Don't fall in Fall Quest week 4 🍁🍂🍁🍂 -Feel... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Don't fall in Fall Quest week 4 🍁🍂🍁🍂 -Feel free to join.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate
35 Replies

Week 4 of Don't fall in Fall Quest.

Please feel free to join if you've just graduated. Most of us find its a great way to keep,our motivation up.

I find that seeking goals for the next six weeks helps to keep me on track and I have little challenges along the way that give me a boost and keeps the motivation up.

Make it personal to yourself and achievable but as with everything on here have fun with it.

What the quest is:-

The quest takes six weeks. You can join any time within that six weeks.

The main 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.

I ask that you will be a graduate to join the quest. The main reason I ask this is that while you are doing the program your plan is very structured so 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 In Stretch and strength exercises.

As you can see they are personal to yourself and it's totally your own choice.

Every week I will pin a new post where all the members of the quest can talk about how things are going.

So, if you wanted to join all you have to do is put

I would like to join the quest, or count me in and then I would like to. ..............

Your name will then be added to the top post and every week your name will be in the quest until the end.

At the end, only for those that would like to, we each put our longest run of the quest and it is then marked on a virtual run.

Good Luck everyone !

Realfoodieclub

Misswobble

Ajwyld

HilaryC

Parseraisin

Oldfloss

Neuropsycsci

Irishprincess

Divemonkey

Hdoyle

Tortoisegirl

MrsLis

Folkieboater

Kiddykipper

Mcfitty

Googleme

Poppypug.

Joy57

Orchards

Anniemurph

Lynnecrozier

Northernlass1965

Runsroundsue

Tryinghard2016

Jacs-W

Dwynne

Simonc25k

Ancientmum

Joepublic

Fat_stab

Madge50

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Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub
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35 Replies
Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate

Did week 1 / run1 of my new 10 km plan and promptly came down with something. Hehe good start. Any way I have taken things a bit easier and ready to give it another go this week. I work on the principal it doesn't matter how many times you start as long as you start.😀

Happy healthy week to you all.

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Graduate

Hi RFC, can I join? I want to add in core and cross training twice a week to improve my overall fitness for some up coming longer runs.

Thanks

Mx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Madge50

Welcome onboard, I've added your name.

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

Well as most of you know my life just now is all about my canine running partner being on the injury couch. I am pleased to say that we took her out for a short walk on Saturday, and yesterday she had no major 'attacks' I think we may take our cue from C25K and have 'recovery' days between walks, at least until we have further information. The picture really doesn't match up with the radiology. We are still not leaving her alone (which has not been great for my son's half term and my husband's booked time off work)

So, getting out for a run has become something very different to what I envisaged at the beginning of this quest. But I am pleased to say that I did get out, and did achieve something in the spirit of my running goal for this quest. In fact it was a bit like C25K days again, slipping out quietly before anyone else was up, and it did set the day up nicely. I did very much feel Google's absence. I like to run on challenging terrain and felt much more aware that if I became immobile I'd be in more bother, and as there was a rather suspicious bloke lurking round the entrance to the wood, I felt I should send a text to my husband with my whereabouts. (It is not all that unusual for slightly suspicious people to lurk there, we have slow broadband in these parts, but my canine companion is well capable of saying "Back off mate" with some authority)

The other main target has been the morning yoga and I have achieved success this week in that I did my morning session 5 days in a row. And then slacked off over the weekend - partly due to keeping an eye on Google but also ???? Feels a bit letter of my Quest but not spirit. Weight holding... and I am OK with that. I am not an 'emotional' or 'stress' eater except very specifically when I have financial worries when part of my brain thinks "Have it now, you won't be able to later" so static average is good.

Hoping to swim this week, and going to try to get more than one run in.

Yikes this has got long, sorry!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Glad to see things are settling a bit GM. I'm sure you miss her a lot on your runs.

Actually I thought about you this morning when I booked a yoga class. I haven't done one for years and that was when I accidently booked an advanced session and needless to say I didn't go back! But a friend has just started it after breaking her pelvis and she's now hooked and goes three times a week! I'm nearly always in some kind of minor pain especially with my back so I'm giving it a go - yikes!

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

I hope they can work out what the problem is soon. Good idea to have recovery days for her.

