See a straw, clutch it tight!

[Beachcomber66]

Run 2 of my nearly gone chest cold comeback. Another 5k on a cold wet and windy morning. I had to back off the pace in the final 1k again, and I was a whole two seconds slower than Monday's effort. Feeling miserable at the apparent lack of progress I looked for a straw to grasp, and found an unlikely, and hitherto perfidious ally in VO2 max. I noticed my average heart rate was 4 bpm lower today and that VO2 max had given me back the point it docked from me on Monday. So I must be getting better mustn't I? 😂

[Hidden]

Well done on getting out there on this cold, wet, windy day. Not ideal running conditions 😂 Try not to dwel on your apparent lack of progress. Sometimes we’re just slower on runs for no apparent reason and then we have really good runs where we feel like we can take on the world 💪🏼 I had a similar run this morning, but a run is a run and it all goes towards building up your overall fitness - even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time 😆. Good for you 👍🏼

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rhedeg2019, I am pretty laid back about it really, just having a laugh at my on/off relationship with V02 max! My original intention was go for a hill route today, but I quickly realised that my lungs need more recovery time. Maybe I have passed the low point and I am in my way back now; as ever, time will tell. Lots of us up here have had two chest colds this year, one before Christmas and one after. At least I can hope that it isn't just advancing years. 😊

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Well done on your illness recovery runs. You're putting great pressure on yourself looking for these instant progress changes, relax and enjoy the runs it is amazing that we are all even out in this weather, that definitely needs celebrated. Happy running

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Cheers GTB. I am not really wound up about it....I won't push myself too hard. I think there is a point that older runners like me lose a lot quickly when a bug strikes and we take longer to build back up, but hey that's the deal. A few weeks and I will be knocking out the sub 30 min 5ks and ten mile runs again, provided people keep their viruses to themselves!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Those sorts of speeds and distances are but a dream to me. Good luck keeping bug free for the rest of winter

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks GTB. Intervals and Park Runs produced the sub 30s. 10 miles and HM were just an extension of the 10k plan with more cross training thrown in. No magic there, just a steady build up. 😊

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10]

Well done getting out there. I had a similar experience yesterday. My legs were still tired I think after a long run on Monday and turned to jelly after a couple of miles. My slowest 5K for several weeks - but my HR was low, and the Garmin gave me back the VOX point it recently took away!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

We are all at it FP; I dismiss VO2max when it drops down, but treat it as great news when it increases. Healthy thought process! 👍

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Great you're back running after being unwell. I think it just takes time to feel back to full fitness . Like you I was unwell last week and my runs this week on Monday and Wednesday didn't go great but I expected that .

Now the other subject 'VO2 MAX' it just likes to play mind games with us . One minute you go up 1 or 2 points then you run a 10k check again and garmin has stole a point . 🤣

So if you got a point back today you are getting better. 😊

I'm sure our runs will feel normal/ good again soon🤞

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Sure you are right Buddy34. A muddy trail didn't help either. Oh well, no rest, our OES is ready for her beach trip, so that should slacken off the muscles. 😊

[Granspeed Graduate10]

See? VO2max loves you, really. 😄🤔 Gotta keep ourselves amused somehow. Hope your cold is fully gone soon - and that the weather picks up!

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Well done on your progress, but please don't worry about that stuff it can be very unhelpfully distracting. If you are struggling on the last k's, perhaps back off a bit at the beginning, especially as you go the longer distances.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Yep; I will drop a gear until energy is topped up again. Next planned run is a long slow one; see how far I get😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Do take it steady...well done though xxx

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Floss, will do. I am sticking to flattish runs at the moment and keeping the pace down. Hills will have to wait for a little while. I am really sensible in truth...I just like the odd grumble 😊

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Yes, it's annoying that for those of us of 'a certain age ', chest colds take so long to stop affecting our performance!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

It is reassuring that a younger runner I was speaking to earlier today was having the same trouble; just a nasty bug.....on top of my age handicap!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Good to know!😀

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’m all for grasping any old straw Beachcomber66. Well done for getting out post lurgy. The after effects of these chest infections and colds do linger. I’m still coughing and spluttering from my cold in January and UTS is on cold no 2.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Both of you take care Dexy

