December Quest Week 3: It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas ❄❄🎄🎄🎅🎄🎄❄❄

[Yesletsgo]

   MissUnderstanding has asked me to cover this week's Quest so here I am to remind you that it's never too late to tell us how this month's running related goals are going for you or to join in for a last minute Christmas challenge.

As for me, I've been away since the beginning of the month. I'm ashamed to say that although the running gear is all nicely folded up in a packing cube in the boot of the car it hasn't been used once. Where I was staying the sun didn't rise until around 9am and it was cloudy, overcast and cold nearly every day, just not at all inviting. Even the gremlins couldn't be bothered to get out of bed, no need for them.

On the plus side I did a lot of walking so I haven't been a total couch potato but it's definitely a 'could do better' sort of month.

If eating stodge was a Quest Challenge I'd have smashed it 😂 but thankfully it isn't.

So this is a very roundabout way of saying that if you feel that the festive preparations are getting in your way don't fret, there's always someone doing a lot worse than you. Go on, impress me

I should be home by Tuesday so my Quest is to do 5 runs before New Year. Doesn't matter how long or short. Just five.

Enough about me, what about you? Have your goals been smashed or only your potatoes? Are you beating your PBs or eating your mince pies? Are you running like a champ or feeling like a blimp?

It’s not too late to join this Quest so if you're tempted to join us, jump in below and you’ll be made very welcome. Tell us what you've been doing, what you plan to do and anything else that raises your Christmas spirit. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Yesletsgo and the team xxx

Here’s last week’s post…

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

Picture is of a cat I spotted on my travels, sort of summarises how I feel right now 😂

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For any newbies, here’s an introduction to 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 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.

Most popular goals are:

★ To run three times a week

★ To slowly increase distance

★ To train for a specific race

★ To add strength and flex 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 would like to...”

Any questions, just ask! Come and say hi, we want to know what you're aiming for!

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

I am a bit the same ! Life and trips have got in the way but So happy to be busy this Christmas and more my old self as last year I was in despair, this lovely forum dragged me back.

Hoping for more time this week to fit 3 runs in, I did consider this morning but have had such a lovely break I’m going to take life easy today, happy questing all 🎄👌🏼

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

So good to hear you're feeling better in yourself, Christmas can be difficult when things are tough. This forum is one of the kindest and most supportive I've ever seen, long may we continue to help each other to carry on .Hope you get your runs in... but sometimes it's good to take it easy 😁

[GoogleMe Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Yes, sometimes comparisons are not a good idea but this reflection is so important!

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Thanks for stepping up whilst MissUnderstanding is laid low.

In some ways an even more lacklustre week - missed a couple of pelvic floor exercise days. Again.

Noticed I'd not received my November 5K medal, so have got in touch and it's now on its way. Still no runs this month (several days gussied up in running gear and shoes in the car) Precious little walking either - I've now got a fair bit to do if I am to catch up... but I can't begrudge some of my outings not involving walking as we've been watching the starlings... almost... murmurate.

But I've had two more baths! And although I'd not put it in my goals this month, a Quest goal from recent months has another outing... I made time to sit down with a mug of one of my Advent calendar teas and have a very, very long call with an old friend. I could have gone out for a run or a walk in that time... but I do not regret it.

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

What is it about this time of year that makes it so hard to get things done?? We start out full of the joys of ... well, I suppose winter as it definitely isn't spring, then weather, Christmas planning and general life sort of get in the way.

I think you're doing great. Chasing up a medal actually means you did get a running related medal this month so count that as a win.

Even if you've missed pelvic floor days you're probably way ahead of the rest of us. How many of us do them regularly if ever?? So another win.

You're probably doing more walking than you think, even if you're stuck in the house. It's all about balance. Watching a murmuration, even a small one, is so incredibly uplifting. You probably got a wellbeing hit comparable to a run. So call that another success.

As to your baths goal, I am inspired. We've been in our house 15 years and only had showers until this spring. We got a lovely new bathroom installed which has a bath but I'm so used to only showering I forget that it's there. I think I've had maybe 2 baths since April so I may nick your idea. I have so many things of bubble baths I've been given over the years that I was never able to use, there really is no excuse is there? More baths for you this month than I've had all year! So call this goal a success too

Plus a bonus goal when you called your friend, wow, you're doing really well😻😁

[GoogleMe Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

I don't always include A Bath in my Quest goals. I do always have it in my long list of personal goals, and put it here if I need some accountability - but I am all for a monthly bath goal and yes, there's a knock on effect of not having lots of toiletry gift 'clutter' accumulating!

(Still have to do my 5K run for this month, but making an appointment with myself to do that this week - lots of things that can keep me in the house will be done and dusted. And reviewing progress was a great prompt to get out for a walk today which has made that goal now seem a little less as though it is getting away from me... You lovely admins, never underestimate the value of what you do!)

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to GoogleMe]

We try our best 😁😇😂

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I'm not doing great with the quests but still getting out there a bit so I'm happy 😁.Happy questing friends xx

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

You got out there and ran this morning SueAppleRun , so that's twice this month, which is twice more than me this month! Pat yourself on the back and put your feet up, glowing in your success.

My guess is you've been doing a bit of walking too, so that sounds like you're succeeding with your Quest, which is the only Quest that matters.

The photos you posted were absolutely beautiful too, absolute day brighteners so you've succeeded with that too

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you 😊you are right, I'm walking more, field walks with the dog and just around more

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hi Yesletsgo,

Thank you for taking on the Quest reins this week. So good to have somewhere to lay down some aspirations!

This week I have run twice both 25 min continous runs as I finish Wk6 and start Wk7 redoing c25k again. That might be it until after christmas, or I may squeeze in another this weekend.

I aim to fit in a YWA practice in daily and have only missed one day this week

But, and this is where I need accountability, I realise I need to add in some strength work targeting the legs in order to avoid injuries.

I am adding in either squats and clams or single heel raises and lunges on alternate days after my yoga. Hoping this will allow me to keep adding that little bit more to my running ready for my event in April.

Good luck fellow questers.

💚xxx

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

It's nice to be useful

Well done for getting out there for 25 minutes, that's a really nice length for a run. Well done on the yoga too. Once you start to work on the strength you are absolutely doing the best you can to keep safe and healthy

Fantastic progress, remember to update us next week!