Hello lovely runners, It is my absolute pleasure to be hosting this months quest having taken the baton from our lovely Oldfloss who is always a hard act to follow but I'll do my best...
Brrrrrr...it's turning cold but hey, this is my absolute favourite time of year to run...it's cooler, sometimes sunny, sometimes rainy...often misty but some of the best moons of the year are in October...what's not to love?? Ok I know it's not everyone's favourite time and that's when we need motivation and maybe a bit of a quest to keep us all getting out there, even when we don't always feel like it...so lets get 'On it'
Times are hard...and it's made harder thinking that there might be a second wave of the pandemic, who'd have thought that it would all have gone on for such a long time?? It's been so up and down...but during the lockdown we had so many graduates, so many people taking up this wonderful sport of ours..so let's keep it going, lets get some quests in the bank...lets take advantage of what's left of the daylight if running in the dark's not your thing...or running in the crisp, sometimes misty morning...or just running when you can.
My quest this month is to keep on running 3 times a week with a 10k thrown in for the sake of it, I've been a bit of a snowflake over the last few weeks and done quite a few run/walks...my breathing hasn't been at it's best, plus over the last week or so I've had a heavy cold, also getting the children back to school has been a really difficult thing for me...but its done and so far so good...Big girl pants time for me now, with your help of course!!
Anyway...back to our quest...let's get 'ON IT!!!!'
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!
You, my lovely, are fabulous...gentle pace sounds like it’s right up my street, and I really need to join you in your strength and yoga...I need to relax a little! No goals of distance with running sounds like a plan too xx
Welcome to Questing! Especially in this weird year, they really give us something to hold onto. You've already got goal-setting nailed, bravo, have fun achieving them.
Hello mummycav, I seem to have quite a busy month ahead.
I have 2 weeks of the magic plan to go to get to 10k once more.
On 25th October I’m doing a virtual vitality 10k along with some of my HU running buddies with real race numbers, T-shirts and bling.
I have signed up to run 25 miles in October to donate funds to mind charity. This also involves a bingo card to tick off various running challenges. Plus bling.
And I will continue to run at least one (not) parkrun a week with my local running buddies.
Tempting just to have all the same goals for October as recent Quests. But circumstances are different (not least day length and weather) and also perhaps a bit boring to read about?
1. Let's have another go at 10x 15 minute sorting/tidying sessions (and yes, this is about physical fitness too as it often involves a lot of going up and down stairs)
2. 8 runs over the month, 3 runs in a week and at least one run longer than 30ish minutes
3. Lockdown/quarantine/winter proofing: try out some home cardio workout sessions - I'm not going to set specific targets on that because I need to listen very carefully to what my body can cope with.
Absolutely GoogleMe ...listening to our bodies is so very important..sometimes we just need a bit more tlc and take things a bit easier...sounds like you’ve got a good balance there for now x
Wow - I’m very new to this so your goals sound awesome.
All the best - look forward to seeing how you do💪
Judging by weather today, wondering if I have been over ambitious with my goals 🤔 only run in Spring and Summer so far - planned 40 mins today curtailed to just 15 - 💦- what a whimp 🙄
Lovely photo mummycav. I am still getting used to autumn running - trying to do more runs in daylight and trying to plan my schedule to avoid heavy rain days like today.
So, October goals:
-Complete the magic plan with my first 10k.
-Keep progressing with LeJog, hopefully manage to beat my September total of 84 miles.
-Get back to yoga and strength work on non-running days.
-Do at least one more outing with my local running club - last time really encouraged me to push a bit harder than I have to date which felt good.
Bless ya Hidden ...i feel like I’ve been very neglectful of my VRB’s on here , I’m training to be a driving instructor and I had an exam yesterday that I’ve been revising for like mad so I’ve been otherwise occupied!! Glad snowflakes still cut it!! x
Aw thanks Hidden ...I passed with flying colours!! Yay!! I’ve got 2 days driver training weekend 10th & 11th Oct and then a driving test on the 19th Oct...so I’m not there yet but I’m so glad that exam is out of the way, I’m more of a practical girl and I love driving x
I love this time of year. I'm hoping I might actually get my half marathon distance as the weather gets colder.
We're off on a Scottish adventure for the week (I've been told I can't take my running gear to my son's wedding 🤷♀️). When I get back I can see a long haul up to Christmas and beyond. My aim is consistency: run and swim (as long as the pool stays open 😕), lose half a stone and increase my pace. Not much then! 😉
Oh wow Speedy60 , sounds like you’ve got something to look forward to in Scotland?! Maybe try sneak your running gear in coz I bet there’s some beautiful runs to be had up there and you could beat everyone out of bed and be back before they even open an eye???!!!!
Oh how I’ve missed swimming, no pools have reopened near me yet, I live nearly opp our local pool so I’m a regular, I’ll be waiting outside when they decide to reopen!!! Good luck with your goals, I’m sure you’ll smash them!!
Thank you. Postponed wedding from April, so storm Alex isn't going to beat us.
