Another ‘what shall I do?’ run. I quite enjoy these as I never know what’s going to happen! My speed work seems to have gone to pot lately and I’m not allowing myself to worry about it. Last week I only did 2 runs and I’m not worrying about that, either. I will just enjoy the runs I am doing right now and get back to my routine as and when I feel able.
It was warm out this morning, but with a stiff breeze; even so, I was slightly overdressed in my running tights, long sleeved top and wind jacket. The jacket came off halfway through the run.
On my warm up walk, I found the Nike Run Club guided run ‘Mindful Metres’. I can’t bear to write the American spelling of ‘metres’ so I changed it 😂. Watch and run started and off I go. I know where the hour will end up, so I set off with no aim in mind other than not to start off too fast! This achieved, I settle into the run at my happy, slow pace.
I listen to the chat between English Gardner, Andy Puddicombe and the ever lovable Coach Bennett. I am immediately disappointed as it is not a guided run in the same way as the others I’ve done, but I stick with it as I’m already running. It’s more of a chat with some thoughtful pointers. I’m glad I kept listening as it was interesting, just not what I was expecting.
During my run, I continued with my approach of letting the run ebb and flow. This gives a sense of freedom to the run and is a more relaxed approach. I do naturally speed up after the first couple of kilometres and I allowed that to happen, but I also allowed myself to back off a little if I felt like it. I didn’t keep checking my watch on this run. While running and listening, I was able to look around me and take notice. The reeds by the ditches blowing in the breeze. The fabulous beech hedging with its gorgeous autumn colours. Noisy gulls squabbling overhead and the calls of the Whoopers as they fly off to their daytime feeding places. I spot a lone hare and wonder if we will see the illegal hare coursers this year. Where I live is a popular haunt for them and the villagers are on a constant lookout for strangers with hunting dogs.
I near the end of my run and decide I want to finish strong. Running in this relaxed way enables me to do that quite easily, so off I go! Run over at 7.2K and 60 minutes. Strava robbed me of a few seconds, but I don’t mind! Arriving home, I look at Facebook and there is a flood alert for Sutton Gault, a nearby village also near the washes. Water levels are rising fast. If they have to close their road, we soon will, too! Love the winters here. 😊
Photo taken this morning just after sunrise showing a field on the washes that’s already under water.
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Jools2020
Graduate10
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Good detailed post from you Jools2020, glad you enjoyed your run today, metres or meters, ha, meter as in gas meter, metres as in measurement including running, I also had a nice 8 Kilometre run this morning despite the ☔ rain. 😊 🏃🏾 👍
That's a lovely description of your run this morning Julia! It sounds wonderful, and your description of the sights and sounds is really suggestive - I can almost imagine being there.
I often see hares along the estuary at Wallasea Island - I love seeing them bound along with their long ears and gangly legs.
Going with the flow seems to be a bit of a thing at the moment.
What a lovely run you had today! Sounds just perfect to be able to take in your surroundings in such a beautiful part of the country, with the changing seasons.
It's been an odd couple of weeks and I've noticed people on the forum re-evaluating their approach to running. As long as we keep getting out there it's all perfect for us, whatever our state of mind.
Great run for you today. Oh my it was certainly warm and windy - I’m still in shorts and scrappy top in Scotland but I think we’re due a cold snap. Brilliant photo. Happy running 🤗
Sounds great and lovely photo !! Makes me wanna get out there ! (Today is rest day....). I see your posts and always think it’s me 😂 (my sister calls me Jools).
1. 'I do naturally speed up after the first couple of kilometres and I allowed that to happen, but I also allowed myself to back off a little if I felt like it.' - I really like this a lot 👏👏👏👏
2. 'I near the end of my run and decide I want to finish strong.' - I think this can be a real secret weapon. I like to occasionally run the last couple of miles of a longer run in this way and for me it's as good as speed training (which admittedly I neither like much or do 🙈).
