I haven’t been on a long run in a while, so wanted to get one in this morning! Having struggled recently with my heart rate, I decided to follow my own advice and slow down. This way, I can work on increasing my stamina like I did the first time round, not being too bothered about my pace.
I started out running easy and kept to a slow pace, pulling back if I felt I was starting to increase. That gave me the confidence to carry on beyond 5K. I had my music for company and although I still struggled a little with my heart rate, I felt in control of the run. I was still working quite hard; 80% of my run was in Zone 4. I feel sure that other stresses in my life are contributing to this and accept that this is how it’s going to be for a while, so I just have to go with it rather than against it! 😊
I was tired and hot for the last km and although it was the fastest of the run, it wasn’t as fast as I would have liked! I do set high standards for myself, but all in all, I was pleased to have pushed on this morning for a longer run and count it as a victory!
Back ‘home’ and stretches and coffee, shortly followed by a big bowl of porridge with seeds, fruit and honey! ☕️ 🥣 😊👍🏃♀️
Written by
Jools2020
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Well done to you Jools2020, come on Ian and go out for a run. I am a "happy laddie" this morning I ran my 54th not parkrun which was a not parkrun PB, my time today was 32.31
The thing is Jools that on Wednesday I ran 12K, the longest run I have ran this year, also, on Friday I ran run 3 of week 6 of C25K with a friend who is doing C25K for the first time,so I was quite surprised to get that PB this morning, it is the first time since I started C25K that I have ran on consecutive days.
Thanks, Grannyhugs. I set the heart rate zones myself; seems to be accurate enough. I can tell I’m working hard in Zone 4 😊 and generally reach Zone 5 at the end of a run.
Well done Jools2020, it sounds like just the ticket 🎫. And it can be hard to slow down, but you managed it! Going with your body is such a good idea, and your porridge sounds delish! 🥣 🍎 🍯 🏃♀️
Brilliant, very well done! HR is affected by so many things, only yesterday I was reading an article about this, where they were arguing that you shouldn't trust HR training by itself but you should also go by how it feels in terms of effort. In any case, that's a very decent pace for 8k, especially given that it's been a while since you did a longer run 💪👏👏👏
Lovely run Jools. You sound like you know your body well and can adjust your runs accordingly. 8k is a great distance too. Not too long, not too short. I’m happy you enjoyed yourself!
If I ever see my HR over 120bpm I can absolutely feel it. So when Garmin tells me my average is over 140 for a run, I know it’s lying - it’ll be a sweaty or wet wrist, watch not tight enough etc. I have a remarkably low HR which drops into the 30’s overnight, so I go by feel.
It’s so important to know our own quirks and bodies isn’t it? 😀
Great to see the active building of confidence for the longer distance with careful monitoring of your body. You do have high standards!! 😉 You did fabulously.🏃🏻♀️🙌
Well done Julia, sounds a nice comfortable longer run, i really hope things settle down for you, and things get more settled.I'm actualy thinking of trying a longer run tomorrow morning, will see how it goes! 😀
8k-that magical distance when you can pat yourself on the back and say :"oh I just popped out for 5 mile run" - I think it sounds so casual and and makes me feel like a "real runner".
I think nowster might be right about the heart rate and warmer weather. Hadn't really thought about it before but Mr Garmin is always happier with me after my runs when I go out first thing rather than early evening,I had put it down to work maybe....
Either way,I don't think you need to stress about it. You have plenty of worries already. You are running for fun. Performance isn't important-except when it goes well of course! Time to chill and go with the flow. Celebrate the good runs-which this one was! -And have rant at the Gremlins after a not so good run then forget it!
You are a such a star with your famous negative splits and brilliant posts so enjoy and bask in you glory as a runner!
Oooh thank you, Week7! 5 miles sounds so much longer than 8K 😊 and I’m starting to believe that the warmer weather plays its part in my elevated heart rate. On that 8K run I tried not to focus on it too much! I’m certainly feeling that every run is a victory and not putting myself under pressure. You’ve reminded me what I have achieved and I’m sure I will again when the time is right. I’m hopeful that the anxieties I’m suffering about my future will be over within a few weeks and I’ll feel a lot better when I can start to make some plans. Thank you for your lovely post x
Thanks, Mike. Definitely interesting Strava Art, caused by me trying to avoid the larger slopes in the area! Sometimes, I think on the shorter runs, it looks like a weird caterpillar, but I’m not really sure about this one 😂
Probably the less said the better about what you ended up drawing 😆. I know what you mean about caterpillar routes though - I live in quite a hilly area so my routes tend to end up with a lot of doubling back to avoid hills. Even our local canal towpath has got hills on it!
Will be interesting to see what you come up with next! Keep up the good work, and thanks for your really interesting and friendly posts - it's great to read such positivity!
Thank you. I’ll continue posting, I enjoy it - running and being a member of this forum has helped me through some dark times. I’m coming out of the tunnel now and it gives me a lot of satisfaction if I can use my experiences of running to help others 😊
Running's definitely a great diversion, especially at the level you've achieved. I'm comfortable doing 5k - feel like I could do more but my feet / knees have other ideas at the moment! Sounds like you've been through the mill a bit but it's great that running has helped you through it. Hope you're coming out the other side!
Yes, it has more than helped. Having run a Half Marathon distance in December I’m now trying to get back to my former fitness. Events including a house move took over! I’ll get there. And I’m definitely coming out of the other side, thank you 😊
Sounds like maybe you would benefit from other exercise on your non running days - maybe Strength and Flex, or something similar.
Moving house is definitely going to knock you back a bit! Good luck getting back to where you were.
Yes, I should probably do more to strengthen the bits that keep going wrong. I do have a rowing machine, which might help general strengthening. It's mostly used for hanging coats on though.... 🤔
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.
8K 
Saturday morning on the dreadmill 😬
Bluebells, 8k, lost in the woods and an 🦉
