This month is flying by. The sun has been shining for most of us here in the UK, the wind has dropped, buds are appearing, birds are singing, mud has disappeared (hallelujah!), my legs have been cracked out (😱), and life for us runners is looking up. Just over 7 weeks until PR starts back up (🤞🤞🤞) and the Quest keeps rolling on. Soooo, how are you getting on with yours? Tell us! Not long to go now - keep up the good work! 👊
Mine has been fun, I’m pleased to say. I’m a notorious disliker of all things fast, but I’m coming to terms that JogRunSprint is actually ok! I incorporated it into (not) PR last weekend which gave it some purpose, and wasn’t a million miles off my PB, even taking into account I only slow jogged the 5 minute warmup, cooldown and the pause sections between sets. So my faster running must have been ok! Go me. 😀 I’ll do it again this weekend - can’t wait (can’t believe I’m saying that!) 😂
Do let Dexy5 and I know how you have been getting on over the last week. Often the thought of getting out the door is worse than the act itself, but we almost always enjoy it once out. Sometimes we need that push, and that’s why having a Quest is a wonderful thing. It keeps us all accountable and we can share our experiences. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
The aim of the Quest is to help you find a focus or goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the Quest period. It takes one calendar month but you can join at any point during that time.
Some popular goals are:
★ To run three times a week
★ To slowly increase distance
★ To train for a specific race
★ To add Stretch and Strength exercises to your weekly routine
So in case you want to get going now, or need reminding what your Quest was, here’s the link to the first week’s post.
Good morning cheerful coaches! A week of modest but steady achievements, and in terms of weight loss, abject failure! I now have 8 days to lose 3.5lbs. Maybe all this running is turning fat to heavier muscle 🙂Moving swiftly on to running.....yesterday was new shoes day!! Our wonderful running shop owner spent ages with me trying out different shoes (had me running around outside the shop!) looking for the best compromise between higher heel drop (for achilles) cushioning (for knee) and dealing with my overpronation. In the end we settled on a pair of Brooks Adrenaline. Yesterday was long run day; I had been thinking of another 10k but I cut it short to 7k; no sense of overdoing it with new shoes. It was a couple of minutes quicker than my last 7k, average heart rate was lower and even VO2 max went up. Jury is out as whether I need to go for compression socks for my right calf; I will see how the new shoes bed in first. 62k so far this month compared to 39k last month; a measure of my recovery, but I mustn't overdo it. 👍
It sounds like you’ve had a brilliant week Beachcomber66, especially as it includes new shoes. 😊. We get to run outside in our shoes too at our running shop, a better test than a treadmill I think.
I can’t help with the weight issue as I am also working on that wish, but the ability of going out to eat now does not help, especially as we want to support our local independents. One thing I have found is I am at least 1kg lighter if I weigh myself after a run!
I am being really honest with myself and weighing myself first thing each day. Post run weigh in may have to be the last resort! I know that 3.5lb over ideal weight isn't a big deal. I just like to hit targets. That said we strayed into Lotus Biscoff Flapjack territory yesterday; felt we needed the energy 🙄
Thanks CC. Achilles and calf still on the “watch” list, but at least I have got some fitness back. Makes a big difference. Strength exercises now .........
1.5kg in 8 days ain't going to happen unless you carve off a limb. 🤣
Fat converting into muscle will definitely be happening. It happened to me. My trouser legs got a bit tighter but the waist of them also got looser.
I also found that the weight loss I've experienced has happened in stages. I lost consistently up to the end of the year, then plateaued, and then started to lose a bit again since March. I'm probably eating more now than I did back then, too.
Don't forget that water is 1kg per litre. Drink a pint of water and you've temporarily gained more than half a kilo of weight. "A pint of water's a pound and a quarter." (Except in the US with their larger fluid ounces and smaller number of floz per pint.)
Don't forget the unique Celsiheit system that the British press often uses for more impressive numbers: Fahrenheit for summer heatwaves and Celsius for winter cold spells.
What an upbeat post this is cheeky and I’m sure that everyone will be enjoying their running more with the dry, sunny and less windy days. It sounds like this cheeky chipmunk has found the accelerator pedal. There will be no stopping you now. 🐿 💥
We opted out of running at the weekend because it was a bit crowded with the end of the school hols.
