I haven’t run since last Tuesday for the reasons lots of my VRBs already know, so I missed out on starting the Speed Challenge. I thought I’d better rectify that this morning, so I headed up to the Common to give Flossie a laugh 🐕
I’m only doing 1k as my challenge. It was the smallest increment I could justify. So after a power walk up the hill I set MMR (with 0.1k splits so I could count them down!) and my Garmin and belted off. Got cross at just over 0.1k and stopped. Reset everything and tried again with the same result. I was about to pack in running forever, then thought I’d try one last time at a sensible *doable for me* pace. 🏃♀️🏃♀️
Completed 1k in 6:55 - which for me is quick, believe me. ✅
I then treated myself to a sloooow 5k - but I wasn’t feeling it at all today and couldn’t wait for it to be over. I had jelly legs, I was too hot - maybe my body is still sad even though I’m ok in myself.
Whatever, I ran and I should be thankful for running 6k on a beautiful day with my sweet dog.
Onwards ....... 👍
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cheekychipmunks
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Barely!? 6k. Not too long ago 6 minutes was tough. Don't be so hard on yourself, your body has taken a blow as well as your heart. Stress really takes it out of us.
Looks like a beautiful morning there. I envy your barely run 😘👍🏻
I only dream of 1k in under 8, let alone under 7, so we’ll done, Speedy You. And don’t underestimate the after effects of shock - up to 6 months, says my doc, for consequent “off days.” Cut yourself slack and relax in the sun- even if it’s relaxed running, not beach lounging. 😄
Ah yes I know you’re right GS. I’m not a moper, never have been, but then again losing someone, no matter how peaceful it was, clearly takes a toll. I need to just run I think, and forget about adding extra stress (which speed induces!) to my body. 👍😀
Cheeky you’ve done brilliantly today. There are times in life when the challenge has nothing to do with running, but running always helps in some way. You did 6k Cheeky! I think that’s amazing. You’re amazing! Keep going Cheeky! You’re doing brilliantly! A massive big hug! 🤗❤️
You ran sub 7, you ran 6k with lovely Flossie to keep you company and the sun is shining. Give thanks for the positives, leave the negatives behind and give yourself some TLC. It’s only been a week, so be kind to yourself xxx
More sensible words. Thanks Sandie! I suppose I’ve not only missed out on running this week, I’ve done zero anything except for gentle dog walks, not even any yoga. So how can I expect to get out and be speedy and strong?
I’ll just run this week, no expectations. Maybe even tech free (although I know I can’t do that!) 😅
You got out on a lovely day cheekychipmunks and I bet Flossie enjoyed it too. Running downhill is a good idea for this exercise. We have wind behind as our bonus but none of that here today . and I still haven’t got out of the door.
A big group hug will be waiting for you on Saturday
Aww thanks Dexy. I’m really looking forward to Saturday, it’ll be such fun. 👏😀🏃♀️🏃♂️🐕
Yes it was a lovely morning and I need to appreciate that, especially after the 💨 and 💦 this weekend. And I suppose 6:55 for me is ok really. I like your downhill idea though - I should head to Ashton Court and do the speed challenge there ..... 🤔🏃♀️😀
I think you’re meant to do your challenge in the same place each time ......But next time around ....,,??
If I ran fast downhill I’d be rolly pollying down.
Our short window of sunshine was short lived; having got out as far as the prom and run 1 slow km we’ve retreated into local cafe with stair rod rain. It’s going to get worse so we’ll try again tomorrow
Yes I realise that now Dexy, but that’s ok as I’ve decided to withdraw from the speed challenge this time round and just run for fun. I see no point in trying to run fast - which clearly isn’t in my DNA! - at this inappropriate time.
I’ll hop on board next time round and use Ashton Court. Now that would be fun! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Hope your weather clears up. We have cloud cover so I was lucky to be out in the short window of ☀️
Just another point though. We did a few slow ks before the speedy one so that the lungs and running muscles were fully warmed up - you might find that helps. Did you get a 1k record on garmin connect?
I don’t think I got a 1k record Dexy. Is there a way of finding when that would have been? Probably when I got my PB at PR several months ago.
I thought about running slowly first then speeding up for the 3rd or 4th km but I don’t find that very easy at the best of times. Running up the hill at Ashton Court then speeding down would do the trick though! 🏃♀️🏃♀️
On my watch, I go into history/ records /running/fastest 1k, but you can find it on Garmin connect too. Click on runs in the last 7 days/ view personal records and it shows dates of best 1k, 1 mile, 5k, 10k, HM, and M plus your longest run. You can be a running geek like the rest of us. 🤓
Hey cheekychipmunks ...the fact that you went out given the circumstances deserves a massive high five...do not be too hard on yourself, we all have runs like this when we're just going through the everyday stuff so it's hardly surprising...you ran 6k though...doesn't matter how fast or slow, you went...and yes, your body is sad...very sad...you will have days when suddenly it will all wash over you and you wont feel like doing anything...grief is a strange journey that takes time to travel through...and you need to allow yourself that time.
The weather looks beautiful where you are today, its really grim up north today so you enjoy that sunshine xxx❤️
Thanks MC, you’re all speaking wise words and I know I need to be kind to myself. ❤️
Yes, I did get out and I did run in the sunshine. And it was 6k. Yep, that can’t be bad can it?
