All I can come up with is...A Questing we will go :-)

[SueAppleRun]

Oh my goodness, we are moving into week 3 of the Quest already, and the third week of August.

How are you all getting on? It’s been hot in most parts of the country this last week and wow really hot here in the south east, but I’m still reading posts of people running and have run some myself too. We have been going to the beach before work, after work and on days off, the sea has been a welcome relief from baking on the stones and very refreshing.

So, Questers, what have you been up to this week? Let us all know and what your next week’s quest will be.

If you’d like to check back here is a link to week 2

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

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.

This week I’m adding some info that Instructor57 used to encourage and inspire us all.

NEED SOME INSPIRATION?

⭐ Here's Iannodatruffe's post about what to do next after graduating Couch to 5K:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

⭐ Want to run 10K or for 60 minutes? Have a look at Ju-Ju's Magic Plan:

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

⭐ Need strength n stretch ideas? Check out our sister-forum Strength and Flex

healthunlocked.com/strength...

For me this week I intend to run as the weather cools and continue some strength and flex calf raises and standing on one leg which is immensely funny at the moment but hopefully will get more impressive over the months.

Let us know what you are going to be up to this week

A gentle reminder to drink plenty of water, whether the weather is hot or not runners need extra fluid so drink up, water with slices of fruit is very refreshing.

Happy Questing VRB’s and who doesn't love a photo of the beach???

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Hi Willowandsola, thanks for this. 3 weeks in!Well, the good news is I had a couple of runs in the forest. I was getting back to three runs a week then...

...the bad news, I've got Covid, thankfully I'm not feeling too awful 3 days in. Hoping I'll be recovered in time for my brother's 60th on Friday!

At least the other part of my Quest wa signing up for the local 10k rather than running it. In line with Covid health advice I'll pace myself and aim to do it next week 😂

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Oh no what bad luck, hope you heal quickly

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks, luckily not feeling too bad

[VG11 Graduate10]

I’m joining the quest and working towards 10k again! ( using the magic plan). I’m in the south east and as you say, it’hot hot hot. Getting up early to try to beat the worst of the heat.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to VG11]

Near us then, good luck and enjoy the plan

[nowster Graduate10]

Still on the Garmin 10km plan. Yesterday was a very hard one: 70 minutes of running "at easy pace" in the heat with hills. I cheated a little and paused to recover a few times.

This coming week is all short "easy" runs. I may have to throw in a longer one "off the leash" at some point, just to vary things.

Hoping the heat will abate this coming week. I'll try to get up early to avoid it.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to nowster]

It’s not quite as hot but still very muggy here, I’ve been following your progress and quite amazed, a bit of off plan is good

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

To be frank, I'm amazed myself.

[dijep Graduate10]

Well I've only managed one run last week mid week, which is I did enjoy which what my quest was all about.I'd hoped to do a longer run on Sunday but I had a few days away. Driving home on Saturday with the sun beating down for hours as I headed home on the motorway. Not pleasant 🥵🥵 Plus some winged insect had given me a nasty bike behind my knee which had swollen up rather alarmingly. See I have lots of excuses no, reasons for not doing that long run 😂😂

I did get Pilates and other exercises done most days though 😃

Oh to be beside the sea sounds wonderful.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to dijep]

Sounds like a busy enough week with some running and I’m glad you enjoyed it

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

My running has been a bit more intermittent than I would have liked. Partly due to the heat, and partly due to having unexpected guests. I'm still sort of trying to follow the NRC HM plan but am not stressing too much by how long it is taking.

My back is still niggly so am back on the physio's exercises from earlier this year.

As for the shoulder I went to the musculoskeletal clinic at my GP - held by the same physio I saw for my back. He diagnosed a rotator cuff tear but I left it too long for surgery to work. On the plus side he said exercises will help, but it will take time. So guess what I will be adding to my Quest?....

