Another week down

[RunningMigster]

Did a bit of Japanese slow running today. Not deliberately. I was just so slow getting up one of the hills, it's what it turned into.

You see, I was sat here, feeling the effects of a glass of wine too many last night, and thinking that I'll do my run tonight. Get myself well hydrated, get some fuel in my body, maybe a nap this afternoon and do that running thing later.

But I was reading all of your posts about how much you've all been enjoying running in the fresh, clear morning and, well, you did it again to me didnt you? You motivated me when I didn't want to be motivated.

So I got my gear on and off I went. My consolidation runs seemed to be getting slower and slower, so i really pushed myself on Thursday to knock a couple of minutes off my time. Still not where I was on week 9, but close!

Today though, I was expecting an ultra slow time. Especially with that slow running up the hill. But what do you know, my pace keeper on my RunKeeper app kicks in at 15 minutes and gives my distance and pace, which turns out to be faster than Thursday. Dont understand that!

So, despite not feeling my best, and taking in a horrible hill, I still managed a very respectable 5k.

I've also just downloaded Strava onto my phone. RunKeeper and my Fitbit never came close to giving me the same stats for the same run, ever! So I thought I'd try Strava as well and see which it was closest to. Well, RunKeeper and Strava were almost identical. Fitbit, not even close. So I think I'm going to ignore fitbit for running stats now and just use it for things like heart rate and sleep monitoring.

But I have to say, what a stunning day for running. Nice and cold and clear blue skies. Perfect!

Happy running everybody!

Mig

[Sham19]

Glad you were motivated to run in this glorious sunshine.

Japanese slow running is amazing when you need it 🙂

I’ve started running with out hearing my pace and I find it liberating. And strangely enough my pace has started to improve naturally.

You’re making me feel bad for not tackling my nemesis hill but you’ve inspired me to give it a go at some point.

Here’s to Lots more happy running 🙂

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Sham19]

It really is such a wonderful running day. If I had the energy, I'd have kept going 🙂🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[Nymahchai Graduate]

Just brilliant! Well done for getting out there in the sun after a night of vino!!

I am going to get out there shortly too when lunch is digested.. wish I’d gone before but .. we’ll you know..

I sympathise with all the tech bits. Can’t make up my mind if I really care if I stick to the same one. Slow is slow whatever and my distance is creating up . Maybe next week I’ll change to another App.. 🤔.

Enjoy the remains of the sun ☀️😊

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Nymahchai]

Maybe I should stick to Fitbit. That gives me the fastest run times 🤣🤣🤣

[Nymahchai Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

🤣🤣🤣 love that it’s like me on the scales.. I pick a thin day 🤣🤣🤣

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Nymahchai]

🤣🤣🤣

[Smelliepoo Graduate]

You are so easily swayed! It is a good thing in this case, but something to watch out for, for everything else!

Glad you had a good run mate. 😁

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Smelliepoo]

Sat here, reading posts and looking out at clear blue sky... who could possibly resist that? 🤣🤣🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[Smelliepoo Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

True, true!

[Hidden]

Ah, I'm a Japanese Slow Running fan. Get's me where I need to be and I also find the stats surprising - I think there's something more to that technique than meets the eye! Glad you enjoyed your run. Mine was both icy and muddy depending where the sun had reached, but gin clear skies and sunshine. Glorious.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Hidden]

There maybe more to it than meets the eye. I just might deliberately try it on the next hill run!

[Buddy34 Graduate]

If reading a few posts is all it takes to get you motivated then that can only be a good thing.

You're right , it's perfect running weather. Now you can enjoy a wee sleep.

😊😊😴😴😴

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

We're doing some homework today.

Finding a gym with a swimming pool.

Snowgdss loves to swim and with her foot not being good, she wants to get back to some sort of fitness regime! Have to say though, its tiring work 🤣

[Wenderwoo Graduate]

Yes, it was pretty fab out there today! Well done you 👍😁

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo]

So glad I didnt wait until tonight!

[Brian-P6 Graduate]

Good on you for getting out there Mig. It's because you're not so knackered at the top of the hill, the rest of the run in on pace or quicker than normal! I surprised myself doing the same thing to.

