Gentle January

[Shake-and-run]

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.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

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 Graduate10]

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

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 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

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

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

Lovely! Thank you!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Ahhh, runr! Got it! Nice!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

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

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

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 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

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

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Or a JogRunSprint in my case. 😄

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yey! Definitely!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

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 60minGraduate]

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 Graduate10]

Blue February then? 🤣