JULY JAUNTING... JULY QUEST...WEEK ONE...

[Oldfloss]

July Jaunts

Good Morning Runners!

White Rabbits... Pinch Punch, First of the month !

It is JULY!!!! Can you believe it?

The first thing to say is, thank you to Folkylass for hosting the June Quest. Keeping us all going whilst inspiring us with her own running adventures. Wow!

I was a bit occupied last month with all sorts if stuff, and just managed to get a few runs in here and there. Finding time for all that needed to be done was tricksy!

Hopefully this month will give me, and all of you chance to get out there, for some delicious runs ; long or short, give us chance to work on some exercises, some different strategies for our running or, help us focus on a special event that is waiting in the future.

I had a super run yesterday, short and sweet, ( post follows), and my Quest for this month will be, simply, to run.

Okay:

Last month I have been reading all your incredible posts... but now, we all want to know what your plans, or goals or desires are for this month!

So:

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.

You need please, to be 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 strength and flex 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 “ or “ I would like to”. So come and join us ….it doesn’t matter when you come on board.

So let’s start this month, with a spring in our steps, song in our hearts, ansd, of course a smile on our face.

Happy Questing Everyone...

Oldfloss & The Team x

P.S.

If you have not seen the post already... we have a new member on the Team... yes, it is Folkylass ! She is going to be an awesome Ambassador!

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

I would like to join the quest, my motivation has gone and I’m struggling to run, the quest might help me get out there. Thanks Oldfloss.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

You and me both.... we could keep each other going maybe? A run is always better, with a friend by your side Well done you! x

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

Hi OF, I’ve not managed any runs for 3 weeks now (I have been hit with the same virus/bug I had for 6 weeks last December). It just wiped me out with sore throat, cough, sinus pain etc.

I’m so frustrated as I felt like my fitness had really come on since that setback last time only to be hit with it again. I’ve cancelled a race two weeks ago and I have another one next weekend which I don’t think I’ll be able to do either.

Hoping July is kinder than June for me 🙏🏻 xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dendev75]

Oh blimey.... that is tough and you have had a really rough time !

Maybe make a target just to start feeling a tad better and to take the shortest most relaxed jogette, when the time feels right?

No pressure... just head out, walk a bit if need be and see how it feels. I do empathise and I feel there may be a few of us here, all trying to support each other... and we can do that!

Stick around and we will all keep each other going !x

[Dendev75 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks 😉 I’ve found that I’m on here more as I’m not running which is nice as I can keep in the running loop and still help with advice for our new runners👍🏻 x

[Gthants 60minGraduate]

I'd like to keep up running three times a week. Plus I'd like to do a 5k by the end of the month.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Gthants]

Great goals... simple ? Doable and really well worth it ! Good to have you here x

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Hello... I've ended up with another couple of months off Questing and that's not good.... but I really couldn't come up with a satisfying, achievable, meaningful plan. But I think I have one now so please sign me up.

1) [Omitting the long saga] I have taken delivery of a Fitbit Charge 5 today which comes with 6 months Premium. So goal number one is to explore all the new features.

2) I have made a tiny bit of progress with weight loss. The final week of the month will see me on holiday so before that, I would like to make more progress so that I don't end up at Square Minus 5 or whatever post holiday. The other motivation is that MrGM is now quite significantly unwell with a variety of issues which could be helped by significant weight loss so some solidarity would help.

3) I'm still running but oh my goodness the barriers! [I'm right with you @Oldfloss] I had to laugh this week when I finally got out only to get a text from MrGM with an urgent need for me to buy painkillers so he could get to the toilet...😬 [again, long story!] fortunately I was only 10 minutes underway. Because of goal 4, I want to prioritise my running to include a 5K so that I'm ready.

4) Run on holiday when I'll have out of hours access to a lovely NT estate.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

oh so sorry to hear about MrGM. Sending lots of healing wishes your way!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Hello you! I love it when you join us...always one of my inspirations and one reason why this old snail is still here and still hanging in there!

Okay... Goal one ... that could well overtake all the other targets... I had my new Garmin in April... still working it all out and losing runs and everything else all over the place... but a great target!

Goal two.. a super one... and i am really sorry that Mr GM has a few issues...maybe together that can be sorted ?

Goal three ! Oh blimey yes!!!! Life just has a habit of throwing stuff at you, whenever and wherever... getting that 5K in sounds just grand.

Goal 5... sounds , intriguing ... are you holidaying ON an NT estate... we caravanned once on one and it was awesome after hours !!!! Do tell...please... !

Anyway... I'll be watching out for your posts and replies... and we will hopefully keep each other going? x

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Sorry to hear about Mr GM. Virtual wishes winging their way to you both.🥰

[CBDB Graduate10]

oh I’m late. And rabbits, again!!! Saw a Netflix psychological thriller last night, where rabbit masks were a thing!! 😱😱 What’s with rabbits at the moment? 🤣🤣

My quests

- do the 5 Tibetan rites daily

- continue running and rowing regularly, keeping current level, consolidating on my current level … until ….

