Well, Week 1 has flown by for me - some of it with running related activities but also with one of those 'little' DIY projects you launch into enthusiastically, only to then question whether you really have the skills 🔨🙄 or commitment to see it through to the end! Perhaps "build alcove cupboards" should have been one of my August goals!
😉
As a result of all this exciting DIY, I missed a run earlier in the week due to a niggly back but fortunately could be found running up and down a hill in the beautiful Surrey countryside again on Thursday - happy days!🏃🏽♀️🙂
So, how have you all been getting on with your goals?
I've read some great things on the forum this week, so I know some of you are already off to a great start (although the heat is making our lives tricky again). How are you all coping?
🙂If you have just happened upon this post for the first time - you can join the Quest at any time. Here's what you need to know...
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.
This Quest will run all the way through August.
You can join at any point during that time.
Some popular goals are:
•To run three times a week
•To slowly increase distance - maybe you are following ju-ju's Magic Plan?
•To add Stretch and Strength exercises to your weekly routine
•To safely improve pace
•Extending a route
•Running earlier
It's completely up to you!
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 ...
Every week in August I will put up a new post and we can catch up with how we are doing, share tips, and motivate each other!
My own Quest for August is to continue to work on my hills!
Wow, doesn’t seem like a week since I joined this 🤣🤣
A week of discovery for me... well, affirmation of what I already knew really!
I cannot run early morning... I tried to start before 7 on Thursday, less than my usual morning caffeine, head not in the right mindset, humidity up, reasonably cool... Toxic 10, second toxic 10, another toxic 10... just couldn’t get into any rhythm, everything felt wrong, no pains but a really awful experience. My brain didn’t kick in, I didn’t give myself any motivation... runner UNM needs coach UNM to be on his game too. Gave up as it’s the first run I haven’t enjoyed even a second of ever.
Yesterday it was too hot, I went out at 11am, I recalled a song about mad dogs and Englishmen just before I started running. I was crazy to not try to avoid the heat. Coach UNM kicked in before the start... no toxic 10 at all, wonderful run, 2nd quickest 5k of the year, 6k done... walked up the high street afterwards grinning like I should be in an asylum.
So, I’m not a morning person, I can take the heat, I hate humidity, and I need to coach myself often... all new things I discovered about myself, that I subconsciously already knew. Learning is training too, so I consider these two runs excellent for my development going forwards.
Yep, sounds like you proved what you already knew - that Thursday run sounds horrid! 😫
Interesting, the impact of our inner voice too...mindset is everything.
I never used to run as well in the mornings (in fact I'm still slower then than later in the day) but I actually quite enjoy a morning run now. Due to work, it's not usually an option but now, during the school holiday, I'm rising earlier to avoid the heat! ☀️
You were clearly happier in the heat at 11 - that early morning humidity is so tough at the moment!
I don’t like the humidity either UNM! But, I also don’t like the heat! I do however like early morning runs....cooler, less people and because I like to run before eating 😊Best for 🐶 too 🐾🐾.
Yeah... puppies really not liking the weather, very subdued walking today... lost count of how many times I’ve filled their water. Got a bowl at the end of our path for others too.
Two runs - 10k & 14k (got a bit ‘lost’ so running punctuated by some walking and climbing over gates 😂). Tomorrow morning another 10k hopefully. I have incorporated some strength exercises into both my runs, stopping at benches and railings to do 10x3 bench dips, push ups and pull ups. Trying hard to watch my calorie intake but have been tempted by 🍫😬.
Awesome running. There’s a guy I see often in the park who does other exercises during his run, I know when he’s there because he leaves a skipping rope behind a bench... awesome stuff.
Superb running... and a 10k+ burns more than enough for a little temptation.
Sounds like a great week - well done on those runs and workouts skysue! 🙂
As for chocolate - there are simply too many temptations! 😩I made a Banana cake this morning. It somehow sounds healthier, even though it's not - especially as I added some dark chocolate chips too! 😁 It was hard resisting a second piece today but I can reward myself with some after my run tomorrow morning! 😁😊
My quest was to run slower so I could run longer injury free. I read Matt Fitzgerald 80/20 Running and I’m pretty convinced it’s the way to go. We’re now on stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne which means only an hour of exercise daily so no long runs for me. I have discovered it’s hard to run slow and my heart rate is way too high even when I think I’m running easy. My best heart rate run looking back at Strava was my 10k 🤔I thought it was strange my Garmin called it a recovery run. Think I’m going to spend more time walking than running if I’m going to commit to low heart rate training. My hydration vest arrived in the post this week which under present circumstances might be overkill 😂
Gosh, Runwillie - I did see that you were on a strict Lockdown in Melbourne😔 - treasure that hour of running. I know I did when it was all we had here too. 🌈
Interesting about the 80/20 runnning. I haven't read the book yet but am planning on the slowest run ever tomorrow morning, due to the heat we're having here at the moment!
