How is it going everyone? I hope you all have been able to make progress with your quests. It’s been a mixed week weather wise and the evenings are certainly getting cooler. It is so hard to decide what will be the most comfortable kit to wear for a run, particularly if you run when the rising sun starts to warm up the day or the inky skies bring in a chilly draught. I was thinking it was time to sort out my kit for the cooler days to come. In truth I have already put my shorts away in favour of my capris and did just check that my long leggings were close to hand. With our lovely TV weather forecasters predicting a return to temperatures more in keeping with the time of year (whatever that means!) and threatening us with snow by Halloween, I thought maybe I should look out the hat and gloves as well. My great find last year were my long compression socks. As we started heading towards the end of the year I was suffering with pain in my calves and someone suggested it might be due to the cold. Long compression socks under my leggings certainly did the trick for me. What is your best bit of kit for winter runs? Do share your great discoveries. I’m trotting my way round a 10k event at Alcester on Sunday with the aim of making it to finish line before the broom wagon (do you have them in running like you do in cycling?), good luck to others racing this weekend. Sandie1961 and I are looking forward to hearing how your personal quests are going, so lets us know in the comments, and as Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote in 1842, “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house”, so do get out there and enjoy your week.
Oktoberquest - week 2: How is it going... - Bridge to 10K
Oktoberquest - week 2
Hi Shakes, and thank you for running this month's Quest!
I set myself two targets, first, to run 39 km in the last week of October. I ran just under 36K in the last 7 days - same as the week before - but I have changed my running routine, as I'm trying out doing the workouts suggested by my Garmin rather than following my own path. Think I'm still OK for this target.
Secondly, to sleep 8 hours a night; according to my Garmin I averaged dead on 8 hrs for the last 7 days. Hasn't felt like great quality sleep tbh - I think I'm going through a period of adjustment and I am hopeful that I will feel more rested as my system makes that adjustment.
So far so good I think.
Hi Forbidden Planet, 'periods of adjustment' can vary in length depending on your body systems so I am sure you will start to feel the benefit of those long sleeps in due course. Impressive running figures. Well done you.
Having been late to the party for your first October post, I feel like an early bird now😂
It's interesting how we all need different kit to run, I've already worn gloves several times teamed with my shorts and sleeveless top it must look a weird combo !Buffs are my fav thing as the weather cools down, so versatile wrapped around my head, neck or for me frequently round my hands and even comes in useful if you've forgotten a tissue 😂
To my quest ...
Well I'm feeling pretty good ATM as this morning I ran my first 10k since my April spell on the IC and it turned out to be a PB for me as well ☺️
I've been keeping up with the October Daily Pilates challenge which I'm finding really enjoyable and it's definitely working my core.
My physio exercises have slipped slightly but some of the Pilates covers the same exercises so that's my excuse.
I've done thinking about my 10k consolidation plan but I'll have to get it down on paper now 😉🤸♀️
I agree dijep, you can't beat a good buff, I have lots of them in my drawer. I never thought of putting them around my hands, that's a great tip, thanks. Well done with the work on your quest and the PB.
As my quest this month was mostly consolidation, I've achieved that.
Due to circumstances beyond my control and the weather, I've had a few more rest days this past week than I'd planned, and that's probably a good thing.
I had planned a 10 mile run at the weekend, but that never happened. Instead I've been plugging away at the 10km runs (and enjoying them) and had a slow/fast intervals run midweek.
Parkrun when I'm near one. Last weekend I beat my PB for my local course.
I may or may not do another HM this month but I still want to avoid injury ahead of the City of Manchester 10K at the end of the month.
And both Garmin and Strava are telling me off for running in shoes that have done nearly 750km. They're minimalist with almost no padding. As long as there's some rubber on the soles they're still good enough for me. I have three new pairs of the same model ready to go. 😉
As for clothing, I'll not break out the leggings until it's nearly freezing. I've already started layering the tops again. I do have some new gloves, though, but I've not needed them just yet.
Looks like a very comprehensive plan Nowster, and sounds like you are prepared for change in season. Enjoy !
