HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023…Come and join the WEEK 1 QUEST with meeeee…

[Mummycav]

Happy new year to each and every one of you…I am truly hoping you’ve all had a good Christmas, celebrated the new year in style & that the year will be kind to you..

Thank you to Oldfloss for hosting last months quest…I’m hoping you are feeling much better x

Starting the year with a new goal is so motivating…but (I know, there’s always a but!!!) we all start off with good intentions but by the end of Jan sometimes that enthusiasm can fizzle out…well, NOT IF YOU JOIN MY QUEST!!!!

Christmas is the time for overindulgence…and with every mince pie or quality street there’s always that little voice that whispers in your ear..”it’s ok, I can run this off..” and then boom 💥 the quality street tub is empty & all that remains of the mince pies are guilty crumbs…if that’s how it’s gone then you’ve come to the right place…I, for one…apart from hosting this months quest…will be joining in with you all because Viennese mince pies are a temptation for me that I have given in to on too many occasions!!! 😜

Anyone get any new foot candy for Christmas they’d like to show off?? Well Joe’s the time to pace them up & join my January New you, new start quest and I am welcoming you with open arms…

So I’m going to be the first to kick start this months quest…I am starting c25k again..I did my first run the other day & I am aiming to run 3 times a week…try get some stretching in and strength work..so there, it’s out there now I’ve said it…

Good luck questers…keep posting & we’ll keep each other going..

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.I ask that you are a C25K Graduate before joining the Quest. The reason for this is that pre-graduation your week is very much structured according to the C25K programme, and I wouldn't want the Quest to interfere with that.

Most 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 would like to...********Each week, I will put up a new post, so we can chat and see how we are all doing!

Wishing you a wonderful week of safe and happy running! 💥

MummyCav & the wonderful admin team xx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hi Mummycav🙋‍♀️

Happy New Year to you.... wishing you and yours every health and happiness and to fellow questers too.

I have been missing recently, a scary family health issue which I hope we are safely over.

Please may I join the January Quest to try and kickstart some me time and get me moving again.

I want to start daily YWA again and will be doing the January 30 days of yoga Centre challenge (I think this may concentrate on core work so should be good for that tummy bulge) A few mince pies were partaken but a much quieter christmas and new year.

I too want to start c25k again from the beginning, but I will need nudging and maybe a boot to get me out the door, so I'm relying on you for that.☺

I'm doing the walking challenge on Strava for 50k in January too, to get the badge, so lets hope for some dry days please.

Not feeling terribly confident about meeting these challenges, but l'm hoping that the Quest will be a good incentive.

Yoga starts today🤞xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

This has made my first day of the New Year, perfect... Well done you... I shall be right behind you...a long way back, but I will be there xxx

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

this sounds fantastic Bluebirdrunner …I’m hoping your family scare has been left in 2022 and that you can focus on these very achievable goals…we can def repeat c25k alongside each other…we can be each other’s nudge xx

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Happy New Year 🥳. The new year is full of good intentions and then I go back to work 🤦🏻‍♀️. I started the journey to half marathon in September, but then my running buddy was unwell. I put the journey on hold for a while and kept pottering about through November and then December. She’s not going to be running again till mid February so I’m going to push on again. My quest is to get back to 10k by the end of Jan. I’ve been running 5ks a couple of times a week so I’m just going to extend one run a week till I get there. Happy questing everyone!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Sorry to hear about your running buddy Frizzbomb67 im sure she will be cheering you along just like we will. If you’ve been running 5ks I’ve no doubt that 10k will be yours by the end of the month..woo hoo..go get it!

[Hidden]

Happy New year Mummycav and all the vrbs!

I have been running every day over the holidays but wont be able to keep this up when I am back to work next week. However running lots has been such fun and I am keen to maintain at least some impetus. Not sure what the goal should be, maybe running a minimum of 3 times weekly and gradually increasing distance again.

I will try and join in on here a bit more too, as I do find it motivating. Enjoy January!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like a plan Hidden …3 times a week is def doable and if you have an opportunity to squeeze an extra one in here and there well that keeps the fun going…we’re right here with you ☺️☺️☺️

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Happy New Year to you Mummycav and fellow Questers!

Once again I'm aiming low

In January my goals are:

- to run 2 or 3 times a week

-to cover at least 30 kms

Last January I ran over 46kms but last month it was less than 25 kms so as long as I beat that I'll consider my goal achieved.