I might forego the speed challenge this time round then. I’ll hop on board next time round. I’ll just run for fun for a while. I do love running, really I do. I guess I was underestimating the effects of last week.
Thank you again, you are all so sweet and understanding. ❤️❤️
As others have said already Cheeky, don’t be too hard on yourself! You’ve had a lot to contend with in the last couple of weeks and it’s bound to come out somewhere. So today’s efforts weren’t what you wanted - but you’ve been doing this malarkey for a while now and you know the next time out will be different! And as you say, it was a beautiful day and you were out with your furry friend - what’s not to love!!
Oh yes OGR, I think it took that run this morning to make me realise that, so I’ve decided to forego the speed challenge this time round and just run for fun again. Running is going nowhere in my life, so there’ll be other, more appropriate occasions, to get out of my comfortable snail zone! 🐌
Thank you for making me reevaluate my priorities. ❤️
Haha, yes it’s making me laugh too now Linda, but it’s how I felt after two failed attempts at running way too fast! It brought back memories of how I used to loathe running - which C25K fixed! 😀
I’m taking a speed challenge back seat this time round I’ve decided. Not a good time to do daft things like making a chipmunksnail turn speedy! 😅
Yep, definitely not a good idea to go into your challenge k from a standing start - 2 or 3 k at your nice 'n easy pace (8'00" - 8'30" per k ish?), then stretch out your stride length and/or up your cadence for the challenge, making sure you don't overcook the first 100m.
Said the fair-weather runner having just achieved a total fail in the rain
I realise it wasn’t the best way of tackling it UTS, but I wanted to get it over with quite frankly - plus, as my jelly legs showed in my 5k, they wouldn’t have sped up for me later in the run anyway. 🙄
I’m ditching the speed challenge this time round. It’s not want I like doing at the best of times, so with all that’s happened this week, it didn’t stand a chance of getting off to a good start. I’ll do it next time round. 😀
I love the way our threshold of success rises so quickly and the impossible becomes things like “barely” a run.
I’ve aborted a few speed sessions when I’ve not been feeling it, and have lost count of the number of times I’ve gone for my long run, struggled to get going and switched my week around on the fly to go shorter. It has to be fun and doable on the day... if not we’d be more likely to quit.
Sounds like a lovely run to me Munks. But grief takes time so I’m not surprised you didn’t feel your usual joy. But good for you for making the effort and getting out on what looks like a beautiful day xxx
Thanks IP. I simply had no oomph at all this morning. A combination of factors I’m sure, but yes I should be happy I got out in the sunshine. There will be more runs and I’m not going to beat myself up any more. ❤️
You've got a lot going on in your mind cheekychipmunks. To even get out the door for any run is an achievement in itself. Love your photos. Look after yourself 🤗🤗
Nice one cheeky your out there doing it, pushing yourself where others may not have even bothered. And it was a beautiful day and you were with your best buddy Flossie. well done 😀👍
Thanks so much Runsome, I was in two minds whether to go out at all, and maybe I shouldn’t have today, but I did and I ran 6k however you slice it. 😀 It’ll be a more enjoyable run next time, I know it. 👍
Often we don't realise the physical effect that grief has on us, as well as the mental effect. I think your runs will have helped, even though it may not have seemed like it at the time.👍
Thanks Jonathan, yes I’m probably being too hard on myself. I’m bowing out of this particular speed challenge to take the pressure off, and just running for fun for a while, because in my book that’s what running should be. 😀 I’ll do the next one. 👍
Aww thank you so much Franglaise, that’s really kind. I realise that now - I’m too impatient and assume all’s ok when probably it’s not - so yes running for fun it’s going to be for a while. 😀
My dog is a wonderful companion and she definitely helps too. ❤️🐕
Hopefully VRBs have helped you on the pathway back to our usual CC. It will take a while as you will already know; it took me 6 months to deal with my father's passing. In the meantime we do what we can and try not to demand too much from ourselves. Not always easy though for driven types!
I have binned speed for the time being too and opted for hills instead. My trail shoes have only just dried out after my muddy night time trail run up to the Wainstones last week. It is chucking it down outside, but.......I must get out there sometime today. Need to take out the stiffness left by Friday' s ten miles. Sorry trail shoes, you are in for another soaking!! We keep pushing 😊
More wise words, thanks BC. I guess my problem is that I don’t slow down - ironic really bearing in mind my natural running pace! 😅
I’m understanding the grief process a bit more now as well. Again, odd because I lost my dad 6 years ago as well, so you’d think I’d know what to expect. It comes in waves doesn’t it?
Anyway, I’ll be out on the trails like you. I love them. Flossie can come and it’s fun getting muddy - plus it’s hard to go fast even if I was tempted to (fat chance)! 🙄
Have fun on yours. Hope your trail shoes forgive you! 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️
I've come late to your post so everybody has already said it for me. Be kind to yourself, lovely, and for the time being, run just to run. It's a great way to let the mind process things in its own way ((Hugs))
Thanks GOG, yes I’m learning the hard way that I need patience, which is something I normally don’t possess. But I’ve taken all your kind comments on board and I’m allowing myself time. Time to run purely for fun, because I really do love it. ❤️
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