I’m quite taken with the Futakotamagawa 🤭 beanie hat from Contra. Most things there are quite pricey, as they are with “ethical” outlets, but £15 inc. delivery doesn’t seem so bad. I like the way it hugs the ears, those are the bits which feel the worst of the cold. I’ll get a second pair of tights from somewhere cheaper. Any old gloves I have will do, and I’ve got my trusty fleece hoodie. I carry on wearing the same socks and Ts I wear in Summer. That’s my winter kit, really.
My quest - Garmin 5k Training Plan - is going well. I’m enjoying it. 🙂
Well done Ian. I’m sad there are no pictures to illustrate your comment.
I might send a selfie if I get around to buying one. 😁
Does it relate to Futakotamagawa parkrun? I had the honour of running that during Rugby World Cup 2019.
It may do. It’s just about easier to spell than pronounce. That’s an impressive parkrun to have to your credit. 🙂
It pronounces exactly as it reads. It was a slightly bizarre experience. 3 weeks after Typhoon Hagibis had brought major devastation to Tokyo, the core team had worked wonders to create an event using a small section of the normal course. The majority of entrants were (probably unsurprisingly) supporters of the various rugby teams from parkrunning countries getting a little exercise in. We ran it on the day of the final.
My quest is / continues to be:
- run Tuesday + Thursday + Saturday or Sunday (unless life intervenes)
- run 5K on Tuesday and Thursday
- run 10K (or more) on Saturday or Sunday
- try to slowly increase my distance to one day reach 10 miles
- NOT trying to get PB's
- NOT trying to get negative splits
- enjoy myself
I particularly like the last line of your comment BlackScorpion. After all we do all this for fun. Keep on enjoying it.
Hi both, afraid I missed you last week ....
My Quest for October is really pretty simple - have a satisfactory Great South Run next Sunday, then lie down for the rest of the month. As reported elsewhere, my last longish training run was a bit of a disaster, which means I'm not quite sure now what equates to "satisfactory". Of course if there is a Great South(west) Wind on the day, which is highly likely, just keeping running while facing it for the last 3.5k will be a challenge in itself. Whatever, I should be happy if I can get under 90 minutes.
See you there, Sandie!
Onwards and Upwards!!
I’m sure your last run was just a blip! Once you get there, with the music and the crowds, I’m sure sub 90 minutes will happen easily UpTheStanley . Excitement is really building now. It seems like it is actually going to happen 😁 See you there!
PS I think Dexy has other plans for you for the rest of the month 😂
I’m sure next weekend will be a great occasion whatever the weather or the results. You will be super UTS, as always xx
Hello Shakes (and Sandie1961 ) . I can’t bear having cold hands so the most important thing for me in autumn/winter is my running gloves. I never run without a buff, either on my neck in winter or twice round my wrist in sumner to mop up perspiration.
My quest was to train towards the Great South Run and I did 10k on Thursday and will do parkrun tomorrow before tapering for the big day. Race numbers have arrived so excitement is increasing.
And then to relax a while with short runs. Two mini breaks are planned so UpTheStanley won’t be able to lie down all the time. One in Wales will also involve Cardiff parkrun tourism - our first outside England.
Happy questing everyone.
Gosh Dexy that sounds like you are going to be busy. Enjoy getting out and about.
Hello! I too had been contemplating my running wardrobe but today was lovely and mild, so capris and t-shirt did me fine, though shorts would perhaps have still been a better choice 😅 . And you are right about those autumn colours, they are just beginning to display beautifully where I am. 🍁🍂
🏃🏼♀️ My quest this month is to begin lengthening my runs again. I have been hovering around 4.3k for a while but I've made progress towards that this week. I'm also trying out Jeffing, which is new to me. I am doing it as a way to run with the dog. We did our first Jeffing run today and it was great fun.
🧘🏼♀️ More regular yoga practice is the second part of my quest, and that is also going well, with some long sessions this week as I have doubled up some of Adriene's from her October calendar.🍁🍂
Delly-dot I’m very impressed with your yoga quest I have quite neglected Adriene for some time and even missing Bengi has not been enough to get me back on the mat. I hope you and the dog enjoy Jeffing.
Sometimes I can't do the yoga everyday, so doubling up is how I am hoping to cover all her yoga, or at least a good chunk of it. What ever I do, I will manage more than I did in September ! 😆
Ooh lovely socks Shakes! My questing is yet to take off but I do now have a physio appt booked (5Nov!). My main quest event of course is cheerleader-in-chief at GSR on the 17th and I’m training hard for that!
