Hi everyone, I hope you all have had a good week of runs. I'm in week 2 of my 17 week HM training plan, still early days, it feels like the Nike plan I'm on is just warming up.
The Nike app set me up 4 runs to complete this week:
Monday 10K Long run:
They had initially planned for me to run a 10K at 7:17 mins per KM. it had come up with this pace as an easy long run pace, based on the benchmark run that I'd endured last week. I do find this speed very very difficult to keep to, my body just naturally seems to want to run faster, but I am putting my faith in the plan to get me through a half marathon, so I WILL stick to it... obviously when I say Im going to stick to it, we all know... that I'm probably not going to. But the general thought is (sort of) there.
Anyway, I set out on a dark Monday evening after work and ran my 10K loop around Lee on Solent seafront and the Daedalus airfield. I found a good stride around the 7 minute per KM mark (close enough) and by the 7th or 8th KM I still felt like I had oodles of energy left, it felt like I could've kept this pace up for a far greater distance, so I did push the 10K to 11.5K. I was really chuffed with that one, my farthest distance to date and a really calm and enjoyable evening run.
Wednesday 4K Recovery:
Nike told me to run this at 7:07 per KM so I did. It was very windy and wet and I was just not up for it at all today, but I had a gentle whip round the beach path and back. The wind was fighting me every damn step! To top it off my new Garmin watch told me that my fitness level was 'POOR' I thought I'd take the bloody thing back to the shop if it carried on insulting me like that, until I discovered online it can take a week or so to get to know me... hmmmm...
Friday 1.5K Tempo:
1.5KM tempo run at 6:07 per KM.... seriously?! ...1.5K???
It seemed hardly worth the effort of getting all my running gear on. I did for a split second consider doing it in my dressing gown and slippers, down the road and back, or even around the house! but no... it was 1°C outside, Trust the plan TS, these people at Nike must know what they're doing. Started out the first quarter KM wwwwaaaaaaayyy tooooo quickly, 5:40 per KM, and was trying desperately to get it bang on 6:07 on the new garmin... way too fast... way too slow... so I just thought stuff it! And ran it at a quick comfortable (ish) pace. I ended up being bang on what the plan had suggested. I have no idea what that run was for, but it did surprise me that pace that they had preselected felt very comfortable for me to run at... who knows, maybe they're still testing me? Maybe they do know what they're doing after all?!
Sunday 4K Recovery:
Went out at 10:15 this morning, it was 2 degrees and bright. I took my eldest boy, he's been showing some interest lately and I have take him out on some short jogs. but today he accompanied me on his bicycle, we had a lovely little saunter through the village and out along the seafront, he was jabbering away constantly... which was great because it made sure I was keeping a conversational pace, fairly one sided I must admit, but conversational none the less. Our path was crossed with plenty of other runners and dog walkers all with a friendly nod or hello and a great Sunday vibe all the way, we loved it so much we turned the 4K into a 5K. A great end to the week. 🙌
Next week I have two days of speed runs to do. I can barely control my excitement for this...🤡⚡ ...I'll give you the low down next weekend guys. Let me know what you've been up to! ⬇️
Thank you Dooze, great to see you’re back in the game after illness and injury, you’ve got to start posting your 10K progress on the Bridge, we’d love to cheer you on as you progress 👍 it sounds like an interesting plan that you’ve got going on.
Yes, a half marathon plan, I’ve entered the Southampton half marathon in May, so just need to learn to run 13.1 miles between now and then 🤷🏼♂️😁🙆🏼♂️
Cheers matey as I say let us know how you’re getting on with your 10K plan Dooze ⚡️
This is a really interesting half marathon plan. When I was training for a half marathon last autumn I found it really hard to stick to the pace prescribed. Mind you I don’t have a running watch and only get feedback at the end of each km. I tend to have only one pace however far I’m running so I admire for being so self disciplined. Enjoy the next 16 weeks of training. 😀
Thank you Razouski, yes I’m trying desperately to be good and do as I’m told, in the hopes that I can make it to the end of the 17 weeks in one piece. I’ve currently got my audio pace updates set to .25 of a KM, I’ll probably knock this down in frequency when I get used to the multiple paces that Nike have setup for me 😬😆
Do you have any plans for another HM this year Razouski, or any other races planned?
