Grumpy to great tech fail run.

[MissUnderstanding]

This morning, I’d planned a speed run. There were two option: 20x30 second mile pace intervals or a hill workout. I can’t resist a hill run and it was already hot at 9am so I opted for the shady hill before heading to Pilates.

A good warm up at home with resistance bands and dynamic stretches. Unusually, I decided to forgo the usual five minute walk since I’d warmed up so well. Watch set up and the run began. Stepping outside the door was when all the problems started. Five minutes super gentle down to the village and to the bottom of the hill, then it was time start the guided run. Nothing. The app just froze. I closed the whole thing and then it wouldn’t open. The mobile signal is rubbish at this point but it usually works. I decided to jog for a few more minutes up the hill and try again. This time the app opens but the guided runs no longer exist. Trying a couple more times, I manage to get the run to open but not the guided run version. Maybe that will still tell me when to start and stop each interval. It’s worth a try! I set off for another five minute warm up jog and think that at least I’m still well out of the toxic ten.

Eight minutes later, nothing has been said by NRC and I’ve given up on getting it to work. I briefly debate doing my own intervals using my watch timer but at that moment, my watch informs me that it can’t get a GPS signal and if decide that it’s not my day! Instead, I make the decision to make the best of it and run all the way up the hill, along the top and back down again a different path.

Once I’d give up on making the tech play nicely, my run improved immensely. The weather was lovely-sun and shade. Little butterflies everywhere. Maybe a crop of caterpillars just hatched. Swifts overhead. It would be like something from a Disney film except that one of the fields has just been fertilised and smells pretty bad!!!

Running up the hill felt great-I’m really noticing feeling fit all of a sudden which is brilliant. Once I hit the top, the shade suddenly disappears and it’s very hot. The easy downhill is not going to be quite so easy in this sunshine. At least with no real tracking, all the pressure is off! I pick up a bit of speed and feel like I’ve found a really happy pace which is a little more than conversational but still really comfortable. A decent but relaxed effort. I love that sort of pace. Rounding the final corner, I reach the village again and the run ends. Five minute walk home.

I’ve got a vague idea how far I went and a vague idea how fast but what I’m taking from this run is that it felt really good! Maybe this was just the right sort of run for today. Who needs tech anyway!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Sounds lovely, from the run, the wildlife and no tech.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you! It was unexpectedly lovely, especially given the start! Almost walked home when I realised neither my watch nor my phone would record my run properly but then I realised how ridiculous that was and had words with myself. 😂😂😂

I’d have missed out on a corker of a run so I was super pleased I found my adult sensible head instead of my toddler tantrum!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Overcoming the toddler tantrum is a big win 😃

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Yay for your fitness and abandoning the technology MissUnderstanding ! 🥳

I did a completely tech-free run-walk-doggy-joggy with Jedi this morning. 23°C when we got back at 08.30, reached the mid-30s this afternoon. Storms forecast, as per usual 🙄

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you! I was in such a bad mood about it to start with that I think I didn’t really notice that I was running up quite a steep hill and then when I zoned back in again, I was so impressed with myself that the rest of the run was fab! Weirdly, if I’d set out to do that run, I don’t think I’d have enjoyed it as much as when I had it unexpectedly thrust upon me. I liked looking back and having a laugh at my childish tantrum at everything not working properly.

Great run for you and Jedi-23oC at 830am is hot! I’m super impressed. Did you find some shade?

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Very little shade as we were on the roads between the fields, and there aren't many hedges or trees. Can't run with Jedi in the forest, it's too rough and steep.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

That sounds tough! Super impressed with you both! ☀️💪🐕

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks! 😘

[BahamaMama1]

Tech is overrated, sometimes we just need to ‘feel’ what is right. I missed my run this morning with work calls at silly o’clock so hoping to go out tomorrow and hoping the promised rain will turn up.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to BahamaMama1]

You are so right! There are some times when I find it really helpful but my running got so much better once I stopped tracking and recording single every kilometre of every single run. I like it for speedier runs but my chilled out, easy pace runs? They’re pretty much all just time on feet now and I love that!