And the best bit is that at the end of the run you're less the wobbly new born Bambi and more the conquering hero

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Brian-P6]

I'm going to do it again on Tuesday and see how I feel. Fingers crossed it wasnt a fluke!

[Brian-P6 Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Don't forget the glass of wine too, it was all part of the training

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Brian-P6]

I might just leave that until I'm back next time 🏃‍♂️🍷🍷

[Roxdog Graduate]

Glad we all got you out nice and early! I'm going to try Strava just to get some idea of how far I'm running.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

I think I prefer RunKeeper, but that's only because it's what I'm used to. But Strava is far more popular, so I might make the switch now, before I start aiming for 10k

[Rigpig Graduate]

Which Fitbit are you using? I’ve used various Fitbit’s for a long time and just bought a Versa 2 because they were so cheap in The States. I really like the whole Fitbit ecosystem and the app but it doesn’t work fully with the Nike app I’m trying which is a great app. I have an older Apple Watch that I never really liked. I might give that another go as it is fully supported by the Nike app. Takes me nearly my full warm up walk to make sure all my apps, music and tech are talking to each other 🙄

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Rigpig]

I've got the Fitbit Charge 3.

I like the design of it. I've never ever worn a watch, so didn't want anything too big.

I love the app too. Even without paying for the upgrade, it gives me all I need.

And I can sync it with RunKeeper which is great.

Just wish it was more accurate on the run stats. Which given that its using my phones GPS, I dont understand why it's not giving exactly the same results as the apps on my phone.

[59er Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

I've got the Charge 3 but don't really use the running app. It seems to switch itself on for that. I got it for steps and sleep. I've started using Strava again which is pretty straight forward. I only have to open it and press start! As Rigpig says to get the apps up and running and starting them more or less at the same time is some feat! 😂 I like the sound of the Garmin but don't really think I can justify the cost. I'll be watching your posts to see where you go with this from here. 👍

[Leosmit Graduate]

5k - well done! Consolidation seems to be a funny thing, it’s not just a continuous improvement once C25K is done, there’s a bit of to-ing and fro-ing until the 5k or the 30 mins is totally in the bag.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to Leosmit]

100%. And of course, I'm still learning!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

it jealous at all that you got a run in and it turned out to be a good one 😀well just a little bit maybe, i must be getting better

Just keep on running and all will become clear

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Really hope you are starting to feel better.

I've still managed to avoid any illness so far.

Plenty of time to get knocked off my feet by something

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to RunningMigster]

Let’s hope you don’t, not everyone has to get sick in winter and springs on its way

[KiwiRunner]

I tackled a tiny hill for the first time tonight (w4r1) and honestly when the app said slow to a walk I am sure I walked quicker than my ‘run’

Honestly no idea what Japanese running is but feel like I might have accidentally done it. Well done for getting out after a vino.

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to KiwiRunner]

Those hills! Sadly I cant avoid them unless I drive somewhere to run. And that's just not gonna happen 😄.

But.... they do make us stronger runners!

Good luck and happy running!

Mig

[KiwiRunner in reply to RunningMigster]

I live in a city built on volcanoes, hills are also sadly avoidable here!

Any ideas on how long it takes for them to make me a stronger runner? My legs still feel like lead every step of the way!

[RunningMigster Graduate in reply to KiwiRunner]

Hmm good question!

I think it was week 5 before I started to get a grip on the hill. My wk5 R2 post is below.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

The photo is the start of the hill. It doesnt look too long in the picture, but it continues for probably another mile and a half.

I learnt to respect the hill. I'm still not sure I tackle it the right way. Sometimes I slow my pace for a couple of minutes before I get there and then kick it up again as I get to the start.

Sometimes, I just take it really slow. A lot depends on how I feel at the time. I have run the hill a few times as though it wasnt there at all and just continued with my normal pace.

I'm still learning! But I never worry about the hill now, just approach it differently depending on how I feel.

Short answer to your question though.... week 5 was when I started to feel comfortable with it

Mig

[KiwiRunner in reply to RunningMigster]

Thank you, I shall stop avoiding the hill or Fernando as he shall now be called and persevere up the cheeky little bugger!

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Well done you!

Re Fitbit: notoriously inaccurate 🥴

Re hills: really good for your bum muscles 🍑 😆