C25K, week 4, day 1 – The ‘I can do this, I can do this, oh, wait, no I can’t’ run.

Workout: 5 min warm up, run 3 mins, walk 90 second, run 5 (!) mins, walk 2mins 30 secs, run 3 mins, walk 90 secs, run 5 (!) mins, cool down 5 mins.

Weather: At a guess I would say Very Cold (check out my car windscreen) but sunny.

Number of men riding bicycles in tiny shorts: Just the 1. My goodness he must have been freezing. They actually could have been pants! It certainly took my mind off the fact I was running for 5 minutes.

Times I wished I had joined a warm gym: Approx. 30.

Is it just me or does week 4 seem like a MASSIVE jump? It’s like someone with my math capabilities was allowed to calculate weeks 1 – 3 and then suddenly someone who is able to count checked it and thought: “OMG! Hold on, there is no way these people will be running 5k in just another four weeks on these figures. We’re going to need to ramp it up. I’m sure they won’t notice.” Believe me, I noticed.

Not only did the workout seem more difficult but it was freezing (literally) on Saturday and the coldest I have ever attempted to run in. It was so cold I swapped my baseball cap for my bejewelled beanie hat (I know, such style). I must have looked quite the sight. (I have now treated myself to a running headband to stop my ears from falling off).

Having said all of the above, I actually ran really well (doing my nose breathing/gurning) for all exccept that last five minutes where I had to stop twice and walk for about 30 seconds each time. To make up for it I ran a little bit extra on the end. I think the main problem on the last bit was that I had to run up a mountain, steep hill slight incline and wore myself out before I really got going. Despite not being able to properly complete it I was really pleased with the fact that I was able to run that little bit longer for the majority of the workout without too much drama. I had a massive smile on my face when I did the first 5. (Picture me – neck to toe in fitness gear topped off with a dazzling beanie hat and grinning like a maniac. And I wonder why people don’t make eye contact).

That’s not to say I’m looking forward to doing it again. Plus I’m worried that the weather is going to get worse (there is already snow in parts of the UK, although thankfully quite a way from us) and I might not be able to run. I think it would be such a shame now I’ve got this far.

#ThisGirlCan (in warmer weather)