Week 3 Run 2 (revisited) 😊👍

[Jools2020]

Hello VRBs

After many requests (well, all right - 2 !) I decided to post my humble runs after all. Maybe it will help me to stay on the straight and narrow path to a half marathon 😊! I also decided to record the runs, too - not to try and run faster, but slower. I felt I was just a tad too fast yesterday for my current fitness level.

Running clothes on without hesitation! No gremlins today. Tech charged and synced. Couldn’t find a hairbrush, no matter, fingers through hair and trademark sun visor on! Quick check in the mirror, yes - still gorgeous - and I’m off!

I had selected my coach a while ago on the C25K and have forgotten who he is! No matter. He started talking and seems to like me, so I’m sure we’ll work well together 😊.

Warm up walk over, I launch myself into the first 90 second run. Whaaa! Pace 7:20, FAR too fast. I slow down and try for a consistent 8: 30 or so. Once I’d got that I tried to keep it the same for both 90 second runs. Slowing to a walk, I really tried to keep it brisk. All going to plan! I started the first 3 minute run and concentrated on slowing down further to about 9:15. That worked well and I’ll do the same for the next one. I don’t want to start pushing my pace yet. I need to keep my crown as the Queen of Slow!

Anyway was proud that I’d kept to the plan as I headed home for stretches and coffee ☕️ Coffee always tastes sooo good after a run 😊

Once home, I looked up my VO2Max (because of a comment by Instructor57 yesterday). Garmin has rated me as Excellent, score of 33 with a fitness age of 48 and in the top 20% for my age and gender. Hilarious. I know I walk a lot, but I don’t often wear my watch or record the walks and I’ve only been on 3 runs this year! I don’t feel very fit.

Anyway, onwards and upwards! Next run probably Saturday. 😊👍🏃‍♀️

Forgot to take a pic, here’s one I took earlier on a local walk 😊

[Runninggirl59 Graduate]

Good to see you back on it and I always enjoy your posts Jools. We were probably out at the same time today, I'm working on getting back into a regular routine and building fitness following a 'challenging' 6 months. Not quite as drastic as yours but very hit and miss on the running front. Onwards and upwards! 😀

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Runninggirl59]

Indeed! Well done for your run. It’s hard to get back to it after a break for whatever the reason. I’m sorry you’ve had tough times. The support in this forum is fantastic, though. I know it will help me again!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Coffee is my favourite thing post run…you clearly have great taste!

Sounds like you had a really good run, although there are many of us vying for the “Queen of Slow” title so watch out for competition!! Keep the write ups coming…I loved reading this ❤️

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you! The run was good although it seemed strange for it to be over so quickly. The preparation took longer than the run 😂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Jools2020]

😂 I know that feeling!

[Roxdog Graduate]

Fabulous! Do keep posting. Selfishly, it will help me keep running, although it will be after I've got rid of this cold I caught which doesn't seem to want to go!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

I’ve realised that posting is part of it! I hope you recover soon from your cold and you too can post about your runs. 😊

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Well done jools !Great to see you out again 😁

I got out for another walk as you saw on Strava .

Hoping the running won't be far away now 🤞

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, Ian - yes, well done for the walk, I hope it was pain free! Hopefully you’ll be back running again soon 😊

I’m feeling excited about running again. Really want to graduate again and start my long runs 🏃‍♀️😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great run... great photograph too ! As for Queen of Slow....no, no, no.... I don't think so ! You may have to relinquish that crown... there is a whole load of us snails here..🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Old Floss 😊

You mean there are people slower than me? People walking have overtaken me! Seriously, I used to love running slowly. It’s like flicking a switch, finding that pace where you think you can run forever! 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Totally... slow and steady is my mantra... I reach 6K and I absolutely CAN run for ever... :)x

sand snail

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Lovely report of your run, good to see you out there and your fitness will quickly return

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Oh I hope so, Sola x

[Birdlady64 Graduate]

It won't be long before you are 21 again with your vo2max Jools! 🤣Great photo BTW

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Birdlady64]

oooh yes, I was for a while, I’d forgotten! I was in the Superior zone! 😊

[Bontobpat Graduate]

well done Jools, great to see your posts. I am with Roxdog, your posting keeps us inspired to keep at it. I am still not recovered from sciatica issues so I haven’t progressed beyond 3km brisk walks most days of the week. What I like with the C25K program is we don’t give up forever but can restart the program over and over again.

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Bontobpat]

Hey! Sorry to hear your sciatica is still giving you problems. You’re right about the program. Although after an absence I’ve usually managed myself I just couldn’t this time.

Thanks for your kind words about my posts! 😊

[BR808 Graduate]

Well done on your run, that was a great post! And one I needed to read today! I’ve just completed week 4 run 3, and was a little eager stupidly to try and push the pace, getting too caught up on trying to reach the 5k distance before just enjoying the process and taking my time and finding a comfortable pace!

I had a one to one with myself after the first running interval thankfully and corrected myself! Gave myself a reality check after finding the first section hard, and then consequently dreading the next interval!

One thing I am discovering is my head is weaker than my body, it’s a big mental battle. Yesterday a man past me and then he lapped me when I had only got about half way around! That was enough for me to doubt myself and all negative thoughts of who do I think I am trying to do this popped up! I re focused by concentrating on just putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying the view or counting trees, anything to re focus and push on!

So thank you for you post! I too am coming for your queen of slow crown!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to BR808]

Haha! I think that many people are after that crown. You know, really, that it’s far too soon to be pushing your pace. After I graduated for the first time, it seemed that all my VRBs were chasing 5K in 30 minutes. I couldn’t even manage 4K in 30 minutes! I kept trying. Every time I went out, I ‘failed’ - until the day I got up and didn’t want to run. I thought that something had to change - so I decided to run more slowly and further. Every Saturday I increased the distance. I started running for 10 miles regularly. I was the first in my group to run a half marathon. Oh, and I’ve never been able to run for 5K in 30 minutes - and now of course I’m not bothered.

It sounds like you’re doing just great! That man who lapped you has possibly been running for years! In any case, it really doesn’t matter. What you’re doing is amazing. Keep going just the way you are and don’t give in to the ‘speed up’ gremlin before your body is truly ready!

[BR808 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you so much for that, wise words I needed to hear. Xx

[Kat1234_]

Love your posts! They motivate me to keep at it! My goal is to get my knee strong enough to get outside again! For now, gym treadmill it is! Funnily enough, I was put on a body scanner yesterday, as part of my induction and my fitness age is 42. I’m 53! I was shocked as I don’t feel fit at all these days! How funny!

[Jools2020 Graduate in reply to Kat1234_]

Thank you! I’ve never tried treadmill running but the most important thing is that you’re running. I hope your knee is soon strong enough for you to be able to choose where you run. Funny these estimations of your fitness age. I must be fitter than I feel. Garmin said 48 and I’m 69! Pinch of salt, I think. When I was pretty fit in 2021, Garmin said my fitness age was 21! Had to laugh at that one.

[Wine]

Brilliant