A final check-in from me as we jog gently through these last few days of August.
It certainly feels as though summer is fading - mornings have turned cooler this week and the evenings are starting to close in. It will soon be time to think about digging out my chest light for those darker evening runs ahead 😮 and also to look forward to some...more challenging (muddy) runs on the trails! 💦🏃🏽♀️👍
I have loved spending my time on the Quest this month - following your running journeys and challenges. Stronger, faster, further, fitter - we've cracked them all between us over the last four weeks and I reckon we should all be a bit proud of ourselves, don't you?💪😀
Look out for the September Quest - starting soon and led by the lovely Oldfloss . I am already fine-tuning my own goals to sign up! Yes, some will stay the same and hills will undoubtedly feature again!
Good luck to everyone, have a great weekend and happy running!
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If I am completely honest, then I guess I am a 50:50 success story this month Sandraj39.
I reached my goal on the timed version of ju-ju's Magic Plan and ran for 60 minutes and am now working on the distance plan to get me to 10k. However, I haven't done too well on the yoga front, so that will definitely feature on the September Quest.
Thanks for hosting us all this month and being there to support us on the way with your helpful words of wisdom 😊.
I am off now to do some yoga and have a last ditched attempt at my yoga-ing goal 🧘🏼♀️😉☺️.
50:50 you say? But within that you ran your first 60 minute run - a little ahead of schedule if I remember rightly - so a pretty good 50:50 success rate. What's that phrase? "Strive for progress not perfection." 😀
Blimey, another month over in this ‘new normal’! 😱
I’ve managed to complete all my consolidation runs since the beginning of August and have played with testing my ability this week ahead of starting the Magic 10K plan next week.
I started this week with the C25K+ Speed podcast, ran a 5K sub 30 mins for my second run and yesterday did my longest run of 6.5K - surprisingly comfortably!
I haven’t been as committed to my body conditioning so that is being rolled over to my September quest.
I’m also signing up to the British Red Cross Miles for Refugees challenge for September. Running the distance of the English Channel to raise funds. Pre-donations for the registration fee can be made here: ko-fi.com/phoenixrise
On a side note: I’ve also been working on an online store for runners. Apparel, running shoes and accessories- coming soon! In the meantime, you can follow updates on Instagram @PKMWellness
#Rona & unemployment will not keep me down - running has saved my mental health 🏃♂️💪
It's so good to hear how much running has helped you PhoenixRise - I think many of us feel the same, I know I do.🙂
August has been a great month of running for you and I know you are going to love that bridge to 10K!👍💪 Well done on your PB's this month and good luck with the your Miles for Refugees and your online running venture! 👍😀
I thought I’d better check week 1 to see what my quest was meant to be and it says “ to get off the blooming injury couch with Bluebirdrunner and run”
Happily we both achieved it, and although I am not 100% yet and have to take any increase in speed or distance very slowly, I am delighted to be back on the road again.
Yep, getting off the "bloomin' injury couch", Dexy... I have been there too often myself but we keep picking ourselves up and getting back out there! Absolutely chuffed to bits that you're back out there running again - fingers crossed that September sees you able to keep up the progress!👍🙂
Just realised I didn't update last week. I was waiting til I had been for a run, and then I forgot.
Like Dexy5 I am happy to be classed as off the IC and in running rehab mode. I have had four run/walk interval sessions building tolerance through my ankles and feet. It is a slow process, but I still get to enjoy the pre-run anticipation, listening to my playlist, the fresh air and the satisfaction of completion. Oh, the Strava recording is nice too....
I am still doing my physio exercises, but now I'm calling it Strength Conditioning and doing them on non-run days three times a week. I have finished all of Adriene's 30 days of Yoga plans, and lexi6 and I have started doing Adrienes March 2020 monthly calender which is great.
I am feeling more like my normal self now that my injury is almost behind me, my plantar foot aches a bit but I am so used to it now it's in the background. I'm hoping that being able to run again will give me the energy burst I need to spill into other areas of my life, so I can get more done. I feel if I'm not exercising I'm sitting and I used to get more done around the house and garden....🤔
New quest month coming up...so...🙄
Thank you for hosting this months Quest for us Sandra, for me it has been a successful one!
It's been so good to see you back from the injury couch BBR! 😀👍I know it was a long old road but we're runners - if we have to wait, we wait ...and work hard and do the rehab and NEVER give up! 💪
Here's hoping that September sees even more progress - and good luck with the wonderful Adrienne💕!🙂
My quest was to run slower and I’ve certainly done that 😂
I read 80/20 Running by Matt Fitzgerald and that’s where I would love to be with my running longterm. However, until I’ve got to grips with low heart training! I’m committing to run only MAF miles for 3-6months. It has been interesting as I realised my perceived easy pace and the running calculator pace was still pushing my heart rate way up and was not actually easy running at all.
To save everyone’s yawns, I’ve promised to not sign up to the next few months quests. I hope to build my weekly mileage to 20miles slowly without injuring myself.
