Welcome to Week Two of the September Quest……….the Search for an Indian Summer.
We are looking for those little extras in our running that build the fuller experience, just like an Indian Summer.
My aims for the Quest were to build in extra strength training on at least three non running days each week. That was the easy bit and I can report success in that area. The problem has been my running. Last Monday I cautiously completed Week 3 in my return to running, with the only discernible blip being that I had to use my watch for timing as my phone battery was dead…...doh!
I looked forward to stepping things back up in W4, but on Tuesday evening I got up off the settee (yes, I know I shouldn’t be on it) and my left knee displayed all the symptoms of instability that had me on the IC for five months. A quick check on Wednesday morning confirmed that running was out of the question……..after six years of running I know pretty much what my susceptibilities are and when it is unwise to push……..so no running for the rest of the week.
On Friday, Mme da Truffe et moi, headed up to the glorious Exmoor coastline and caught the Autumn sunset in the above photo……..stunning. Saturday morning we headed out on a walk across this rugged landscape, knowing that my knee might force me to cut it all short……...it didn’t. Ten miles or so later the knee felt much more stable and pain free……..perhaps I had not been doing enough extra strengthening exercises!! Sunday, still feeling good, although not quite ready to run again. Tuesday maybe?
So how are you all getting on?
For those who are new here, what is the Quest all about?
It is apparent from many of the posts that we reply to, that many feel a little lost after Graduation.
It is tempting to move on too quickly after Graduation, and quite a few folk feel that they take backward steps or are doing something wrong when things don't progress as they think they should.
This is a terrific place to find the advice you need, read other folks' goals, and to encourage each other as you move on to the next running adventure. Listen to some of the seasoned Graduates too, they are a bit further on in their adventures and may be able to give you more in-depth information
So please feel free to join in if you have graduated. We will be running these Quests every month, updating weekly, so don’t worry you can join in any time after Graduation, it doesn’t matter when it is even if it is just for the last week.
Also please join if you have graduated and are on the IC, We have found reading and supporting other runners when we are on the IC helps to keep motivation up and helps to still feel part of this community so if you are on the IC put your name down, we will support you all the way back to your first recovery run.
Here is the explanation of what the Quest is.
WHAT THE QUEST IS:
The Quest lasts for a calendar month
You can join any time within that time.
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.
We ask that you are a GRADUATE.
The main reason we ask this is that while you are doing the programme your plan is very structured, so we wouldn't want the Quest to interfere with that.
The most popular goals are:-
To run three times a week---Different distances maybe and with 30 minute runs in there
To slowly increase distance
To train, ultimately, 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 we will pin a new post where all the members of the Quest can talk about how things are going.
Our advice to you, is to make your goals achievable, as it is very easy to get discouraged if you aim too high. It is better to aim a little lower and feel great at the end of the Quest and add some more in for the next Quest. Motivation is at its best when you feel a sense of achievement through something you are trying to do and becoming part of the Quest may help you commit and be more accountable.
For me, the aim for Week 2 of the Quest is to make sure that I do strength training on at least three non run days per week…..and who knows, maybe even run……...what will you do?
