Oktoberquest Week 3

[Sandie1961]

Good morning Questers! Can you believe we are halfway through October already? Shake-and-run successfully completed her Alcester 10k on Sunday with PBs at both 5k and 10k (whoop whoop 🙌) and I am so excited at the prospect of a big HU meet up at the Great South Run in Portsmouth on Sunday it’s unreal 😃

How has your week gone? Let us know about your successes and any slip ups, so that we can continue to encourage you in your goals. We would also love to hear your tips for running in the dark. Do you have some special kit to ensure you can see and be seen or do you alter your route or routine in anyway when running by moonlight?

Our autumn quote this week is from Where the Crawdads Sing (which I read during the summer and can highly recommend). Take your chance to soar this week and we’ll see you again next week.

Just a reminder of what the Quest is all about:

The aim of the Quest is to help you find a focus or goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the Quest period.

The Quest takes one calendar month. You can join at any point during that time.

I ask that you are a C25K Graduate before joining the Quest. The reason for this is that pre-graduation your week is very much structured according to the C25K programme, and I wouldn't want the Quest to interfere with that.

Most popular goals are:

★ To run three times a week

★ To slowly increase distance

★ To train for a specific race

★ To add Stretch and Strength exercises to your weekly routine

This is a personal challenge, so it's completely up to you! If you want to join, all you have to do is comment below with something like:

I would like to join the Quest, or, count me in! I would like to...

[damienair Administrator]

Fantastic running and very well done to Shake-and-run . Enjoy your big run on Sunday. I’ve managed to keep going on my running plan. Ran 10K last Sunday, 5K on Monday and yesterday evening I ran 5K intervals. I’m looking forward to parkrun tomorrow morning and I will be running another 10K on Sunday morning. Going to keep this going for a few weeks so as to improve my fitness and pace and also continue training for a 13K Mountain race on the 20th of November.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Well done Damien 👏🏻👏🏻 Your interval time yesterday was brilliant. You seem to be back in the groove. Amazing what a boost being back at parkrun has given you 😃😃

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks Damien, well done with your running.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Very Well Done on your PBs Shake-and-run .

I don’t tend to run in the dark much but when I do I have a pair of leggings with a pattern of reflective dots from the knee down, my gloves the same and my hi viz running jacket has an integral light which can flash. Most running shoes have reflective flashes on too now. So you can see me if I’m there.

This week has been jolly easy with just 2 short runs at easy pace along the promenade. Hopefully my quest of running GSR will also gain a PB, but I will be happy just to complete it. 10 miles is outside my comfort zone so it’s a medal I feel I earn.

Happy questing everyone.

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, enjoy Sunday. Xx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Sounds like a lovely lightshow if you run in the dark Dexy! Thankfully not needed for Sunday. I’m with you on PB would be nice, but just crossing the finish line will do 🤣

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

The disadvantage of the reflective leggings is that when running in the dark in April the mossies went for my legs. How do they get through Lycra? 🦟

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

😂🤣

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Hi Sandie and Shakes! My quest is going well I think, as in I’ve been running regularly, but I can also safely say that my GSR training can be described as relaxed! Basically I’m hanging on to the coat tails of my recent HM fitness and hoping it’s still there! I haven’t run more than 10k since the race on September 19th, and this week I’ve done a couple of little bimbles only.

So if I can beat 2019’s time on Sunday, great. If not, that’s equally as great. It’s why I love running. 🥰

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I have absolutely no doubt that you will have a fantastic run especially because you are our distance queen. PB definitely on the cards I think 😃

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Hi Sandie and fellow questers 👋 I haven’t run all week because I was wiped out at the weekend, probably viral and although I went to work I have been exhausted all week 🥱😴.

My quest was to push my speed under 8’ per K. Well I went out this morning and ran 5.5k and felt dreadful 😫. My whole body felt like lead and I felt a bit sick from the effort. I went nice and slowly too. Imagine my surprise when I looked at my stats and my average pace was 7’59’’ 😮

So it seems I’ve achieved my quest again this week despite having the lurgy 🤒🤧😊

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Oh no, it sounds like you have had a horrible time, but congrats on your time (even though it was probably not your best idea 😂) Rest up and recover for a few days and hope you feel better soon!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Quick update - I ran 7.3k today and felt much better 😊 Nice and slow tho (Ave pace 8’15) but I’m not bothered. It felt good and I enjoyed it. I think I’ve beaten that virus now and I’m back on track. Yay!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Brilliant, well done you 👏👏

[Hidden]

My quest is still going strong, even though I have slipped some Tuesday runs. Last week it was because of my 4-weekly IV and this week it was because weather looked like trash. But I did do my runs on Thursday and in the weekends. Last weekend I was at 13K in my (not so slow anymore) build-up to 10 miles.

But I might have to change my initial idea of doing 10 - 10 - 13 - 16 on weekends. I do want to reach 10 miles 1 time at least, but it might be too much to ask from my body to do this on a monthly basis. Might have to satisfy myself with keeping it to weekly 10K's, especially as I am slow and 10 miles would take 2.5 hours to run...

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

A 10 mile run each month does sound an awful lot. Mind you, 10k each week also sounds quite a challenge! Congratulations on the 13k though. You are so close to that 10 mile goal. Keep going!

[Hidden in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks ☺

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10]

Hi Sandie, and fellow Questers, and congrats to Shakes on her double PB!