I have been mixing my runs up a bit this week so I ran a 10k on Monday, and yesterday I also did a speed trick where I ran a 4k which included doing 2 x 250m stretches at very fast pace. Mr Garmin said my fastest pace was 4:24 but I’m not sure how many nano seconds I did that! Tomorrow will be a (not) parkrun with running buddies , followed by breakfast. Whoop whoop. It might warrant a separate post.
Every time I run I remind myself that I would find it easier if I did those strengthening exercises on non running days, just like I said I would do in my quest, but I always seem to find other things to do . Maybe I’ll get a session in before the end of the month.!
Happy questing everyone, you have all been doing brilliantly.
That’s a great speedy idea Dexy! It helps to mix things up doesn’t it? That’s why I thought I’d give JRS a purpose and add it to my (not) PR. Double fun! 😀
But yes, this weather couldn’t be any more glorious could it? I’ve just come back from a trail run which includes gnarly hilly terrain and I was in my Virtual Bath Half tee shirt and shorts. I felt like a mountain goat with trusty dog by my side. I was smiling all the way round (maybe not up the hills!) 😂
Maybe your next quest could be to carve out time for more S&F? You have your running sorted! 👍
Well done you with the jog-run-sprint, especially as it goes against all your principles - and probably confuses the life out of Flossy .....
I'm feeling a little smug this week as I went out for a quick 5k on Monday, and knocked off my second target for the month, a sub-25 (not) parkrun. My usual slightly too quick start into the breeze saw me to 2k in 9'50", but feeling the pace a bit, so very unusually I deliberately eased up and did the 3rd k in 5'06", found my second wind and with the breeze now behind me picked it up again to come home in 24'45" - a definite whoop whoop and just over 70% age grading to go with it. So I don't think I can blame my jab for any poor performances any longer - though hang on, my second jab is next Friday ......
So for the last week I don't have any specific running targets left, but I haven't been down to the gym as often as I'd hoped so far, perhaps I need to focus on getting a couple of sessions in down there 💪🏻.
“Eased up to 5:06” ..... well that’s a phrase I’ll never use! 😅 Amazing UTS, you’re definitely a natural speedster, but what next? Sub 24? 💥
Yes, Flossie doesn’t quite know what to do when I sprint off in JRS. She doesn’t have long to wait until normal service is resumed though - I like those short 10 second intervals. 😀
Hi Cheeky and VRBsThis month's quests have mainly gone out the window due to injury 🙄But starting with the positives my non running ones are mainly up to date.
I'm still doing my daily squats at teeth cleaning time 😁 followed by a down dog, plank, pigeon, cobra routine and this morning I hit the goal of a one minute plank and 30 second side planks 🎉🤸♀️🎊
My knee strength session have been a bit off course as I've been wary of aggravating go my leg issues. So instead I've been doing a twice weekly 30 minutes general workout while I wait for my Covid test results 😊👍
No running for me so there'll be no 10k consolidation or 60k of runs this month but this community showed me just how wonderful it is when I shared how bad I was feeling last week. Thanks everyone for you lovely responses xx
I now have a physio appointment booked for tomorrow so we'll see what that brings 🤞
Wowsers dijep, maybe you’re not running (boo), but you’re certainly packing plenty of strength work in! You won’t know yourself when you return to running, it’s bound to help you! Amazing! 👊👏👍
Good luck with the covid test results and physio appointment. 🤞😀
* Run every other day (where possible), even if it's just a short easy jog. Running more often occasionally if I feel like it.
As mentioned last week, I'm currently running four days a week with three rest days. The regime is two short runs, a medium intervals run, and the long run at the weekend. I've had to jiggle things around a little this week to accommodate the wishes of She Who Must Be Obeyed.
* Make sure I walk on any day I don't run, even if I don't feel like it.
Check! I've even had an evening walk on a day on which I'd already had a morning run. My legs demanded it.
* Enjoy running in the mornings again (which I do).
I'm getting back into doing that now the mornings are getting slightly warmer. The lollipop woman/men are starting to recognise me.
* Avoid injury. Notice when something is more than a minor niggle.
Everything good so far. (Touch MDF.)
* Run a total of 100km in the month again.
