January Quest Week 2 - still feeling keen?

[Yesletsgo]

Another week, another cat! Maybe my goal should have been to take up generating AI images of cats 😊 At least this one has 4 legs in approximately the right places!

It’s Week 2 of the January Quest, how are you all doing? It’s not too late to join in for this month if you needed extra time to get over the New Year, we’ve all been there.

Weatherwise, here in the UK we seem to be hopping from storm to storm and now a cold spell, just for variety. The ground is waterlogged near me and this is one of the driest parts of the country. I woke up this morning to a hailstorm so surprise surprise no running for me today. Who needs to add ice to the already offputting seasonal hazards?

Like a lot of you, I suspect, I’ve been trying alternative routes in a vain attempt to keep my feet dry. Mud is one of my pet hates, messy and slippery and cold, and avoiding it is taking all my ingenuity. With the current freeze, if I had a decent gym next door I’d definitely be considering the treadmill.

Despite all this my own running has gone well until today. I’ve done the first 3 runs of the NRC 10k plan and the two Nike Training Club workouts that they recommend for Week 1. The actual distance I’ve covered isn’t that huge but it’s early days so I should be able to do at least as much as January last year. I’d planned to do another run on the NRC plan today so am hoping tomorrow or Wednesday will be better. I'd say they couldn't be much worse but that (a) wouldn't be true and (b) would be tempting fate.

Anyway, enough about me, what about you? There were a lot of excellent goals put out there last week. Some of us are easing ourselves gently into the New Year, others are challenging themselves more, and we had some fantastic longer term goals. A New Year can be a new start or just a progression from what’s gone before. Whichever, it all adds up to just maybe pushing ourselves a little harder than we might have otherwise which is always interesting.

If you didn’t join us last week don’t worry, it’s not too late to share your goals now that you’ve had a little time to think about them.

In case you’re not familiar:

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 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

* Yoga goals

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! I would like to...”

If you have any questions about anything just ask!

❄❄❄Please remember that it’s cold outside so you need to take a little bit of extra care – do your warmups before you leave the house, wear layers and watch out for ice, mud and other obstacles. The idea of this running lark is it makes us healthier, not injured!❄❄❄

Happy Questing

Yesletsgo

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Hello...... and YES!

Despite wind and weather, rain and hail, a twinge in the knee, frost and black ice.... I AM still keen!

I have kept yoga-ing, strength and flexing, walking and all the normal household tasks that add up to a workout! But after two weeks.. and the last few days waiting for the twinge to go... yesterday I RAN !

It was bitterly cold, wall to wall grey and the air so cold, it took your breath and black ice, unexpected, which added to the mix.

But wrapped against the weather, cap and buff, mittens and lightweight RAB... I RAN !

Not far... 2.2K only... slow and steady of course, up a hill, of course, and CB thought I was amazing...of course he did!

I agreed... I am totally awesome !

But gosh, was I glad to get back home again!

Happy dry and warm, Questing everyone ! x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Hello again Oldfloss , where do you get your energy from? Glad to hear that the knee is better, what a nuisance that it's so cold.

There's no 'only' about 2.2 km, it's quite enough when it's so inhospitable outside, especially if you haven't run for a couple of weeks. CB was absolutely right, you are awesome!!

(did he also say you finished the run a better athlete than when you started? He'd be right about that too )

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

He did... were you listening in

It was not the easiest of runs... but I am glad I did it... it has been even colder today and now , the real feel is -4 ! Yes, a tad warmer would have helped... but, I was rewarded as I walked through the garden to see the first snowdrops peeping through... a sight of the hope of things to come...

"If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?"

Thank you x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

The wind chill is a killer isn't it? Here it's supposed to be around 2 or 3C tomorrow morning but feeling like -3C with an east north easterly wind. This will have whipped across the North Sea and just feels so bitterly cold and damp. If the sun's out it makes it a bit easier but if I don't go out I won't be beating myself up.

Love snowdrops

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Here they are..the forerunners..

The first...

[Cassie_7 in reply to Oldfloss]

Lovely! I very much doubt ours are out yet, but I will check tomorrow x

[GTFC Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

👏👏😀😀⭐⭐

[FurtherFaster Graduate10]

13.3 / 600 km for the year done. Sadly looks like I'll be iced in for a lot of this week (where I live in Germany it won't be back above freezing until Sunday 🥶🥶

Not great as I was hoping to get another 10KM in this week, but better safe than sorry. There's a lot of running left in this year, and I don't want to risk it for a run.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to FurtherFaster]

Looks like it's a lot colder in Germany than here in the UK. Not a good idea running in the ice so better to wait until it's above zero than risk injuring yourself.

