Tonight I went for my second run and have managed to beat the distance and pace I did on my first outing on Saturday.
I did want to run last night but the combination of late trains and weather meant I didn’t go out and postponed to tonight. It’s only my second run but I did feel guilty for not doing it when I promised myself. It’s mainly because I want to prove I can do this and I can keep it up so at least I have some motivation!
I’m using Nike+ on my iPhone now to help me along with Get Running which is coaching me into my run. I wanted to tell the coach where to go it I persevered. It’s funny how a voice no matter how artificial can make you want to answer back…
This time in 31 minutes I managed 3.90 km and I am impressed I went so far. All this time I have heard people say about running 10k and it sounded like it was really far. Ok I am not at the stage of running that distance yet but I know am sure I could run it if I tried (eventually).
I felt pain in this run and am glad that the coach gives me chance to slow down and cool down (of course I could stop at any time!). This I am taking as my body adjusting to the run but if it persists I will stop. I guess I am giving myself sufficient break between runs and am ensuring I keep up a regime of stretching etc.
Apart for the pain and the feeling of hating running (I hope this will pass!), I have to overcome the looks you get from other people when out running. It’s probably the same type of looks I have been giving runners for years. I can’t help but feel self conscious. I guess I need to zone them out but am finding that difficult at present. That said I run around our new estate in the country so I dread to think what the runners who go down Londons Embankment think when they are confronted with such crowds.
It’s odd that I thought I’d zone out and think about work etc my mind currently has me concentrating on running rather than anything else which I guess is a good sign. If nothing else it may help me switch off at the end of the day.
I did measure my walk to the station this morning and my walk around London at lunch (which I try to do most days) and I have accumulated a further 3km on top of the run.
I always say to doctors and gym instructors that I walk a lot but they don’t believe me. We’re participating in the Global Corporate Challenge and I am averaging 17,500 steps a day. You’re supposed to break 10,000 and I am doing that easily. Most colleagues who are living and working in London find it difficult to break 6,000 steps. If anything I am pleased to hear this as I have long advocated I am fitter than most people and this proves it.
Anyway this is my second run and I am determined to keep this going. I will continue to post my progress and have to say thanks to friends real and virtual who have given me plenty of encouragement so far (especially Paul for the fantastic advice and encouragement, Nic for commenting on my legs and Jan for the High-5’s. Of course Richard and Brandy have been very encouraging too 🙂 )
Keith Tomlinson Photography 