You will be a fantastic cheerleader OGRS! Keep training with those Pom poms.
I will be listening out for Oldgirlruns and her jingle bells 🔔 🔔 . Cheerleader extrordinaire!
Good luck Shakes with your 10k run on Sunday. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the tip about using compression socks for the cold. I already have a pair for when I had a twinge in my calf muscles early on in my c25k plan so will use them again when I begin to feel the cold.I've completed most of my quests this week:
Have run 3 times this week.
Am slowly increasing my distance with Ju Ju's magic plan. My latest longest run this week was for 55 minutes which I found a struggle at the end. Next week I will try a 60 minute run after a 5 day break because of a foot twinge
Only cross trained once this week though as have been too busy with work and/ or too tired
Still on track to run at 3 different parkruns and volunteer at one (as I now have a full tank of petrol)
Not quite managing 7+ hours sleep a night though. Last couple of nights I only had around 6 hours max.
Well done jogger, sounds like you are making good progress with increasing you running time. It is fabulous to be able to do Parkrun tourism again, enjoy your visits.
I didn't post last week but I would like to sign up for the Quest... I've been letting the goals generate themselves, seeing what I want to do without any sense of commitment.So, here they very modestly are:
1) Yoga at least once a week (week 1 ticked off)
2) A run at least once a week (week 1 ticked off)
3) Getting all the paperwork done for Powers of Attorney for myself and my nuclear family [anyone else like to join me in this one and potentially save a lot of grief and hassle for themselves and/or their loved ones down the line?]
I've got a trip away with a big (for me) walk planned towards the end of the month so that's a good reason to keep everything else low key.
Modest or not, you’ve set (and are meeting) your goals and that’s the important thing to keep your motivation up. Well done!
Hello SaR! 👋
As I have my own 10k consolidation plan ready to go, my quest is fairly simple:
✅ FOLLOW THAT PLAN!
So still need to do one run to complete the first 7 days but otherwise the plan does what it’s supposed to do and is keeping me going.
This week I have also started to include more knee strengthening exercises again into my daily S&F mix. Knees are my weakness and I think I could do with doing more squats to help with the usual niggles. The knee niggles don’t make themselves known usually when running, but they are there when going up stairs too fast. So I think I’ll be adding some daily squats.
Winter clothing, yes. I have started to run in gloves. But my usual attire doesn’t seem to change much throughout the year. I mostly wear one of two sleeveless hoodies throughout the season, and only change layering beneath, from shortsleeved t-shirt in summer to double layer long sleeved shirt in winter. Then gloves and cap, and maybe a buff.
But your combination looks more colourful than mine! Happy running!
Well done CBDB for sticking with your plan. Glad it is working for you. Squats sounds like a great challenge, good luck with those.
Hi there. Reliably down to 1 crutch for longer walking distances and none around the house or for short outdoor distances. Exceeded 10,000 outdoor steps for the first time yesterday. Walked 3k at parkrun today. Have worked out how to get on / off the floor without breaching the post-hip surgery movement restrictions, so have been able to build glute bridges, crunches and the like into my routine. On track for walking parkrun on the 30th.
Well done Codfish sounds like your rehab is going well.
Yes thanks, I am very pleased with my progress. I’d expected it to be much more difficult. There aren’t too many things I can’t do now and I am moving much better and more comfortably than before surgery.
Hi there!👋👋👋 Another late joiner. I slipped from reporting my late September quests, but I did keep my plan more or less. Hope everyone is doing well.
My favourite winter kit bit is my gloves; they ring all the changes. I can skip wearing the jacket for so much longer. If I get too warm, they’re easy to stash, or roll down to wear off-thumb covering fingers only. When I need to add the jacket, the gloves do the temperature calibrating all over again. Second favourite is a fleece headband, which I use like an Alice band to control my hair and keep ears warm.
Quest continues from September:
Plankathon: Pulled my upper back muscles (lifting my new bike off a train), so I have had to hold off planking. Planning to test my body tomorrow and gauge best place to resume the plan. (The bike, to its credit, is adding nicely to my overall activity levels on those days when I have to go into work. Aided by a change of saddle, I’ve also got my bottom past the new-rider stage, which is a major achievement! Does anyone realise just how painful this is… and how it comes back to haunt you in downward dog?
