JULY QUEST 2024: Week 4, we'll do a bit more

[Yesletsgo]

Hello Questers one and all! It’s already the fourth week in July, time flies doesn’t it?

How is your Quest going? Are you on track or have you had to make a detour due to the obstacles that life puts in your path? Have you found yourself adding goals as the initial ones weren’t demanding enough? Or maybe you just quietly decided that this wasn’t the month to be stretching yourself.

For me, this last week has seen me getting back to a regular routine of running. I’ve managed 4 runs, one of 4km and three of around 3km, it’s been a bit warm to go any further. As well as that I’ve been doing a lot of walking.

Where we’re staying is a couple of km to the town centre so we’ll walk there a couple of times a day, on top of actually going for a run/walk. According to Garmin I’ve covered over 70 km this week. This includes a 10km walk through the forest, it actually felt pretty good (all the mozzies went for my husband and son and mostly left me alone ).

We’re heading home tomorrow so lots of driving ahead. My Quest is to carry on walking as much as I can on the non running days.

In case you haven’t taken part in the Quest before, here’s what you need to know…

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.

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

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.

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 ..............

Soooooo...let us know your progress and we'll encourage, congratulate and sympathise!

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♂️🏃🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃💨💨💨💨💨💨🥇🥇

PS Thought for the week - sing like there's no one listening, dance like there's no one watching and run like you aren't going to look at the numbers afterwards

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Wow, lots of activity built in there!

I'm doing OK:

1) Got another run (and some extra) in so feel as though I am geared up for my medal 5k run

2) A few days of no brisk minutes but now comfortably above average thanks to a run and a walk which ended up being longer, more triumphant than expected and saw me doing a fair bit of running.

3) Yoga - still tricky juggling the timing of my night time yoga and my bedtime reading but another few sessions under my belt.

4) Pelvic floor exercises - all sessions complete. I like the visuals on the app but I would like to feel a bit more sure that I am doing them correctly and the only thing they have to suggest for that is to see a specialist physio which seems a bit resource heavy!

So yes, happy!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Wow! Super impressive questing!! You deserve to be extra proud of yourself!

[Tessie66 Graduate10]

I'm carrying on with NRC and the Marathon for Manchester next April. Six a side Monday finished Thursday now

1 Long run and hills or Fartleks during the week

Weights during the week work permitting

Parkrun all depends on my long run 🏃‍♂️.

It's going well and I'm happy building up my stamina and distances

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Tessie66]

It’s great when a plan falls into place! Have you looked into jeffing any further? I’ve been experimenting a bit during my long runs and have been pleasantly surprised that 4mins run/1 min walk is working really well for me. I remember you asking over on Fun Beyond and it made me think about having a go myself!

[Tessie66 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hi I haven't but if I need to stop to walk I do particularly on hilly stretchers near me. At the moment I'm just trying to build up gradually instead of like the app next week jumps up 3k. I've noticed this year I've been getting more colds not sure if that's doing to much or a wrong diet or are colds around more?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Thanks for another fab quest post. I absolutely love that photo 😍😍😍

My quest is to get back on my feet post covid. The first step on my action plan is to actually reach post covid status! At the moment I’m still in the midst of it, surrounded by tissues. I’m allowing myself a bit of wallowing and some treats. Hopefully normal questing service will be resumed soon!

Happy questing lucky Questers who are still fighting the good fight!

[Folkylass Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Get better soon MissUnderstanding 👍🥰x

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Rapid recovery MissUnderstanding 👍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

Thank you chrisl72 and Folkylass !

lingering about but I’m officially testing negative now and I might give yoga a go today. Am missing the runs terribly and I have new trainers to take out on their maiden voyage!

[GoogleMe Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Wallowing and treats sounds like an excellent sub-quest and an investment in full recovery.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

Thank you!! At one point this week I was on the sofa in the afternoon, still in my pjs surrounded by all manner of crisp packets, magazines, drawing materials and rubbish on the sky box!! I know I’m feeling a bit better because I’m looking around and thinking “this room needs a tidy!!!”

[Tessie66 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Get well soon

[Folkylass Graduate10]

Thank you for another brilliant post and fab picture.

For me this week I’m going to carry forward my quest I wrote about last week and also I’m going to try and carry out longer runs.😂.

I love the thought of the week too and I can see myself doing those three things.😂😂.

Happy questing everyone 🙋‍♀️xx

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Maybe we need a photo quest with moon/water photos? I could look at photos like this one all day! Thank you Yesletsgo !!

[drl212 Graduate10]

Thanks for your post! My quest is to get to 10K before July is out!! My recent illness has delayed that milestone by a couple of weeks, but I think I can still make it.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to drl212]

Good luck! When you’re coming back from illness, timescales can be a bit unpredictable. Take it steady and see what happens.

If you get your 10k, brilliant.

If you get back to running feeling like yourself again, brilliant.

If you’re still on the road back but making progress, brilliant.

See how it goes. You don’t have a race until September so you’re in a great position to take it steady and not wipe yourself out trying to hit an artificial deadline of July 31st. Good luck!

[drl212 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks for the advice, MU!

I'm definitely taking it as it comes. And definitely taking it slowly. I was really pleased with 8K run last week. I set out with nothing in mind but to run a recovery run slowly. It did feel great to get out and back to running and I've enjoyed a slow and steady 5K after that.

As you say, I've got plenty of time (purposely) before the race in September, so the stakes are not high!

We shall see...

