I went out in shorts and a vest!

[Maddee_6333]

I never go out in shorts and a vest, in fact the first time - since school - that I’ve worn shorts to run was last week at an event. And even then I wore long socks. Today I went the whole hog, and wore short socks too, because it was so hot!

My plan had me down for a 45 minute easy run today, which according to it would be roughly 6k. I left the house still vacillating about whether I wanted to run for 45 minutes, or try and cover 6k and I don’t think I ever actually made the decision 🤦‍♀️

About 15 -20 minutes in I was melting in the heat, even though I’d only been going slowly, and had to start taking walking breaks when I found myself really struggling on the uphill near the golf course.

I did the run walk version of fartleking to get me along the tarmac path to the top of the hill and then continued along the ‘flat’ bike path because I’d developed a funny little pain under my foot, near my toes. Had an amusing moment when a bike coming towards me and I both went up onto the verge to get out of each other’s way, luckily we didn’t crash into each other 👍

Finally got to the top of the long gentle, grass \o/slope that leads towards home and managed to find a way to run that lessened the pain - which doesn’t seem to have caused me any other pains (yet). I also distracted myself by talking to the baby calves in the fields with their mums as I ran past.

By the time I heard the app tell me that I’d been moving for 45 minutes, the gate onto the path through the stables, between myself and home, was well and truly in sight, so I opted to run to it before stopping. Which I duly did, even managing a quick sprint at the end. I’d reached the point that I didn’t even care how far I’d come, so was pleasantly surprised to see I’d done more than 6k. What wasn’t as pleasing was that a huge black cloud had come over, so my walk home was pretty chilly and I was honestly worried I was going to get rained on.

[backintime Graduate]

Look at you in shorts and short socks ! Well done ! This running lark gets us doing all sorts of things doesn't it !

Well done on the run too. 45 minutes is great !

Can I ask what app are you using ?

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to backintime]

I use MapMyFitness, you can do training plans with it too. My current one is aiming to make me run quicker.

[Elisabeth3 Graduate]

Congratulations on the run.

Is Map My Fitness is the same as Map My Run?

I read about it, and it seems a good one.

Do you like it? Is it easy to use? Is it free?

Thanks.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

😊

Same parent company, I’ve never used MapmyRun, but I assume it’s very similar.

I do like it, though it assumes everyone is American - the European equivalent is Endomondo.

I find it easy to use, and it actually suits me better than the really simple user interfaces some apps have (Strava comes to mind) that I have trouble navigating my way around.

It has a free version and a paid version. I’ve used the paid version for a couple of years now, but was happy with the free one for the 2 years I used it before that.

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thank you for the information. I am using only the C25K app. Even there I don't know if I can put music. Some members say they have music while doing the program but not sure if it's a different app playing in the background or you can have it set up.

I was thinking of the mapmyrun or as you say, Endomondo.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

You can definitely play music through MapMyFitness as I sometimes get random bits of audio dramas - my preferred ‘company’ on a solo run - when I’ve managed to inadvertently start it.

I’ve never really used it, though I suppose I should - I’ve just never wanted to find myself in the frustrating position where the story has been jumping around all over the place while I’m mid run.

Edited to add:

The music option only works on an iPhone and with your default music app, apparently.

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thank you. My C25K app is on an Android. I don't mind not to have music. I like that there's no 'noice' while out there on a run.

But there are two reasons why I still want to try.

1. Time passes more quickly they say.

Knowing the length of the numbers, it indicates how far you are.

2. If you choose a beat corresponding to your pace, it can enhance the speed, so they say. I am a slow jogger.