Who knew?

[Jell6]

I haven't posted here for quite some time, mainly because I have only been doing 30 minute runs, and had a bit of imposter syndrome!.

This year I promised myself that I was going to get back up to 10 km, but stuff got in the way.

Then a few weeks ago I thought, if I don't tackle the increases I'm going to run out of year.

My plan was to do 4 runs a week, one of those to be slower, but for a longer time.

I have to thank Tasha99 for this as she had replied to someone about running in zones. I had noticed that most of my runs were in peak zone (Fitbit) so I thought I would try to run in the cardio zone.

Amazing!!! I could have gone on forever. In fact I have had to force myself to stop.

I did about 5 slower runs and increased my overall time by 15 minutes, but wait! now I'm wondering if I can still do my usual run, what if that's it?!!.

So yesterday I set out for a 30 minute run, and couldn't remember what pace I started at🤣, perhaps I set off too fast and will run out of steam?

I finished and was amazed that I had done my fastest 30 minutes. A Strava p b for miles 1 and 2.

Now honestly I'm not really bothered about pace, but what I am staggered by is how this improvement happened after just 5 slower runs. Astonishing!

I'm not back to 10km yet, but I know I'll get there.

Have a great day everyone 🤩

[Hidden]

Well done for posting. These forums are the safest and most supportive places. Imposter syndrome doesn't exist and absolutely certainly not here. Real credit to you for keeping on going out.

Tasha99 knows her stuff and the benefits really are there, just as you're finding out. You've so much time to get to 10k (which you will) so run without pressure and know that it's 'when' you do it and not 'if.' Be confident 😊

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I think the issue was that I didn't enjoy the longer runs, so stayed at shorter ones in order to keep running.

I didn't want to feel it was a target.

Now I see that I can make the longer distance enjoyable I will no doubt get there. You are so right about these forums, incredibly supportive.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

Oh thank you!

I’m not having much luck with it myself at the moment as stress has raised my heart rate so much but I’m going to start a new training plan soon. I just can’t keep it down right now. However it definitely works! It’s the fact that you’re not stressing your legs so don’t need recovery time. And the weird aerobic development that makes you faster even though you’re going slower 🤣

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

I'm sorry to hear this. Take care of yourself, often we look after everyone else and ourselves come somewhere at the end.

I'm sure you'll get it under control soon.x

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

I hope so 😶

Thank you Xx

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Runs are runs whatever speed or distance so welcome back. I too have been doing slower runs in September, I’ll be interested to see what effect they have in October. Happy running 🤗

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you Grannyhugs I will look forward to your post slower running post and see if you have similar benefits 😊

[Hidden]

Firstly an imposter Jell6 never, what a cracking informative post. Recently I was there with yourself stuck in that 5k groove ( a nice distance definitely) but stuck. I've read a few posts about slowing the runs down, and this I definitely need to look into, my running is kinda basic and one dimensional. My pace is generally a mirror image of the previous run, so I'm off to look at my garmin settings and figure out what you've mastered 👍

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Definately worth trying Hidden .

Post how you get on.

Doesn't this place give so much back? Thanks to you and your post about a new pair of shorts, I now have 3 pairs of long shorts and don't want to go back into full length leggings even though it's getting a lot cooler. 😬

[Hidden in reply to Jell6]

Oh definitely Jell6 the knowledge of others is priceless, and the little bits of information gained to tweak is so beneficial. I've never seen myself as a wardrobe advisor but hey never say never 🤭.

Glad the long shorts 🙃 are working, and it's still far to early to dig out the winter running gear just yet.....

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I love my shorts, even if my husband says I look like Mr Motivator 🤣🤣.

I can't actually disagree with him on that unfortunately 🙄

[Hidden in reply to Jell6]

Not laughing honestly Jell6 twas only the other day I was educating the teenagers of the joys of Mr Motivator and the green goddess 😆, you best hope hubby doesn't start calling you Derek 🤫

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

😆😅🤣🤣🤣

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Woohoo Jell, what a result and what an upbeat post! 🥰🥰 So good to have you back on here, we’ve missed you.

