Run report: Meadow browns and damselflies

[chrisl72]

I've had a few days off wrestling with a recurring migraine and took it easy until I was feeling properly better this week. I felt ok-ish yesterday, so gave it another day. This morning I felt a lot better. Happily the next run in my plan - NRC HM plan, still in week 1 - was the 25 minute easy run. So off I went.

I deliberately took to the local trails alongside the reservoir. The ground is rather uneven and the grass a little longer than it probably should be, and this helped me keep the pace down.

And did I manage to keep it down today. Finding a genuinely easy pace is something I have struggled with but today I managed to lock in at around 15 minutes per mile, against my usual of around 11 minutes, and kept it really steady for the full 25 minutes.

I've shared some photos in my earlier posts, suffice to say it is very pleasant. On a recent run I was sending up hundreds if not thousands of Common Blue damselflies. Today they were slightly less abundant but still plentiful and now augmented by dozens of Meadow Brown butterflies. Alongside the beautiful views this made for one of the most pleasant and relaxing runs I've experienced, and a perfect way to blow out the cobwebs from a few days enforced rest.

This is a run I could see myself repeating, and I can see how recovery runs at a super-slow pace will open the door to gradually increasing the runs-per-week and forming the backbone of one's running practice.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Glad your migraine has passed. It’s been miserable weather for setting them off. Hopefully that’s the last of them for a while.

Really nice run! Those chilled out, easy pace ones are just great. To be surrounded by so many damselflies and butterflies sounds really special.

You’re absolutely right-building up at mainly conversational pace is a really sensible way to go. Even elites still run 80% of their runs at easy pace. Lovely way to run.

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

That's the thing though - I thought I was running easy before, but yesterday was a bit of a revelation just how much more slowly I could go! I can handle more runs like that

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

I remember when that happened to me! It’s such a great feeling! Enjoy finding it again. ❤️

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Good you are feeling well enough to run. That's a good plan you are doing and what a lovely thing to see all those butterflies

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you, it was a bit special!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Lovely run Chris, and I’m glad you’re feeling better. 🙏 Right, you’ve inspired me. I’m off to the trails this morning and I’ll be counting butterflies. There do seem to be a lot around this year, which is great news. 🦋

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Fantastic! Did you manage to get out on your run and how did it go?

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

Sounds like a great run. I’m a huge fan of super slow runs and really look forward to mine.

Glad you’re feeling better and were able to enjoy it!

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you!

[Gthants 60minGraduate]

I will definitely do some slow running mixed in with other runs. I reckon it will be a way of running for longer and building my stamina.

Clearly a great view too!

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to Gthants]

I think that's the trick getting a good balance. Good luck with your runs!