A Fabulous PR, fitness and form mantra

[Equi-geek]

Of course, I mean a Fabulous450 lovely surprise at ParkRun, rather than me having a fabulous (little ‘f’) PR 🤣. So great to be able to congratulate her on her Rainbow Run last weekend - and she was looking even more fabulous today than the last time!

Based on Thursday’s experience I didn’t have high hopes for today 🤣 but thought I’d go for a careful round - focussing on maintaining form and cadence than a specific time. Start slower than a lethargic sloth and see how everything feels as I get the rhythm.

Yesterday I increased the swimming intensity and started a Speedo 6 week fitness programme. It’s human nature to sit on one’s laurels, and I was enjoying swimming 1600m easily with a HR around 130 and in a state of semi-meditation. Couldn’t carry on like that. Yesterday it was back up at a HR of 180 and a new 100m PB in the pool 😁

5mins into PR, the breathing is easy and rhythmical again - more what I am used to. Again I have to forgo the semi-meditation and be more conscious with the movement. New mantra:

Eyes - up - thumb - finger - hands - front - elbow - elbow - skate - skate - skate - skate - eyes - up - thumb - finger ....

Occasionally I found myself lost in thought and back in my own style, and it was hard, but the inclines were much better and the run itself felt easier than Thursday for sure!

By the second lap I was feeling strong enough to push a bit and suffered a little at the end. The effort is deceptive. But no niggles - so that’s brilliant - and I’ve not lost much time while I readjust.

So lessons going forward - get the breathing rhythm as soon as possible, whether I need to or not. Got to stay in the present and not drift off in thought for now. Watch out for Fabulous450... she may have been holding back a bit today but now she knows she can run longer distances there will be no stopping her! 👏👏👏

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done on your PB at parkrun equi-geek. It’s so nice to hear of your meetings with Fabulous450. I’m impressed that you are working hard on the swimming on your rest days too. 🏃‍♀️🏊🏻‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏊🏻‍♀️👏

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5! My joints can only cope with so much pounding while I am still officially obese (only by 3lb now 😉), so swimming 3x a week really helps 👍. Going to get the GSR out the way in October and maybe start training for triathlon 🤔

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Well done you. We usually get out to cheer on the GSR runners in Southsea so we’ll have to find out what you’re wearing so we can cheer you on . Maybe we can get a helium balloon so that you can spot us ! 🏃‍♀️👏 🎈🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

That would be great 👏😁 I will be one of 20 Laura Hyde Foundation runners, in a purple vest, somewhere near the back 😄 👍. I’ll post more about it closer to the day.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Yes send me a private message nearer the time 😀

[David_G]

Great post Equi-geek! 😀 I think Fabulous450 will surprise us all, not least herself 😊😀😀👏👏

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

Totally agree! 👏👏👏

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Well done, fab mantra, I think I would have trouble remembering that!!

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Haha! Thanks ju-ju it is a variation on Headspace’s ‘scanning down’ technique, I expect everyone has an individual version 😁

[Ang33333]

Well done! Hope to be there next week. Found out today that there is a Marlborough park run starting next week but determined to do Lydiard ! Will manage that hill twice!! 😁😁

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Ang33333]

Oh that would be great Ang! I’ll have to wear my Sahara Death Race t-shirt, but I always wear my purple hat too 😁👍 say ‘Hi!’

[telford_mike Graduate10]

Sounds like a lovely run, great to hear that you can run with a mate 😀👍👏

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Good to hear you and Fabulous450 met up again. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Love the new mantra! 😃❤️ The skate-skate bits now have me with a firm image in my head of you setting off for your run wearing roller skates, though, EG! Sounds like things are going well. xx