Really this is days twenty two and twenty three rolled into one - there’s not a lot to say about the running at this stage! I’m now on to week 8 of the Couch to 5k plan. I really didn’t think I’d keep it up this long (said the Bishop to the Actress … da dum, tsschh) but am really happy to have done so. Plans rock.

Today, as for the other runs this week, I’m running 2.75 miles. I’m now fully on to distance rather than time - the point is to be running 5k after all. The runs are not getting much easier now, but they’re all doable. I can hold a conversation while running and recover reasonably quickly. My legs ache for a few hours, but that’s about it for the side-effects. At this point, I can see this being a habit I can keep up without too much trouble.

Ok, this isn’t actually part of the Couch to 5k plan, however …

My running partner is a day behind, and so this morning I decided to join her on her route (a nice seafront run). I missed a day earlier in the plan, so saw this as a nice opportunity to catch up. I’ve got no squash tomorrow, so no worries about being able to do anything following 2 days running in a row (which I’ve not done yet).

And it was much tougher than normal. Apparently those days of rest aren’t just there to make the plan look pretty. Without a day to recover from the last run, my legs starting aching much much faster than usual. The route itself was fairly tame - nice and flat - and we went early so it wasn’t too hot. Still, by the end I couldn’t have continued much further. Still a long way to go, I think!

The third and final run of week 7 of the Couch to 5k plan - only two weeks to go until the plan is officially complete! I am happy to report that I’ve lost … wait for it … absolutely no weight at all. I’m fitter though - the rest will happen in its own time.

I was back to my field-y golf-y uphill route today and my legs suffered for it. However, I did find I was able to enjoy the run more and spend a bit more time with my thoughts (which previously have been limited to “must … keep … running … mmm bacon”).

On to the second run of week 7 of the Couch to 5k plan today - another 25 minute jog around Hove.

I covered a bit over 2.5 miles and found it a little harder than Monday’s run. Still, things will only improve with time. The last 7 minutes or so of today’s run were particularly tough, as my legs were complaining rather a lot. I ignored them as they were just being lazy and though I ache now rather more than after Monday’s run, it’s a good kind of ache.

I also ran a different route today. It’s starting to get light later in the day, and my usual route is soon going to be pitch black at the time I go running, so I need an alternate. Today’s route is a strong contender, though I still haven’t run along the seafront where I live. Perhaps that’s something to do on Friday.

Week 7 of the Couch to 5k plan started today, and there was no way I was going to miss a second run, so out I went, bright and early.

Weeks 7, 8 and 9 are pretty simple. No walking, just running. And the distances increase every week. This week consists of three 2.5 mile (25 minute) runs.

This morning’s was managable, but not easy. I finished, and managed to run the whole lot. My legs have not yet forgiven me, however.

On an unrelated note, I discovered afterwards that maple syrup on weetabix (with milk, of course) is a really nice breakfast. Probably not going to help with any weight loss programs, but taste is important too!

I’ve been a naughty little runner. A heavy night on Thursday, followed by another on Friday, meant I missed my third run of week 6. Bah. Couldn’t go on Sunday as I was playing racketball. So I compensated for missing the run by playing far too long and running much more than normal. It felt pretty good actually.

A small amount of silence might be appropriate - for today marks the end of the walking portion of the Couch to 5k plan. Today’s two 10-minute runs were slapped either side of a 3 minute walk like a weird exercise sandwich. From here on in, it’s only running. 2.25 miles on Friday. 2.5 miles next week. 2.75 miles the week after. And then 3 miles.

It’s still going well, and I’m having no trouble getting up and out and sticking to the schedule. This plan rocks.