Nine months after my last attempt I decided it was time to pull on my running shoes again.
This time I decided to start a bit more gradually so I cut the second, third and fourth sections off my circuit to make a shorter one. Unfortunately this means running over a mile along a busy main road – not ideal. My plan is that when I can a) run the short course in under 20 minutes and b) complete it without stopping/pausing/walking then I shall move back onto my original course.
My fourth attempt took place about two and a half weeks ago. I took our dog with us – he thoroughly enjoyed it – and I felt I did fairly well. 2.6 miles in just over 23 minutes (of actual running). I had the best intentions of going again a few days later, but they came to nothing. I was stiff for a few days, but not too bad.
My fifth attempt was the morning. I ran the route in reverse (to avoid the hill at the end) and again took the dog with me. Schwukette drove past about half-way round and she took the dog in the car leaving me to complete it on my own. Even though I felt I did better my pedometer claims I ran less distance in more time (and burned less calories) which just seems wrong so I’m not posting any stats until I’m sure that the pedometer is calibrated properly.
The weather is fantastic at the moment so I asked Schwukette to pick me up some running shorts in town. I might as well get a tan whilst I’m out!
- Dogs and running don’t mix
Taking the dog with me on the runs seemed like a good idea, but it’s not. He has to be on a lead and will frequently stop to smell the flowers (or somesuch) and mark the route in his own special way. I’ll try the next couple without him and see how I do.