Magic Plan Week 4 Run 1 - A Tougher Than Usu... - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

16,525 members26,586 posts

Magic Plan Week 4 Run 1 - A Tougher Than Usual 4k - And Here come the dark evenings ☹

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10
36 Replies

I'm a little behind now on the Magic Plan because of my holiday. My plan was to run yesterday, but the long drive back from North Wales seemed to exhaust me, and the snooze gremlins struck this morning again.👿💤💤

So I was determined run this evening after work, otherwise I would be even further behind.

I've run this route, past the Rugby Club and around the Leisure Centre several times now, but this evening it seemed a lot tougher than normal. There was more traffic than normal on this usually quiet unmade back road and at about 1.5k I got a lungful of petrol fumes from a passing clapped out 4-wheel drive. The air quality seemed generally poor with a distinct smell of bonfire and my breathing was a bit all over the place.

Before my holiday I was running this route after work in the evening sunshine. Tonight the sun had disappeared behind the houses and it was getting dark by the time I was on my cool-down walk. Autumn and the shorter days are definitely on their way.

I'm hoping to run the long run of this weeks Plan on Wednesday morning. This will be an 8k and definitely uncharted territory for me. Fingers crossed my breathing will be sorted for that one.

Written by
Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
36 Replies
PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRiseGraduate10

Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 for a drama free 8K run on Wednesday - you’ve got this! 💪

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toPhoenixRise

Thanks - fingers and toes and everything crossable 😁

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

We are just starting out on the magic plan, i’m looking forward to see how you enjoy the longer runs

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

So you have given up on your Garmin plan?

I think the Magic Plan seems a bit kinder and more flexible and adaptable to your individual circumstances. Maybe it will suit you both better if you want to get to 10k.

I always take the weeks of the plan as calendar weeks and generally run Monday Wednesday and Friday, taking a double rest day at weekends. It seemed to work for me during c25k so I don't see any real reason to change it.

I like the longer runs. The secret for me is to take it slowly I think. I really enjoyed my 7k run last week. I knew that was doable as I had previously done a 6.5k but 8k does seem like a long way.

Will definitely update on progress here.

Good luck with the Plan

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply toBirdlady64

Thank you, I work different shifts and different days each week and the Garmin plan made it hard to fit in, I always work Thursdays and the short hill repeats was fine after work but then to go out again on Friday and run 3.22k either cadence or supposedly negative splits meant we seemed to be always going for a run on achey legs

We started the timed magic plan soon after we graduated but found the dark wet and cold evenings meant running for longer was too much

Now we are more relaxed and if we need an extra couple of days to recover or wait for a day off for a longer run we will do that

My work means sometimes i work late shift and we tried running in the morning before work which was fine until night staff didn’t turn up so i had to work a 10 hour night shift on top of an 8 hour evening shift that wasn’t fun

I love reading other peoples progress because it spurs me on 😀

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

Yes absolutely nothing wrong with taking an extra rest day if you need it. We all have to listen to our bodies. Plus every day life has the annoying habit of getting in the way of things too.

You are so right about reading people's posts on here and drawing inspiration from them.

Good luck!

Hareshaw-Granny profile image
Hareshaw-GrannyGraduate10

That's great progress, good luck for your 8k.

I'm away behind after a 2 week lay off. Hope it goes well. 👍

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toHareshaw-Granny

How is the toe doing? Better I hope.

I managed to bruise mine tripping up the steep stairs in the holiday cottage so you do have my sympathy. I did run on it twice whilst away and weirdly it was easier than walking

Hareshaw-Granny profile image
Hareshaw-GrannyGraduate10 in reply toBirdlady64

Healing slowly, did my first run yesterday just a 3k. Was quite anxious that it would be difficult after 2 weeks. Went well and toe seemed fine🤞

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Graduate10

You’re right about the darker evenings; I really noticed it today.

I tend to keep my long run for Saturdays as there is less traffic, but I’m debating whether to move it to Sunday because there should be less still. Although I am quite rural, there is an A road that goes through the village and there are a fair few lorries, even on Saturdays, and of course the Inevitable tractors. Pumpkin harvesting right now!

Well done for today’s run and good luck for the 8K 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👏👏👏

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toJools2020

Yes - it was a case of "oh my goodness - it's nearly dark!". I don't know why it surprised me like that!

I'm going to try and avoid running early evening again because of the traffic. I'm avoiding the woods atm as there have been some noises about a rather unsavory character lurking about over there.

Pumpkin harvesting time - that must mean Halloween is approaching 🎃

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10

Great running... I hate those petrol fumes, they make me want to stop real quick. Well done getting through them and competing this one. Enjoy that 8k

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Thanks - will do my best to enjoy it.

I'm going to try and avoid running early evening like that again because of the traffic. Normally I would I run through the woods but there have been some reports of a rather unsavory character lurking around lately and as I run alone I have avoided running there for now

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toBirdlady64

Safety is paramount... hopefully that will resolve itself soon.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

I recognise the location (a certain red-faced building) of your new profile pic. 😉

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply tonowster

Ha ha! Yes and I decided to stop going incognito 😁

Tillybeach profile image
TillybeachGraduate10

Good to hear how you getting on. I seem to get on better with the longer runs. When I got to the 7 k, I said to myself "only another k to go " which I laughed at as only a few months ago that was inconceivable!! I have found the 4k seems harder!! I think because I don't like to go fast.