- my next 10k plan is finished! So one of my quests is to finish this plan! Preview: healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Thanks for hosting!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Hello... ! I am late too! That film sounds very scary!

Tibetan rites... YES..I am with you there and even Mr OF is doing them with me now!

Continue running... yes, yes yes... and rowing too... but the running it will maybe be the biggest impact on that 10K...

That 10K is the biggest target !... I and we will be watching carefully to see how it all progresses!

[Folkylass Graduate10]

I’m late too ! and thanks again OF for you kind words. It’s your turn now to keep us all on the right track which I’m sure you can do with your eyes closed.

So June has been and gone,so quick too….where did it go?🤔😳

My quest for July is to run more and hopefully longer ,Pilate more……sooo bring it on!😂😂🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️🤸‍♂️😂x Oh yes I almost forgot I’m also going to sing as I stride for CBDB July challenge 🎤🎧🏃‍♀️😂😂.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Good morning..., well I will do my best to stay here with everyone as we run through our quests together... x

Where is the year going... six months from yesterday, and it will be 1st January 2024! What!!!

Lots of , more , there. ! More runs, more time, more Pilates and a challenge to top it all off. I need to look at that one.. I am nit sure about singing AND striding though

Looking forward to the posts and replies... maybe we need audio reports? 🤣🏃‍♀️ x

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Now there’s thought🎤🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤔🥰

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

I’ve snuck in on day one! I absolutely love new month day when all the new posts go up. New starts are the best! Thanks so much for the great post and I love love love the beautiful simplicity of your quest.

I had a great month questing last month. Huge thanks to Folkylass again. I hit 10km for the first time since I was injured and I am absolutely thrilled about that. I’m feeling really positive about how things are going and have actually fallen into a routine of running on certain days, doing strength on other days, doing cross training on some days too. I feel like a proper grown up runner with a plan! Normally I absolutely hate feeling constrained by that sort of thing but for whatever reason, it’s working now.

This month’s quest is going to be a bit of a continuation of last month…

Follow NRC HM plan running three times a week

One Pilates and one swim

Two strength sessions

I still want to have a go at setting a 5k PB but I need to figure when to fit it in. Hopefully by mid July. By the end of July, I’m hoping to be back to around 14/15km but that’s very flexible. The main thing is to keep enjoying the runs and stay pain free.

Happy questing everyone!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Good morning... and what a super set of goals for this bright, exciting new month.

You have had a successful time on reaching your 10K and building on that small milestone, of confidence, makes the plans for continuing seem just perfect.

They should all be doable and within reach, and I know that you are very aware of listening to your body and accepting that even if there are setbacks, you and the runs can be patient...

I think the last goal, may be one that we all need to tuck in somewhere.."...to keep enjoying the runs and stay pain free ".

Looking forward to your posts and replies here x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks so much! I’m happy to report that yesterday was another 10k run. Literally “Another 10k run” on the NRC app and Coach Bennett was on top form. So nice to feel like last week’s 10k wasn’t a fluke!

Absolutely love the Quest posts for staying on track and nicking ideas from. Thanks so much for keeping us all going! The support on here is just brilliant ❤️❤️❤️

[alisonr54]

I’m in 🙂 I’m trying to get back into things after problems with my knees so a challenge is just what I need to motivate me. I’m hoping to just slowly increase how long I’m able to run for. Also will be doing exercises to strengthen the knees as I go.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to alisonr54]

Hello and welcome... Great goal there...just having a focus is a good thing. These pesky issues do have the potential to slow us down or try to stop us from our running.

Taking it slow and steady and being kind to yourself will be the way. There are lots of exercises for knees on the Strength and Flex Forum... many of us, have used and still use these, as a basic , go to, exercise..

nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/r...

Look forward to your updates!

[alisonr54 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, will have a look at those knee exercises. I’m looking forward to getting back to regular running 😊

[Cassie_7]

Many thanks Floss I'm in!🔥

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cassie_7]

Good to see you here!

[Cassie_7 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks great to be here!

[chrisl72 Graduate10]

Hi Oldfloss, thank you for running the Quest this month!

You'll see my thread post elsewhere with a longer update

But my Quest for this month is simple:

3 runs per week (might add a 4th) - Tuesday and Thursday plus weekend.

Following the NRC HM plan but with a twist.

Keeping up the Pilates and other workouts on non-run days.

Experimenting with some Yoga flows, currently following the beginner Yoga plan on the NTC app.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

All sounding good to me.... 3 runs a week... I m intrigued by that twist is for your HM plan... sounds interesting

Maintaining some extra exercises... always really useful...keeping everything going...!

The Yoga flows sound really interesting too... I need to look at those.

Well done you... looking forward to your posts and watching your progress! x

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I'll check in each week

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

There were good reasons why I couldn't run in June - the heat, unfamiliar places, a bad hip, a bad knee (the one that's usually.y good knee) and finally a stinking cold. Plus, I actually lost some weight last month as it was too hot to eat, but a fortnight at my in-laws eating 2 or 3 fried pies every day, I think I'm back to square 1 on that.

