SPRING into ACTION... MARCH QUEST...2024 - Bridge to 10K

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SPRING into ACTION... MARCH QUEST...2024

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate
45 Replies

WHITE RABBITS, ( or hares) , everyone !

Well yes, It's ME! Here I am again, just when you thought it was safe to go out!

This month I get to carry out one of my favourite roles, hosting the Quest! How lucky am I ?

A HUGE thank-you to Folkylass , for hosting the Quest last month, she kept so many of us, even me, going, with her posts and her lovely photographs too !

I had a successful quest last month, although hampered a few times by wind, weather and general stuff, getting in the way, I shall be posting my quests for this month soon! I am slowly getting back to full strength , though!

It is a very chilly and icy start to the day here in the Moorlands, and heavy snow is forecast within the hour; my run this morning, may or may not happen,; but plenty of routine exercises to get me moving! The runs are patient and they wait!

But.. enough of my rambling.. what about all of you awesome folk ! I cannot wait to see the goals you have for this month!

If you are new to the Quest, her is the info ' !

SO: 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 do 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.

Some popular goals are:

♦️To run three times a week

♦️To slowly increase distance

♦️To train for a specific race

♦️To add Stretch and Strength exercises to your weekly routine

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 want to ..............

Every week I will put up a new post and we can all chat about how we are doing.

Looking forward to seeing you, and if you do fall by the wayside... I may just come looking for you:)

Oldfloss x

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Oldfloss
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45 Replies
Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministrator

🍏 Well that hare would be hard to catch🤣Gorgeous photo! Delighted to have you hosting Oldfloss!

My goals are 🍏to continue the 5K race plan on NRC

🍏add the James Dunne exercises to my pre run warm up and

🍏start my non run days with the gentle Tai Chi routine.

Hope you get your run in Floss but be careful of the ice 🧊 xxx

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Annieapple

Morning ! Good to see you here, and nice to have company... brrr.

I shall be indoor exercising today I think.. the snow is coming down heavily and I am not going out with the icy conditions as they are!

Okay... YOUR goals... oh wow!!! They look so good, doable and fun... not too many and all so different. Just carrying on with the 10K build up and supporting that with the JD exercises.

And... the T'ai Chi warm up... I am so glad... and Changing Room Chat is focusing on that this week too!

Well done to you and I shall watch for your progress each week ! x

Folkylass profile image
FolkylassAdministrator

Good morning 🙋‍♀️Fabulous photo Oldfloss. I love hares. One of my favourite folk songs I sing is “Hares on the Mountain” by Shirley Collins. Thank you so much for hosting this months quest 🥰

Anyway for my quest this month is much the same as last month’s

♦️Continue my revisit of C25K with Steve Cram🤞

♦️Try to complete at least one Pilates session.🤞

♦️Be more determined to succeed 🤞

♦️Keep looking for the positives in everything 🤞

And also I shall be trying out the T’ai Chi.So watch this space……..

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Folkylass

Hello! This sounds like a lovely song...and the lyrics are really funny :) I used to belong to the Folk Club at University...

I think your goals are spot on... not too pressured, challenging only yourself.., I like the ones on determination and looking for the positives, too! I have a mantra I use sometimes. Be Positive Negative? No!

I hope you try the T'ai Chi.. it is worth it... and so enjoyable ... well done you. I shall watch your progress!

Folkylass profile image
FolkylassAdministrator in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks Oldfloss. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a lot more done this week.

Yes the song is lovely and you’re right the lyrics are funny. I love singing folk songs and have now got quite a catalogue of folk songs from various artist which I love to sing. Tomorrow I’m going to try the T’ai Chi and see how it goes.

Have a lovey weekend 👍🥰xx

Happy questing everyone👍

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Folkylass

Enjoy x

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10

Snow! We have sunshine here after a whole load of rain. I’m heading to Pilates and will either walk or do an easy run later.