Good luck everyone!

PS one of my New Year resolutions is to do a 15km run at some point this year. I'm nowhere near ready for that at the moment but will keep you informed in a few months time, in that 'Goldilocks' season when it's neither too hot nor too cold, so there'll be no excuses

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

what ever your goals are they are perfect for you…better off setting something you think you can achieve rather than setting them too high and not quite getting there…we’ll be waiting for that 15 km run post when it happens!

[nowster Graduate10]

This month's quest is to repeat RED January. This will involve a mixture of runs, with the shortest being ten minutes. I'm also hoping to work back up to a half marathon distance again. It's been a few months since my last one.

I weighed myself this morning and in my relative inactivity since the summer I have put on a few kgs. I shall have to ration my consumption of the chocolate lebkuchen shapes from now on. 😆

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Haha…no excuses now nowster …if I can resist those Viennese mince pies you can leave those choc shapes in the box! Red Jan is always a great start to the year

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I have been a bit naughty and currently have a silly number of boxes of them. I might have to do RED February and March to offset the calories. 🤣

What will actually help is doing the longer, over hour, runs again. But I want to work up to them gradually.

[dijep Graduate10]

Happy New Year to all fellow VRBs and thank you Mummycav for getting us started this year.

Like many others getting out has been a bit of a struggle this winter, either the weather was against me or I've been struggling to persuade myself to get the running shoes on. December has been a bit better mainly thanks to my chest torch purchase allowing me to get out early. But, yes there has got to be a but, my cross training in the form of Pilates, yoga and physio exercises have all fallen by the wayside. As a result running is definitely feeling harder so this has to be my quest this month-

* to join in with the daily YWA 30 day Centre program

* to do at least one session of Pilates (I really want to put 2 sessions but I won't push it)

* to resume twice weekly physio exercises before my tight back causes sciatica again

I feel my quest belongs really on S&F 😂

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

That chest torch purchase sounds like winner!

Setting your goals, ones that are in reach, is the way forward…one Pilates is absolutely fine, if you manage an extra one well, that will be a bonus…good luck with the yoga…I feel like I should be fitting some yoga or Pilates into my week somewhere…

Look after that back…there’s nothing worse than back pain…I’ve only had it once but oh boy was it painful, got to keep it moving

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Happy new year and good luck with restarting cto5k! I am always conflicted by quests, because I often don't stick to them! That said, I aim to run at least twice a week, three times if I can fit it in. I also need to do more other forms of exercise, so have signed up for a yoga class for the next 5 weeks.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Hi Roxdog …I know exactly what you mean…I often put my hand up to join in at the beginning but never seem to be able to stay motivated…but that’s because I don’t pop in here as often as I should…so hosting this quest will keep me focussed…you know what you want to do and have already taken steps to get stared so well done you?

[doggytail Graduate10]

Happy new year to allMy aim is to complete C25K (again)

Now that we have finally moved house and the kitchen is in, just the decorating to do . I can concentrate on getting fit again and leave the booze behind (it was for the stress) my excuse.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to doggytail]

sounds like a plan doggytail ….moving home is soooo stressful! Glad your in and getting settled and can finally concentrate on YOU! stay with us 😉 and we’ll keep each other in line!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Happy New Year to you  Mummycav ! It’s an exciting time of year with the big reset. This time last year I was still in the early runs of c25k so there was an obvious path forward. This year? An empty calendar. I’m having a lot of fun looking at events throughout the year. There’s a trail half in April I’m seriously thinking of so I’ll start by getting back up to 10k first then digging out the NRC HM plan. Before I fell over last month I’d done a couple of 7/8k runs so it should be fine. I had a badly bruised knee which feels ok now, thank goodness. I feel very nervous about hurting it again so I’ll be taking things slowly. One very nice thing that’s happened is MrU has decided to enter the 10k I did last year in June. We’re going to run together once a week on a Saturday. My main job will be to keep him running slowly!!

My quest?

One long run a week, one speed session and some easy runs

Strength session once a week

Proper stretching after every run (I’m still a bit rubbish at this)

Really good luck with yours-great to have you hosting!🏃‍♀️❤️🏃‍♀️

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

one thing I did a couple of years ago was to do a virtual run every month…just chose a distance to cover, paid the fee & at the end, a medal popped through the post…I loved it!!! In fact…I might just do that again this year…

Stretching after a run is also a bit of a pathetic effort…and one which our lovely friend Tim reminded us the importance of…so let’s make sure we heed his advice?!!