I will probably do another half marathon but haven’t decided when or where. I need to recover from a chest infection first before I start thinking about any training tho 😢
Oh yes, Razouski I did see your post abut your chest infection, I didn't know what to reply, so I didn't... but I probably should've just wished you a get well soon and a speedy running recovery ...and some flowers! 💐 Hope it clears up for you, pronto!
Thank you 61, I hope you’re well 👌 Yes, Garmin bumped me up to fair the other day... I’m expecting a slight dip down to mediocre before progressing any further 😁⚡️
I haven't yet tried to run at a specific pace. I mostly use Strava but I also used Runkeeper in C25k. You can set it to give you an audible statement of your current and average pace every 100m. That might get annoying but it would probably help me on track.
Yes I’ve been getting .25K audio updates which is good because it’s often enough to be able to adjust the pace, but not so frequent that it becomes too annoying!
What a fabulous week you had TS. 🏃💪👏 I love hearing how you’re getting on with your HM plan and I shall watch with interest and run every step of the way with you. 🏃♀️🏃♀️ That’s as close as I’ll get to a HM! 😅
I’m looking forward to hearing how your speed runs go this week! I bet you can’t wait to give those a whirl! Speedy TS. 🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃
Yes it's been good fun thank you Cheeky, aaah, thank you so much for the support. It'll be great to share the journey with you all. I'm not convinced you'll never do a cheeky half... ...we shall see! 😀
Yes, speed runs this week... dead excited for those, I'll be in my element!
Ohhhh that sounds a great plan. Good luck with it and your HM. I'd be having a few words with your Garmin! Running in dressing gown.. could be a new craze! 😂
Yes if it gets me through that HM Deals, I'll be a very happy man 😅 Garmin seems to be coming around to my way of thinking... and If the runs get any shorted than 1.5K in this plan, I'm definitely doing it in the dressing gown, it'll take me longer to get all my running clobber on than running the run! 😂😂😂 Thanks for the support 🙌
That sounds like a great week of running, well done TS! You should be confident of your HM plans. 👍😁 Pacing is tough though, eh? I’d be lost without my Garmin, I can never accurately judge what pace I am doing! A whole new discipline, eh? Enjoy your running week!
Thank you, Sadie! Yes I have looked at a few plans and it is very tough to finally pick one. But yes, I feel confident that I should be in good shape with this one by May. Pacing is very tough, but I find once I get into a grove I can stick to it pretty well.. just a case of finding it!
Do you have your Garmin set up to show your current pace at that specific moment in time, or does it display an average pace over a distance? I'm wondering if that might be better for me..
I have mine show current pace, and then it gives me average pace as I complete each kilometre. I like the “current pace” display as it means I can make sure I am not setting out too fast! x
Aaah yes! My friend Dreams79 suggested I should take my boy out with me on Sundays, I'm so glad I do, it's a really nice time for just the two of us to have a catch up. We get lots of smiles on the way round too, love it! Thank you Mutley ⚡️
Awesome post! 🤩
& a great week of running too! ⚡️🙌
So glad you got dressed for Fridays run!🕺😜
... & loving the spontaneous Sunday! ... 😆5️⃣👋🏃♂️🚴♂️⚡️🙌
Go get week 3! 🤩
• in reply to
Cheers Dreams!
So...when are you going to write a post, eh?! 🤷🏼♂️ ✉️ 🤔
Yes, I’m glad I got dressed too! ...1 degrees C outside 🥶
Haha! Spontaneous Sunday ...every Sunday! I’ve got you to thank for that... getting the boy out on his bike etc 🙌 🚲
Sounds like a great plan. The slower runs would be hard to adjust to initially but you're figuring it out. Save up for those fun speedy runs! I can't wait to get back on track to my HM plan but speed sessions for me are definitely a no-go until the ice clears, it's just about building distance. But watch out come spring and summer (although then I hit the trails and it's all about climb, climb, climbing 😅)
Hi Sask, Yes gradually getting my head into running at the easier paces. Like you say ...save the energy and be rewarded with better speed runs! Aaah yes of course, ice! Now there’s a great excuse to slow it right down...😬
I’m really looking forward to hearing all about your adventures on the trails and hills in the spring and summer. The build up to your trail races sound like they’ll be very exciting and eventful. It really does sound like an incredible place to run out there 😊
...fingers are crossed you get lucky with your race registration next month 🤞
Thanks TS. Registration should be ok. They’ve opened up more spots and it is first come first serve. I’ve got a reminder set on my phone. I’ll be registering as soon as it opens. I am looking forward to hitting the trails again and finding my happy place. The bugs suck (literally 😆; darn ticks 😖) but it’s worth it and it’ll be even better if I convince hubby to join me on a few of the shorter trail runs 🤞. There will definitely be some posts and pics again this year.