Last month was a great month questing for me (thanks   Folkylass !). Having a plan to both follow and rebel against has been a great focus. I’m back at 8k for a happy long run. 10k will be coming up soon and I can’t wait! This month I’ll finish the final 4 weeks of the NRC plan and then jump into a half marathon one. It feels great to be back here again! My VO2 max is trending up, my runs feel easier and I’m faster in the speedy runs. I’m carrying on with last month’s quest goals because it’s worked really well.

So…

🏃‍♀️Three runs a week, any length, non negotiable.

🏃‍♀️Strength, flex, swim.

🏃‍♀️10k by the end of the month!

Happy questing everyone!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding

Pilates was good...:) I know...and your goals are spot on! I think you will achieve all of those... I hope to join you on10K by the months end.. !!!

That three runs.. non negotiable... well done! Do you think you will get that one? I would like to think i could do that, but sometimes stuff really does get in the way... !

You are back on to it, and it so good to see you there... looking forward to seeing your progress. Well done you !

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Thank you and you’ve reminded me in the quest last month, I clarified that the three runs, non-negotiable had the caveat that illness/genuine tiredness/injury would override that. That’s really important and appreciate the opportunity to say it here! I’ll add that next to my next quest goals.

Most of the time, I’ve got time to go out for a short run but I just don’t. I’m really lucky that I live somewhere safe enough to put my trainers on and go for fifteen minutes at any time of day. When I’m running regularly, it makes a massive difference to how easy it is to keep going and how fit I feel, regardless of how long the run is. I almost always enjoy my runs once I get out there! This will help push me out of the door and worked really well last month.

Pilates was great this morning although I think I’ll feel it in my core tomorrow. Lots of planks with twisting and dipping of hips! We were all clutching our stomachs afterwards!!!

It’ll be brilliant to see both of us back at 10k! Some celebrations to plan I think!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding

Indeed, and I am sort of doing the same with some very short ten or fifteen minute leg stretchers... we have to listen to our body, don't we... You have made a terrific comeback!

Your Pilates sound painful... I hope you are all okay by tomorrow !

I think celebrations will really be in order.. ! I need to practice a jump for joy too ! Eeek!

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Thank you! I am feeling pretty pleased with how it’s all gone, mixed with a little bit of nerves that it was this time last year I started with all the injury problems, I ran this evening for half an hour (just a lovely, chilled one with a podcast I wanted to listen to) and really enjoyed how nice it is to be back in this place. I’ve worked hard with all the physio and strength work to find comfortable running again. Long may that continue!

I find Pilates isn’t too bad for aching on the day you do it, but the next day? Burn central! It’s a good burn though-an “I worked hard pain” not an injury pain. I’ll be sorted by Monday ready to do it all again! Anything is better than a sports massage though and I know this will help with that!!!

Let’s get practising the jumping for joy…I think we can count that as plyometrics!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate

Plyometrics...that sounds so important! Yes ! Your run sounds, just right... you, are going to be just fine x

Sax64 profile image
Sax64Graduate10

I love everyone's quests, they all look really achievable. Mine is to be less obsessive about my exercise regimes. A recent post on HU really got me thinking about why I'm doing this, and really it is about health, fitness and aging well. Yes I've got to the 10k benchmark, but that's enough for me. This is just another string to my fitness bow. So I'll endeavour to🏃‍♀️ 3 times per week, distances as I feel.

🚴 when the weather's up to it

💪keeping up with some pilates and S&F.

But like folkylass, I'll celebrate what I do and not beat myself up with what I don't, particularly as I'm currently resting my running legs for a few days. My knees are protesting after spending too much time kneeling, whilst playing with the 2 youngest grandchildren this week. I should know better by now! Happy questing.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Sax64

Hello...

The goals so far look terrific don't they? Your goals look super and so relaxed. Letting it evolve and taking it as it comes... just grand. Many of us a are taking a gentle approach, particularly if we have done 10K before.

Listening to our body and our mind and enjoying it.

Those grandchildren's knees !!! Oh yes... I remember that so, so well!!! Wonderful eh!

Well done you !

