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

[Birdlady64]

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.

[PhoenixRise Graduate10]

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

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to PhoenixRise]

Thanks - fingers and toes and everything crossable 😁

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

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

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

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 Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

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 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

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 Graduate10]

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

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

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hareshaw-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 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

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

[nowster Graduate10]

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

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

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

[Tillybeach Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Tillybeach]

Hope you feel better soon💪🏃

[Tillybeach Graduate10 in reply to Queenie17]

Thank you.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Tillybeach]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

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

[Queenie17 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Queenie17]

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

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Runjilly]

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]

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 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10]

Thanks!

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

[toffeemummy Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to toffeemummy]

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