Hello runners. It’s the first of a brand new month and I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting my very first Quest here!
December is one of my most favourite months and so I’m super excited about reading all your plans and being with you along the way week by week.
Thanks to Instructor57 for keeping the baton safe and hosting beautifully last month. There were so many fab goals and achievements!
December can be a tricky month for our running. For some of us we have shorter daylight time, the weather can be against us, all sorts of colds and flu and other viruses (😠) abound and work deadlines to meet. If you consider the extra shopping we tend to do and the busier than usual social life (🤞) in the lead to Christmas then it’s a wonder we get out at all! Of course, our friends from the other side of the world are going into summer so they no doubt have different challenges to face 😎
But December can also be a magical month. The outline of bare trees against a grey sky, early morning frosts sprinkling everything with a magic cover. The stark beauty of buildings highlighted in the winter light. The sight of warm breath in the cold air….. ooh I’m getting carried away now 🤗 I love winter running and so I tend to go a bit overboard sometimes 🙄
But, without further ado let’s get this Quest started!
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.
We ask that you are a C25K graduate before joining the Quest. The reason for this is that pre-graduation your weeks are pretty much structured according to the C25K programme, and we wouldn’t want the Quest to interfere with that.
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, who’s up for a bit of stardust? Let’s try to make this December as sparkling and dazzling as we can!!!! ✨✨💫💫🌟🌟
Written by
Irishprincess
Graduate10
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Me ! I'm definitely up for stardust, glitter, frosty mornings and Xmas running gear🎄This time last year someone put a Xmas Bingo post, I loved it and it definitely helped me through what could have been a miserable December. So I really want to embrace all things seasonal and festive.
Last month my main plan was to consolidate 10k which went well until I ignored my body and carried on running when I knew I should have stopped. But after a physio appointment on Monday I'm feeling much happier and confident.
So my quest is...
* To do my physio exercises a minimum of 3 times a week
* Listen and ACT on what my body is saying
*Learn how to use my son's treadmill (he's promised to give me a lesson over Xmas)
How exciting! (Exploring Treadmill running!). I have not yet ever run on a treadmill, and am too something-or-another to do that in a gym, but I definitely would if I had one at home! Have fun! (You know there are some gorgeous virtual running videos out there? )
I did have a little go on it under supervision when he first got it. He was laughing at me running at what he considered walking speed !I've got a feeling I'll find it really boring so I'll probably be looking up the virtual runs
Good morning, Irishprincess! Thanks for hosting. 🙂
Coming to the end of my 5k training plan so I ought to put it to the test and see if I can set a PB.
I would’ve liked to have done a Christmas day parkrun but it’s not happening at my local event. It’s on at the next town along but that’ll mean getting up half an hour earlier! I’m not yet sure…
Also, I’ve plotted on a map a circular route which takes in four local villages, not including mine. I’d like to start working up to this from mid-December. My Five Villages quest. I’ll try my best to take a photo of each village! 😁
I love your Five Villages Quest!! What a great idea. I might have to do that myself 😀
It’s really tricky to plan much these days and Parkrun seems to be a bit up and down in certain areas. There might be a Santa Dash or similar in your area…. as an alternative.
Good luck with your Quest 🍀and I look forward to seeing your photos 🙂
I’d like to join the quest, I woke full of excitement and some dazzling glitter suits my mood, my quest this week is to run for me!! I want to find the runner in me for myself Thank you for hosting this months quest Irishprincess
I am still laying low with my feet 🦶 so annoyingly I missed a gorgeous run in the winter key landscape on Monday. It looked amazing, but next day it was all gone! (I’ll attach a pic from last year when we had a similar snow day)
So although I feel for everyone without power and heat, I also can’t help and be dazzled by the wintery landscape.
But me still on IC.
Just yesterday I wrote in so many words on @Instructor’s quest post the following quest objectives of mine:
😔Be patient with my foot! I am still on the IC. My foot doesn’t hurt very much anymore, but putting pressure on it, I can feel tenderness and I just don’t want to run on this yet.
😟I will I will I will start rowing any time now on my rower
🙂 Continue with daily yoga, increasing the number of squats I do daily and my seasonal challenge ( healthunlocked.com/strength... )
When I saw this photo I just wanted to run through it!
