A Wet 5k In the Dark - Run1 Week 6 of the Magic 10

[Birdlady64]

Having let the gremlins👿 get the better of me this morning, I was determined to run after work this evening, despite the rain. 🌧🌧🌧

Clothing choice was tights, rain jacket, waterproof cap (I still need to get a sun visor) and long-sleeved t-shirt.

I actually really enjoyed running in the rain, the cap did the job nicely and I wasn't too hot. No water droplet covered specs this time!

I also feel like this was a bit of a milestone run for me, as it's the first time I've run in the dark - and it didn't freak me out as much as I though it world. I certainly won't be running through the woods in the dark though.

Finishing my run, and on my warm down walk I realised that I hadn't factored in it being totally dark by the time I got close to home. Don't ask me why this didn't register, but the short cut between the woods and houses was pitch black, so my 5 minute cool down ended up more like 15 minutes. Doh! 🙄

For this run I wasn't bothered about pace or heart rate zone. I just wanted to run and I didn't check my watch at all throughout the run. I kept things nice and easy and just zoned out listening to my music. Anyway a nice enjoyable slow 5k - 43.25. Not my fastest, but not my slowest either.

My next run will be 4k when I'll probably try an interval workout again

[nowster Graduate10]

Head torch needed next?

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Ha ha!

I have one or two of those. Invaluable when on safari or staying in places with non existent or intermittent electricity supply. I never dreamed of using them for running until now 😁

[Roxdog Graduate10]

You are brave running in the dark!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Well yes.

It has to be done though if I'm going to run during the week during the next few months when I'm working.

It wasn't that scary. But of course it's on the pavement and we both prefer off road

[Roxdog Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Hmmm. I might try it. I'm finding work and other commitments are impacting on me running during daylight hours.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Yes it's getting increasingly difficult isn't it

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Well done for running in the rain AND the dark! I haven’t run in the dark, yet. Our village hasn’t any street lighting except in the small area where the houses are and it doesn’t seem safe. I’ve run in the pre-dawn light with a chest torch, which I prefer over a head torch.

You were obviously perfectly attired for the conditions! The question of whether to wear running tights or shorts is a difficult one for me at the moment. If in doubt I go for the shorts.

Sometimes it’s good not to worry about the zones and trying to monitor it can take the enjoyment out of the run. I am trying not to let it worry me too much, although I did do a double take when I noticed I was running at 101% of my maximum heart rate as set on Garmin. 😳

All in all, a lovely 5K run for you! Good luck with the intervals 🙂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Julia. Lots of my usual routes are unlit so I need to find some winter ones which will have to be along the roads.

If it hadn't been raining I would have gone for shorts. When I started out I thought my hands were going to be really cold in the wet and wind, but I ended up with my sleeves pushed up towards my elbows and I was fine.

It was nice not to obsess over the watch for once, but totally agree with you as on my last interval run it alarmingly told me I'd exceeded my max heart rate!

Well I'm still here so I assume no lasting damage was done 😁

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I think our MHRs are not correct in The Garmin app. Garmin said 160. I set mine to 170, but I still seem to be running in Zone 5 most of the time! Can’t be right. Strava thinks my MHR is 190! Not sure where it got that info from. In any case, the data is probably not accurate as regards to the zones in Garmin. So I’m not taking too much notice 🙂

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Yes I agree with you. There is definitely something not quite right. You can't be in zone 5 for that amount of time.

The formulas are only guidelines and I'm becoming more and more certain they don't work for me. I set my max to 175 but Im trying not to worry too much

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Hmm. I think I’ll change mine to 180. I’ll let you know How I get on! 😀

[Tinytears60 Graduate10]

Well done 👏👏 sounds like an enjoyable relaxed 5k

I did exactly the same when I ventured out in the evening... didn’t factor in how quick it went dark! 🙈 ah well

I’m sure you will stay safe tho ... we can’t let the dark put us off.. just have to be sensible

😀 💕

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Tinytears60]

And a week on Sunday, we're back on GMT. That gives morning runners a little extra light, but evening outings will be in the dark.

[Tinytears60 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

I’ve just decided - morning it is 👌😀

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Tinytears60]

I'll probably be doing mornings and lunchtimes from now until March.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yep mornings are definitely the way to go!

[MontyMooDog in reply to Birdlady64]

Mornings for me too but need to keep a lookout for slippery piles of leaves this time of year.. 👀🍁

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to MontyMooDog]

And slippery mud!

As I found on my run this morning

[MontyMooDog in reply to Birdlady64]

Yes that's not good. Really easy to slip a disc in my back so must be avoided at all costs. I am looking at council maintained parks and area around the local University where the paths get a bit of upkeep 🍁😬🤔

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to MontyMooDog]

Sounds good. It's a bit of a struggle to find good routes at the moment with all the wet weather we've had.

[Tillybeach Graduate10]

Hi Birdlady64 great run. Yes nice to just run without worrying about pace etc. I've given up with all the heart rate stuff now as my rate has reduced a little hopefully now I'm a little fitter.

Be careful you don't trip up in the dark. I'm going to do my wk 7 run number 2 - 5k tomorrow but it is only my second run after 2 wks off so taking it steady. Aiming for the 9 k on Thursday.

When are you doing your 9 k?

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Tillybeach]

Thank you. Yes I will be careful not to trip up. Yesterday was more about avoiding deep puddles and wet feet 😂

I'll be doing my 9k at the weekend, most likely Saturday morning.

Good luck with your next run and the 9k

[Hidden]

👏👏👏👏👏

Really like this. Love what you described and I feel the same completely. Adore this time of year.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yes it was a really liberating run and I'm so glad I went out. Hubby doesn't get it at all...

I love autumn and I really must fit in some runs through the woods soon.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Sorry for my late response, I have just seen this !

Well done with the wet 5k 😁

I try to avoid the rain if I can haha 😂

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Great stuff Birdlady64!! 🤗 I really wish I was as keen to run in the dark. Maybe that will be my challenge for next year. This year it’s just running through the winter.

Well done you!! 😉❤️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

Thank you

Well if I am going to carry on running through the short winter days I had better get used to running in the dark I suppose. It is definitely going to be a challenge.

[Fabulous450 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

You’re doing great!! 😁😁 I am lucky to be able to wait just long enough to fit in just as the morning breaks and ready to work downstairs (working from home), otherwise I’d be doing the same. Your post is inspiring and you sound as though you’ve enjoyed it 🤩 and that’s all that matters!! 😁❤️