Here we go, first day of HM training

And a shock to find how unfit I still am after time out for injury. This is the Polar HM training plan I chose. It’s heart rate based and adapts to my fitness level as it progresses. The photo shows you the results from my run on the left and today’s task on the right. To stay within the first two zones, I was having to almost prance on the spot like a Lippizaner, the little gremlin on my wrist buzzing on and off to tell me I was exceeding the maximum heartbeat for the zone ( you warned me Clairecandothis 😊)

But it was a joy to be out in the sun, first running along the river Ock Valley, trees around me, the river one side and the flood channel the other: light and shadows on the water, ducks among the lilies. Then down past the church and alms houses to the Thames.

I’m looking forward to the next session, which is intervals in zones 3 and 4/5

[Sadie-runs Half Marathon]

Yay! This is exciting. You are a woman with a plan! Glad to hear that you had a joyous first run dear Hidden . It will be lovely to watch you progress on this, and we can support and encourage each other along the way. Bonus.

Sadie-runs xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you dearest Sadie ❤️😊

I’m channeling my inner Virgo! Keeping to the correct zones is like colouring between the lines (something I was always good at, so here’s hoping 😊)It’s obviously spilling over into other parts of my life as I just felt compelled to tidy my Lycra.

I’m watching your progress avidly. I’m absolutely in favour of us supporting and encouraging each other. This is so exciting. Xxx

[Deals1 Metric Marathon]

yeay!! you have a plan and you can do it

[Hidden in reply to Deals1]

Thank you 😊 it certainly makes it seem more possible. Knackered now though. It seems sticking to lower hr zones is more tiring than bombing along in zone 5 for most of the run 😂

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Really glad to hear you are back out there and enjoying your runs Flick! I'm afraid all this heart rate training is another language to me 🤔 - I am clearly someone who prefers the simplicity and ignorance of not knowing😉! Good luck with your training though! 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra 😊 it’s easy peasy as it’s all on the watch, you just do what it tells you to, small mechanical tyrant that it is (or should that be digital tyrant). I love summer running and it’s nice to have a goal and a focus for once 🏃‍♀️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Sounds like a very interesting plan. It will be fun to watch you progress through it. Always exciting starting a new plan - good luck, and enjoy!

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda, I’m loving it so far. Tomorrow is intervals with pushing five minutes a time in zones 4&5but since I run mostly in those anyway, that will hopefully be ok

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Wow that’s an interesting plan Flick. It sounds like you’re going to enjoy it and do brilliantly. Can’t wait to hear how you get on, especially with the intervals run. I’ve never been in zone 5, and I’m only rarely zone 4. I trot along almost solely in zone 3 and below! 😅

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You’re doing it the right way! I’m mostly in those two zones if I want to run faster than snails pace, so I clearly need the training!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Ahh but I’m very content being a snail! Maybe I could push my comfort zone one day - I think it’s you who’s doing it the right way! 😅🏃‍♀️👍

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Your snails pace couldn’t have been slower than I was running yesterday. It reminded me of c25k but even slower!

[Anniemurph Half Marathon]

Ooh, well done! The zones thing will be interesting to watch. When I was going steady with Nancy (remember her? of myAsics fame?) she was constantly telling me I was running too fast on my early runs and as you say, I was almost running on the spot. Very hard work!

[Hidden in reply to Anniemurph]

I’m still so unfit and, like you were, run mostly in the top zones. It’s been an eye opener!

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I'm off on a long run today so will take it s-l-o-w-l-y !

[Hidden in reply to Anniemurph]

It’s really nice running at low heart rate, very relaxing - but for me it means painfully slow too, though possibly not as slow as prancing on the spot yesterday slow! Enjoy your run 🏃‍♂️😊

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

I still struggle to run in Zone 2! Some days I can easily and I almost find I float round - slowly - but easily. Most days I start ok and then have to stop and walk again. It does work though I think as yesterday I ran in zones 4 and 5 - unitentionally - and I was still talking to my friend and I wasn't exhausted after! It is an amazing pacer though and it is actual training rather than just running, which is what me and my friend did before our last two half marathons! I'm sure it gets easier over time lol xx

[Hidden in reply to Clairecandothis]

It’s fascinating looking at the zone you’re supposed to be in and watching your actual heart rate. Tomorrow the intervals are zones 3 4 & 5 - exciting! Xx