Hello Sunny Questers and welcome to anyone who’d like to join us for the last couple of weeks. We’re two weeks in and week three beckons. How’s its going?
Well, let’s start with the elephant in the room. And outside the room. And everywhere. It’s hot. Looking ahead to next week, I’m already thinking of when I won’t be able to run and thinking about whether that will knock me off my stride. My quest is all about consistently and that a concern. I might sub in a few swims while it’s particularly boiling.
Last week was good for me in that I hit the five runs I was aiming for. It’s not quite felt like the triumph I was expecting because I’ve only been doing short, easy runs and I’m missing doing those really challenging type of runs. It’s just been too warm at the times I’ve been able to go. The main thing I’m celebrating is consistently getting up early to run which is not easy for me!
Coming up in August is my second 10k and I got super excited to spot the bridge where it’s taking place on yesterday’s recovery day walk. It was only later that I realised it’s the wrong one!!! Still, it was a lovely walk and it gave me some inspiration to keep going so I’m taking that as a positive anyway!
Hope it’s been a good week for you all-really looking forward to all your updates. Let’s celebrate what we’ve been able to achieve, the unexpected sources of inspiration and not beat ourselves up for things that haven’t happened…yet!
Here are the links to the previous quest posts for anyone who’d like to read them.
Hello everyone! I'm now two weeks and six runs in to my consolidation after graduating. I've managed the 3 runs this week, mainly by getting out earlier than usual before it gets too hot. And I'm trying new trails and hills as per my quest, but the strength work I wanted to include has gone by the wayside. Must try harder!
Six consolidation runs is superb-go you!!! Especially given all the extra challenges with the weather at the moment. A genuinely massive well done.
I was thinking just this morning that my strength class has totally dropped of the agenda and I need to get back on it. I’m not a member of a gym at the moment and usually work out at home but that hasn’t happened. I might treat myself (!!!) to a session in the local leisure centre gym which has great air con. That’s going to be a mini quest for this week. Great to have a reminder-thanks for posting and happy questing this week!!
Sorry, didn't mean to give you another mini quest! 😂
I think the problem is I just find exercises really boring, I never know if I'm doing them right and either feel like they haven't done any good or more commonly these days I seem to pull something and do more harm than good. I know they're important to prevent injury though so really must make more of an effort.
A gentle nudge of a reminder (or a strong kick up the backside!) was what I needed-no apologies necessary! I most enjoy strength stuff when it’s part of a class. I’m lucky that my old PT does hiit classes that are mainly strength based so that really helps. On my own it’s much harder. There’s often a challenge running on the Strength and Flex forum. Maybe we should go have a hunt around those foreign parts!
Hello MissUnderstanding well done on completing 5 runs and good luck with your 10k next month. Swimming on the really hot days sounds like a very good idea! My quests have gone really well this week:1) YES - finished 10km race on Sunday. Managed to run the whole way which I'm really pleased about. Last km was a struggle though. Was undecided whether to take a water bottle on my 2nd 5km lap but am so glad I did - it was such a hot day and I definitely needed it to keep going!
2) YES - run at least 3 times a week - managed to do just that
3) NO - do 2 cross training sessions - just wasn't feeling it although I did lug some heavy boxes for my company's summer party if that counts as strength training!
4) YES - do at least one parkrun - did it today
5) YES - volunteer at 1 parkrun - volunteered at my local parkrun's 100th event last weekend and even brought some cakes
This week I will aim to go for an early morning run on Monday by say 8am before the temperatures really soar and the rest of the week I will try and fit in another 2 runs and push myself to do some strength training too. I've just tentatively started a HM training plan too so I really do need to incorporate more strength training. Wish me luck!
Congratulations on that 10k race. It was hot-I’m sure you weren’t the only one feeling it by the last km. Lots of other achievements too. A top quality week of questing. Lugging boxes definitely counts as a workout!
Good luck with your HM plan. Which one are you following? I’m loosely doing the NRC one ready for October.
Thanks MissUnderstanding I've started garmin coach jeff galloway plan and am aiming to do a race in November. I'm still undecided as to whether I'll actually complete the plan as I don't know whether it really is too soon for me to attempt a HM when I've only ever run two 10ks (8 months apart) and they were both a struggle! I don't know whether to get comfortable running 10k first and then maybe start training for the HM next year. I found parkrun a real effort this morning and it was nowhere near my best time.
I think the heat is making everything a real effort at the moment. Good luck with the plan. It sounds sensible to start and see how you get on. You’re not committing to anything and the training will be good for you whatever you decide. I’ve booked in to my HM so there’s no going back for me. I’m setting my goals really low-aiming to finish ideally having run all of it but I’m prepared to walk bits if I need to.
Now let me think... did I really make a plan for this month? No I didn't. 😆
I continue to run regularly. No runs on Saturday or Sunday last weekend due to travelling and heat.
I did get out and run every day from Monday to Thursday, alternating short runs with longer ones. A rest on Friday (but a long evening walk instead). And today another short run.
The early part of next week doesn't look conducive to running. Even overnight on Monday it's going to be a struggle to get to sleep comfortably.
All you can do is be sensible. If we had 30°C every day for several months, we'd get used to it.
Every time I look at the forecast it’s hotter on Monday. I’ve made peace with the start of next week being a run free zone. We’ve got some nice shady paths so possible a walk but low key is the plan. Bring on the rain!