Take care and here's hoping that hydration vest can be put to good use soon..🙂
Well done. As for the hydration vest, I think it’ll be useful to become accustomed to running with it on before you need it. I’d probably go for a 5k in it without even filling it first time out. Hope the lockdown works and eases again soon.
Thanks for the tip to get used to the hydration vest. I have worn it on my shorter runs this week as my cheap decathlon running belt has marked all my compression running tights 😩
Least it gave my husband a laugh as I left the house looking like I was going to run an ultra with my vest and running buff to meet our new mask requirements 😂
Mine was interesting - as far as 'new places' goes, knocked it out the park , so pleased - I remarked to MrGM that it felt almost as if we were on holiday. On the whole we've been going out in the evening after tea... I was gutted to realise last night that both of us had had something to drink so no evening adventure (it was a very fine English Garden cocktail I had but I'd've put Seedlip in inside of echt gin if I'd known what he was drinking) Most places we've had to ourselves, even well known ones. So this has all helped with the step count and it is over the previous average.
So that's the successes out of the way...
Yoga was limited but two or three sessions so ticking over OK
Weight, er, no....let's just say it wasn't just all the interesting new walks that made this week feel like a holiday...It is a bit frustrating though as although there were some gustatory treats, other days I ate very modestly compared with my activity. I have a strong suspicion that sleep is very relevant to successful weight gain (and not due to eg late night scoffing) and my sleep has been iffy this week due to my own symptoms and Google (more on her in another post maybe)
As for the 15 minute tidying sessions... I forgot I even had that as a goal!!!
Well, I'd say that overall, that sounds pretty good for one week! 🙂Your evening walks sound lovely - funny how we can miss what is right on our doorstep sometimes! Late night scoffing? - guilty as charged here too!🙄but as the picture at the top of this post says..."One step at a time"!
I have to say, I am sligtly relieved at your lack of tidying 😉 as it makes me feel a little less guilty about "the cupboard under the stairs!"😱 in my own house!
I finally sorted out one of the cupboards under the stairs the other day. After 14 years in this house it has only just struck me that I don't actually need to keep woolly hats, scarves and gloves by the door, especially when it's 40°+ outside.
I've had a mixed week. I've just finished my 13th consolidation run this morning. I had a horrendous run on Wednesday evening. I was desperate all day to go for a run, even though I am an early morning runner. It was just too hot, even though it had been raining, so I cut it short but I still managed to run for 30 minutes so I still class it as a successful run. A run is a run at the end of the day!
I saw my physio on Friday and she got me running on the treadmill. The good news is that the strengthening exercises have helped and my running technique is pretty good. I have now been discharged but am still going to regularly do my strengthening exercises. These have definitely helped my ankle and I have noticed that they have also helped my yoga practice. I'm still not going to increase my distance yet so will stick to 30 minutes/5k for the next few weeks as I still get a bit of a niggle in the ankle at times. Last week was due to my walking boots being slightly too tight, even though they were comfortable.
I have thought about mixing things up with my runs now. I usually run 'naked' and don't listen to podcasts/music as I prefer to just get out into nature. I try to practice mindfulness when running as I find it makes me feel better. I tried slowing my pace right down this morning. I found it hard to keep my heart rate down while running up hills!! Any tips would be great thanks. I'm on annual leave this week so think I will try some shorter, faster runs as well. I have no plan for this as yet so will probably see what I feel like on the day. I'm also planning on doing much more yoga and walking most days. I also want to get out in the garden but I'll have to see on the weather (I'm certainly a fair weather gardener) as the weeds are taking over.
My yoga practice has suffered this week as I have been exhausted with the heat. I managed it yesterday and will do another session later. I struggle with extremes of temperatures so I have to listen to how my body feels at the time.
