🍏April Quest: Week2 Why do we run?

[Annieapple]

🍏Good Morning QUESTERS! Let’s begin by asking the question🏃🏽‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

Why do we run? It’s hard to set a goal until you have thought about that a little more! When you started your running journey it may have been about losing weight, getting fit, or wanting to do a park run. That could still be your motivation. Perhaps the goal lines have changed… you want to run a 10k or a half marathon or a Triathlon. You may want to combat stress, take time out for your self or prove something to yourself. For some it’s a chance to meditate, be contemplative or a time to plan.

There are so many reasons why we run and they can be a combination of the above and they can change on any given day. It’s also about learning new things about ourselves, pushing ourselves a bit more or doing things we once never thought possible. We then find these newly learned accomplishments add to our quality of life and enable us to achieve in other areas of our lives.

🎁 How will setting a weekly goal help us with our long term running plan?

When it come to deciding on a quest it needs to be in tune with why we run. This incredible running journey will give you a number of unexpected gifts if you stay motivated. Setting yourself a small goal this week that fits in with your overall desire to accomplish the bigger picture will help you to get out there, even on the days when the tank is empty, your mojo has vanished or the weather is foul!

🦶Succeeding is not just about the running, but about supporting your running too! Take that into consideration when deciding on your quest today! Hydration, diet, cross training, sleep, Pilates, yoga, walking, strength & flex, taking care of your feet etc You are not superman! Which one is most relevant and helpful for you to work on this week?

⭐️That's the thing about running: your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is. Kara Goucher ⭐️

🍏Happy Questing everyone!

If you are new to the Quest, here 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. Your contribution here will encourage someone else.

[Annieapple]

🍏 I am pleased to say this week I did get back into one 5k and two shorter runs & my sleep hygiene is much improved. However sad to say I bombed out on Pilates. So this week my quest is to make this my priority!!

[Tessie66 Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

6k muddy run Monday, Hill sprints Thursday and 5k parkrun Saturday. Decorating this week been off work back Monday for a rest 😆 🤣.

Been out for a meal and a few beers 🍻 this week doesn't help with running 🙃

[Annieapple in reply to Tessie66]

🍏🤣 Naughty Naughty but all is forgiven for taking part in quest! To be honest you have had a great running week!! Well done!!

[Tessie66 Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you ì think the meal and drinks were a treat for the decorating ,it definitely doesn't help with running though

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Yey! (5k)! And the Pilates Mat will be ready and waiting for you. 😃👍🏽

Love the quote! ❤️😍

[Annieapple in reply to CBDB]

⭐️Essentially that’s what running is all about for me! I love it too!!

[Annieapple]

Wavy-chick28 Folkylass GTFC Koala679 GoogleMe Oldfloss Mummycav Bluebirdrunner Koala679 MissUnderstanding Yesletsgo SueAppleRun CBDB Sax64 Tessie66 @Cass

[Koala679 in reply to Annieapple]

Hi all!

My quest is to carry on with my walking challenges. The big one this year is the 10km Race for Life. I did it last year, but this year I want to come in faster. I will!

[Annieapple in reply to Koala679]

🍏 I love your positivity. When is the race taking place?

[Koala679 in reply to Annieapple]

8 June, not long really.

[Annieapple]

Cassie_7

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

Bit rubbish this week, visited son for a couple of days then back home to sort garden in new home!! It’s been hard work so managed a run Friday and going out this morning 🤞🏼 as for the yoga pants !!! Must do better .

[Annieapple]

🍏Well that garden sort was probably more effort than yoga! Well done on sneaking a run in & hope it’s sunshine for you today!! Enjoy 😊

[GTFC Graduate10]

Morning Annieapple What a super post. I will be in the quest please. For me it will be to continue my consistency. I've enjoyed being able to run in the mornings the last two weeks. I have had two weeks Easter holidays so now, once again will run after work and something I much prefer over running earlier before work. I'm looking forward to continuing my weekly mileage and runs to keep me prepared for a couple of half marathons on the horizon. I'd like to look back at the end of the quest knowing I've kept ticking nicely along 😎

[Annieapple]

👍 Thank you & good to have your input! Enjoy those after work runs preparing you for the HM coming up! Yes it’s the routines and disciplines that help us reach our goals.