It sounds as if you’re being very sensible about your foot and you know that time and rest will be the best way to go. “Injury is temporary, running is forever” is one of my favourite mantras 🙂
You have great goals there! They’ll really help your running body and will pay great dividends when you do manage to get out.
Good luck with your Quest 🍀 and just think every day that passes is a day closer to recovery 🙂
Great goal! I think just trying to keep to a routine at this time of year deserves credit and, looking at your posts, it looks as if you do extremely well at that 🙂
That’s a fine mileage total! It’s always a balancing act getting the miles done but avoiding injury🤞
I’m in, I can do 3 of the 4 challenges, not training for a specific race, but will be yogaing, running 3 times a week and hoping to increase distance run. This is the first time I have joined a challenge so how does it work on here? The Christmas lights archway photo looks fabulous. Wish I had the space, lights and oh,the money for that😁😁
Welcome to your first Quest! You’ve joined and those are great goals 🙂
I’ll post a Quest catch-up post on a weekly basis and ask how you’re getting on and you can tell us. All you have to do is to work through your goals and aim to get them done by the end of the month 🙂
We’ll all try to have fun along the way and share our stories.
I agree with you about the arch. I really want one in my garden now 😂
I would like to join your quest Irishprincess! I have run 10k though my quest is a simple one - to run 6 days a week whilst totally taking care of my body. I am re- running couch to 5k from the beginning and every third day I return to week 1 run 1. I’m aiming to enjoy without striving for a while and drop myself in to really noticing this beautiful Winter. Thanks for reading
Doesn’t work without my special, socks, shoes, shorts - all stuffed full of memories….. maybe December could be practicing “ loosening attachments “ 😹😹
I'd like to join in please. Checking in every week just gives me a little motivational boost which is very helpful.
My quest is a little dull - to repeat what I did last month, when I essentially ran every day, with a few rest days thrown in, covering 169 km (around 200 if I add in my warm up / warm down jog).
Still seems a modest distance compared to when I concentrated on hiking, but it suits me!
Thank you for the welcome! 😁 And the Magic dust and sparkles! 🎄
I do the same run every day - I walk to the end of my road, jog for half a km, run for 6.25 km and then another half a km warm down. I'm lucky enough to live in a beautiful inner city area and every run is unique in its own way, and interesting - well at least to me! 😂
I hope to keep up this routine for several months, and then maybe make one of the runs a 10K or try a Parkrun. I do sometimes look in on the Marathon forum and marvel at the adventures you all have! 👏
Hello IrishPrincess, thanks for taking over. The snow on the ground here in Russia is a real disincentive but I'll be back home in a couple of weeks so there'll be no more excuses!Quest goals:
If I can't run, at least to walk 4-5km three times a week. I did 4.7km through a snow covered forest of huge pine and birch today so that's a good start
Once I'm home, to get back to running three times a week.
To run further this month than I did last month (more than 41.56 km).
Maybe ask Father Christmas to get me some trail shoes so I can run in the snow when I come back here 😂
Hi count me in IP please! I have already started and my quest is to run as often as I can and mix it up with walking alternate days. What I did this morning was a run ,saved it ,then did a short walk also.
Have you entered any races or are you doing them virtually?
I’m a big believer in a good warmup especially in colder weather, but on freezing days I do it at home and have a quick walk before running. Some days you’d never warm up outside!
Good luck with your Quest 🍀 and we look forward to reading how it all goes.
Thanks so much Irishprincess I've actually registered for 2 real races - one next Saturday which will be a trial run for the main event on New Year's Eve which is the one I have really been training for all this time.🤗
I haven’t joined the monthly quest for awhile but as it’s the last one of the year!
My quest is to make it to the next town, on my run down under journey! In February, I signed up to run Australia virtually. I had set myself the monthly target of 100km, but for the last 7 months, it has been 100+ miles with my biggest month being 200k.
I started in Canberra, ran to Sydney, all the way up the East Coast, passing through Byron Bay and onto Brisbane. I’m still in Queensland with my next town being 112Km away.
I’ve run 1605km since 8/2/21 so as soon I hit my next town, I’m stopping for a rest until 2022.
In a year, where borders have been closed, it has been great fun, to travel Australia virtually. Thankful for the gift of the Running!
