Keeping on running...

[DebJogsOn]

So half term has come to an end with a Sunday morning slog through woodland - including a long drawn out incline. Wasn't feeling very positive during the run but I did finally get a cold bright autumnal morning run and Strava tells me that I completed the route faster than last time including the uphill section - so I really can't complain.

Half term has also seen a nice long run and a couple of 5ks - one a PB, but despite this I have to confess to being a bit apprehensive about the 8 week term ahead and what it might do to my running routines. I completed C25K in Autumn last year but spring and summer running have taught me I'm definitely a fair weather runner. But I remain determined as running is the thing that keeps me sane when the world seems overwhelming.

The anniversary of my graduation from C25K is coming up and next week I'll pass the 500k annual target I set when I joined Strava at the end of Feb - all reasons to keep on running (despite the dark mornings and evenings 😖) so I'm planning on keeping it simple aiming on getting out 3x weekly and trying to improve on my current 5k time by Christmas.

I'm telling you all this because I know I can rely on you lovely folk to make sure I keep going.

Happy running everyone.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Good work, Deb. I had a 10k run in the rain this morning, cannot say I enjoyed it much at all, but it was quicker than last week’s 10k, despite feeling slower. Funny ole lark, this running business.

I have every faith in you and know you will stick to these challenges. And you have set yourself some great goals. I am feeling a bit daunted with winter coming up, but we know we have to just employ some extra grit, as running means so much to us now. If you ever feel meh about it, you can count on us for support. 😁

Happy Sunday my lovely!

Sadie-runs x

[DebJogsOn in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie - I always feel of I commit to something on here I'm more likely to stick with it.

Good work on the 10k - shame about the rain - I finally had a run and good weather coincide!

It is a funny old game - some of my worst feeling runs have ended up been my best in terms of time - who knows??

[ClareO65]

Good luck. I am a teacher and ‘fearing’ the long half term ahead. I’m trying to remind myself I’m going to ‘run through November’. We know it will make us feel better. I am apprehensive about running in the dark but my plan is to get out as much as possible and to match my previous months distances on my Garmin. We can do this and before you know it we will be in Spring again ☺️

[DebJogsOn in reply to ClareO65]

Running through November sounds like a plan.

The dark is really the thing that most makes me not want to go out. Mainly because it limits me to lit streets. I do have a head torch but the off road trails near here are really uneven field tracks so I worry about doing myself an injury - as well as it being totally spooky!

I always make time for a long run in daylight at the weekend as an antidote to snatch runs in the dark during the week.

[O505k Graduate10]

Well done, I managed a 7K in the rain this morning. No PBs but the key this time of year is to take each run as it comes. I'm also apprehensive about the time between now and Christmas. Looking back at MapMyRun last year I managed 9 runs in Oct and NONE in November. I need to keep going this year, how about joining the Nov Quest? A good way to make sure others are there supporting ...

[DebJogsOn in reply to O505k]

Yes I think I'll sign up to the Quest - I haven't done this since August - good plan 😊

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Well done on your run this morning Deb, plus some lovely half-term runs done there...

A year on from Graduating, you have acheived a lot and made running part of your life...its fun and makes you happy.

Simple is good, I just run when I can too, knowing everyone is here, supporting and running too makes a huge difference...

Hope your Winter term goes well...and only eight weeks til Christmas..yikes!

Happy running 😊x

[DebJogsOn in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan - as always you make me feel more positive!

ONLY 8 weeks isn't quite how I see it - it feels like an age - or at least it will by the time we get to 6 weeks and all the staff are exhausted, ill and grumpy and the. children are reaching the fever pitch only Christmas can bring 😂.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

I graduated three years ago now 😮 and like you, also work in a school. I started the half term break with my second Great South Run🙂 after which I ran a couple of easy 5k trails on routes very like the one in your photo! It's so beautiful out at the moment. I think the darker evenings can present a challenge but I have reflective wear and a chest light and live in what I consider to be a pretty safe area 😮so my run times remain pretty much the same. I save my off road, long runs for the weekends and just stick to the local roads in the evenings. I tend to head out as soon after work as possible and find it is a great way to unwind after a busy day! I'll be honest - I prefer cool weather running to the heat of the summer and I love a bit of mud too, so maybe I look forward to the winter more than many! I guess it comes down to routine and discipline (which I am sure you are good at, being a teacher!!😉). It's good that you have set yourself goals - that always helps. Good luck!🙂

[DebJogsOn in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra - I do pretty much the same as you in terms of getting out thete and did manage last year - but was full of the glow of the recently converted!

I'm sure I'll be fine if only because running does really help with the stresses of the job.

I'll never be convinced by the attractiveness of mud though.....😂

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Good pic. I'm sure this forum will Keep u up and running!! 😁🏃🏃🏃👍

[sunshinefish Graduate10]

I also work in a school and not looking forward to fitting in runs around the long half term, nasty weather (very much a fair weather runner here!) and also having to take my youngest out with me twice a week, if it's raining the run will be off :(.

Here's hoping the nice weather continues for a while, or at least the rain holds off!

That record is amazing btw, well done you!!!

[DebJogsOn in reply to sunshinefish]

Thanks.

And much respect to you getting out there with your youngest! I'm not sure I would ever have managed that!.

Yes hoping for dry weather at least - I can cope with the cold but the wet and mud are not my favourite things!

[sunshinefish Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

Me too! Cold wet and muddy is my idea of a really, really bad run!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

That looks such a lovely path to run on DebJogsOn. So soft on the knees! I hope you can get some runs in now that it is well and truly Autumn 🍂🍁🍄

[DebJogsOn in reply to Dexy5]

It is a lovely route but this pleasant path drops down to become a less than lovely hill on the return journey (And is less soft on the knees on the way down)! But it was a beautiful morning. I love sharp sunny mornings - just hope the rain stays away...

[Hidden]

Well done. An impressive set of runs. You owe it to yourself to make time to run. Another teacher on these forums suggested taking running kit to school on the least pressured days, changing and running straight after school. I know it ain’t easy, especially Christmas term x

[ClareO65 in reply to Hidden]

That’s a good idea. 👍🏼

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10 in reply to ClareO65]

Hi Claire, I mentioned this to Flick to pass onto her friend - it works for me but only on the least crazy days when I know I can get away on time. Only thing is being very organised the night before & not allowing yourself to be sidetracked at the crucial moment of escape! Good luck!🤞🙂

[ClareO65 in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Being sidetracked at the ‘escape moment’ 😂😂 That happens far too often- usually by a colleague and you do that sidestepping to the door thing!!

[DebJogsOn in reply to Hidden]

I do sometimes change and then stop and run somewhere nice on my way home (that's how I found the reservoir) but think if I ran too close to school I'd just keep bumping into children and parents. I have also considered setting up a before school running club for the kids one morning a week as an excuse to run - but I'm afraid they'd put me to shame!

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

Hi. Love the beautiful picture & glad you got in a truly autumnal run before going back. Have you researched the Daily Mile for your school? I know we have parents keen for it to happen but the logistics of squeezing it into the school day are tricky.

Am totally with you on the not running too near to school concept! I am almost home before I jump out of the car for an incognito run by the canal - plus the journey home is less sweaty/muddy!

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Brilliant! Lovely photo too. I'm not looking forward to the winter weather. I have invested in proper running gear, and not a minute too soon. It is making a difference. I think I will be a fair weather runner as often as I possibly can though.

Who was it who said running is the opposite of drinking, you feel rough while you're doing it but brilliant afterwards? Every time I go out it seems I have to re-realise it's hard work. Then afterwards I feel good and think 'I'll do that again!'