...It is hot and it is steamy...Are we still on track?
Well, running friends, here we are again heading towards JULY. Can you believe it?
The weather has presented quite an extra challenge for many of us, the humidity and the unusual temperatures, have made our running, interesting!
I have managed to stay running, at much earlier times, but even at 6 a.m. it is warm! I am taking part in the (Not) Park runs right now and trying to improve my time. Why I have chosen an uphill route for that, remains a mystery...maybe the heat has gone to my head! Yoga is still part of each day and also making time to just relax and take stock
I have had an absolute whale of a time doing the Quest this month. Watching everyone's progress and reading the posts and replies has been inspirational! Your sheer love of what you are doing and the way you adapt to changes, successes and pitfalls is amazing.
It has, as ever, been an absolute privilege to be here with you all.
Folk have improved speed, improved distance, got out running three times a week again, just simply, got out running!
There have been old friends, and new friends here on the Quest , and the reappearance of some chums, after really long absences, it has been quite wonderful!
Please, please, please post your replies and tell us how it has all gone so far and whether you feel that you have met those targets! I know that I still have not made my longer distance run target... but, there is always next month. Slow and steady, I know I will make it
So... where do we go from here?
These are still very uncertain times, testing times; there is little point in pretending that everything is fine, we do not know how events will unfold over the next weeks... so for us, the only way we can go is of course...
Onward and Upward
I am really looking forward to your replies over the next few days, so keep on, keeping on, stay cool, stay safe and mostly, stay happy
Oldfloss x
PS
See you all on the July Quest ?
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So my Quest for June was to complete 10 10K's by the end of the month, I did not run all of them in June, my first one was last September and ran 4/10Ks in the "glorious" month of June.
Like you I have been doing my runs before 8am, I began my final 10K at 6.30am on Wednesday 24th June.
Onwards and upwards to July and I will try and get to 10 miles, just over 16K by the end of the month by increasing by 1 Kilometre a week until I get to 16K.
The beard is still growing, over six inches, when I took that photo is was 5 inches.
This morning I ran my 15th virtual and 2nd (not) parkrun, since I have started running those midweek 10K's my Saturday times have been getting a teeny bit slower, a few weeks ago my 5k time was 32.14, this morning it was 34.07. nevertheless, it's not going to stop me from gradually increasing my midweek runs until the end of July when I hope to run a little over16K or 10 miles by increasing by 1K a week, next Wednesday I hope to run 11K.
My quest was to get my routine back.....three times a week and I was doing so well until the crazy heat came along...I cannot manage the heat sitting still never mind running. With not sleeping well 6am runs were not an option if I was to sustain home schooling and a full time job without me biting someone’s head off!! So I admitted defeat. The weather is suppose to be cooler again so I’ll continue my quest into next month too. Thanks for organising it really did help me focus on what mattered running wise! X
Huge HUGE well done to you...you got back to it ....and this heat as you say is bad enough...but home schooling and working! You deserve a medal! At least I can rest in the day!
Whoop whoop whoop . I ran a straight 5k at (not)parkrun with my running chums this week. I was really pleased with the run as it seemed easier than previous runs with walking breaks. At 37:03, It’s still much slower than pre-injury but that’s something I can build on as I get stronger.
I think (not) parkrun is a great initiative and well timed. It helps give us a bit of a push to get out on those runs.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5
Absolutely fantastic...what a milestone after your injury...and yes..the non Park run does get us going
It was so hot this morning , but it made me go and do it!
Time to build everything up as we move into next month..just take care my friend.
Yes Oldfloss, I will consolidate at 5k a few weeks before I move on to longer runs. I’ve also asked the physio to give me a final check over once he opens next month, so that we can clear up any weak areas.
He has been great, no charges raised for all my virtual appointments on Skype.
I must also give credit to @upthestanley who has been a brilliant support during the rehab runs.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5
That is just perfect...and UpTheStanley ....what a guy!!
Lovey post Floss.Thanks for the Blooming June Quest which has ended somewhat confused.🤔
I am hopeful to finish with a week4 : 4x10k.😱
🏃♀️⭐️👏👏❤️💪🙏
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Tbae
You are most welcome and you have done incredibly well and made terrific progress...we will look forward to watching how you move on...and I am hopeful that at some point you and I will manage a Not Park run in Wales!
