Gentle January: Some of you may recall how I... - Bridge to 10K

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Gentle January

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runGraduate10
14 Replies

Some of you may recall how I ended December with sore calf muscles and a feeling of despair. However I was not going to give up, but instead gave myself a month of recuperation. So while many of my VRBs were out there battling with RED January, I was having a gentle month. Despite snow and floods, I managed to run on 10 occasions, toting up 33.22 kms. I also went out on the bike 5 times an clocked 167kms, and did my daily yoga with Adriene.

Part way through the month a friend introduced me to ‘chatty running’ and I have been following a six week plan. Running slow enough to hold a conversation was a challenge at first (not just because I often run alone, so have no one to talk to), but I am now getting the hang of it and it seems to be working. I do not feel like I am dying and running is starting to be more like fun, and so far no discomfort.

My next run introduces ‘sparkles’ (a 10 second burst of sprint). Apparently we can run for 10 seconds and not be out of breath (the biological reason involves aerobic muscle respiration and humans always having the energy to run from predators). I’m not expecting to encounter lions in Stratford but it is nice to know a 10 second sprint might get me out of trouble! Anyway, well done to all those RED January folk. I will let you know how I get on with ‘sparkles’ and more chatty running in a few more weeks.

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Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-run
Graduate10
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14 Replies
SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

Glad your legs are feeling rested, sometimes i run so slow i think maybe i could walk quicker then one day i walked and it seemed to take forever to get anyway I like the sound of those ‘sparkles’ going to try them on my next run

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10

Wow, I didn’t know “Chatty, Sparkly Running” but do now! ( youtu.be/vZTebtcDl2Y )

And I love that calendar you have in your pic! Did you make it yourself or is it available?

Well done! Will look out for your sparkly runs!

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runGraduate10 in reply toCBDB

Runr make the calendars, you can download them from their website for free. They are even nicer in colour.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toShake-and-run

Lovely! Thank you!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

I’m glad you’ve found a way to run which gives you more enjoyment Shake-and-run. Everyone is different and slower pace can be far better for you too.

Nice to see you’ve discovered runr too. They are a local company to me, and donate a portion of their profits to MIND.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

Ahhh, runr! Got it! Nice!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toCBDB

Clever eh? They also do casual clothing so you can recognise other runners when not in running gear.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

I’ve never heard of ✨‘sparkles’ ✨but love the name and the concept!🙂 I do use Fartleks though, which are similar - just like slightly longer ‘sparkles’! Good luck with them and hope your calves continue to behave!🙂

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toSandraj39

I didn’t either. One’s person ✨sparkle✨ is another person’s 🧟‍♀️Zombie Chase🧟‍♀️ or another person’s 🏃🏾‍♀️Fartleks🏃🏾‍♀️! 🤣🤣

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toCBDB

Or a JogRunSprint in my case. 😄

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

Yey! Definitely!

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10

Well done on managing 10 runs in your gentle January Shakes! And yoga too! I usually run on my own as well so chatting when I run with Coddfish occasionally comes as a bit of a trial - but it’s great fun practising! I have my fingers firmly crossed you don’t find yourself having to outrun lions in Stratford!

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbage60minGraduate

Lovely post 💛 and I *love* your chart, it’s bursting with focus and positivity. Might have to add that ‘courage’ mantra to my own list if that’s okay 😃

I’m intrigued about these sparkles - good luck!

And remember, you don’t have to outrun the lion, you just have to outrun someone else 🤣

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

Blue February then? 🤣

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