I am so sorry this is a late post! I am moving a tad slower than usual... I did a weird, ping thing to my left hamstring, last Sunday, mid run, which has hampered progress somewhat.
It is improving, although a walk,on an errand to the bottom of the hill and back, this morning has not gone well. So, very unlike me, I shall start taking my own advice and begin the hamstring exercises which I so carefully posted on S and F forum for everyone else How sensible will that be?
So.... apologies for the late posting and a big... how is it all going? The weather here is wet, and wild and windy and currently now, after a bright start it is sleeting !!!
I have been reading your run reports...and there is some great stuff happening... many, many of you are keeping to your goals but, also, if not reaching targets, are being kind to yourselves and not stressing or pushing too hard. Which is wonderful. Listening to our body is the key.
I know that I amazed, and so proud of everyone, but more importantly, how are you all feeling about the way your runs are going?
Okay...
What is the Quest?
The aim of the Quest is to help you find a focus or goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the Quest period.
The Quest takes one calendar month. You can join at any point during that time.
We ask that you are a C25K Graduate before joining the Quest. The reason for this, is that pre-graduation your week is very much structured according to the C25K programme, and we wouldn't want the Quest to interfere with that.
Most popular goals are:
★ To run three times a week
★ To slowly increase distance
★ To train for a specific race
★ To add Stretch and Strength exercises to your weekly routine
You can choose what YOU want to do... whatever you feel you would benefit from... whatever you think you would enjoy...
The Quest is a completely personal challenge, so it's completely up to you!
I shall put up a new post each week and you just join , post your adventures and reply to the others...lets get this going!
I cannot wait to see some of your goals... !
So if you are already here on the Quest... fantastic... If you have not joined, then it is time you did... It's fun and... we can all keep each other going until the snow arrives in February
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Oldfloss xxx
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"Bad weather always looks worse through a window"!! Lol, that is exactly what I have been finding this week 😊😊😊
Sending you Happy Hamstring vibes...
I have very much been sticking to my plan - yoga every day, running nearly every day!!! My wordy word 😄 Legs are complaining a bit but seems all good so far.
I more or less achieved my monthly target yesterday with a treadmill run which included 1k to 3k, and 4.5k to 5k, at the 13 kph pace I’m looking for. Got to 5k in 24’ 48”, and finished at 6k in 29’ 58”. And I completed my 100th Parkrun on Saturday - and the shirt arrived this morning!
So all good - nearly - but I’ve got a niggly left Achilles which is telling me I need to dwell a pause before trying to push for any further improvement. And I think I’d best listen to it ...... ☹️
Listen to it... listen to it! You have done brilliantly so far on your goals...Your 100th Park run was a terrific success too... wonderful...does that make you a 'Centurirun' ? x
Hi Floss, sorry that your hamstring is still troubling you. My impatience/ anxiety levels would have seen me on the physio's table by now. It has been a really soggy running week, but after a steady 10k last Friday I have managed a couple of equally steady wet and wind blown 5ks (one hilly effort). Long run day today (this afternoon as the rain is due to clear! )I don't duck weather conditions as a rule, but enough is enough for one week! Took an extra day off because of swimming with fins on Wednesday; very hard on the achillies. Looking forward to getting back into some intervals...doesn't really work for me in the mud!! Heal quickly😊
Frost is great for hardening up the mud....but watch out for ice! Overnight temperatures supposed to be down to 1C up here. No rain forecast until Wednesday though 😊
Hope things with your hamstring improve soon. My January is going well so far, I am cross training which either gym session, swim or pound (Zumba with drumsticks) or a combination of them or even all 3 on my non-run days. Monday is still my day OFF and runs have gone really well so far although I did drop my Tuesday run due to the horrific weather.
