Yes, just when you thought things could get no worse, here I am
I am so, so lucky that this month I have been asked to host the Quest, and what a glorious few days we have had, leading up to June
I have been so busy on C25K with hundreds of new graduates and runners.. it has been manic. It will be a relief to come and chat with friends here and hopefully to find time to post my rambles...
I have had a funny old time...lock down Week 12 now and having had a horrid time, trying to get to terms with things, am back out and running at least three times a week, and it is fantastic. Sometimes short runs, sometimes longer, but just going with the flow, slow and steady and enjoying!
I have chosen the title for this Quest deliberately.
This is such a tricky time for us right now, so., I felt we needed a real boost to run, and exercise, whenever and wherever we can, to revel in our awesomeness as runners, and to blooming well do whatever we are able, to show ourselves in all our glory, as runners!
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.
Some 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
BUT...
These are very strange uncertain times and we may be finding some of our challenges a a tad more tricky to accomplish!
So, it may be that you choose something different;
*a garden challenge
*an indoor walking challenge
*extending a route
*running earlier
*upping your pace
*a stress relief/relaxation challenge
*Just taking the first step outside your garden ( that was my biggest challenge last month) !
So:
This is a personal challenge, and a very broad and open one, so it's completely up to you!
If you want to join, all you have to do is COMMENT BELOW with something like:
I would like to join the Quest, or, count me in! I want to ..............
I'm going to add your names as you sign up and put everyone's Quests right in this post, so we can inspire each other!
And I'll be back here every week to check in , I hope you will all do the same!
I suggest you hit the 'Save post' button below, so you get the updates and do not forget to check in and let us know what you are up to!
Stay safe and stay happy x
Oldfloss x
BLOOMING QUESTERS
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Oldfloss
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Hiya Oldfloss. I’m in need of some motivation and have decided to set myself a challenge of at least 5K a day for June. I’ll alternate days between running and walking. Today I’m going to run 5K and tomorrow I will walk 5K. Over the month of June I will also aim to achieve a 10K.
I’m on Holidays now for 2 weeks. In lockdown , not in Italy where we were meant to be, but at least we have a lovely garden to enjoy, and the weather is great.
So I will get busy with catching up on podcasts as I walk and run and I will also try to shed a few pounds in weight. I have 7 lbs to shed. Those Blooming 7 lbs, I lose them and then they have a way of finding their way back.
This is sounding like great plan.... and I can really recommend that walk and run plan...i used something similar having come back from injury and my pace really improved too..
Yes ,the weight can be sneaky... when I was doing the garden runs before braving the wide world..it sneaked onto my waistline...gone now though
Thanks for this Floss, its good to focus the thinking.
May was rather mad for me work-wise, and I just continued to do what I do. My approach to my fitness in June has a new angle. I am always reminding myself of the phrase ' if you do what you have always done, then you get what you've always got', so I am going to try and shake it up a bit to get different outcomes:
1. continue with the OCR training 3 times a week along with my sons plan
2. During one run a week, jump over benches, gates, letterboxes (!) drop in puddles ( if it ever rains again), run with weights and sandbags ( just purchased the sand).
3. Continue my commute to work once every couple of weeks and increase weekly mileage up to 30 miles a week
Goodness Ju, what a super set of challenges... ! It will be really great to read your updates and I m so in awe of your work commute... I think you looked so great when you arrived with you running gear on.. !
It is good to shake up and you are right, focus is good... I ran a new route today and felt quite different! x
Hi Oldfloss, I would like to join the Quest, count me in as I want to complete my goal of running 10/10Ks by the end of June, I have already ran 6, usually on a Wednesday, so if I run 4/10Ks on each Wednesday in June by Wednesday 24th I will have ran 10/10Ks.
Great to read your recent posts here and on C25k and I am so happy you are back out there and enjoying your runs. Great name for this post too!
I am relatively new to the forum having had a bit of an interrupted consolidation after graduating C25k due to injury. I am back running now and with some guidance from roseabi am working on lengthening the duration of my runs, so my challenge is to gradually increase the duration of my longest run of the week.
