Dodging the massive downpours

[HennieR62]

There was an hour of only drizzle late afternoon so went out for my scheduled 30 minute run, usually I go first thing as I get quite tired by the end of the day. It was ok! Even though I ran into the strongest wind I’ve ever run in, which had dropped on the return run so didn’t even get the benefit of a wind-assist! It made the “toxic 10” a bit more challenging, trying to breathe deeply. It feels warm and humid out there under the gloomy skies. The drizzle was SO welcome 🌧

[Joeys86 Graduate]

Well done for getting it done yesterday! I was thinking of you throughout the day with that awful weather.

I did a 30 min run this morning. I checked the forecast for Friday and it looks awful, so switched some things around to allow me to get out today instead. It was TOUGH. The wind was so strong. I definitely am struggling to get back to my previous pace of around 7’30ish. My 5K was 9’03, today was 8’43.

Feeling fantastic to get it done!

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Thank you, and well done you too!! Your pace is coming back. I was so close to not going out yesterday, and as you say, incoming weather looks no better so it was “now or never”!! Largely I enjoy the running, and managing to overcome the challenges. It is that feeling at the end, you KNOW you’ll feel better for doing the run. I’ll be out there again on Friday, weather permitting! I’ve had some good advice from Iannoda in the August Consolidation thread, so am now planning the next 3 weeks goals.

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Good morning! Did you manage to get out for a run yesterday?

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Hi Joeys86! Yes I did, I practised an “easy” run ready for the next 3 weeks, it was 30 minutes at the most relaxed pace I could do. In a day of huge winds and squally showers, the sun shone! ☀️ It was even stronger wind than last run so definitely HAD to slow down!

How have you got on? Have you been out yesterday or today?

My next 3week plan is keep to the run days, do 1x5k, 1x easy run, 1x try and go faster! but shorter, maybe intervals (need to look up fartlek), 1x easy run. Repeat 3 times. I’m also going to drop the music for the easy runs, I’ll keep MapMyRun on just to see what happens.

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Well done you! Sounds brilliant. And a good plan for your next 3 weeks. Nope, I planned my next run for tomorrow morning. Then planning on Tues/Weds, Fri & Sun next week. I’m going on holiday next weekend- the first thing on my packing list is my running gear. Looking forward to finding some new routes ☺️.

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

That’s dedication!😊 Sounds as though you have a good plan for days to run. Let me know how you get on! Then there’ll be news from your holiday runs - brave you are!! I’m going away for a couple of days mid September, I will try to run there too. Have a lovely weekend 👍

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Went out this morning, it was hard! Feel like I always say that. Didn’t really have a plan in mind when I set off. The last couple of runs I’ve stopped where there are some rental bikes to add a short cycle onto the end of my run. This morning I decided to head for there again, except when I got there, all the bikes were gone! So I decided to turn around and run back. I stopped at 33mins, felt I had absolutely nothing left in the tank. Enjoyed a longer walk back home.

Lesson learnt for next time - check availability on the bike app before setting out!

Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

One day it will feel easier (I hope😁😁). You ran for 33 minutes! Excellent!! And it sounds as though you are quite relaxed about your runs! I’m impressed you can manage a cycle after running though! Yes I’ve had a good weekend thanks, actually just home from a bike ride to visit friends - social distance in the garden! It puts the “push” into push-bike to get up a steep hill! Downhill all the way home hooray! 🚴‍♀️ Hope you have had a good weekend too. I’ll aim to run tomorrow 🤞

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

I think a habit has been formed! I ran this morning, despite going later as I was waiting for workmen to arrive again. I really enjoyed it. I have definitely found my can-do-5k-on-level-ground slow-pace 😂

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Amazing!! Well done you ☺️☺️

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Thank you. It’s definitely slow!!! 🐌

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Good morning! Are you running today? I was checking the forecast yesterday and it was saying winds of 50mph this morning 😳 so I was fully prepared to take today off and go out tomorrow. But I got up and did it this morning and am so glad I did. I changed my route to just do the roads around where I live, rather than the seafront. I missed the gorgeous view, but it was nice to change things up a little. How did you get on?

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Hello! Yes I went out, and changed my route for the first time! I turned left instead of right at the end of my road and ran to a different village. Also I tried to limit my time along the estuary to avoid the worst of the wind - that was fairly successful, I think the strongest wind here in the south west was last night. It was a shorter run, 20 minutes as my “easy” run, like you, very pleased I went out. 👏👏👏👏

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Morning! Today was my first attempt at intervals/fartlek. My first increase in pace was 25 strides, boy was that hard! I did think I’m not cut out for this! 🐌 In the end I did 5 lots of trying to go a bit faster for a very short distance, the last part of the run is along a road with telegraph poles so that made it easier as I could go faster/slower in between them. No miracles yet, but my average pace per km over the 4.4k was a little faster. A glimmer of hope there in my goal of 30min/5k! Have a lovely weekend 😊

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Good morning. Well done, that sounds great. I need to look into that. I was short on time this morning so did 20 mins. Was really pleased at the end as my pace was back in the 7s! My next 3 runs will be on my holiday which I am going on tomorrow. Really looking forward to finding some new running routes ☺️. Have a lovely weekend!