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10 in reply to Sax64

Oh really interesting overarching quest! My mother used to say rather bitterly of my obsessed father "It's all very well keeping fit, but fit for what?" (being able to kneel comfortably to play with grandchildren seems an excellent fitness goal to me!!!)

Sax64 profile image
Sax64Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe

I knew I was going OTT, when I loaded the NRC HM plan! I even did one week (11 weeks to go that includes a 10k). Then I came to my senses, realised how much time and effort I would need to put into running and put the brakes firmly on. I like to do lots of different activities and running is just one of them, which I've now got the hang of, very much thanks to C25K and all the wonderful people here on HU.

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoGraduate10 in reply to Sax64

Oh, the Nike HM plan! Back before they put the 10k plan on the app I decided to do it (my daughter in law was training for a HM and I sort of thought it showed solidarity). I got to 8 km, a few weeks in, then thought 'why am I doing this, I don't want to run a HM it's too far'). Having said which, I'm really enjoying the 10k plan.

Isn't it great to have the maturity to understand what you want and why you want it?

Sax64 profile image
Sax64Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo

Absolutely

Ann_get_it_going profile image
Ann_get_it_going

“The runs are patient and they wait!”

I cannot tell you how much I needed this little sentence in my life. I haven’t graduated so cannot join the challenge but i am so glad I read the post.

Enjoy March!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Ann_get_it_going

That is good to hear...stay positive as you move forwards, however slow or steady...we get there !

Gthants profile image
Gthants60minGraduate

My quest is to start to run for FUN. Good start this morning!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Gthants

Yeay!! Great goal...well done you!

Huffnpuf profile image
Huffnpuf

Hello Oldfloss 👋, I would like to continue with my runs and build up to 10k 🤞🙏

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Huffnpuf

That sounds like a super goal... there's a few if us on that route!

Gthants profile image
Gthants60minGraduate in reply to Huffnpuf

Good luck and happy running!

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10

Well, I am here, of course I am here, I need to be here and thank you for being there!

I had a very satisfying Quest and generally last month and I'd really like to follow that up. However, there are some elephants in the room and perhaps I should use the March Quest to address those.

We all want to remain as fit and well as we can for as along as we can... but we are none of us immortal and that is why number 1 on my Quest goals for this month is:

Set up an appointment or whatever to make a will. (We have put this off, not because we are in denial but because it is a bit complicated with a child who will need a discretionary trust setting up)

Number 2 is the bloomin' obvious because I have a subscription for a 'medal a month' - a 5K run

Number 3 is to keep up with the yoga classes. Last month I very much enjoyed the 'Zen in 10' suite at Ekhart yoga. I am not sure quite where that leaves me for choosing another programme - I might simply redo the 10 yoga sessions from that programme over the month, but I'd also like to see if I can push for a bit longer. Perhaps a restorative or yin session would fit the bill and an excuse to dust off my bolster.

Number 4 is to read 52 ways to walk and ease into the season of lighter evenings

And number 5 is to leave the red zone on the NHS BMI calculator. It's just a small, do-able hop in the general scheme of things, but I am putting it out there so that it isn't just do-able but done!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Hello... well yes, here I am... better late and all that.

5 sound goals there and an eclectic mix too... some maybe easier than others to achieve..,

You seem to be well on the way to most of them and success was seen last month, so building on it is a plan!

Hope the Will business gets sorted... a really tricky one to get right, I can only imagine.

I like the 52 walking ways one... is that a book title? and, hard though it is to believe it, the evenings are drawing out, says she as the first sleety snowflakes begin to fall!

Good luck with the BMI.... which end... ? I am hovering still, just above the underweight end... despite my best efforts...and the last two weeks of hard physical work has not been helpful, even though I have eaten like the proverbial horse... Weight , up or down, can be sooo tricky!

We will be looking out for your progress!

