As mentioned in my last entry I was dreading tonight's run as it was to be the longest complete run I have ever undertaken and the weather was due to be dreadful.
The weather was dreadful this morning and now except for the odd puddle it's sunny, dry and a bit windy.
At lunch I told a very good friend of mine I may postpone until tomorrow as I was tired. I am so glad I didn't.
I left the house with a complete positive mental attitude and told myself I could always stop if it got too much. The coach was to announce each five minute interval of twenty-five and I set off.
I ran a complete circuit (something that's annoying me about Nike+ as it didn't record a map tonight just pace, time and distance) and ran with confidence out to the main road, up to the station and used the worry of meeting other people (mainly commuters) as motivation to keep going.
As each 5 minutes ticked by I could visualise where I wanted to get to in the next 5 and let the cadence routine guide my steps all the way around. Every time I thought I was pushing too fast I reduced my stride and increased my steps.
I set my distance to 4.7K (my average) and was more than pleased when I bust through the target and then through 5K with 5 minutes to go.
I kept the motivation up, (I started to notice I was sticking my tongue out), and importantly realised I wasn't in pain, I was comfortable (but sore) and my breathing was as I would expect.
Just as I hit the cool down section I got a tremendous boost which I burst through 6K.
I cannot tell you how immensely happy and proud I am of myself for what I have achieved tonight.
I've run my fastest 5K, my longest distance and my fastest mile. My charts show a consistent pace and it stays within the green all the way (except the warm up/cool down).
Two weeks ago I felt like crying at trying to get through a solid 18 minute run and tonight I have smashed the 25 minute continuous target.
I have a week or so left of the training program and the runs now get gradually longer to my 30 minutes of solid running.
Sorry for the Americanism but – bring it on!
Keith Tomlinson Photography 
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