Hello lovely running folk! 🙂 I can't believe it's Week 4 of the Quest! August has flown by and it has been great sharing the progress you have all been making towards your many different goals - what an active bunch we are!💪
I am continuing with my weekly hill repeats - hoping to morph into some kind of mountain goat or stronger, faster runner😉 - well, we can all dream can't we? 🤷♀️ I watched a great video on YouTube this week by runner Ben Parkes, which has me even more convinced of the benefits. I am going to drop the number of reps next week but try making them a little longer. Wish me luck with that one!😧
I'm still on the look out for a real live local 10K 🏅 - I heard whisperings this week that there might be one happening near me in November. Fingers crossed.
🤞
So, how has your week been? Did you step out in the rain 🌧 or are you hoping Storm Ellen blows you to a new PB this weekend? 💨🏃🏽♀️🏃🏻
Please let us know - we love to read your comments! 🙂
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If you have just happened upon this post for the first time - you are of course welcome to join at any time, or you can look out for our September Quest. Either way, 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 and you may join in at any time.
Some popular goals are:
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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
•Improve pace
•Explore new routes
It's completely up to you!
To join, just leave a comment below, telling us what goals you are working on - what is your personal Quest?
Each week we have a catch up post to share progress and support each other along the way.
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
70 Replies
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Loved this past week. One 10m steady run, one 5m fast run and a 5m steady. Regular 3x a week routine that I like and is just part of my week now. Next week hope to get to an 18 mile run to increase my long run distance. Good luck to everyone else 😁
I think I t will only say HM on the Marathon forum so you should have a graduate 10 here. You might have to ask an admin to put it back - the y do sometimes disappear .
Hello Sandraj39, and all you runny friends . I’ve only run 2 5ks this week as I am increasing rest days and exercises. But all is going well. Doing my exercises just before I go to bed is clearly a bad idea as I woke up feeling very tight when I got up this morning, but I figured it was better than not doing them at all. A shingle walk by the waters edge would have also tested those ankles. But I leave August stronger than I began it. I cannot ask for more.
The New Forest marathon is now a week later and not in the New Forest but thumbs up to the 2 organisers who have probably had little sleep trying to come up with a brand new real race for FM, HM, 10k and 5k. 👍👍
The organisers are a 2 man band so they have worked very hard to find a private estate to do it. The starts will be 10m apart and races are held over 2 days . I’m entered for 10k along with UTS. I don’t think I’ll be up to a 10k Trail by 20 sept so I am offering my place for sale. Spectators are not allowed but UTS won’t take long and we got in quick to get a room in local village so we’ll make a weekend of it.
PM me if you want to do it.
If I can’t sell it I will do the virtual race which I could include walking on without worrying about keeping to a certain time.
Aw, thanks for thinking of me Dexy - but don't think I'd want the travelling. Back to school in September, with all that entails at the moment 😮and also eldest going back up to Uni in Nottingham ..
I would love to do another HM in Nov/Dec time if my knee /IT band allows me to build up my distance again. It grumbled a bit in my new Speedgoats 👟today, so I will go carefully - could be wearing my Arahi's for everything at this rate! 🙂 I am up to 14K long run at the moment and hoping to do my own 10 miler in place of the GSR ( maybe earlier though🤞)
70 miles down so far this month and Garmin coach now in the purple on its confidence scale, which apparently means I’m excelling and could consider a quicker target. It’s right... I could... there’s no way I will though 🤣 I’m happy with my target, if I want to target a lower time, I’m pretty sure there will be another race for that!
Might just about make it to 100 miles in time for September, which would be great but not going to chase it this month... it’ll be required in September I think.
Oh my 🙌🙌😃 thats amazing. I am in awe. I am in the company of greatness and happy to be involved even if I am bringing up the rear and holding the coats.
Amazing stuff UNM - and with mileage like that, you don't need Garmin to tell you that your excelling!! (It's nice when it tells us good things though, isn't't it?)