So far I have ran 21 miles too which I am pleased about
Well this is been a bit of a rough emotional week for me. I went for my cardiac stress test on Monday, expecting all to be normal and it wasn’t 🙁. My BP tends to read high whenever I am stressed and have had 24 hour blood pressure monitoring done in my earlier years that showed all was fine. Unfortunately, my stress test on Monday shows a different story. My blood pressure got quite high while exercising and the ECG is showing left ventricular hypertrophy which occurs with long standing high blood pressure. There is also a partial left branch bundle block which I am gathering is due to the hypertrophy. The internist conducting the test doesn’t usually put the patients on meds right away, leaving it for your regular doctor to do but started me on meds immediately. I see my regular doctor in 2 weeks and will need a cardiac ultrasound done to see how my heart is pumping. But the good news, is I finally listened to my body, instead of making excuses for the symptoms. I’ve had a rough year. My running hasn’t been the normal stress relief for me that it normally was and now it makes sense. My lightheadedness and tight chest and shortness of breath while exercising makes sense now. It wasn’t allergies, it wasn’t a lack of conditioning, it wasn’t mental. It was physical. I am adjusting to my medications (I’m having a rough day today after an insanely crazy day at work yesterday where I didn’t eat or drink enough so feel quite hungover today. I’m guessing I’m dehydrated but it should get better). I have only exercised once since my diagnosis and took it easy since I didn’t ask the doctor what I could and couldn’t do. It was a HIIT session and I felt a tightness in the chest start pretty quickly so I took it down several notches. I believe today’s session is a strength training session. If I start to feel less lightheaded later I will give it a go but this week might be a bit of a right off. The runs in this programme have been short hard interval runs so I won’t do any this week but will see how I feel after giving my body a week or so to adjust to the medication. I’m supposed to start my training programme for my HM next month so I’ll have to see what my doctor says. Thankfully she’s a runner so hopefully she’ll give me the go ahead 🤞
Ouch! It does sound as though your body has to shout quite loudly to get your attention …. and as for taking it easy, you do know the "HI" in "HIIT" stands for high intensity ….. just behave yourself Sask
Ya, I do. So I would say my work out was more of a MIIT 😉. I was expecting it to be just a regular weight training session but in the intro when she said it was another HIIT workout, well, I couldn't go off script. I just didn't power through as much as I would and took longer breaks between the sets (which sometimes meant a shorter set). I'm hoping the next one should be just a workout but everything is done in intervals with this programme. There is only a week left in this programme so I'll just modify it for now. Although the light headedness sure isn't passing today so I'm thinking I'll be passing today on today's workout 🙁.
Oh boo. What a nasty shock. ☹️ My OH had a similarly drastic response to a stress test in 2012 - out the door with a pile of meds when he’d not had any known health issues as we went in except persistent hiccups when going up hill! Take heart from what my lovely medic brother in law told us at the time: be thankful you have one of the things we know best how to manage. And it did turn out to be true, as I so much hope it will for you. Take care, and really do as you’re told while they figure it all out. And while your body adapts. All the best. 💕
This is scary...but you do know now, what the heck was going on!
Please do, do take care and make sure you are sensible.... you know our body is our best guide, so give it time to get sorted before getting back on track...
We need you on form and I need to get some more of your running adventures... you know how I love coming with you!
Please do be kind to yourself... my lovely friend xxx
Thanks OF. It is good to have a diagnoses but of course am kicking myself I didn’t pursue things sooner. On that note though even my doctor when I described my concerns really wasn’t worried about my heart. She ran the 50k in our trail race last year so knows how hard the terrain is. I had to really stress that I wasn’t pushing myself very hard and was feeling like crap. The cardiac stress test was offered more for a piece of mind since my Dad died of a heart attack at 56. I am so glad I pushed for this. I’m hoping she’ll think it is ok to still run my HM in June. It is a flat road race and we signed up to get a friend back to running so we won’t be worried about a time, just enjoying the day. It will be nice to get back to some running again. I am missing it.
I have liked your post Allie, but I really don't like this at all😯😚
It's all too easy to assume everything is ticking over nicely, and find excuses for feeling a bit off. This must be quite a shock Allie, and needs to be addressed.
Maybe give yourself a break from your training for awhile until at least you have seen your doctor. You know everything can wait...and nothing is more important than your good health and well being. No extra stress on your body please.
I got a bit tearful reading your news and feel worried for you. What does Mr Sask think? Hugs and take care.💞xxx
My husband is worried, of course. I am not good at managing my stress so I need to get that sorted out for sure. Exercise has always been a coping mechanism but it hasn’t been the great endorphin release this last year and my races went so badly so I guess I know why now.
