NRC 10k plan Week 3: (not really a) Struggle Run

[Yesletsgo]

After Tuesday's horrible Fartlek I was a bit ambivalent about the idea of running but this is when habit takes over. The weather was OK, I was OK, I had a plan, out I went.

Due to heavy rain overnight we decided against running over the fields so followed the waterfront to the marina instead. I was glad that today's run was a 25 minute recovery run, the Struggle Run with Coach B. I would just take it really easy. This was more of a challenge than I expected, normally the temptation to speed up and get on with it takes over.

There was very little wind. Why oh why couldn't it have been like this for the fartlek? Plod, plod, plod at a little more than walking pace. Good discipline to keep at this.

On the way back Coach was talking about how sometimes stopping is the best tactic in a run. How I wish this advice had been included in the 30 On 30 Off run! Towards the end when my heart was beating out of my chest and the wind was trying to blow me into the North Sea I'd felt so guilty stopping, dropping my head to my knees and breathing deeply to get back to where I was comfortable.

OK, I sped up a little at the end, couldn't resist it but my average pace was 9'28", perfect. Not sure I like running at this pace for so long but it's good to try something different. Mr Garmin obviously liked it, my VO2 is up a little and he's knocked 2 years off my age

Mr Y was way ahead of me and took this pic. I noticed he was taking it and tried to look like I was making a bit more of an effort than I actually was 😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Well done you... ! A good run !

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, I enjoyed it

[Sax64 Graduate10]

Well done for getting out there and ticking the run off. I think I've done that run and I think Coach B's advice about stopping sometimes is actually a gem. I recall being out on a longer run and feeling a tightening in my thighs. After realising that this wasn't going to settle, I allowed myself to stop for some stretches and massage. It worked and I thanked Coach B for giving me permission to stop, it's not cheating but good sense. Happy running 🏃‍♀️

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sax64]

It's so important to know when you need to stop. Luckily I think I may have done this run before as well, or at least listened to Coach B often enough to know that sometimes the smart thing to do isn't to carry on regardless. Either slow down, stop, do some stretches or just limp home.

After all, this isn't supposed to be torture is it? 😂

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Well done Yesletsgo ! great picture too. Where is that ? You mentioned the North Sea and I wondered how far north you are 😂😂🥰x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Not that far north I'm afraid, in Essex near the good old Thames estuary. The mouth of the estuary is about 10 miles up the river but it was blowing so hard that day I thought I might end up there

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Right being a Geordie myself when ever I hear the mention of the north or the north weather I immediately think of Newcastle upon Tyne 😂😂 never thinking of anywhere else I’m afraid😂🥰x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

I know what you mean, it's a really big sea! Goes all the way up to Norway and down to Kent and France 😱😂

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

🤣🤣👏👏

[Vickster007]

Well done for getting to week 3! I've newly discovered the NRC app and I'm on week 7! But it takes me more than a week, to complete each week (if ya get me). So, I tried the 30on 30 off yesterday! Yes, burning lungs and nope, I did not complete it, one to repeat! Well done you for getting out there and carrying on, after a challenging fartlek! Keep going, you got this 👍 💪

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Vickster007]

Thanks! It's taking more than a week per 'week' for me as well. I don't really like running two days in a row and sometimes need an extra day or two (or don't fancy going out in the horrible weather).

Glad to know I'm not the only one who found 30 on 30 off hard, sorry about your lungs. One to try again when it's nicer!

At Week 7 you're nearly done, well done Vickster007

[Kjb04 Graduate10]

Well done! I’m also on week three and the 8k run nearly saw me off!! 😂 Made the mistake of not eating something before so did some walking but I’ll repeat the week until it feels stronger. 🙂 We mustn’t be so hard on ourselves!!!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Kjb04]

My next run is the 6K, if the conditions are good this is about at the limits of my comfort zone. I normally run on an empty stomach but if it's more than this I'll have a little to eat, thanks for the reminder.

Also, need to remember to get some jelly babies and water to take for the longer runs

[Kjb04 Graduate10]

😀👍 enjoy x