Happy questing everyone ❤️🏃♀️🏃🏻♂️
This photo was taken when I arrived in Sydney even though I was 50km south of Perth 😎
Welcome RunWillie That’s a great goal! You’ve covered a brilliant amount of mileage so far with so many fab places to see too 😉
We have beautiful blue skies here today too although definitely not as warm as yours 🙂
Good luck with your Quest and the final phase 🍀
Hellow, last month my quest was to reach 10 miles, which I actually did. So now I am going to kick back a bit and have as my quest the normal things I always try: 2-3 runs a week with 5K runs on weekdays and a 10K run in the weekend. Nothing more for now, just enjoy it.
I’d love to join Quest. Through c25k and this group I now love running!!! Just about to go out for a 4+ mile run…. Once it’s light !!! I run all over the world thanks to my job…& I love outside running!!!!
Welcome! If you love running then you’ve come to the right place!
Running all over the world must be amazing. You must see and experience all kinds of different wonders. I adore my holiday running so I can appreciate how much fun it is running somewhere new on a regular basis 🙂
What are your goals for the Quest? Have you got anything specific you’d like to achieve in December?
Well I'm very much ready for some time off so nothing ambitious for me this month, just more of the same!
Trying to run 4x per week, with one of those as a 10K, and then the others can be anything 3K+ depending on how I'm feeling.
I really want to solidify that running pattern for December - February, so that once the snow starts to clear a bit (I'm in central Europe) I can work on some pace and distance targets for 2022, but don't feel I have the foundation for just yet.
That’s a great goal! Mixing up your runs will build a very strong base and a routine will work wonders for your stamina and running overall. If you’re not doing so already, aim to mix up your pace too. Try a faster shorter run (intervals, faartleks) or hills once a week and a longer, slower run as you’re probably doing with your 10K.
Consistency is one of the cornerstones of distance running so your goals now will pay big rewards when you start to increase distance and speed.
But I do think it would be good to add in maybe an intervals run or tempo run, otherwise it can all feel so repetitive - or even a new route once a week
Hi IP 😄 Great to see you’re hosting the December quest 😄I’m hoping to be back to 10k by the end of the month. 😁
I’ve had a grim November trying to resolve my posterior tibialis pain. In a stroke of really bad luck I turned the same ankle while out on a gentle recovery run and ended up straining that and my knee medial collateral ligament in the same leg 😖 I’m still hobbling but it’s healing well and I reckon I’ll be back out in the next week. 👍
Thank you IP. Yes. my mojo went rather south but I’m pulling myself together now and getting a grip as they say. I’m just waiting for the last of the knee pain to subside properly before I go on a short test run. 👍
Hi Irishprincess and fellow questers 👋I wasn’t going to quest this month as I’m just enjoying running, but now I’ve got the Christmas Running Bingo chart I’m making that my quest. It’s going to be fun 😁
Hello there! Hope everyone is safe and well, and looking forward to December running (or subs). Last winter - fresh out of c25k - I discovered just how much I enjoyed frosty morning runs, experiencing the sunrises and the beautiful layering of light.
Thanks for hosting our December quest threads Irishprincess - and also to Instructor57 (I missed the last stages of November… one attempted post even deleted itself before my eyes!)
I’ve been working my way (slowly) through the NRC HM plan, with view to reaching 16k/10 miles. Absolutely loving this plan. It’s given me structure and tips, and pushed my boundaries, which I’ve found to be such fun. I took it on to shake up my running which had lost a bit of its oomph. The decision turned out far better than I’d ever imagined.
I did the week of the 13k long run about two and a half weeks ago. I got midway through the next stage (the one with the 15k) when I developed a weird discomfort in the knee area, which came on a few hours after a super-gentle recovery run, of all things. So, I have taken a fortnight’s break, gotten myself checked by a physio (all very good news on the tests), and devoted myself to the prescribed strengthening exercises - along with a bit yoga, walking and cycling. Today was my day to return to running with a 3k; and so far, so good! Next, I’ll try 5k and then 7k.
That all means my quest this month needs to be adaptable, but looks something like this:
1. Continue daily regime of strengthening exercises.
2. Rebuild my run distances in the coming week or so - 5k, 7k, etc. - checking my body’s responses.
3. All being well, segue back into my training plan.
I might yet get to 16k for Xmas, although in truth I’m less focused on the target itself than the process - from the training sessions themselves to the places I am able to run … and planning the ones I will be able to.
