Good start to the month :)

[Yesletsgo]

...well when I say 'start' I acknowledge that the third of the month isn't actually the start but what's a couple of days between friends?

Anyway, today was our first October run. It didn't look terribly exciting outside. I checked the thermometer about half an hour before we set off and it said 12 C, not shorts weather lol. By the time we left the house it was really pleasant. There was weak sunshine and no wind, perfect.

We decided on 5km. There is a pretty good 5k route which follows a hedge and a stream but the last time we ran it, a few weeks back, one section was very overgrown. Lately we've been going a short way along the hedge but turning well before the turn next to the stream. This means that I have to add extra distance to the end of the run as I like a little walk to cool down. My husband just runs straight home so gets his 5k in like that. I suggested we carry on a little further than normal and after some persuasion he agreed. By continuing on like this we found that the route had been mown and cleared. Fantastic.

I decided that today I would run by effort, aiming for 5-6 out of 10. This was an interesting experiment for me, as I found I was going a little faster than I expected without straining anything. By the time I got to the 4th km I was feeling a bit tired so slowed down a bit. I am trying to work out how to belly breathe when I feel like this. Coach Bennett recommended it in an NRC run I did a while ago. Not quite sure I have it quite right yet, if anyone has any tips I'd be grateful.

By this point my husband was way ahead of me so I decided I'd run a bit faster. I lengthened my stride as I needed a bit of a stretch and almost caught up with him. The path turned as I reached him. It leads to stairs up to the top of the sea wall. A party of walkers was coming down the stairs so I had to wait for them to pass me. Husband got there that crucial few moments earlier, so he was way ahead by the time I got up the stairs. I thought he'd turn back as I had the front door key, but no. I arrived home a few minutes after him to find him waiting for me.

This was one of those great runs where I felt really invigorated at the end. This doesn't happen every time, maybe the extra day's rest is the reason. Whatever, I'm looking forward to October

PS my VO2, which had fallen to 'good' post Covid, is now back just into the 'excellent' zone and that nice Mr Garmin has knocked 16 years off my age

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Its the first Monday of a new month. That definitely counts as the start of October! I l started the new running month today too so we’re of one mind in our logic there!

Sounds like you had a really great one. I love it when you end up with more energy at the end than the start. I’m trying to persuade my husband to run a bit more so we can go together but he’s one of those naturally speedy people so I might get left for dust. Really nice to hear where someone makes it work. Maybe you need two keys so if he beats you back he can make you a cup of coffee? That’s what we do if we start walking together and I go off for an extension!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

My husband tried to persuade me to run from when we got married 30+ years ago but I never liked the idea. Once I did C25K I got the bug and then it was me persuading him!

He's definitely faster than me, he can run 5kms sub 30 minutes whereas I'm nearer 37-40 minutes but even so, it works quite well. Sometimes I'll tell him I'm running slowly and he slows down, other times he'll run off and I'll keep up with him. Usually he remembers to get the key off me but this time the people on the steps meant it would have been too much of a detour to come back. It's the first time in 18 months that I've seen anyone else on those stairs

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

I'm using the Monday as the start of the month for my posts.. it makes it easier! Happy October!

Your run sounds to have been a super one and lots of interest on the way... well done you! That belly breathing? I agree with you, it is tricky. When not running I can do it beautifully but mid run does take more effort.

Don't laugh, but I practice it when I wake in the morning... I do have very odd routines, and when I wake I have a little mantra to start my day, Old habits from my cognitive therapy sessions after my blip in 2020...part of that now is to practice my belly breathing. It works perfectly, in bed... ! On the run now, what I am doing is easing back, when I realise I need that extra intake of oxygen... and am finding, as you are that CB's words come into my head... filling my belly and then letting that wonderful breath, slowly moving upwards be exhaled.

I do really slow down though. Maybe we will get the hang of it eventually? You certainly had a good run and I bet you feel great for 'being', 16 years younger! Well done.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I googled belly breathing after I posted this and found an interesting article asics.com/gb/en-gb/running-... . It looks like you're doing exactly the right thing practicing the breathing in bed Oldfloss .

I can belly breathe when I'm still but it's hard when I'm on the move. I blame my belt, it's one of those stretchy marathon runners' belts with lots of pockets but it's quite tight so I think it may be restricting my breathing as I wear it quite low on my waist. The breathing will have to be a work in progress.

Alternate nostril breathing is a bit challenging too!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I love reading about your runs, it’s near enough the beginning of the month, the year is sliding past while we remember days as run days or not.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, as Steve Miller said 'Time keeps on slippin' slippin' into the future 🎼🎵🎵🎵