I started the 3rd week off strong and hit my first 6K in 39 mins 💪🏻
Second run was to the Speed podcast. Earning 4 PB’s and dropping my Ave. Pace down to 5:46 mins 💪🏻
Third run was my Weekly Virtual 5K in 30 mins with a 6:04 Ave Pace 💪🏻
I might squeeze a fourth in tomorrow 🤔 or rest another day and push for a 6.5/7K on Monday 🤷♂️
Additional exercises escaped me again this week but I’m super determined to get back on these this week!
I’m in a good head and body space to start Ju-Ju-‘s Magic 10K plan on the 4th September (after a bit of confusion re: 10K and/or 60 min plan 🤦♂️) and I’ll also be participating in the British Red Cross Miles for Refugee challenge alongside.
I’m fundraising to raise the participant fee (£10/20 or £30 depending on basic or + T-Shirt) and then will be fundraising to raise funds towards the £150 target 🎯
It doesn’t look like you need to start the plan at the beginning Phoenix as you are already well away. But then you might want to do it to add the discipline of the exercises and do it with others?
Hi Dexy 👋 Thanks for your reply. I’m only just wrapping up my 3rd week of consolidation runs since graduating C25K and I was apprehensive about starting the new plan until I had these under my belt. I guess I could have jumped straight in but I didn’t want to risk it and I do want to do it with others so I feel a part of a team (virtually at least!).
I know - my little legs have their own ideas once I get going 🤭 I’ve been following the Stepping Stones podcasts (mostly ....). No harm, no foul - it all contributes to helping me smash the 10K target
Still on motorhome hols, which is making finding running routes a challenge, not helped by the heatwave. Morning runs while it's still around 20° have been the only option, but that's not always practical when you're moving onto a new destination.
A couple of days ago I was on quiet country roads in lovely scenery, and ran my second fastest-ever 5k. This morning was 4k, distinctly meh, and the slowest pace I've ever recorded.
We'll probably be away another three or four nights, so while I'd like to keep on track by doing the 8k, it'll depend on the conditions. Worst case I'll do it when I get home - I did it there before so can do it again!
I've also done a bit of yoga, walking and swimming. And rather a lot of eating, drinking and wine-tasting! 🍷 🤭
Isn't it funny how we can have a great run one day and then a "meh" one the next? My long run today started off 👍 but was a bit "meh" but the end!! Oh well - on to the next one!
Well I fell off the wagon and didn't stick to my resolution. But, I deliberately changed plans to suit my goal, which was to run stronger and love my running! Job done!
Hi Roxdog - I know you have been doing the James Dunne 30 day Challenge, so yes, you are definately working on being a stronger runner! 💪 I still find I am not consistent enough with my strength and flexibility work, so maybe I should take a leaf out of your book? Do you have to pay for that challenge?
Wonderful that you are loving you running❤️ - that's what it's all about really😀.
I have managed to run three times this week. The first run was a tempo run around the park run course. I was pleased with my time of 33.12 but it was 3 minutes off my PB. The second run was a short 15 minute run which I found horrendous. I ran after work and it was far too warm. My calves felt like lead from the start even though I was hydrated. My run this morning I really enjoyed. I tried to keep my heart rate in the cardio zone which I just about managed. I was able to run for longer and managed 6.5k, which is the longest I have even run. I'm really happy with that. I think I am going to mix up my runs more from now on, ending the week with a longer, slow run.
I have been walking everyday to keep ticking over with LEJOG. I even walked to and from work the other day which I really enjoyed. It took me 2 hours for the return journey and I missed the rain by 5 minutes. Depending on my shifts I may try to incorporate a walk to and from work about once a month.
Other than that I have been doing my strength exercises regularly and they are still making a noticeable difference to my running. I am struggling with my yoga at the minute but I have had a constant headache for the last few days so not feeling yoga. I will aim to do a full yoga session tomorrow. Classes restart in September but I am still able to access the previous videos.
Brilliant stuff EThomas - and congratulations on your 6.5k! 👏😀 Sounds like you are fitting in a lot of exercise there towards your LE JOG challenge - and that your strength work is paying off! 💪
Not good about the headache though - hope that clears soon for you and that you have a lovely week! 🙂
I like the idea of morphing into a goat a niche skill but fun I imagine 😁.
