With the promise of a gorgeous day this morning, I planned an early run. With the usual faffing, it was about 6.20 by the time I got out there. Quick mirror check (still gorgeous) and out the door. At already 12 degrees and โfairโ air quality, I would take it steady.
I hadnโt run for about a week - I went up to Shropshire for a much needed break at the weekend, staying with my son and his family. We went on lots of walks with their puppy, an 8 month old Vizsla.
Warm up walk over and weโre off! I immediately had to slow down as my heart rate soared into zone 4. What was that all about? I had a good idea. Stress levels high, too warm and not very good air quality. I slowed it down a little, but I think I stayed in Zone 4 for most of the run. It was hard work. I distracted myself by singing to Queen โMade in Heavenโ but it was more strangled gasps than singing. I got a few odd looks ๐
I have a tried and tested 5K route, but decided to modify that to 4K, so that I could speed up a little for the last km. The village that is my temporary home is very built up so there is not much to report. There were people, cars, cyclists and other runners. (Must start driving to more rural locations.) One good thing - I barely noticed the inclines, I was too busy worrying about my heart rate!
Last km and I do find a few stops to pull out. With this route, the downhill finish is only right at the end as I cut it short.
The run, a struggle though it was, certainly boosted my mood. It was tough but I did it and negative splits, too!
Happy running and donโt forget to hydrate well! ๐
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
It was already 12ยฐC by 7am this morning here. Good thing today's a rest day. I'll need to get out very early tomorrow if it's going to be the same as today.
Well done for braving the heat and still putting in the negative splits. ๐
Thanks, nowster! Iโll have to start running at 5 am again. Too warm to run for long - for me at least! It seems like Iโm never satisfied - too cold, too slippery, too windy ... and now too hot ๐
I was pleased with the negative splits, I havenโt achieved that as often as Iโd like since Iโve been here. ๐
Just read your intro and very impressed with your determination and progress. Running is good for so many things, for me it's been absolutely intriguing to find that, incrementally, it works! Can't run in heat tho, I shall have to do 5am starts too if this keeps up.
Thank you! Progress hasnโt been as much this year as Iโd hoped, but with everything else going on Iโm just happy to be running when I can ๐. Every run is a victory! I canโt run in heat either. 5a.m starts it is! Bring them on ๐
Aww I bet you had a wonderful time with your family, I'm sure the 8 month old puppy kept you all on your toes ๐ฅฐIt's really warm here as well, I wasn't as sensible as you and went out midmorning ๐ฅต๐ฅ great run for you and with neg splits ๐๐and you're spot-on with the hydration tip, I wish I'd had more water (and less Pimm's) over the bank holiday weekend! ๐ฆ๐ฆ
Of course you are still gorgeous, beautiful!!โบ๏ธโบ๏ธโบ๏ธ
So lovely that you ha e spent time with your family must have been so magical. ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ
Well done on your run, fantastic โญ๏ธ๐ช๐โญ๏ธ๐๐คชโญ๏ธ๐๐คชโญ๏ธ๐โญ๏ธso glad it boosted your mood. ๐โญ๏ธ๐โญ๏ธ๐โญ๏ธ๐โญ๏ธ๐โญ๏ธYaay we do love a negative splits!!
Aaaw, thank you, Rebecca ๐. It was magical. My teenage grandsons even emerged from their rooms to spend some time with me! Maybe the fine weather brought them out of hibernation ๐. I went to look round a show home with my son, it was fun. My only granddaughter is growing up fast!
Iโm glad I went out and ran even though it was hot. Loved those perfect negative splits ๐๐
I struggled on an early run this morning too. Not sure if it was the heat๐, the early hour ๐ฅฑ (I usually run much later in the day) or the after-effects of my second jab ๐on Saturday!๐คทโโ๏ธ Either way, Iโm hoping my next run is easier!๐ Happy running! ๐
Thank you, Sandraj ๐. It was lovely to spend time with family. I hadnโt seen them since January 2020, although my son came alone to see me last September.
Probably the reason you struggled was a mixture of all of the above! I was poorly for 3 days after my second jab and didnโt feel right for a week. Iโm sure our next run will be better! ๐
Haha, yes - thanks, Ian. Shopshire certainly has beautiful walks. I went and saw a house with my son while I was there, a new build. Need to have a plan B and it was very nice indeed! ๐๐
Jools you've managed to draw a weird caterpillar on your run ๐ Lovely you had a good break and got somewhere different! I don't know what a negative split it but it seems that's a good thing lol. I'm thinking about driving to get to somewhere different for a run too but I still like the whole open the front door and go feeling. I'm starting to understand the whole marathon tourism thing where folk end up wanting to run absolutely everywhere!
It sounds like running has got you! I even see other peopleโs photos and want to run there! I share your โopen the front door and goโ feeling. The trouble is, Iโm getting bored with my caterpillar route as itโs so built up.
Negative splits just means starting easy and speeding up as you go. I like km splits and fishing with my fastest km. I find it makes my runs more comfortable, but I only try to achieve that on runs up to 5K. This run was perfect! Each km was faster than the one before; if I start too fast I just burn out and by halfway through Iโm struggling.
Ha ha same when I see other folks pics! I seem to do negative splits already without knowing it. Each km gets slightly faster all by itself which is weird as I think I'm running the same speed!Maybe we should treat ourselves to 1 run a week somewhere completely new ๐
Yes, we should! I thought I would join a running group, but I sent an email and didnโt get a response. I should persevere! After living in the rural fens, itโs a shock to be running through housing estates!
That's a big change in scenery! I think you should pursue the running club and contact them again. The organiser might just have been overwhelmed with things at the moment you contacted them. Easy to happen, especially in the current climate and they might have some good routes to go running on!
Thanks! I know about the inclines! Previously, I lived in the fens - but I am getting used to the slopes here, although I havenโt yet tackled any of the larger hills. A hilly terrain does help to build up endurance ๐
Hi! I did a very similar sort of run today - managed 4.4 km with negative splits but overall slower than last time. I was puzzled but I guess it is just because it's so much warmer all of a sudden. No one has told the weather about the 10% rule!๐
Haha, no! The heat definitely affects my running. I decided not to push it as the air quality wasnโt that good, either. (Perhaps Iโm just being a drama Queen! ๐)
Hi Julia, hope things are ok, glad to hear you got away for a bit, to visit your son. At least your running, after your post vacine break, i've really let the running slip a bit, last went out 9 days ago, will try tonight, when it cools down a bit! ๐คช๐ฅต
Thanks, Peter; running in the heat isnโt fun, especially when it hadnโt cooled down much overnight. I had a lovely time with my son and his family, a welcome break from the madness of solicitors. I hope you manage to get out for a run soon! ๐๐
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.