Aside from signing up to a half marathon, my second 5k and a 32 mile bike ride by about March, I have to rewind to the end of February, whereby I signed up to my FIRST ever 5km. This is daunting to any first time runner. Others may say,
"Ooo 3.1 miles, that's easy."
But in actual fact, completing your first 5k is probably your greatest achievement of all, its your first event in a ‘runners’ world. Everybody starts off somewhere, even the greatest of athletes. Usain Bolt didn't just jump out of the womb and start sprinting around the track now did he? If he did, then that's mightily impressive. Anyhoo after, you should feel great about yourself, have a sense of pride and want to progress onto the next distance, which in most cases is your 10k. If your thinking...
Damn I was nearly dying at the end of that there's no way in hell I can complete double that!
Trust me you can, and you most likely will! Baby steps, don't just go out one day and try pushing yourself by upping the mileage to 6.2 miles straight away! You'd be crazy, and most likely will not succeed, end up with a stifling injury and feel really demotivated. You should know your own capabilities and limits- so stick with them.
So with some advice from mwah, its time for the story!
After searching endlessly for a 5k that was suitable for me in about 8-10 weeks, I came across Warwick Castle Stroke Associations 5km Resolution Run that was taking place in March. I thought great, no running on roads, I sort of know the castle grounds and I shouldn't be too anxious/out of place, with the majority of these runners doing it in aid for charity, and not elites over lapping me and taking it really seriously!
After nans funeral, I finally plucked up the courage to go back to university in Wolverhampton and live in my private halls away from my amazingly, supportive family to continue my studies. I'd already missed a week of lectures and seminars. With that came a chance to officially start my training. It just so happens that I had a part time job before Christmas, which was by a public park called West Park in Wolverhampton before the holidays.
WHOOOOP! perfecto.
I use to see all types of runners when I'd pass to go too and from work- you want to know the best part... it was in walking distance to my student digs. Already having started the gym in November/December time, all I had to buy was some decent... but cheap running shoes (student loans can't afford your latest £100 Nikeys- unfortunately) Sports Direct- here I come!
My first ever run was fairly successfully in my eyes, 2 laps non-stop around the parks perimeter which came in at about 3.16km, it took me 21mins 39secs with an average pace of 06:51min/km. I was really proud with that, the gym sessions before must have paid off!
According to my records, I started my training on January 19th 2015. I hit my 5k target in training on February 8th after running and attending the gym with only 1-2 days off. My time was 32:35mins with an average pace of 6:30min/km. Already, I was feeling the benefits of running and eating properly, laying off the junk food and pot noodles! My pace was improving ever so slightly with every session. I aimed for non-stop runs, with no walk intervals, as that's the training that best suites me- even today! I only walk if I cannot physically force myself to run- I don't know, maybe its my stubborn nature. I feel like I've been defeated if I walk. But take into consideration what I've said before, everybody is different, I know my best friend who came out running preferred the walk, run, walk, run way of training. You just have to experiment I suppose.
Race day was here (March 8th 2015), my first ever running event... My first ever 5k. I managed to drag my dad as my taxi driver for the day, on a crisp Sunday morning drive to Warwick. As well as my newly titled fiancé and my, at the time stepmother, for moral support. It come to the warm up and I had a text from o2 saying my data had run out...
So with some advice from mwah, its time for the story!
After searching endlessly for a 5k that was suitable for me in about 8-10 weeks, I came across Warwick Castle Stroke Associations 5km Resolution Run that was taking place in March. I thought great, no running on roads, I sort of know the castle grounds and I shouldn't be too anxious/out of place, with the majority of these runners doing it in aid for charity, and not elites over lapping me and taking it really seriously!
After nans funeral, I finally plucked up the courage to go back to university in Wolverhampton and live in my private halls away from my amazingly, supportive family to continue my studies. I'd already missed a week of lectures and seminars. With that came a chance to officially start my training. It just so happens that I had a part time job before Christmas, which was by a public park called West Park in Wolverhampton before the holidays.
WHOOOOP! perfecto.
I use to see all types of runners when I'd pass to go too and from work- you want to know the best part... it was in walking distance to my student digs. Already having started the gym in November/December time, all I had to buy was some decent... but cheap running shoes (student loans can't afford your latest £100 Nikeys- unfortunately) Sports Direct- here I come!
My first ever run was fairly successfully in my eyes, 2 laps non-stop around the parks perimeter which came in at about 3.16km, it took me 21mins 39secs with an average pace of 06:51min/km. I was really proud with that, the gym sessions before must have paid off!
According to my records, I started my training on January 19th 2015. I hit my 5k target in training on February 8th after running and attending the gym with only 1-2 days off. My time was 32:35mins with an average pace of 6:30min/km. Already, I was feeling the benefits of running and eating properly, laying off the junk food and pot noodles! My pace was improving ever so slightly with every session. I aimed for non-stop runs, with no walk intervals, as that's the training that best suites me- even today! I only walk if I cannot physically force myself to run- I don't know, maybe its my stubborn nature. I feel like I've been defeated if I walk. But take into consideration what I've said before, everybody is different, I know my best friend who came out running preferred the walk, run, walk, run way of training. You just have to experiment I suppose.
Race day was here (March 8th 2015), my first ever running event... My first ever 5k. I managed to drag my dad as my taxi driver for the day, on a crisp Sunday morning drive to Warwick. As well as my newly titled fiancé and my, at the time stepmother, for moral support. It come to the warm up and I had a text from o2 saying my data had run out...
Damnnnn how was I going to track and keep hold of my time and pace?
But then I thought hang on a minute, I just need to survive this 5k without stopping, I'm not try and 'PB' it. The start gun fired up and off we went with 4 laps around the central courtyard, leading down the castle grounds, then back up through the 'to be' finishing line x4. I felt fine after the 4 laps, but started to struggle on the castle grounds. Half way round a kind runner informed me that one of my shoe laces were undone, as you can imagine, I had to stop suddenly and tie it up as quickly as possible so's I could carry on going and not cause a collision. After all that jazz, I was back on track. The incline coming up to the finish just about killed me off, but I kept on telling myself
rest is all down hill from there.
After nearly loosing track of how many laps I did of the castle grounds, I was making about 23 minutes when I passed the big finishing clock. I thought this must be my last lap. I sprinted (maybe not a sprint to some), however long my little legs could stride outwards, I did it, I crossed the finish line in 32minutes dead on, knocking a full 35seconds off my last time. I collected my medal like an Olympic champion! I felt amazingly proud that all the hard work had finally paid off!
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