I’m glad your knee is ok now but I do understand the fear of it going again…gentle steps is the only way. To build the strength & confidence up again..

It will be good to train with MrU…keep a tight reign on him though otherwise he’ll burn out!! Maybe one weetabix instead of two?!! 😝

I love hosting quest..I hope to do it a lot more, it means I have to actually engage rather than lurk…and the inspiration from everyone is amazing 🤩

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

My sister messaged me about doing a virtual run challenge earlier today-it’s funny I’ve never heard of it and suddenly twice in one day! Love the idea. Haven’t settled on anything yet but going to try something for sure.

MrU will need lead weights in his shoes to properly slow him down. He usually only runs short distances so I’m hoping over the longer ones he’ll become more manageable!

I did have a proper stretch after today’s run and I felt very pleased with myself. Knowing I could come back and report that I’d been a very good girl was extra motivation! 😂

[Getfitok]

Happy new year! I restarted C25K for Tim’s run, but ice &Christmas then got in the way. I am determined to crack on with it now. I’ve also signed up for the yoga thingy(never done yoga before) &do more walking.

I want to be more organised with everything, so now is a good time to start 🥳

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Getfitok]

sounds like you know what you want Getfitok so go for it!!! The new year is a fantastic time to start..and stay involved in the quest 😜

[Tabbles Graduate10]

Hi MunmycavHavent really joined many quests on here so first quest is to join more this year

Second is to gradually increase distance as I have been covering less since my HM in September

Third is to Book a HM looking at one in March.

Years efforts

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Tabbles]

hi Tabbles …what a target that is?!!! Gradually increasing distance I’m sure will get you there…especially if you keep questing, there’s loads of motivation on here

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Happy New Year Mummycav It's great to have you hosting the Quest. Good luck with restarting c25k. This time last year I was just finishing c25k week2 after restarting just before Christmas.Things have slipped a bit in all departments for me so my Quest this month is to get back into things and get some base level of fitness back by:

Running twice or 3 times a week if I can fit it in, with one run being a longer run aiming for 10k before the end of the month

Restart the physio's back and shoulder exercises from earlier this year - I can feel both back and shoulder starting to niggle and don't want them to get worse.

Fit in a couple of swims a week

Properly try out the chest torch I bought a couple of months ago but has yet to accompany me on a run

Happy Questing everyone!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you Birdlady64 …I’m proper at home on here when I’m questing!!! Although, I love all the jobs…keeps me engaged & questing myself!! 2/3 runs a week is a great goal…the third being a bonus when you can fit it in, we know that life/weather & other random stuff can get in the way, that’s ok…as long as it’s not gremlins…they’re not welcome here are they?!!! Swimming will surely help with your back & shoulder problems, keeping everything supple. Better get that chest torch out too if you’re running in the dark…

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Mummycav,. Many thanks for the invitation to the January Quest. Count me in please, I'm edging my way to 10 k by March having done the JuJu 60 minute plan, but some way short of 10kms. This month I would like to get my weekly runs to build the endurance needed. My target for this month is 8kms having started the month today with a comfortable 7kms.A Happy New Year to you and fellow questers wishing you all success.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Chinkoflight]

Hi Chinkoflight …well done on your 7k today, sounds like you’re well on your way to that 10k…I can feel it, it’s waiting for you 💥

[Jogger22 Graduate10]

Happy new year Mummycav and fellow questers! Good luck with your c25k. I'm still recovering from a sprained ankle so my quests for this month will be as follows:

1) do my physio exercises at least 5 times a week

2) jog at least twice a week, increasing time of each run gradually

3) do at least 2 hurt foot friendly yoga sessions each week

4) do at least 1 cardio with weights sitting in a chair once a week

5) maybe start swimming again - still undecided about this one!

Wish me luck! 🍀

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Jogger22]

Hi Jogger22 …great to have you on board..brilliant quest you have laid out for yourself, I too am unsure about swimming even though I spend all my days is the car with teenagers coughing and peffing all day & then the same when I get home!!! But I am 80% sure I am going to return to the pool…

I’m glad your ankle is on the mend & will def benefit from a little yoga movement…stay focussed and remember, if it hurts…STOP!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Late to the party... again!

