The Mad March Tea Party Quest week 1 - Feel fr... - Couch to 5K

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The Mad March Tea Party Quest week 1 - Feel free to join.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate
49 Replies

Hi and welcome to our new Quest please feel free to join.

I've named the Quest Mad March tea party because when I think of names for March when the quest finishes I keep thinking of the Mad March hare from Alice in Wonderland and there are times when I feel I am running around looking at my watch all the time trying to fit it all in, so it seemed apt to me, also I can have some fun with the graphics for the certificate. 😀.

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 are a graduate . 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 be added for the duration of the Quest.

Good Luck everybody !

Real Foodie Club, Ju-ju and Pops xxx

Real foodie club

Anniemurph

Googleme

Misswobble

CookieM

Ajwyld

Curlygurly2

Indiscoot

Poppypug

Charliejack

Runaroundsue

Pollyp1

Oldfloss

Curlyann

Joepublic

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Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub
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49 Replies
Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate

Oh, yes, please Rfc - how appropriate! Please put my name down for this one :D

I'm not quite sure about my goals for this one because my job may or may not be changing over the next few weeks. If it changes I may be working abroad for most of the week, and I will ask for a hotel with a gym - hooray! If it doesn't then I will try and incorporate a swim once a week.

Running-wise, I want to consolidate my 10k distance because my next event is the Longhorn at the end of April. It's more of a trail run, which I've never done before, so in this Quest I will be getting comfortable with the 10k distance (I wasn't comfortable at the LWR, as you noticed :D ) and then in the next Quest I shall seek out off-road places to run on. Eeek!

Happy running everyone who can, and a swift recovery to those on the IC or who are suffering xx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Anniemurph

Sounds like a great goal and good luck with you job changes. I didn't see such thing at LWR, you looked so much happier than you said you were 😀. Trail is one I keep saying I should try especially as there is a wood less than 5min out my front door nearly four years in and still never given it a go while running.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Thank you! No, I've never done any trail running either, except unwillingly on the Chatsworth 10k so I think I need to up my game a bit for the Longhorn :D

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate

Love the title! Please count me in... my Quest is to be a bit less of a sleepy dormouse.

Here's my goals:

1) Complete a 10 day meditation 'challenge'

2) Use my new earphones on a run

3) Do 10,000 steps in a day on at least six occasions (I was shocked to discover that it is almost a month since I last got to 10,000)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Hehe I must admit when it's been really cold I felt like a sleepy dormouse under duvet not wanting to get up. Meditation, I use that at really stressful times I have an app from my favourite hypnotherapist. Great goals you have there.

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Keeping it small and, I hope, achievable. I think I am still post-viral as I am normally a bit more dynamic in the Winter than the Summer.

Day One of the 10 minute meditation challenge interrupted by a discussion about whether one of our cats had been fed.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to GoogleMe

Good luck with getting everyone up to speed about the meditation challenge :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Count me in! I am running in the same race as Murph! 😄 I also have a 10k race in March, which is quite "undulating" So am in training for that one now 🙂

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to misswobble

Ive added your name. You like your hills don't you! I'm sure when you say undulating we say mountain climbing 😀.

Anniemurph profile image
AnniemurphGraduate in reply to misswobble

Woohoo! You'll have to wait for me at the end - after you've had your shower and nap and tea and biccies, of course :D

CookieM profile image
CookieMGraduate

Count me in!

I'm hoping I'm nearly over this lurgy and can get back out there this week.

My main goal is to get to 5k - I've got to 4k now, so if I can keep running I should get there!!

I'm also going to aim for 3 runs a week - haven't achieved this one yet this year, so we'll see how it goes!!!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to CookieM

I've added your name. Glad your shaking off the lurgy. 4km your so close now. I'm sure you will get there.

CookieM profile image
CookieMGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Providing I avoid another lurgy, I'm hopeful too!! :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I used to go miles to avoid a hill 😀 A long, slow hill climb I quite like now. Good for the core😀

ajwyld profile image
ajwyldGraduate

Yes please ! This is going to be a bit of an odd Quest for me, because I'm doing my first ever Half Marathon in 2 weeks, so my goal for the first 2 weeks is going to be to stick to my training plan and complete the HM. Then I have a 2 week recovery phase (still according to the plan). But then what ? I've been using the plan since September so I'll need to replace it with something. I think that maybe for the rest of the Quest I'll try to do 3 runs a week - but all at a gentle pace and just for fun.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to ajwyld

I've added you in. It's a strange time after your event, I always remember looking forward to Less structure then missing it when it was taken away 😀. I used to do my HM in May then betweeen June and November really up the core and strength work with the shorter runs, then start the build up again from November. Even though I haven't got a HM this year I'm still doing pretty much the same.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate

Me please! My goal is to run the 10 KM race with Madge & Ancient Mum in 5 weeks time.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Curlygurly2

I've added you in. We are going to have an exciting quest with all these events coming up. Have fun with you training.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Thank you RFC, I'm OIC at the moment :-(

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Curlygurly2

Sorry I forgot, how is the PF behaving itself today, any better?

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Up and down really, it's worse in the mornings, but I think it's improving. The hard thing will be not running when it's nearly better...must wait till it's properly gone!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Curlygurly2

Sounds like a plan.

Indiscoot profile image
IndiscootGraduate

Ooh please count me in - I would like to train to do a park run on 1 April 2017 - perhaps not the best choice of day - am I being foolish!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Indiscoot

I've added your name in. Sounds like a great plan to me. Just think of it as an April fools to anyone who doesn't think you can do it, they will be the fools. 😀.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Tea ??? Who mentioned Tea ??? Im in ! :-) Ha ha !