Sorry about your evening run - the weather ☀️ is making running hard work at the moment - early morning running is definately the way to go! Well done for getting out anyway and doing your 30 minutes in the heat.🙂
I like a little bit of hill work but I'm not sure my heart rate is ever particularly low as I puff my way up!🙄 The key to a steady hill ascent is to shorten your stride but keep you effort level the same. This will mean your pace will drop. In reality, I have to say that for me, running up a hill is always going to feel like more effort - that's why it's so good for us! Here is a link to a Runners World article which explains it in more detail. Go steady though, if you are seeing a physio for your ankle/glutes...
Thank you. That is a very interesting article. Hills are the way to go. I already consciously shorten my steps and slacken off the pace, but maybe need to do this more. I'll try their suggestions on the next up hill session.
I am doing "hill repeats" weekly when I can.. Definately no way to keep heart rate low on these(!) as it requires running fast up your hill for 30-40 secs before jogging/ walking back down to recover. Then repeat! Am doing 8 repeats on a grassy hill over on my local Parkrun course. Despite a feeling of dread on the day I am due to do them😉 - it's actually good to do try something different to my usual runs. The setting is beautiful and I always feel like I've had a really good workout afterwards! I already feel stronger after four weeks of doing them. 🙂
Oops! 🙄 Apologies that I had not put you or Thatwasunexpected on the list! It has now been rectified! Hope your running is going ok this month - and that all is going well with your goals?🙂
Sweating buckets! Mind you, I have just this minute finished a step class including some body conditioning. Thankfully my daughter has a quality fan, so we didn't melt completely into puddles on the living room floor 🥵
Just the one run this week, too damn hot. But on target with a 24'42" (not) parkrun on Monday. And I did manage two gym sessions in a search for my lost upper body / arm strength, though I didn't find it .
Great start to the month UpTheStanley - fantastic (not) Parkrun time and we'll let you off the other runs - it HAS been too hot ☀️and it can be hard finding a small window of the day when it's bearable to run!
Hi Sandra, a good start to the week for me but went downhill with the hip issues. However, I've picked my mental self up after a morning of feeling sorry for myself yesterday and looking forward I'm going to sign up for the Lands End to John O' Groats virtual run/walk... the fact I'm on the IC... 🤣🤣 well I've got a year!!
It's ok to feel frustrated when those niggles and injuries hold us back - but I'm glad you're feeling more positive about things moving forward.👍🙂 How is your hip now?
Well done on signing up to the John O'Groats virtual run/walk - I haven't looked at that properly yet, so don't know how doable it is!! Maybe I should take a look...🤔
I'm trying the Magic Plan and did the Week 3 runs - 7k, 5k and 3.5k, in that order - last week.
This morning I did the Week 4 long run - 8K - in 55:40. I've never ever run that far, or for that long! Added a new bit to my route, which both helped make up the distance and gave me some new views to enjoy too
Weight has stayed near enough the same - went up then dropped slightly below my starting point. This is something of a miracle since I've been drinking wine and eating chocolate, ice-cream and cakes. I mean, I do eat other "proper" food, but even so. Oops.
It's continued to be ridiculously hot here, and we're probably going off on another motorhome trip in a couple of days, so I'm not sure when I'll next check in. Hopefully it won't be to say that I've abandoned running in favour of a boozy sugarfest!
Happy running, everyone, and please send rain tonight!
Hi Cmoi! 😀We are feeling the heat too here in the UK and it's not funny any more!! Will gladly send some of the rain on to you - if it arrives...we are still waiting here in Surrey.☀️
Well done on your 8k - fab distance and sounds like all is going well with the Magic Plan.👍 Your weakness for chocolate, ice cream and cake is one that I share🍫🍦🍰😍 - wine not so much these days thanks to running!
Hi, sorry for the late check in this week, I was waiting for the outcome of my face to face physio yesterday.
Good news, as I am practically painfree I had an endurance assessment with very good results. I too was put on the treadmill and ran three lots of 30 secs with 2 mins walk inbetween. There have been no repercussions and I'm good to go on the walk/run plan again...physio is happy to sign me off.
I'm very happy, and @Slinkymalinki want to thank you for the compression sock reccomendation. I think they were a bit loose when I first got them, but after washing I felt the difference and they have helped with both my PF and my Achillies swelling a lot. I wouldn't be without them now. xx
Looking forward to writing about a run in a few days time!😊
Oh, Bluebirdrunner - this is such good news! ! 🤗 It must feel great to be signed off by the physio and I'm glad those compression socks are helping too! Cannot wait to read your run report soon🏃🏽♀️ - take it easy and savour every second! 🙂x
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