Slow and steady got me to 6k and 44 mins of running!

[Dendev75]

Tonight I felt tired after a busy day at work, it was raining consistently and I had planned my longest run of the week as it’s the only night it will fit in with everything else in my life - I wasn’t feeling very energetic to be honest but after reading limberlou’s post yesterday I thought I can still manage a decent run (positive mindset in place I set off). The aim was to increase week 2’s longest run of 39 mins to 44 mins for week 3 of the magic plan. I downloaded my sounds of the 90’s (thanks Fearne Cotton) and I was running alone so I really really wanted to slow my pace right down to see if I could comfortably run the time without feeling shattered at the end (like I normally do). I achieved this lovely pace (yes it was lovely) by singing, chanting ‘am I running at a slow enough pace where I can talk etc’ and really reigning myself in everytime I felt myself speed up. Inclines didn’t affect me - I just slowed down, my few laps round the park didn’t bother me, I sang along to Nirvana and I experienced that pace you all talk about (the one where you feel like you can just keep going) yay! I’d set a timer on my phone and just ran (very slow) until it went off and even at that point I felt I could have gone further but I didn’t, I walked briskly with a huge smile on my face as I had run for 45 mins and I’d run just over 6k (wow)! Feeling pretty happy tonight whilst I soak in a big bubble bath and drink tea ☕️

Oh by the way I found a really good post run deep stretch video on YouTube which I completed when I got home and I thoroughly recommend, especially if you like a bit of yoga too, here’s the link:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=stMVE...(Not working as expected?)

Hope it works!

[M0use Graduate]

🎉🎉👏yay, well done, I know you've been looking for that nice slow pace, great progress.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to M0use]

thanks Mouse, I often think of you on my runs and tell myself to slow it down and I will be able to run further 👍🏻☺️

[M0use Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

needed to take my own advice, last weeks attempts at short 3k runs were a disaster. I kept going too fast and after the first 'rehearsal' my head got in the way of my legs and I just couldn't do it. A few days rest followed by a parkrun (5k completed with no problems and 3 minutes faster than my last Parkrun) I gave myself a talking to and finally managed to set off slow and steady and managed 3k today, demons exorcised and back on track I hope. 😊

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to M0use]

well done on your park run pb 😊

I know we tell others to go slower and we must listen to ourselves, I still set off too fast tonight but I did manage to pull it back ☺️

[M0use Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

I think we'll be telling ourselves to slow down for as long as we're running 😂

[Week7 Graduate]

Well impressed with the after work run .(I find it so hard getting out of the door for a run after work but invariably feel better if I do.)

So pleased you had one of those wonderful long, slow (ish-not that slow at all really) runs.- Your reward for getting out and foing it when tired!😊

Very interested in the stretch video, but for somsomsome reason I can't watch it -I'll try again later.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Week7]

thanks, I know I just wasn’t feeling it but knew I’d feel better afterwards and I certainly did.

I’ve edited the link to vid so should work now 🤞🏻

[Week7 Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Thanks for that. I have just watched the video-a little advanced for me but something I could work towards!

Happy running!

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Week7]

yes definitely - the stretches feel lovely.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow and steady ....works every time.!

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Your mantra was running through my brain to keep me running comfortably tonight - thanks Oldfloss x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

I am glad xxx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You have discovered the joys of a lovely, slow run, that can be gently meditative and so, so rewarding, if you let it.

Running doesn't have to be a hard sweaty slog.......you are in control.

You are now a real runner.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Hey you IonnodaTruffe you made me feel all emotional reading that 🥹🤭 thank you ☺️

[DocEmmett Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

He’s good isn’t he? 😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to DocEmmett]

Good? He is awesome! X

[DocEmmett Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

😂 Yes he is. I was underselling it for comedy effect 😁

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to DocEmmett]

so helpful 😊

[DocEmmett Graduate]

Well done on this week’s Magic Plan long run! Pleased you managed to shoe-horn it in to a busy schedule and that it went well in finding a contented pace.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to DocEmmett]

Thank you ☺️ I’m really pleased I found ‘the comfortable run’ 😊

[Crow277]

Awesome dev grats sounds like the dream run looking fwd to these hahaha 90s cant go wrong nirvana is great lake of fire is a fav

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Crow277]

Thanks Crow, I’ve often read about these runs but not experienced one - yay! Great vocals and guitar riffs in Lake of Fire 👍🏻

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

That sounds like such a great run. Congratulations! Bet you’re still smiling! ❤️

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you, I totally am 😊

[Brixcos Graduate]

You are doing awesome, Dendev! Absolutely well done! 🏃‍♀️👍🐌🥳

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Brixcos]

Thank you ☺️ I feel more positive about next week’s longest run now 👍🏻

[Running_at50 Graduate]

Oh well done you! I know you were struggling with pace. So nice when it all goes well. Long may it continue 💪👏

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Running_at50]

thanks, I think it’s when I run with other people I get carried away but I was determined to start slower and maintain that pace on a lone run 👍🏻

[Liono Graduate]

This is great news, well done! 😊

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Liono]

thank you 😊