I didn’t run yesterday, the weather was awful. This morning it was chilly but not raining, and a slight breeze, so up and out!
Today I needed a slow run. I wanted to run on my usual route but have the time to look around, unconcerned about my pace or even negative splits 😀. I would run for 60 minutes in Zone 3. I knew it would be about 7K.
Starting off on the lane by the river, I do have to make sure I’m keeping in Zone 3, but soon settle down. I spook a heron and wonder if it’s the same one that I keep disturbing on this route! He flies off low over the river and stands on the other side. There’s no traffic this morning, but I see in the distance another runner coming towards me and wonder if it’s my neighbour, I’ve managed to persuade her to do C25K and she’s on Week 2! I soon realise it’s not her, unless she’s grown a beard 😂. I know this runner and he’s an older gentleman who lives in the village. We exchange greetings.
I keep on with my slow run and notice the sparrows in the hedgerow, they seem very busy this morning. I reach the gate and turn to go back. I spook the heron again! Back in the village, I pass a dog walker with his cocker spaniel. I often see him out on my runs. I always enjoy seeing people I know while I’m running, it’s the only real contact I have with anyone right now.
Out of the village and heading towards the infamous Deadend Track. The photo shows the road out of the village and the turning for the Track. Somebody beeps and waves at me. I wave back happily. I’m dreadful at recognising cars, so I had no clue who it was 😊. I cross to turn up the Track. The gates are open so there’s been some farm activity. There are lots of mud clods on one section of it, so I have to hoppity skippety to avoid them! I’m amused at my little dance!
I reach 5K and note that it took me 42:53. Wow. I remember running my first 5K in August, with all out effort. I managed it in just under 45 minutes then, but I was out of breath, exhausted and sweating. Now, just a few months later I can do it in less time, with virtually no effort. And carry on running!
Coming back out onto the road, I’m struggling to keep in Zone 3 and so back off a little. It is tempting to speed up, but I really wanted this to be a slow run, so I resist the temptation. Only for the last half kilometre do I stop watching the heart rate zone, but still run at an easy conversational pace. I run past my house until I get to 60 minutes. I slow to a walk and I’m not even out of breath! Home and coffee. Love those slow runs 😊👍🏃♀️
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Jools2020
Graduate10
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Slow is rewarding Jools2020 and it seemed perfect, with a little hoppity-skipety definitely a new jools dance 🥳 brilliant zone Running 👍
Oh dear, I did see on the news about the snow ‘up north’. I don’t think I would want to run through the snow. Ooh, my feet got cold just thinking about it!
Sounds a lovely, perfect run, not too busy, no rain, i was like you with the rain yesterday, so going out later, it's funny, as my new 7k route, feels pretty comfortable most runs, and nice to finish, not too out of breath, etc. Good on you, for getting your neighbour into c25k, i also have a friend, who's just started too. I might try a longer run today, will see how it goes! 🤔
Thanks, Peter. I like to ‘see how it goes’. I often change plans on the fly, too, depending on what happens! Hope your run goes well. It was a bit chilly out, but fine once running. I did keep my lightweight jacket on and because I was running slowly it was fine. 👍
I would like to borrow some of your awful weather. It took me 53 mins to run 5k the other day at my MAF number. Low heart rate training is certainly a challenge with our heat and wind in WA.
I think that MAF would have seen me run even slower than heart rate zone 3! I agree, it’s hard to do that in the heat & wind.
Good luck with the Park Run. That’s going to be tough in the heat! One day, I hope to run in a Park Run.
My Australian cousin contacted me the other day, she lives on acres about an hour away from Sydney. She’d read that one in fifty people had the virus in the UK and was shocked. I think her life is relatively unaffected, although I think she’s running her yoga classes online.
Might come and do that in your winter 😊 My grandmother’s sister and her husband emigrated to Australia in the 1920s. They lived in Busselton. One of their sons stayed in WA, so I have family there as well as near Sydney.
We’re in Rockingham so not that far from Busselton. We lived in Sydney for 10years and Melbourne for four years. WA is beautiful. I love it after only a month. Come visit 😊
Brilliant run for you today! I do love easy runs. Amazing how the definition of easy changes as we get fitter, you got a fantastic reminder of your progress today 😃👏👏🏃♀️
Sounds like the perfect run this morning. Its so rewarding when you finish and aren't even out of breath. It probably is the same heron. We had one standing over the pond in our garden earlier this week. Thankfully we have some plastic rings around the edges so I don't think he can reach our fish.
It was a lovely run! Those slow runs are definitely my favourite.
I thought it might be the same one, standing in exactly the same spot. Until I spooked him -,but then I saw him again on my way back, in the same spot. Sounds like your fish are safe.
Really enjoyed reading your delicious run post, a wonderful achievement. These outdoor connections are so special at the moment 🤗
I can understand that Jools, so many people living alone and not seeing anyone all day ....I’m lucky to have Mr J. but even then there are days I want to just keep running so I don’t have to go back home, just to be out in the world a bit longer. 🤗
When I ran my half marathon, as I squared my shoulders ready to pull out the stops for my last km, I was actually sad that such a long run was almost over and I’d have to go back home! Longer distances must be the answer 😂
Freezing fog here this morning in North Manchester. I wouldn't have tried running in it even with high vis., it was that thick. (Not that I'm running at the moment.)
Enjoying the running experience through others' posts. Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
Once the torrential rain ends tomorrow afternoon, I'm hoping for another walk, and I'll drag herself out for a short stroll on Sunday. I might get to run again on Monday if my progress continues as it has.
Now that was a delicious run, I really enjoyed it even with my feet up on the sofa, I love your hoppity skippity dance round the clods of earth, I could feel my feet lifting
Thank you so much my first day of feeling a bit stronger, so pleased. She is doing really well thanks was very tired yesterday but better day today. We have both been so lucky
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