Hope you can squeeze your run in. Rest day here but long run Sunday is looking doubtful. Fingers crossed we’ll both be lucky!

[CBDB Graduate10]

Well done! I’m quite lost without my tech, so I should force myself to run without it at times.

The (Not)Disney moment made me giggle.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thank you! I guess the fields need the fertiliser by it ruins the tranquil atmosphere somewhat! It doesn’t exactly make breathing deeply easy either..,

I do a lot more “no tech” runs now-usually at least once a week. Maybe that should be “semi-no tech” because I like listening to podcasts. I just ignore all the running tech so my watch just displays the time rather than my pace/distance etc. I could actually leave my watch at home for those runs. That really helps keep my mindset as “chilled out, headspace, time on feet run”. I find actual full tech nakedness harder unless I’m running with someone!

If I was jeffing to certain ratios, I think I’d find it a lot harder to go no tech!

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Great run MU! Sometimes it’s just great to run without too much tech. When I ran this morning my music kept cutting out and like you I was hot and obviously once running down the hill I would have to run up it. Also went through one of the main fields I run and spied cow pats. So I did worry that I would suddenly be surrounded by them. However I actually saw them at the very top of the field lying under a big tree for shade. So I didn’t dawdle in there I must say.😂😂.

I’m so pleased you enjoyed your run after all of your issues.👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🥰

Have a great weekend x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

It’s so annoying when if doesn’t work as it should. Lots of posters seemed to have trouble yesterday. I think there was definitely something up with the universe!

I really like cows but not in the same field as me-I’d have been the same if I’d spotted a load of sleepy cows in the distance. Keep on walking/running and get on the other side of a gate!! Glad you got out. Beautiful day yesterday. Very much going to enjoy a lazy day today!

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks MU! Yes I’m ok too when the cows are in another field😂😂.

Hope your enjoying your lazy day🥰x

[nowster Graduate10]

(Glaswegian accent) Disney smell too good? 😆

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

😂😂😂🐄

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

😂😂😂 Love this!!!

[Teresa1632 Graduate10]

It's great to "run naked" (ie tech free)once in a while. I get my running club to abandon their watches and see who us closest to a 30 min run. The results are surprising!Though there us one runner who rarely uses his watch and came off Strava as he hated the peer pressure. A group of us ran a half marathon with him, and he estimated we would finish in 2:10. Well, he skipped and talked the whole way, went back to help another runner who was struggling, ran forward again to catch up with us, cracked jokes, waved at everyone. And we came in at exactly 2:10!

"Naked running" is a thing, and really enjoyable. Try it more often 😊. Well done!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Teresa1632]

Thank you-and I absolutely love that 30 minute challenge. I might try that setting a stopwatch on my phone next time I’m out and only looking when I think the timer has hit 30. I suspect I’ll be terrible at it! There are some runs where you don’t notice the time flying but other where I swear every minute lasts for at least 10 times longer!

I run a fair bit with my husband now I’ve given him the bug. Chatty running is just lovely and I find myself checking my watch far less. Those runs could absolutely be tech free. Super impressed with that bang on 2:10 half marathon. Your running club sounds lovely!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

It just sounds perfect... nothing but you and the world... and it looks absolutely wonderful too...so good that you are feeling fit and strong now too... xxx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

It was such a nice run! I still feel pleased with it now! ❤️

[Hedgehogs123 Graduate10]

Ive had days like that and whilst its frustrating, sounds like you handled it really well, accept its just not going to happen and make the most of it, and as it turns out you had a lovely run. Well Coach Bennet says every run has a purpose, maybe that one was just to have a nice relaxed day and to maybe remind you of what you have all around you. Nice to finish a run like that rather than let it ruin your day.😀

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Thank you and I think you’re absolutely spot on about the purpose of that run. Still feel happy about it now!

Luckily Coach B was with me for all of my long run today, part of which included a going up and over the same hill with no signal blackouts. Weird! Great runs often come unexpectedly like that.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10]

Yes, I've noticed if one piece of tech is having a hissy fit, they all throw their toys out of the pram in solidarity! Frustrating isn't it?