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Birdlady64]

That sounds painful, hope the exercises help, I too have been a bit intermittent this week I’m shattered with all the swimming

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

I started the NRC HM plan back in January, really enjoyed it but realised I didn't really want to run that far Hope the shoulder feels better soon!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thanks Yesletsgo I'm not sure I want to run that far either. I started the plan as a way of mixing things up a bit and adding some variety to my runs. I've been enjoying it so far but the weeks are taking me more like 2 weeks

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Hello! Waaah week 3 already, cannot for the life of me remember what my other quests have been this month save trying really hard to stay cool! I had to chuckle this afternoon, I said to my colleague that if anyone had told me a few months ago I’d find 28 degrees fairly refreshing I’d have laughed very hard!

This week I intend to kick myself into touch a bit and get a longer run under my belt hopefully at the weekend. I think that’s it 😊😊😊.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Frenc]

Hello, good to see you, I am itching for a longer run again but not until we have rain and the air freshens up a bit, it's still very muggy here

[Jogger22 Graduate10]

Hello SueAppleRun and fellow questers. Your seaside looks very nice! Swimming outside this week would have been bliss. I tried to book a slot in my local lido but it was fully booked. My quests in week 2 have gone well.1) NO - continue to run 3 times a week. I only ran twice this last week intentionally as I forgot to factor in at the beginning of the month that this week would be my running rest week ie I would be cutting down the number of runs.

2) YES - continue with Garmin Coach HM training plan for event in November - still on track

3) YES - do at least 2 cross training sessions a week - at least one should be strength - played netball, did a YWA session, did all over body strength training with weights and went for a swim (indoors)

4) ON TRACK - do at least 2 parkruns - one should be completely new. So far this month I have already done 2 parkruns and intend to run a new one this Saturday

5) YES - have at least one rest day - managed exactly that.

I'm looking forward to the cooler weather this week which should make running easier and not so time limited!

Hope you have a good week 🤗

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Hello all, Back from my hols in landlocked Herefordshire in the hottest week of the year. So beautiful and so quiet we heard owls at night.

I’ve completed 2 tourist parkruns in 2 weeks, Itchen Valley Country Park on the way out and Ludlow before our return journey. Both were undulating trails in woodland, which kept us in the shade much of the way.

UpTheStanley and I also did an early midweek run from our barn, up a country lane, along narrow paths in a nature reserve, which included leaping fallen trees, then back up the road to our highest point where there were beautiful views. Then my favourite bit, running downhill to home. Grazing animals looked at us as if mad.

Back to Southsea, and looking forward to my flat prom run in cloud and rain in a minute.

Tourist parkrun ✅

Pilates ❎

Longest run so far 8k ✅

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Dexy5]

Hey Dexy5 good to see you here, Glad you enjoyed yourself on hols and did some tourist park runs. That downhill to home sounds perfect

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

My quest last week was to recover from a stomach bug and the good news is I’ve achieved that! I’ve been for a walk and did Zumba last night. No running yet. I’m starting gently with either a 15 minute or 30 minute easy run later and the aim is to do another couple this week, possibly including a park run. I’ll pick up the official half marathon plan again on Monday.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you for joining us, I’m so pleased you are better,

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I ran yesterday and it was HARD! Usually when I’ve had a break it’s fine but I think the heat surprised me (it was raining but still very hot) and it was like running through treacle. Today I’ll try another recovery run and see how it goes. It’s much cooler so that bodes well. Glad to have broken the no running streak.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Maybe you still weren’t 100% yesterday, good luck with the next run

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I’m taking Coach Bennett with me for good luck!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

He’ll make a big difference 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

He did to me today x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

He was mine this morning so I will let him come with you now xxx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Oldfloss and SueAppleRun I have a shocking confession. I cheated on him. I went out with Coach Cox instead. And worst of all…I liked it!

On a bit of a whim, I did the HM plan week 9 speed run with nearly 20 (!!!) intervals at mile pace. She threw a couple of 5k effort ones in to mix it up. It was hard but really fun. The hardest bit was knowing how many repeats were coming up and not being intimidated.

