Xmas Quest Week Five: Hi there and welcome to... - Couch to 5K

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Xmas Quest Week Five

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate
26 Replies

Hi there and welcome to week five.

We have some great news regarding the quest this week. I am so happy to announce that the reason for me getting the administrators badge was to help keep the quest going. They were looking for something for the graduates and because everyone here, has made this so popular they would like to keep it going. So thank you all for making this happen.

So we will definitely be doing another quest after this one. I will keep with the six week length. The reason for the strange amount of time is they recommend you shake your exercise program up every six weeks so we are trying to fit in with that. Obviously everyone will have their own personal goals and it will be a case of whatever fits in with your own abilities.

We are now week five so I hope your are all doing well. I know there are a lots of cold and flu bugs around at the moment so remember to be kind to yourself if you have been hit by it, there will always be another quest.

You can still join even if it's only for the next two weeks we are all about being all inclusive.

Please bear with me if I make any mistakes as I am not used to doing this sort of thing.

Aftabs

Runningnotwalking

Twizzle53

Waletta

Notbad

Hop_along

Runningnearbeirut

Narmour

Jennyh543

Vikicats

Suzybenj

Lizziebeth57

Edqa233

Birdistheword

Funnygirl3

Loulou51

Hezzabelle

Scipio

Carolecal

Deb54.

Kaidie

Hmtreacy

Flossieflyblow

Soozz

Legion

Road-runner

Jellymum

Markee

Treaty

Mummystar

Susan22

Anniemurph

Mothergoose

Janethallslimmer

Mrsmozzer

Googoplex

Ellenyork

Gjw248

Hules

exwightman

Juicyju

Genome911

Dozzer19

Piggyland1

Oh and me realfoodieclub.

Good luck everybody and happy running.

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Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub
Graduate
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26 Replies
Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Well I thought I would start off this weeks catch up. I am back feeling like I am getting there with my running. Which is a very good job as I have now officially signed up for the Tri together beginners triathlon 2014 so roll on august 2014. My iron levels are still making it hard but I am working at a sort of interval training program. I am doing everything I can not to lose anything I have gained from the program so I don't mind if I stay static but I must not go backwards. I will not have time to do the program again as I have a lots of fitness to find before august. So a due to medical reasons not on track for 5k park run but keeping on track for my long term goal.

notbad profile image
notbadGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Well done rfc, it sounds like you've had some challenges healthwise but it's really good you're doing what you can. Thanks for administering the quest, I'm sure you'll get your goal long term. :-) Oh and congrats on becoming an admin!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

I think you are fab... Your determination is an inspiration.. Well done!!!

Aftabs profile image
AftabsGraduate

My aim was a sub 22 min 5km and was at 23 mins at the beginning of the 6 weeks. I have now reached 22:28 and will work hard at beating my PB and closing in on a sub 22 min time, however it may be difficult to shave the extra 30 seconds off. I will keep plugging away though!

notbad profile image
notbadGraduate

Tick for parkrun this week, really enjoyed it and even did a little sprint finish!

Markee profile image
MarkeeGraduate

Completed first parkrun on saturday, time of 41:13, so some way off my hoped for sub 38 minutes by 14 december. Still its something to aim, even if its not achieved.

runningnearbeirut profile image
runningnearbeirutGraduate

Have just completed week 4 of the bridge to 10k programme I'm following.

Week 5 builds up to the "biggie" of running for 60 minutes, so that's where I should be this time next week. Am aiming to finish the quest on a high with a run down on the sea front on the morning of the 14th, and that will hopefully be close to 10km - or maybe I'll be so motivated that I'll just keep going until I get there.

suzybenj profile image
suzybenjGraduate

Running - is up to 11k - so half a k off the 7 mile target. Feels doable.

30min 5k - so far away as a target I need binoculars

weight loss - going in the right direction - but not as much as I planned. Ho hum.

So looking fwd to another good week. Busy at work- not much time for running.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

I beat my parkrun PB.. 29.11 and I did an 18k yesterday which was incredibly wonderful as it was with my lad Leon and my amazing friend Wendy on her bike. Leon carried on and did a HM... He's incredible at 12... We bought a packet of ransoms at Spar on the way which really gave us the oomph to complete...

mummystar profile image
mummystarGraduate

Like Markee, I did my first parkrun - 36:32 which I'm over the moon with. I had to walk for bits of it, and had to be motivated up the final slope by one of the volunteers but I'm still buzzing today. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to go again.

The other night, I decided to run there and back, just to see how far it was. Just short of 6k and it was fun to mix it up - which was (and will remain) one of my goals - not to get too hung up on the goals/distance/progress I'm making.

I know I have no stamina so that's going to be my goal after Christmas.

Well done RFC on the administrator role! :)

Twizzle53 profile image
Twizzle53Graduate

Well done RFC for taking on an administrators role and thank you in advance for future quests. I'm sure they will motivate and encourage many of us myself included.

I did another parkrun this week and got a new PB of 37.44. Only one more parkrun to do now (on 14th ) to meet my quest target. I don't think I'll manage my other target though of a 35 min 5k but I'll keep trying and who knows? I will be happy enough to get down to 37 minutes.I shall continue with this target when the next quest starts up.

