Week 5 Run 1: Much Better :)

After the horrendous run on Sunday, tonight's run has restored my faith in running. :)

There wasn't anything overly amazing about it, but it was a good distance, a good pace and some good conversations!

I'm very fortunate that at my running club, there is a large group on Tuesdays, so I usually able to choose from 4 groups to go out with; run-walkers, ~4.5 miles, ~5.5 miles, ~6 miles (fast paced, sometimes with hills!). I usually go out with the 4.5 mile group, which is around 11:30-12 minute miles, but last night I went out with the 5.5 mile group, which is closer to 10:30-11 minute miles, as I wanted to make up a bit of effort from Sunday's run!

The pace was good, challenging but not difficult, and we managed 6 miles, including a long, slow hill at the end.

Got chatting to a few others in the group, including one woman who is also training for her first half marathon (a week after mine). It was good to compare notes, and made me feel a bit less panicked, as her long runs are currently 7-8 miles and she's confident she'll get round, so I'm sure I will be fine (fingers crossed!)

Length: 6.0 miles/4 miles
Time: 1hr 14mins
Pace: Technically 12:16, due to the many roads and junctions we had to cross, but actually running pace was closer to 10:45-11 minute/miles

Week 4 Run 1: Hilly, but enjoyable

Another enjoyable club run tonight. There were so many people that we ended up splitting in to quite small groups, so there was only about 8 in the group I was in. It was good though, as we were all the same pace, so no one had to loop or wait for anyone else.

We met up at the 'alternative' park (as we do for the first run each month). This route includes a lap around Broadmoor hospital and a couple of serious hills! I remember the first time I attempted 'Broadmoor Hill' - didn't get very far up it! Now, I can run all the way to the top, and focus on maintaining a constant pace all the way up.

Length: 4.75 miles/4 miles
Time: 57:31
Pace: 12:06 min/mile

Week 3 Run 1

Went out with the club tonight and had a really nice run. The pace was comfortable, certainly didn't push myself, but I kept it steady the whole way round. Since I had netball training last night and a netball match tomorrow, I didn't want to over do it today!

Was chatting to a lovely lady for most of the run who is also training for her first half marathon (a few weeks before mine). I don't normally talk that much, as most of the members know each other really well, but it really helped the time pass quicker - I didn't once feel like I wanted to stop/turn back or was bored. :)

Length: 4.6 miles/4 miles
Time: 53:00 (approx - forgot to stop my HRM as soon as we'd finished!)
Pace: 12:02 min/mile(approx)

Week 2 Run 1

Went out with the club tonight and had a pretty good run. I went out with the main group and we kept up a good pace - quicker than I would have gone if I'd have been out on my own, which can only be a good thing! Pace was closer to race pace, although the pace below doesn't reflect this as there was quite a lot of stop starting; crossing roads, waiting for people to catch up etc.

Length: 4.4 miles/4 miles
Time: 53:14
Pace: 12:06 min/mile