week

Feeling
Quite proud I've run 9.17 miles in a week and feel fine for it. My legs are obviously building up some resistance finally and dare I say it...it's getting easier...?

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Week 3

I've started noticing a lot of people asking how far I am running. I suppose it's their yard stick for how close to marathon standards I am, judging whether they think I am going to make it or not. When I reluctantly/embarrassingly tell them how far they either look very worried for me or laugh hysterically at me.

The truth is I am probably not even going to get to marathon standards, not on any self-respectful level, but that's not necessarily my aim. My aim is to do the best I can with a body that has suffered years of neglect in the short amount of time I have available to me. If that means that I don't run very far then please don't judge me, I am doing the best I can. As long as I get out three times a week I'm sure I will start to see improvements along the way, which will then give me the confidence to start thinking about the challenge ahead. But until then I have to just do what I can, when I can.

Mid-run selfie with my son Joe looking very red faced 

Here is how this week has gone down:

Day 1

Nada, nil, nothing. My legs huuurt beyond belief, I struggle to walk so am trying to rest them, even cycling or swimming is looking painful to me. Getting a bit depressed also that I can't even do the simplest things

Day 2

Today I am determined. No matter how much it hurts I am just going to get out there. As a friend pointed out, no matter how bad you think a run has gone you will be better and stronger for your next run. So I managed 15 minutes again and only my right leg hurt, 50% less pain I can deal with! Feeling so happy at this point as it was so frustrating not being able to run it actually felt really good to be out there no matter how short

Day 3

Yes! I managed 20 minutes then walked for a bit and a further 5 minutes run home. Feeling ace :) and for those of you who ask 2.5 miles, which may sound pitiful but it was my own little marathon

What I have learned

To take my time and not worry about the standard other people think I should be running at

My Goals 

To just get out there three times and see what I can do

Feeling
Pretty good, long may this continue!

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