A good week to run

[Richard7]

After a quiet week last week it was kind of back to normal this week. As I wanted to get out and not miss my runs I took to doing early morning runs getting my running in before dropping my daughter off for college.

It felt good to get out bright and early and yet somehow not! The runs were great in the main but when I got back I just wanted to go to sleep! Keep at it I am saying to myself you will get used to it!

My first run of the week was an old favourite route which was ok but I decided on a different route for my 2nd run to avoid boredom. I don't think I enjoyed that run much as it took me along the main road and it was just too noisy compared with my usual quiet canals, fortunately it was only for about 5 - 10 minutes of the run.

Once at the weekend a bit more freedom for time and yet there were things to do this morning like getting my haircut so I had to be quick getting out .. just not as early as during the week thankfully.

I used the same route as for my last 10k run which takes me along 2 different canals one disused and full of bulrushes and wildlife the other still in use and less “natural” or populated.

I was not sure at the start what distance I was going to run for as the route gave me options for 5k, 8k, 9k and 10k .. just set off and see how it goes. I knew I wanted to repeat my 10k run but wasn't sure that I could. My plan was simple, try and keep my times slow around 8:00/km to 8:30/km (yes I know I am slow) and then try to improve my speed at the end if I can get to 10k.

As I came to the pedestrian railway bridge I laughed thinking of my first run over it which was more of a walk, I was getting better at running up and down the stairs of the bridge and it was doing my legs good. Once over the bridge a short steep climb up to the first canal and I was then onto the flat. It's pretty quiet on the canal only a couple of passing dog walkers and two runners to say hello to.

The weather forecasts predicted rain and for once, got it right. So today I chose to run in just a shirt and waterproof, was well prepared and not too hot. The rain came in the 2nd half of my run but to be honest was barely noticeable. As I felt ok I decided to go for the full 10k.

Turning into the 2nd canal I chuckled when I saw the same two runners from earlier coming towards me. A quick “hello again” as we passed each other and continued our respective runs.

Around 7k on my last 10k my knees started acting up and I was relieved that it was not the case today. This time however I started getting notifications on my watch for high heart rate .. I had set up alerts on my watch and it was beginning to annoy me! (Will have to review the numbers to check if they are good values) However I did not want to push myself too far so initially slowed up a bit. I then learnt a new lesson .. which I think I knew but had not made the connection when running - breathing and heart rate are linked!! 😋 .. I started to control my breathing better and watched the heart rate start to decline .. yippee! As I was happy that my heart was not going to jump out of my chest I decided to push a bit harder on the last 2k and finished the run a whole 6 minutes better than my first 10k. I know speed is not everything and I know I am not particularly fast but it feels good to know that you are improving 😁

[AndG Graduate10]

I am not running your distance yet but hope too! I am also finding I have a high heart rate on my runs. I have put this down to lack fitness and hoping it improves as I run more but it’s not happening yet. I hope it will but might switch my music off and try and slow down my breathing after reading your post so thanks for pointing out.

If I am honest I am starting to not enjoy my running as much now I am running longer because it feels like a slog when C25k felt acheiveable. I am only up to 6k distance also and am slow too (Av 8k) I keep waiting to feel better about this but gremlins are out in force. I am doing zen labs app because I wanted to stick to app after getting on well with c25k but not feeling the love for running at the moment!

I will go out today though rain or shine!

Great reading your post and others on here that give advice about how people get through and enjoy their runs.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to AndG]

I posted a while back that I was not enjoying running but was enjoying the benefits so that was keeping me going. I can say for me it does change. My recent changes of routes are helping me to do that things don't get stale. I count myself lucky to have 2 disused canals and one active suite close to me so plenty of flat running once you get into them and variety. Happy running I hope the weather is kind to you.

[Hidden in reply to AndG]

Enjoying the longer runs really depends on how rested you are I think. Ive had some real slogs lately due to lack of sleep. My 10k and the 6.26k I did today were enjoyable because I was more rested. You might need to take longer breaks between runs for a while. I was leaving two or more days, but now I seem to have caught up with myself. We are still relatively new runners so our bodies are still adjusting.

[AndG Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I am fairly slim (size 8-10) and this morning did 6.5k run had late breakfast of Weetabix after my run and a sandwich later on. I don’t feel hungry as such just tired. I have just come back from taking my 2 youngest swimming and feel shattered. I always eat a decent evening meal but not sure I am eating enough or getting enough sleep (I average about 6 hours a night). I am going to try and get a better breakfast and start having a jacket potato or omelette or something for my lunch I think. Think it’s a good point you make resting and giving yourself proper fuel make sense!

[Hidden in reply to AndG]

Im on the slim side too. We need to replenish some of the calories we burn.

[Hidden]

That sounds like a helluva run, absolutely fantastic. My watch continually plots high heart rate and I think that’s just normal for me as I dont feel terrible, my blood pressure is on the low side and my heart is strong. What I do find after a longer run, and I mean over 5k, is that I feel shaky if I try to do something else without eating as well as drinking. This morning I came back, had some smoothie then we took the dogs out. I was knackered. I ate something, we walked down to the car, a brisk five minutes, and I felt fine.your pace is about what I do on a longer run. Im a bit faster or a bit slower depending on how many steep bits I have to run up.

[Sandyscroll Graduate10]

Great post Richard. Lovely to hear how well the longer distances are going for you too. You are definitely an inspiration for anyone who hits that 5k plateau and isn't sure how to move forward. It sounds like you have a lovely run route too. I've frequently got a high heart rate during a run, but with so many hills it's just unavoidable. The only way I can avoid it going uphill is to walk, and there's no point in that. Going downhill it drops considerably. I just run by feel usually and use the watch to give me the data after a run.