RED January - The First 10 Days - Report - Bridge to 10K

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RED January - The First 10 Days - Report

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10
โ€ข22 Replies

Oh if only I could get to a treadmill at the moment. They are all gathering dust at the gym down the road. Normally I wouldn't dare run in the conditions I've run in this week but needs must.

This is my second go at Run Every Day and my first in the depths of winter. My last go was in May but my body told me not to be so silly and put a stop to it after 14 days. I made the mistake of putting too many long runs into my schedule and forgetting that I was 52. So, 10 days in how is it going? I'm going to touch wood and say, not too bad so far ๐Ÿ‘.

My plan this time is to only have one longer run a week, (not) parkrun as usual for the speedy run, and two 5km runs on Mondays and Fridays as part of keeping my kids fit. The others can be anything between a mile and 5km depending on how I'm feeling.

What I have found hard this week is that we're now only allowed out once for our daily exercise and I need to get the mileage in for LEJOG6, so I really need to make the most of my exercise time. This isn't so bad when I'm doing a 5km but today I only did 1 mile and I've come back frozen as I had to tag on a 45 minute 'cool down' walk ๐Ÿฅถ Not sure how this is going to pan out over the next 3 weeks especially when it rains! Just as well I love a challenge ๐Ÿคฃ

The main challenge of this week was, of course, the footpath conditions on Thursday and Friday. As I mentioned, treadmills were out of the question so off I trotted in trepidation on to the icy paths outside. To be honest I was quite surprised - I found it easier to run than walk. I kept the pace down and concentrated on what was ahead and I did avoid the corners at junctions as I know them to be extra slippy. I also took to the road on quieter parts,and this seemed to help. It was a challenge that took my focus away from how cold it was, how achy I might have been and how my breathing was, it also kept my heart rate down - win win!

Yoga with Adriene has been helping with the achiness I think, with today being the first day when my legs have felt at all tired - hence today's mile only. I've been doing her routines daily for quite a while now and have really felt the benefits both to my running muscles and my core strength.

Talking of core strength, next week, I also have to fit in 3 days of Joe Wicks to carry on keeping the kids fit. Leg tiredness could be a little more extreme after all the squats, lunges and star jumps! One thing I do leave to the kids is the burpees: I am not doing those for love nor money on the living room carpet! Nearly broke a toe doing them in the first lockdown, so no way Josรฉ!

So onwards and upwards, and 21 days to go! A great way to spend what is usually one of the grottiest months of the year and a superb distraction from what else is going on out there. I can highly recommend it!

Have fun everyone and whatever else, stay safe x

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TailChaser profile image
TailChaser
Graduate10
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22 Replies
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cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Well done on keeping up all your challenges TC. Youโ€™re doing so well and adding Joe Wicks into the equation again is either incredibly brave or slightly bonkers! ๐Ÿ˜…

I have a similar month of challenges to you, but Iโ€™m doing the Great Run Solo January Accumulator in place of JW. ๐Ÿ˜€

Mrs Crow will see Mrs Camel on the mat tomorrow! ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿง˜โ€โ™€๏ธ

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply tocheekychipmunks

I think itโ€™s definitely bonkers cheeky. Especially as they have to be at 7.30am to fit in with our work/school/uni commitments ๐Ÿคช

Havenโ€™t heard of your challenge, but itโ€™s probably just as well as Iโ€™d probably try and fit that one in as well ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ I would ask what in entails but that might be tempting me in ๐Ÿคฃ

See you on that mat Mrs Crow (I think itโ€™s an afternoon appointment tomorrow!) ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ˜€

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

And not a hint of all the militant lockdown fitness 'tourists' we find ourselves trying to avoid or go around.

๐Ÿป๐Ÿฑ N Y Katnap ๐Ÿฑ๐Ÿป

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply toKatnap

No, not mentioning them...