I’ve been keeping things very low key since my initial consult with my doctor in the fall. I’ve barely ran even 5k but am trying to keep active in some way shape or form. I just need to keep the intensity down until I see her. I should have asked the internist who did my test more questions about what I could do but I was in such shock when she told me my results I shut down a bit... then had a good cry in the car before putting on a brave face and driving back to work. It was a bit of an eye opener for sure.
One day at a time, one hurdle at a time. But I know I’ll be back in my hills this summer enjoying myself once again hopefully less winded and with better stamina 🤞
Wow Sask - sounds like a gruelling time! Hope that things are sorted and your symptoms settle soon. It is sometimes a relief though isn't it when you actually get a reason for vaguely feeling not right?
Glad to hear you sounding so determined to carry on - while listening to your body of course.
I do hope your hamstring heals quickly it’s horrid having pain and not being able to run
Returning home from a scary hospital trip with respiratory failure.... I have quit smoking, this my quest and I’m on day 3 and have a sore mouth from chewing gum
I can’t run but keeping up with everyone’s posts because as soon as i can take deeper breaths I will be out there but for now will cheer from my couch
Willow has cut down hugely and blows smoke out the window,
Glad to hear you’re home. And well done on kicking the weed! It can really help, as our daughter in law has found out. Worth the grind, so fingers crossed for you.
You are doing so well.... keeping to your plan and enjoying it too... Sunday. Run day, Funday.... perfect...my favourite day to run... take me with you this week please xx
Floss! 😮😥 I'm so sorry this has happened to you now. Your running was going so well. We have budged up, but there really isn't room for you on the IC now so get better very soon! (even though you wouldn't take up much space)
Everything is crossed for you, and I know you will see your physio next week if need be.🤞😚x
Another week has gone by, my physio exercises are helping. I go back to see her next Tuesday for more.
I have been out for a couple of walks ( 6k today) and have been doing a strength and Flex session daily. Either Pilates, or Yoga or a Workout. It has helped me to keep motivated to do these by putting them up on Strava as I feel accountable and am earning a Strava badge😉. The kudos and support has been lovely too.
Look after yourself! After posting about my quest plans to exercise 5 times every week, I injured my back. I have not been able to exercise as intended but have walked every day to compensate 😕. Hopefully, back running again soon 🤞
Well, there seem to be far too many folks on the injury couch! Sorry to hear you are one of them, Floss. Get well soon everybody.
All this news reinforces my plan to keep things steady while it’s so wet, windy & muddy. Today’s sun was a delightful change and I churned out an easy, steady 7k. A happy tortoise 🌞🐢.i felt like going on, but glad now I played it safe & stick to the plan. Looking forward to predicted sun on Sunday for the next trot.
Great stuff... safe and happy! Just a perfect combination.... I think a few folk are hoping for a Sunday run this weekend...I am wondering whether to take a gentle 1K myself... but will see how the leg is today.
Have great week running and do keep us posted please x
Hoping you will be back out there soon Oldfloss. 🤞🙂 Two midweek runs done for me and long run day on Sunday. All ok but took an extra rest day as my calf felt tight earlier in the week. Treated myself to an Epsom salt bath, which I haven't done for ages! Much better the next day and had a lovely, chilly run in the dark after work this evening!
London Winter run coming up next month, so my target is also just to try and stay fit for that!🤞Happy running, one and all!🙂🏃🏽♀️
Ouch! OF, gently does it oh sensible one, so glad you’re taking your own advice and S and Ffing! Heal well xx
I finished on a good note for this quest week, 3 runs, intervals, hills and today parkrun 12 seconds off my PB, so more of the same next week, although I’ll wear my magic knickers next time and try for a PB 🙂
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to lexi6
I am being sensible.... so unlike me
Your training seems to be going really, really well...and it does sound as if you are all set for that PB.... Yeayayayyaayyaay
This week I completed C25K for the second time. My aim now is to run 3 times a week and get back to where I was before having an operation in October. I'd underestimated how long this would take me! And I'd like to get my confidence back so I can return to Park Run soon.
How true that is - once you're out the weather never seems as bad as it might! This week has been a good one for me. I managed two morning runs before work (sooo good for my soul) and have completed week 2 of the intervals programme I'm using to try and improve my pace (though am worried about next week which looks like a big step up in pace 😳). I'm also still keeping up the distance necessary to make 1000k by the end of the year (though it's admittedly early days 😂).
