Halfway there! And Vo2 max improved :)

[motherduckling]

So I have now completed week 4 of Ju-jus magic plan! I only had my short run this morning, but I was feeling a bit tired (might have been the 4.30am wake-up) so I just decided to take it slow and easy, even though I usually use my shorter runs to go a bit faster.

And I was rewarded with an improvement in my VO2 max - I am finally out of the 'poor' category and am considered 'fair'! I assume this had something to do with keeping my heart rate down though, as my pace was really slow....

I am finding it harder to get out these days though, as it has been way too hot to run in the evenings, so I have had to change my schedule to run in the morning - and for me that means getting up at the crack of dawn. I still usually do my long runs in the evening, but this week even after the sun had gone down it was still 30 degrees! It kind of makes me jealous of most of you all running in the cold (although I am definitely not jealous of the mud and rain I also keep hearing about!)

Now looking forward to the first repeat week - at least I know I can do it!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Great effort, what dedication to get up so early. Struggling with cold dull very short days here, the sun had set by the time I finished at 3:30 on Wednesday. Great on your vo2max, you must be delighted

[motherduckling Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks! It is actually easier than I anticpated to get up in the morning - it probably helps that we are coming into summer here so it is already starting to get light then I cant even imagine it starting to get dark that early!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to motherduckling]

The up side is that we dont really get dark all day /night in summer wow Australia amazing how widespread runners on here are.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

I am guessing that you dont live in the UK!! Well done on your fitness level, and for getting out there in that heat.... really tough!!

[motherduckling Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Haha no I am down under in Australia - we have just had almost an entire week over 38 degrees so it has been properly hot! And thanks!

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to motherduckling]

I think its so much harder to run in that sort of heat than the cold. This time of year in the UK is the best time of year for running.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

VO2 is a fickle beast, at least in my experience! It seems to like longer slower runs with lower heartbeat and short quicker ones, but sometimes it seems to go up and down randomly to the point that I tend to ignore it (unless it goes up 😊). I probably don't understand what drives it. Whatever, up to fair is really great, but don't worry if it dips back a bit at some point, you are certainly headed in the right direction. 10k here you come 👏👏👏👏👍👍

[Granspeed Graduate10]

Toss up for me about the virtues/challenges of heat & chill. 😄 Easy to be sucked into thinking “anything but this” on a dark UK with howling gale. But 38 degrees? 🥵 Hat off to you for finding any chance to run! Vo2 max is known to be a stat of intense mystery, but it’s got to be good that it’s improving, whatever it means. 🤣👏🏼 Enjoy your progress to 10k, and keep cool-ish.

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Well done, I’m so impressed that you’re even able to do this in the heat. I find it so hard even in our summer. Excellent work.