Monday 19 March 2007

That was awesome

I'm just back from my run with the girls from black team. When we met, it was starting to rain. I was thinking, "oh well, at least we got ourselves out here", but one of the group told us that we may as well run in the rain, and so we did. Seeing that we'd all made the effort to get there, we didn't take much convincing. We had four runners and two walkers.

I told the runners that I'd just follow along behind if I couldn't keep up, but I found that I was able to keep up from the start. It was like the team group fitness session, where we'd done a little running. I found it hard to start off as slowly as they did. Still, once I was used to it, it was a very comfortable pace to run at. I've no idea how fast we were going, or how far we went, but we ran for 42 mins. A couple of the girls seemed to think it was 7 km. I know I'm running faster than I was before, but I don't know how much faster. I don't really care. I kept up, I enjoyed myself, I didn't wimp out because of the rain, and I feel great now. Oh, and one of these days I'll know exactly how far that run was and I'll be able to work it out.

**Edit: Sorry Celeste, I forgot to mention that I think the run was much closer to 5 km. I didn't feel as though I was running particularly fast, and I've been told that particular run is around 5 km.**

It was fun running with the group. For one thing, we were chatting as we ran. I was really pleased that I was able to talk and run. It's a good sign that my cardio fitness has improved out of sight. I also found I wasn't constantly having to encourage myself to keep running. I only had one moment of that, at around the 34 min mark. I told myself that I could run for 40 mins without stopping, and that I'd consider stopping once I'd run for that long. Of course, by then we were nearly back to our starting point, and there was no way that I was going to stop then.

At the end of the run, I was really glad we'd made it, but I had plenty left in the tank, and could have kept going if I'd needed to. That's a great sign for the future. I've been a little apprehensive about the weekend with Relay for Life (2 x half hr relay legs on Saturday) and the Women's Fun Run (5 km on Sunday), but I know I can manage both now.

As for the rest of the day, apart from going shopping, which is one of my favourite activities, I think I'll just take it easy.

PS: It was absolutely pouring down when we finished. I still had a 15 min walk back to my place across the city centre. Fortunately, being a public holiday, there weren't a lot of people out and about at 9 am. I ran part of the way, and walked the rest. I looked like a drowned rat. Still, I had that lovely warm feeling of virtue one gets from exercising and a nice hot shower to look forward to when I got home.

8 comments:

Celeste said...

42 minutes is excellent! To run 42 minutes at 6min/k pace is downright incredible!!!!! You obviously don't give yourself enough credit - clearly you are a much better runner than you have led us to believe! Go Kathy!

Kathy said...

I remembered a reference to mapmyrun in Sarah's blog, and went and found the website. According to that, the run was about 5.34 km. That's an improvement for me, as the last time I ran 5 km outside, it took me 42 mins. I spent the same amount of time and covered a little more ground.

Sarah said...

Excellent run!!! I'm so happy for you! Stangely enough I'm actually looking forward to running in the rain sometime - knowing my luck it'll happen in the middle of winter!!!!

MorseyRuns said...

I love running in the rain- as long as I am not wearing my white t-shirt! Great effort- running with other people makes me run a lot quicker and longer too.

Andrew(ajh) said...

Running in the rain is one of my favourite things. Unfortunately not getting the opportunity much these days are we!

Pam said...

Gosh, I can't remember whether I've commented before (senile dementia setting in) but I'm terribly impressed (possibly for the second time!) with your weight loss. And your running. Go, as Celeste says, Kathy.

Running in the rain at the moment, in what has suddenly become winter again in Scotland, would be a chilly experience. That's my excuse, anyway.

Anonymous said...

Well done on the run, it is great when you realise that you are capable of great things. Good luck with your journey.

Unknown said...

Its a great feeling when you finish a run and realise you could actually keep going!

Nothing like a nice hot shower after exercise and a drenching from the rain :)

Thanks for popping into my blog :D