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10

Oh my I'm exhausted just reading this, very well done. All that running, exercises and home schooling. Take care and happy running ๐Ÿค—

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply toGrannyhugs

Thank you ๐Ÿ™ โ˜บ๏ธ Thankfully Granny my boys are old enough to get on with most of their education without my help, just the exercise bit that they need really pushing with. As long as we have a routine theyโ€™re generally ok. ๐Ÿ‘

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10โ€ข in reply toTailChaser

That's due entirely to your good parenting ๐Ÿค—

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply toGrannyhugs

๐Ÿ˜ณ *blush* thank you Granny ๐Ÿค—๐Ÿค—๐Ÿค—

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Wow TailChaser- I donโ€™t know how you do it all. Are you signed up for the official RED with the T-shirt?

Iโ€™ve missed 2 days of Adriene so far but will do all the sessions.

Hopefully the milder weather will be back for you this week.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply toDexy5

Neither do I! I don't know how we'll fit Joe in but we'll try. Just spotted today's was half an hour and we're doing that in the morning. Thankfully I haven't got any early Teams meetings so we should be able to do it. I will report back at the end of the week if I'm still in one piece ๐Ÿ˜…

There aren't any official t-shirts or bits and pieces this year. Maybe it's just getting to popular? I have signed up for a RED 31 bit of bling with Virtual Racing UK to give me a bit of an incentive, and judging by the rain thumping against our windows tonight, I think that will be needed! Not sure I like milder but cold rain, think I prefer snow!

Adriene will do you loads of good Dexy ๐Ÿ‘

Beatthestreet profile image
BeatthestreetGraduate10

Had no idea that thereโ€™s an official t-shirt. Am also on day 11, much less distance than you TailChaser but good to know someone else out there doing same, especially as online schooling restarts today.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply toBeatthestreet

Oh good luck Beats! I think there are quite a few of us doing it but maybe on the Marathon chat as they've been running longer? It's a great challenge and certainly a good distraction. There was an official t-shirt. I saw quite a few people in them last year but not this year by the looks of what the website said. I was a bit disappointed by but I'd already signed up for a bit of bling on Virtual Racing UK (they may still have some if you're quick?). I think the weather is going to be a bit more of a challenge this week with the rain but we can do it!

๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ’ช

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10

Fabulous TC that'san amazing schedule. I opted fir a much less challenging run or walk every day! Even that has driven me indoors onto the treadmill to comply with the once a day exercuse rule. I barely use our old seconhand treadmill, but when I do I very much appreciate that we have it.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply tolinda9389

Thanks Linda...it never seems as bad until I write it down! It always hits me when I put it on here but I'm committed now!! Got to get the boys fit before they go back!I do think I'm going to feel very jealous of you this week though...I'm not liking what the weather is doing outside tonight. May have to move the 10k as Wednesday is supposed to be raining all day...then again, less dog walkers...so maybe I'll just keep it there and get soggy?

linda9389 profile image
linda9389Graduate10โ€ข in reply toTailChaser

Running in the rain is ok. Cycling isn't!!! Quiet is good ๐Ÿ˜Š

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10

Home schooling still makes me shudder after two whole terms home with my 5 boys in Melbourne. Well done you for getting out there with RED ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply toRunWillie

Wow, that is a major challenge! Well done getting through that RW! 2 boys is enough and I have it really easy with them: eldest is 'at' uni and youngest is in his exam year so they don't need educating just cajoling and organising. How did you manage?!Thank you, fingers crossed I make it to the end this time.

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10โ€ข in reply toTailChaser

It certainly was a major challenge with our tribe! My husband and I joked would we had had 5 if we knew 2020 was coming ๐Ÿ˜‚ The true medals should go to our boys teachers. Wow! Those guys deserve to wear super hero capes. Iโ€™ve never been so thankful to send them back to school. Running most days helped me massively during that time.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply toRunWillie

๐Ÿคฃ I think we all appreciate teachers so much more now ๐Ÿ˜ and running! What would we do without running?!

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10

Well done, I don't think I could run every day. I need my break between runs although I fitted in a few very short extra ones to do the 40 runs virtual Great North Run

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10โ€ข in reply toRunaroundSue

I'm not totally sure I can either yet Sue but today went ok so getting there. 40 virtual runs is pretty amazing whether you're RED or not ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10โ€ข in reply toTailChaser

Good luck anyway, and take care on the ice

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