I'm hoping that this morning's glorious sun and frosty start is repeated tomorrow when I'll have more time for a leisurely run.
Sorry to hear about your hamstring Floss - hope it starts behaving soon! x
Sorry to hear about the hamstring, hope you are being sensible and doing those exercises.
So, as you know, amended run on Thursday evening so no speed session this week, yoga sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Must all be paying off as a new pb at park run this morning of 30.59, beating previous one by 1min 27seconds 😀
I do hope your hamstring recovers soon Oldfloss. I have still only managed to run twice this week, but I did do a Pilates class and an aerobics with weights class so at least I’ve been active. I ran my best parkrun time of the year today and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. I seem to be collecting road and trail shoes to try out on the treadmill next week. 🤞
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5
It is on the way thanks!
You are doing just fine...with all the extra bits too.... ! Well done on the park run PB too...
Thank you OldFloss- I need a quest! I've hardly run since getting my puppy last February, just the odd 20 minutes or so every now and again. But when the clocks went back even that paltry amount ground to a halt.
But no more! Since Christmas I've been getting back out there, and have reached the dizzy heights of 2.5k .... without stopping! So I pledge to keep going, 3 times a week, no excuses. No time or distance aims yet though - that'll be for next month's quest!
Hello Oldfloss, I hope your exercises help your hamstring pain and you are feeling fitter soon.
As I already posted I have a bit of neck and shoulder pain but I'm hoping it will be better soon . If it does I quest to keep running 3 times per week and continue with a 10k twice a month which I hope to add to and would like to get to 10 miles. I'm in no rush and I know to build up gradually . I have always taken the advice from you wonderful people and it's really worked for me.
I love the thought with this post - very true and it is Google who minds bad weather not me.
Very little to say really, sadly. Some yoga has happened. Still essentially in denial that I have to get out there and run without my canine companion.
Oh gosh.. this is so sad...Google has been a part of you and your running and us too. Hopefully with some milder weather.. you may get out there together.
I promise to try to move more. I can't promise to run since the weather is exasperating right now--6" yesterday and more coming down today.... I will not sit all day; I will make an attempt to move around more. Does that work?
Going out to exercise on the road, even after plowing these days, can be hazardous. A little car with two people in it near here went nearly off the road and two wheels were hanging over the river yesterday. The river is full and maybe dangerous because of all the precipitation lately. We don't have sidewalks....
Oh my goodness...just stick around home and do what you can...maybe take a peek at the Strength and Flex forum... some great strength and stamina work there.. I posted them and you can do them inside !
My Jounce is going ... OK I think (I still don't believe that I am running). Plan has been kept to (3/4 runs / week, walks/classes on other days). Went to a running club meet last Tuesday and had a good run - motto for the slowest group is "no one left behind" which was reassuring - but as it turned out I didn't need to worry. Going again this week and hopefully I will soon be a paid up member. Parkrun yesterday was hard in the mud, so on the run today I went to a walk after 4km as the body was feeling it a bit. This is taking your advice here of listening to the body - just wish the body hadn't said "another glass of wine" last night
And a big thank you to you for posting - it really helps to have something to respond to.
This s fantastic.. you are doing really well and I feel that glass of wine maybe was okay... a treat for your efforts.
Your club sounds terrific and just as a club should be...Park run sounds wet and muddy and taking an easy relaxed walk when the body told you too... perfect.
Hi Oldfloss ...hope your hamstring isn’t giving you too much jip now? I’m still plodding everyday doing my RED challenge and i’ve just done a very enjoyable 5k 😁
After a spiffing first 2 weeks, managing 3 runs each week as planned, life threw a dastardly curveball & I've been too exhausted to run since. Have done a couple of gentle yoga sessions instead, plus some meditation & even some planks the last couple of days though, so have been looking after my body in different ways. Plus lots and LOTS of sleep.
Managed a cold but sunny 2 hour ramble yesterday, and today I felt pretty normal, energy-wise & emotion-wise, so I'm hoping to get back out tomorrow & fit 2 runs in before the end of the week.
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How sensible will that be?
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