Challenge myself to run 5k in 34 minutes instead of 44. Does anyone think this is reasonable/ unreasonable in 4 weeks running 3 times a week? Thank you
You can do it. But I would give yourself more time. You need to do 1 slow run of around 7K or more so as to build endurance, then one run where you do 5K split into intervals run at a 34 minute 5K pace and a 5K run slightly faster than you run at the minute. If you do this every week you will build up your Pace and endurance. It might take 6 weeks but it will work.
We would like to join the quest this month and ours is to speed up a bit, having run 5k quite regularly 6k a couple of times and even 8 k one mad day we seem to have taken the advice go slow to heart and plodding along can become boring so intervals once a week for us
Intervals work..they do... I started back after injury with just 1 K.... walk for 5 mins run for 5.. and kept adjusting and do you know what..my pace really increased by the end of my plan...
Hi Oldfloss , please could I join your blooming June quest? I want to continue running 3 times a week, preferably early morning as I went late this morning and it was rubbish...so disappointing...and I’m running my new trainers in too so am hoping for some special runs in them...maybe aiming for a long run at the weekend and some interval work thrown in the mix too...happy running everyone 😊
Hooray I'm here this month... ready to Bloom in June please!👋
Please may I join the Quest Floss, I am back at long last allowed to do two run/walk sessions a week with a rest day afterwards and strength conditioning on the other three days.
Throw in a few quiet country walks and daily yoga, I will have plenty to keep me occupied during this month.
As you know I tried my first little session last Friday, my right foot was fine...but my left achillies grumbled the next day🙄. I iced it and it's fine now. I think in my excitement I forgot the slow and steady mantra and just set off heavy footed a bit fast and grinning like mad.
So I must be mindful and rein myself back a bit. Plenty of time to get back in the swing. I'm so pleased you are hosting the Quest because I know you will keep an eye on me!
Good luck as you continue to venture out on your runs. I'm thinking quality not quantity at the moment.
By next June, which is when park run returns ( hopefully) you, and many are going to be whizzing around ... at the moment many folk seem to be concentrating on keeping moving and working on their personal issues... it is so inspiring
Hello Oldfloss, thanks for this challenge. I hope mine is okayish...
I live in a town made of hills. I always go up before down, it's a psychological thing, I hate the idea of having to run uphill because it's the only way home, I like the safety net of knowing that even if I'm still heading up, home is always down.
Since finishing C25k I have gone for a slightly steeper route each Saturday (today was a 5k with a 71m climb) but I've never had the guts to go down a bit of hill I haven't already run up. So that's my challenge. I intend to try a route, or a few routes, where there's uphill at the end instead of the beginning.
Go you. that is fabulous and I think you may be very surprised at how it goes.
I use hills as a warm up, with a long slow and steady incline to begin. I used to and still do often, run faster uphill than on the flat,( husband says it is because I put more effort in).
I think your challenge is a really interesting one and we will look forward to watching your progress
Please count me in......my quest is to run three times a week. I’m not putting pressure on myself for distance or time because I really just want to find my routine again....seems to have got lost at the back of the drawer somewhere!!
I would love to join the June challenge. I’ve just started Ju Ju’s magic plan for distance again after my May goal of sub 30 5k caused a injury whilst running week 1 of Magic. Taking it slow and steady this time or trying 🏃♀️
Glad you're out and about again. I've been continuing to run three times a week. I recovered from an op at the end of last year, so did C25K again. Since lockdown I've been cycling on some of my non-running days and enjoying the countryside more. So I'd like to be able to manage a longer run by the end of this quest so that I can get further and enjoy the views not only by bike.
Hi I am very new to this and very nervous my quest mantra is to be brave and announce i am definitely going to graduate this week (2 more runs to do) and continue with whatever motivation you and everyone inspire me to do!
I moved to New Zealand just in time for lockdown, then with all the stress of the move, my shipping not being delivered under lockdown etc, I got right out of running and right into the junk food. Time to reverse that scenario pronto. So here we go June (freezing cold as the mornings are here at the moment... omg!)
Lovely to see you here again flossy. 😀 Thanks for this timely quest! I really really need to shape up and get out of this lockdown rut. No excuses now we're back to level 1 in New Zealand.
I thought it was you! How great to hear from you... yes, still here, still running... first HM last year! This year's cancelled of course! I am as ever, slow and steady
Wow...great for you to be in New Zealand, they really did get this C virus sorted rapidly!