[CBDB Graduate10]

I am still giddy with having signed up to the SixPack challenge. All my routes are mapped out in RunGo AND Footpath. (Never can have too much mapping!)

I also have tested the RunGo route navigation audio again and adjusted my iPhone so that it should work without any tech glitches.

And of course I ran my 6k on my route this week, demonstrating I’m ready to take it to the SixPack Routes! (Although I did feel it in my arches, so have given myself 2 days of recovery)

In my cross training, I’m nearing the end of a 24-day heart-rate-zone training series, and that has been great. But will have to think where to go next in my rowing!

Upwards and onwards! Happy 5k running!

[Annieapple in reply to CBDB]

Thank you! We are giddy with excitement too at how much you pack in not only to running, S & F & cross training but to your posts as well!! No time for sleeping on the job when you are around!! Thank you 🤩

[Tessie66 Graduate10]

Fantastic post for me it's building fitness levels up especially cardiovascular be able to smash the 5k 30 minutes and although I've run 10k building up so I can run it regularly and carry on with parkrun

[Tessie66 Graduate10 in reply to Tessie66]

Something else I forgot is hills they are my nemesis I am going to conquer 💪 them 💪 😤

[Annieapple in reply to Tessie66]

👏 this is exactly what questing is all about..looking back at what we did do… & looking forward to what we can do! Well done!! 🌟

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Hi Annie and questers, my only quest is to keep my heartrate low enough to carry on running without walk breaks 😁,

[Annieapple]

🤗 💓 fab Sue! Concentrate on one thing to enable you to keep running the run you love to do! Xx

[Sax64 Graduate10]

Hi everyone. After last week's misery I'm on the mend, but I still can't shake this cough off. So the running is getting back to normal, did 8k this morning in an excellent time for me. Although it was super tough when running sections into the strong wind. Plus I've started back with my S&F routines. This coming week includes a stay with our Cornish family so I won't be able to do more than the minimum. Maybe a couple of runs and a couple of S&F sessions. Beyond that is asking too much this week. Happy questing everyone.

[Annieapple]

Those coughs seem to linger forever don’t they! A good 8K in a strong wind is excellent.. you must be so pleased with your progress! Well done on adding in the S & F. Enjoy your family time & the beautiful Cornish vistas when you get a run in!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Still here... still running.

Run last Sunday, and Wednesday Birthday run.

Exercise routine ongoing.

Tai Chi resumes on Tuesday next.

Increased core strength work.

PLUS... a fabulous 10K Jeffed run with my awesome friend  Bluebirdrunner ... the rain held off and the sun shone.

Slightly undertrained, but still a super race!

I run.... for me and mine.... for mental and physical enrichment and for pure joy. Because, I am able to x

Happy Questing everyone and well done, Annie xxx

[Annieapple in reply to Oldfloss]

🍏Congratulations to you and Bluebirdrunner on completing the Monsal Trail! A fabulous achievement & it’s energised you to put up a full on Quest! I identify with those reasons to run!! Well done Floss & we look forward to a post from you! Xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Post should go up later... T'ai Chi beckons this morning ! xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you Annieapple!xxx

[Annieapple in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

🍏Thank you too for all your support. It’s encouraging 🤗

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Hmmm... on reflection a bit of a limp Questing week.

Not limp: the wills and trusts appointment is in the diary, woo hoo.

I received my blue tit medal for last month's 5k and whilst I didn't get a run at all, never mind 5k for April's puffin medal I did see an actual puffin to inspire me. (I didn't set a walking goal this time but running's loss has been walking's gain... just the way life's worked out (aka dashing about trying to track down a loved one with dementia in the grip of a paranoid delusion... folks, honestly, if you ever want to know whether hydration matters....)