Keep it up. You know you’ll be at 10k again before long - and of course we want to hear all about it so we can celebrate with you! 😍🏃‍♀️🎉

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ahh Cheeky thank you. You'll be the first to know 😘

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Hey you.. great to see you back and what a positive post too!

Moving slower to move faster...I love it..suits my slow and steady perfectly

Now you're back.. stick around maybe..theres a new Quest starts next week, this month's hosted by moi, is about to close, but the quest may be useful getting you back where you'd like to be? So much support!

Well done you!!!

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Oldfloss , thank you. I hope you and your family remain well.

I will look at the quest, we need something to keep us accountable don't we!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

Getting there..we are well, thank you. I am pulling back on running at the moment, but strength and stamina work plus yoga is at the fore.

We do need the support of our friends, and they will seek us out if we disappear for too long😉🏃‍♀️🤣

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Probably safer at the moment. We are seeing quite a rise in admissions over the last couple of weeks.

Stay well and look after yourselves 😷😘

[Fionamags Graduate10]

That sounds great! I'm a big fan of slow runs - well, tbh I don't really do fast 🤣🤣🤣. But that's really interesting to see how slowing down can speed you up.... !!

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Yes, there's a lot of focus on speed, to the point that it can seem that we are not doing well if we don't achieve it, that focus can suck the joy out of run.

I aim to slowly plod back to 10km over the next few weeks. I'm pretty excited about it really 😁

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

It’s like magic!

[Over62]

Great job - and great to hear your plan your stamina and determination have done you proud. Thanks for sharing. 👏👍😁

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Thank you Over62 😊

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Hello Jell6,

Sounds like the next chapter of your learning even more about running has begun. I have not taken a great deal of notice of zones. Always more to discover, isn't there? Currently very seriously on the ic with a tibial plateau fracture and meniscal tear among other problems all due to a gardening mishap.

I have a Garmin rather than a Fitbit and I think that there are 5 heart rate zones, 5 being the one when your heart is working fastest. Which zone does what you describe as cardio zone equate to?

You sound so positive which is lovely to read. 😊

Well done to you and enjoy the journey. 😊🏃‍♀️🌸

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Oh no.

That's not going to be something you can rush. No doubt you will have a recovery plan in due course. In the meantime take good care of yourself.

Yes always something new to learn, and share. I truly can't get over the difference a few of these runs has made, and I am looking forward to seeing the longer term results.

I expect the cardio zone is in the region of Garmin zone 4, or top end of 3. Fitbit only has 4, and cardio is second to top.

Do look after yourself 💐💐🤗

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

I shall do my best to look after myself. 😊 I have been rather taken aback as I was initially told at A&E that it was soft tissue damage. I had gone to A&E 3 days after my fall realising I needed crutches. They duly x-rayed me and sent me off with crutches and a leg brace. I began to recover so well and at my follow up clinic appointment I was discharged, with the registrar saying no need for CT scan or MRI scan. Then lumps appeared and things got worse, so referred for a MRI scan. Only heard on Monday about the tibial plateau fracture and meniscal tear. I was astounded! Now 5½ weeks since my fall. I am due to have a further Orthopaedic Clinic appointment on Tuesday. All part of life's rich tapestry.

Thank you for your reply and zone information. One day at some, it feels, very long time in the future I hope to run again. Take care. 🌸

[PaulS83]

Hi Jell, I've reemerged with all the grace and welcome of an overflowing septic tank and wanted to check in to see how everyone was. Glad you're still at large, well done on the longevity. If I remember right, your BPM is about 2.5, so keeping in your cardio zone must be tricky at best!

[Jell6 Graduate10 in reply to PaulS83]

Paul!!!!Are you reemerging as a runner again? I do hope so, I've missed your posts.

I am getting much better at staying mainly in the cardio zone, and it's making it possible for me to run 4 x a week, including one longer run. If I had any sense at all I would have decided to do this during the summer, not as autumn approaches, but I should get back to 10km before December, that's the plan...

[PaulS83 in reply to Jell6]

Do you think you can manage 4 runs and a Paul-length post? Yes, I’m back from my travels and on the stop smoking / start running wagon.

1 run in and, you know what, I think I can push myself for a marathon before Easter...!