I should be doing the second 9 k this week but I'm full of cold and aches 😢 so better rest up for now.

Take care running in the dusk! Hope the 8 k goes well.

Queenie17 profile image
Queenie17Graduate10 in reply toTillybeach

Hope you feel better soon💪🏃

Tillybeach profile image
TillybeachGraduate10 in reply toQueenie17

Thank you.

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toTillybeach

Thank you and I hope your cold is better soon.

It's strange with those shorter runs how they seem to becoming a bit of a struggle. Somehow it feels like I should be running them faster but I'm not very good with pacing myself and always seem to start out too fast. The long runs, I know they're long so I think I set off much more slowly.

Cantsoimgonna profile image
CantsoimgonnaGraduate10 in reply toBirdlady64

This is me too. I make the assumption that the 4k will be easy and try and run faster (well my couch to 5k pace not my 8k pace!) I try to go slower and use them as easy runs but then I get competitive with myself and speed it up!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Well done Birdlady64. This is the time of year when gremlins come out to play and try to stop you going out because it’s too cold, wet or dark. But we know that once we’re out there we’ll be fine.

Enjoy W4.

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toDexy5

Thanks

Anyway I will have to keep going and kick those gremlins 😈 into touch as I have invested in some hi-vis and cool weather kit including hat and gloves😁

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toBirdlady64

The gloves are vital for me in winter. If my hands are warm, I’m fine. Phone friendly fingertips are great too. 🧤 📱

Queenie17 profile image
Queenie17Graduate10

Good luck!Its hard transitioning when the weather/season is changing.

I went out saturday to do 8k and ended up doing 10k!, so you never know, fingers crossed for your next run💪

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toQueenie17

Thanks! I think I will be definitely ready to stop after 8k though 😁

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10

I wouldn't worry about getting a bit behind , probably good you didn't run after your journey home ,

But you have done it now 👍

Oh it's horrible when you get a face full if fumes from passing vehicles 😐

Good luck with the 8k on Wednesday , I'm sure you will smash it ! 😬👍

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toInstructor57

Thank you.

I'm not too worried about being behind. It's only pressure you put on yourself and anyway the plan is meant to be flexible.

I'm quite looking forward to doing the 8k, but also a little apprehensive at the same time

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate10 in reply toBirdlady64

Yes, your absolutely right !

It's a flexible plan .

More important to do the runs when they suit you and as you say , without pressure,

I was planning Running this morning but I'm a bit out of sorts so cancelled it .

I won't run if I'm not ready to enjoy it 👍

Runjilly profile image
RunjillyGraduate10

The longer runs are 'the challenge's of the magic plan and also the exciting one on reaching a milestone distance each time. You've done the 7 you will be up for the 8 on Wednesday 👍 Enjoy! 😀

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply toRunjilly

I really want to enjoy this 8k but also want to try and approach it without expectations. Hopefully that way I won't be disappointed

Katkins27 profile image
Katkins27

Well done in anticipation of your 8k. Thats my goal but the most ive done is 7km and thatvwas a few months back although last week i ran 2 x 5k and a a 6km. Yes all within a week.. So proud!

Hope you achieve the 8k. You xan do it!! ☺️

Timotea profile image
TimoteaGraduate10

Good luck with long run! I skipped week 7 & 8 of the plan due to endless road trips and went straight to 10k which on reflection was probably not a good thing to do as have only run 3k since then and reverted to fast walking 5 k every day. Hoping my gait analysis tomorrow and new shoes will get me going again!

You will nail it!

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10

Thanks!

Well done on two 5ks and a 6k in a week!

toffeemummy profile image
toffeemummyGraduate10

You've got this Birdlady. Think of getting to 7k, and you're nearly there when you've done 6k.....then at 7.1, however tired you feel, you just keep going! Just a few more minutes. And keep it slow 😁

Birdlady64 profile image
Birdlady64Graduate10 in reply totoffeemummy

Thanks.

Ha ha! Yes my eternal problem of setting off too quickly. I think I'm slow but then when I check my pace, or get the time for the first k split, I find out that I'm way quicker than I intended. I need to find a way to fix this

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Magic plan run 1 week 1

I'm probably a bit behind everyone else, just done run 1 week 1, the 2.5k run. I'd programmed a...
Mum22boys profile image
Graduate10

Magic Plan Week 5 Run 1 - a (not) 4K Interval Run

I had intended a 4k interval session as my first run of week 5 this morning. My usual route past...
Birdlady64 profile image
Graduate10

Magic Plan Week 3 Run 1 - 7K

After a slow 3k "recovery" run, a truly horrendous 5k, and a 6k that was really hard work on week...
Birdlady64 profile image
Graduate10

Week 1 run 1 of Ju-Ju's Plan - what a change

So, after contemplating what I wanted to challenge myself at after 2 years of running 5k's I...
Inspiredmum profile image

Week 7 Magic Plan Run 1 - 5k - Perceived Effort and Another Nike Run Club Run

My running days are all muddled up at the moment. I intended to run yesterday, but hit the snooze...
Birdlady64 profile image
Graduate10

Moderation team

See all
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.