I've already passed that mark. It's looking like about 160km (100 miles) is going to be the eventual total.
* Increase distance gradually. I reached 10 miles in March.
I did 18km (11 miles) on Sunday.
* Achieve a half marathon near the end of the month.
I'm torn. I'm so close to the HM now. My next run is planned at 20km. I've chosen a course for Saturday which would allow me to extend the extra 1.1km (10 mins) if I feel up to it.
* Don't overdo it. Be sensible. Know my limits. Nothing is worth hurting yourself.
I've followed this religiously so far. I started this month coming back gradually after pausing the running having noticed the ankle feeling off during the latter half of March. I'm prepared to step back if something similar happens again.
You’re certainly smashing your quest nowster! Wow, so close to your HM too - I know what I’d did when I reached 20k for the first time - no WAY could I not go on to the big one! I think I secretly knew that’s what I’d do though. A bit like stopping at 9k on your way to the first 10k! But you’re probably more sensible and will stop if you feel you need to. 😇
Good luck with whatever you end up doing, you’re doing amazingly well. 👏👏👏👏
Sadly the geography means for that 1.1km I have a flat bit then a slight decline, then a slight incline, then it goes properly downhill for a bit to the end.
I'm currently at 120km according to Strava. Add a 20km onto that, a few 3km short runs and a medium length run and I'll be very close to 100 miles. (Or one day of that big dog mad ultra.)
Greetings questers! I think I’m ‘on quest’, although an IT glitch this morning meant it was all a bit random - but random’s ok isn’t it?! But I’ve done a couple more run-walks of around 8 minutes running followed by 2 minutes walking. Tuesday’s run ended with a chat with my neighbours on the seafront as UpTheStanley sped past (I had finished, honestly UTS!). Today’s was a bit disjointed partly due to operator error on my Garmin and partly due to another chat with someone I met on the seafront - maybe I need to find a route that doesn’t take me anywhere I’ll meet anyone! But running today wasn’t the important thing, today was the first post lockdown haircut - woohoo!
Thanks cheeky, yes I’m hopeful for parkrun . Some days more hopeful than others! Haircut fantabulous - but why does it always go flat after the first night’s sleep?!
I think this is your first post on our quest Oldgirlruns, but that’s okay, people can join at anytime. It’s good to see you out running again and you’ll soon be doing a 5k I’m sure.
I will wave at people I know and make a fleeting comment, but if I’m running I won’t stop.
Do you feel light headed after your hairdresser appointment? 💇🏼♀️🙍♀️
So here’s a condensed run down of the last 2 weeks...
1)...dialled back on the run/walk 5k daily...
So running 2 or 3 times/week, and walking on non run days...just not hitting 5k daily
2) 10k daily steps...still on...even if it means marching up and down the living room or a quick walk around the block at 11pm!
3) daily yoga...even if it means repeating an ‘easy’ 7 minute bedtime practice. I really liked last week (as did my knees!), so I now have a fall back week if Adriene gets too strenuous again 😉🧘🏻♀️ ...I have drawn a line under any extra S&F though! 😳😂
4) I have been more consistent with bedtimes...latest was 00:15 😊
5) still pretty rubbish at logging stuff, especially the S&F...sorry CBDB!
...so being mindful of my limitations and happy with how it’s going...
Well done Lottie! 👏👏👏 You’re right on track. 😀 It’s nice to give yourself permission to dial back isn’t it? I’m not the best one to talk though - I find it hard to run or walk a short distance even if I’m pushed for time. Sometimes it has to be, but I’m not happy! 😅
Anyway, you seem to have slotted into a great place, juggling your runs, walks and yoga, and keeping an eye on your bedtimes too. Go Lottie! 😀
This week has been a tough one after a return to the craziness that is work 🥵 My days have been long and tiring so I haven’t managed to walk my mile every day for Strides against stress. However as long as I cover the 30 miles in April it still counts and I’m slightly ahead of myself so I’m still on track to complete it next week.
After achieving 10k last week, my longer run was 8k this week so that feels ok 😊
Finally, I have surpassed my 75k target in April 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I’m currently at 84k so it will be interesting to see where I’ll end up. I’ve slowed down now though after returning to work.
