Day 14 - Struggling

Today was a holiday - Bajram.

Nice an easy day, and went for a run a little earlier than usual. The route that is normally quiet was crowded.
Maybe I am selfish, but now that it is MY route, I don't want lots of people walking and milling around. I got delayed by 2 cars that could not squeeze past each other, and it looked like it was the call to prayer as whole families walked to the mosque!

But that was the least of my worries.
I did some stretching exercises before starting, and almost immediately felt a cramp like pain in the back of my right leg. Then, turning to the main straight I juts felt plain bad. Running on empty. I decided at least to make it to half way, and was urging myself on to put pain at the back of my mind.
What a wimp, if I can't run a mile!
So I kept going. I was sure I was running ultra-slow and was just looking at finishing. I did not want to stop as psychologically felt this would be a set back. In the end I made it, feeling encouraged at overtaking a cyclist as I made it towards home.

Time - a very surprising 10 mins 43 secs.
That is seven seconds quicker than yesterday!, and the quickest I have so far run. Almost a minute up on my first attempt at the mile.

I did not think I was running quicker than yesterday.
However, i am not too encouraged, more disappointed as the last 2 runs felt good, and this one felt bad.
Still glad that I run, as tomorrow will likely be a rest day given that I am teaching at church in the evening.

Total miles run for September - approx. 7 miles