NRC HM training plan: I’m doing well with this (above mentioned issue didn’t bother me when running). I’m now most of the way through the fourth ‘week’… my own weeks being extended to 1.5-2, depending. I adore speedwork sessions, which I never expected. Great fun. Even more so because I’m not speedy and can’t actually do what I’m being asked to do very well. (My purpose with this plan is simply to have some structure and coaching, albeit virtual. I’m only planning to take it to the 16k/ 10 mile stage.) I also like the mix, with very easy runs, sometimes very short too. The longer runs are taking me along new routes, which is great. I can incorporate more interesting spots within my range. This picture of cormorants was taken on the 8k/ 5 mile long run about a fortnight ago.
Goodness Gail you have a very extensive plan. Well done you for sticking to it. I have not thought about rolling gloves down to cover just fingers when hands warm up, must try that sometime.
More wordy than extensive, me thinks!
So far so good, I've run just over 21 km this month, including 7km today, my longest ever.On Thursday I'm setting off with the family to visit my mother in law in Russia, the plan is for a road trip (yay, except for all the pandemic related difficulties) so will be choosing hotels next to parks, maybe even try and do a Parkrun in Germany. I'm not even sure if they're running there as the idea only just occurred to me. The following Saturday I'm aiming to do the Russian Parkrun but, again, not sure if it's still on. I'll find out when I get there.
This is a month when it might all go swimmingly or I might spend 2 weeks eating chocolate biscuits.
What exciting times OBK. Looking forward to hearing more as your adventures unfold.
Hi S&R and fellow questers 👋 My quest this month was to push on to achieve an average pace of under 8’ per k. I’ve been running a 6k circuit and had reduced my average pace down to 8’06 during the previous month. Well I’ve done it already 😳. I ran 7.5k on Thursday and achieved an average pace of 7’59. I’ll carry on though and see if I can improve further during the month.
As for clothing, I’ve just bought a new waterproof jacket as I’ve been soaked to the skin several times over the last few weeks. I’ve also bought a couple of base layers to wear under my brighter t shirts but haven’t needed to wear them yet. I switched to the treadmill last winter but am running with a friend now so can run in the dark and am going to brave the winter weather this year ❄️ 🌧 💨
Happy questing everyone 😊
Congratulations on achieving your quest Frizzbomb. I hope you enjoy your winter running outside, sounds like you are kitted up for it.
Hey Shake-and-run and Sandie1961 , thanks so much for hosting this. So sorry I am late to the Party. I meant to join the Quest at the start of the month. My Quest was to start training to get my finish times down for parkrun. I lost a lot of fitness and motivation over COVID times. I was even struggling to just run a full 5K without any walking breaks. But now that parkrun is back I have found my mojo again and I am working towards rebuilding my fitness. My goals for this month were to increase my running to 4 days per week, a 5K, 5K interval session, parkrun and a longer slower run on Sunday. I've managed to do that for the past 2 weeks and it is paying off. I ran a time of 31:08 at a parkrun on Saturday, still a long way off my PB but going in the right direction, and yesterday I ran a full 10K for the first time in a year in a time of 1:11:18. My aim initially is sub 30 minute 5K and work further from there.
I agree, having Parkrun back is wonderful. It has certainly helped me with motivation and my figures are improving too. It will be a long time before I get anywhere near a 30 min target though! Well done Damien.
Hi Shakes, Sandie and fellow Questers, I have only missed Yoga on one or two days, and am still aiming to do P. E with Joe Wicks HIIT sessions 2/3 times a week. I ran last Wednesday, a steady 5k, and was happy with that. I wore thin gloves and my running jacket and a buff with a sleeveless top, but soon removed the gloves and took off the buff too at the half way point...
A chance to run this Thursday, and I'm looking forward to it!
Happy Questing all. Good luck to the GSR runners! 🍁🤞xxx
I am finding the weather very difficult to call at the moment, it can look warm and then you get out to find it a little chilly or it can appear cool and then it is baking. I think pockets are essential at the moment as we need somewhere to put those gloves and buffs when they become redundant. Well done on your quest Bluebird!
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