I’m still enjoying the COGH and was excited to receive my T Shirt this week 🙌. It fits well and looks great . Really pleased with it!
So considering I’ve had a really busy, stressful and tiring week, I’ve done ok and 2 out of 3 quests are complete ✅ 😁
I’m in awe of anyone who holds down a full time job and still finds time to run and exercise, so you’re doing brilliantly Frizzbomb. You’ve clocked up great mileage!
We’re doing well on COGH aren’t we? Glad you like your teeshirt. I didn’t get one - I already have lots I don’t wear! Happy running. 😀
I ordered a women’s fit Large aiming for a size 14 and it fits well although I like things a little on the loose side. I’m 37” or 94cm around the chest if that helps and the actual T shirt measures 39” or 99cm around the chest. Hope that helps. I know what you mean, I’ve lost over a stone too over the last 9 months and I need to get out to try things on.
Interesting week for me I think. You may remember I had my concerns about the toll a daily run or walk was taking... not so much this week somehow. I was also rather concerned about the running dropping off further, but yesterday I ran a 5k in honour of the 15th birthday of a young man who did not live to see it. His family suggested a fun menu of activities which included a muddy 5K and to my delight, despite the dryness, I managed to find some. It was ridiculously slow - nearly an hour, but hey ho!
Aww GM, how wonderful that you ran for that young man. So young. 😢 You found some mud for him! ❤️ Time is irrelevant, your run had a purpose.
I’m happy to hear you’re feeling better about your runs and walks. Keep on with what you’re doing, and keep checking in on here to tell us how you’re getting on. 😀
And the other thing was that the run was in the last place my father ran, the only time I ever ran with him.
He arrived unceremoniously on my doorstep yesterday morning (you could tell he was dead because had he still been alive he would not have rung the doorbell as the delivery chap did, he would just have appeared in the house!) He's been at the university assisting medical students since his death in 2019 and then there were delays for the reasons we all know about. No decisions yet on where his ashes will go but we are thinking maybe somewhere he won an orienteering championship.
Thought I’d posted in week 1 ? As you know, I confuse easily, probably can’t cope with COGH and Quest at the same time! Hair looks grey and feels weird but at least I can see where I’m going !
Running has been limited due to my hamstring problem, just about to leave for my third ‘recovery’ session of 3 x (8 minutes run + 2 minutes walk) followed by breakfast in SBC with Dexy5 UpTheStanley Oldgirlruns JonathanP and the ever supportive Mr Coddfish.However I have had 4 swims in 10 days, been in the gym, and also bought a replacement car, so it’s been a pretty good week.
Hi Questers! Up to 9km on my 10km quest. TailChaser and Katnap are looking after me really well, could not ask for better support and encouragement. Fingers crossed for next week. (Full report in separate post)
Another belated Hello to cheekychipmunks, Dexy5 and fellow Questers, It has been a super busy work week for me so running has had to go on the back burner. Probably not a bad thing as I seem to have developed an Achilles twinge to accompany my recovering Hamstring twinge 🙄. Physio says it sounds like Achilles tendinopathy so to ease up on the running a bit whilst I fill my days with strengthening heel raises. So two 20 minute runs were all that I managed, but they were enjoyable and I'M STILL RUNNING 🥳🥳. But here's the thing...I'm also back to no hills....back to my only 300m stretch of flat land for miles around 😣. Yep, I trained back up to 5k going backwards and forwards on that little piece of track 😵💫...and I'm still SMILING 🤪I think I deserve a medal 😅.
Ahh WW, shame you have some niggles, but like you say, maybe being busy at work made it easier to accept running less. 😀 And at least you haven’t been advised not to run at all. 👏👏
What a lovely little track! Ok, so it’s not very long, but I bet it’ll bring back fond memories.🥰
At last. I hope I’m back in the groove. I did some inadvertent squats this week. Standing up from painting at floor level. I’m sure my planks have helped give me the strength for that.
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start into the breeze saw me to 2k in 9'50", but feeling the pace a bit, so very unusually I deliberately eased up and did the 3rd k in 5'06", found my second wind 
and with the breeze now behind me picked it up again to come home in 24'45" - a definite whoop whoop 
Marchtastic! It's Week 4 of the Quest!!! 🤩🌷🌼🐇