My first goal was to run 39K in or by the last week in October. I changed my running pattern just after starting the Quest, so that instead of doing my own thing I've been trying the runs suggested each day by my Garmin. This has introduced more variety into my running, and depending where I count the 7 days from I ran between 29K and 41K in the last week. Kind of on target I think ... I am really enjoying the extra variety, even the very slow Recovery runs and the Rest days.

2nd target to sleep 8 hours a night has slipped a little with the average dropping from 8 hours to 7. I have been so enjoying the new training routine I have neglected this target. Oh well - two more weeks to get it right!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

It really does make it more interesting to mix things up a bit doesn’t it? It also motivates you more than plodding round the same old route each time, especially if you are doing a longer run (for me more than 5k!) One of the fun things I have done on longer runs is match my cadence to my playlist so that my pace changes every 3 minutes or so. Makes the time pass so quickly 😊I terms of sleep, I think it’s the quality that counts, so if you aren’t tired during the day, perhaps 7 hours is ok.

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

Thank you FP. Great running too. I’m with Sandie on the sleep thing, quality over quantity. If you think you need more I’m told that lavender in the room helps.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

This week’s aim was to taper, which caused very little pain ….. come Sunday, however …..😜

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

😂🤣😂

[Jogger22 Graduate10]

Hi Sandie1961 Hope you're well and looking forward to the weekendThis past week I have met all of my goals except one:

still managing to increase distance using Ju Ju's magic plan. Ran 8km which took me 60 minutes so am now a 60min graduate. Will now be picking up Ju Ju's magic distance plan from week 4

have only managed to cross train once this week (did a 50 minute swim) (too tired after work to fit anything else in so had 2 rest days! Will try harder this coming week.

I volunteered at one parkrun. And still on track to run at 3 different parkruns having run one already.

Managed to get 7+ hours sleep every night this week which I haven't done in months

🤗 There's nothing quite like a good night's sleep

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Jogger22]

Congratulations on your new badge. That looks good, doesn’t it? Sometimes you just have to accept that life is too busy to do anything, so don’t feel bad about missing a cross training session. I agree, there is nothing quite like a good night’s sleep 😃 Great week for you. Keep going 👏🏻👏🏻

[nowster Graduate10]

The quest continues for this month. I'm playing by ear this week.

I got a (not) parkrun in on Sunday, a 10km on Monday evening, a rest on Tuesday, another 10km on Wednesday evening (a first with head torch for about 8 months), a short (and too fast) 2.78km run on Thursday evening, walks today and plan to do my local parkrun tomorrow morning.

I hope to do a long run on Sunday, but the forecast suggests it may be raining. Grrr!

Two weeks to go to the City of Manchester 10K race...

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Nice consistent running and mixing it up a bit is good. You’re more than ready for Manchester. Won’t it be great! As for weather, it’s looking good for Portsmouth tomorrow 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Still here just....😏 quest slipping a bit.

Congrats to Shake and run on her 10k run with PB's and good luck to those doing the GSR tomorrow.

My run this week was postponed (babysitting while daughter at the dentist) but I got Nannie time which is always a pleasure and a bonus.💙

Yoga and P.E still happening plus lots of nice Autumnal walks.

Run next week I hope🤞

Thinking of you all questing away!🍁xxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Nannie time is much more important 😃 Runs will wait and it isn’t as though you’re not keeping yourself fit xx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie....but hold the front page, this forum worked it's magic⭐ again and I went for a run straight after my post after all. Just a 4k but it was lovely. Just go said Mr Bbr so I did!

Feeling good. I forgot to mention I have given up alcohol for October (after the first week) so it's part of my Quest to keep this up too.🤞

Have fun tomorrow. xxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Oh, well done 👏👏👏 I attempted dry January - definitely overrated 😂 My poor quality sleep got even worse! But I did lose 9lbs so that was a bonus 😊 Good luck!

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Bluebird! Grand kids are a wonderful form of exercise but I’m not sure which Strava icon you use. Enjoy it all. Xx

[CBDB Graduate10]

Hello Sandie and S&R! Well done for your races, PBs and runs!

And what a lovely metaphor of our running allowing us to soar!

My running is doing really well, possibly even soaring as I am about to finish my week 2 of my plan. Last run write-up at healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

And the plan has been a joy (running as well!)

😃🤣 although I had a wobble of changing it slightly, but am now sticking to it!

So recovery run done on Tue, then a 5k run on Fri and tomorrow a 10k. Also pilates daily and some daily squats to see if my knees can get stronger.

💪👍🏽🏃🏼‍♀️

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

What a lovely positive post. Very well done on sticking to your plan and even better that you are enjoying it. That’s what it’s all about 😃

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thanks CBDB, great achievement on keeping to your plan. Continue to enjoy xx

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Hmm, hanging on in there by the skin of my teeth. Little run (in my new leggings at last) and a yoga session this morning. As for the Power of Attorney forms... ironically pre-occupied with the kind of events that remind you it is a good idea to have them done! Plus for Google fans, she is a poorly girl - 3 times to the vet in 24 hours and I am not sure we're going to be able to get her to an acceptable quality of life.

[Shake-and-run Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Sounds like a tough week for you Googleme. I hope things improve this week. Well done with the running and yoga.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

So sorry to hear about sweet Google, adding to your worries no doubt. xThe run and yoga hopefully helped a bit.

Thinking of you and Google. xxx

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

It is horrible when you are faced with the prospect of losing a beloved pet. Thinking of you xx