Well done you for starting up again...I will add your name and we will watch for your posts please
Hi Oldfloss I'd like to join the quest. I'd like to get to running 60 minutes by the end of June using the Magic Plan. I've got one run left in Week 4 of the "time" version so it should be doable without cutting any corners!
Just graduated c25k today for the second time after a 9 month break. I covered 3.75k in 30 mins. My aim is to continue with the 3 times a week increase to a 40 minute run on one run by 27 June (hopefully covering 5k
I’d like to join the Quest. I’m hoping to do at least a couple of 10ks this month too ( after finally getting there again last week) and I would really like to run sub40 5ks regularly ( my PR was 37:42 but that was June 2018- just before I fractured my ankle).
I’ve done it a couple of times- just missed this morning and I’m sure I can do it again.
You will most surely get there... slow and steady and just letting those runs come...Just go gently and stay safe.. we will look forwards to your progress x
I graduated C25K last August and have been running/jogging/plodding slowly since then. I tell myself I run 3 times a week but there are so many excuses (too hot/cold/early/late...) it often turns out to be two. So my challenge for now is to make those 3 runs happen every week. The challenge after that is to run 5k in 40 mins rather than the current 48 - I plead advanced age and short legs 😉 Thanks for doing this!
Hi Oldfloss I hope you are well and enjoying the freedom of being back out running. Can I please join this months quest? I have 3 goals...
No 1. To run one interval session a week
No 2. Having run a 6.5k on Saturday after a minor injury setback I want to run an 8k by the end of June. Not quite ready for the structure of the magic plan yet.... that might be July's quest...
No 3. To run a total of 60k over the month of June (2.5k bagged in this mornings interval run)
I m thank you..just got in from a very warm early run!
Your goals look really interesting and we shall watch for your reports
I would like to join the Quest, I want to be able to run 5k in under 42 mins. I was over 50 mins at the end of C25k in Feb now the quickest I have done is 46 mins!
Long time since I have been on here! Great to hear that there's lots of new people doing C25K - certainly seems like there's a lot of new runners around here....and all of them are faster than me🏃♀️😂
I have been quiet on here but I have been running, and in May I decided to do some exercise every day, mainly in an attempt to compensate for the huge volume of food and drink I have been consuming! Very proud that I achieved that goal 🏆 I ran three times a week, did the Joe Wick's workouts and went for a long walk at the weekends.
I've slowly been building back up to 10K, as the first time I achieved it I think I pushed myself a bit too far and it took me a few weeks to get back to normal. So my goal for June is to run my second 10K (which I am going to attempt tomorrow), and then two more. I enjoyed exercising every day, so I will continue with that too, and of course the running will continue as that's my thing now 😉😃
Hi, Oldfloss, I want to join the challenge--and thank you for this special, open-ended challenge. I plan to resume my weightlifting--slowly so as to not hurt myself. That's it!
My current "incremental gains" quest is to increase the distance over which I can maintain a 5'00"/k pace. I got it up to 8k early in May , but a second go blew out at 7 . So to get it up to 9k this month will be a bit of a challenge.
I had a dire 30:20:10 jog-run-sprint session a couple of weeks ago where I only managed 2 sets of 3 reps. I'd like to get that back to at least 2 sets of 4 ……..
But most importantly is running with Dexy5 as her rehab continues, with my hope being that we'll get to a continuous 5k by the end of the month - last effort being 3 x 1k runs, with 250m walking intervals.
Hi Oldfloss. My quest for June is to get back to running 10k plus as if it were a walk in the park! I am back up to 7k now and my knee feels to be holding up 🤞🤞🤞. Hands on physio appointment on Monday, so maybe things are headed in the right direction. Quicker 3k in the cold and wet today...Mrs BC said "why would you go running in this?" answer; the reasons for not doing so are all bad...don't fancy the cold, wet and wind.....all steps on the way back to the couch!! Great to see that you are out 3 times a week again 👏👏👏👏
Loving being out again, thank you...and I was hoping for rain this morning..I sneaked in a 3.5 K...not quick though...it came just as I got in! You sound as if you are well on the way and good to know that the knee is behaving..keep us posted please
Hello Oldfloss. Count me in for the Blooming June Quest.
Now that I am actually running again, my quest is to get to running 5k in one go again and then a bit of consolidation. I don't care about the speed at this stage, but so far my happy pace is around 7:00 - 7:30 mins per km.