I achieved cake today 🍰 . This morning I was determined to do a longer run after maximum run time of 30 mins due to pain and poo 😳. I only ran a blooming longest run so far approx 1 hour 20 mins and did 7.12 km 😁 I planned to run up to next big village at some point as i head that way on my runs but instead of turning back just kept running. Morcombe and Wise came onto my playlist so I channeled them to mix it up a bit 🙄. I was doing my cool down walk and a bus went past but stopped so ran for it and got it. Quicker on bus back than my run there. Then realised later I actually can now run for a bus instead of a shameful shamble. Achieved quite a speed. Met some people today not seen for ages and they said I looked great and was inspiring??? Its because I had make up on first time in ages and realised my eye shadow channels a puffin. I have achieved longest and furthest runs this month. People still overtake me but they are not me so good for them. Thank you you lovely folks ☺️
😂 Very well done on the cake! 🍰 Cake is always a great thing!
Seriously though - well done on your fantastic long run 👏 - brilliant stuff! 1hr and 20 mins is a long time on the feet!
I did smile at the thought of Morecome and Wise on your playlist! If you can't laugh at Morecombe and Wise...!😂
Also, let's just pretend that it's your new found love of running and fitness that made you look great and is inspiring to others...rather than the eyeshadow! 😉
This week I’ve done 1 20 mins run, 1 30 mins run, 1 50 mins run - my second ever and it was my target quest time for August. Apart from the long run which felt great but also still such a novelty I did the 20 mins run quite fast for me, really kicked on and felt brilliant after. The long run was back over the route where I got hopelessly lost in the heat a couple of weeks ago and had to abandon. Good to revisit the route, not get lost, and slay the demon of that earlier run!
My first ever 60 minute run is in my sights now ...
Sounds like another brilliant week of running Foxglove2 ! Well done on that second 50 minute run👏🙂 - ever nearer that Magic 60 min run! You are also mixing up your runs really well which is a great way to progress.
Pleased to hear there were no wrong turns today ⬅️🤷♀️➡️ and that you returned home safe! 🙂
I’m certainly no Mountain goat at the moment but questing on with my low heart rate training. It’s hard to do especially with our 1 hour once a day exercise restrictions here in Melbourne. I’ve done 10miles this week and I’m gradually running for longer without having to walk. Looking forward to being less restricted on time for exercise so I can start to build my weekly mileage. It’s slow work so I promise to not join the quest next month to save you all my boring reports 🏃♀️
Not boring at all - we all have very different goals depending on where we are with our runnning and of course, our life situation; be that coming back from injury or illness or coping with a Lockdown. I remember how precious one hours exercise felt when we were in the same position - it was a little familiarity in a very uncertain world ...and I know we could so easily be there again.😕
You are getting out there and running 👍and that's what counts. The Quest and the forum are here to be used whenever and however suits you best. In the meantime, keep running when you can and take care.🙂🌈
So much sympathy re your lockdown restrictions. Here in France it was one hour exercise, once a day, within 1km radius of home. I didn't start Couch 25K until things eased off. Here's hoping the situation improves soon, for so many reasons.
The good thing about the low heart rate training is it’s pretty low risk. I haven’t had any problems with the old injuries flaring up yet. It would be amazing if I could increase my weekly mileage with out further injury. Might be worth running so slowly 😂
Increasing average daily step count - check. Depending on what happens today Week 3 might be the best so far. (I had this goal in July too and August is a big improvement)
New places - I think I'm up to nine. Much domestic debate about footpath map apps. Most of our walks we come up with ourselves, but yesterday we headed south into very different countryside inspired by a Derbyshire Life article (although we came up with a shorter circuit that didn't involve walking on roads)
In between:
Yoga... goal remains in my grasp but focus needed.
15 minutes tidying - made a start at last. Cleared a windowsill (which MrGM had specifically mentioned but now we both realise that the piles of stuff were hiding the blown double glazing unit) The goal remains in my grasp.