Thanks for being part of the Quest RunWillie - I know the Lockdown restrictions have made things more difficult for you but we're glad you joined us! I will follow your low heart rate training with interest - I am trying to include more 'easy'runs in my routine but have not gone down the road of monitoring my heart rate yet. Not sure that is for me...
You did let slip another "little" goal at the end there - so here's hoping that you soon get more time for those long runs!
Me too! It's always good to have a little focus to our running and I think the Quest helps with this. I also love reading about other people's goals - lots of food for thought and ideas...🙂
Thank you so much for running this Quest Sandraj39 - it's a funny old time and it has been good to have.
I'm taking things right up to the wire - need to do a yoga practice on 2 of 3 of the remaining days (I was after 16 to be 'more often than not') and ditto the 15 minutes of tidying/sorting (after 10 sessions)... but I am so pleased to have finally got with the programme on those 15 minute sessions. It seems like such a short time... and then suuuuuch a looooooong time when you are waiting for the timer to tell you you can stop, but an amazing amount of progress gets made in that short time, especially if you are doing it every day. I revealed a blown double glazing unit, wiped down the box with my wedding album in it... and got what was feeling like a houseful of cardboard boxes to the tip and a mountain of Ocado bags stomped into two boxes.
I think I am going to admit defeat now on getting the two 5k runs done, for all sorts of reasons, but I have still been running. I have been successful in getting my daily average step count up every week and I think it will work out for the final week too (been a bit of a boom and bust week this week) As of today, above where my weight started the month but I think I am due a drop so we'll see.
As for new places... smashed it out of the park, so pleased. 11 new walking places, such lovely times with my husband - and saw my first ever wild live badger too when we got a bit caught out with the nights drawing in.
Looking forward to September's Quest, major change and stress at Schloss GM, so watch out Oldfloss !
A badger! I love badgers💕 - saw my first real live one crossing the road the night we headed off to hospital for the birth of my second son!! He's 16 now and I've not seen one since, which just shows what shy creatures they are!
Ok - so there's a brilliant idea right there - putting a timer on to do 15 minutes intense tidying! 😂 Why did I never think of this!😂
Ouch stopped play after an epic run last Saturday I pulled a calf on Monday. I have achieved an epic long run, attempted to run fast ( still in progress!) and achieved cake. Thank you Sandraj39 for being a Fabulous trip leader this Month 😁 It’s been a great experience to focus on specifics. Thank you 🤗
I was so sorry to read about your calf CaptFrey - how is it now? So frustrating ( I have been there with an injured calf myself ) and I hope it doesn't keep you out for too long? 🤞
Important to remember though, it was also a month of some success👍🙂... and cake of course - always good to achieve cake! 🍰
I am still managing to run 3 times a week. I am trying to incorporate shorter runs in the week which is easier to fit in around work commitments. I achieved my longest run to date last weekend of 6.5km. I slowed right down, ran the route the opposite way round and really enjoyed it. I felt that I could have gone round again, but I really didn't want to push it. Touch wood my ankle has been great for the last 3 weeks with no niggles. The strengthening is really helping and I am religiously doing this to avoid further problems with the ankle.
I'm still practicing my yoga, although not as much as I should. I will be back on this when the new classes start on 7/9/2020.
I'm progressing with LEJOG and managed to get my first postcard the other day. I walked 8 miles to and from work on Wednesday and was gutted to find that I was 0.35 miles short of getting my first postcard, so it had to wait for the following day. I am managing to achieve my weekly goal with this and have been exploring new routes.
Thank you for your support on the August Quest. I have been inspired to try hill repeats.
Wow - you have achieved lots this month EThomas , not just with your running 👍💪 but also with all that walking for LEJOG! Great that your ankle seems to have settled despite this, so all your strength exercises have really paid off!
I think the less said about my target the better 🙈 but I did want to say a big thank you for looking after and guiding us all throughout August. Keep running those hills 😊
I haven't run yet... was going to head out Saturday morning for a gentle run, maybe a run/walk, but ny foot was throbbing in bed on Friday night so didn't. I'm hoping a week or so of the strengthening exercises will do enough to get me to run/walk a bit...
Sorry to hear that your foot is still hurting 😢 My last foot injury took ages to settle down but I wasn’t as on it as you with the strengthening exercises. Good call not to run as hard as that is. You will be back 🏃♀️
More strengthening exercises tonight and it's much better. Definitely no runs for the rest of the week and see how it is at the weekend. Hope yours is all settled now 😊
Sensible to leave the running for a while Mum22boys..and I hope your foot pain settles again quickly. I feel your pain, and understand your disappointment. Take care and get better soon. 🌹🌹xxx
Hi Sandra, thanks so much for hosting this month’s quest, for reading and answering all our comments with such positivity 😀
I achieved three weeks of 3 runs a week, clocking up quite a few kilometres and improving my fitness. Some strength exercises too but I think my report would say ‘Could do better’! The last five days we have been walking in North Wales including a couple of big mountain days, which was wonderful - all the running certainly paid off 🥾🐶🐾👍
Back to school this week. I will join Oldfloss and her quest next month. Hope to do two runs a week and the dreaded strength exercises on three non-run days! All the best, thanks again Sandra.
