What a difference a day makes! It’s been a hideous week for running. Monday was a boiling speed run. Tuesday was a boiling easy run. I wasn’t exactly looking forward to run 3 of the week. It hadn’t happened first thing in the morning and I’d messaged MrU about running after work. I totally wasn’t up for it but he arrived home super keen. Sometimes you need a run buddy to get out of the door. My plan had 6.5km but I wasn’t really up for that. There’s a nice 3.5km route that’s not too tricky so I got persuaded to just do that.
Sometimes runs massively surprise you. Yesterday’s weather was just perfect. After all the heat, there was finally a cool breeze and as we were doing the warm up walk, I actually felt quite chilly. What a treat! We set off for a super easy run past a field of nosy cows. I warmed up but to a comfortable temperature rather than something similar to the surface of the sun like earlier in the week! It was an uneventful, really nice run with a gentle build in pace without thinking about it. After the 3.5km route ended, MrU was done and I was ready to start really running!
Impromptu tempo is my favourite kind of run. The sort of thing where you don’t expect to feel so good and then your legs kind of take over? I put on some dance music and picked up the pace. Just to comfortably hard but it felt like flying. It’s just the best feeling-pushing but knowing you can do it. When you’ve had a couple of tough runs, one like this is a super mood booster. The pace kept picking up and up, and then when four miles arrived, I slowed and cooled down feeling like a million dollars. There was a fast mile in there only a few seconds off my fastest which was an extra bonus. I’ve been working hard and it’s wonderful to feel the results.
Sometimes you don’t notice that you’ve suddenly become quite fit and it sneaks up on you. Sometimes you have a run like mine and it’s blatantly obvious that you’ve taken a big step forward. This is most certainly the result of consistent running and strength training for a few months. Excited to see what will happen in the next few!
Poor old MrU got an in depth discussion of all my stats when I got back. At least he was part of the run and was vaguely interested in some of it!! I do feel for our loved ones who aren’t quite into running as much as we are sometimes!! Anyone else relate?
Happy running everyone! Enjoy the cooler weather if you’ve got it!
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MissUnderstanding
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After my interval run yesterday, I looked at my stats and I am actually getting a feel for 10K (5/6), 5K (7), 1 mile (8/9) efforts.
I think I'm ready to push my normal (4) pace up a notch at least for part of a run. As you say, it felt really good to push knowing that you've got it. The icing on the cake was then to see I could actually repeat those efforts.
It’s so satisfying to look at the interval stats and see you’ve got clear pace between your different efforts. I still get super pleased when that happens.
In theory, there’s no need to push pace on the easy runs, and I’ve seen loads of stuff from run coaches I respect saying that pushing too hard on what are supposed to be easy runs is a bit of a no no. As you can see from my post, the heart wants what the heart wants! So while I think I should say, remember each run has a purpose and the purpose of easy runs is to run at an easy effort all the time, in reality sometimes it’s just fun to take the brakes off and fly for a little bit!
You might like the first stepping stone run on the couch to 5k app. That has you starting at a lower effort than usual, running most of the run at a normal effort and then upping the effort at the end. Steve Cram does a great job talking you through it!
I'll be your running buddy any time... although I may have to bail half way and meet you at the finish
That run sounds to have been just a super one... especially after the heat of the first two runs,
You are clearly making massive leaps, in your running after a few setbacks over the year, and you are pacing it up too....
I do empathise with the feeling, that you are fitter than you think...and you are right that it sneaks up on you! You are suddenly running without effort really, and it feels great!
I can't imagine running with my husband, ( if he was a runner), do you always enjoy it or is running solo your best thing??
Mr OF is my best supporter, but I do think sometimes he must get a tad tires of my wittering on about it.
He can be over protective, and rightly so, in inclement weather, but also, a tad over enthusiastic with a , "...just get out there", when he is sitting in the warm bed with a cup of tea
We are lucky though aren't we? I do recall one runner here, who has, sadly, left the forum, whose family actively were against the running.
But you have Mr U and his full support and that surely is helping you..?
Your speed is increasing amazingly , and you are enjoying it all too... plus you are motivating so many of us, including me. Although I run at 10K level when I wish, I am using, for me , a new 10K programme and really having fun...because of you
Thanks you, and maybe with the cooler weather again, a lot cooler and happy runs are waiting out there x
Thank you!! It’s lovely that MrOldfloss is such a great supporter-the way you two look after each other sounds totally wonderful.
I usually really enjoy running with MrU. We’ve done a few parkruns together which have been hit and miss depending on whether there’s room to properly run together or not-this morning it was running one behind the other and I’d have preferred to have headphones and music! Usually when we’re running together without all the other runners it works really well. I wouldn’t do speedy runs because I need to be in my own head and I think I’d get competitive, but chilled pace runs are great fun.
Really glad you’re enjoying the new 10k programme-I always enjoy a plan and that one has the benefit of Coach B too! I thought you’d have fun with him! Wishing you loads of happy miles together at your favourite steady pace!
You have definitely hit a sweet spot MissU. It is great when that happens. Well deserved for all of that effort. Now, the tricky bit is staying there! My stretches, squats and exercise band work have all increased over time;🤞I can keep it up. I have no doubt that you have all of this covered 🙂.
Thank you! I’m still quite paranoid about my knee playing up when the long runs get longer so that’s been really good motivation to keep up the strength and flex. Plus, it definitely helps with feeling speedy!!
I forgot the first rule of “I’ve had a brilliant run and feel invincible” is the next run is a total turkey. Patkrun this morning was a total grind!! But still, Coach B talks about your worst runs being where you really see progress- today’s was horrible but significantly faster than the last horrible run I did so I’m still taking that as a win!!
Hopefully we can keep each other on track with all the extra stuff that keeps our runs on track!!
That sounds like the reward you deserve! You're right (and having also read your Parkrun post) about not really knowing or feeling until you're out there. Yesterday I ran 5k with Tasha in the morning and my whole body felt slow and sluggish. It seemed so hard 🙄 Then today at Parkrun it was all good and I ran well. When you get those moments I always think it's like panning for gold. There's always a nugget there if you keep going ⭐
Thank you! Its so good to be reminded it’s normal to be up and down..,it’s one of those things I know in my head (and tell posters literally all the time) but halfway round a miserable run where you can’t really bin it off, it’s quite easy to forget!! The good times totally make it all worth it and I absolutely know I’m going to be grateful for all the drudge runs I did when it’s marathon day in 16 week!! Appreciate the gee up! Love this place for all the support ❤️
Just the run you needed.Strength training seems to pay off too. I've never done much outside of running but now started a bit of strength and balance.....my balance is dire so I'm hoping it will make a difference over the next few months.
Strength training has made a massive difference-I got started through necessity and I’d never stop now! Have fun with it!!! It’s great feeling like a warrior hefting all sorts of heavy stuff around!
What a fantastic and uplifting post MissUnderstanding ! This wonderful running journey can at times be unpredictable but I agree that consistency is key. Great that you are seeing the benefits of this and your strength training - that run sounded fab!
I too have improved my consistency and am also more committed to my strength training - hope I get a run like this soon too!!🤣 😀
Thank you so much! You’re absolutely due a flyer of a run-I bet it’ll sneak up on you when you least expect it. I’m a total convert to strength, mainly through fear of my knee grumbling, but I do love what it does for my running. Good luck!!!
I’m torn whether to mention that after my super run, the next one was rubbish-parkrun, too hot, hay fever, heavy, grunpy, but finished. That’s the life of a runner hey!! The next one will probably be just fine!! The good ones keep us going!!
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