consolidation runs

[123gogo]

I just completed my first week of consolidation runs....without a phone or app or headphones....it's quite nice. I stuck to a route that I know since it's then easier to pace myself and I know when to begin running and when to stop at the end. I did add in a couple of small hills...okay, bumps...but they still got my heartrate up. They seem a bit easier now compared to when I first started intoducing them into my runs so it feels like I'm making a bit of progress. Otherwise, I'm happy to take my time with these consolidation runs with no plans to add speed or distance for a couple of months. That said, in June there are plans to cycle (electric bike) from Lyon to Toulouse...and back. I'll see about changing up the runs after that.

My legs definitely feel stronger. It's a great feeling....

[Vespina Graduate]

Sounds like a lovely run. Interesting that you didn’t miss the app and your trainer in your ear. I wonder how I will feel when I get to that stage.

[123gogo Graduate in reply to Vespina]

Hi Vespina. Thanks for your message. I did one week of consolidation runs without anything to listen to....except the birdsongs and I enjoyed it. However, today I wanted to try out the NRC app and did a 30 min run with that. And I also enjoyed it. I think I would like to try out a 'mindful' run with the NRC app so that's up next. I'm just playing around, having fun. Good luck to you with your running.....

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You are doing great with consolidation runs and those hills will just get easier and easier

[123gogo Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you. You are always so encouraging!!! How are you doing? I read that you are enjoying walks and runs which is good to hear. It is also quite inspirational.

I am enjoying the consolidation runs and as I wrote to Vespina, I'm just trying new things and looking to have fun with the running. No pressure but trying guided runs, nothing in your ears runs, mindfulness runs, change up the route runs, hills and no hills runs.....playing around and enjoying the discoveries. And I did have a thought for you while out running today.....take care of yourselves.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to 123gogo]

Thank you that’s lovely,

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

Well done. You've stumbled upon the beauty of the consolidation phase; the fact that there are no rules and it's up to you what you do. You can choose to run 30mins/5k, you can choose faster and shorter runs, or longer and slower runs. The world is literally at your feet and you are now learning to run for the enjoyment of it (at this stage possibly the buzz after runs rather than during them).

You can mix and match and do your own thìng; the only "rule" is keep up the running habit. If, later, you decide to try to move up to 10k and beyond, great, we'll be here to encourage you. If you decide the level/distance you're at is what's right for you, then that's great too. The greatest thing about it is you get to decide what is "right" for you.

[123gogo Graduate in reply to sTrongFuse]

Thank you sTrongFuse for your encouraging words. They are appreciated and are confidence boosting!

The 'beauty of the consolidation phase' sums it up well. This is my celebratory period where I can just have play and have fun with no pressure to do better or go faster. I think that I will do the James Dunn 30 day 'challenge' for strength and mobility...probably as a warm up or cool down. It's only 10-15 mins per day and it may help me to develop good form and habits fairly early on in my running journey. It certainly can't hurt.

Happy running trails to you....enjoy and stay safe and healthy.