Quest very much not yet at the finish line for me but still within my grasp. I'll have to make sure I don't skip a day of yoga to achieve 'more often than not' and I do still need to bag that 5K... I've had commitments too early to get out first thing and then walked with my husband in the evenings. I have a route in mind and thought I might do it today but when my much fitter brother declared it was too hot for him to run, we opted for a distanced chip eating on the hill instead.
It will and it has... actually over 6k as it turned out in hot sun and driving rain (the driving rain actually very welcome at that stage and took my mind off a rather grotty track near the end) Lots and lots and lots of gates and squeezer stiles.
Great post Oldfloss and thank you for overseeing our questing this month. 8k was achieved last Sunday so this Sunday I'll either do this again or might go for 8.5k. On track for with interval sessions, definitely noticing I'm recovering quite quickly after the faster run section's, and still on track for achieving 60k in June. Having said all that I'm feeling a bit flat.. 😕 I've noticed when I run my heart rate goes pretty high, although I could still talk to someone, so deliberately slowed down doing the 8k last Sunday and although heart rate was lower it still seems high 🤷♀️ I don't know if its linked but I therefore feel like I'm going backwards rather than improving because I feel like I'm going to have to slow down. My late addition to the quest of cutting out sugar is going well so far (although I do miss a Friday night chocolate). Ingredients arriving with the ocado man on Sunday to make sugar free chocolate truffles so fingers crossed 🤞
I’ve tried runs where I try to stay 150bpm or under. It does focus you on having a slower run once a week. Why not give it a try with a rate below your normal maximum.
I've just checked my last 3 non interval runs.. avergae heart rate was 153/154 bpm The 8k I ran on Sunday where I deliberately slowed down having noticed my heart rate was possibly getting a bit high, my max heart rate was 169 bpm. I wonder if I should start with try a run under 160bpm.. although I'm not sure my watch allows me to monitor this rather than just periodically looking. Thank you for the suggestion.. maybe this is the start of my July quest...
Sorry you are feeling a bit flat because you have done so well .
I am not helpful on the heart rate issues..but you have had some advice from Dexy...
But, the idea of a slow relaxed run sounds perfect to me, but I understand that your feel the need for speed.
On the sugar target...brilliant! If you feel the chocolate craving getting too much.. choose a really good chocolate, at least 80% cacao...and ration it let me know how the truffles go!
Maybe it's just my current mood... 🤔 just need a good old kick up the bum!! I don't necessarily need to be quick (I'm not quick) but getting slower feels like reverse progress. I think I need to change my mindset and I've got a few days to think about this before the July quest kicks in.
I'll see how the truffles work out 😋 but may invest in a really good dark chocolate if I feel the need... although I'm a stubborn thing so once I've set my mind on something 😉 Hopefully I'll be letting you know that the truffles are yummy 😋
No need to say any more about Dexy5 's rehab, well covered above, except to applaud 👏👏. Cast loose to my own devices on Thursday, I remembered muttering about jog-run-sprints at the start of the month, and did manage 2 sets of 5 30:20:10s, although I did break my self-imposed rules by easing the sprint back a tad from my usual eyeballs out.
Haven't gone over 5k at all so far this month, so may throw a longer one in this week. But don't think my stated target of 9k in 45 minutes is in any danger really, as it's been a struggle to get my (not) parkruns done in under 25 . But as you say, there's always next month!
All sounding positive to me, and a great approach to how you are moving on. With the current situation and the current weather, we do what we are able and what feels safe!
Carry on with those plans and we will see where we are in July!
My quest was to increase my long run up to 8km by the end of June as part of the 10km plan, I’m due to run Sunday morning, so fingers crossed I’ll achieve this.
But my last two runs this week haven’t been great, went out both mornings before 7am and the heat was still a killer. Legs felt like dead weights on both runs, even with decent hydration on the days before. Sunday morning looks like it will be cooler, so will hopefully be better.
My quest was to keep up the 3 times week running and to run 5k before the end of June. Managed to do 3x a week by getting up extra early and managed 5k last weekend in 39.30 👍
Hi not been to good, but getting better 🙂lost a family member to the virus ,so sad , I like reading all the positive post everyone getting out doing there runs.will join the July quest and try for twice a week running in my local park .
