Jumping Right In There - All Wk 4 & Wk 5 Run...er...2 Completed

[TailChaser]

Ok, I’m a bit of a geek, so I’ve set up a really simple spreadsheet for The Plan. I’ve also put the 30-20-10 interval description on the right hand side. It’s helped me get over the shock of realising I can actually do it and I can find all sorts of emojis to put in it when I get back from a run 🤓

This week, I’ve discovered that I really start the week on Run 2, but never mind 🙃 however, I have found out lots of other things:

- how to link my Fitbit to the GPS on my phone and report it in Strava

- I need to work at Interval Training (my Run 1), it was a mess and I got bored very quickly. I also get very distracted or I drift off thinking of other things, so forget how many repetitions I’ve done! I have tried to set my Fitbit up to help me as far as it can but I think maybe a suitable podcast may do the job. Hopefully this Monday will be better.

- My 7k run wasn’t a one off and I can even run further!

So I completed Wk 4 R3 on Wednesday with a lovely friend who unfortunately really suffered in the heat after doing her own run the day before. It was ridiculously hot for October and the tourists were out in force in the town centre, so we chose a route around the outskirts of the town using Anne Hathaway’s cottage as a half way point (it’s a bit more out of the way and not too shabby as half way points go 😀). Didn’t expect to have to dust my shorts off again this year but it was too hot to worry about how white and hairy my legs might be in their hibernation state 😂

Week 5 has started with a very windy Parkrun (thankfully not much rain). Back to running on my own this week as Katnap had the dreaded C25K Wk5R3 to do with his group (he smashed it of course, then did it again will eldest son later - mad!). We had Pacers this week, so I hovered around the 30 minute lady and got my second sub 30, quite chuffed about that considering the conditions. Still need to get that tattoo sorted 🦆🦆🦆 (trouble is I spend all my spare time keeping fit now!). We have decided to fit in our first tourist run the week before Katnap’s C25K graduation, as we are visiting relatives. There is a Parkrun perfectly situated en route, so why not 😀

Meanwhile, left knee has decided to be a bit sore, so need to be careful with this but it only seems to affect going down the stairs, not running - odd!

So far, so good with The Plan and I’ve just realised I’m over half way through even though I’ve only just started it (I love spreadsheets 😂)!

Happy running you lovely people 🤗🦆

[Katnap Graduate10]

As Mr T would say it 'Slow down you crazy fool!' 😸

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Nah, not at Parkrun. Slow is for Wednesday 😁

[CarolineLou71]

Had to laugh at the bit about counting intervals and getting muddled - I’m just the same; would love to know how to keep track!

Also love spreadsheets too, so maybe there’s a connection... 🤔

Well done on your progress - keep it up and keep reporting!

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to CarolineLou71]

Thanks Caroline, will do. Oh good, I’m glad it’s not just me 😁. It’s the first time I’ve had a go at them. I tried using my fingers but then forgot to count on them as I drifted off thinking about something else 🙄. Shame we can’t fill in a spreadsheet as we’re doing the intervals really 😂😂

[Hidden]

Oh I like your spreadsheet. I think I'll knock it off . My plan is a kindof lopsided handwritten sheet stuck to the fridge. How about using guided runs for intervals? Nike run club has some that I use. Someone else does the counting for you - easy peasy !

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Ooh that sounds a good idea Paula, thanks, I’ll look into it 👍

[Hidden in reply to TailChaser]

And if you’re a geek (like me)check out smashrun.com for lots of stats.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Hello TailChaser, a great parkrun again for you. My plan was compiled on the pc but printed off and stuck on the fridge freezer. Smiley faces are hand drawn - the current one being a sad face with a bandaged head. I’m looking forward to joining you in getting some more smiles on there. 🏃‍♀️👏😁🤕

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Hi Dexy! Thank you 😊 Oh I really hope you can do soon. 🤞🤞How is it going? Do you know how much longer you’ll be on the IC?

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

The good thing is the swelling has gone down and my wrist bones and knuckles are back. I can now move my arm without pain but there is still some infection (I won’t elaborate) and it is being redressed every 3 days by the nurse. I finish the antibiotics today and they’ve done a brilliant job. It needs to heal a bit more before running or doing Pilates but I will try a few things at the gym this week. I am doing some of my calf, ankle and knee exercises though. Thanks for the good wishes.

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

So glad things are healing. Fingers crossed for the gym. Looking forward to having you back as a running buddy soon 🤗👍🏃‍♀️🤞

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Thanks my lovely. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Teri73 Graduate10]

Great post TC! I too struggled to keep track of intervals until I discovered gymboss, a free timer app (other versions are available 😉). You can set it to ding at you, every 30-20-10 seconds, an I colour coded mine so I can tell at a glance if I should be walking, jogging or sprinting when my attention has wandered. I really look forward to my interval training days now 😁

Thanks for the Nike app tip Paula, I will check that out next week, I quite like the idea of having someone talking to me during my runs.

[Hidden in reply to Teri73]

There are loads of guided runs to choose from so enjoy. I find them very encouraging.

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, definitely investigating that Paula. Next interval run has come a bit quick though (early tomorrow morning as I’ve got to fit it into a busy couple of days 😰), so I’ve downloaded GymBoss and another app called (imaginatively) “Interval Timer”, which is a bit annoying as you can only do 2 intervals (like my Fitbit) but it does the coloured thing and the noises/vibrations at each interval. Probably be using GymBoss out of the two Teri 👍

Fingers crossed, I’ll let you know how it goes, thank you 😀👍

[Hidden in reply to TailChaser]

Good luck. The best thing about speed intervals is that they’re short 😉

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Oh dear, run was a complete fail this morning. I can cope with it being dark, I can cope with it being rainy and I can cope with it being windy, but not all three together. Got up, looked out of the window...and went back to bed again... Postponed until Friday (not so early!) morning 😫

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Teri73]

Hi Teri, just thought I’d let you know that GymBoss worked a treat today! A combination of buzzing, chicken noises and train horns told me to speed up or slow down 😂 Had that and a podcast on the go and nailed my intervals! Thank you 👍

[Teri73 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Excellent! Very well done TC, intervals are much more fun if you don’t have to constantly watch the clock and it sounds like you have added your own quirky fun into mix with the different ring tones 😁😂😂😂