Whether or not I manage to achieve that is questionable, but I am going to give it my best!
Good morning fellow runners! I simply cannot believe how lucky I am to be hosting this month's Quest!
The summer seems to have whizzed by with a weather mix of heat waves, torrential rain and wind. I hope you all had a successful August with your running and managed to survive all that has been thrown at us
I have managed to keep up with my runs but have still been struggling with upping my distance.
The ongoing situation has affected so many of us in so many ways. I have of late, had a tendency to overthink things and that has drained me in different ways. But... I have upped my strength and stamina work and this new Quest is going to keep me on track, with everyone's help, please!
So... all you awesome runners... Here is where it begins!
I know many of you will have taken part in the Quest before, but for those who are newly arrived on the Bridge Forum, the next bit is just for you....!
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 September.
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 improve pace
• To try out some new running routes
It's completely up to you - set yourself an achievable goal and have fun with it!
NEED SOME INSPIRATION?
Take a look at IannodaTruffe 's wonderful What Next? guide for C25K graduates:
Still not completed my June quest of downsizing/hand lopping 200 m of boundary hedge.Please to say only one 35m side remaining.Actually its 600m if you count both sides and the top.
In the last 10weeks of doing that I have only had 4x 5k outings/trots.I think I have retained enough fitness to skip a C25k repeat and do some consolidation,bridge to 10k and HM.Planning 6-8 weeks to ✅another HM on my way to the first in a lifetime Marathon for 2020.
So my September Quest is to be back at 15k comfortably.
Hi Tbae, Popeye, I remember that on the television way back long ago, your arm muscles as you say must be like his with all that hedge cutting, once you have cut the hedge down a bit, the other end needs another cut and so on, it delays the days you want to run, good luck for your half and full marathon running.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Tbae
Oh my goodness... you have become the hedge trimmer of the year!! At lest you have maintained some running levels and should be on track for those goals... we shall watch with interest!xx
Hello Oldfloss, I hope you had a lovely time with family during August.
I was meant to be doing the New Forest Marathon 10k in September but it has changed location and the 5k is now on a different day to the 10k. So instead of running it virtually or downgrading to 5k, I decided to sell my 10k ticket to someone who could enjoy the day. That takes pressure off me to get to 10k too soon. I have started juju’s magic plan and am currently on W2 (6k completed).
So my quest for September is:
Continue the magic plan to 10k to enable me do a virtual London Vitality 10000 in October with lovely runny people . Take as many rest days as needed between runs.
Continue my physio exercises for ankles, Achilles, knees and glutes.
Run a (not) parkrun as my 5k run each week with my local running buddies. This also involves breakfast!
Try and reduce ‘treats’ and wine to lose around 3kg with the aim of reaching healthy BMI.
Not get Coronavirus!
Happy September fellow runners - hopefully this month will be closer to normal.
I have really struggled over the last few months. I've gone from comfortably running 5K in under 30 minutes to struggling now to run 5K without a walking break. I've continued running, however I've at times only been doing 1-2 runs per week. And I've also allowed an extra 12 pounds in weight to creep on over the past few months.
So I would love to join your Quest. My goal is to run 100 kilometres in September. I have entered a 5K, 10K and 100K challenge on Strava. And to shed some of my extra weight (7 lbs). My aim is to be getting a new (not)parkrun PB by the end of September.
I totally empathise... I have had a few struggles too But... we are here t support each other and that is what we will do.
Your goals sound doable.... those Strava challenges will help ( I have also got a few).
100K... that is going to keep you on track !
Not park run PB too...I feel sure your 5K work will aid that.
Weight off.... ? well the runs will help... and the healthy diet. ! I need to put some lbs on... so I will encourage you, if you encourage me to eat more!
You are going to stick with this this one, we will make sure of it... and you will make sure I do too
I'm just in from a 5K. I ran it in 3 separate intervals so as to keep a sub 30 minute average. I'm training myself to getting used to some faster running again. Also not picking the last few days. 3 meals a day, staying away from the nice things. Drinking loads of water. 95k to go. I aim to run 3 x 5K's and 1 x 10K per week.
