Magic Plan W2 R2 done and Quandary

[CBDB]

Ran a 5k today for my second run in week 2 of the Magic Plan! The 5k are getting easier and easier, but I do have a quandary now for me for my 5k runs.

Above 5k, I recently found a beauty of a new route which will also get me to 10k, or 11.6k to be exact. But as getting there means running through 2k of town centre running, I’ll be using it only for runs that are more than 5k.

My old route and for runs less than 5k, I have a beautiful 4.5k route and there is simply nothing more beautiful in this area. I have here and there added the missing distance by running through some housing neighbourhoods, but they are by far not as nice as the route itself.

So here I am now thinking, maybe I should stop searching desperately for the perfect 5k and consider a 4.5k fine for any ‘5k runs’. 5k is, if you think about it, just an arbitrary number.

So i can see myself running in the future 3 runs per week with 4.5k; 4.5k; and 11.6k and all of them on perfect and beautiful routes.

Any thoughts or pondering welcome

[Timotea Graduate10]

Just run and enjoy it. I usually run a couple of routes. One is a finite 5k and the other one can take me to 8 k if I want to. There is another route that is aspirational which goes up and down steep hills...about 6k but feels like 10k! It depends what I feel like!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Timotea]

Thanks. I think I will. (And I’ll not bother with adding some running-around-the-houses as it just takes the delight of the route away)

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

I think that's sounds like a great set up. You've got such beautiful spots to run 😍 I only run along the seafront but I change direction depending on wind direction and whether I want to run against the wind on my way out or my way back

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Yeah you’re right. But boy, seafront 🌊 in wind 💨 🌬 sounds even better (there goes my route-jealousy again!🤤)

I know from past cycling holidays in Netherlands that many find constant wind even worse than hills, but I was never sure about that. Wind had its wild, hair-flowing blustering beauty! Happy running!

[Hidden]

I think you’re safe with your plan. Your two shorter runs add up to the same as the 4k and 5k runs on the plan so it should be fine. It’s more important to enjoy the runs and if you have a perfect route, go for it 😊.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

A very good way of looking at it! Thank you 🙏!

[Hidden]

Great run CBDB I think you've got these distances lined up perfectly

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 🙏

[Hidden]

Sounds good to me! Plus you can add the half a k on the longer one. You're absolutely right. As long as you're out there regularly that's the most fundamental part. That you enjoy it is awesome 😊

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, yes. Absolutely. I would have never believed it, how much I’m enjoying it. 👍🏽☺️

[LurcherMum Graduate10]

You're right. 5k is just an aim and running 4.5k regularly is hardly any difference. Run the extra half k through the housing estate if you need a 5k time. But otherwise the main point to to get out there and enjoy it.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to LurcherMum]

Nice! Yes!!! Thank you! 🙏👏👍🏽

[dijep Graduate10]

I think it's important to run where you want if you don't like a route then it'll put you off going and it'd it's not 5k it doesn't matter. I can't do any of my routes just in beautiful countryside unless I keep running circuits which I'd find to boring. I've now found the "best" of the "worst" routes through housing estates and quite enjoy it and then my reward of farm tracks and a bridleway.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Yes 🙌! The less beautiful stretches are ok to be the section that gets you to the beautiful ones! Nice way of thinking about it. Thanks! 🙏

[dijep Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Sometimes to keep myself occupied I start giving people's gardens marks out of 10 🤣😂I'm looking forward to seeing the Xmas lights going up and may plan a new festive run through estates and go at dusk

🎅☃️ 🌲

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Nice! I hadn’t thought of Xmas decorations! This will be the first XMas period for me since starting to run!

[dijep Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

My first running Xmas tooDid you see

Forest_Run_Beginner Xmas bingo Post? Looks like fun 😃

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Yes! 🙌 🤩🤩🤩 I love it!!

[Alexi_Spain Graduate10]

CBDB, Enjoy your runs, and don't stress too much about distance for the shorter runs, keep one 4.5k run as intervals/speed, the other nice and steady, and then go for it on the longer runs!! Having fun and enjoying it is the most important factor 👍

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Alexi_Spain]

Absolutely! Thanks, yes! 🙏👍🏽🏃🏻‍♀️

[Elfe5 60minGraduate]

Hi CBDB, I think your plan is fine. 👍🏻😄However, if you really want a full 5k sometimes, you could do a couple of U turns to re- run a favourite section of your route.

- This has reminded me of my early C25K days when hiding beside hedges & avoiding hills was a thing! -I used to run backwards & forwards along the same half mile stretch feeling safely invisible! 😂

My beautiful routes are much more limited at this time of year (mud/slippery) but I really enjoy running past people’s Christmas lights & plan routes to investigate as many streets as possible! 😄

[Forest_Run_Beginner Graduate10]

I definitely agree with what everyone else has said - to enjoy your runs is much more important than distance. If you are getting out 3 times a week, what's 500 metres between friends?! 😂

Just keep getting out there and enjoying what you're doing because you are doing brilliantly.

👍👏💪🏃‍♀️💥🏆🏅

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Forest_Run_Beginner]

Thank you! Big thanks, I think I needed to hear that, to have the confidence to let those 500m go! However, now that many have pointed out there is the added perk of seeing XMas decoration I might be tempted to play around with where I run, to explore that a bit more! 🤣🤣🎄🎅🎁

[Forest_Run_Beginner Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

That's a very goof idea, get in that last little 0.5KM and start to try and tick off a Bingo task at the same time, win win! 👍😀👏🎅🦌🤶🌲⛄

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Forest_Run_Beginner]

BINGO! ✔️🤗⏳

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Forest_Run_Beginner]

Loved your Bingo by the way!👏👏👏🤩🤩

[Forest_Run_Beginner Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

And thank you so much, that's very kind of you to say so. I really hope you enjoy it 😊

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Yep I’d do that 👍🏻 Enjoy every moment 😊

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

🙏👍🏽👏😊☺️

[Lifluf Graduate10]

Sounds like an excellent plan. Isn't it supposed to be 2 shorter and one extending run per week? What's a few metres in the scheme of things? Much better to enjoy your route. Happy running!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Lifluf]

Yes, thank you! 🙏I’m there now! Enjoyment over distance! Got it and very happy! 😊☺️💪👏🏃🏻‍♀️🙏