THE SEARCH FOR AN INDIAN SUMMER--SEPTEMBER QUEST WEEK FOUR

[IannodaTruffe]

Welcome to Week Four 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. This week I can see definite progress in this area. I can do more push ups in the set time. My push up and rotations are much more controlled and I have reached the point where I could benefit from increasing duration for planks and wall sits. So all good on that front.

On Monday I completed W4, resisting the temptation to do a bit more. On Wednesday I was due to run but had my physio appointment at 8.30 am, so Mme da Truffe came up with the idea of driving me there and I could do W5R1 on my way home ......perfect. Because of my ongoing cancer treatment, which I suspect has contributed to my knee problems, my physio has left my case open for the next few months, meaning I can self refer to her at any time, if necessary.

So the run home was back on the route on which I first ran C25k, over six years ago, with Dartmoor over to my right as I jogged gently down the ridge. Happy man..................until the last few steps of the first five minute run, when a familiar sharp pain in my left knee brought me back to reality. The instability that I have struggled with has reappeared, much as it did a couple of weeks ago. My physio wants me to continue testing the knee, with the promise that if we can't overcome it, she will refer me to the big chief knee specialist. With that as a plan I will try running again towards the end of this week.

Ho hum........

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 4 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……...(mmm.....that's what I said in Week 2).......what will you do?

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Great that you are progressing through c25k again albeit you also have the other things going on. Liked that you ran home from physio also. Well done you. I am still running 3/4 days per week and stretching after EVERY run as I said when I last posted I wasn't doing it all the time but it is very important. So have a nice day 😊😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Buddy34]

Well done.

I have stretched after every run since W1 and all the physios I have talked to thoroughly recommend post run stretching.

I am not really making much progress and on the feel of today, I am unlikely to run this week. The bike was my run substitute this weekend.

[59er Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

I am so sorry that you’ve had the set back with your knee. I took a leaf out of your book last week after reading your post about going to see your physio. I decided that I’d do the same. After being on the IC since November I went back to see him and once I’d told him how much I wanted to get back to it and that IannodaTruffe had been given the go ahead to do just that he gave me the go ahead too. I’m to start the C25K again and see how it goes. I’m not sure what week of the Quest you’re in but tomorrow I’m going out to give it a go. There it is in black and white - there’s no getting out of it now! I just hope it stops raining. 🤞

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to 59er]

I hope it works out for you.

Do all you can to minimise impact.........slow, short stride, midfoot footfall and softer, more forgiving surfaces.

I am determined to get back to running, but had to make do with a bike ride today, as the knee is not feeling right just yet.

We can do this!

[59er Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for your advice IannodaTruffe - always helpful. That’s what I like about this group - everyone is so nice and so helpful.

Sorry you can’t run atm but biking too is good - it gets you out there! The great outdoors.

We CAN do this!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

So sorry to hear about the knee still grumbling on, must be dispiriting. I am assuming that the physio has observed you doing all these strengthening exercises so you know your alignment is on point, and hasn't slipped through familiarity?

Oddly I've had the return of a spot of shin and foot pain but I think that's more about not enough running (and some striding about on city pavements which doesn't agree with me) But another swim under my belt, another little bit over the minimum... and a pleasant surprise that I had miscalculated and have less to do than I thought to achieve my goal for the month... especially good as last night/today have got rather derailed by MrGMs heart problems (he's OK).

I need to keep my eye on the yoga... should get all the sessions in by the end of the month but can't really be missing a day now. I've identified a very interesting sounding class on pandiculation to do to fulfil the total of 5 I was aiming for.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to GoogleMe]

Good to hear you are on target.

Thanks to Google, I can mention pandiculation without total ignorance......what a lovely word.

I still cannot imagine what a class in pandiculation consists of......... please enlighten me.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Poncy stretching I expect, but I'll tell you when I've done it.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to GoogleMe]

Oh don't do it, GM!!!!

You have resisted for so long!!!!!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Well that's tough, I do hope the knee settles. It's good she's left the door open for you. It's always nice to know there's a safety net.

I managed to achieve both my goals last week, both spoken and silent. Plenty of joyful running and hit my long distance target for the month which has left me happy and back on plan for winter.

Torrential rain today was grim but the sun came out long enough for me to do some much needed car maintenance.

I only need to get a couple of steady runs in this week to keep on track which hopefully shouldn't be too hard to achieve 👍🏻

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

That sounds as if you are in a better place this week, than last.

There is always (?) something positive just around the corner..........

My physio is lovely, but I don't think she has analyzed my situation very thoroughly, so I have decided that if there is no improvement this week ( I do seem to be going backwards) then I will press her for referral to the specialist.

Enjoy those steady runs.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Much better, thanks.

I try to think that whilst not every day can be a good day, there is something good in every day... so there's always something good on its way 👍🏻

It's very hard at times to know if the professionals have seen us fully or slotted us into a box that fits most others 🤔 I often have to remind myself that they call it "practicing" for a reason. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻

[59er Graduate]

Where can I find The Quest?