Still working towards HM distance.......

[MikeJones68]

Hello fellow runners

I've been gradually adding distance to my longer runs in an attempt to reach HM distance (seems crazy that just a few months ago 10k seemed impossible). My biggest problem is having time, but last night I had the ideal opportunity while my stepson was at his rugby event. I had an hour and a half to kill in an unfamiliar area, so I could run and explore at the same time. Perfect!

I set off thinking I'd run at least a 5k. I didn't want to overdo it as this was my 9th day of running in a row. The sun was low in the sky, so I headed away from it to avoid being blinded and I was soon running in very nice surroundings with ponies running around in the fields alongside the narrow road, beautiful old houses, a village pond and little churches nestling amongst the trees. I ran through the next village and once I reached the edge of that one I thought I may as well run to the next.

By now I was running back towards the sunset and the sky was an amazing mixture of pale blue, pink and orange. I was now heading back towards the school where I'd started from and before I knew it the nice lady on my Strava app announced I'd reached 10k. My legs felt a little tired but my breathing was relaxed so I decided I'd have a go at beating my best distance so far of 13k.

I don't know why, but that run seemed pretty easy. Maybe it was the cool air, maybe the change in surroundings where I found myself looking around at the sights rather than thinking about distance and time. As I again reached the school I had some time to spare, so I added a couple of loops that brought me up to 15k and 1hr 24mins of non-stop running. I even found I had enough left to speed up at the end.

Now I am certain I can do a HM, and looking at the times I'm fairly sure I could do it in sub 2 hours. I really have got the bug!

Happy running

relive.cc/view/1882167198

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Good pace, should be no probs for the sub 2 hour - well done, and I'm glad you're having fun with it!!

[Tbae Metric Marathon]

Yes Mike amazing.I am an elderly novice but even I could see your ability.

Just you go for it, mr Blurr, look after yourself and you can achieve anything you wish for yourself.💥🏃‍♂️💥☄️👏👏

Ps. Lovely post also.👏👏

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Tbae]

Thanks Robert. People like you are an inspiration to us all!

[Tbae Metric Marathon in reply to MikeJones68]

Gosh Mike that is kind of you.

I am just shuffling along looking for the answers from this forum.

Just started to watch the other Mike’s ( pink) video posted 6mins of exercise a week.

The shoes are coming off and I am on the beach in addition to what I try and shuffle through at the moment.

Running is the golden thread Mike, this forum is the well to drink from,motivational magic.☄️

Just in the last days, one hours running is an additional seven hours of life, 100 year old woman still running,the impact of 6 mins flat out running on your health and lifespan,your achievements and the bug you have caught🤔😂,

It is truly mind blowing the motivational magic that is here in this forum.

We can all achieve what we wish for ourselves and we can all share to help ourselves and others.

That is the strength of this forum , meeting the uniquely different needs of us all.

Go you and go all.No one gets left behind and if they do it impacts us all.

💥🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💥☄️👏👏

[amanda2463]

What a great run Mike sounds like you just dropped into the zone. This is a great time of year to run isn’t it x

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to amanda2463]

It's perfect! This is my first time running in these conditions and I'm loving it

[amanda2463 in reply to MikeJones68]

Me too except getting the temperature wrong today and putting a stay warm top on !!

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to amanda2463]

D'oh! I'm staying in shorts and light running top for as long as possible!

[amanda2463 in reply to MikeJones68]

Stop showing off 😀

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to amanda2463]

LOL, I just hate being too hot!

[Lisaloopy9]

Great pace, well done! 💪🏻 🏃‍♂️

[Hidden]

Thanks for this post Mike. Not only a delight to read, but real encouragement for me, especially in the light of my post today. I’ve been stuck on 12k furthest distance for ages, so you’ve given me hope.

But you are a running machine! To go that far at that speed and not be wiped out, you are amazing!

Lovely descriptive writing too x

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Flick! I've found that once I reach 10k I can just keep going.......

Not sure I'd feel the same by HM distance, but hopefully I'll find out soon.

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Brilliant work. If your not already, make sure you factor in an easy/reset week every now and again.

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Thank you. I need a reset week next week!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

well done, and that sub 2 hour Marathon is most definitely in your sights. have you signed up yet?

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

No, and I still haven't done a park run!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to MikeJones68]

Chop chop

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Lol, I just noticed you said sub 2 hour marathon! Errrm, no!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to MikeJones68]

Oh whoops... but hey if anyone can.....

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to MikeJones68]

Oh whoops... but hey if anyone can.....

[Lordi Marathon]

Ha ha! The distance bug bites! Love it! It's a great feeling just cruising along isn't it? Great pace.

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Lordi]

Thanks Lordi. Yes, the cruising sensation is a good one 🙂

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

We all knew you could easily do a HM. Glad to see you are finally believing it yourself too. Pick a nice flat one first!

Having got up to a HM I have slid back down to 10k. My problem is finding time too. Family stuff gets in the way.

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Langley-Loper]

Same for me, which is why I’ve taken to running at lunchtime most days 🙂

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon in reply to MikeJones68]

I only get 30 minutes!

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Langley-Loper]

Me too. That’s why I have to run fast 😉

[MadDave]

Great to see someone else who doesn’t really know where they’re going sometimes when they set off! Great pace too - you must be putting in a couple of regular 10k+ runs each week?

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to MadDave]

Thanks Dave. I really enjoy new places to run and not having a set route.

I was doing a 10k once a month, but I think a ran 3 or 4 last month.

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Well done! Speedy! I’m also moving to HM and got to 14k last week. But I’m exhausted after! Still another 7k to add on yet! I hope I get used to it. Does it affect you?

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Thank you. I went to 15k and after that it's only another 6. That doesn't sound so bad does it? I was less tired after a slower 15k than I am after a 6km dash!

[Macmac Marathon in reply to MikeJones68]

Like c25k, I found that 15k has got much easier over time. That’s now my weekly long easy run, but just a few months ago was the first time I’d hit those distances. Looks like 2hr hm should be fine for you Mike, but I would say just enjoy the experience and don’t worry about the time necessarily. I agree, a 5k all out can be more draining than 15k - especially once you have adapted to long runs and built more endurance. Of course, all of this helps with the 5k runs too 😀

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Macmac]

I don't think I'll try HM distance until next year. I did my first park run last weekend and really enjoyed that, so will concentrate on those for now......

[Macmac Marathon in reply to MikeJones68]

Hehe - yes love parkrun 🙂 Enjoy!

[Mummycav]

Absolutely fantastic, every time you step out of the door you just go from strength to strength...You will nail the HM I know it...

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks Bev. Doesn't feel like it at the moment. I haven't run since Tuesday last week due to an ouchie foot. I did buy new shorts and running shoes at the weekend though......