RollingPea profile image
RollingPea

Hello all. I didn't do badly in Feb, but I didn't do terribly well either. The weather and work got me down. I managed 3runs/week only twice, cycled less than usual and didn't do much S&F. I had to take myself by the scruff of the neck and start on a WithU 5K running improvement programme just to keep myself going. Thank goodness I did! Now I see why lots of people on this forum are doing NRC plans and the like. They do help with mixing things up and motivation don't they? Now I'm having fun! So my March Quest is easy: stick with this programme.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to RollingPea

Huge well done to you on last month and your goals for this... Life and the blinking weather, seem between them, to try to upend us. But, you are made of sterner stuff... so on you go...

Mixing things up and shaking it about can really get everything going again.. and at this time of the year, we all need that little nudge ! CBDB had a great quote,in her post on Active 10... ”Nudging is the magic that dissolves the glue that keeps you on the couch”. It is true and i am going to ask her if I may use that one !

Well done you... we will be watching out for you! x

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

👌🏼😀 👍🏽 (now where is a glue emoticon … ✂️… nope … anyway, here is the couch 🛋️from which we have already been nudged off from!) 👍🏽

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoGraduate10

Hello Oldfloss , lovely to see you hosting this month! Great picture :)

I'm travelling again so the running routine that was going so well last month is completely out of the window. I won't be home probably for another 10 days or so, so this month's goals have to be very modest.

I have my running shoes with me so there's no excuses lol

So, goal 1 is to run in Italy. We're heading back to Sardinia for a few days before the long drive home. We've been to the town where we're staying a couple of times now and I have an idea of where we can run, even if it's not very far.

Goal 2 is to try and do at least one of those squats where you put your back against the wall - wall squats? - per day

Goal 3 is to get back to 3 runs a week once I get home. The NRC 10k plan is just warming up but has been on hold for a week so if I can carry on with that (8k run coming up!) that'll be even better.

Maybe one day I'll set some ambitious goals :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo

Hello and happy travels! Well you have the shoes... always a good start:)

A run in Italy... it sounds bliss... and just running in somewhere warmer? sounds lovely...

The wall squats are good... they were in the Isometric post on S and F... I find them really useful... hope they go well for you... I am sure there will be plenty of lovely located walls to lean against! :)

That three runs a week one? It can be a tricky one... I always seem to struggle with that, so I have stopped saying, three times! I am sure you will do it though!

I think those goals are ambitious enough... and some of your lovely photos will be wonderful!

Well done you! x

chrisl72 profile image
chrisl72Graduate10

Hi @Oldfloss, thank you for hosting again :) My Quest for this month is fairly simple. Run 3 times per week with an easy, speed and long run. Stretch goal is to get in an early 13-miler to get the final tick in my HM plan, then have a couple of weeks off-plan, before starting the NRC 10k plan.

Keep up some strength and flex too, which served me so well at the start of February.

This is intentionally vague, as I started the year thinking, I'm going to run 5 times a week and do this, that and the other, and it was too much to fit in.

So this month, get back to a decent structure that is do'able.

Good luck everyone on your Quests!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to chrisl72

Hi there... this is all sounding really positive and doable! Even if you feel it as a tad vague:) Keeping it flexible and listening to what our body tells us is the way to go... we shall watch for your posts!

Well done you¬

chrisl72 profile image
chrisl72Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

hi Oldfloss, thank you! Sadly, I did a 4 mile run at easy pace this morning only to find near the end that my knee pain had returned. This is very disappointing and have to decide what to do over the next few days - obviously take a rest again but after that. Will update in week 2 of the Quest.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to chrisl72

Oh this is rubbish for you. Sending much sympathy your way! Have you got a diagnosis for what’s causing it?

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to chrisl72

I thought I'd replied to you..oh gosh...not good.. hopefully it may ease?

chrisl72 profile image
chrisl72Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss

Hi Oldfloss and MissUnderstanding , thank you for your replies :)

I don't have a diagnosis but have just been investigating physios in my area. Found out there is one based at my GP surgery!

It has been ok today (no running) but if it is the same thing (I think it is) it emerges after running for a little while. The pain is around the lower outside of my knee, roughly where the two bottom bones meet. The older folk in my family all have or had arthritis, so hoping it isn't that.

Having two weeks off in February sorted it for a couple of weeks, the 4 miler was my longest run yet and the pain started in the fourth mile, but during January it was showing up earlier in runs.

