And if anyone needs it, here’s a quick reminder as to what its all about.
★What is the Quest ?
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.
Some 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 want to ..............
Every week I will put up a new post and we can all chat about how we are doing.
so how has it been going ?
are you still on track, or racing ahead or maybe you have decided to change your goals or had a few hiccups ?
just reply to the post and let us know !
My own Quest for the month was, and still is to get over recent niggles with more stretching and strength exercises to enable me to run more frequently again (Work permitting) and hopefully stay off the injury couch and start increasing the distance again.
well so far so good, i have at least managed to get a couple of runs in this week.
i managed to get one in a couple of hours before my covid booster jab and another on Sunday morning.
I’m keeping up the yoga and quite enjoying that now, i might also start to include a few knee strengthening exercises as one still niggles me a little bit and i would like to get over that before increasing the distance much more.
So there we are.
Please join in, i look forward to hearing all about your goals !
Good luck, Ian.
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Instructor57
Graduate10
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I hope the niggles will stay away and that soon you will be able to let the mileage climb up again! Nice picture by the way!
As for me, I did my planned 12K yesterday in my quest to 10 miles. It was hard though, much harder than I had hoped for. But I blame the lack of hydration the day before and the lack of sleep during the night. Coming weekend I 'have' to do 14K in my plan, so I better make sure to drink loads this week and certainly the day before my long run. Fingers crossed that it will work!
Besides my quest to 10 miles, I will further run in my new shoes.
Thanks Evy 👍Great to read you are on track and well done with the 12k .
Your 14k next weekend will be the same as my longest run , good luck , I actually enjoyed mine and I'm sure you'll be at 10 miles soon , and maybe in the new shoes 😁👍
Well, if the plan works and goes through, the 10 miles will be run with my old shoes. They will also accompany me on a week to a holiday park for 3 runs or so and only after that I will try my new ones out for a long run. Don't want to hasten my feet in getting used to them!
I am still in the last week of my plan, having started to experience a new niggle in the ball of my right foot (Morton’s Neuroma). So I am stretching out my last week 5 over at least 2 weeks, leaving a lot of room for recovery and foot strengthening between runs.
Annoyingly it meant I didn’t run the 10k this weekend, but am hoping I might be able to next weekend. I also switched in Our HUHM RunGo experience, which made a great 5k experience yesterday!
I now have to decide how to progress with this ongoing issue and the next 10-14 days will probably show me how to progress:
1) either my foot recovers on slight change to bigger shoe size and toe exercising measures and then I will be able to continue running weekly 10ks
2) or I need to completely rethink my shoe tactics, slowly switch to barefoot or toe shoes, and thus start with an iterative program like C25k again to get my feet used to running in these new kinds of shoes that will, in the end, be better for my kind of feet with Morton’s Neuroma.
So the next 2 weeks for me are decision time for me.
Yes, I remember reading about your foot problem and probably wise to stretch out the last week of your plan !It's a shame you didn't get to run the 10k at weekend but again, probably wise !
It would be great if option 1 is successful although I don't really know much about Morton’s Neuroma.
Are barefoot or toe shoes recommend for this condition ?
Maybe nowster can advise on getting used to toe shoes ?
The best advice I have for CBDB is to start off slow and gradual.
Wear them round the house like slippers to get used to the feeling.
After a couple of days of getting used to them, a very short run in them (100m maximum) followed by a short walk. Gradually extend the distance over several weeks.
Expect the calf muscles to complain a lot initially. This is mainly due to the change in heel drop. I'd also recommend doing ankle stability exercises too.
You can use your normal shoes in between.
Although the following is aimed at toed shoes, most of it applies to other minimalist shoes too.
I've been using Vibram V-Run (also known as Bikila Evo 2) since I restarted after the ankle sprain. I'm now on my third pair. They have a little more structure than some of the other models. I had been running in KSO Evos during C25K.
I wear Injinji socks in them. I'd recommend their midweight trail socks at this time of year. I've done hundreds of miles in them and they still look like new.
Week 8 of 11 on Garmin 5k race training plan. It’s getting interesting, quite a few tough challenging runs. I show a bit of improvement in VO2max and the overall goal prognosis remains “confident” (there is a level of “extremely confident” so it’s not the highest level but sound enough).
I did a second “magic mile” run. My chosen coach, Greg McMillan, doesn’t call it that; it’s actually Jeff Galloway’s term but it’s the same test. Boy, oh, boy, oh, boy… 1.61 km is a long long distance running flat out! 😆 I went to the Jeff’s website and put in my magic mile time in his pace calculator and was given a list of suggested Jeffing paces. I aim to follow his HM plan next (the new year).
