I didn’t run on Thursday due to icy paths (and had no good reason not to run yesterday, I think it was just wet and dull), but when I looked out of the window this morning to sunshine and blue skies my enthusiasm returned! A nice, slow run. Oh yes, I love those! ‘Mr Blue Sky’ through my headphones to get me motivated and off I went, singing on my warm up walk!
I wanted to try something a little different. It was something GTFC said about walking for a bit and including it in the run. Steady away! I often have trouble with setting off too fast. So I started my watch this morning and walked for a couple of minutes, gradually increasing the pace until I was easing into a slow jog. I think I’ll have to try this again and walk for longer! When the first km time came on my watch, it was 9:06. That was weird. I was expecting (and planning) for it to be about 10:00. I thought I had set off so slowly! How deceptive.
There were a few runners about this morning. One I exchanged a greeting with as we passed going in opposite directions. I saw him again a while later and we shared a quizzical look. I thought about his possible route and maybe it was better than mine 😊. The third time we saw each other we both laughed 😀.
There were many dog walkers about. I overtook one woman who was walking a labradoodle type dog. She was walking quite briskly and as I was slow jogging it took a while to overtake her! I resisted the temptation to speed up (why do I always want do do that?) and commented to her as I passed that her walking was almost as fast as my running! She said ‘Well at least you ARE running’ and I thought yes, she’s right. I am running and grateful for it. 😊 Especially on a morning like this morning - sunny, chilly, excellent air quality!
I’m still monitoring my heart rate after the vaccine and it does seem to be better than it was. I mostly kept in zone 3 for the first 3 Kms and I was able to control it by slowing down if I had to. I do tend to increase pace as the run progresses and didn’t worry too much about going into Zone 4 during the 4th km. I could still sing without gasping! As I often do, I took the brakes off for the last half km to finish strong! I really felt good on this run. Another 5K in the bag! 👍😊🏃♀️
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Jools2020
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Mr Blue Sky by the ELO is one of my favourite songs from the 70's, a good song to run to, well done on your run this morning, nice overtaking the dog walker, as you say, 'you were 🏃🏾running, not walking 🚶 'I have just come back from my 22nd Parkrun and awaiting my time result. 😊 🏃🏾
I have just received my result for my 22nd Parkrun, not my fastest, my time was 32.01, a bit muddy in parts of the course, nevertheless, a reasonable run for me today. 😊 🏃🏾
That sounds like a mighty fine run today Jools, glad you enjoyedit. I worry that I might get overtaken by walkers when I'm slow running 🏃♂️ but it hasn't happened yet! I had to be forcibly removed from the sofa and pushed out the door yesterday to go for a 5k run but felt better for it when I returned. We have torrential rain here this morning so the sofa it is 😀. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Liz
I haven’t been overtaken by walkers yet 😀! I don’t think I would have run if we’d had torrential rain here. When did I turn into such a wuss? Anyway, I have the sofa for this afternoon! 😊
A great run on a perfect morning, slow running takes longer but is so good, I’d seen a notification flash up on my watch that you’d posted a while ago so during a pause at work decided to come and read, glad i did 😀 singing in my head as i read about you running along. I finish work soon and have to decide…. run today or for one in tomorrow before late shift? maybe both
Enjoy your weekend Jools, and I’m aware I’m rambling 😮
Oh yes, Sola, I know you love slow running too! But, hey, we can press that accelerator button now and then if the fancy takes us! Whenever you decide to run, enjoying it is the main thing, fast or slow. Have a lovely weekend yourself 😊👍
I do naturally walk at between 9 and 10 mins/km. I've never been able to run that slowly. Having stork legs has its disadvantages.
It's hard work to keep your speed down, but also can be beneficial.
Well done for getting out there and achieving what you set out to do.
(My booster jab is next Saturday.)
I assume you know the background story of the "Concerto for a Rainy Day" section of the Out of the Blue album? (And the "tang tang tang tang" at about 30s into Mr Blue Sky is the drummer tapping on a fire extinguisher.)
Thanks! I was pleased. I was checking to see if my heart rate was still elevated and it is a little, although I could control it today. I’ll keep doing slow runs, or Jeff, for the time being. Good luck with your booster, I hope you don’t have the same trouble.
Yes, I’m familiar with the story of ‘Concerto for a Rainy Day’. Didn’t know about the fire extinguisher, or maybe I did and forgot 😊
I love the thought of you singing! Isn't it a beautiful day! I know what you mean about speeding up when you pass people, I tend to do that too! Hope your moving plans are going ok. This always seems to be a busy time of year and sometimes difficult to fit in running, so we must be grateful for our runs.To be honest, I'm looking forward to January! 🤣
Thanks, Roxdog! It’s been a lovely day here. I do love that winter chill and sunshine. House purchase should be happening soon. Solicitors are in hiding, I think! They’re talking to each other about paperwork for this and that. It could still be before Christmas but looking more likely now in the new year. There’s no particular rush, my brother and I have a routine now and we get on well, but I’m ready for my own space. 😊
Fantastic Jools. I'm so pleased you had a great run again. I felt better this morning after suffering elevated heart rate after my booster so tried a very slow jog (dressed in jeans) and after 4 minutes had to stop. Even walking within the 4 minutes my HR went straight to zone 5. I could barely breathe. Its never done that before even when sprinting. Back to the couch for me 😫
It is quite amusing when you pass another runner several times going in opposite directions. I think both runners start pondering and wondering which route the other one has taken 😆
Well done for getting out and great that you had a good time 👍 yay.
Thanks, Alan. Yes, definitely the couch for you! Exactly the same happened to me a couple of weeks ago. Even running slowly, HR went straight to Zone 5. Felt like I was running flat out, like you, so stopped. I guess it’s a waiting game. Today was much better but not really completely back to normal.
Well it’s definitely been that long for me, but doesn’t mean it’s going to be that long for you! You’re probably made of much tougher stuff, I’m such a girlie wuss 😂 you’ll be fine in no time!
Yay we need loads more of those! 😊 I was lucky this morning, it was dry and not too windy. The rain is just starting now and the wind is picking up. The forecast looks awful for the rest of today, it's going to be a fun walk with the dog later 😱
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A slow, steady and careful return
Steady 10K Plus 2K With The Hound 
I'm back, albeit slow and steady