Hmmm:
Running - not a right lot of that happening, the goal was a modest 2 x 5K and I need to remember that a run is a run and worth doing even if I'm not getting a 5K in. I enjoyed my run this week, although my location was a little busier than I prefer but on the whole I was prioritising walks with others as we had friends staying nearby. Goal still in my grasp of course... except that something went ping in the quad department coming down a steep spiral staircase so I am monitoring that carefully.
Weight - oh dear. It was a month with birthdays in and walking really doesn't seem to shift weight like running. I think I'll be glad if I'm not heavier than I started the month, never mind a kilo less!
So, definately earning a few stars for your walking and new routes again this week, GoogleMe - well done!
Gosh, I knew there was a reason for not tidying too often - the fear of the unknown and all that! 😂 Perhaps I should just leave the cupboard under the stairs for a bit longer...🤷♀️
Glad that you enjoyed your run and hope there are no further niggles from your leg - take it easy with that this week. 🤞🙂
My quest was to get into Strength & Flex this month. I did it and then a couple of runs later I ended up with an injury. So I'm not doing anything else until I see a physio on Thursday.
Very disappointing to lose momentum as I wanted to consolidate the 10k's. But I would rather be benched for 10 days (perhaps needlessly) than really do damage and be out if it for weeks. So fingers crossed and hopefuly this will make me crack on with exercising when I'm sorted! Roxdog told me about James Dunne - who looks interesting!
Agh! Sorry to read about the injury Fionamags - how frustrating! I hope the physio helps and can get you back out running again soon. 🤞
James Dunne is great - I have stumbled across his videos on YouTube on several occasions when coping with various niggles! Not done his 30 day challenge but I know Roxdog seems to be feeling the benefit.👍 I think he also appeared on a couple of The Running Channel videos as well. If you haven't discovered The Running Channel yet btw (on YouTube) it is definately worth looking at - they upload regular videos on all things running related - informative and entertaining!
I hope your appointment goes well - let us know what they say. Fingers crossed for you.🤞🙂
Thanks UTS - I am enjoying my time on the Quest! 😀
🥇🏆 for your running this week! Just awesome - you are a great inspiration to others and are clearly disciplined, driven and in love with your running!🏃🏻
Yes, you had a good week - but you earned those times, I reckon!🙂
Hi Sandra, love the image of a mountain goat 🐐 I think that would be amazing.
3 runs for me this week, 6k, 2.5k and a 6.5k, no hip issues so really pleased with that. Some slight foot niggles (opposite foot) just a bit achy... it just seems to be one thing after another at the moment!!
Started LEJOG4 this week, 32 miles done, happy with that 😊
I don't think any of my original quests will be met.. I need to think more strategically next month... that's 2/3 months on the run where I haven't achieved many of my quests...
Some decent runs there Mum22boys and goodness, you are clocking up the miles for LE JOG!👏 Brilliant!
Funny how one niggle is sometimes replaced by another - I find this too! I guess this can either be compensation for a weakness somewhere although often when we move up to a new distance we get them as our body adapts to our new demands! 💪Hopefully, this is the case and they will settle down soon.🤞
As for goals - its ok to adapt them and change focus. If it's just been one of those months - then we just try again the next!
Another 3 runs this week (8.5, 9 and 6 Km). Unexpected visitor meant I had to run two days in a row (not done that before) which seemed fine. Included strength exercises into two runs again 😊. Off to North Wales this week so may only manage two runs - but a hike up Snowdon will be a good substitute! Happy running everyone
Hi skysue16 - another great week of running by the sound of it! Well done - I like your mix of distances too.👍 It got me thinking that I would like to extend one of my midweek runs a bit. Maybe one for me in next month's Quest?😏
Well I'm obviously not very good at this quest thing as I've missed all the other check ins.. Whoops 😂
I do remember that one of my quests was to run in different places, so far I have run in one completely new area when I was away in my campervan which was a wonderful experience. Next month I've got another 2 trips planned so I'll be better at it in September 😂
My other one was to run for 50 minutes by the end of August. I'd adapted the 60 minute magic plan for my 2 runs a week schedule, but I've altered it again so now I'm doing one 30 minute run and another thats increasing by 5 minutes a week. So by the end of August I'll be up to 45 minutes. I'm giving myself lea way so if I struggle with the extra 5 minutes I'll repeat that run the following week.
