Welcome to Week Three 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 and this week has been more successful for me on the running front.
This morning I completed Week 4 in my rerun of C25k. It is great to be running for long enough to build up a sweat, catching spiders webs in the Autumn morning air. The knee is holding up, but even though I am by nature a pretty positive individual, my confidence in my body is very low, after last week, so the pace is remaining slow............but then so it should.
I get to see my physio this week and I suspect that she may discharge me. She said she would get me running again and so she has, so maybe I shouldn't hog any more scarce NHS resources, but it is comforting to have someone guide you on your way. We shall see.
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.
So let's see, what happens in Week 5 of C25k............hopefully at least three strength sessions on non run days and culminating in a twenty minute run, if my physio agrees.
What about you?
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IannodaTruffe
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I am so glad that your knee is holding up, I didn't realise that you got injured and have been on the IC, (injury couch) for so long that you had to rerun C25K, certainly I hope your knee is OK regarding run 3 of week 5, good luck with that run.
Glad your knee is getting stronger and you're taking it slow as you always told me was the way to go. A few weeks back I asked on here if it would be ok to do my usual 3 runs per week and every second week add in a parkrun so I would be running Friday and Saturday and wasn't to sure about running on consecutive days. It's worked out really well and I've now completed 2 parkruns. So thank you 😊😊
It's quite tough when you get cast out by physio, it's a good sign but it is so nice having that support.
I got lucky years ago and had way more physio than I probably should have, going up to the hospital gym twice a week. It was bliss... until a new head physio came along and gave us all short shrift and signed us all off within a few days! 🤣 gosh I missed that place!
Fingers crossed for your next appt. 🤞🏻
My quest for this month is a little vague. Feeling rather out of sorts upstairs so although I had pretty big goals for this month, which for once I spoke out loud, more than once (usually I keep them quiet so I feel no external pressure if anything changes) I guess really I just want to make it through the month with a good percentage of joyful runs.
Having some sore feet issues due to pretty much all my footwear; including my work shoes which get worn for 12 hrs or so a day all wearing out almost at once! Still waiting on new work shoes. I really need to put a note in my calendar or pay much more attention as I either didn't feel much or ignored the early warning signs.
Summer seems to be rushing out the back door, I'm concerned that my energy and motivational levels might follow it...
What bad luck about the total footwear failure and consequent sore feet. Hope you get it sorted soon.
Sorry to hear you're feeling out of sorts. I've been having joyful runs now that I'm off the IC (really makes you appreciate the ability to run again). So I'll be thinking of you and hoping you are having those joyful runs you wish for.
I've just had 3 months on the IC and am also re-starting C25K. So good to have that structure and also to ensure that I don't do too much too soon. I am due to start Week 5 this week. Very best of luck with your recovery and the rebuilding of your stamina and strength.
Working your way back through the plan does give you that security of knowing that you won't be pushing too hard, too soon..........unless you have an unreliable, crumbling body like me.
My body is anything but reliable at my age! Oh for the confident arrogance of youth. I hope that you'll get back to running eventually - your posts about previous runs are very inspiring. Very best wishes. 🤞😀
Not sure how I am feeling about this month's Quest... perhaps the reason for a late update on the previous week.
The running I think has slipped away from me - I can't see me covering the kms to reach my goal, so it is about not pressurising myself with the goal and ending up not going running at all. Sometimes it has been a choice between a run or an evening walk with my husband and we have enjoyed some sunsets together. Other times it has been too hot to take Google out - I used not to be too worried, but now she is almost always on the lead.
Yoga was going well again but wobbled again (not my tree pose, my tree pose is pretty solid) so again, need to keep an eye on that. (The Quest does make a positive difference)
The triumph is that I've got back in the pool and on two of the occasions I did more than the minimum so my overall goal isn't completely out of reach (but I think it will be achieved, if it is, on the final day!)
In all honesty, had I not been asked to host this, I would not be publicly declaring my aims for month or week, simply because my past experience has made me realise that plans are there for the thwarting. Taking into account the vagaries of life, the commitment is not a life and death oath of intent, but can of course serve the purpose of aiding the planning of progress.............and that is how it should be seen.
Most of us on this month's Quest have been running long enough to know that it is not the be all and end all of staying fit. I don't like my running to oblige me to follow any particular set plan..........which is why I am unlikely to ever run a marathon, as the training is just too much of a constraint on joyful free running...............I am just dreaming now, having had another failure of my knee to behave itself.
The extra strength training is continuing, however, so I have kept to my target.
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