Great update. I always enjoy reading your run reports.
Hey questers, my quest involves a HM plan and so far I’m keeping up with it and feeling very happy. I realised the other day that somewhere during my non running hospital visiting spring I lost the art of daily squats, so the other day I restarted those. That was hard, and the next day my quads grumbled at me…… happy questing all
I’m really enjoying reading about your runs-either I’ve also done them or they’re coming up soon for me! I’m amazed you’ve fitted on so much speed work in this heat.
I think there are a few of us missing out squats recently. Hopefully we can all feed back that we’ve done more next week. My legs grumble a lot when I pick them up after a while. It doesn’t usually last too long. That’s what I’m hoping for this time!
Hello everyone, warm, isn't it?I was running 3 times a week pretty consistently until it warmed up but have taken the decision that it's just too hot.
I'm off to Crete as my son is getting married there and have decided that I'm not taking my running gear. It should have cooled down by the time I'm back. Something tells me I'm going to have a few extra lbs to run off
Totally understand pausing the runs while it’s like this. Sometimes the best run is no run (not a MissUnderstanding original!). What are we going to talk about when it goes back to normal? Probably weather again!
It sounds like you’ve come to a sensible decision about running in Crete. Exciting times coming up!
Consistency …. Yes, I also could do with a bit more on this.
I realised I did not do any rowing at all for a whole week!! Unusual for me. But did manage to get 2 runs in. Just about.
We have the adult son of my best friend from school staying with us, which is so brill. Board games, day trips, good meals, outdoor al-fresco dinner evenings.
But we had to move the rower from the guest room to the living room, which interrupted my workout patterns quite a bit, surprisingly so. So I might have to rely on my running habit until my rowing gets there again!
So how am I doing?
Well considering disruptions of heat, sunny spells, hosting guests, ok I guess. But as ever attempting to still improve!
Having guests is lovely but inconvenient at times! I’m sure your rowing will come back once you’ve got your home back. I’m impressed you even managed two runs. They sound like great people to have to stay though-you’ve done all my favourite things with them!Have a great week. 🏃♀️ 🚣♂️ ☀️
A bit late for July quest. So good to see you hosting it this time and read about your quest for the month.My quest for the rest of the July will be to prepare for the HM I have registered for first weekend of August. After running a HM just the week before, I try to balance rest as well as continue running varying distances atleast 3 times a week.
Fingers crossed for an injury free HM in 3weeks time!
Good luck with your HM training…an excellent quest! Crossing fingers for some good runs for you (although I wonder if today you’re doing the same as me and staying out of the sun!). Mine is ages away-three weeks to go is super exciting. I’ll be ordering my virtual pom poms ready!
I’ve been using the Nike Run Club app HM plan. That’s free and has a lot of variety in the runs. Could be worth a look?
I will have a look at the NRC app. I am running in 8-10deg temperatures currently so definitely completing my three runs a week. I am finding that temperature just perfect. It is cold to start with, but then becomes just right as u start running. Good luck for your 10k run..hope it isnt too hot for you at the time.
How very Britain-centric of me to assume everyone was here! I remember you mentioning you were abroad. 8-10 degrees sounds like heaven. My car said it was 36oC about ten minutes ago. I managed a 25 minute run very early this morning while it was low twenties and that was more than enough for me!
I really like the NRC app plan because it’s flexible and achievable for where I’m at (novice snail aiming to finish rather than an experienced speedy speedster aiming for a fast time!!). I haven’t done all five runs on any week so far but it’s got me doing all sorts of different things like intervals, hill sprints and tempo runs that have been hideous but fun. Not for the hot weather though!
The next 10k is the last weekend in August so it could be pretty hot. Trying not to think about that! At least my HM is October so that’s most likely raining again! Who’d have thought we’d miss it?
Running - nope, often in running underpinnings, often stymied (but also ?not seizing opportunities)
Yoga class - nope. Some tech hassle not helping
Yoga practice - finally got one in this morning. 2012-16 I did a morning practice pretty much every morning without fail before going downstairs for breakfast. Then Google had a health crisis so I couldn't have that particular slot and the rot set in.
Meditation/breathing class - nope. No good reason at all for this. I have however been doing plenty of counting breathing in and making sure my breathing out is longer, so the tools are in use.
Bath - nope, next couple of days might be good for that, or next week's holiday is a bit short of shower facilities for the number staying but there are baths...
Vacuum the whole house (I have been putting off the idea of removing the last Google hair 😢) - nope
A declutter that involves things leaving the house! Nope!
It's been a very challenging time with big increase in caring responsibilities the last couple of weeks (one element of which was unexpected) - and I don't do well in heat at the best of times. So we'll see how the next two weeks go - I am pleased I've not forgotten about the Quest!
I don’t even want to think about the state of my house! Good luck with your declutter. Such a satisfying task…when it’s all done!
I really need to get back on the yoga too. I always feel better when I’m doing it regularly but I’ve found it harder to get into a routine since I stopped going to a class. Tech is such a pain when you can’t get it working for absolutely no good reason.
Wishing you lots of luck with all your questing goals. It’s difficult when extra responsibility comes along unexpectedly. Thinking of you.
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May The Quest be with you - Week 1