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

I have been good getting out running on the trails, nothing too long but just enjoying the process and keeping my mind steady.

Trying to do more yoga but failing as having a frozen shoulder limits what I can do which is becoming really irritating !! Waiting on physio but know really it’s time and keeping it moving but hey ho I’m off for what I can do and that’s run 🏃🏼‍♀️

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Go you for making the best of it! Trail running is really working for you! Shady paths in this weather is the best way forward. Good luck with the shoulder-crossing finger the physio comes through quickly!

[CBDB Graduate10]

70km!! Oh my! That deserves an award! Well done!

Hello, again! Although mentioned yesterday, thought I’d pop in here as well and report how my months is going:

Last week: 5 rows, 3 runs, and 1 walk.

And I almost ran a 4th time that week on Sunday, but my rowing group dragged me into a row! 🤣🤣🤣

My plan for this week: the same!

And I believe our Rowlympics series of rows will be starting soon, so that’ll be a new series of rows to hunt after.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Rowolympics!!?! Tell me more!! Can you win a gold metal?

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

LOL, it’s a challenge of 8 different rows with different times and distances, organised by Concept2 and freely available to all who have access to a concept rower. Only if one wants a t-shirt or cap are there costs involved, and one has to finish before being allowed to buy one! 😄I’m tempted! (Somehow there is less a medal culture in the rowing community). There will be a specially designed downloadable certificate with one’s names.

8 distances: 1000 m, 1 min, 10k, 20min, 2k, 10min, 6k, and 30min!

And participants names will be on the Rowlympic Challenge Honor Boards. 🤣🤣🤣

So even if you don’t have a rower at home, but one in your local gym, as long as you register for free for a Concept2 online logbook, anyone can participant for free! 😄 (10k might need some prior training though!)

Rowlympics by Concept2

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Some great activities going on for you and we get the lovely photographs to share too!

Well done you!

I am still on track, with short detours here and there. Life has this habit of adding unexpected bits!

Regular exercise continues...

Extra S and F work with increased gardening chores, some pretty hefty and some very warm!

Cycling has now been incorporated into the mix too.

Still enjoying the Nike 10K plan... fun and motivating too.

Walking...not enough...but will make efforts to build that up!

I may be exploring the idea of joining a trail running group. Love the trails and tracks. I thought of this a while back, but it had to be put on hold...watch this space.

Hope everyone is enjoying the infrequent but welcome bursts of sunshine, I know I am!

Happy Questing all.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Ohhh that’s exciting! (“joining a trail running group”)

I also have been pondering about joining a running club in town, that I have been following for a couple of years, now. They have grown since their beginnings just before Covid, and they often have 6 running routes on a Tue evening. My slow running must surely fit into one of these.

But this would be a big step for me, the lone runner.

So I know exactly how you feel, I think. Excited but also daunted of stepping into this new world of group/club running!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I am like you...not sure of the group bit....but I would like to be with other folk for some trails that I would not be happy, running alone...

I think you may find it enjoyable... thing is, we can try and see how we feel ?

[Xmrkn20 Graduate10]

Love the thought for the week, am gradually allowing myself to be less bothered about speed and distance and just be proud that I got out the door!

My quest going ok, still going for a run three times a week, thinking of these as ‘maintenance runs’ just to keep me in the habit until the cooler weather comes and I can stretch myself a bit more. Just do 30 mins, but love the feeling afterwards when it would have been so easy just to say “it’s too warm, I’ll give it a miss!”

Gorgeous photo Yesletsgo , well done on running even when on holiday, I’m not that conscientious!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Xmrkn20]

The “maintenance run” frame of mind is such a nice place to be. It makes picking up again so much easier if you’ve been on rock over mode. You’re nailing it!

One of the Questions of the week over on Couch is going to be about holiday runs… I love them rather than finding them a pain. Running in a new place is amazing. I’m hoping to get some Irish ones in in August. Packing enough of the right run kit is the only nuisance for me!!

[chrisl72 Graduate10]

Hi Yesletsgo ! Thank you for hosting this month, it's been a fantastic Quest! Well done with your regular running and walking - 70km is an impressive achievement 😀

I completed my Quest on Monday morning, with the PB attempt and final run in the NRC 10k plan.

Delighted to report that I smashed my previous PB by just over 4 minutes with a new PB of 54:57 😁

I surreptitiously slipped in a 5k PB too, taking nearly a minute off at 26:44!

So I'm having an easier week now and celebrating by starting a new plan 😮 This time I'm having a go at the NRC 5k plan, which is 8 weeks, and I want to see if I can get below 25 minutes.

The 5k plan runs start very gently - recovery runs of 5 minutes and 7 minutes in week 1, so I will start that tomorrow and see how far I get in the rest of the week.

I've also signed up for the NTC Strength & Conditioning for Runners, which has 3 workouts per week. Week 1 is pretty light with 6, 7 and 12 minute workouts, so perfect for a recovery week and for doing before or after a mini recovery run.

That will see out my Quest for this month.

Best of luck everyone for the final push in this Quest!

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

Oh, nice. You got me looking at the NTC app again. I was one of the initial pilot testers, but it really evolved since then. I might give this a go, so thanks for the idea!

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I've found even the really short 8-10 minute workouts to find muscles I didn't know I had! Good luck 👍

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

Did one this morning just after I posted/reading, so thanks for the inspiration. I like the plans! Thank you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

All sounding extremely positive and very enjoyable too,.. well done to you!