Swimming is a real joy at the moment, even if it is the indoor pool not our local lido. It's easy to swim because you have to book and the social distancing means no one ever gets in your way. The downside is that I can't see it being financially viable for very long, so I'm just making the most of it.
Ooh Speedy I’m hoping to fall in love with running at this time of year too!! If we see anyone running in a posh frock & heels, we’ll know that it’s you 😉!
Thank you so much. We had a wonderful day, despite the delays, reduced numbers, weather and social distancing. If nothing else, it's made us truly appreciate what we have. 💕
Congratulations to the bride & groom! 🤗🍾🥂Apologies, I didn’t realise it was this weekend! So pleased you all had a wonderful day! Have a great time and a great October too! 🤗❤️
Thanks for taking the baton Mummycav ! Aug and Sept were not good for my running with hols, an injury and then mega work-related exhaustion. It's been too easy to skip runs and I desperately want to get back to 3 a week. I was also gentle on my goals which I needed, but also gave me too much space to slip!
SO I have only one goal for October and that is to crack my 10k! I am signing up to to the Vitality virtual so it could well be the 31st October but no matter as I am completely determined that this is my month!
Oh I can hear the determination screaming at me from this reply!!! I will back you all the way to get to that 10k...how can you not reach it with all of us watching and cheering??? You go for it 💥 🤛🏻
Welcome back nowster ...DEF the first part of your quest is the important one! and no pressure whatsoever...gently does it and you'll be back to 5k before you know it
My goals for October are to continue running a minimum of twice a week, hopefully 3 times with a short interval session. I am running the virtual vitality 10k the week beginning 24/10/2020. It will be my first real race, albeit virtually. I thinking about the route I will take. I have a goal in mind but I'll be happy to finish. I'm looking into joining a local running club but not sure which one will be best, so if anyone has any advice of what to look for it will be greatly appreciated. One is very local but is very large. The other one is smaller but slightly further away. My colleague who got me into running is a member of the smaller group, but I feel like a running imposter and don't want her to feel that I am following her around. Maybe I will just continue running solo. At least I won't feel like an imposter. I have been told that I need to get out of my comfort zone though!!
I will be continuing with LEJOG 4 and hope to be around the Manchester area by the end of the month. I'm setting myself little targets to reach each week. I have joined a local fitness group who do a lot of walks around the local area so will try to do those once a fortnight as a minimum.
I will also be continuing my regular yoga classes and strength workouts.
I have been a bit lax this week but it is my birthday on Sunday so I will be enjoying it.
Hi all my quest is to run 20 mins, 30 minutes, 60 mins with two clear days between each run throughout October. So a 9 day pattern not a 7 day pattern as I have a mild knee niggle. So consolidation runs if you like, having achieved 60 mins about three weeks ago.
Had a lovely call with my GP yesterday as I’m beginning to suspect arthritis in my hands. I told her I’d done couch to 5k for the first time ever at the grand age of 54 and she positively squealed with delight.
very sensible Foxglove2 ...being careful with that knee injury will keep you off the I.C for sure...and I bet your Doctor was dead proud of you!!! Too right!!
Hi Mummycav, Thats a beautiful pic!! I am coming back from a hip injury at the end of August, so October will be an easy one for me. I now run more slowly which is probably a good thing as I was overly obsessed with garmin and strava, but now it’s all about running without causing further damage.
Fingers crossed I will be back to 10k by the end of October. I did an 8k this morning which I didn’t find easy, but at least I did it. Working towards the Brighton HM in Feb if my hip behaves.
Also my physio gave lme specific strengthening exercises which I will continue with 3 or 4 times a week- forever I think!!!! Really interestingly, I no longer stretch at all before or after runs as the physio told me not to ( bad for the hip) and miraculously I am LESS stiff now the eve/ day after runs!!! Who would have thought!! 😀
Hi AlysP ...so glad to hear you're off the injury couch...it's a nice view from there but seeing everyone running by can be very frustrating...I did a 10k this morning, oooof, my legs were like lead at the end, what a slog in the wind and the chucking down rain?!! Good luck with you goals...we're cheering you on!
Oh just seen this a day late! I love the way your post sums up running in these difficult times - thanks!
I'm quite excited about my quest this month because it's quite different to the previous couple of months. So my quest is to
- run at least twice a week, but will aim for 3 times. I have 2 rest days usually, but after a recent long run, I needed 3, so won't stick to 3 runs every week
- to increase the distance on my long runs at least twice this month, perhaps up to around 13k, depending on how my body feels
- do a nice short run a week and have a bit of fun with it
- wear all my new running socks - I seem to be collecting new socks!
I'm reading everyone else's quests, it is cheering up a pretty miserable evening!
Fantastic Roxdog!! 🤗 Your goals sound brilliant! I go through a bit of magpie running gear phases too, but the more we look 😲...and want to have 🥰, the more certain we are that we’re on the right track ✅ and will be going out to run. 😉❤️
As well as continuing to run 3 times a week now the days are getting shorter, and fitting in at least 2 swims a week in between my runs, I have done a crazy thing...
