I continue to surprise myself. Beware this post contains some toilet talk 😧

[61Lady]

Just a little update ... got a real liking for intervals and got a bit hooked on them in the last couple of weeks and kept putting off a “long run” 🙄

Looked at weather forecast yesterday and it seemed today was going to be the calmest and driest of the week so I thought ... I’m going for it.

Was strangely nervous but set off in early morning (almost) light and was feeling good.

I’m super proud of myself- kept going for 56mins (so 60 is definitely within my capability). 💪🏃‍♀️💪

Not at all worried about distance as I was more concentrating on a steady but slow pace to make sure I could do it and I’ve definitely come to the conclusion I’m never going to be that speedy 🐌

Was certain I could have gone for longer today but for 2 things ... warnings in my head about 10% rule and, I’m afraid to say I’ve discovered running has a sort of laxative effect on me - I needed to get home ... and quick 😧which may explain why my last 1km was quicker than the rest 🤭 Is that how people do negative splits ? 🤔

So today I’ve chalked up my longest run in time and distance 👏

Day of rest and intervals planned for Wednesday 😉

Thank you to all my running buddies here - would not have got this far without your support ❤️

[damienair Administrator]

Well done. Running has the same effects on me, and it is very common. I usually run in the evenings after work, which suits me and my body well. I also run on Saturday mornings. However mornings are an issue, as if I don't visit the powder room before going for a run, the run will bring on the sudden urge to visit said powder room. So I get up early on Saturday mornings, 2 hours before my run, have a coffee or two and a slice of toast and watch some TV. When my body wakes up and starts moving I visit the powder room and then I'm ready to run safe in the knowledge that I my body is ready. It is a natural thing, and not something to worry or to be embarrassed about. It took me some time to learn how running and my body interacted with each other. I remember having to abort a couple of runs and was even half way through a parkrun one time when I had to abort my run.

Happy running,

Damien

[61Lady Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Than you Damien for reassurance that I’m not alone. I’m trying to lose weight as well as get fitter so now planning earlier dinners on day before run days to see if that will help ie. not eating after 6pm but just drinking. You’re right - just need to come up with a plan that suits my errr... constitution

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

Congratulations, 56min is a great achievement, especially with a new PB! 🤸‍♀️🥳👏60 is just round the corner 👍 I've read many articles on that particular side effect of running! Apparently it can be a sign that you need to hydrate more.

[61Lady Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thanks for the tip Beatlesforever - even before I started this adventure I had about 5 pints of water every day without really thinking about it so perhaps I’ll add more - maybe my body needs more now that I’m a runner 🤣

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to 61Lady]

It's all a learning curve, just make sure you plan your routes well in case you need a comfort break 😂😂

[61Lady Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

You’re so right about the route - I loop round which takes me near my house about 3 times in 45 mins.

I live in a 3 storey house and never have I been so grateful for a ground floor powder room 🤣

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Clenching the glutes is good for getting them engaged 🤣. Not sure it’s how the pros do negative splits, but it’s worked for me a couple of times!!

Great job and your attitude to adding the endurance is perfect, it’s all about that time right now. Well done remembering 10%... it is more important as we get towards the end of a training block... soon you can take a couple of consolidation weeks again.

Happy running.

[61Lady Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks for the encouragement UNM - good to know you think I’m on the right track. Was going to do intervals on Wed (25 mins) and Fri (35 mins) this week (I do like them) with the aim of trying 60mins next Monday. Do you think this is OK and how would you recommend I consolidate ? Any help or advice gratefully received thanks

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to 61Lady]

Yeah... keep going, that 60 is in the bag then and you get a shiny new badge on this forum. Consolidation now would be about keeping your weekly duration the same for a couple of weeks, so repeating the same week a couple of times should do it... keeping the effort levels the same too is ideal, so keep the intervals in as already planned. I find it better to go off perceived effort than pace, so you can continue to forget about that! HR is closely related to perceived effort, so if you have a device that can measure that it can help... but isn’t everything.

[61Lady Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Perfect - only get HR at end - not during but that’s OK - learning to listen to my body. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me

[nowster Graduate10]

Runs with the runs. 🤣

[61Lady Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes indeed sir. Funny now but I must confess I was more than a little anxious this morning and developed a very weird gait as I neared my front door 🤣

Already working on hydrating even more as per earlier advice. Here’s hoping it works 😉

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to 61Lady]

Did you look like one of those speed walkers? 🤣

[61Lady Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

You know it - almost like you were there 🤣