I think I will call the surgery tomorrow and see what physio appointments are available.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to chrisl72

Definitely worth seeing a physio. That’ sounds like where I had pain-it was IT band syndrome for me. It’s been a nuisance but settled with some specific strength and flex work. Good luck with getting an appointment and some answers!

61Lady profile image
61LadyGraduate10

Sorry OF - tardy note and ticking off for me 🙄

My March Quest is …

continue my 10k plan so by end, I will be at the end of week 6 and almost halfway through the plan.

aim to add photos to my reports - everyone seems to do such lovely ones and I always forget.

I missed my step goal in Feb but will try again in March … 310,000. On target after 3 days 👍

Wishing all the very best to my fellow questers

Look forward to catching up with you again at the end of the week

🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to 61Lady

No ticking offs for you:)

Those goals sound very doable and I love the adding photos one. So good to share folks' locations and runs, all over and in all weathers too..

I think you have the March steps already licked!

Looking forward to your posts... and good to have you here x

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate10

Hi Floss,

I have just managed to make it here in time for the first Quest week, please may I join the fun and thank you so much for leading us this month.

My Quest as you know is to be10k ready by early April, a feat and a half in itself!

I have completed W5 R1 of c25k today, so am a long way off target!

This month is all about building up stamina and distance. I am only fitting in 2 runs per week, and supporting this with a daily yoga practice.

I will complete Wk 5 this week, then feel it would be sensible to return to run/walk intervals so that I can run for longer without collapsing with exhaustion!

I have yet to make 5k again but that is a target for this month.

I enjoyed reading everyones quests very much and the theme of running for pleasure is strong.

Good luck to you as you work through the timed 10k plan, I know you had a very chilly, not much fun outing this morning. Your poor hands😒

On we go! 🌷 xxx

Too late for white rabbits but here is one anyway 🐇 to show I'm in.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Hello!!! Well,,, as for that 10K ready... ? You and me, both!

You are running and getting there.. and your yoga is keeping you strong... Walk/run sounds just great to me and I know that I am going to be doing that.

After having to cut a longer run short... and it was, as you know , a very uncomfortable run... I am happy just to take the next weeks as they come.

Just keep on with what you are doing.. and we will get there... our old, acknowledge, accept and adapt...life and the weather has stopped many of us getting three runs a week in... it is as it is..:)

Better to reach that 10K finish line having enjoyed and had fun is the thing and we will do that, won't we. !

White rabbits Day 3... :)🐰xxx Your in the Quest xxx

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10

Finally getting around to posting my quest! A bit late but hey… I had to recover from a very strong February. Strangely, after a rather challenging January.

It’s ups and downs often with me and my body, and I just gotta go with the flow of it.

So this months? I’m starting a bit slow as I felt quite exhausted with very tired legs the last 7 days or so. Initially I thought it was my increased workout regime in Feb! But we now think that it was the fact that we accidentally bought soy milk rather than almond milk, and was drinking it in my daily coffees and breakfast protein drinks after years of avoidance of soya. It interferes with my thyroid, so lethargic legs are a symptom that fits the cause.

So starting a bit slow this months, but on my quest list are:

🔲 finish my ASICS Runkeeper plan (3 runs to go!)

🔲 do my regular walks

🔲 have fun playing around with my heart rate monitor stats from rowing and running

Specifically the last item is currently giving me a lot of fun imagining new ways of designing training programs, using heart rate zones! It’s the first time ever that I’ve had a HR monitor, and the colours and additional stats just fascinate me!

So I’m all happy keeping on keeping on with some new stats and colours!

Happy questing!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate in reply to CBDB

Hello! Oh gosh... a bit of a rough time... lethargic legs are not good ! But.. you are here and back on track hopefully!

Sound goals and achievable... and enjoyable too...

I can imagine you enjoying all the stats etc., for the HR monitor.. it is a feature I have never used. But U know you will love it!

Stats and colours... great targets... enjoy and we shall look for your posts!

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