I hit 8k today by listening to chill out music!

[Dendev75]

I’m currently on week 7 of 8 of Ju-Ju’s Magic Plan and I like to do the longest run first as it fits in with my working week. So 55 minutes last week was a struggle (I ran with a friend) and I didn’t enjoy it, I know the pace felt too fast.

I decided to run alone today and instead of listening to my usual 90’s bangers I chose a chill out album on BBC Sounds - this set my pace starting nice and slow, I continued this pace and found myself enjoying the run and smiling at the lovely colours of autumn. I got the point where last week I wanted to stop and felt I was quite comfortable. My timer went off and when I checked Strava on my phone (still no garmin yet) I had run for 55 mins ☺️ And just under 8k, I continued till I hit 8k and was still in the 55 minute range so well pleased with that. 😋

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done ! 👏👏👏

Pace is so important, and its often surprising thst even a small reduction in pace can make a huge difference to how your run feels 👍

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you ☺️ it sure does, the difference between the same timed run from last week was huge by just starting slow and keeping it slow 👍🏻

[Annieapple Graduate]

excellent 👏 I also find chill music helps on the longer runs to keep me at a comfortable pace..

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Wondering why I didn’t think of it before 🙈🤣

[M0use Graduate]

Well done 👏👏👏👏 sounds like you've found your solution to the boredom, 10k here you come 😊🏃‍♀️💪

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to M0use]

yes and running alone 😂🤣

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Super... finding your own happy pace makes it so much better ! Well done you!

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks OF 😊 x

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That sounds like a lovely run, just slowing the pace makes it so much more enjoyable. Music doesn’t really make much difference to me but Willow runs to the best of the music he’s listening to.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

it’s strange how the beat affects my pace 🤣 I’m downloading lots of chill music from now on 👍🏻

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Me too to see if it can slow me down, I’ve sped up lately and then have to take walk breaks

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

At least you’re sensible and take walk breaks, I continue to struggle for breath until the bitter end and feel like a fish out of water. 🙈😂

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

If you’re struggling for breath you are going too fast, go as slow as you can to start with, you can always speed up later, I’ve had long runs 8k or more where I hardly get puffed out at all and some runs where I set off too fast and need walk breaks, good luck with the slower music it could help

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

that’s what happened last week; dying fish (I was running with a friend). This week I ran alone with chill out music and was totally fine. 👍🏻

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Perfect

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

I had exactly the same realisation at almost exactly the same stage of the magic plan! I keep my up tempo dance for speed runs now.

Sounds like you’re absolutely flying at the moment…slowly which is the best way! 🏃‍♀️

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

How strange is that? ☺️ That’s what I love about this forum, you read other posts and then relate to some of the things that we struggle with and find what makes it easier so I thought I’d share my chill out music helped me keep my pace slow 👍🏻😋

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Dendev75]

Just done some searching and it was seven months ago, the week with the 8km run. I’d forgotten my legs were aching which helped with the going slowly and I ended up getting distracted and graduating! Running at that comfortable pace is just the best!

healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

[Brixcos Graduate]

You are absolutely smashing the Plan, Dendev - well done! I'm now officially off the IC (🤞) and managed a 3.74km jeff yesterday in the rain. Forgot to switch strava off until after my stretches so no idea how long it took but pace was nice steady 8.31/km.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Brixcos]

Thank you. Oh that’s good to hear ☺️ Well done to you too, you must be so happy getting out there 👍🏻

[Jolem]

such a good way to maintain a slower pace. I find listening to relaxing music is the only way I can stop myself from speeding up.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Jolem]

yes me too but didn’t realise until yesterday 🤣 so I thought I’d share in case anyone has a pace which is too fast and need some ideas on what helps to slow down 👍🏻

[DocEmmett Graduate]

Well done Dendev75, you’re making great progress!

Through illness, I got delayed on my self-decided 9-weeks of consolidation runs but I’m back on track after a two-week break and all your experience helps for my next stage, Juju’s Magic Plan, beginning in late October after consolidation.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to DocEmmett]

Thank you 🤗

I’m glad you’re able to get back to the running as that must have been awful and so frustrating.

I’m glad any posts help as I know you stick to plans rigidly too. That’s why I love this forum, so many useful tips and advice is just the best.

Happy running 🏃🏽‍♀️

[DocEmmett Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Thanks Dendev75, it was just a cold ( /man flu 🙁 - yes, it is real! 😄 ) but it was more than just in my head - aching muscles and joints so I took advice from here to not run if a cold affects below the neck and it ended up being two weeks out of running. Thanks 🙏 for all your updates - they really help.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to DocEmmett]

I know how debilitating flu can be, I had it when I was 40 (wiped me for two full weeks, I couldn’t get out of bed).

You’re welcome and best of luck going forward.

[Newbierunner84 Graduate]

I’m a week behind you and due to do my first 55 min run tomorrow 😬. I’ve been listening to a podcast on the longer runs as I find it distracts me better than music and I think less about how much longer I have to go!

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Newbierunner84]

I’ve been looking at finding a podcast but can only find short ones on BBC sounds - do you use that or something different? I’d probably try one on a shorter run to see if I like it 😂 good luck on your 55 minute run 👍🏻

[Newbierunner84 Graduate]

I use the Apple podcast app but if you’re on Android I think you can get them on a Google podcast app or on Spotify. There’s so many to choose from!

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Newbierunner84]

I have an apple iPhone so I’ll check out apple podcasts thank you 😊

[Newbierunner84 Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

No problem. Hope you find one you like! My 55 min run went well I’m pleased to report!

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Newbierunner84]

brilliant, well done! Were you listening to a podcast?

[Newbierunner84 Graduate in reply to Dendev75]

Yes I listened to a Fearne Cotton one today.

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Newbierunner84]

I do like Fearne 👍🏻

[Packrunner Graduate]

brilliant! If I’m doing a slower pace run, sometimes I listen to an Audio Book or pod cast. I think motivational bangers have their place for sure, but not always when you’re pacing a longer run. I haven’t reached 8k yet, I’m following the Garmin 10k coach and have done a few 50 minutes various paces. Good luck with Ju Ju, sounds like you are very nearly there!!

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to Packrunner]

I’ve just downloaded an audio book so I’m going to give it a try on a shorter run (in case I don’t like it or find the narrator’s voice too annoying) 😂.

Well done on your 50 minute running (I couldn’t believe it when I found I could run for that long), and I love seeing on Strava that my longest run increases each week - so satisfying.

Thank you and good luck with your 10k training.