My roses are also blooming lovely this year.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5
Blooming great...! That all sounds super and it is lovely that you are back on your feet...keep us posted please x
Well, I'm thinking about ju-ju- 's very timely caution against more of the same...
However, it's June and it is 30DaysWild time so that's the first goal.
Finished C25K redux last month so it is all about keeping going with getting out there running. I'm going to set a modest 5K goal for the month and see what emerges on top. Got closer than I have been to anyone not in my household for months on my last run and not happy about that.
Yoga fizzled right out (I think I'd do better listening to Adriene in savasona for relaxation than attempting to move along with her) so back on my personal practice and glad to be back so want 15x that over the month.
Mulling over a 4th goal for which I want public accountability.
Okay... here you are and we know what you are aiming for...I will add you to the growing list!
All sounding positive.. and I may join you on the Yoga Relaxation target, when I decide on my challenges... I am wall climbing at certain times.
A 5K for the month sounds like a plan.., totally doable
30 Days Wild... I had forgotten that.. did it last year with small runner in training.. like you and your family are finding,strange times ...(no physical contact with her since 19th March)!
Let us know your 4th challenge as and when, and thanks for some pointers for me here too.
In myself I am OK, lived with personal lockdown before but the cognitive dissonance between what is said and what is done (internationally, nationally and some surprising friends) is a toughie. Still, Springwatch!
I will give it a go got a niggly injury but sure I can do a garden challenge
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Gramp
Take it steady and very, very well done.. I managed 3K garden wise..including a rockery traverse Then I plucked up courage and got out there Keep us posted please
Blooming juning - my goal is to do the first 4 weeks of the magic plan and enjoy it. I graduated c25k in late march and have been runnung 3 times a week. Still listening to wk9 - although now once a week running an extra 5 mins. So other goal is move on to another decent running guide to listen too. I really need the encouragement!
Well done you... great goal... I did not like the Stepping Stones, felt like a soft shoe shuffle.. but love Stamina and Speed and like many of us, am still using them...either stand alone or as part of other runs... They are so useful for teaching us about the discipline in our running
Appreciate that. Tried the speed one which made me feel like I'd never run before! Slightly demoralizing as it made me feel I haven't been running 'properly' during my months of consolidation. I had to stop a few times. Anyway hopefully have got over that now 🤞getting ready to go out for a 30min run this morning ☺. On with the plan!
Hi, I just restarted the speed sessions after a small injury... the first time was really tough, 2nd time noticeably easier, 3rd time will be Thursday this week. If you can face it, try and stick with it, the improvements and benefits are really noticeable. Enjoy your 30 minute run this morning
Hi Mum22boys thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I will keep at it - my run today was all good. I noticed today that I was more aware of my pace - so that is probably another benefit of the speed runs. Good to hear that the second one will be easier! 🙂🙂
If that is your goal, brilliant.. I will add you Shake the runs up... and remember it is the lovely long slow runs that help build stamina strength and yes, speed and distance:)Keep us posted!
Hey there Oldfloss! It's good to read everyone's goals and good to hear life getting more normal for you too. I struggled with consolidation after C25K but roseabi, Fionamags and Delly-dot came to my rescue😊 and I got a second wind ! I'm now returning to full time work so my foci for June:-
1. I need to continue to run regularly following the plan. More so now my daily stresses are increasing.
2. To increase my long run each week so I achieve 60 minutes by the end of June.
3. To continue to use the speed podcast to help me eventually achieve that scary 10k distance
Looking forward to seeing everyone's achievement 🤞
Your goals seem to be very positive and doable.., Running regularly and organising that, in these current stressful times is really helpful. It brings a strange normality to what is a becoming , a new normal...
Increasing your run, slowly and steadily... perfect
Speed.. I love.... and maybe too, add in some longer slower relaxed runs, they are terrific for building up everything... stamina, strength and weirdly, speed too
Scary 10K... no... superb 10K and you will get there... just take it gently, do not push too hard and use these goals to help reduce the daily stresses.