Have a Mars Bar with a Pint of Guinness just before going to bed, you'll be putting on the pounds before you know it.
Hello Oldfloss, what a lovely picture of scampering ........... snails??
My one-off Quest for this month is a decent time for the New Forest 10k (now a time trial), which unexpectedly returned to my diary a fortnight ago! Not sure what the going will be like, but unless it's horrid more than an hour will be somewhat disappointing. And anything sub-55 mins will be very pleasing.
My standing Quest is to run a (not) parkrun every week with our local gang, target time 25 mins (whilst hoping a miracle may deliver sub-24 on the road again one day ).
And my continual improvement Quest is to manage an increased proportion of a 5k treadmill run at 13 kph (4'36"/k) - I hit 3k last month so will have a shot at 3.5k at some point over the next 4 weeks.
I will report back weekly - I do hope your own Quest goes well!
Thanks you... the scampering bunnies are leading the way!
Your goals all sound fabulous... and doable too. Fingers crossed for that sub 55 minutes !
Not park run.., blimey 24 minutes... ! My best time is 28 minutes!!! I think that might be the best I do! The last goal.. well go you... I find the TM easier, but am not that speedy!
Looking forward to watching your progress... ! Thank you x
Great goals... and all completely withing your reach, You are so focused and determined..( I am not sure about the wine one!)
Your strength work has set you up already. and your rehab work also, so taking it steady is really going to pay dividends.
Household projects are fun; but you have to be on form to feel like them and I know as you get back to your full strength you will sort things
Walks... well....Autumn and walks.... they just go together don't they ? Enjoy!
Thank you. I shall feel accountable and I shall watch for your posts Take care you xx
Hello Oldfloss! Good to have you hosting us for September 😌.
My first aim for September is to keep increasing my distance using ju-ju's Magic Plan. I am due to run the 8k of week 4 next.
My second aim is a carry-over from the August Quest - I need to find the time to do more Yoga, because I know it does me good but I get side-tracked, so I aim to do more yoga days than not.
Finally, I am running and walking the distance for LEJOG5, so logging for each day is my last aim.
Have you tried Adriene's 30 day programmes? They're generally short enough that I do them as part of my post run stretching. Currently working my way through Home again which I think is my favourite.
Yes. Love Adriene. Her yoga kept me going when I couldn’t get to my classes because of lockdown. I’ve lapsed a bit and the classes have not started yet so Adriene it is 😊
Hi Oldfloss. My goal this month is to run three times a week (after an ankle injury) if possible and if I am ok, to start the magic plan again. I got to the last but one week in July before I had to stop which was gutting. Hoping this time I will be successful.
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to MoliJ
Simple, effective and achievable goals. Take it steady and enjoy. You will be fine and we will be here to help! x
I graduated C25K on the last day of July so August was all about consolidation runs. I’ve been mixing things up and using the C25K+ podcasts (Stepping Stone, Stamina and Speed) and reviewing them after each run.
My goals this month include:
- Starting @Ju-Ju-‘s Magic 10K plan on Friday
- To go further on long runs and to go faster on short runs
- Add conditioning exercises after each run. To form a habit! Weather permitting these will be outside ☀️
- Participate in the British Red Cross Miles for Refugees challenge. Fundraising by running the distance of the English Channel. (Link to follow via my page. Pre-fundraising for registration fee here: ko-fi.com/phoenixrise)
- Add a few Strava challenges ....
I’ve started off strong with a morning run to the C25K+ Stepping Stone podcast + conditioning exercises this morning. Also the first set of miles down towards Miles for Refugee challenge ✅ Run update on my page soon.
All fabulous goals and what a range of challenges there
You will love Magic Plan... structured and easy to follow... and it works, I have done it a few times, to get me back on track an after injury!
The lovely longer runs build everything up and they do have a real impact on speed. The more runs you do, the more it all evolves... like running magic! x
Great goals there and at a time when everything is hectic and changing. Those runs will find their place just give things time to settle
10K fabulous... slow and steady ?
