Comfort Running

[DebJogsOn]

Today is officially the last day of my summer holiday and so I chose to run 10k around one of my favourite city routes through a sunny, almost deserted Oxford.

The summer has been amazing - I feel rested and rejuvenated - and running has been a big part of that.

Over the last couple of longer runs I've been contemplating how I've pretty much been comfort running since Easter. Now don't get me wrong - this hasn't been a bad thing. Many a day my evening run has done a lot to save my sanity after a stressful day at work (and surely is a better comfort than another cake or a glass of wine 🙄) and my lovely morning runs in beautiful places during my holiday have restored my peace of mind. However I've been running these 'mental health' runs well within my capabilities and am now wondering if I shouldn't put a bit more challenge back into what I'm doing.

These musings are no doubt also driven by my realisation this week that it must now be two years since I started C25K, and the fact that autumn and work mean more evening running and less lovely sight seeing to keep me interested.

So I have the basis of a plan - I 've signed up for Strava' s Escape Plan challenge which requires activities 5x a week. This I hope will help me not to lose impetus when the back to school workload kicks in. I'm going to try and run 4x a week - Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun. Sunday will be my leisurely long run (though I want to find some more hilly routes) , Monday a gentle recovery run and on Wed and Fri I'll try to work more on speed (some interval work and a more pacy 5k?). Then on Tues or Thurs I'll do some strengthening exercises (have found a manageable routine I can do at home to start with).

All this I hope will see me get a bit faster over time - but more importantly help me to build and maintain a routine (which tends to fall apart a bit with work) and keep me entertained as the nights draw in and I'm more limited with where I can run. Here's hoping it lasts longer than the first week back at work anyway!

Autumn is definitely coming...

Happy running everyone 😊

[sunshinefish Graduate10]

Glad you had a good summer Devs and are relaxed for the new year!

Always good to have a plan/goal. Good luck with it.

I have also been running a bit within my comfort zone and my times have gotten worse, although I have done a lot more running. My aim will to be run 3 X a week around work and kids. 🤞 For us both

[DebJogsOn in reply to sunshinefish]

I think it's easy to get comfy and I find a plan helps to keep me going when life gets in the way. I admire you running with children around - I only started dunning after mine were old enough to look after themselves!

Good luck 😊

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

Good to read your positive post Deb and love the photo! Glad that you've had a restorative summer and that running had been a significant feature of it. Sounds like a good plan with room for flexibility. I expect there'll be the odd week where weather or work load conspires against you and you have to miss a run but it's good to have a challenge. I'm just aiming to get out no matter how long or short & see a podiatrist about my biomechanics to sort out my niggles. Hope the new school year starts well for you. 🤞🙂

[DebJogsOn in reply to Slinkymalinki]

I'm certain there will be more than the odd week when life conspires against me - but I do like a plan and a bit of accountability. Hope your niggles aren't causing you too many issues and that you're fully recovered (only noticed your last post about being ill a few days ago!) and we'll rested from the holidays. Just getting out there is a great aim and probably what I'll end up doing just as soon as I remember how busy it actually gets 😂. Here's to us both hanging on to that holiday feeling until at least 3 weeks in!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

A lovely peaceful pic Deb; I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Oxford look that quiet. Glad you enjoyed summer running and good luck with your goals.

[DebJogsOn in reply to Dexy5]

I'm always completely amazed how quiet it is on Sunday mornings - it wasn't even that early. It so lovely to feeling like you've got it to yourself 😊.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

All the best - hope your plan goes well !👍

[DebJogsOn in reply to JonathanP]

Thank you - managed my Monday evening run today - not sure my legs have got the memo about evening running yet 😂

[JaoJao Graduate10]

There's a couple of good points, I've never heard of "comfort running" but you are definitely onto something with that. I think I do that too.

Yes indeed, Autumn is here... I am sure I speak for many on this forum who will be thinking about how their running routines will need to adjust as we brace ourselves for shorter days and darker evenings.

It's also a prime time for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) to kick in, it's so unplesant for those that suffer

I hope we will all help each other as we find our way in the coming months, our running journeys further unfolding and evolving.

Much love xx

[DebJogsOn in reply to JaoJao]

I definitely sometimes run for comfort sometimes in the same way I'd splurge on junk food or rubbish TV (and still do occasionally if I'm honest) - it just let's me leave all the stresses of life behind for a bit.

I actually like autumn generally but not the boring routes I have to stick to when running on dark evenings...

This forum is great though isn't it - certainly inspires to keep going. 😊

[JaoJao Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

It is very inspiring and I’m sure there will be plenty of ideas for autumn/winter running. One of the things I’m looking at is to see if I can fit in a lunchtime run that way I can avoid dark mornings and evenings when it’s gets bad