That made me smile 😊 thinking of you running in dressing gown and slippers. And there’s nothing like not sticking to the plan TS 😆..... and adding extras to the end. Sounds like a great week and enjoyed reading about it.
After my great run last Sunday inspired by yours truly TS I underestimated the impact of running up hills but my calves reminded me every step I took up and down stairs for 2 days. Managed a few short dreadmill runs in week of 5k but can’t go further as too hot and too bored. Got out yesterday and shortened my route down to 6k but did those hills again and calves feel ok. Also did better stretching after too. But I am now full of cold feeling yuk and in bed so will not be running this week if this doesn’t clear up soon. Have a great week and hope your fitness level is better than poor this week 😁.
Aah Wimborne! Sorry to hear your full of cold ☹️ Yes rest up and try and get yourself better soon. Sounds like you’ve been doing great this week up until the illness set in. Do you have your own treadmill or do you go to the gym out of interest? I can imagine that it does get quite boring on the treadmill, but you’ll be laughing when the weather really turns. Glad to hear the calves are feeling better too hopefully they were just some good aches 💪
Well the dressing gown idea has proven to be a bit of a hit on this thread, so who knows... maybe I’ll give it a go next Sunday morning 😆 🤷🏼♂️
You could start a trend TS in your dressing gown 😆 we could get everyone on here to do it and play ‘spot a forum user’ . God you can tell I am still sick and unwell. Bored too. Off work and no energy so lying in bed reading and typing between naps. As for treadmill I reluctantly joined the gym early November to do mid week runs on the treadmill as the park is too dark and too lonely. My plan once it’s lighter nights is to use gym for swimming and get to a Pilates class on my rest days. Need to work a little on my core. Actually need to work a lot on my core. I have no core to be honest. 😊
What a brilliant week of running ThunderSloth. That programme is a good reason to not be able to do parkrun - hamsters indeed 🐹 .
Enjoy your speedwatching and extending your distance; I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly at the Southampton HM. Lovely that your son is getting out the with you too.
Hahaa! I think I’m going to put it off for as long as possible and maybe do a couple of Parkruns in the final few weeks of the plan to get used to running with other people before the HM.
Ham-Solo (my pet hamster) will just need to get used to roughing it without a bath on a Saturday for a couple of weeks, I guess... 🤷🏼♂️ 🐹 😁
Thank you for the support Dexy, I really appreciate it 💛⚡️
He he. Yes you definitely need to to run with others before your HM as it might be a bit of a shock , especially if it’s a crowded start. 🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️
Great report on your week Thundersloth. It's so hard trying to slow down sometimes isn't it. 😁 Good work on the long run, I did the same distance last week and it felt amazing plus I got a proper runners high.
Best of luck on the HM training, sounds like you're really motivated and dedicated to it already, bet that Garmin will be calling your fitness level awesome in no time! 😀
Oh my gosh, it is tough trying to keep the pace down CH, I'm with you there! Especially now I'm feeling stronger. I find myself starting out at what i think is a jog, have a quick look and its 5:40 per KM or something, way off what I should be doing in the plan! 😂🙄
Yes throwing myself into this one to give myself the best chance, and doing as I’m told… for now!⚡️
Thank you for the words of encouragement and support CH! I hope you’ve had a nice week of running too, hows the 10K race plan going? Have you been working on any exciting speed intervals for it yet? You’ll have to give us an update on your plan 😀⚡️
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