My Introduction to Coach Bennett

[Beachcomber66]

When I poked my nose into the porch to test the temperature this morning , there was a clear result; very cold! As I was running on my own, I decided to give my new headphones and Coach Bennett on NRC a try. I flicked through the runs and up came “Cold Run 45 minutes”. Seemed like a message! So, after struggling with the technology for a bit (5 mins, partly overlapping my hot water bottle treatment) I switched on and got moving. 10 minutes into the app I was still doing my warm up walk when I realised that I was supposed to have started the app and started to run simultaneously 🙄;echo’s of C25k. First learning point ! I pressed on regardless.

The “start more slowly than usual because cold muscles are more prone to injury” comment proved to be good advice. I could “feel” my right calf from the off, so I kept things really slow. After 3k the calf loosened up and everything felt good, so I upped the pace a little bit, but then cut back towards the end of what became a 7k run. Was this a success? I think so. All sorts of other gems were thrown in, such as running into the wind on the out leg of an “out and back” if you can, rehydration is still important in the cold, clothing tips…..and I came to the end of my planned distance with a calf which felt better than when I started. So CB earned another run. Next time out, unless there is a change for the better in the weather….it is definitely leggings time!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

I was tempted by that one but didn’t have enough time this morning. I’ll definitely give it a go. The temperature really has dropped here all of a sudden and I think the advice will be useful. The hot run one was good in the summer.

I find the NRC app annoying to get started-it doesn’t like playing with bbc sounds so that has to be restarted after starting the run. I’ve got into a bit of a routine now of grumbling at it at the beginning and then in behaves itself later on! I found turning off auto pause workout helpful in stopping it messing my music up.

Most of the easy/recovery runs don’t have a warm up walk. I use my watch for that!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I haven’t extended into music yet! One step at a time. I just felt a bit more focussed on what was important and it paid off. Knowing why my calf was giving me a bit of grief at the start of the run really helped. Overall, I ran more slowly than usual too. At worst this is in “change is as good as a rest” territory.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Pace is one of the things Coach B really helped me to nail. I really like the app and as you say, if you don’t like it it’s a nice, free change that you delete when you’re fed up with it!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

pity we can’t expand that principle 🙂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

😂😂

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

I’ve done this run with the cheesy but informative Coach B. It has some interesting advice. It was cold this morning but, here in the midlands, the sunshine was glorious 😊. I ran an interval run and almost blazed a trail in the tarmac due to running off a particularly stressful morning at work 😡. It did the trick! Enjoy exploring others runs and other coaches. Coaches Cory has a lovely velvet voice 😂😂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Cheesy and weak jokes; my kids would say he is an alter ego! I am definitely going to explore this further. 👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

So the question is, Beachcomber66 , are you going to join the Coach B groupies? There’s quite a gang of us!

I can wholeheartedly recommend any of the NRC guided runs, as they always seem to be able to come up with one that suits your mood, energy levels, the weather etc. Coach B and all his cohorts are great and I hardly ever run without one of them in my ears.

A nice 7k for you today and I’m happy your calf didn’t protest for long. 😀😀

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks CC. I was surprised to find that people were noticing me earlier as I approached on today’s run….until I realised that they could hear CB. Volume adjustment required! I may have to investigate music now; the genie may be out of the bottle!😂

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I think we’ve all been there BC! 😂 The strange looks are definitely warranted. 😅

Music works alongside NRC and the volume fades in and out with the coach. I once inadvertently picked an NRC playlist and it was hideous. 😖 Well, not my taste at least.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I am particular about what I listen to; according to mood. Not sure it will mix with running, but will give a whirl at some stage.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I enjoyed that coached run last year too. My tip: download the run at home , turn off your phone until you get to run point. Start the guided run and you have 3 seconds to put your phone away and start your garmin.

Enjoy the run s BC

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Great tip you... thanks.. I faffed around this morning trying to get it right!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I’ve been there too Oldfloss

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Organised down to finest detail as ever Dexy5; thanks for the expert guidance. We may make a runner out of me yet!🙂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I’ve only learnt by making mistakes BC 🙃

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

oh yes, Bluetooth your watch , music and headphones before leaving the house too, then you can pause the music on your headphones control until you want it. So much to think about!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Takes my mind of my calf though! That really slow first 1k in particular just eased the whole thing off, whereas I was expecting it to deteriorate as the run progressed. Who knows, I might be able to run this winter.🤞🙂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Go you! CB went out with me this morning and yes, there was a chill in the air, although I got warm en route!

I don't use the music..just the voices in my head.

Sounds like a good run and if you are going to try another one... it must have worked for you!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Impeccable logic Oldfloss. I have to get my money’s worth out of the headphones anyway! I am a Yorkshireman after all.🙂

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10]

I really like that run, but then I'm a Coach Bennett groupie so I love all his runs!! 🤣🤣

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Hedgehogs123]

I think I will play the field a bit before choosing a favourite 🙂

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

So many to choose from!!

[misswobble Graduate10]

I love Coach B and his posse. The variety is huge. He has loads of guests on with him so the time does pass quickly.

I’ve done the hot, cold, rainy, dark runs with him. All good fun 😁

I wore long tights out on the trail today. Decidely chilly at times as the wind was gusting. Good to be out though 😀👍

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Yep it feels like leggings weather. The wind was really cold up here today. No sense in fighting it; staying warm matters!

[misswobble Graduate10]

I nearly wore a merino long sleeve (Aldi one 😍) but I feared it might rain so thought better of it I’ve got an ancient but lovely Aldi warm long sleeve top which I can dig out if it gets colder I quite like the transition to warmer gear as I like winter running 🏃‍♀️🙂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Cold again today; definitely time for my Nora Batty’s and warm top. I even wore them to the football yesterday; just to give them an airing.