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Enjoy your holiday! I’ll look forward to hearing how the running goes! 😊

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Hi! How has your week been? I’ve managed two runs on my trip away, was hoping for three but this mornings didn’t happen. Its been fab to run in another location and see some different things. How have your runs been?

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Hello! Hope you’ve enjoyed your break, ☀️ I’m impressed you did 2 runs. You’ve managed more runs than me 👏👏 I did a mammoth walk on bank holiday Monday, including big hills (ouch!), I’ve cycled and swam, so today was my one and only run this week! I did 5k though and it felt fairly comfortable so don’t think I’ve forgotten how to do it😊 The cooler temperature is fab. Two rest days now which usually include cycling, then aim for 3 runs again next week. Have a lovely weekend 👍

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Sounds like you had a lovely week! And well done with the 5K! Hope you have had a lovely weekend. I wanted to get out to run this morning but I just couldnt get out the door - last day of holiday before back to normal in the morning, thought I’d treat myself to a lay in. Think I will try an after work one tomorrow instead 🥴. Love my mornings but back to the office means having to shuffle things about!

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

It was lovely thanks, my sister visited, first time we’ve seen each other in many months. I don’t blame you having that last lie-in! So you’re back to proper office now? Annoying to have to fit work into your running routine!!😖 Hoping it all goes well for you, and the later run. I’ll try to get out tomorrow too ..... I don’t do much work these days but have a couple of days this week.

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

I did my run this morning, REALLY liked the cooler air! Hope you manage to run this evening

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Brilliant stuff, cooler air sounds delightful. And how lovely to see your sister! Yes ran after work. Can’t say I’m a fan of it! It felt much warmer than I expected. I think I will stick to mornings as much as I can. I’m in the office two days a week at the moment, then three days a week from October. Hoping to run the two days in the week that I work from home, then perhaps a longer run on a Sunday. But need to be open to evening runs I guess!

Have a great week. Catch up soon! X

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

How are you doing Joeys86 ? I hope you’ll manage a run this week 🤞

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Hi! Managed to get out Monday evening and Wednesday morning. Next plan is Sunday. I was half debating going this morning, but had a little niggle in my knee so gave it a miss. Going to try Wed, Fri, Sun run pattern from next week. How have yours been?

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Morning! I’ve run twice, both 5ks so quite pleased with that. I’m off on a very long drive on Sunday to visit my mum for a couple of days so will take my running kit and hopefully be brave enough to run in a different place!! Have a lovely weekend and a good run tomorrow. X

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Sounds lovely. Enjoy the weekend and time with your mum ☺️

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Hello! Well that was my first run in a new place, I did 4.5k in 30 minutes so not too bad! I’d forgotten my ear buds so that was also the first run without distance covered / pace messages. Home again now, planning Wednesday and Friday runs. How are you getting on?

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Morning. Sorry for the silence! Ah well done for your run in a new place. I quite like running without earbuds, then Im not so focussed on pace etc. Did you manage to run Weds and today? I’ve been having a bit of a tough time to be honest, I ran Mon & Wed last week, then didn’t go again until Weds this week. I had to stop after 5 minutes, I don’t know why, I just couldn’t do it. I went for a 30 minute bike ride instead. This morning I went out, I tried to take the pressure off and just do what I could, but also felt like it could be a make or break run for me. Sooo happy to say I managed a full 30 mins, with 8:03 pace which I was chuffed with, considering I’ve not ran properly for over a week. It was noticeably colder this morning too, which was lovely. I now have to go back to the office 5 days a week from mid October, so trying to plan what to do about my runs. Id have to be out at 6 to get it done before work, so probably have to switch to after work. Thinking of doing 2 in the week then a weekend morning.

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Sorry that was so long!! Tell me about your week ☺️

[HennieR62 Graduate in reply to Joeys86]

Long message: not a problem! I was so pleased to hear from you, I’m just back from my run and was wondering how you’re getting on. Well done - you went out again after your 5 minute run, and fab you went for a bike ride and not back under the duvet!! 👏👏👏 When I’ve missed one of my 3 runs I do find its as though I go backwards in progress, maybe we need a little slower/shorter run to remind our body how to do it?? 😊😊 and all through this forum - there’s no failure, you GOT OUT there. Running for 30 minutes again after a break - WELL DONE!!! Your plan for mid October sounds good. Hope you’re ok with getting back to 5 days in the office, it must be worrying.

My week’s been mixed, it was really hard leaving my old mum, you never know when we’ll meet again. But I’ve run 3 times for 30 minutes which is good. Trying to keep active to stay positive, so I’ve swum and cycled too. Will need a lie down this weekend!! 😂

Have a lovely weekend. Catch up next week?

PS my turn to apologise for length of message!!

[Joeys86 Graduate in reply to HennieR62]

Thank you for being so supportive! That sounds tough about leaving your mum. It is hard.

Not looking forward to being back in the office full time, but nothing I can do about it!

Have a lovely weekend - definitely catch up next week!