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

I am sure we’ll be fine when we get to Colorado next week Lexi6. It’s been a mild , very wet winter and I think the bugs are getting round easily.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

End of May is my target for peak fitness Dexy5. Need everyone in top form by then.😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh yes. So looking forward to meeting you.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Me too. We have all come a long way together (virtually) 😊

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

We really have, haven’t we? 3 of us musketeers have met up several times, so bringing the 4th musketeer into the RB fold is going to be quite something 😊😉

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Hope you’re feeling better soon. Take care.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Thanks lexi6, I am confident that I am on the mend. I had an hour bombing up and down the swimming baths yesterday....I may have left a bit of energy there, on top of the post bug malaise. Couple of weeks time and we will be back in form.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Oh yes BC, that’s a lovely positive straw! Clutch it tight and don’t let go! 👏👏👏

We’re all having random runs at the moment. This weather has been sent to try us, but we still get out there. It must dry up soon ...... mustn’t it? 💦💦💦💦

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Hi CC. Next week doesn't look good up here. More gales, and snow is forecast for tomorrow. Maybe it will bring out my creative side ⛄️!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes, running in full on snow gear might be an experience! ❄️ ⛄️ 🏃

[ktsok]

Yes 😊

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

You're doing a grand job! I'll have to meet you one day on those hills for a run but I don't think I'd keep up! That there Tees Link is brutal!

I also have a love hate relationship with my VO2 max score. When it goes down I deem it inaccurate; when it goes up I take all the credit 🤣 I'm also slightly obsessed with observing my RHR which is strangely low but this has no apparent benefit 🤷🏽‍♀️

Anyway I hope to see you at parkrun soon? Next time I think I see you, I'll take a second look first 🙄

Hope you're feeling better soon. I enjoy reading your posts and encouraging replies to people.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha. I am not pulling up any trees at the minute. This bug is a pain. I am nowhere near Park Run pace. My fitness test will be over the hilly 5k... but not ready yet. Are you doing PR 100 next week? I haven’t managed 10 yet.... Time to get myself in gear.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes on leap year day! At last!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Will try to get there...my 68th /17th birthday! That sounds old !!

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Is it really?!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Afraid so....Mrs BC May expect me to open cards and stuff! 😊🎂

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Bring her! I'll have cake 😁

Wow a leap year baby!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh wow! Are you really a Leap Year baby? My sister is getting married next Saturday. Reckons at least she only needs to remember her anniversary every 4 years 😂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Yes, it will be my 17th proper birthday! Nobody will forget your sister’s wedding anniversary! Hope everyone has a wonderful day .

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

She got married for the first time on 1 March 34 years ago. Don’t know if this is 2 fingers to ex hubby but looking forward to it. Finally making it official after 22 years!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

Chest colds can take a long time to recover from and we might feel ok but our bodies have other ideas. So, I think you’ve done really well to get out at all! But it all sounds good, you’ve got the point back 😂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Getting that point back was the high spot of the week!! Which is really sad when you think about it... The time period between coughs is increasing, so I must be on the mend. In the meantime I have a dog to walk 😊

[Run46 Graduate10]

Glad you're on the mend BC, and you must be if the pesky VO2 max say's your oxygen intake is better!...though it's a temperamental beast so I can't guarantee it doesn't change it's mind by next run 😉

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Part of the art is knowing when not to check it!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Hi Beachcomber66, I am sorry that you have been poorly and glad a comeback is now possible. I had to look up perfidious and Mr Google furnished me with 'deceitful and untrustworthy'. Just what I find VO2 max via Mr Garmin to be! 😂 I'm all for clutching at any straw going. Best monthly distance or time, or single distance, VO2 max, heart rate, cadence and very rarely time. In my case little things please little minds. Mr Garmin has docked 3 points from my VO2max recently. How did you come to have a vocabulary that includes words like perfidious? Happy comeback running to you 😊🏃🏻

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

My English Lit A level comes in handy occasionally, even though that was 50 years or so ago. Just to prove my point, I have been docked another point today!! VO2 max clearly understood the insult. Hope you are enjoying your runs; Spring suddenly seems a long way away. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other....and keep a sharp look out for straws! 😊