Well done with the yoga as well, and the weight. Considering everything that's going on in your life, you are doing brilliantly.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Morning GM 😊 Lovely weather at the minute for getting out and about with the dog. Hopefully! Colder tomorrow though. it must seem strange to be without your running pal 😐

I am out running this morning. Off now in fact 😊 Training now for a 10k race in early December. I managed 22k last week but hoping to increase it by degrees

tortoisegirl profile image
tortoisegirlGraduate

Hello all! I started running again last week after a few weeks off with back-to-back colds. I took Laura out for a run with the Stepping Stones and Speed podcasts, (on separate runs!), and kept up with those. I even enjoyed the faster running intervals in Speed! I am planning a longer run this week to stretch my distance out beyond 4K, as my first goal is to get to 5K. I was hoping to start parkrun on Saturday, but my daughter and running partner came down with my cold, so we are leaving it for another week.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

After all the aches and pains I had the previous week and adjusted orthotics (yet again!) I took it easy last week and ran 2X 5K's and a 6K. So far, so good 🙂

I didn't make the gym as we had family staying all week. Actually I did try to go once but it was closed for the day for some work! But I did have a sports massage. Calves were tight- eeek 😖

Still managing my smoothies so that's good. But this week hopefully I'll get back on track with the running and exercises.

Have a good week fellow questers and to everyone on the IC, remember to keep the faith.

tortoisegirl profile image
tortoisegirlGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

I love your definition of "taking it easy"!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to tortoisegirl

🙂

parseraisin profile image
parseraisinGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Ooh, stretch those calves, and wear kind shoes! Sounds like a pretty good week overall, especially the massage!

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to parseraisin

I've never had problems with my calves (touch wood) which is a miracle as I lived in high heels for years 😖

The massage works wonders but it hurts!

parseraisin profile image
parseraisinGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Actually, heels might help! I think I pulled my calf because I ran in shoes that had no drop from heel to toe. One of the remedies I read about for calf strain in the first days is to lift the heel to take the pressure off the calf/achilles tendon. In fact, I regained mobility as soon as I put on shoes with a bit of a drop.

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to parseraisin

Yes I agree. I cannot wear completely flat shoes as they kill my calves. Even my slippers have a little heel!

Glad you found a solution!

MrsLis profile image
MrsLisGraduate

I had a good week last week, now I need to keep it up.

So, last week I ran three times, I got to 5k and on Saturday I ran my first parkrun. Hmm, what now I hear you ask - well if you're not asking it, I certainly am!

Keep on with three times a week, but swap it about a bit. I'd like to increase my distance little by little but I don't want to get bored running much the same route every time I go out so I may have a go at that steep hill beside my house that I've been studiously ignoring for the last 12 weeks (aka all the time I've been running). If I can do just about do it I'll carry on training there one day a week and if I can't, then at least I'll appreciate my flat running as the distance increases.

And when possible, for the third run of the week, I'll go back to that parkrun and see if I can reduce my time.

Hope everyone has a good week!

ajwyld profile image
ajwyldGraduate

2 runs again last week. A nice gentle 5k on Wednesday and then on Saturday my first 10k since MAY. Took it very slowly and really enjoyed it ! Really hoping for 3 outings this coming week.

parseraisin profile image
parseraisinGraduate in reply to ajwyld

Hey ho, that 10k must have felt amazing!

I only got out once last week due to work and kids on half-term. I jogged 0.5 miles to parkrun, did my stretches followed by parkrun 5k and then jogged home for 0.8 miles. So total was 4.5 miles and a 5k pb. Unfortunately I twinged my calf muscle as I walked into the house, grrrr. This week I will see how my calf is but would like to do a shorter run with some hill intervals and a 5k+ run.

Well after three weeks on the injury couch I managed a short run at the weekend. It was very hard work and my breathing was awful, and I had to stop after 3k as my bad leg was aching and I didn't want to make it worse. However run I did, and I hope to build on this in the rest of the quest and get back to where I was (running 5k on alternate days) . Taking a two day rest break now - slow and steady wins the race and all that!!

parseraisin profile image
parseraisinGraduate in reply to

Yay, it is great to hear that your calf is doing better!

in reply to parseraisin

Thank so much parseraisin ! Hoping to get out today too and try again.

parseraisin profile image
parseraisinGraduate in reply to

Yes, go, go (but carefully)!

