Thank goodness for Nike Run Club's "I need this run" - I really needed it

Last night I read dijep 's lovely post of her most recent run and it inspired me to lay out my gear ready for an early start this morning. I have had a really flat out few days and only managed to squeeze in one run last week, onThursday with my dog Isla. I didn't have the energy for anything else.

I really needed to get out today, no matter what and definitely before the heat set in. I was off and out just after 7am, but it was already 16 degrees despite the light cloud, so my little beetroot face didn't take too long to appear. 🥵 I chose NRC's guided "I need this run" with the wonderful Coach Bennett to motivate me and keep me on track.

I set off on a slightly different route, with a brisk 5 min warm up walk up the hill before starting the run and heading out towards the main road. I tend to avoid this route as it gets busy during the day, but this morning it was still relatively quiet. After 5 minutes running down hill and up the gradual incline by our little fire station, I turned left onto the quieter country lane and the welcome shade of the trees 🌳. A group of dog walkers were having a chat at the corner and they moved to one side to let me pass by. Up a gentle incline on the raised pavement, bordered by grasses and wild flowers 🌸🌺🌼, and then a short level stretch before turning left again onto the country track that leads gently downhill to the fishing pond. A couple of anglers had just parked up their cars and were trundling their trolleys along the track, their rod bags slung over their shoulders 🎣. The fishing pond is a glorious, peaceful spot and a beautiful place on a day like today.

The track bends to the right around the pond and gradually climbs again between the trees, before levelling out and emerging into the sunshine by the farmer's fields (photo). No cows today in this field. It has been planted up for silage and the grass is already looking long and lush. The views of the South Downs are lovely. The early clouds have cleared by now and I am already feeling the heat. This is where I turn for home and cut through a snicket to continue my run for another 5 minutes before easing into a cool down walk. 2.63km covered over 20 minutes (average 7:37/km), with 10 minutes walked. Very much a beetroot by the time I reached home 🥵, but bouyed up by completing my run, I thoroughly enjoyed my cooling drink of water and made a mental note to set off even earlier next time.

After my shower I headed out again to walk the shady sections of the same route with my dog Isla. It promises to be another sunny and hot day, hopefully not as hot as yesterday's 28 degrees.

Take care in this heat everyone 😃🏃🏼‍♀️☀️💦

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

What a great post Delly-dot, it's like I was right beside you on that run! The fishing pond sounds like a wonderful place for some peaceful relaxed running / walking 👍😊 We're getting a bit of respite today after yesterday's heat but I think it's coming back with a vengeance later this week, along with thunderstorms, not great for running or dog walking 🙄

[Hidden in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thank you Beatles. We are due to get up to 23 degrees today, so not as hot as yesterday, then we also get thunderstorms from Wednesday. Keep safe in the heat 😊

[dijep Graduate10]

I'm glad you were out early and got your run done in the slightly cooler weather. I loved reading your running description as Beatles says it felt like I was there too 😊👍We all have such different landscapes to run through its great reading about other people's.I have a question - which of Coach Bennett runs would you recommend to start me off? I tried one ages ago and didn't get on with it, partly I think as I hated wearing earbuds, but I've got the aftershokz now so I thought I'd give him another try.

[Hidden in reply to dijep]

My first NRC was "First Run" with Coach Cory (love him), the Nike London coach. Such a wonderful and motivational guided 20 minute run and a really good run to do first as it sets things out for what is to come. I followed it with follow up "Second Run" for 22 minutes and "Third Run" which was 25 minutes, both with Coach Cory. I've since moved onto some of the 30 minute runs with Coach Bennett and the Headspace Run which was good too. I've repeated some of my favourites. My aftershokz headphones have been a game changer - I feel much better being able to hear my surroundings as well.

Good luck and let me know how you get on. 🤗

[dijep Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Well I've downloaded the app again I deleted after last time and I'll try out Coach Cory 20 minute tomorrow, as long as I remember 😂 I think it was the headspace one that I tried and didn't really get on with

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Since you're doing walk / run it may also be worth checking out some of their interval runs. They tend to be guided by coaches other than Coach Bennett, who can be a bit of an acquired taste - at least he was for me, a bit like coriander 🤣

[Hidden in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thank you. I haven’t done run / walk intervals for a while but might just be tempted in this heat, so I shall definitely look the interval runs up. Thank you for mentioning it x

[dijep Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thanks Beatles I'll have a look for those . I think the one I tried before was the Headspace one. All the talking ended up annoying me I decided I'd have more Headspace listening to the birds 😂 I'll let you know how it goes.

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Yeah, I usually avoid the headspace ones for that exact reason 😂😂

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

What a lovely description - running brings the world to us, I sometimes think. That track in your photo looks fab - I’d really enjoy running along there 🏃‍♀️. Glad you got out there! 👏🏼👍👏🏼👍👏🏼

[Hidden in reply to Frenc]

😊 thank you Frenc!

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10]

Such a beautiful and descriptive run report. Makes me want to head South to rolling Downs county. My oh my it’s warm, though! You’re so right about staying hydrated 🥵

[Hidden in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

Hello Comfort 😊. I woke to the rain this morning and the Downs were covered in low cloud early on. It’s so much cooler 👍🏼.