Strength and stamina work, always a must... even when I am slacking, I still maintain that bit of the routine! We shall watch for your posts... and good luck with all this new reality ! x
I’m going for weeks 10-14 of the 17ish week HM plan. I should hit 100 miles again this month and will be starting my extra core work this week too. My month is all laid out for me in 2 plans, so my quest is simply to manage to not fall off and to enjoy the ride!
I dunno I can necessarily compete on pace! I think for my challenge next year I need to get to 50 miles a week so that I have some leeway to take a recovery week from time to time.
Hello Oldfloss! My quest is to continue to run 3 times a week and to run another 10k at least once in September. It is not my go to distance but having completed my first 10k yesterday, I aim to do another one this month!
Thank you so much for hosting the Quest this month, please count me in
I have been struggling with sleep over the last few months and always feel exhausted. I'm usually a morning person but I'm sorry to say that as a result of the lack of sleep, exercise has sometimes been binned off in favour of an extra hour or two in bed (even though most of the time, no additional sleep comes!).
So, I plan to make a very conscious effort to get myself out of bed at the same time every day, to run on 3 of those days and then do other cross training and/or strength and flexibility work on the others. NO EXCUSES!!
There, it's in writing now so there's no backing out!
Good luck to everyone taking on a quest this month and thanks again Floss
Today was meant to be my run day and yes, I turned off the alarm, rolled over and didn't manage to get back to sleep ☹ So that's why I decided to make this my quest for September. I am unfortunately in the office tomorrow but plan on going for a walk once I get there, before I start work. Then a run on Thursday morning, without fail this time!
Thank you for your support and all the best with your quest of upping your distance too 😊
I'd like to join the quest and stick to it this time! As before, I need to do core and strength training to support my running. I'm just gingerly getting back after a fortnight off with niggles so I know I really need to do this if I am to keep running. If all goes well, I'd like to do another 10k by the end of September but I'm taking it slow and short to start with.
Two goals: (1) to increase my meager weightlifting, and (2) to seriously consider running half way down the driveway with the dog in the morning 3x/week, albeit putting up with the dog's pit stops.
The most important goal there... you have it. Listen to your body!
The other goals great...mixing it up is ideal and those longer runs build everything else up, slow and steady and suddenly, the shorten runs get faster too
I did some walking yesterday, just up to the post office and back. Today's going to be a garden tidying day. (I'm off work this week.) I'll see how the leg feels tomorrow. My next run, when it happens, will be another slow one.
I would like to join the September quest please.i am away from home for various reasons for the whole of September. I would like to commit to running 3 times a week wherever I am. Currently following the magic plan. Bring it on!!
I have actually logged 40 runs but the first two Saturdays I did 2 runs, so I want to run 40 days before I declare myself finished. Reasonably confident of finishing on Friday at the Delamere Forest parkrun course as we will be camping nearby.
2. Continue my LeJog journey. Aiming for 35 miles running and walking each week, so hopefully will have reached about 400 miles by the end of the month.
So I am planning to join the magic plan September group and keep building up my distance. I have just started LeJog 5 so would like to accumulate 120k of running and walking to get off to a good start. I'd like to finish James Dunne's 30 day challenge (halfway through at the moment) and keep on with my yoga. Probably enough to be going on with!
Oh, and my local running club has started socially distanced meets so I would like to try to get along to one of those and explore having real run buddies along with my VRBs.
Hi Oldfloss. I only have 2 goals this month... to do all my strengthening exercises and to get back running again. I am currently sidelined with insertional achilles tendinitis and it's getting me down. Maybe my 3rd goal should be to hunt out my positivity... it's definitely gone AWOL!!
You will do it...these strange times are getting to us... get the tendonitis sorted..know the runs will wait and persevere with the exercises. We are all here together...and together we will get through things xxxx
Sending you some positive vibes right now Mum22boys🤗... you WILL recover in time, stick with your strenghening exercises they really do help.