So, the Quest for this month is to run more than last month, when I only managed it once.

Also I want to do an interval run, a tempo run and a 5k.

This time last year I'd do that in a week but I'm setting a low goal that I hope I can achieve.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

A low goal is a goal... and that is a great beginning..

Doable and hopefully not too challenging...to run more than last month... yes..it does not have to be a lot more?

Interval run, tempo and a 5K run...great.... choose the routes and shake it up

I think you are going to get back on track... pie free, for a while too... although I do love a good pie Thanks for joining us! x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

The pies were a temptation too far. We knew we'd only be there a week or two at most and they are so good. Then we added donuts as well. From living on tins of tuna salad for a couple of weeks to just living on carbs....🐷

As for the goal, things can only get better, I hope. My cold seems to have sorted itself out as have the knees and hip so all being well I'll be out there tomorrow for an easy 3k to get myself back in gear.

My good running shoes are in France and I'm in England so I may just have to force myself to get another pair, what do you think Oldfloss ?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Essential, I'd say ! Xxx

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Correct answer !!!! 😂😂😂

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Hallo Oldfloss! Thanks for hosting our questing for July, crumbs, is it really July?! I haven’t really done very well in the quest in the last couple of months and the heat in June just wiped me out! But it’s definitely cooler now and I’m away with family this month, so my very simple quest is just to run when I can!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Hello.... June has absolutely whizzed by ! I can hardly believe it... the heat of last month took its toll on many folk.

It is cooler now, I've just watched a weather forecast with single figure temperatures on it! Lovely to be away and with family too.... so your target seems a very sensible one. I feel you are in good company, many of us, including myself, have set the one goal...just to run!

Juts do it if you get the chance... know that the runs will wait if you are not able... and of course.. enjoy the holiday and have fun x

[LulaHula Graduate10]

Morning,

Late as well, must be the white rabbits. I quested last month for the first time and because I’d told you all I had to be accountable.

So 3 runs a week, and add a proper day of strength training as this has been sadly lacking.

Have a good week everyone

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LulaHula]

Back on track...Good to have you here. We'll watch for your posts!

[beth_f Graduate10]

Hello Oldfloss

Sorry bit late on this but would like to join again this month please.

My quests are much the same as last month:

- Core work. To spend 5 or 10 mins every day (if possible) doing this. After doing it daily last month I have noticed a huge improvement in my running.

- Strength work. 3 times a week using weights. One lower body, one upper body and one total body workout. Again have found improvements in my knees where I was struggling before.

- Running. To get out when I can. At the moment it has only been once a week, partly to help with the knee issues but hoping to get out twice a week moving forward. For the first time in a very long time I had an absolutely brilliant run yesterday, where there were no niggles and feeling very comfortable.

- Yoga/Pilates - to fit these in when I can!

Off on a short UK break next week so hope to keep up with this but will substitute the weights for bodyweight and will improvise as I go!

Thanks very much for hosting this month ☺️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to beth_f]

All good sound goals there...

Core work is, I always feel absolutely invaluable... maybe because I am older. keeping my core strength and stamina topped up really helps!

Running... so many of us this Quest, making the same goal... to just get out and run... when we are able as often or not as we are able

Yoga for me... But Yoga and Pilates sounds fine,; if you can find time Every little really does help !

Enjoy your break... and just pop in what you can if time is at a premium... you have got to enjoy yourself

Looking forward to your posts and replies as we all run through this Quest together xx

[nowster Graduate10]

Late to the party again. My excuse? I'm currently on holiday.

I'm currently in a flattish area of Kent and have been exploring the local back roads and footpaths (and have been picking up all sorts of seeds and burrs on my socks).

My quest for this month is to do 5-6 runs per week, with more middle distance (10km) runs than I've been doing recently. The trip and fall at the end of March (and the consequent bashed knee) set me back a fair bit. Running every day up to that point also was causing my performance (and overall mileage) to drop off.

This previous week (in June) has seen me bounce back a bit. The flatter terrain will have helped.

So what's the plan for this month? More of the same, hopefully. This week I intend to keep exploring the area where we're staying, and then hopefully keep up the momentum when we get back home. So, plenty of runs but also enough breaks from running to allow me to recover.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Sorry for the late reply... travelling back to the Llyn...Not a great deal of flat here, as you know

These goals are sounding very positive and achievable...Your holiday posts are showing that some routes are really different and exciting too.

You did have a time with your fall and the consecutive days of running.

Finding that balance where you keep momentum but don't over do it, must be hard. Exploring the new area on foot is great, so much to see and enjoy... carry on and we shall watch your progress carefully .

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Good morning OF. So I have so far managed to run three times albeit small ones, Pilates once and ….and I did stride and sing to Freddie Mercury’s Barcelona🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️😮.😂😂😂. So now to conquer my second week……but no today as this is a rest day.

Have a great day OF🥰

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Huge well done you !!! This is terrfic! Could i ask you to cut and post this in the new Quest post... which I have just managed to get up and running!

I want folk to share your success! xxx

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Will do !🥰😂😂