A (not) Long Run - and an experiment with fartleks

[Birdlady64]

My plan was for a long run sometime this weekend. Tomorrow's forecast is grim ❄❄❄ and with rain 🌧 due this afternoon. I really don't want to get wet for the 4th run in a row.

Well, I awoke to thick fog again for the second time in 3 days - there's no way I'm going to run in that! A relaxed coffee in bed waiting for the fog to lift. It's mid morning before that happens and I grab a quick half a banana, kit on and out.

I'm not taking any chances with the rain today so I decide to mix things up a bit and do a short 3k run instead of going long. I set off at a faster pace than usual - I wonder how quickly I can go over 3k? After about 0.5K I remember that Instructor57 said Mr Garmin reduced his fitness age after his short fartlek run earlier this week. Let's see...

Well, it was interesting....

It didn't help that the final part of this run was uphill but I think I pushed too hard over the first 2.5km - you can clearly see how my pace plummets over the final part of this run, and the splits reflect that.

But - the second split is the first time I've managed a sub 7 minute km as part of a run and Strava also gives me a PR for one mile. I have to be happy with that.

Mr Garmin was unimpressed however, and my VO2max remains unchanged. He is so fickle!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Good call on a short run given the weather. Well done on your PR. Happy running 🤗

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks Grannyhugs. The run was fun but also a little bit unsatisfying if that makes sense. It's good to throw in something a bit different though. Sitting tight now and waiting for the snow to arrive

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I know exactly what you mean, never so happy with shorter runs but I’m currently heading to half marathon distance so must throw in shorter runs to counteract the long ones.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Yes - we should really do more of those. It's so easy to stay within our comfort zone isn't it? Good luck with your HM plan 👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Good to mix things up and very well done for that second split! Shows you can do it. The first kilometre was only just outside that 7 mins/km as well. Plus, well done for that 1 mile PB, too.

I think it’s good to go out and run for 3K, Fartleks, interval work or just a run. We just haven’t done it lately. Might factor it in for the next couple of weeks.

Well done for avoiding the rain! I only just made it back in time 😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thanks Julia!It was fun to do something shorter and a bit different. I was surprised by how fast that first km was actually - and the mile PR was a nice unexpected bonus. The sun actually came out for a while this afternoon and the crocus, snowdrops and hellebores in the garden were lovely. The calm before the storm I expect. I hope we don't get too much snow,

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Same here! I was worried enough to cancel my click and collect shop on Monday and went to the supermarket this afternoon. Now I’m ready!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Good move there. Now you can just hunker down! Hope you stocked up on the porridge!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Loads of porridge, seeds and maple syrup! 😊

[Littleoyellow Graduate10]

Hi Birdlady 👋 just catching up with folks over the last few days after a rubbish January spent hiding under the virtual bedclothes 🙈 great idea of yours this morning to test out the pace over a short run AND beat the rain into the bargain 🏃‍♀️🌧😁👍 and well done on your achievement 🎉 and Mr Garmin wasn't DISPLEASED was he, you held your own 😁👍 sounds like a good job well done to me 👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

Hi Littleoyellow - how's that hip niggle of yours?I was pretty happy with this mornings run and it was fun to try something a bit different, even if it wasn't what I'd intended.

I hope we don't get too much snow - otherwise I might be hibernating too for a while 😁

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Well done on avoiding the rain, after your wet runs this week, that's a fast second km, i've not done any speed work, my fastest km is 7:15, but usualy up in the 8's, today, had one km split 9:12, so wont be setting any records for speed! 🤣

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thanks Peter - I was super happy to stay dry even though it was still slightly foggy and a bit damp.I was surprised with that second split for sure - I've been faster over 1km but that was for the Speed Challenge runs just before Christmas which were really just a warm up followed by a 1km sprint.

I should really do more speed work - it's too easy to stay in your comfort zone though isn't it?

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Maybe, once i'm back at work, might do some shorter evening runs, with a bit more speed. 🤔 At the moment just enjoying being out more.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Glad you missed the rain this time 😁👍Sorry Mr Garmin wasn't impressed though 😐

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Not as glad as I was! 😁I guess it was too much to expect for Mr Garmin to be impressed twice in one week - but it was worth a shot! Plus the one mile PR was a nice bonus

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Unchanged is fine mines gone down and down, i’m in the orange and heading for red and the less said about poor Willow the better That sounds good a pr for a mile and fastest 1k yippee 👏

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks Sola. I was pleased with the mile PR and that second split. Pity about the third one though. 😢Well my VO2max isn't really that far into the green zone. I take it all with a pinch of salt really - but it's quite fun to see when it changes.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

Yes it is, mine was almost in the blue once and been steadily going down since

[nowster Graduate10]

Garmin is fickle.

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

Well done Birdlady on your sub 7 minute km, PR for one mile and not getting wet!!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thanks Rebecca. It was good to do something different.Hope you are feeling a bit more like your old self

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you!!

I am feeler stronger thank you. I have had some chest tightness so just taking things very slowly!! So great to read all your posts. Take care x

[CaptFrey 60minGraduate]

Pesky Mr Garmin but those are great times and pace. Glad you snuck out when the rain wasn’t looking and had a good time 😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to CaptFrey]

Thanks! Snuck out I did indeed- and it was great fun. 😁

[Indielass00]

Relieved you escaped the rain! Though I might sound crazy because I actually like running in rain as it cools me down,! 🤣Must be fun to do something different like Fartleks! Good to experience new things, well done! 😀

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Indielass00]

I don't mind it actually and you are right it does keep you cool. But just fancied staying dry for a change😁I enjoyed trying something a bit different

[Lifluf Graduate10]

Well done Birdlady. That was a good run. Sometimes the short ones are the best although I'm not a fan of fartleks as I never seem to get into my comfy pace before having to change speed.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Lifluf]

Ha ha! Yes I know exactly what you mean, but think that might kind of be the point😁