When you are able you could add in something fun to replace the runs like hurt foot Yoga, or hurt foot Pilates. ( I used Caroline Jordon and Kim Saha on You tube)These are non-weight bearing so won't aggrevate your ankle/foot.
Good luck recovering from your injury...keep the faith and your chin up.
Hello OldFloss, thank you for hosting the September Quest. Please count me in!
If Squiggy saw those rabbits 🐇 🐇 I would be sprinting rather than scampering 😂.
My challenge this month will be to fit my runs in around my new working hours/days. I love running early, before breakfast, but I will be working every morning so have to run in the afternoon, maybe on my way home, before lunch 🤔. So I plan to run twice a week - short one (hills or intervals) after work and a long run Sunday. I must also try to do regular strength sessions but as always this is a struggle for me!
Hi Oldfloss, thank you for hosting this - I love the scampering bunnies photo, especially the little ’un who can’t keep up!
My September goal is to start Magic 10 by distance & to keep up my cycling on “rest” days. I’ll use the C25K+ podcasts for one run a week - probably for the short one. 😄
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Elfe5
Sounds doable and enjoyable too! The Speed podcast is fun...but the Stamina ones really build it all up!
Ok thanks Oldfloss - I have only tried Stepping Stones & Speed a couple of times so far (& I’m not very good at either, so plenty to work on) - I will give Stamina a go too & then maybe settle with one for a few weeks. 😄
Heelllllooo Oldfloss!! 🤗🤗🤗 It’s great to see you! 🤩
My September quest is to stick to my new 10K Garmin Plan. I run 3 times per week and it’s 15 weeks to the 10k. So, I have plenty of time to run with fun in mind. I have been steadily getting back into a regular running routine since my C25K 2nd year graduation in July. And all the motivation and excitement just like C25K is back!! 🙏🏽😃
I joined the Lands End to John O Groats Virtual Challenge in August...A.K.A ‘LEJOG4’ and was gifted a Garmin too! I’m still in the slow lane 🐌 but I’m all fired up and raring to go!
I wrote a response yesterday and failed to hit reply 🙄
Aims; 2x10ks this month, lose 6lbs (starting from 11:10 so I am accountable!) and get my big hill run back up to pace. I managed to run the latter on Monday....very slowly... for the first time in 4 months. So knee is behaving itself👍
I would like to join in with the September quests. My goals are to continue with the August ones.
I aim to run 2-3 times a week depending on work commitments. I would prefer to run 3 times a week but I am happy so long as I run twice a week. I try not to pressure myself into running more than twice a week. I want to keep enjoying running. I am trying to mix things up with my runs now doing a shorter run and a slightly longer run at a weekend. I am thinking of adding in hill repeats on alternate weeks, but I am not sure with these at the minute.
I will continue with my strengthening exercises as the benefit they have had is fantastic. I no longer have any ankle discomfort and my hip is feeling much stronger during my yoga practice. I now feel that I will be able to gradually increase my distance, but I am taking it slow and listening to my body.
I aim to carry on doing my yoga practice at least twice weekly. My classes restart next week, although I will be carrying on these online at present as the classes have been halved and my work hours have changed.
I am continuing on my LEJOG adventure so am working on my own personal weekly distance goal. I also have joined various challenges on Strava (it must be something about the virtual bling). I aim to walk to work once a week but it depends on my work activity, it is easier if I am in the office all day, but if I am working with patients it is a bit more difficult. It is an 8 mile return journey and I spend a lot of time on my feet if I am out of the office. It may be more difficult to achieve with the nights drawing in, so will have to see on that one.
I'm not sure when I get time to work, eat or sleep with all of that activity going on!!!
Happy running everyone and good look with your September quests.
Hello, hello, sort of my favourite month of the year.
I am setting myself some very challenging goals for the month....
....almost the same ones I set for August but set against quite a different context, hence the extra challenge.
So...