Great to hear that you are getting there again with your own running RFC.

waletta profile image
walettaGraduate

Well done Rfc. It was you that made this happen not us. We just thought that it was a great idea. Glad you're managing to keep running. Hope your iron levels are up soon.

I'm on track but only just. Back up to 26mins tonight. I'm quite sure I'll make it to 30mins again now. Thanks.

deb54 profile image
deb54Graduate

Ran a 'foreign' parkrun after my sister-in-laws wedding in hackney. Mile End parkrun people were wonderfully friendly and despite a well deserved hangover, I knocked a second off my PB of 29' 38" to 29' 37"! There were even hills! I think it was the pavements that really helped as I am used to mud.

I recommend a run for a hangover - I even ran nearly all the way back to the hotel and Fitbit accused me of overachieving and gave me a 20000 steps badge. Great weekend and looking forward to 2 x 5k on 14/15 December!

deb54 profile image
deb54Graduate

RFC, can we have a valentines quest ? Bit more than 6 weeks...

You are doing a brilliant job and I am pleased you are 'holding your own' re running. Keep it steady and listen to your body. X

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate in reply to deb54

Love the idea of a Valentine's Quest too.

vikicats profile image
vikicatsGraduate

Well done for getting the admin badge. Well done to everyone else for doing so well.

I'm stalling I'm afraid. Very busy at work and have struggled to run during the week. That has impacted on my weekend run and I haven't done a long run for 3 weeks. Now it seems like a big scary thing and I can't get my head around it! So all in all I'm thinking I may not reach my goals by our deadline but maybe by the end of the month. Got to get focused again and just get out there and do it!

waletta profile image
walettaGraduate in reply to vikicats

Hang on in there. End of the month sounds good. It's bound to get a little less hectic after Christmas.

KAYDIE profile image
KAYDIEGraduate

I don't think I'm going to reach my target of running 5k by 14 December :-( When I graduated a couple of weeks ago I was running just over 3.5k and last week managed to run 4k on one run but I'm a BC survivor and have just had my medication increased and it's floored me! I'm finding everything such an effort. I'm now just going to make sure that I keep running 3 times a week and won't beat myself up if I can't manage a full 30 mins or more. I'm really glad the quests will continue as it'll help me stayed focussed in the New Year.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to KAYDIE

We sound pretty much the same on times/distances and coping with medical stuff. Be kind to yourself our bodies need a bit of time to adjust. I found breaking up the run back into walking and running is helping me. I found pushing myself to Finnish a run then not making it a bit destructive mentally so I have broken it into bite size pieces. I like that feeling of coming back from a good run rather than perceiving it as a bad one. Hope you adjust to your new tablets soon, take care Rfc x

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Thank you all for your lovely messages. This really is a great site. I will take on board the valentines idea, it fits in with another idea I had so that's great.

Legion profile image
LegionGraduate

Great to hear you're doing better Rfc. Good luck with the triathlon. That's something I'd like to try one day... maybe. ;-)

I've not been doing great with my mileage for the quest due to work and tiredness. I managed 83% of my ten mile target last week, but hadn't run since Friday until today. So I decided I 'must try harder' and almost ran a full 5K today, with a little walk in the middle. I'm so happy to be closing in on 5K and also set myself a new 'record time' of 40 minutes 55 seconds. Running seems to be really hard at the moment and I can certainly feel it in my legs after today's run. I'm contemplating going to Parkrun on Saturday to get the lay of the land and maybe try chasing the 40 minute marker (if there is one). I won't be able to join the Parkrun on the 14th due to work but I do want to 'go for it' on the 21st, complete with Santa hat. ;-)

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

First of all, congratulations on the Administrator post :)

I'm plodding on with the running but seem to be managing 20 minutes fairly consistently now, so might see if I can aim for a whole 30 minutes of consecutive running. Fingers crossed!

lizziebeth57 profile image
lizziebeth57Graduate

Well I did take my running gear to New York and I did manage to go out twice in the week and ran 5k along the East River. It was great! Still not got below the 34 minutes but was 34.5 both runs which isn't bad given all the food and drink I was enjoying. Also think my energy may have been affected by the 13 to 15 miles walking every day - Home for a rest now!

hjs007 profile image
hjs007Graduate

Thanks lizziebeth57 for pointing me in the direction of this Quest and to RFC for setting it up.

I would like to join, and in the next 2 and a half weeks my goals are to

1) continue to run 3 times a week

2) run the 5K in 30 minutes (currently taking 33 minutes) so I might need to include a long downhill ....

3) include an uphill in my run that I've been avoiding as I didn't feel strong enough to cope

I like the idea of a Valentines Quest - it's a great way of making me think about setting goals for myself as I don't think I'd manage well on my own.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to hjs007

Welcome on board I will add your name to the week six quest that will go up tomorrow.

flossieflyblow profile image
flossieflyblowGraduate

Hi RFC! Well done for becoming an administrator. It's well deserved and I think that we're all greatful for you providing us with a good means of goal-setting. Glad, too, that you've felt some improvement with the iron 'situation'!

I'd like to report that I am on track but, frustratingly that's not the case. Im not sure how long it is now since I damaged my calf. I have been out but have had to stop each time after only 5 to 6 mins. It has felt better over the past few days so will try and get out there again this week. Am worried that my stamina will have back-slidden so will just have to see! 5K before next week seems unlikely! :( Ah well, there's always next year!

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