For the little bit of muscle exercise I am doing: I have done it faithfully, but it is pitiful how little I am doing. I tried upping it and reinjured something so had to cut back on one of merely four things I was doing. So I need to be slower about increasing. Otherwise, we have a garden that has things sprouting in it at long last which delights me daily to see how things spring up out of mere dirt.
My quest was to start Ju Ju’s Magic plan again after injuring myself back in May week 1. I’m four weeks in and have managed every run without injury so far. 8k was hard last week and I had an energy slump at 6k-7k but ran on and completed it in just under an hour. I’ve been running the shorter run after the long run as a tempo run and the 5k and long run nice and steady. Sub 30 minute 5k may well now be in reach but I’m still choosing distance over pace. Hope to run 10k on my birthday in July 🏃♀️
It’s Winter here in Australia so no hot weather to contend with yet although I’m taking notes for when it gets hot here. I think I will be running very very early. Thanks for all your encouragement 🏃♀️
Well my challenge to myself was to try and increase my distances. I normally do 80km but I thought I would try to get to 105km and I’ve only gone and done 122km and still have 3 days to go. I also did my first ever 10 mile run. Never thought this time last year I would be running that sort of distance. I’m a very happy me this month. 🥇
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Tonj
And you should be!
Wow; that is super and those targets well and truly completed.
That first 10 miler! How special is that? Really well done you.
My quest for June was to work through the Magic plan. I am now on week 5 following the timed runs. I did my first 50 minute run on Tuesday (week 4), luckily it was before the heatwave. I still can’t quite believe I can run for 50 minutes. I have discovered that I really do not like running in hot weather. I too like many others have been running very early in the morning. I still log on to this page nearly every day to see how people are progressing and I have really enjoyed reading this thread. Happy running 🏃♀️ 🏃♂️ everyone.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to MoliJ
Terrific...well done you!
Early running seems to be catching on more and more...it is perfect.
And a lovely long run too...on you go, and do keep us posted please!
Great to hear you are getting out there Floss - though choosing to run up hill makes me think the heat has got to you 😂.
I'm still finding it hard to run around my ridulous working hours so my runs cluster around the weekend but I have managed 5 runs this week and remain on track for my 1000k this year.
Didn't put in any intervals but got some hill running in on a favourite route I haven't done for ages (actually if I'd remembered the hill I might not have chosen it for my first drive somewhere to run since the beginning of lockdown 😂 but the views are worth it) and I have stayed away from wine for a week - thinking now I'll try and keep this up until the end of term. Only 3 weeks to go... and am beginning to feel hopeful that we might get to Cornwall 😊.
I so love reading your posts and your genuine interest in how everyone is getting on.
I got out for another 43 minute run earlier in the week and it felt good. I felt a little niggle in my heel afterwards and the underside of my foot felt quite tender for a couple of days so I'm following up on the advice I so often give and resting it up for a week just in case. It feels fine now so in a couple of days I'm going to go out and try for a slow 20-30 minutes to test it.
I've done 23 miles in total of my target 26.2 miles now so it was a good little cumulative target to aim for and hopefully will finish that in the next run or two! Then I'll have to set myself a new target. I've also lost 3kg in the last month with eating sensibly alongside the reasonably regularly running - getting, looking and feeling healthier which is great considering how things are at the moment!
You have done me a big favour.Got me thinking of a garden challenge.Its something I need to do to get this 200 m, 80 year old hedge where I want it to be.Going to reduce the height to 6 feet and remove 2 feet off the blind side to get it back to a smaller hedge going forward.Its all heavy lopping and shaping,generating masses of cuttings to dispose.All part of lowering the maintenance.
Going to return to my marathon ambition in a couple of months.Thank you for getting me to knock off 6 x 10k’s and getting to 31k.My FM is going to happen this year.
Stay safe Floss.🏃♀️⭐️👏👏❤️💪🙏
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Tbae
Sounding good..if somewhat precarious.... ! Do take care on the hedge cutting! We sold our house to daughter and son in law so they inherited the high hedge cutting!
It will serve you well for your strength and stamina work though!
