This running malarkey is getting complicated!

[Tartancat]

I love reading everyone's posts, following the links you share regarding training techniques, watching the You Tube videos, reading the technical jargon, and have learnt so much, mainly:

1. Run slowly. Slow runners live longer and get fewer injuries. Pleased about that as I am very good at running slow (See my stats if you don't believe me!)

2. But wait, I must run slower still, to keep the heart rate below 130 bpm. Hmm, that's much much harder. I think I'd spend most of my time walking

3. But wait, I also need to sprint to boost my mitochondria (I don't know if I've spelt that right, auto-correct went into meltdown)

4. And I need to run further to ...um ...oh yes, to finish Ju-ju's magic plan.

So, I need to run short distances really fast, and run long distances slowly, and run any sort of distance really really slowly.

Does anyone fancy creating me a training plan, as my head is starting to hurt!

P.S. did my first 9k today and it wasn't as bad as I'd feared!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Run... keep breathing ... keep moving and as long as that heart is still beating and recovering well... enjoy

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I'm with you there! I love my pootlung jogs.

But I do like a challenge to keep it all fresh. So at some point I will have a bash at sprint intervals, and at keeping my heart rate in my "aerobic zone", but possibly not both at the same time!

[Hidden]

I feel your pain! The trouble with plans after the Magic 10 is that they often increase the runs to 4 times a week and the mileage looks ok until week 6/8 when it gets increasingly crazy.

I did the 4 a week thing and thought that would be a safer way to increase weekly mileage...it wasn't. I escaped with a few minor niggles and a major lesson that we're all still rather new to this game.

I am "testing" the Nike app to see if the Get Fitter plan is any more sensible, so far, so good. I love that it integrates with a Nike workout app for non-run days though.

I graduated the 10K mid-July and I'm still learning! 😁

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I don't think we'll ever know everything, it's nice to keep learning!

I will have to give the Nike app a go. So many people here have said good things about it.

And congratulations on getting to 10k!

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Hi. Yeah I know what u mean!! I'm the same with trying to gain knowledge. Even subscribed to runners world at the weekend. (What a strange thing for me to type!! 😂) Well done on the 9k!! I'm starting wk 3 next... So 7k for me at some point.

[Tartancat Graduate10]

Wow, Runners World subscription - thats getting serious!

And isn't it crazy talking about running 7k? Six months ago I couldn't run 100m! Good luck with your run 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done on your first 9k tartancat. Don’t worry about those complications, just get out there and enjoy running.

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5. I look on it that any running is better than no running, so I'll give it all a go!

[Hidden]

Glad I’m not the only one getting confused! Haha. I too can do the slow running. Very very slow running. Not sure about the heart rate though!

Well done on your 9k that’s amazing 😊

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks DressageRider33. Cant quite belive it yet!

Are you a real dressage rider? Respect. I'm just a happy hacker (which pretty much sums up my style of jogging as well- all for fun, not much finesse!)

[Hidden in reply to Tartancat]

Not by profession and not to any mega high level but it’s what I most enjoy 😊 only pootling round at prelim/novice with current horse but have dreams to get into tails one day (not with current horse! Haha)

Nothing wrong with happy hacking, my old girl is a happy happy hacker these days 😊

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

If you're at prelim youre a real dressage rider. Good luck progressing!🎩🐎

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Congratulations! 9k! Whoopee!🍾🥂🎉🎉🎉

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks 61andtrying. I'm going to say what so many have said before me - if I can do it, anyone can!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

Don’t overthink it Tartancat , just enjoy your runs at your own pace 😉

[Tartancat Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I will, but it's quite fun having all these new ways of traimimg to try!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Tartancat]

It is...I experimented loads after graduation, I’ve been trying for 10k on ju-ju- ’s plan but holidaying in France & an ankle set back have delayed that, but I enjoy running, whatever distance or goal I have in mind and that’s the main thing...it’s not about the amount of time you run, it’s about enjoying the time you run xx

[misswobble Graduate10]

It’s not complicated at all, it’s just folks like to complicate matters 😁

Running’s not an intellectual pursuit. One foot in front of the other. Have fun 👍🙂

[Tartancat Graduate10]

You're right, we've just got to go with what suits us. Enjoying it is the main thing 😊

[Tbae]

You are on the ball Tartancat.

You can do it all, quicker, longer and healthier.

Just not all at once,perhaps.🤔

Take good care of you and enjoy it all.💥🏃‍♀️💥👏👏

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

Sounds like you've got it cracked already by keeping it slow for longer runs. You're definitely in reach of 10k! My 5k time has got quicker each week since I completed JuJu's plan a month ago (without busting a gut to do so!) but I am still comfortably slow on longer runs so keep doing what you're doing and see what happens. Happy running from another Happy Hacker!!😀🐎

[Tartancat Graduate10]

Thanks Slinky (love your name by the way, reminds me of reading the Hairy McLary books to my daughter)

And well done with getting faster. Here's hoping I can do the same!