Yesterday’s run was Hill Repeats and the watch stopped cueing me halfway in. It required 8 sprints uphill. I couldn’t remember how many I’d done when it stopped. It still recorded in the background thankfully, and looking at the little spikes in elevation afterwards, I seem to have done 9 hill repeats - one extra for luck! Better than 7 and “unproductive”, I guess.
This coming week is all easy paced runs so I’m looking forward to that.
Okay, I haven’t tried any of these out but just did it out of curiosity, and below were his suggested times for “run-walk runs”.
Here’s the link to Jeff’s Magic Mile Calculator, and an explanation of how to do his magic mile (which is very similar to the one I did). Then for each distance, it gives a pace. Then I think the idea is to look down the list to find that pace and see the ratio of run and walk? I’ll admit I haven’t looked at the method in great detail.
So, I guess, hypothetically, the calculator suggests a HM pace of 8:00/mile. So my run - walk run ratio is 4 minutes running and 30 seconds walking.
[I’ve just reread and I see it’s not far off yours. Yours is faster, I think, running an additional 30 seconds before walking the same 30s ! 🙂]
Though what I’m expecting when I do his plan is to be told what pace and times to do for each workout, though this will be for next year.
Also, this is a race pace! As I’ve yet to run a HM, I’ll probably be cautious and set a much less ambitious goal than I did for 5k. Like 9:00/mile, say?
What I understand from Garmin’s plans is it adjusts, or can be adjusted, depending on your ongoing recorded efforts. If it falls to less than “confident”, I could go down to 9:30/mile, or whatever it takes.
I don't have such a fast mile, though I must admit I did not yet try to go flat out for a mile. But I did try the shorter ratios such as 60:30 (60 seconds running / 30 seconds walking) and I did not like them. I felt unconsciously forced to run FAST and I don't like running fast. So I switched to bigger ratios and ended up at my 4min30 / 0min30 which feels comfortable for me. But I am a snail...
My own quest continues for "more of the same". I did just under 50km last week.
My intention to run a HM distance once a month was satisfied by the HUHM challenge yesterday. I'm toying with the idea of extending the distance to 24km either this coming weekend or the following one.
I can't believe we are on week 3 already where does the time go ?
Well I ran twice ✅
One was and 8k the other a 10 for three HU Virtual 10k ✅
But missed a couple of days of Pilates, I can't remember why but never mind ❌
I'm really not sure I'll get the runs in this next week as the 10k yesterday has aggravated my Sciatica niggles, so I'll need back to my physio exercises and see how it feels by the end of the week.
Running certainly makes you constantly scan your body and assess how it is each day 😉
Hi Instructor57 ..please can I be one of your November questers??? I’ve just started C25k again in search for my mojo and I think if you know that that’s what I’m doing I have to keep going or else you’ll be chasing me up!!! I want to run 3 times a week again and work through the programme again…w1r1 done this morning
Hi @Instructor57 hope you're well. Well done with your quests. Sounds like you are making great progress. Good idea to do your run before the covid booster jab. Unfortunately I'm behind with my goals this week due to being very tired and having a very achy arm after getting the covid booster jab but I'm taking a week off work this week so should be able to recharge my batteries before my first 10k race on Sunday.1) no - only did 1 run out of 3 this week
2) almost - haven't increased distance this week using Ju Ju's magic plan as I missed my 9km run but will probably attempt a 9km run in the next day or two if my arm gets better so still on track for this month
3) almost - didn't do a parkrun on Saturday as I was exhausted so won't have done my 3 different parkruns this month. Hopefully will still manage 2. But am still on track to volunteer at one.
4) no - didn't cross train at all this week. Just too tired.
5) yes - still on track to run my first 10k race on 21st November
6) almost- got 7+ hours sleep a night on most nights
7) yes - did spend longer warming up for the only run I did this week
Hi I57, November is speeding by! I'm on track so far, 3 runs each week and TWO Parkruns! Husband has decided he likes Parkrun so now there's no chance of a Saturday lie in.I'm off to Russia tomorrow so must remember my running kit!
My November quest is to continue to run 44 km every week at my steady pace.
Saturday I exceeded my limits and in a brief minute of overconfidence ran much faster than my steady pace down a short, steep, hill, even though I know from experience that this is risky for me.