Winter sunrise breaking through clouds, with tree branches silhouetted.
That’s a beautiful photo 😍 and “layering of light” sounds about right for this time of year.
The NRC plans are popular so I’m not surprised you got on so well with it. Well done on reaching 13K! It was sensible to stop after feeling discomfort, although great news from the physio 👍
Those are solid goals. I wish you all the best of luck with your Quest 🍀and enjoy the process 🙂
Hmmmmm. 80% of success is just turning up ……so I am already on a winner by responding to your post! No spectacular targets for me this month; just getting back to regular every other day runs, minus snow, without groaning achilles/ankles, will be good. I have hit a shade under 12 stones too ……so maybe a bit of weight loss is called for …..bit cold for salads though!
Getting back to a routine is a solid goal especially after a spell on the IC . Niggles and aches are so frustrating, so fingers crossed that your Achilles/ankles settle down 🤞
However, the snow thing is out of your control methinks 🌨⛄️😂
Good luck with your Quest 🍀 … and you could always have hot salads ….
IP you are so kind. And a genius! Our eldest who is staying with us made a creation comprising mince and egg (all suitable seasoned) served on lettuce leaves last weekend…😋 No biscuits is always a good start too. Time to get myself in gear.👍
I would like to join please! Getting back into running 🏃♀️ after recovering from Covid. I ran a half marathon in the summer and a 10k race in October.I love running in December and seeing all the sparkly lights at night.
Welcome! Oh yes, the sparkly lights are so lovely and they seem to start earlier every year too 🙂
Those are great goals and how fab would it be to get to 10K again for the new year! Recovering from COVID must have been tricky and took a toll on your stamina,
Good luck with your Quest 🍀and let us know how many sparkly lights you see 🌟✨💫
Hi Irish princess, I hope it’s not too late to join?
Quest 1!
Having just finished Couch to 5K, my first quest is to consolidate my 5K runs three times a week until the end of December when I hope to start increasing my time and distance.
Quest 2!
I’ve just bought a skipping rope! After each run I’m hoping I can do a ‘Couch to 10’ minute skip. Haven’t skipped since primary school so absolutely no idea what I’m doing. But I think it could be fun.
Not too late at all! Congratulations on your graduation and welcome here 🙂
Those are great goals. A good consolidation period will build a strong and solid base for your running body and skipping will be so good for your running but take it very gently as it is quite high impact! Also, if you normally wear a sports bra for running then remember to wear it for skipping too 😫….. I made that mistake once 😖
I love running on freshly fallen snow…my quest for this month is to continue on my revisit to C25k…I’m only on week 3 but this afternoon I’m going to cadge a little off my brother-in-law and do a longer run, so I’m deviating from the plan now and again,….I’m still searching for my mojo, it’s difficult to see in the snow but the sun is shining today & I’m dying to get out there so my run is already feeling like it’s going to be a good one
Thank you Irishprincess …it actually didn’t work out today, so it’ll have to wait I til the morning 🙄…no matter though, I’m looking forward to running tomorrow 😀😀😀
So my goal to run for pleasure 6 days a week backtracking through couch to 5k is going swimmingly! I have always been someone who loves to drag on some lycra and move and I'm enjoying the beauty of the chilly, damp, windy, frosty, rainy mornings - such beauty in the variety.
Repeating couch to 5k is enabling me to viscerally feel how I have been becoming a runner this last year as this time 9 months ago I had just overcome a few weeks of deep pain in my knees and was spending a lot of time with ice, heat, pulse roll, tens machine.
Hello all and thanks to irishprincess for hosting. Hope its not too late to join. Like orangemini11 covid threw me off my November quest. I recovered fairly well and was back to running quickly, and I did miss running the week I was down - the pre c25k me wouldn't have believed I'd miss running!! I thank running for my quick recovery and the HU forum for keeping me motivated. December quest is to get back to 3 runs a week. Keep up with the yoga and maybe throw some fit to ski exercises in for good measure as we are supposed to be going in January if the resorts stay open 🤞 . Good luck to everyone with their sparkly December quests. ✨
Sometimes life gets in the way of our running and we just have to wait until better times are aligned. Good news that you recovered well and you are now raring to go!
Those are great goals and the ski exercises will be good for your running too 💪
Good luck with your Quest 🍀 and here’s to lots of sparkle for you 💫✨🌟
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