I've certainly enjoyed my running much more since I took the advice on here to forget about pace. And I got quite excited that when I get to 60 minutes I'll be able to run to a local country house and garden 😊
You're definately making good progress towards that 60 minutes dijep ! 👍Great that you are enjoying your running so much too - it's easy to get caught up in pace, push too hard and lose the love at this stage. Your goal is to run for longer and you are going about that in absolutely the right way. Great that you are already planning where those longer runs can take you too! Enjoy your week.🙂
Well if my shiny new badge doesn't give the game away🏅... I completed part one of my quest today, nailing that 10k 😁 Feeling ridiculously proud of myself. Tech fail - forgot to charge my bluetooth headphones meaning the battery died a couple of k in - meant I had Coach Bennett speaking to me out of my pocket, cueing a few odd looks from people I passed!
In the process I also smashed part two, taking my August distance to more than July's 42k, which was previously the furthest I'd ever done in a month. I generally only run a couple of times a week, sometimes less, depending on what other exercise I've done, so it does take me longer to hit these milestones.
As I have tended to do the long run first, I do technically have a 4k and 5k left to tick off the Magic Plan, which I am planning on doing to finish August in style! It'll also take me past 50k in a month, so another nice goal.
Hi - have started the magic plan and decided to be adventurous and tackle some hills on the shorter run - May have bitten off more than I can chew!! Taking the flatter route for the next one😉
Well done on starting the Magic Plan and also for taking on some hills! Yes, they can be hard work but if you take your time with them they will nake you a stronger runner!👍😀
Hello everyone, I'm quite new to this bit of the forum so hi to those I've met previously on the C25k forum and those I haven't! My main goals for the 2 weeks since graduation have been:
To keep running 3 times a week - done.
To explore some new routes including scouting interesting routes for dark evenings - getting there though I have realised I am a trail runner at heart and I am going to miss my lovely fields and woods come the winter! My last run was a bit of an obstacle course - 8 stiles, a weir and three fallen trees to scramble over, lots of tape fences to go under, mud patches where I had to navigate plank and treetrunk stepping stones, lots of seriously uneven ground and many narrow paths with nettles and brambles reaching out to get me. But all worth it for the soft ground underfoot and the distraction of the varying terrain and lovely things to look at - a beautiful river beside me part of the way, a buzzard flying down a path ahead of me, deer and a kestrel in the fields.
To keep going with James Dunne's 30 day challenge - have progressed to the end of week 2 but have shifted to only doing it on my non-running days as doing it every day was proving a bit too much for my running muscles. I'm sure it's building up much needed strength (my calf definition has been improving visibly) but the muscles are often a bit achy so I don't want to overdo it!
To consolidate 5k - I confess I have been a bit impatient here and added in two longer runs - first week 5.5k and this week 7k run (which including the walking, covered 10k for the first time). I have also added in a shorter intervals run to avoid increasing my overall distance, and am quite enjoying mixing it up a bit. Overall I feel comfortable running 5k now (not saying it isn't hard work mind, just well within range!), and I'm interested to see that my steady I-can-keep-this-up-forever pace is gradually closing in on my ow-I-really-can't-do-this-much-further graduation run 5k PR.
Welcome to the Quest Blackberrypie - and what a great set of goals! 🙂
I absolutely loved the description of your last run - I left my ❤️ out on the trails too and you describe them so beautifully! Like you, I know that as the evenings get darker, I will not be able to run on them during the week after work - they will however, remain a treat for my long runs at the weekend and only get gloriously muddier and more challenging as the weather changes! 😀👍🌧🏃🏽♀️🌧
Glad you are feeling the benefits of the James Dunne Challenge - and I think every other day sounds like a good pattern.
I will be pop up the last post for the August Quest at the weekend, after which, look out for our September Quest - being hosted by the very lovely Oldfloss.
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