Welcome to Quest week 2! Autumn continues around here. The squirrels are loving the acorns and providing a lot of entertainment. Leaves are turning. But the weather! Is anyone else absolutely boiling?! October shouldn’t be this hot!
It’s been a good week of questing for me. I went a bit heavier with my heavy kettle bell on Monday’s class (a punishment for my laziness in getting out of bed and arriving late!). Pleased to have been managed it but for most of the rest of the week, I had an achey derrière! It meant I was much more motivated to do some stretching anyway! Three runs including my first “VO2 max” run awarded by Mr Garmin when I got a bit carried away on a four miler and did an impromptu tempo. That definitely sorted out my speedy run itch! Super chilled (well, sweaty because of the weather) 5k and a shorter but very hilly run with MrU including deer and bats. The other element of my quest was eating better and that’s been a moderate success. Lots of veg and lots of cake. Balanced diet? I think so….
So how’s your week been? Can’t wait to hear what you’ve all been up to!
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 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.
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★ To slowly increase distance
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MissUnderstanding
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Well done on the kettlebell class MissUnderstanding . Not tried them myself but I’m really enjoying using my dumbbells to work on my upper body strength alongside the exercises my physio has given me for my calves, hips and glutes.
My goal to get back to 5k and beyond following injury continues - and this morning I ran 4k. 👍The residual discomfort seems to be a little less with each outing now, so I am hoping my 5K goal by the end of the month looks realistic.🙂🤞
I am loving being out on the trails again (although keeping things as flat as I can at the moment). Autumn is my favourite time of year - but still waiting for the temperatures to drop and those blustery days when the leaves really start to fall!🍂🏃♀️❤️🍁
Thank you! There are loads of different ways to get stronger and it sounds like you’re doing a great job with the physio exercises and dumbbell workouts. So glad your pain is lessening. Hopefully that will continue and that 5k will be yours. Patience really pays off on the recovery trail but it’s hard to find sometimes!
Enjoy the trails and the autumn scenery. Happy questing too! ❤️
🍏Another lovely quest Miss U .. fab Autumn photo. You and your kettlebells are awesome! I might just try your diet too🤣
It’s turned very hot here as well, so I am going out earlier for my runs! I am delighted that I have managed 3 runs with lots of walking & Pilates on rest days. I don’t feel breathless anymore on the uphills & loving finding new routes.
My quest this week is to continue 3 runs for 30 mins uphill to get stronger plus walking & Pilates. I will need to do this to stay ahead of all the wicked treats brought in by my daughter in law! Yummy! 🤣
Thank you! Go you for sticking to your quest even on holiday. Super impressed! Hopefully those early starts feel like a nice way to make the most of the day and not too much of a chore. It sounds like you’re well on track to have a great week this week. Enjoy those treats from your daughter in law too! ❤️
Questing started brilliantly for me with my first ever 8k, which I posted about. But my covid jab, set me back. Despite waiting 48 hours the next run was dismal, I could barely run! But, I have kept up those strength exercises, adding dumbells to make it harder. We're away this weekend enjoying the gorgeous weather and hiking is on the agenda instead, so I'm hoping the running will be better when I get back to it. Happy running 🏃♀️
I bet you’re still smiling from that 8k- just from reading your post about it, it was obvious how much it meant. It took me a while to realise 8k is 5 miles, and 5 miles feels like a properly impressive distance to run to me!!
Lots of people feel grotty after jabs but having just had actual covid, it’s definitely worth it. Hopefully you’ll feel better soon. Sometimes those little enforced breaks actually end up being good for us. You’re doing exactly the right thing taking it easy in the meantime. Have a wonderful week! ❤️
Week 2 and I'm actually here remembering to reply ☺️ I'm going to award myself a ✅ just for that 😂I totally agree about the weather it's been ridiculously hot and very humid and it's seems so odd that it's really warm but dark by 7pm.
I think lots of veges and lots of cake is definitely a balanced diet.
This week has mainly been successful quest wise
Two runs done a 4k on Wednesday and 7k this morning (I need to write a post about that tomorrow if I remember) ✅
I did a couple of YWA classes, although one was focused on breathing plus I used YWA pre and post run videos on Wednesday when I ran my 4k. So thinking about it I reckon that's another ✅ This week I want to try something a bit more focused on strength... so we'll see 🤞
My other quest was to run a 10k which I've sort of penciled in towards the end of the month.
Really glad you remembered to reply too! I’m behind having had a migraine today…the balanced diet went out of fab window and I’ve mainly been eating crisps and toast to stop myself throwing up. Hopefully I’ll get back on the cake and veg now I’m feeling more human again. There’s one more banana and Nutella muffin with my name on!
Great week and great plans for the month ahead. My longer runs have slipped a bit so I’ll join you in a 10k before the end of the month! ❤️
You have had a busy time... and plenty of exercise! Well done you! Good to see you back on track !
I am still on track too...
* Week 4 completed and Week 5, Run 1 done and Run 2, this morning. Slow, steady , what else? I ran with a pile of Conkers in my pocket this morning... I should have collected them on the walk down AFTER the run!!!
* YWA, ongoing, but I am picking and choosing my sessions...
* Walking's a regular activity and on my last walk/talk, my counsellor told me my walking pace has really increased. !
* My calorie intake is rising and I have put a point on! Yeayayayayy !