You have plenty of time left and the longer runs can wait until it's easier. In the meantime, stay home, stay safe and gather your strength. You've got your priorities 100% right

[GTFC Graduate10 in reply to FurtherFaster]

Absolutely the right thing to do 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to FurtherFaster]

Sensible x

[GTFC Graduate10]

All good this end too. We keep marching on and getting out there. So far it's going well and that's all we can ask. One day and one run at a time will get us to the end goal 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Absolutely...a great mindset x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Fantastic, consistency is key if you and Tasha are going to get through RED January. I really hope the weather is better where you are, you are doing so well!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Love that cat picture! I often see one like that on a particular run route but it’s been too grotty weather lately. Hopefully with it being drier now, I’ll have a picture of him for next week!

I’ve had a really good week of questing. I haven’t hit all of my goals but the runs have felt super positive and that’s my main thing. I’ve been out three times, done four of the NRC 10k plan runs and run ten miles in total. Very happy with that. I’m very, very close to tipping on to the next NRC run level…I’m sure I’ll be able to report that I’ll have done that next week.

I’ve had a bit of a niggle with my neck so didn’t end up swimming and I had to bin my weights based strength workouts for yoga and Pilates instead. That worked well. I’ve walked a lot this week and really enjoyed that. Eating has been better-making a couple of soups at the start of the week was a good move for easy veg lunches and something hot during this freezing weather! I’ve not quite managed to hit my target but I’m pleased not to be solely existing on cheese and chocolate like over Christmas!!

So I think I’ll keep the goals the same for next week. Here they are to remind myself!

1) Three runs from the 10k plan

2) Two really good strength and flex workouts

3) Two swims-one gently ticking up the number of lengths

4) 5 a day fruit and veg, 5 days a week

Happy questing everyone!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Well done on your 4 10k Plan runs, you're doing really well. Also, it's kind of exciting when you pass than run level on the NRC app. I didn't realise I cared until I was approaching it and then it became quite a big deal

Hope the neck gets properly better, all the strength and flex and swimming will build you up. It's so important to try and keep moving so you don't seize up.

Definitely soup weather. It's one of my favourite things and it hits the spot when it's cold. I make it 2-3 times a week and am freezing the leftovers for my son to take back to uni with him. It's got to the stage where I've run out of containers and there's no room for anything else in the freezer.

Well done on cutting back on the cheese and chocolate. It's so very easy to overindulge at Christmas and sometimes I think it can do you good to just enjoy it, but you don't want to overdo it. If you have any cheese left you could use it in your soup? Broccoli and/or cauliflower soup are lovely with some grated cheddar or a crumble of stilton added at the end. I won't call it cheating if you don't, and the microbes in a proper cheese are really good for your gut biome (I'm sure I read that on the internet so it must be true!)

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

I had broccoli, leek and Stilton soup for lunch on your suggesting! It very much hit the spot (and added a couple to my five a day quest!). Thank you!!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Lovely soup that one, glad you enjoyed it

[Sax64 Graduate10]

Yes January can be challenging for questing outside, but I'm thrilled to have completed W1. Fortunately where I live there's no flooding and I can find a route along lanes that's not too muddy or waterlogged. Got my 4 runs in woohoo! Parkrun on New Year's day, where I got caught up with the crowd and ran far too fast, but I got round ( PB) and chatted to some fab runners. 2 recovery runs (4 & 8ish k) and an intervals session. I've been using Coach B and Headspace for most of the runs to keep me motivated. Strength & pilates✔️ so all going well and I'm feeling like I'm recovering from all the festivities now. Let's see if W2 goes just as well.

Sunrise, winter flowers and my stats

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sax64]

Well done on getting 4 runs in last week! That's fantastic going. Congratulations on your Parkrun PB too!

The Headspace runs are great, aren't they? They really get you thinking about what you're doing and how your body is working. They made me realise that running isn't all about going fast all the time.

With the strength and Pilates there'll be no stopping you Sax64 ! I admire your time management skills too

[Sax64 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thanks, I had a go at a couple of the girl with the pilates mat new year YouTube routines. Wow, you really know you're working. She makes it look it easy, but it definitely isn't. I should have abs like concrete if I can keep it up!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

We've had snow today! My quest for this week is to get Wednesday over and start increasing walking, officially no running for 4 weeks but walking is good.Have fun and everyone on the 10k plan I'll join you eventually

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Hello SueAppleRun , well, it's Wednesday morning so you're nearly halfway to getting it over with

Enjoy your walk, hope you get some sunshine for it.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you, it was all done and I was home by 11, and brilliant sunshine behind my dark glasses

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Take it easy and put your feet up for now, you need to save your strength!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Walking is definitely good. The weather is supposed to brighten up a bit from Wednesday so it'll be a lot more inviting.