Thanks skysue16 - I have really enjoyed it. 🙂 Back to school tomorrow for me too - hope all goes well for you at yours.🤞
I will see you on the Quest in September - am currently fine-tuning my goals(😉) in light of being back at work. I tend to run after work so will make the most of the daylight while we still have it!
Good luck with your goals - we may need our running more than ever over the next few months! 😮🤷♀️
Yes, indeed! I need to work out a plan because my hours/days have changed to every morning rather than whole days. I prefer running in the morning but will have to adjust to running in the afternoon or evening 🤔
Having checked back to week 1's post, I find I've done OK ....
(not) parkrun each week, hopefully within 25 mins - 3 out of 4 ain't bad, that is the odd one out was pretty bad ), but the last one was a very pleasing 24'09", best I've done on the road since New Year's Day .
2k out of 5 on the dreadmill at 13 kph - actually managed 3k out of 5, twice, with the second one seeing the 5k completed sub-24, so again very happy .
Help Dexy5 back to 5k - didn't actually need much help, already back on the bridge and did 6k on Sunday, job done .
Thanks for your efforts running the Quest, the way you've responded to everyone's input has been fantastic - surprised you managed to get away from the keyboard to run at all for yourself!
Ah, thanks UTS! I just tried to keep on top of all the lovely posts - and having the long school holidays has really helped! It's also helped me appreciate the value of setting those goals and actually giving some thought to a specific area of focus. Without that it's too easy to try and do it all and end up ...going nowhere..or worse, getting injured! I am going to sign up to the September Quest to encourage me to keep this focus!🤞
Brilliant months work for you - 24'09" is awesome - and Dexy is definately back! 💪🙂
Belatedly checking in to report back on August. My goals, and outcomes, were:
1. Make a proper start on JuJu's Magic Plan - 10K version.
I blithely ignored the calendar and only went out when I felt like it, often having two or three days' break. As I've posted elsewhere, this unexpectedly resulted in an unplanned first-ever 10k, and an equally unplanned first-ever sub-30 5k. I'll take that!
2. Find some new routes - essential if I'm to do 1 and to keep running during motorhome trips!
Added new bits to routes at home, and explored new places - sometimes unintentionally - on holiday. Very happy with this too.
3. Not gain any weight. Losing 1-2kg would be nice, but I don't want to beat myself up for failure if I don't manage it.
Possibly the most unexpected, given the number of vineyards we stayed at during our holidays, let alone my food consumption, was weighing in at the end of August slightly lighter than at the start of the month. This may also be a first!
Many thanks for hosting the quest, Sandraj39 , I'm off to sign up for September's quest now.
So glad you checked in to share your successes Cmoi .🙂👍 August was definately a good month for you - I will look out for you on the September Quest - I signed up myself yesterday! Happy running! 🙂
Sorry I am a few day’s late posting. Thanks for hosting this Sandraj39. I managed to achieve my August goal, a 10k run, in very early August so I carried on a bit further and also went for my September goal- 5k in under 30, which I managed last week. Sadly I also ended August on the IC with pretty painful gluteal tendonothapy and hip bursitis, so currently walking is a challenge, let alone running!! Am hoping the physio will work some magic. So not the end to the month I hoped for but I suppose if you start to run longer distances and/or faster, you have to accept that injuries are a possibility!!!
Thanks RunWillie- you are absolutely right. I think I forgot my age😂. Also I run half on/half off road and our roads are very uneven and cambered ( country lanes) which makes it harder on the joints apparently. When I go back to running eventually it will be veeeeery slow-but if it means I can run with less chance of injury I will do it!!!! Best of luck with your next goals 💪💪
So sorry to read that your on the injury couch AlysP - so frustrating after your other achievements last month! 😩 Having had my fair share of time on the injury couch, I know you will soon be back ....and a good physio is very capable of that magic! ✨ Good luck! 🙂
Thanks Sandra!! I am feeling much more positive after a few days of feeling sorry for myself- my HM plan has now changed to my ‘physio exercises plan’. I do love a plan I can tick off 😂
I had a really good physio session today and the guy I am using works with the GB Para athletes so actually I think I will come out of this much stronger than I went in!! So perhaps a blessing in disguise!!
Brilliant! Good to hear you so positive. When I had injuries, I saw a physio who had lived out in Boston and helped with physio support on the Boston Marathon! She is also a runner herself. I have learnt so much about my body during periods on the injury couch!😂
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), but the last one was a very pleasing 24'09", best I've done on the road since New Year's Day 
. 
- on holiday. Very happy with this too.
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