Thankyou so much for the new quest, Rfc xxx

Mine is to carry on with getting back on track with my HM training. I managed to do both runs last week , ( I run twice a week ) for the first time in a while . I seem to have missed a few midweek runs, due to frost and ice , a general sort of a bit feeling under the weather and the upset of losing Mam. As a result I am finding it a bit of a slog , my pace is well down compared to last years training , but its all kilometerages on the legs , and I am just so determined to get there .

Good Luck fellow Questers , and gentle, soothing, healing vibes to all those on the IC and those going through tough times . Hang on in there :-) xxx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to poppypug

Hehe I thought if I mentioned tea I might get your attention 😀☕️ Ive added you in. Be kind to yourself Pops, grief can really get into your bones and muscles and make you more injury prone so you are so right to take the pace down a bit and just be kind to yourself.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Yes I agree, thankyou xxx

charliejack profile image
charliejackGraduate

Hi please count me in. My quest is to train for a 10k in june and do more park runs. Good luck to everyone xx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to charliejack

I've added you in. You e got some good goals there, lots of tim to get you ready for your 10km

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Sorry to hear about your foot woes Curly! It"s the Achilles int it, where it goes under the foot? Ice! Anti inflammation. Mind you they take an age to kick in. Hope it bogs off soon! 😤

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSue

I'm in, with just one goal that differs from my usual "run 30-40 minutes three times a week, including parkrun whenever possible"

The new goal for March is to go running with Lanza Road Runners when I am in Lanzarote. They run Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings so hoping to fit in two of each. We generally walk all over the island so obviously need to work round that but they meet (and finish) at an ice cream kiosk.

I am going to keep on with ju-ju-'s 10K plan until I go but may need to redo part of it when I return.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to RunaroundSue

I've added your name in. Sounds like a plan. Ice cream at the end of a run sounds good too.

pollyp1 profile image
pollyp1Graduate

Me! Me! Me! (Sorry, out to dinner, wine hitting ground zero (we are on annual leave!!)). My goal is to run 10k at least once and preferably twice. I'd hoped to have done it well before then but the cold weather is playing havoc with pre existing injuries.

Happy running.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to pollyp1

I've added your name. Wine and annual leave, sounds like fun. The weather has been rotten this year it's made me realise we have had it easier since I graduated. Hopefully we are at the tail end of it now and you will get to your 10km.

pollyp1 profile image
pollyp1Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Thanks for the add. It's definitely a good combination - a modest amount, you understand! I think I'll get to 10k...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Great name Rfc...please count me in. :)

Aims for this are a tad more realistic hopefully, as I do feel like a Mad March Hare...but not as fast :)

Walk.. every day.. with or without small sproglet and pram

Build back up to 7K... did my first post IC, 5K yesterday

Regain a tad more positivity and lose the grumplies currently hanging onto my running shoes!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Ive added your name. Great news on your 5km, your walks will be helping to build you up.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

Thanks RFC, getting back on track..but it is slow progress... !

curlyann profile image
curlyannGraduate

I would love to join the quest. I want to be able to run 3 times a week. I also want to get that 5k distance within 30 minutes. Most of all I want to continue to build stamina and feel really fit :-).

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to curlyann

You have been added in. Great goals. Good luck with the 5km in 30 min, I dream of that one day.

in reply to curlyann

I'm still dreaming of 30 minutes 5K. Maybe one day we will both get there but like you my main aim was to do the time and build stamina and be fit.

Coming up to my "Runniversary" in April and just glad that I've done 3 runs per week for a year without "falling off the wagon".

Good luck with working towards the 5K but as I say to myself no rush "Where's the fire". Some experts reckon that at whatever stage we start running we could have 7 years improvement in us ! So watch out Mo !!

Count me in. On my last quest aim was to run for 45 minutes. Got to 44. So aim is to consolidate where I am. Have regularly been doing 3 runs per week between 4 and 6 1/4K.

Plan is to consolidate my running for my "Runniversary" .Think started C25K in April.

Plan to Run:-

Sunday 40 minutes and increase by 1 minute each week running on past experience between 6 and 6 1/2K.

Wednesday Run 5K perhaps experiment with Podcasts and work on increasing speed.

Friday Do my usual 4 1/4K to work

Do more regular core exercises.

Will need some advice here on a structured programme I can use and/or amend to help me stick to it. Believe someone on this forum has done something like "glute challenge" or something.

Finally finish in April (roughly a year since I started C25K) by booking a day off for a Parkrun.

Anything better than my 35 minutes on my parkrun last year will be great.

I just pleased that I've managed to keep it up for a year without "falling off the wagon".

And the health and well being to boot !!

And thanks again to everyone here for inspiration !

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to

Your name has been added. Exciting times coming up to your runnversary, Sounds like very sensible goals for the increases, I am Sure you will get them all.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Getting there, slowly... losing track of when and what days but, a 3K two 5Ks and a super but slowish 7K... and loads and loads and loads of walking...have also lost the Black Dog.. he got left behind on the Sunday 7 K.. :)

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

That's great news floss it's amazing what we can achieve with exercise. Strangely enough I find 7km just the perfect distance to sort my head out, 5km doesn't relax me enough to do a sort out, for me it's just enough for a won't get me down.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

I love 7K too... it was my magic number to reach after i graduated.. :)

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate

Count me in please? I really need to crack this fitting in some strength training thing. I totally failed last time.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to Maddee_6333

Hi there I've added your name to the week 2 of the quest. Strength training is a great addition, I can be lapse at times but I'm like you I keep trying.

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub

I just got back from a bodytone class. I am not as flexible as I once was!

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