You'll be running 10 k before you know it SueAppleRun , just take your time and build on all the experience, ability and knowledge you already have

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

I'll be reading posts with happiness for all who get out and run, I'm going to ask specifically but slow running isn't bouncy so might get to start short runs sooner this time round

[Annieapple]

🍏Loved reading everyone’s energetic quests.. warms me up! Cold here too with biting winds from the snow capped Pennines. Red January going well for me so far. Three good runs last week, one being a 5k. A walk on the other days plus some S&F work. I do want to get back into Pilates but it hasn’t happened yet! Delighted to say the fruit and Veg are slightly overtaking the Christmas Treats .. hubby is away so a delicious Curry packed with wilted baby spinach was quickly made! ( he hates curry) Now to get rid of the smell in the kitchen 🤣 tips anyone?

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

You've got a pretty energetic Quest yourself Annieapple ! Well done for braving the weather but hopefully you have beautiful views to compensate.

Your curry sounds lovely. Never had to worry about getting rid of the smell in my house, everyone likes it, but bicarb seems to be a go-to smell remover

[Annieapple in reply to Yesletsgo]

🤣☺️Will try that! 🤩 Thank you

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Good morning Yesletsgo . Well all good so far. Last week I managed two trail runs and one trail walk . They weren’t long ones but I did manage them .

So this week ….well? It will be much the same as last week except with one added bonus ….cutting back on the Xmas treats and snacks so hopefully I’ll get rid of the Xmas llbs🤣🤣and try hard not to eat between meals.Perhaps that could be a quest all on it own🧐🧐🤣🤣….

1. 2 x3 runs.

2. Walk more.

3. Pilates S. F. ( still waiting in the wings)

Happy questing everyone and keep safe and warm🥰🥰

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Well done on the runs so far, the Pilates/SF will come in time.

If your house is like my house the Christmas goodies are dwindling away to nothing so that'll remove the temptation. I did read somewhere that if you fancy a snack you might just be thirsty so have a drink of water instead. Not quite the same as a Dairy Milk but a lot healthier.

Good luck!

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Yes all our Christmas goodies have all but gone so has the temptation yippee! I already drink between 6 to 8 glasses of water every day as I love it so it’s not a problem for me to drink it.😂😂🥰x

Another good picture of a cat….Is there any dog pictures too? 🤣

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

I was wondering whether to try a dog next time....

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Yes why not ? But I have to say the cats are great. How do you do that? Thanks for hosting Yesletsgo your doing a great job keeping us all enthused ! 😂🥰x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you, I've been playing with Microsoft Designer. Definitely a fun way to waste time this cold weather

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

👍🥰x

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

wow you have all been so busy, I have been walking daily and keeping up with the lovely Adrienne 30 days of yoga and husband has joined in which has made it fun!

Running hopefully on the cards later this week, looking after the little person next couple of days so my anxiety about driving to my sons has reared it’s ugly head again which knocks me for six, just can’t stop overthinking. Definitely need to run to release all these thoughts 🙁

Love reading all your activities and can’t wait to join in 🤞🏻

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Nice going with the walking and well done on the yoga, especially with your husband joining in. Good to have company

I sympathise with the driving anxiety. We live at the end of a long and twisty country road, miles and miles of it. I had to drive to London yesterday for my son's birthday and the M25 was closed on the way back, necessitating a long, long detour in pitch darkness. I was very glad I hadn't realised I'd have to do this beforehand. Just remember you are a safe and careful driver and seeing your son and the little one will make it all worthwhile.

A run might ease your nerves, maybe one of the NRC Mindfulness runs? I find them really calming.

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you I’m trying little by little x

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Keenish Yesletsgo

And showing up and posting here is number one on the list, tick.

Finally got out for a wee run, about which I have posted elsewhere. My plan for this week is at least one 30 minute run and then I'll feel ready to get down to my 5k goal for the month. I had almost convinced myself I couldn't possibly go for another run until I had new shoes but I could and I did (still fancying new shoes mind...)

More regular yoga - yes. Personal practice and the Qi Gong program on Ekhart Yoga started. Planning to do a couple more classes from the program this week and have wrestled with the tech a bit so I have them downloaded.