In a moment of madness I signed up to the Virtual 2020 Vitality London 10,000😱
So "all" I have to do is complete a 10K run anytime during the October half-term week.
Now, the furthest I have run is 8k. But these dates coincidence with my final week of the Magic 10 Plan 😁. So I guess I'm publicly holding myself to account here.
As it's my birthday month, and this year it's a round number, I can't really not join in, can I?
I'm going to keep it simple:
1. Keep on running and enjoy it, mixing short and long runs, without beating myself up if I have to take 3 or even 4 days between runs and/or don't ACHIEVE every time
2. Not regain weight (I've lost 6kg over the past few months, which probably doesn't sound much but for me was 10% of my initial weight)
3. Treat myself to something nice and running-related that doesn't come out of Lidl's bargain box - watch? shoes? earphones? clothing?
love the idea of a quest and hope it makes me feel accountable so I stick to it - might need some help here please!
Have been running 20k a week over 4 varying length runs but weather so miserable today this week will only be 3 runs so probably 16 or so over the week.
So.
1. at least 3 runs a week and 16k ( on good weeks 4 runs up to 20 k overall)
2 Keep going with a swim, a kettles class and a tango lesson each week too.
Tango lesson is cheating a bit as its so much fun every time but it is hard work ( or I assume so from the aches the next day) so I'm counting it!!
Keep questing everyone - this is such a great idea!
The big event this month is the Virtual London Vitality 10k, with (rule changes permitting) a group of 6 of us coming together in Southsea to run at different speeds but hopefully finish close together before a big brunch .... target time for me will be 55 minutes, I think my 10k PB of 50'35" set in the New Forest last year is out of realistic reach just now .
The weekly target is to post an acceptable (not) parkrun time, hopefully under 25 minutes more often than not, and I managed the first tick of the month yesterday with a wine-impaired 24'41", so we'll call that a good start .
And the other target for the month is marginal gains on my treadmill 5k, which involves running more of it each time at 13 kph (4'36"/k pace) - September got me up to 3.5k out of 5, and down to 23'47" overall, so I'll be trying for two 2k bursts @ 13, and a few seconds off the 5k time, at some point in the next four weeks.
Brilliant UpTheStanley ...I hope the marathon went well on Sunday...there were LOADS of runners out on Sunday morning...me included but I wasn't doing the marathon!!! No way...I'm not as fab as you with all your running adventures!!!
I would like to shed a few pounds too, so maybe should add in sticking to healthy eating this month. ( tucked away a few cakes and a yummy pasty in Devon last week😏) 🍁xx
Welcome back from Devon Bluebirdrunner ...I have been slacking this week and have read everyones replies but haven't responded to all of them...hope you enjoyed your break and I'm sure you will achieve your goals xx
Well done passing your driving exams, and good luck with your sessions this weekend, you will make a smashing instructor. You are one busy lady, and I know you are still managing to fit your running in as well as having your children back in school.
Thank you for leading this month's quest, excited to hear how you get on...
Thank you Bluebirdrunner ...getting the children back to school has been so stressful, especially William who doesn’t like the place anyway!! Breaks my heart leaving him..but we’ll get there...I’m looking forward to this weekend, I’m much more of a practical girl and am very hands on so I can’t wait to get my teeth into it!!
Thank you Bluebirdrunner! 🤗 It’s only 5 minutes ☺️, but it sets me up for the day really well. On run days it’s perfect for wanting to get out the door for the warm up 10 minutes in the plan (aka my HIIT cool down!😂)! ❤️
Thank you Mummycav! I’m feeling much more confident about running through the winter this year. I hope that the plan will keep me going. My personal virtual 10k is on 5th December. 🤞🏽😍
Very keen to join in I've just started JuJu's magic plan, so my quest for October is to progress through the plan! In particular, I want to focus on improving pace for the short runs, and then making sure I'm doing an easy pace in the longer ones.
Predictably late but I'd like to jump in too. Inspired by all the positivity in this place I rashly signed up to do the Vitality Virtual 10k at the end of the month (as per several others in this months Quest). If that wasn't enough insanity - and I blame Fab450's enthusiastic posts - I also started LEJOG6 last Monday.
So my goals are:
1) Continue with Magic 10 plan to achieve 10k at least once prior to the actual virtual event. Currently excitement about 'earning' my first race T-shirt is conveniently blocking out the niggly gremlins but will feel more confident once I've actually run 10k.
2) LEJOG6: 18-20k each week running plus 30k walking the dog - come rain or (rather less likely) shine!
3) Plan my route the night BEFORE I run rather than dithering about in the morning when the gremlins latch on to me thick and fast!
Nothing wrong with lateness Jiveblue ...phew I've got allsorts going on at the moment...and I feel a bit neglectful on here!! Your goals sound just perfect...and Fab keeps going with her enthusiasm...thank goodness for Fab!!! x
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every time
.... target time for me will be 55 minutes, I think my 10k PB of 50'35" set in the New Forest last year is out of realistic reach just now 
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September Quest week 2