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate

Managed 2 short runs last week (to the Speed podcast) and also a short gym session. Better than previous 2 weeks but have still got the cough....

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

Hello everyone, sorry I've been absent for a while but I've been away again. I have been running but only short runs and not much, but back now for a little while and I need to crack on because I can see that London Winter run looming!

I had a nice run on Sunday, went up to Chatsworth for a treat but unfortunately I had to cut it short at just over 3.5k because my knees and shins were sore. I'd been putting flat-pack furniture together and had been kneeling for a long time, and my knees are bruised! Anyway, the park was gorgeous in the damp and mist and there weren't many people around so that was very enjoyable.

I also received my 401 medal for my virtual 10k so that cheered me up :)

My plan is to do a couple of runs and take it steady, see how the knees and shins behave but do one hill or interval run and then the other one as either a 4 or 5k, depending on how things go. Next week a little bit more.

The cycling has stopped due to previously undiscovered fear and panic :O - not quite sure what to do about that! I might hire a trike and see how that goes :)

Happy running all

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate

Morning peeplings :) I need to have a whine because I'm still feeling sorry for myself :(

Did my first run (without my ugly green compression wrap) on Sunday after just over 2 weeks on the IC. I only managed about 14 minutes before I needed to walk! Then I ran for another seven or so minutes and needed to walk again. My hip is still achey and my stamina appears to be in hiding! Managed a tad over 5k doing little runs and little walks but it took me 52 minutes!

This morning I tried again and this time managed about 11 minutes then 5 min walking then another 5 minutes running and that was it. I caved in and went Home :( I've got the blindfold 5k on Sunday and it's looking like it'll probably take me half a day to get round!

Just wanted a bit of a whinge as I had visions of being able to slay the world with energy to spare after a full two weeks resting!

I know my stamina is hiding out somewhere. It'll probably turn up next week in the laundry basket or at the back of a cupboard. I will search until I find it!😁

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to McFitty

Aw McFitty I'm sorry to see you've been on the IC. Is there any other exercise you can do that won't aggregate the hip but will keep your fitness up? Cycling, rowing, swimming?

What's happened to your hip?

McFitty profile image
McFittyGraduate in reply to Irishprincess

Inguinal tendon strain! It's a bugger. It doesn't hurt at all whilst running now but if I stand on my right leg and lean left it feels like someone is putting a hot knife into my pelvis! (as my husband says "don't stand on your right leg and lean left then")😂

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate in reply to McFitty

Ouch that sounds painful! And sometimes husbands are no help at all 😂

I guess rest and ice is the way to go? I hope it settles down soon and you can get out there again 🙂

parseraisin profile image
parseraisinGraduate

Hi Guys, it is nice to catch up after a couple of weeks away. My last update was three weeks ago at the start of the quest. I was laid up with a bad calf, but I had recovered enough to tackle regular speedy walks, and then I did a week teleportation to the United States where I did not walk at all. Soo.

One weird thing about the speed walks I noted is that is possible for me to get my heart rate into the desired zone, and to maintain a pace that is only a bit slower than I was when I was running to the same targets! This was a curious discovery and a bit depressing. Why am I running at all?

This morning I ran and speed walked, 1k warm up walking, 8x1 minute intervals and then speed walking to take me to 4k. And I am happier than I have been in weeks. The answer, of course, is because I like it. Running is more challenging and more fun.

The aim for the rest of the week is two more such run/walks, and careful attention to my calves and hips. The latter are STILL giving me a bit of trouble, but I have figured out how to manage them.

Have a great week, folks!

Did my now hopefully regular Wednesday Run. Same route as my run on Sunday started half way down hill to start of lake and back up. The start up walk on the frosty morning was a bit of a shock (make sure I have warmer rugby style sleeved shirt under my sweatshirt next time instead of short sleeved). Felt a gremlin moment coming on !

Went out earlier than I usually would about 6:45 instead of 9 to 10 ish. But made sure that the Sun had come up a decent bit for some reasonable light. But on starting sucking in cold air for the first time was a bit of a shock (perhaps shock is too harsh) but did sort of gasp. Not as bad as but felt a bit like when you step into a cold shower expecting it to be warm.

