Jogging Journalist – racing against the clock
Running training gets real as we race against the clock.
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 11th post in the series.
THERE’S a buzz in the air as I head to the start line, the Glenwood skyline clings to the last of the day’s light, peeking through slotted fingers, unable to watch. My mission? To run a 5km route as fast as I can- time trials help to test progress against the clock as race day looms.
Gunning it through hilly Glenwood, I crossed the finish line in 35 minutes and 43 seconds, roughly in the middle of the pack.
Starting on the corner of Lena Ahrens and Alan Paton, the route took us south toward Rick Turner Road where we took a left on Newlyn Road for a short but sharp incline before turning right, back onto Lena Ahrens Road, right onto Penzance Road, left onto ZK Mathews Road, left into Helen Joseph Road and right into Stella Sports Club grounds where we ran once around the field to complete a full 5km route.
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Timing the run definitely added a new dimension – here’s what I learned:
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Pace is pivotal
Going into the time trial, I knew it would be better to side with the tortious than run too fast and land up in a ‘hare-y’ situation. But even at a slow pace, I ran out of breath along the first stretch on Lena Ahrens Road. I realised that I needed to take a few seconds to walk now and then- it gave me a second wind as I found my feet.
Push past the pain
While a breather was a good idea, I also pushed myself, enjoying the challenge of pushing past the first wall and reaching a rhythm on stretches that felt like forever.
Peer pressure is perfect
Running alongside someone makes a massive difference, you push yourself to keep up and – motivating each other without words.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
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