Just an update. I have managed to keep running going which is good. I'm up to 50 minutes and that makes.me happy. Not sure I'll get to 60 mins before the end of June bu I'll keep trying. I'll check back before month end 👍
Pace is something I really struggle with. I either go off too quick or just plod all the way round. Now I've got 2 , 5k runs under my belt I am developing confidence but I need to really embed running as a practice first! Thanks Oldfloss🥴
Hi Oldfloss, please may I join even though it’s already 7th!! I graduated just a week ago but have now done 4x 5k from week 9 and this week. Getting bored with no structure. Today did 5.75k ( thought I had better stop as very aware of overdoing it) so think I am ready to go onto the 10k plan from week 1. If I don’t have a challenge I am useless, so I would like to give it a go. So my challenge will be to follow the magic plan , using the nike app for the shorter runs so I can do intervals/speed rather than just a shorter run. That’s the idea anyway!! Thank you😀😀
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to AlysP
You may join at any time and welcome.. that sounds like a great plan too..
Will do👍 Nice to get back out there, it got far to busy for me when lockdown started. All the parks being closed meant my usual quiet route was overrun with dog walkers, families etc. Not complaining, just didn’t feel safe and I wasn’t enjoying it. Not their fault my gorgeous little spot was open when all around was closed.
Nice to come back on here and find you all still here, safe and well👍
Was rather taken up with school shenanigans last week - but feel that having something else to focus on over the next few weeks would be a good plan in support g my mental health.
Having recently left a calf strain behind I'd like to:
get back into running at least 5x week incorporating some speed work into this (intervals at least once a week)
get back to healthier eating (far too much comfort eating and wine of late...) and maybe she'd a few pounds...
Hi you... strange and tricky times for all of us and you sound to be having a real share. I do not envy the school issues at all!
Your goals sound achievable and fun too. and the run will help ease some of those stresses and strains.. take it gently with the recent calf strain too x
Count me in I am on 5Km consolidations this month run one day and walk the day after, even better I have already beaten my PB aim to be able to get to the magic number of 5km in 30 mins by the end of the month, stay safe and keep active
three run/walks in and there is definately something going on with my left ankle/achillies. It's tender and niggling when I run on it. My physio has said not to run on it and I'm having a video appointment with her on Friday.
I suspect what originally happened to my right achillies (scar tissue, overuse tendonitis strain) is now arising in my left. I hope this can be fixed with specific exercise, not much change of ultrasound at the moment.
Quest on hold🙄😶...but I hope to be back before the end of the month🤞
Well.I know I've clicked the like button Bluebirdrunner ...but I'm not liking this at all....I have got my fingers crossed for you...and again, I will take you out with me on my runs xxx
Your having a tough time Jan.❤️But if anyone can handle and fix this it’s you and your physio.A delay is frustrating but you will make it all good.Every best wish from me.
Sorry to hear this BBR. I hope your physio can give you some hands on treatment soon. Funny how some are seeing people now and others aren’t. I guess it’s down to accommodation and personal risk.
Hi Oldfloss , I'm still batting away, just enjoying my new shoooooooes (I love them!!) I had a nice run yesterday and today, while I was having a nosey on Strava I have heard of some fartleks that are available on the Nike running app, so I'm going to have a go at those, I like intervals as you know but I think these may be a bit harder than what I'm used to but I am always willing to push myself that bit more...so its recommended that I do them once a fortnight or so, so I might get a couple of sessions in before the end of the month and I'm looking forward to trying 😊 xx
1) take the jog section of at least one of my longer walk-jog-walk sessions up to the magic 60min (managed a total duration of 60mins for the first time today so getting quite close); and
2) squeeze in a couple of 5km virtual parkruns (I completed my first real parkrun just before lockdown, and then a virtual one at the weekend).
Currently I'm planning to keep running 5k (only achieved it once on my last consolidation run) 3 x week. Once I've got that as a "comfortable" distance I'm going to focus on my speed - I would be happy with a move up from snail to tortoise!
I hope it’s not too late to join. I am terrified of injury so I have set myself 2 challenges that I hope won’t stress me out too much and I’m hoping to achieve either one. To run 200 metres under 34 seconds (my fastest yet), or run/Jeff beyond 16km (my furthest yet). 😬
Right...I always find a better pace after doing other bits...when I did the Speed challenge.. the 1K I set myself was always the one at the end of a run! 🤣
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. So to get it up to 9k this month will be a bit of a challenge.
June Quest: Check in time! 
