Saturday morning 8K 🏃‍♀️👍😊

[Jools2020]

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! ☕️ 🥣 😊👍🏃‍♀️

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Well done Jools !I'm feeling just a tad guilty now as I stayed in bed and currently relaxing in a bubble bath with a big mug of tea 😁

But my real excuse is not sleeping too well 😐

I'm sure your HR will come down again and as you say, you accept it as the present situation and work with it .

And great to follow your own advice which can often be harder than giving it ,!

Well done 👍👏👏👏

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

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

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Haha, maybe tomorrow IF I manage to sleep !

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

👍

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Well done, Al - that’s a great time! 👏👍

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

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.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Those PBs that surprise you are the best! 😊😊😊

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Difficult choice there - run or bubble bath 😂 Thanks, Ian 😊👍

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Great 8k, well done slowing down to monitor your HR. Have you set the HR bands yourself or using preset ones?Happy running 🤗

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

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.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

I find ever 15sec/km pops my HR up, especially in the heat. You’re doing great 🤗

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks 😊👍

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

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! 🥣 🍎 🍯 🏃‍♀️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thanks, Frenc 😊, I do love my porridge, especially after a longer run 👍

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10]

Well done on 8k 🙂You sound as if you’re getting it all sorted! I’m sure the HR will settle 🌸😊🌸

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Comfortnotspeed]

I hope so! It all seems like hard work, but at least I’m still getting out there to get that runner’s high! 😊

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

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 💪👏👏👏

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thanks BF, I feel the effort I’m putting in, too. Maybe I’ll slow down even more on my next long run 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

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? 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You’re right of course, it’s about knowing our bodies. I’m not sure if I enjoyed it like I used to! Hopefully that will come later 😊

[GailXrunning]

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.🏃🏻‍♀️🙌

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to GailXrunning]

Thanks, GailX - I agree, I do have high standards! But I also accept that for now I just have to slow down if I want to increase time spent running 😊

[GailXrunning in reply to Jools2020]

Very wise to do so.😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done Jools

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you! 😊

[nowster Graduate10]

Well done! I think the HR thing is also influenced by the warm weather. My 15km today was 89% in zone 4 too.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

You may be right. Wow, you, too running mostly in Zone 4. Interesting!

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

You might need an extra large mug of coffee for this one's write-up! 🤣

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

I did! 😂

[Peter44 Graduate10]

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! 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Thanks, Peter - I hope so, too 😊. Good luck with your long run, if it happens! 😊👍

[Week7 Graduate10]

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!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

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

[Week7 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

🎶 When the going gets tough 🎶🎶Things can only get better 🎶

You've got this-and loads of VRBs!!

Have a good week!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

And you, too! 😊👏🥰

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Well done on your long run!

Heart rate is affected by all sorts of things…hot weather and stress…to name but two!

You managed to slow down, and that may well help. You *know* you’re running slow…on purpose!…so those pesky gremlins can shut up!

Yummy breakfast reward!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Thank you, LottieMW. Slowing down is definitely the way to go - that and running early to avoid the heat. I can’t do much about the stress right now.

I do love my porridge!

[Mikew84]

Well done Jools - sounds like a really satisfying run. And some interesting Strava Art into the bargain!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Mikew84]

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 😂

[Mikew84]

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!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Mikew84]

Haha! Well, I’m not about to change my route, although maybe I could add to it 😊

[Mikew84 in reply to Jools2020]

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!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Mikew84]

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 😊

[Mikew84 in reply to Jools2020]

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!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Mikew84]

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.

[Mikew84 in reply to Jools2020]

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.... 🤔