Today I did my 101st run since starting C25K back in April.
And today was also the final run of the Jeff Galloway training plan I've been following for the last 3 months. The culmination of 3 months of intervals, hill training, more intervals, sprints, and yet more intervals, designed to improve my pace over 5k.
So, did it work? Hell yes! Today I did my first sub 35 minute 5k! Now to a lot of you that won't sound like much of an achievement, but it's knocked over 4 minutes off my previous best, so I'm a happy bunny today 🐇
I've got to admit though, I don't think speed is my thing. It's lovely to get PBs, but I like to run just because I like to run. I don't do parkrun because I work Saturday mornings, I'm not sure I want to enter races (though Irish-John said something recently that might make me change my mind about that), so speed is not an issue for me.
You can't beat exploring new routes, getting lost and getting muddy. It's pointless trying to achieve PBs for speed whilst picking your way through fields of cowpats, or looking for a way to cross a brook that didn't appear on the map (probably because I took a wrong turn and am lost .... again!)
So, muddy tracks and slippery slopes, I'm coming back to you! Snails, 🐌🐌 you've had a break but now it's time to get back to work - in your own time of course!
It's time to get back to the runs I love!
Written by
Tartancat
Graduate10
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Well done on your progress. It's great to hear the Jeff Galloway plans work. I have his 5k/10k running book but apart from trying his run/walk idea, I haven't tried following his plans. Like you, I enjoy my running and it's a way of relaxing (while getting fitter) so I don't want to add in anything stressful like timed competitions.
101 runs, that is worthy of celebration! I totally agree about speed, it's nice to get a pb, but I'm happy to be fit enough to run, and delighted that I enjoy it. I just want to continue running and loving it. Oh, and I think I saw a few snails in those snowdrops 🐌🌱 watch your step! (Lovely photo by the way 😊)
Lovely photo of the snow drops, snowdrops not snow, the next few days in the UK are going to be spring like, temperatures up to about 15/16C/60F in old money.
You are very precise in remembering how many runs you have ran Tartancat, that's 101 runs, not 101/5Ks, nevertheless who knows, soon you might be able to say that you have ran 101 5Ks., perhaps at a Parkrun. 😊 🏃
101 runs is amazing Tartancat. Even more amazing is that you know exactly how many runs you have done. I had a few false starts with a cycle fall and a ski holiday last year so I haven’t a clue. I know when I graduated though so will celebrate that.
It doesn’t matter how fast you run, enjoying it is so much more important. 🏃♀️🐌
Thanks Dexy. A few people have posted recently that they'd completed 100 runs, so I thought I'd see how many I had done. I would have posted on my 100th run, but it was utterly unremarkable, so I saved my post for today!
Up to now, that number has been pretty negative for me (despite it being a "Positive" LOL ) as it was the Post designation of my very last 'Formal" Command
Anytime I see that on a building now though, I will be associating it with "the fun of a run" rather than "will someone please put me out of my misery?" 😁👍😊
Congratulations on your 101 TC, that’s some achievement! 👏👏 You realise I’m going to toddle off now and trawl through MMR to see if I can work out how many I’ve done! 🤓😅
Lovely photo Tartancat and I love your attitude to running. Easy to get distracted by speed etc. You’ve captured perfectly the joy running brings. 🐌🐌 unite!
It still amazes me that my times are quicker when I run/walk/run, than when I run continuously. I did run continuously today, because I'm still brainwashed by C25K into feeling that walking breaks are cheating. But next week I'm going to Jeff 5k and see what happens. Could be interesting!
Congratulations on run 101! I now feel that I shall have to have a count up of my runs! Not quite sure whether I have consecutive records.
I have no desire for races either, so I am intrigued to know what Irishjohn said that made you think otherwise.
I also love to be out running among beautiful scenery. I prefer not to slip, but have done plenty of picking my way through various uneven terrains. Not the place for striding out for PBs.
I hope that you find many runs to love as the days and months unfold. 🌳🏃🏻♀️🌸🏃🏻♀️🏞
Irish-john and I agreed that taking up running had made us braver - he said it's good to come out of our comfort zone sometimes. Entering a race would certainly do that!
Thank you for your reply. I certainly agree that coming out of our comfort zone is good. I definitely feel entering my first parkrun was totally different to anything I had been used to doing. I plan to run our village' fun run' (code for race?) during carnival week, but no inclination to enter a proper race for the time being. About 4 parkruns a year, I think will suit me, and I would like to volunteer too. Happy enjoyable running to you! 😊🏃🏻♀️
No Room 101 for you! Snowdrops and Spring in the air rather than rats! (Orwell’s 1984 for anyone who doesn’t get the reference!)
Well done Tcat. I think running because you like to run is perhaps the simplest and best rationale going. I too run routes where I dodge cow pats, tiptoe over cattle grids and have to scale gates. With a bit of sun on your face at a slow pace it can be magical.
At the other end of the scale, a PB can also feel wonderful, as you know! (Well done again!) Whether it’s distance, or time...
You have done it now!! Everybody will be counting their runs: I know that I will! You will be tested on how many star balances you have done later. 100 runs; great milestone. 😊😊
Ok, I have just counted up and I am up to 98! Thanks TC ...I can plan a celebration 100th run....maybe 2 pieces of chocolate brownie instead of the usual one! I know how to celebrate😋
I did the run but no celebration!!!! Came home nursing a sore calf☹️. Managed the 3k alright but calf needed ice. Feels ok now, so maybe it is nothing. Maybe I should comfort eat brownies tomorrow!!🍩🍪🌰🍮🍦🥮🧁🍧🍨🎂🍻🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
Like you Tartancat I’m not into speed, as long as I enjoy running and get round a course I’m happy. I do enter races though, not to win but to collect the bling, I love it. Happy running.
Congratulations on that Brilliant PB, Tartancat, really pleased that Galloway training paid off😊. That time is amazing, I would love to be able to acheive that, but like you, I do prefer to just run at my comfortable pace and enjoy the outdoors.
I might take a look at Jeff Galloway's plan though😉
You can achieve it if you want to - look at what you've achieved already! But it's lovely to be happy with what we've got, and I'm happy to go slower, and enjoy the outdoors like you 😊
Wow! Your training plan sounds interesting. I love my exploring runs and finding out where trails go. My knowledge of local geography is getting better. I love PBs too though 👍
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Second run with the work running club
First run on 5k+
A Tricky Tempo run !
Magic 10 Plan and Speed Challenge.