You did brilliantly in your targets and you will get to that FM if that is what you wish...
Do stay safe my friend in all ways...(worrying times on your island), and hopefully, we will meet in person before too long x
Yes Floss.We are not in the clear yet Floss.No realism on the expectation of vaccines neither.Some previous viruses still do not have a vaccine.I always want to stay positive, not afraid,but will be hanging onto a very cautious regime.
A million thank you’s for who you are Floss and what you do.
We are going to make that happen.💥
🏃♀️⭐️👏👏❤️💪🙏
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Tbae
Early days... and I feel, also, realistically, we are in for a very long haul... but, slow and steady and we will learn to live differently but positively!
Just stay safe... and know I think of you all often x
lovely to read all the posts of folk and their challenges this month. I ended up changing my challenge to one of sensible recovery running and avoiding hard surfaces which meant walking to grassy areas. I’m still taking it easy and just being grateful for being able to run so no PB attempts or crazy long distances for some time yet. I will be heading to the spinal injuries unit once they reopen hopefully not to long to wait though.
Just great and a sensible, enjoyable target I feel Runs are the thing. and we are all finding out so much, about what we want from them right now. Fingers crossed for you x
I like reading your posts - you put things well: yes the way to go is onward and upward.
Almost at the end of June and my first 10k of just over a week ago was consolidated with a second yesterday ... so, it's nice to feel that it was more than a one off (especially as I managed to keep things going despite a medication related episode during the run - not pleasant but equally not dire but just something to put up with). Also done were two faster, 3ks plus a 5k - these were first thing to avoid the worst heat and were OK (maybe I am not at my fastest early and/or in that warmth).
Am going to ponder July quest target now ... lot of food for thought, still really pleased with June.
My target. A long run each week to help reduce my 5k time. One out of two isn’t bad?? I was going to try for a good time last week but it was just too hot. I’ve got up to 12k on my long runs now and did manage one each week. May try for the under 30min 5k this week.
I have pretty much stuck to my training plan, though I did knock one Joe Wick's session on the head as it was simply too much to attempt in 30 degrees heat! Like you I have run NotParkRun and I've been getting quicker, though still not up to my usual park run time. My run yesterday was in rain, and I had the park pretty much to myself. It was wonderful, really enjoyable to not worry about getting wet and actually finding the rain cooled me down.
My longrun Fridays have carried on, and I have a plan to run 10K this Friday. Whethere I will carry on with the 10Ks is debatable, as it takes me 1.5 hours and that's a long time to motivate myself to run.
Tomorrow is my runnerversary, which I find incredible that I have been doing this for a year. As I said last time I'm going to redo W1R1 of C25K. Funnily enough one of my friends told me at the weekend that she is going to start C25K, inspired by me! She doesn't know it but if she sticks to it I intend to join her at her local park run one day in the future. I've assured her that it's highly likely she'll be a faster runner than me (most people are). I am happy being slow though, just being able to run is still a bit of a thrill for me.
Anyway, I'm starting to wonder what my quest for July will look like....
Thanks you... I have loved doing this and being back on Bridge among so, so many friends
You have done so well and I know how much the running means to you, but you have stayed sensible and are carrying on meeting your own targets
The yoga will really help in so may ways, and hopefully your patience will pay dividends and over the next month we will be tackling some new running targets together!
I’d set myself a target of being able to do routes where the uphill was in the second half. Before June I’d always been very careful to keep the uphill at the start so that I could just coast downhill for the end when I was getting tired. Running uphill first is so easy strategy-wise, you don’t have to think about saving your energy for later, and psychologically it just feels more comfortable knowing that the hard bit is going to be out of the way.
So I tried a couple of new routes, one which went quite a way downhill first and back up, which I hated, and another which undulated for the whole time so although there was always a slope to climb they were short, or shortish. I did pretty well with the second one, although my average pace was way worse than my original straight up then straight down route.
I’m going to keep going with the undulating route each week and try the down-up one again now and then until I don’t need to hate it.
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by easing the sprint back a tad from my usual eyeballs out.
🌸 February Quest Week 3 : it’s blooming lovely to be a runner! 🌸
June Quest: Check in time! 
November quest last day and a little Well done from me x
January Quest: the last gasp!