Well that was unexpected

[SweatyHettie]

I wasn’t planning on today being a running day but I woke up and just felt the need to run!😜( never thought I’d hear myself say that!) I don’t know what came over me really. So off I toddled, even decided to hit the pebbles this morning. It was very still down the beach, not a breath of wind. I have finally conquered my nemesis- those pesky pebbles were no match for me this morning 🙂

It felt comfortable this morning throughout, even got into a rhythm without the toxic 10, but I was ready to stop at 5K as it was already starting to feel warm. I reckon this sort of rush of blood to the head is what will get me to run further or for longer, but today I was ready for my yoga and a refreshing shower!

Have a good day everyone

[Equilux Graduate]

Isn’t it a great feeling when you think ‘I know, I think I’ll go for a run!’? Shows how much a part of our lives it has become. And it’s so versatile too! For me, it can be my headspace time, or chance to enjoy the beautiful weather or countryside, or time to think through a problem, or the opportunity to get rid of a day’s frustrations.

It still baffles me how each run can feel so different. I thought that, after a while, I’d understand what works well and what doesn’t, but I still find some runs unexpectedly hard and others the most exhilarating start to the day! I even did a 6k the other day! Not expecting to repeat that anytime soon though! I guess I’m glad that each one is different, if they were all consistent, I’d either get bored or too competitive with myself to try to improve on each one.

Still can’t contemplate running on pebbles though - that’s amazing!

[SweatyHettie Graduate in reply to Equilux]

Wow 6K that’s fab! I’m nowhere near just yet 👏🏼

[Equilux Graduate in reply to SweatyHettie]

I think it was a one off! I’ve not managed anything like that before or since! My app said my first 1km was soooo slow, that I thought, well, I’m never going to make that up with faster kms from now on, so I might as well go with it. To my complete surprise, I found that ultra slow pace meant I could just keep going! I’ve fallen into the bad habit of constantly rating my pace for every run and it was only when the start of this run was so slow (don’t know why) that I made the conscious decision to abandon my usual self imposed pace challenge and just go with the flow. I wish I could gauge my pace accurately, if I could, I’d deliberately keep to that very slow pace so I could achieve that 6k distance again, but I’m rubbish at gauging pace, so I always set off at a pace that means my maximum distance, with a fair amount of effort, is 5k. Those runs aren’t always enjoyable and, if I could only lock in to that ultra slow pace, I’m sure nearly all my runs would be longer, and almost all of them enjoyable. Still, it’s all running, all good exercise, and all better than going back to the couch!

[SweatyHettie Graduate in reply to Equilux]

I’m so with you ... I can’t gauge my pace at all - I definitely think I need to slow to go further but if I think I’m going slow I’m generally not 🤔( relative to 🐌🐢)

[Neverhare Graduate]

Great, that is what it's all about, just going for a run when you really feel like it! I confess the two days of almost constant rain has stopped me running, I should have been out this morning, but it was absolutely tipping down first thing.

I have been reading about Fartleks, no it isn't rude! I am going to try it instead of using intervals to move me on a bit, as I feel stuck in a familiar routine.

raceatyourpace.co.uk/fartle...

[SweatyHettie Graduate in reply to Neverhare]

Just like the child I am I love the name fartleks- it came up in a quiz recently and I was so chuffed I knew the answer! I think I might start needing to mix things up a bit so I’ll bear them in mind