More walks - not bad, some of them more focused on views than continuous walking so more food for the soul than the body. But who could argue with catching waterfalls, with the amazing light over the Hope Valley and Kinder Scout and the Peak district edges, with the beginnings of plans to get to High Neb one day soon, and Chatsworth garden illuminations?

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Keenish is good enough 😂

New shoes would be even better, some bargains about now, not wishing to add to the temptation. If they get you out there running even better.

Well done on the yoga and walking. It sounds like you are in a beautiful place so that's a huge spur to get out there.

Sounds like you're doing great

[Cassie_7]

😂 Fantastic cat picture! Many thanks for continuing the quest. Like you I am not a fan of mud glorious mud! So I have been doing indoor workouts, toning with weights, cardio and standing Pilates. Ground here too is saturated and we had a scattering of snow yesterday so I was not keen to go out running in that! X

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Cassie_7]

Glad you like the moggie 😊

The indoor workouts will get you in great shape for when the ground dries out and warms up. I wouldn't go out if it was snowing either.

There's always next week!

[dijep Graduate10]

Hi all ,☺️🙋 Only a couple of days late in replying 😂I agree completely about the mud, it's everywhere. Thankfully with this colder drier spell I no longer sink as I cross the playing fields that are part of my route on all dog walks and many runs.

I managed to keep up my goals for last week. I did get behind with the YWA but have caught up now. My second run last week was a real case of mind games. I really didn't want to get those shoes on but eventually went knowing anything was better than nothing and that a 3k run was perfectly Ok. I further distracted myself by listening to some pace music - a real novelty for me as I really don't like listening to anything when out. But sometimes a change is a good thing.

I'm should be out later today and will be back on the yoga mat this evening till on week 2

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Whoever called it 'glorious mud' didn't have to run in it!!

Well done on keeping to your goals last week, especially managing to catch up with YWA.

Regarding the music, I've discovered that I love running to drum'n'bass. My son liked it when he was at school and we'd listen to it in the car so it always makes me nostalgic for those times. These days he finds it hilarious that this is what's in his old mother's ears when she runs. He's even advising me on what to listen to depending on whether it's a slow or fast run 😂

Keep up the good work!

[nowster Graduate10]

My most recent run was Monday 1 January. Looks like I got the latest HV.1 COVID strain, which mimics many of the symptoms of a heavy cold.

Last night I tested clear, even though I'm still coughing. I decided to have a late afternoon walk (just over a mile) to clear out the lungs.

That seemed to go well.

A sunset over fields with two oddly shaped trees.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Hope you make a full recovery soon nowster , sounds like you've had a tough time

[chrisl72 Graduate10]

Hi Yesletsgo , a bit late back to week 2 here, not to worry. I had to take a few days off due to illness, but back on it this morning with a 25 minute workout at home. Looking forward to Parkrun tomorrow.

Wiser head prevails going forward - I don't think I will be able to do 5 runs per week, at least not regularly, within my current schedule. Perhaps while on holiday! I'd really like to be able to do NRC plans within the 5 runs per week but that's not to be for the moment.

Still hopeful to get a Pilates workout in over the weekend to make this a half-week.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Better late than never chrisl72 , if you feel ill it's such a good idea to take it easy.

The 5 runs a week on the NRC plans are optional, the 10k Plan says the main thing is to do a recovery run, a speed run and the longer run in the week. Or you can add in extra rest days, doing the 5 Plan runs over 10-14 days.

You're not alone in finding 5 runs a week a bit much, lots of us are following NRC plans and either doing less or doing it more slowly than suggested so good luck and do what you can. You'll still get there, don't worry

[CredenceRainyDay]

Happy to report that I've achieved my main quest goal over the first two weeks. Had a lovely 5.87k run in the park today. Brighton blue sky, cheery folk encouraging me and some excellent tea and cake on returning home. The energetic walking is o.k. as I have to do 50mins everyday as part of my commute. Not so chuffed with the Strength and Flex/yoga goal as since returning to work after 2 week break just can't get out of bed at 6 to do this. Keeping up 35 squats while brushing my teeth a.m. and 1 leg balance 2x30 secs each leg brushing teeth p.m. Wee bit of stretching and yoga post runs so when it's written down doesn't sound so bad after all 🤔🧘‍♂️

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CredenceRainyDay]

Fantastic achievement CredenceRainyDay , you deserved that cake! Your yoga/SF sounds pretty convincing too.

I did the Nike Training Club workout recommended for week 2 of their 10k plan the other day. Yesterday I had aches in muscles I didn't know existed. Not sure if this means I was doing it right or doing it wrong 😂