A fartlek style finish is also something helpful and you'll be surprised how quick you can go after many miles on your feet. It makes you feel strong and confident too.
(1) You should like this as it’s your inspiration 😂
(2) lightbulb 💡 moment! I had said in my post that I’m not doing speed work at the moment, but of course I am if I’m finishing strong 😀. I’m just not going out there right now and working on speed alone.
I’ll think about a Fartlek style finish, too.
Thank you, as always, for your considered comments and advice.
Great post and nice run! I've downloaded this run and planning on using it soon, my only reservation is that I think it'll take me just over 60 minutes to do 7km.
I've also downloaded "Run with Joanie" which is 65 minutes but then I might as well just listened to a podcast I guess?
It would definitely be great if they had a 7km, 8km and 9km guided run
Thanks! It doesn’t matter if you run on after the 60 minutes. If you’re recording the run on Strava, just carry on. If you’re recording the run on the Nike Run Club app, I’m pretty sure it only pauses at the end of the 60 minutes, so you can press to continue. Good luck! 👍
There's also a Run Long With Joanie, which is an 80 minute guided run. I used it on the longer runs towards the end of The Magic Plan and found it really helpful.
Sounds like a good run and it’s definitely a great pic. I’m just about to start a 25 min NRC ‘End of day run’ I’m hoping it will help me destress after a busy day at work.
Well it didn’t really float my boat but I tried it and completed 25 mins on the treadmill which is a feat in itself! I’ll try another one next week. Always love my outdoor run best 😊
Beautiful photo. I admire you going out in the dark. I'm quite nervous of it at this time of year because I would have to go at 6 to be ready for work. My route is also past an old morgue with reports of strange happenings 😂👻👻. Strangely the only time I went in the half light was my fastest ever kilometre 🤔🤔
I don’t go out in the dark. I’ll go in the half light before dawn, armed with my trusty chest torch! Oooh, no - I wouldn’t fancy that morgue at all. I’m not surprised you were so speedy! It’s a difficult time of year for early morning runners, especially those like you who have to work. I like running at 5a.m. I’ll have a long wait before I can do that again.
Sounds like you really enjoyed your run, I unfortunately am only getting out once a week due to work commitments and dark nights 🙁. My sister used to live in Sutton and we used to go to Sutton Gult in the winter and look out over the floods and have a cola in a bottle in the car at the pub there. Ah memories 😏
What a shame you can’t go out running. Maybe consider a treadmill?
There would be plenty of water to look out on now! I just checked on the flood alerts; there is already water on the road at Sutton Gault and levels are rising.
There’s definitely a lot of chilling’ going on 😀. Can’t cope with going out and doing speed work right now, but want to continue building up fitness, so continuing to run slower for longer. You’re so right about mental health. These runs are exactly what I need right now 👍
Your runs continue to be motivating. I tried the NRC Breaking Through Barriers run yesterday morning. A lot of talking by Coach Bennett and Andy on this one but I enjoyed it. No counting down of distance to go and my watch hadn’t activated for some reason so I had no idea of pace until I had completed. 31 minutes was enough. Mornings are 25C increasing rapidly now so I am getting up a little bit earlier to try to beat the sun, but I don’t think I will attempt anything more than 5km for the next 6 months. Blow some of that cool air down our way!
Thank you! I enjoy those guided runs, much more than music right now.
It’s no fun running in the heat! I was out of the door at 5 a.m. in the summer and loved it! It’s not particularly cold here yet and as long as you’re dressed for it, it’s fine. I don’t like it when it’s windy, though and I won’t run in torrential rain. Shame you have to curtail your distance running!
Love reading about your runs, I did the same as you on Monday, no idea where I was going, just went with the flow and relaxed into it. Love your picture, similar scenes here on the Trent
Thank you, John! I’m finding it fun not to have a plan 😊. For my longer runs at the weekend I need to have an idea as I like to take a sports drink if I’m running more than 10K. If I’m running for 10 miles I have a very light breakfast, so need to plan ahead.
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
