Saturday 50 minute run 🥶

[Jools2020]

Oh, I just love running when it’s cold! Minus 1 this morning. Frost everywhere, but fortunately not slippery. Sun shining! I ditch my usual sun visor for a warm hat over my ears 😊

This was a ‘building run’ in my training plan. 5 minutes slow warm up jog, 40 minutes in effort zone 2 and 5 minute cool down jog. After 2 tough intervals sessions this week, this is the one to relax!

Out the door at 7:30 and there weren’t many people about. I started off on the footpath and there wasn’t much traffic about either, but I ducked into the park after 5 minutes or so. I had picked a playlist but turned the music off. I just wanted to run in silence this morning.

5 minute warm up over and I settle into the long middle section of this run. I don’t bother to look at my pace, or how far I have run. I just run by feel - I’m not meant to be pushing, just running easy effort. I start to meet a few people - a few other runners and dog walkers. The weather is glorious!

My watch buzzes at regular intervals to let me know my heartrate, I guess that must be built into the workout. I notice that it’s a little elevated this morning, possibly because I didn’t sleep well. I just ignore it and continue to run by feel.

Because I’m running for longer than usual today I repeat part of my normal route. I really need to look at other routes! My watch buzzes to tell me the 40 minutes is over, so I slow down for the last 5 minutes.

I remove my warm hat to take the photo as it looks rubbish 🤣. I’m not out of breath or tired! Looking at the stats I see that I ran 5K in just under 45 minutes. I did a similar time the last time I ran a parkrun - but then I was exhausted. Today, it was an easy run. I guess I’m getter fitter! The slower running is definitely starting to have an effect,

[Annieapple Administrator]

🍏Beautiful photo, lovely descriptive run and great timing! Yes there are days when music can be an intrusion on our other senses. Well done Jools!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks, Annieapple. You’re right - sometimes I want to listen to music - sonetimes a guided run or podcast. Today, I wanted to focus on my surroundings.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Amazing run Jools. There’s so much to be said for efforts like that, and the best thing is it keeps us coming back for more. ❤️

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oh definitely! I’m even checking out my intervals runs for next week 😬

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Sounds like a perfect run! After all the heat over the summer it's easy to appreciate these chilly days

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

I much prefer running in -1 to anything above 10 degrees! This summer was so hot and humid.

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate10]

sounds like a fab run and your hard work is paying off. Well done on relaxing AND getting the results with it 👏

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Slothgoesrunning]

Thanks! It’s nice to be able to enjoy a 50 minute run. I’m so grateful I can still do it.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Jools, your hair is amazing 😍 what a good run and it's definitely paying off

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks, Sue! It feels good to be seeing results 😊👍

[Lumaca0112 60minGraduate]

Sounds like a brilliant run, Jools 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Not sure I could do that in the cold 🥶! Brrr!

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Lumaca0112]

Thanks! It really didn’t feel cold for long 😊

[Lumaca0112 60minGraduate in reply to Jools2020]

I went out earlier and managed a very slow 5k run but in comfortable weather conditions - around 10° and sunny 😉

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Lumaca0112]

That’s a nice temperature if you’re running slowly. If you’re thrashing out intervals, it’s too hot!

When I was out yesterday, it really didn’t feel like -1, even though it was a slow run.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

well done Jools2020 great photo and write up

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

Thank you. It’s good to feel I’m improving! Doing my best to stick with it. Once you start to see results it makes it easier.