It was a cold start to the day. Rain lashing down, and a chill wind howling making it seem much colder. Any half intelligent person would have said "no thanks". But this is me we are talking about!! In fairness it had faired up a bit before I ventured out to do a loosening up 5k over my hill route. Full gear; two shirts, waterproof jacket, tights, bobble hat and gloves. The jacket was soon unzipped.
I tried an experiment. I ran the toughest 1k with a very light fairly slow short step. It took me about 20 seconds longer than last week's effort over the same section. but over all, the run was about a minute quicker. So maybe there is a lesson there for my tackling the steeper hills; don't leave all of my energy on the slopes!
I am approaching the next step change. I reach a T junction mid hill. Right, the direction I have been taking, goes down hill. Left goes further up hill, very substantially so and leads up onto the moors. Maybe it is time to take that left hand turn, very slowly, and see what happens. I need to make a start before there is a risk of snow or ice! Hope everyone has had a good day π
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Beachcomber66
Graduate10
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Gosh I feel chilly reading that BC π₯Ά, but what a great sounding run! Looking forward to hearing how you get on with the next bit. Youβre turning into a mountain π! πππ
Onwards and upwards Beachcomber. β°πββοΈ. It sounds like you are having fun. Yes a north wind down here today has chilled things a bit, but at least it was dry, unlike yesterday when we aborted two attempts to do our speed challenge . We didnβt need quite as much clothing as you today, but as we head up to Kat family territory at the weekend it will be 5C. Layers and gloves definitely needed for us southern softies.
Feels like taking a step back in way; trying to do something new rather than improve something that you have already cracked. But if you live around here, serious hills have to be faced at some point, so now is the time. Feels a bit like the start of C25k....ignore speed, just keep putting one foot in front of another (with a very short stride) and try to improve gradually.
Just inviting all of us to tell you to be sure to go left, arenβt you? I love the way we can all tell You to tackle those hills. π€£π€£ Low cost advice, that!
But of course, I also think you should do it. On with that next challenge, Beachcomber, while you are on your winning streak - and definitely before the snow (who said that rude word?). π
π Oh, harsh! I was genuinely waivering in " not sure I can/should do this" mode, so happy to receive a gentle push either way from VRBs!
Risk of failure ( defined as not managing to run to the top without stopping) is quite high, but maybe this will have to be a run/walk initially. The imprint of the tail end of C25k .... run the whole distance....is still very much in play...I need to reprogramme myself ππ
Oh yes, you are right of course. π I completely agree about the subtle lingering feeling that itβs only a βproperβ run if we donβt stop! And this persists no matter how often I squash it down with βIntervals are really good for you.β π€ Dear me, are we subject to gremlins after all this time? π€£ So: even now, it is NOT failure to attempt something new & hard and to modify the planned Ideal part way through. That is Sensible Adaptation, right? And Iβll remind you if you remind me. Onwards! ππ
Addendum! In the running shop today and the subject turned to hills funnily enough! The Ultra runner owner said that most of them run/walk those hills and whether I like it or not that is the only way! Game over π Her method is run as far as you can, walk until
you recover then run again, so do it by feel rather than, say 30 seconds run 30 seconds walk. Free advice, cup of tea and flapjack...what a great shop!
Brilliant stuff... taking that hill 20 seconds slower produced a better time overall, and thatβs some good learning right there. Getting up as efficiently as possible pays dividends later in the run. My most efficient run is the complete opposite as it happens.
Go for it... turn left... whatβs the worst than can happen?
Nothing like a nice bimble on a chilly autumn day. Just think, a few months ago, turning left would have been a complete βno, noβ and here you are seriously thinking of voluntarily running up a steep hill. Slow and steady as Oldfloss would say and youβll be running along the tops of the moors before you know it.
Lovely bright freezing morning here today, but, as I am now doing Sofa 2 50k on the bike, just steeling myself for a 60 minute ride. Definitely long sleeves, jacket and gloves required!
You will be doing triathlon before you know it Sandie! I am in β just get on with itβ mode now. Just have to do the hard yards at some point in order to make progress! Swimming this morning; definitely no hills!! π
Oh no no (seem to remember I said that about HM π€) Not a great fan of swimming tbh! Anyway 20k on the bike in 1:03, just about twice as fast as I run, but with cold feet. How do you keep feet warm when cycling?!
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Bad hair day 5K! π
Gremlins nearly won out
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