Getting back into it!

[Phdgranny]

Went out today determined to run continuously for 5K. One of the coaches at my virtual running club suggested ignoring pace and running according to heart rate. So all I had on my watch face was Heart Rate, Heart rate zone and calories. To keep my heart rate below 140 I had to go really slowly but I did keep jogging. When I finally stopped (to speak to an old friend rather than to gasp for breath!) I found that I had done 7.5K!! I am so pleased, I even jogged up the steep bits, just shortened my stride and slowed down. It was a beautiful morning in the woods and keeping it slow meant I could enjoy my surroundings and pass the time of day with people I passed. Will definitely do this again next Monday. In October my son and my nephew are doing a virtual marathon around where they live, they are doing 8.5 laps of a 5K circuit so I am going to try doing 2 laps (they will probably have done 4 laps by then!) so I have something to aim for as we are raising money for ‘Mind’.

[Fionamags Graduate10]

That is fantastic that you way exceeded your own expectations! Clearly the low HR thing realy did the trick for you. I haven't tried this yet - sounds worth a go!!

[Roxdog Graduate10]

That sounds really positive. I love it when there's a surprise longer run!

[Hidden]

Hello Phdgranny I missed this when you posted but really lovely to read this and see you have something to motivate and are enjoying your running happy Easter 🐣 🤗

[Phdgranny Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Lovely to hear from you. How’s it going? I have now done 2 more 8k plus runs, the last was 8.7k, random distances as I am still focusing on heart rate. I just try to go a little further into the woods each time. I have worked it out and if I run as far as the place where Alan works and back it will be almost exactly 10k. Have a lovely Easter xx

[Hidden in reply to Phdgranny]

That’s great progress, slowing down and keeping HR lower has really helped me go further. Enjoy that 10k 🤗