Jogging Journalist: Rush hour and rainbows
After running late, I ended up training alone - this is what I learned.
Community news reporting calls for journalists to step into a community and hear its heartbeat, record the daily struggles and joys of the residents. To take things up a notch, Berea Mail journalist, Danica Hansen has decided to take part in Stella Athletic Club’s Couch to 10km Challenge. Watch her journey unfold in the diary of The Jogging Journalist. Today we bring you the fifth post in the series.
After hitting rush hour traffic on Tuesday, I arrived at Stella Sports Club just as the Couch to 10km crew were heading out.
By the time I parked and started running, they were out of sight. The eternal optimist that I am, I decided I would catch up. I tore through Bulwer Park, like Rocky running up the steps with Eye of the Tiger playing on my imaginary sound track.
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I thought the shortcut would give me a leg up, but I just ended up startling a few walkers with an asthma-like wheezing session at the top of the hill.
By the time I reached Binns Road I realised I was not going to find the team and decided to do my own run…rejected and alone…with no friends and no coach.
Thursday’s training session saw me safely back with the pack and we ran more hill repeats up and down Acton Road. After a rainy afternoon, the sun came out and we saw a stunning rainbow on the horizon.
It was interesting to compare the two training sessions and test a hypotheses I have been brewing for some time- that I run further and faster with the group.
This is what I learned:
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- On my own I am more focused on my surroundings than my running technique
- Alone, I ran faster for shorter bursts
- Running with the group has taught me to pace myself and run further
- There is a greater sense of achievement when I complete a run with the team
Despite my Bulwer Park ‘asthma attack’, I am pleased to report that my fitness has improved. I used to stop running after a few meters, gasping for breath, now I can keep running, (and breathing) until my muscles get sore. Training is taking a toll, but hey, if you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain!
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