Starting downhill and I think the chill air made me run a bit faster than usual. My first lap of 3 round lake ( 1.6K or 1 mile) was about a minute faster. So consciously slowed down for next lap.

No runners but a few dog walkers all well behaved on leads. Did same time 3 laps in total 4.8 to 5 K round lake in 33 minutes. total time 41 minutes including up and down half a hill !

For first time only slight ache in knee and hip (don't we all have a touch of rheumatism) . Get same niggle occasionally when cycling. But the niggle seem to come and go after a few minutes. Thought would be worse , perhaps shedding the 3 stone over last couple of years did the trick.

The last run half way up the hill my breathing seemed heavier in the cold air. No records broken glad to be on a par with last run. At least got used to cold weather running and slayed any gremlins about running in a colder climate. Unusually finished more relieved than elated on finishing. Once home though got my old Cheesy grin back. I did it and banished the gremlins. Ready for next run on Sunday !

northernlass1965 profile image
northernlass1965Graduate

Hi peeps,

I graduated about three weeks ago and my goal was to keep running for 30 mins three times a week. Which I've managed. Yay!!

I've been trying to run for longer (I'm a slow runner and I can't run faster!) to achieve the 5k, which I've managed, running for about 40 mins.

What I'm confused about is how I feel I'm going backwards in terms of my progress.

About a week ago I ran 45min on a flat course and while tired, wasn't totally exhausted. But on my last two runs I've struggled to get past 30 min (although I struggled through to 40 mins and 47 min respectively)- and both runs involved hills. Is this the reason I'm finding it harder?

Or am I pushing myself too far too soon? Advice gratefully received. Thanks!

in reply to northernlass1965

Think you've had some posts on this on a similar post. While I was reporting my quest progress I thought I'd chip in my penny's worth. You've done well to do the times of 40 minutes plus.

For me graduated about July and since not tackled hills until recently. They can be a challenge especially if you've only had 2 shots at them. Think you are being a bit hard on yourself and there was good advice on the other posts.

My legs ached more than usual tackling my one hill. I've changed my route which involves another incline that takes me to start of canal which is obviously flat. But I have started to get a bit further up that hill now and is getting easier. Believe everybody it will get easier.

you may have seen my posts saying I am doing 40 minutes and when I go down to 30 minutes or 5k (doing in 33 minutes) I find it easier having done the extra time to build up the stamina.

As they say take it easy and as I do never set myself up for a bad run I say to myself "My intention was to run 30 minutes any extra is a bonus".

Keep posting and let us all know how you get on.

Had a good run today Sunday 6th. Decided to take advantage of the sunshine despite the chill. Calculated new route that took 40 minutes and 6K approx. Also opportunity to drag myself a bit further up the hill at the finish.

Route took me down the Tame Valley canal (that comes from Walsall) to spaghetti junction and junctions of Fazeley and Worcester Canals then back. Set out at 9am and started about 1/4 down hill with aim of getting back to 3/4 up. Picked exactly right time and route South Eastwards with Sun on my Face. The Sun was out a bit low about 30 degree elevation not too blinding. Really warmed me up. Better than lake where trees tend to block out the sun.

Exactly 40 minutes and according to runwalkjog website map 6K. So crept a bit further up that hill and legs not ache as much as last run. Probably could have run just a bit further but save total hill climb till next time. Think will use this route regularly for a while the There and back route and straight lines of this canal give me a more accurate measurement of my distance. At 5K point on a par with last time about 33 minutes. Felt good and bit easier .

Well pleased making progress up the hill and no gremlins even at the start.

Joy57 profile image
Joy57Graduate

I've done 2.1 runs this week - 2 proper ones outdoors which were great, and I went to the gym today, did my workout first then went on the treadmill. Well, I just can't run on the treadmill! Started off with 5 minute walk then ran for 2 minutes before feeling nauseous and had to slow to a walk - 10 minutes total. I guess I will just have to keep my running and gym workouts separate. Last Sunday I did a short gym workout then went for a run in the village where the gym is situated. Maybe that's the way to go for me.

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