I am going to have to stop writing about hills or it will become tedious (become?🤣). Today however was a bit of a step forward. My quickest 5k on this route yet with a time improvement on the steepest sections. So something is working. I read somewhere(can't find it now!) that picking your knees up a bit more on the steep sections helps. It seemed to work. Unfortunately I read somewhere else that too much down hill running is bad for the knees.....is there no end to these 🐘 traps? Maybe I read too much. Oh, and in the middle of all this heavy breathing and beetroot red faced climbing, unaccountably, VO2 max went up today. Bizarre! 🤷♂️
So, possibly time to dilute the hills a bit with some long neglected work on pace. The higher ground is really boggy at the moment so no point in trying to get up there. A Park Run on Saturday could be a good option. My PB streak at my usual venue is bound to come to a shuddering halt, but that doesn't matter (much!). It will be good to run with other people again, keeping a sharp look out for the sneaky Tasha99 who likes to overtake people at the finishing line!
For those on IC, it is really cold wet and miserable at the moment. There is no good time to be IC, but there are certainly worse times than this. Stay strong 😊👏👏👍👏. Cheekychipmunks; we are all thinking about you. 🤗
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Beachcomber66
Graduate10
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Lovely post and well done on the hills. Downhill is indeed horrendous on knees, the main reason I don’t go up is because I can’t get down again. As far as I’m aware that strenuous red face run resulted in your heart having to, and being able to, pump harder for prolonged time thus activity watches registered an increased vo2max well done
Thanks GTB. VO2 max seems to go up on PB type runs or long slow runs. Anything in between doesn't seem to register positively! UTS and I resolved to swear by it if it goes up and ignore it if it goes down !
Yes it's really not good weather for pb's, so you did well today. Don't blame you seeking out firmer ground, got to take care of those knees. I have no advice for dealing with that sneaky Tasha, unless it's to try sneaking up on her for a change 😁
Really good running. All that hill work is paying off for sure, and in itself can add to speed on the flats. Downhill does have a higher impact on the knees, but the more you do the stronger they get because of the impact too.
Have a wonderful parkrun... and a good sprint finish to thwart Tasha99 if she’s looking to pick you off 😂
Thanks UNM. The main benefit is that I can sign up for runs without worrying about hills...provided I avoid Hardmoors etc; a lot of work to do before I can deal with the really steep long stuff, but all in good time🤞
There’s no stopping you now Beachcomber66. Do have a great time at parkrun and bring home another PB. You Ned to run just behind Tasha and then get her at the line. Sneaky. But not this week it seems.
I’ve got my niece and her boyfriend staying so they will be well ahead of me . In fact Tom was first the last time he joined us. he will have to wait for me before he gets his breakfast. 🤣🤣
My youngest runs, but so far appears to want to avoid the embarrassment of running with the old man!! We swap runs on whatsapp though. Enjoy your run 😊👍👏👍
It is pants as you say. Stepping out of the door at present is like standing on the edge of an underheated swimming pool ready to dive in....you know it is going to feel horrible briefly, but ok once you get going. Good job we are tough!!
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Recovery 5k run...made a few mistakes 🤔
Back to the river 5k today 
5K Slow Run at the lakeside 👍🏃♀️😊
