Not what I'd planned

[Flyingred]

So the week before last was my reset week. Nothing too much to write about – just three enjoyable runs of 4k and 5k without pushing myself.

Last Monday was a rest day with an overnight stay away for a work meeting and a very long Tuesday. Never mind, Wednesday was an early flight to Stockholm for a long, family weekend. I travelled light but packed my Nike Frees (which take up next-to-no space in a carry-on).

Wednesday was busy, getting bearings and walking 29,000 steps. Thursday I woke up feeling a tad lethargic but carried on to visit a museum but I ran out of energy by lunchtime and went back to the hotel. And went to bed. I experienced flu symptoms and physical disruptions I'll leave to your imagination and stayed in bed mostly until Saturday lunchtime when I had recovered enough to go out and walk 6000 steps. Sunday, the symptoms had cleared and I made the journey home incident free. Being home always has a healing effect, and last night I was well enough to cook again (butternut squash soup) and back to normal. But no running for over a week.

This morning I didn't just feel well, but amazingly well. I decided to get my running kit on and give it a try. I thought it would be sensible to watch my heart rate and do run/walk intervals at an easyish pace. I stayed out for 3k in around 20 minutes. A recovery run of a different kind.

Anyway, it's just good to be back running again and I'm looking forward to seeing the doctor later this week. I've also booked with a chiropractor to check my frame out generally and do any fine tuning required.

PS I read George Mahood's 'Operation Ironman' on the flights and recommend it as a good read.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Sorry to hear you’ve been ill... very sensible restrained comeback run.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Glad you’re feeling better FR. Sensible move taking things slow and steady and giving yourself time to fully recover.

And yum, butternut squash soup! 😋

[Flyingred Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you, although to be honest, yesterday morning was the first opportunity for me to run. My wife was surprised when I told her after work that I'd been running. Butternut squash soup – after reading so many distance runner autobiographies which feature plant-based eating, that's the way things are going!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Flyingred]

Certainly is. I have a vegan daughter, a veggie daughter and a carnivorous son! It makes for an interesting time if we eat out all together! Hubby and I are flexitarians - will eat anything, although I have to say we don’t often have red meat at home. Maybe a chilli sometimes. We feel better for it too. 👍

[Flyingred Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Our son is carnivorous and daughter is vegetarian. Although I think he might change as his gf is vegetarian. I think what's equally important is cutting out the factory processed food, high in hydrogenated fats and refined carbs. A diet of Oreos and chips is vegan but not healthy! To stay on topic, at feed stations on ultramarathons, they offer Doritos and potato crisps because it's an easy way of getting a lot of calories on board quickly and easily.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

well done on your runs, and sensible re GP and chiropractor, good luck with those....

[Flyingred Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you! I'll be going out for another run this morning. Again, steady, watching my HR and intended to just keep things ticking over.