On Sunday morning or was a relief that Week Six Day One seemed to be a step down. I needed to run for five minutes, walk, run for eight minutes, walk and run for five minutes.
I didn't really understand this because it didn't seem to be continuing the progression but I was grateful nonetheless.
Week Six Day Two had two ten minute runs with a walk between. I took a wrong turn and ended up on an uneven bramble-festooned path and could run properly (not that any of my running is proper). Anyway because I didn't feel I'd given it my best shot I did this session twice with a day in between.
Week Six Day Three had me running for 22 minutes. This is the longest I have ever run in my life. It's slow. I'm not sure how slow because the app I use to calculate average speed includes my warm up walk and cool down walk. If I were to guess I'd say between eight and nine minutes per kilometre, perhaps closer to eight.
But, against all of my predictions, it is getting easier. My legs ache but I'm not gasping for breath as I was when I started.
I think the thing that works for me at this stage is that I'm not trying to be an athlete. I really am just trying to get to the end. If the app tells me to run for 22 minutes then that is what I will try to do. I will plod with one foot in front of the other, hobbling my way to achievement.
My body's ability to cope has surprised me. My improvement has surprised me. I honestly thought I would fail and I had expected to quit by now.
I don't enjoy the exercise but I do enjoy being surprised by my body and I get a kick from the achievement.
I use the time to think about to do lists, pay attention to the music of I'm running alone, or catch up with whoever is running with me. I enjoy the countryside and it feels good to bed outside. I think about what I'm going to tell you in this blog.
What I don't like is dogs. If I see a dog I'll change direction to get away from it. I don't like dogs smearing their snot or saliva on my legs and I don't appreciate a dog bashing against my legs and almost knocking me over.
Some owners seem to think that because I'm in the vicinity of their animal I am up for any kind of canine interaction. I'm not. I will actively try and avoid it.
The other thing I'm aware of is my smugness. I am sharing my progress because whilst it's lame to others it's impressive to me. I also recognise the accusation of smugness. Having been a non-runner seeing other people posting the progress from their fitness apps I have viewed others as I am now being viewed.
I won't post from a fitness app because my distance and speed achievements are laughable. I think the smugness accusation is valid and comes from the fact that I've been "good".
I think the accusation would also be leveled at someone sharing weight loss achievements.
I'll take the label though and continue. I want to know how far I can go and I want to know if I can get faster.
No comments:
Post a Comment