The Gremlins have gone 😁🏃‍♀️💨

[Yesletsgo]

After yesterday's self pitying rant and all the fantastic, constructive comments I woke up this morning a newly invigorated woman. The strong winds overnight had calmed and there was even a bit of blue in the sky. That was it, today's the day.

It was only 3k along the waterfront. My husband was wearing the new running shoes I'd bought him for a late birthday present for the first time. They've got Gore-Tex so are waterproof and breathable. He didn't think he needed any more shoes but he set off really quickly. I more or less kept up for the first km but realised my heartrate was way higher than I like so I slowed down. He disappeared into the distance.

There was a stiff breeze, a headwind, so once the initial euphoria of actually getting out there wore off it felt like a bit of an effort. Three weeks of no running has had a noticeable effect but I know that once I start to run consistently again it'll be fine.

I had a few walks to keep my HR where I like it, after all I wasn't trying to prove anything, was I? (except maybe that I was actually having a run!!!).

When I approached the half way mark Mr Y whizzed past on his way homewards . 'These shoes are really comfortable!'

Once I reached 3k I decided to do a little sprint, just for a hundred yards or so, to celebrate being back on track (if you'll pardon the pun). When I pressed Stop on the NRC app Mo Farrar told me I was going really fast today. Thanks Mo, I can now share with all my fellow snails that Mo Farrar has officially told me that 8:45/min is really quick

Happy running everyone!

PS not today's lovely blue sky, just a reminder that the days will soon be longer and summer is on its way

[Jericho2332 Graduate10]

Winter running can be enjoyable too! Well done for getting out there though, especially after having a recent gremlin attack 😂 they can be pesky!

Once we are into the new year the winter will fly by and spring will be upon us before we know it, can't say I'm not looking forward to a bit of sun on my skin!

Happy running!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Jericho2332]

Absolutely agree about winter running Jericho2332 . Much better to be a bit cold than a bit hot. When it's like it was out there this morning I love it - a bit of sunshine, a bit of breeze and warm enough once you get a bit active. The sort of day you feel smug in your t shirt and leggings because everyone else has a big padded coat on

(let's not think about the really cold winter days right now, I'm in a good mood)

Roll on springtime and all the flowers

[Xmrkn20 in reply to Yesletsgo]

I love the cold for a run, can’t cope with any heat at all! It’s the wind that gets to me, feels like running through treacle………and why is the wind ALWAYS against me, even when I do a circular run 😂

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Xmrkn20]

We have that sort of wind where I live too. No matter which way you go it's against you. How is that even possible?? 😂

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Sounds fantastic, well done 👍 I love it that Mo says you are really quick 😄

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Thank you

[RiceAndPeas]

Yay, good to see you back out and enjoying it. The evenings start to stretch out and relax now and soon morning runs will be to tune of the dawn chorus. The gremlins have been banished, happy days! 😄

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to RiceAndPeas]

Fantastic, even a few minutes more daylight lifts the spirits 🌞

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10]

I am hoping to get back this morning after thinking I had a whole free week it’s been very busy! Saw Dad at the care home yesterday with my brothers so need to shake that off, it’s very difficult when you can’t have a conversation but it’s done so time to shake it off with a good bybthe sounds off it chilly run( I can hear cars being de iced) ❄️

Thanks for the push !

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

A run is great for dealing with stuff. I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad, it's really difficult to see our parents and realise how age is affecting them.

Hope you had a good run this morning, nice and bracing with lots of sunshine to cheer you up

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

Yes I went for a super run cleared my head and now ready for Christmas and still time for more runs 🎅🏻🎄

Sunrise over fields x

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Looks wonderful, I'm calmer just looking at the photo

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

What I like is that at 72 I can still run PB’s; only because I started running at age 66, but still. I don’t think that Mo will be able to say the same 😂. I don’t care about the weather too much. Ice I will not run in; gales which blow down large lumps of trees in the forest are a show stopper too, but otherwise, once we start running, the weather just becomes a bit of background noise as we enter our own world. Well done for getting out there 👍🙂

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Beachcomber66 you are an inspiration! Maybe my PB’s are not all behind me then - although honestly, it’s been a long while since I had one!🤣🤣

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I learned a lot about managing stride length and cadence from Coach Bennett this year. Made a big difference.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤔Something for me to explore then…I assume we are talking increased cadence and smaller strides = faster pace?

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Slightly different to that. When I started running long distances I had to back off the pace, and the only way to do that was by shortening stride. As the HM programme progressed (so I was getting stronger) CB introduced the idea of speeding up without extra effort; the way to do that was to increase stride length back to my 5k stride length…so I went faster without extra effort. Any further increase in pace on long runs on top of that came from higher cadence; so I went faster still, but retained my 5k stride length. I hope that makes sense.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you …interesting…🤔🙂

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I'm beginning to wonder if Mo was being sarcastic, but then again he sounded so nice and sincere 😂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

The joke told on advocacy courses; the secret is absolute sincerity; once you have learned to fake that you have got it made!!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I think I heard that at law school - and much more often in my career in sales!!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Yesletsgo]

I heard it at law school too!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Fab, uplifting post Yesletsgo ! Well done on your run - and we know that Mo Farah is never wrong when it comes to running! 👍🤣

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Oh, and I absolutely love this picture!!👹🤣

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you Sandraj39 you're right, Mo's the expert!