It was surprising to find a lovely groove through the intervals and I really enjoyed running at mile pace. I was picturing myself pegging it away from an explosion in a film! According to Coach Cox, everyone looks great running at mile pace. She also said recovery could be done standing still, walking or running so I took advantage and enjoyed some gentle walks between sprints and I definitely felt like I got better at being ready for the next interval as time went on. My cool down jog home felt super easy and slow-like driving at 30mph after being on a motorway! All in all, it was a very successful run and I’d definitely recommend it. Run. Fast. Repeat.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

No!!!! Goodness me ! But... you had a super time and wow!!! I am SO impressed... makes my little 20 minute-r look a tad insignificant, except it was good!

Huge well done you, it sounds like huge fun ! Maybe, I may eventually restart my HM runs at some point.

Brilliant!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Don’t knock your 20 minutes! Coach Bennett always says different runs have different purposes. It was a great run-that’s worth celebrating! 💪

I’ve got the fear a little bit in that my HM plan has now caught up with real life. I had a bit of slack when I started but the heatwaves plus a bit of illness has wiped that cushion out. Still, I’m aiming to finish rather than set a rocket fast time so I’m holding on to that being achievable. 9 weeks to go…

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

You are doing wonderfully.. and life....that is what makes it all so interesting x

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

My my, I ran with coach Cox once and it was great, with the heatwave I’ve lost the plot with my HM plan, hopefully get back to it soon, any running is good 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I think the heatwave has sent us all a bit rogue with either no runs at all or whatever fits with not keeling over due to the heat! Here’s hoping for the cooler days to continue.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Much as I love the sun and heat there’s a small part of me that wants to go out on a cool crisp morning and run to warm up

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

We're losing the plot together then.. I like it.. I am not even sure what the plot is, right now x

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Oldfloss]

No I haven’t a clue what the plot is either, all I know is I need to run today, but i’m falling asleep at my desk so it won’t be much of a run, I can’t believe the weekend is nearly here again xx

[beth_f Graduate10]

Hello SueAppleRun ,

Despite a bit of a crappy week last week (for personal reasons), I did manage to get a few runs in.

Had a rather fabulous trot down to Seaford Beach which was the tonic that was needed at that point. Nothing beats running along side the sea on a lovely flat route! (I miss it very much).

All the other bits I said I was going to do took a bit of a back seat but hopefully normal service will resume this week 🤞

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to beth_f]

Seaford is lovely did you swim? I’ve been running towards Shoreham and up to the river but not been going far due to the heat and wanting to swim more

[beth_f Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I didn't swim but daughter & husband did and we did it all again on Saturday at Parkrun 😁. Surprising how busy it was even at 8am (both days) but lovely to see it busy.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to beth_f]

Yes it starts to feel more normal seeing lots of people out enjoying themselves

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Phew!!! It has been HOT! You are so lucky to have the se so near to you... I am lucky enough to be back here too now!

Just got a run in this morning, as it is much cooler here... it was not a long run and so easy -paced, as to make even the most laid back snail look lethargic!

The beach,, Coach Bennett and I... what a combination!

But I ran!!!

Yes I did... and dare I say, that even though my Quest is to run once a week... I may sneak another in... fingers crossed

Happy Questing all !

Morning joy...

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That’s some beach Floss, beautiful and great to hear you ran 😀

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Week 3? Oh my goodness!

Main focus (and success) has been keeping up with the 'something every day' medal challenge. It seems to be doing well at getting me back to yoga more often as that's my backstop if I've not managed anything else that day... and the yoga is helping with some disagreeable aches and pains. Pleased to say that there has now been a run... thought it was cooler but oh boy it wasn't... and soooooo eerie as I was back in a wood I've not been to in ages and it has changed so much. Rides that featured often in C25K no longer exist! There was also a swim, in the sea (fortunately before all the rain/sewage made that quite such a high risk activity)

The weight... no, not cracked that one.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Thank you for joining us, you are doing great 😊