I think I’ve been trying too hard lately and most of my runs are similar, just varying in length. Start out steady, increasing gradually and finishing strong. Strava has been telling me ‘This is harder than your usual effort!’
So today was different. I would start off slow and try and keep within heart rate Zone 2. Even at the end! I would walk if I had to, to keep my heart rate down.
It was easy for the first couple of kilometres but as the run progressed, my body just wanted to increase pace. I persevered! It was lovely to be slow jogging without effort, although sometimes it seemed that continuing to run slowly was taking a fair bit of effort in itself!
Running along the lane by the river, I heard the characteristic ‘woomph’ of a mute swan in flight. I looked up and he was flying directly overhead, past me to bank and turn round (presumably into wind) to come in and land in the river beside me.
I was accompanied by music for the first few kilometres, but when I started to zone out, I turned the music off. The middle of the run proved difficult to stay in Zone 2, but I persevered. It was lovely to be slow jogging. Now was usually when I’d start to take the breaks off and my body knew it!
I saw another runner out this morning. I know her and she lives in the village; she’s young and really fast, but she’s not a half marathon runner, so I gave her one of my knowing smiles and a cheery good morning and a wave! She was running too fast to give me a response, breathing hard. 😊
It crossed my mind to increase pace for the last kilometre, but this time I didn’t give in to it. I carried on with the slow jog, although I did encroach into Zone 3 a little.
At the end of the 10K I wasn’t even out of breath. Looking at my stats, I can see where I struggled to stay in Zone 2! I did actually have to walk in places, but I thoroughly enjoyed my run this morning.
As soon as I got home, it started to rain, I missed it by minutes! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️👍 🍌 🥣 ☕️
A runner’s conundrum: podcast or music? 
Heart rate training