Yoga's been a mixed bag. I've been getting a short personal practice in on more days and have been doing a meditation programme but bailed out of the first of a 'myofascial' programme, feeling squiffy (which doesn't mean I won't be going back to it)

Weight loss has been negative - oddly not much due to Easter eating/chocolate. I think 'circumstances beyond my control' is not an unreasonable explanation (right now I feel like I never want to see another chip again...).

[Annieapple in reply to GoogleMe]

🍏Lucky you to see a puffin!! My favourite May activity is a boat ride out from Seahouses to go and see them! I am glad you looked at what you were able to do… walking and yoga plus the dates in the diary sorted! Well done. Hopefully you will feel well enough to get a run or two in. See how you go! Xx

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Hello Bonnie lass!

Well I run because I love the feeling of happiness when I eventually get out and when I’ve completed my run wether it’s long or short…..( short at the moment😂) the feeling of achievement on finishing my run and generally feeling great.

So this week I’m going be:

💐Running 3 times this week

💐Concentrate on my training for my 5k race next month.

💐Continue with my stretches before and after my runs

💐Be more determined to succeed

💐Keep looking for the positives in everything

Thanks Annieapple for another great week questing !🙋‍♀️🥰🥰xx

[Annieapple in reply to Folkylass]

🍏 Well pet I love your clearly tabulated Quest! Your focus on the positive & determination to succeed is the reason you you achieve so much! That 5K race has you inspired! Champion! Well done Lass.. xxxx

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to Annieapple]

Thanks Annieapple! 🤣🤣 that will be my military training coming out there🤣. Ido always have good intentions and I just try to achieve as much as I can wether that always comes to fruition ….well that’s anyone’s guess…..🤣🤣but being a Geordie I will always give it a go🥰xx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hi Annieapple

What a brilliant and thoughtful post!

I run to challenge myself, and so that wonderful experiences like this 10k event with my dear friend Oldfloss can happen!

Last week I just squeezed in one evening run, and the whole run was in the rain. It was with CB and there were useful tips like placing your phone in a plastic case, wearing a buff and a peaked hat, and just dealing with it. The run/walk was actually fun and quite exhilarating.

I was undertrained for the Monsal 10k, less so than last year, but was determined to turn up and run with Floss. I did struggle to keep running so there was plenty of walking from me, Floss was gliding along looking fresh and comfy though. But I did it. We even stopped to say hi to Mr BBR and my daughter and grandson who were having a little walk on the trail near Hassop.

I had a little chat with the tailwalker too, who told me that trains had been cancelled due to the storm and high winds!

I will write a run report later, but really really loved meeting up with Floss and Sandie1961 and Shake-and-run and Cantstopmenow .

I forgot to stretch after, had hardly any warm up walk, and have done no yoga for days...we did hire bikes on the Monday and had fun checking out the tunnels and most of the HM route on the Monsal trail...

This week, back to daily YWA, a recovery joggle and polishing my medal ☺️

Grandson is three this week, so a little ride on a minature steam train too!

Happy questing all.

🪻xxx

Also run so that I can be part of this wonderful, supportive HU community.❤️

Recovery run done, 5k of run walk which went very well.🙏

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10]

Very thoughtful post Annieapple , I shall ponder this.

As for me, haven't run for over a week. Where I'm staying is roads without pavements, or hills or beaches, none of which lend themselves to running.

Having said which, I've been walking a lot, no less than 10,000 steps a day and over 20,000 yesterday - this is what comes of not having a car and being 2+ km from the nearest shops. Oh, and 600 steps each way to the toilet block from the boat adds it all up too!!

One day I'll get to try my new running shoes for running in. In the meantime they are starting to get a bit grubby from all the walking

[Annieapple]

🍏 well that’s an incredible amount of steps!! Definitely stand you in good stead for your run and the new shoes will be very comfortable!