Here I am...not sure whether the Quest is the place, for me, but, we shall see!

The early gift of Covid laid us low over the festive period but the bonus gift of my first negative on Christmas Morning was a really welcome one! I think I got off fairly lightly with mild symptoms... and a very infrequent cough! The aftermath, however is the sting in the tail Post viral Fatigue means that running is, certainly for a while off the planning sheet.

BUT... there is always a, but, isn't there? I do have some very simple goals for this month.

:- Recover slowly and steadily...listening to my body, ( which I have to say is impossible to ignore. It yells at me

:- Carry out some very gentle exercise each day.. I have started the Center Yoga with Adriene, for January. But it is with tweaks and with lots of sitting and breathing exercises. Downward Dog is not featured in my routine... at all!

:- Fit in a very slow and steady, ( what else), walk. I have managed three so far... one where I got wet, but had not got the energy to move any faster! The furthest 1K!

I am still looking after Mr OF who has struggled a tad more than I !

So, there we go.

Happy New Year and Happy Questing. everyone x

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

It’s our pleasure for you to join us Oldfloss …I know the dreaded C got you but I’m so glad you’re on the slow road to recovery…and I mean slow 🐌…you are the biggest ambassador for slow & we hear you saying that word so much…because you know that slow is the best way…it’s like tlc for runners! Especially coming back after an illness or injury..your quest sounds perfect for you…I need to start and try for some yoga in..it always sounds so calming..good luck with your gentle goals, I hope, if the gremlins appear on your shoulder they’re only there to give you a gentle massage xxx

[CBDB Graduate10]

💨💨💨💨 I’m late, I’m late! But dashed here just now! So much going on!

Thanks so much for hosting the quest MummyCav!

In the past week, I’ve been overindulging into the runner’s equivalent of a box of quality street chocolates: I’ve committed myself to so many january challenges! I’ve basically pigged out on Fitness challenges! 🤣🤣 So that’s what my quest will be about, try to complete them! 😜🤪🥵😊😀

So over January I will (I will! I will!) complete:

- Row31 Indoor Rowing Challenge (2nd day report here healthunlocked.com/strength... )

- A month’s worth of the #Walk1000Miles challenge adapted to my needs by adding rowing and running (and crawling, and stumbling) to the mix. (Announced here healthunlocked.com/active10... )

- Do our monthly walking themed challenge, this month: Walking in the cold ( healthunlocked.com/active10... )

- Finish my Jeffing Running Plan for coming back from Calf Strain ( last report on where I am at healthunlocked.com/bridgeto... )

Phew! Workout-challenge overindulgence … just a tad, me thinks.

So I might be exhausted by the time the monthly quest finishes!

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

phew I’m exhausted CBDB 🤣🤣 ..best over indulgence ever! Let us know when you’ve done what and we’ll take all this inspiration and enthusiasm on our quests with us! You’re like tigger from Winnie the Pooh…❤️❤️

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

🤣🤣🧡🧡

[beth_f Graduate10]

👋 Mummycav Happy New Year 🎉

I hope I am not too late to join this month?

Like you, I've just restarted C25K again, having been plagued by knee issues, shin splints and ankle problems. I finished week 1 this morning on the dreadmill and cautiously optimistic that there will be no more false starts 🤞

So I guess my quest this month is to keep going with C25K and add some more strength exercises in. I am seeing my physio next week so I am sure he will give me more homework 😂

And I think we are just about to acquire a rowing machine so if that makes an appearance then I will add that in for some cross training on the non-run days.🤔

Phew!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to beth_f]

a rowing machine, how exciting!!! I love my rowing machine and over at our Strength and Flex Forum ( healthunlocked.com/strength... ), we have quite a few rowing workouts: healthunlocked.com/strength...

[beth_f Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thanks CBDB . It will take a bit of relearning as it has been a good 20 years+ of using a rowing machine but am looking forward to it - so will definitely check out your workouts ☺️

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to beth_f]

brill. You will see I’m a big fan of Scottish indoor rowing coach John Steventon with his RowAlong YouTube channel. He talks you all the techniques you might have forgotten. A series of videos taking you from 5 min to 60 (a sort of Couch to 5k for rowing) is here: youtube.com/playlist?list=P...