Sunday morning, for the first time since I started a re-run of C25K in June I awoke with delayed onset muscle soreness, which was concentrated in my right shin. I decided to make Sunday a total rest day and used my right leg as little as possible, keeping it elevated - when I remembered to.
Monday I was fine, but decided to take an extra day off, just to show myself I had the discipline to NOT run, maybe punishing myself for Saturday's excess.
Today I ran as usual, 6.25 km @ 5:37 min / km, as though Saturday never happened. I just need to remember I am 64 years old, 2 stone overweight and running in a fat suit!
So, totals for the week to Sunday - 38 km @ 5:42 min / km.
This past week was a good one for me. I managed the two runs as per my quest and one of them was 8k - so I'm delighted with that! This week the aim is to do at least 2 runs and increase one of them to 9k. I aim to hit 10k again by the end of the month. (There's a Garmin badge in it....) 😉🤣🤣
Thank you the post. I would love to join in but I have cold and flu symptoms that I cannot shake them off. Prior to other I had injuries to the ball of my feet and I was just getting over it, I am hoping to start again soon.
Very happy with progress at the moment on my quest ( 4x per week, 1 a 10K, 1 a 5K and then two shorter ones which are either 4K or 3K).
I'm past the worst of the cold and successfully managed my 10K on Saturday - but even better, it felt great! I was slow as I didn't want to push it with the cold, but I didn't dread it like I do with some 10K runs.
I even developed a hugely painful stitch at 4K (not enough gap after lunch I think!) and instead of slopping slowed right down and it was gone within the K.
Currently at 35K for the month. Doing my weekly 5K this morning and then hopefully keeping this pattern for the rest of the month.
Hi all. Glad to say I'm on target. As a new runner i am just aiming to make running a regular habit. So I've done my 3 runs a week and yoga on rest days. Woke up this morning with the sniffles, haven't had a cold since lock down, still did my run but only 20 minutes as seems to affect my breathing which has never been an issue (not covid, did a test). Hope this doesn't knock me out for the last week.
Third week of November already? Yikes! This means it’s almost a year since I completed c25k. .. must double check back on the date.The past week was a good one for me: I completed the sixth stage of the NRC HM plan, with the 8-miler (my first time running that distance) and a few days before that a short but tough hill interval session. Really enjoyed these, even enjoying facing the challenges they presented. I’ve now just started the seventh stage (‘week’)which I will spread across the next fortnight.
Did some yoga too: some gentle restorative yoga helped balance out the long run very nicely; and a more challenging session on another rest day definitely engaged and stretched out muscles. Glad to read that you’re keeping up your yoga too. I trust that Misty is suitably impressed! I’m still in the Plankathon, even though it’s officially ended, slowly catching up.
Pleased to hear you had a good week and congratulations on the 8 miles 👍 It's great your enjoying the challenges ! 😁What yoga are you doing ? Is it online ?
Misty and I are really starting to enjoy the yoga 😁 I think she's a little more supple then me though haha 🐱
You can’t win that one! Misty has all the advantages there. But not to feel too deflated: Channel your inner feline! 😸🧘🏻♂️I’m currently doing my yoga online, yes; it’s at the yoga / Pilates studio (now reopened and running hybrid) which I’ve going to for many years.
Hi Instructor57, I have had to take a week out with that cold that's going around. Started right after my flu jab and it's lingering. Have even missed some yoga sessions as my body aches so much. Ah well, it will pass and I will run again soon. 🤞
Stay well everyone and hope any fellow sufferes get well soon. 🍁xxx
End to my quest. So turns out sniffles are covid. Did another test and it's positive. Feeling sorry for myself and on the covid couch. Hope to be back to running for December quest. Good luck to all you other questers.
Oh, sorry to hear your news !I notice from your previous quest post that you said you had the sniffles but at that time tested negative but it had affected your breathing!
Hello all, my quest was to mix it up a bit and I have certainly done that with a session of JogRunSprint along the prom, a run in the beautiful New Forest with UpTheStanley while on a mini break, and parkrun just before my flu jab (no side effects at all). My cold has gone, thank goodness, as it affected my running this month.
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July Quest week 3: Sunny Delight? The one with a heatwave… 🏃♀️ ☀️ 🏃♀️ ☀️ 🏃♀️ 
Remember Remember to run in November Quest week 3. Feel free to join 🕺🏽🎃💥
Marchtastic! It's the final few days of the Quest!!! 🤩🌷🌼🐇