...keep running/walking in new places (started very well with an evening walk in Cressbrookdale that was almost as good cardio as a run)
... yoga more days than not (so x16)
...10x 15 minute tidying sessions
...average daily step count of 6,500+
... lose a modicum of weight (not from the beginning of the month as the scales went completely mad yesterday and I've lost a kilo from that this morning)
...the running goal will be slightly different I think. I'm just going to say 7 runs this month. Nights are drawing in and the weather may be less good (but less hot during the day) so don't need to 'save myself' for evening walks with my husband, and a new routine will see me up and out in the mornings so a 'getting out there' running goal should see me making the most of that.
I would like to join the Quest. I have have graduated from couch to 5k and have done nine consolidation runs and I am starting Ju Ju magic plan on Friday. I think i need to do the stretching exercises and have seen the stretch and flex programme. So I am going to try and do that and see if it helps whilst doing the 10k plan. I feel a bit deflated today after my not so good run so they has inspired me again.
Hello Oldfloss , I'd like to sign up as I need the accountability!
My main goal is quite simply to keep on running, now that I'm getting back to work again and the seasons are changing.
I only started C25K in mid-May, so I've been a thoroughly spoilt newbie over the past few months, with lots of free time (albeit most of it unpaid), lovely long days and good weather. I need to learn how to handle the new reality!
My secondary goal is to change my running mindset from one that's goal-focused to one that's experience-focused. That's my pretentious way of saying I need to stop worrying about improving pace and distance, and instead take more time to enjoy things like fresh air, lovely views, interesting podcasts, post-run hot showers and indulgent body moisturiser. And runner's highs, of course
Happy September Scampers to all!
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Cmoi
You are here and we will be watching you!
Great goals and for me, one of the best is the,
"...take more time to enjoy things like fresh air, lovely views..."
Just running...perfect ! Enjoy the runs... shake them up.... fit them around your days and the seasons.. and stay enjoying! We shall watch for your progress posts!
Better late than never but here are my goals for September.
I graduated at the end of June and have been really enjoying my running until the last week or so. I think after the high of graduation, my first 5k and first 60 minute run things have gone a little flat Therefore my main aim for September aim is to rediscover the love 🥰
My second aim is to keep up with the running at least twice and hopefully 3 times a week now we are heading into the cooler weather and shorter days.
My third aim is to swim at least twice a week, now the local pool has finally opened again, but without letting the swimming - my original passion - take over from the running.
I have signed up to the Magic 10 plan this month - I hope I can keep up with it as the longer runs demand more time commitment, especially as I am so slow. And there is the slight inconvenience of a weeks holiday at the end of the month to tempt me off the wagon.
I want to learn how to plank.
And finally I made a start on James Dunne 30 day challenge, but this may turn out to be one aim too many. We will see!....
Thank you for hosting and a fab scampering picture and sorry I am late to the challenge.
My first aim is to stop being injured, pulled my calf a couple of weeks ago and tried a small run this morning, it was not dignified and so limped home. On a plus it was beautiful seeing the moon, stars and all the shades of blue and hearing the birds wake up.
I plan daily walks to keep moving.
Add stretch and strength into my life.
Enjoy my final outdoor swim of the year today.🥶
Be back to alternate day runnings as soon as possible 😁
Those calf muscles can be a real pest and letting the injury heal is tricky... I was out of action for a while. My return was very slow, despite the fact that for two weeks prior to having to see a Physio, I had done everything by the book!
However, when the issue has sorted, your goals are terrific!
You could swim as part of your exercises whilst injured... I prefer outdoor swimming from now on, as the water temperature feels so much warmer I am looking forward to a dip or two in N Wales next week
Running alternate days is great, but if you have any twinges, give yourself a day or two longer between runs maybe?
Strength and flex exercises, stretching etc, pay dividends and there are loads of ideas on that forum!
Walking is a great exercise, but to help you keep moving, maybe shake up some of your rest day work with those S and F exercises too. !
Looking forward to your posts... the second, Quest post is up on Tuesday!
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more than an hour will be somewhat disappointing. And anything sub-55 mins will be very pleasing.
