28 things - run a 10k - done!

Yesterday I finally got back on with my 28 things list and completed the 10km run in Bremen.  I hadn't finished the training plan so I was very nervous about how I would do.  The only experience I had was doing the Race for Life last year (5km) in 38 minutes.

Three things made a big difference this year.  First of all, I took my I-pod - it may seem strange but listening to music definitely distracts me from how boring it can be.  The second thing was the group spirit - when everyone else is jogging, you don't want to be the one who walks.  Finally, support from people along the route is amazing.  They cheer everyone on.  Those who were handing out water took the time to read my name from my running sheet and address me by it.  Also, people stood along the last kilometre or so with signs to keep us going.  I even got to run through the Werder Stadium, now it's no Camp Nou but it was something!

So...how did I do.  Well - I finished!  At the halfway point, I realised I had shaved six minutes of my 5km time and maybe I would come in a little under my 90 minute target.  I kept running for the whole way and made it in 1 hour and 5 minutes!  I was very pleased with myself I have to say.  Who knows...maybe next year the half marathon!!

Here's me crossing the finish line:

Three Week Countdown

This weekend I realised it is now just three weeks to the big 10k in Bremen.  It just so happens that I have three weeks left on the training plan which I haven't touched since we went on holiday.  I'm not quite sure how I am going to fit in runs during the week yet but I did a 4k run by myself yesterday and while I could tell I've been out of it for a while, I didn't do too badly and felt good about it.  I took the Ipod with me and finished off with Queen's 'Another One Bites the Dust' which I think I'm going to play at the end of each training session til I get through this!!  

I'll be glad to have done it and hopefully it has a positive effect on my fitness and weight .. but there'll be no running on the list next year, 10k is the most I can manage, if I manage that!

10k preparation

As promised, last week saw the start of my running training programme for the 10k in October.  It was about as hard as expected but definitely not helped on Wednesday by the weather - luckily that was the short run day.  We decided to go as early as possible from then on before the sun gets so hot.  So Friday saw us set of at 7.30.  I think I prefer going earlier and getting it out of the way though. 

I've never been big on running as I find it a little boring.  I certainly can't talk at the same time.  Luckily we have the beautiful park here so we've been varying the route and enjoying the views.  On Friday we even came across a mini farm which had expanded over the park so we were jogging with hens and sheep!

Looking forward to the rest of the programme and looking for a way to keep it up during our travels...