Enjoy! Fab decision to get a rower back into the house!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to beth_f]

Never, ever too late…you are very welcome to join in whenever you’re ready…your quest is similar to mine so let’s keep each other motivated? I’m on w1r3 tomorrow…it’s kind of nice to revisit c25k although I do miss being a smoothy!

[beth_f Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Yes I must admit I am enjoying it and although I am doing it on the dreadmill (which I normally hate) it has given me peace of mind that if something goes wrong, I won't be too far from home (well in my garden office). Be lovely to keep each other motivated. Hope your run went well today 😊

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to beth_f]

absolutely…as long as you’re safe & enjoying it that’s the main thing..my run was lovely this morning..before the sun came up x

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Hi Mummycav 🙋🏻‍♀️

Thanks for hosting this month’s quest…and thanks to Oldfloss for December…sorry I fell off the wagon somewhat 😬🤷🏻‍♀️🙄

I’m keeping it simple…and being kind to myself, with lots of leeway…

So…keep running…slowly working through NRC 10k plan, with the occasional diversion. Started W4 on the 1st.

Walking…try and fit in some structured walks, depending on weather…maybe 1 or 2 a week.

S&F…started 30 days of YWA …and do my own little stretch and core thing.

So…a bare daily minimum…either a run, or a walk, or a S&F, or 10 “brisk minutes” logged on Active10, or completed 12/12 of 250 steps on Fitbit.

This gives me lots of options, and stops me feeling bad about not fitting in 10,000 steps, for example.

…oh, and obviously post more 🙄😂

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Sounds good to me LottieMW …at least one exercise a day is brilliant, not only for fitness but for your head too I imagine? I’ve been on a lovely, rainy 4K walk with my little dog tonight…it was soooooo windy & we marched up this massive hill…by the time we got to the top i was almost pulling him! Poor little Monty! But my active 10 (which I only downloaded yesterday!) is really impressed with me! I’m going to complete c25k again and then look at juju’s 10k plan…or maybe the nrc one? Let me know how you’re getting on…

Being kind to ourselves is the foundation of what we do xx

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Mummycav]

Today was an indoors day…but I managed to jog up and down the living room, when prompted by my Fitbit…so have managed my 12/12 x 250 steps, and fast enough to log 16 brisk minutes!

I did JuJu’s plan…time then distance…and repeated it again after I repeated C25k, reached 9k in August, then just decided to go back to shorter runs. I tended to stick to easy/recovery runs for preference…but obvs then there’s no variety.

So with NRC, it’s pretty structured with the runs, in that each run is guided…but they vary in speed and length. Roughly speaking, there’s a recovery run, a speed run and a long run, plus 2 extras per week. I’m only running 2 or 3 times a week, but I’m embracing every run! 😄 (and if I don’t fancy, or can’t fit in the next planned run, I’ll run a different or shorter run!)

Sounded like a lovely walk…I love windy weather (if it’s fresh and dry!)…not sure Monty enjoyed it though!😂

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

I was almost pulling him up the big steep hill bless him

The nrc plan sounds good because you can adapt it to fit your day…good luck 🙂

[Vespina Graduate10]

Sadly, this month’s quest will have one goal for me - recover from Covid. Positive test this morning and I’ve been getting progressively more ill all day. Not quite the start I’d hoped for in 2023. At least I snuck an 8k in before I got sick.

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Vespina]

oh no! Poor you! Lots of rest and fluids…and hopefully some TLC for you 💕

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Vespina]

oh no! If you have Vit C in the house, make sure you take some. It’s good for so many things. Sending you speedy recovery!

[Vespina Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thanks LottieMW and CBDB . I’m actually taking some of my running hydration tablets which have loads of vitamins and balanced electrolytes. One of the (many) advantages of being a runner. And at least I didn’t get it over Christmas.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Vespina]

Clever! Running keeps on giving, even if thrown onto the injury couch!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Vespina]

oh no Vespina ??? I Hope it doesn’t knock you off your feet for too long…there’s always next month and all the months in ‘23…your next run will be waiting for you when you’re up to it x

[Vespina Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks Mummycav . Looking forward to getting back out there when I can.

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Slipping in late at the back please Mummycav with a slightly re-vamped and tightened version of my December Quest.

Run every week

Yoga most days

Hand cream most days

Foot cream most days

Lose the Christmas weight

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Living the hand and foot cream bit…!!! You’ll be all soft and supple with your quest!! 😉