I am feeling stronger and a heck of a lot more relaxed. !
Fantastic week for you! So much to celebrate. Do you think we can get HU add an extra shiny “graduate” badge over on couch ready for when you finish again? This comeback has been so good for you and I’m sure it’s helped a lot of other returners along the way too. Here’s to another wonderful week ahead ❤️
Hi, great to hear about all this success!I'm pretty happy too. Goal 1 of 2 runs a week, yep (well close enough, ran on 1st and 8th lol).
Goal 3 VO2 still 'excellent' and even improving slightly so that's pretty good too.
Flight home is booked for Sunday 22nd but I've got my COVID booster on Friday 27th. Parkrun will probably have to wait until November. I've felt a bit knocked out after previous jabs so will need to take it easy.
Fantastic to see another successful week. Loved your recent post about running in Greece and the added bonus of being able to swim straight from the run. It sounds like you navigated the kit challenges admirably! Crossing fingers your garmin rewards you for your efforts with the VO2 max staying excellent!
Enjoy the rest of your time away and really hope the jabs don’t know you too hard. Worth it! I’m still feeling the effects of having had covid a couple of weeks ago. ❤️
Nice goal…I can get my strict face out if that’s helpful! I have a very effective teacher glare that I save for when it’s needed or wanted! 😂
Hope it’s the sort of week where you just feel like running and don’t want to make excuses. If reasons do pop up though, it’s absolutely ok to be nice to yourself and we will always be nice to you here! Have a great week! ❤️
I am loving your balanced diet of veg & cake 😁 mmm cake (can you tell I am missing it 😩) and your kettlebell class.
As for me:
Still keeping on top of my strength and flex.
Yoga nearly every day.
Running when I can. I have decided to do one 10 minute interval treadmill run once a week and either a longer run at the weekend or a ParkRun. My ParkRun's are normally all on a hard surface depending where we end up but did an off road one on Saturday and my legs are still screaming at me today which has told me that I need to go out and do more of the hilly, rutted off road runs which are on my doorstep (not my favourite but good to mix it up a bit).
Reducing sugar intake - going well surprisingly. I'm mostly cutting out refined sugar and have reduced it in my tea. No sweets, puddings, cakes (not that I had much of those as allergic to milk and soya) and have found lots of new recipes to help curb the sweet cravings. Also being mindful of my general diet and having better nutrition. 2 weeks into this and already noticing a difference - less brain fog & more energy.
Great week and great plans! I bet you’ll see some benefits from that interval run. I find them really fun. Really good idea to mix up the surfaces too.
It sounds like the sugar reduction is going well too-apparently it’s hardest at the start when you adjust but gets easier when you’re through the withdrawal period. It’s wonderful you’re already noticing positive changes-that must feel really motivating to keep going with it.
Hi missunderstanding, sounds like you've had a great week!
Mine has been very good in parts. I did two speed runs on my NRC HM plan, a tempo run and an intervals run. (A bit out of sync as I normally plan them one per week.) Both went very well. I then followed it up with a long easy run on Sunday, which was "Another 10k run" with Coach Bennett. I ran at an easy effort, but I think the systematic inclusion of speed runs over the last 5 weeks has noticeably raised my easy pace and I took a whole 4 minutes off my PB!
Looking forward to this week as the plan takes me beyond my longest run yet, up to 8 miles this coming Sunday.
The less stellar part of the week was feeling a little niggle in my right Achilles tendon. I've cried off the skipping for a few days and it has quietened down, so maybe pick that back up on alternate days.
Getting to bed at a good time has been challenging, in part because a sick moggie has had needs at not always ideal times!
Congratulations on that new PB. 🎉🏃♀️💪 You’re making great strides … literally! The NRC speed runs are just so good.
Achilles and sick moggie. Oh no!! Really hope both are improved. It’s awful when the furry members of the family aren’t well. Sending healing thoughts to both of you!
Very limited success here, partly I think recovering from run, and then all sorts of frazzlements. But it is remarkable how beneficial even tiny bits of yoga classes can feel!
Even if it’s limited, any success is worthy of celebration. Yoga is my go to when it’s frazzling here. There’s always some short online video that chills me out! Here’s hoping next week is a calmer one for you ❤️
After the parkrun on Saturday I got involved in stripping down and fixing the crackles on a 20+ year old sound mixing desk. My goodness! So many knobs and screws (ooer Missus!). Thankfully none was lost (though one screw had to be drilled out). It is as back to being as good as it was when I got it. Anyway, it took two days.
When I was ready for a run on the Sunday afternoon, having put everything back together, I started to feel a bit off. My tummy was not happy.
As most of you will know, running makes tummy troubles worse, so I didn't run. And then overnight I had terrible cramps and couldn't sleep, just like my other half had been the previous night. This meant I was off work on Monday.
Gradually I got over it. Normally something affecting my guts is a 24 hour thing but it lingered.
I wasn't really up for anything involving up-and-down movement until this evening, when I did my short course of 2 miles. Thankfully no accidents.
And as usual, my watch was ahead of the game, with the stress values reflecting my illness a full day before I started to show any symptoms.
Late is not a problem here! Sorry you’ve been under the weather. Really glad you’re feeling better now. There is something extra nerve wracking about running when you’re getting over a tummy bug. Hopefully next week will be a more normal one for you!
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We're off to the vets later for a checkup.
