My current goal was to reach 20 miles. I hit just over 21 on Wednesday. I was out for a total of 5hrs 22mins, with a 10 min warm up walk and roughly the same at the end. Strava shows just over 4hrs moving time so not too many pauses for pics/snacks/views/breathers really.
Part of me wants to just keep pushing on with the distance to see how far I can go... but I know the sensible thing to do is hold here and work on getting my body used to these excursions.
My current goal then is to have 1 super long run per fortnight and keep the remainder under 16 miles each until the long, long runs feel easier... then I'll see.
We've got my sister-in-law coming to visit in September which is a little worrying. She's a very fast runner and does ultras like most of us do 5ks. I will have to fight to not push harder than I would normally. I've run with her once before, on Christmas break. It was different. I did push harder than I had wanted to.
Happy running or recovering to all 👍🏻
Written by
GoGo_JoJo
Ultramarathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
You have lovely countryside to run in GoGo JoJo, not everyone is as lucky as you, most would either have to run on busy roads or around a park 20 times or so to get that millage done, by the time your sister in law comes in September you can run that same run with her, probably will be able to run at her pace as well, if not tell her to slow down a bit.
I'm a long way off her pace, she's doing sub 9 mins/mile off road over long distances. My main advantage is she doesn't know the way 👍🏻🤣
We are very lucky. I started on the urban streets around the house and progressed to the country lanes nearby but my goal was always to reach the Downs and the green loveliness on offer. I think we're all pretty lucky in the UK, there's usually more within reach than we realise.
I agree with you about most people in the UK being very near green lush places, either to 🚴 cycle, 🏃 run or 🚶 walk, having been a cyclist for decades, I know many off road places near to where I live that marathon runners can run, traffic free.
Well done. A magnificent acheivement. And even more impressive that you want to push on to do more. However, you are wise to rein yourself in a bit. Better not to risk injury.
Thank you. It would be easier I think to keep pushing. I can feel it in my hips though after a big session so I will try to rein myself in over the coming weeks. I really don't want to go backwards, I've already learnt that lesson I hope 👍🏻😁
Thank you. I am proud. So pleased with how I'm working with my body, not against or in spite of. Sometimes the mind won't fall into line but overall as a team we're winning. Feels good. Being out in nature is bliss too, in spite of allergies, nettles and brambles!! 🤣🤣👍🏻
I'll keep an eye on it. 14 to 16 doesn't feel that long anymore as crazy as that sounds so I'm hoping an 18 to 20ish every 2 or maybe even 3 weeks will satisfy the challenge element and the lessers will be steady and shorter than 10 faster... 🤔😁
What ratio would you suggest misswobble? I’m interested as, like JoJo, I plan to extend distance soon. She’s way ahead of me though, obviously - my longest run so far was 15 miles, and I’m usually just running 13 miles for my long run with the occasional easy week of a 10km instead.
I’d like to be getting up toward 20miles as a semi-regular long run. How would a 3 week rotation of a super-long (by my standards!) run, HM and 10km sound? I wouldn’t want to put the work in to get to that distance then lose the gains. Or get injured obvs.
Looks a great run JoJo, and a fabulous achievement outside of an organised event. Did you run with a backpack?
It depends on your age, your level of fitness etc. Increasing your distance gradually, using the 10% rule. In training for a marathon I run a twenty miler only once then again on the day of the race. I don’t keep doing them Sometimes less is more, if You get me.
We’re all different though and you will evolve to find what suits you but don’t overdo it is what i’m Saying. By mixing things up with shorter runs, eg 3k, 5k, 8k, 10k and intervals, and hills thrown into the mix, you will be building fitness 💪. Gym and strength stuff too, cross training, all help.
A long run every third week sounds ok if things are going tickety-boo, and you have time, but a plan is flexible bear in mind and can be tweaked as needs be. Just listen to your body and be sensible. 🙂👍
I struggle to get any kind of enthusiasm for any run less than 5 miles now. Usual short run is 6 or 8 miles these days.
Intervals don't really exist for me. Hills are a given every run as we don't have flat near us.
I'm fitter than most I guess, 44, my job is physical so I'm labouring most days.
I have a daily regime with stretching and massage rollers. I see my sports therapist every 3 to 5 weeks and she's able to spot any issues before they start.
It's definitely flexible but I do want to keep the long runs up, I don't want it to be an occasional thing.
I certainly don't want to overdo things, did that last year and paid the price. Going to be taking it as it comes for sure 👍🏻😉
Ah cool, I hate running with a back pack, but think on that distance I’d struggle to fit enough snackage into my back pocket! I’m not sure I’d get on with a hydration vest.
Long runs take a toll on our body so we have to allow ample time for rest and recuperation, and for the body to fix itself Doing so won’t impinge on your plans but help them by keeping you on the trail. Over-running is easy to do when we have our eye on targets or an upcoming race 🙂
🤔 that's kinda where I'm hoping it will work in my favour... I'm not pushing for a race, there is no huge target so if they're just easy paced days out exploring, provided I'm resting, fuelling, and hydrating well enough.... sky could be the limit...
I usually take 2 days off after a super long if I feel the need.
Wow GoGo_Jojo! You GoGo and GoGo and GoGo some more! What a great achievement in some very beautiful scenery. I love that you are able to run such long runs solo in the country; it gives me hope that I can carry on doing what I’m doing and be successful.
🤣🤣🤣 pipped at that post too Flick, she's got 6 more ultras this year on top of the load she's already done.
But... I really don't want to compete. She's been at it for 4 more years than me, she never takes a break, which I don't agree with and she finds it impossible to not run.
I don't want to be in that situation. I'm happy with my rest days. I like the odd break for a few days. 😁👍🏻
Wow. I’m reading this from way down the mountain as it were... seeing “keep the remainder under 16 miles” is a little bit of a shock for my brain... one day, one day.
Great job taking out 21 miles. Lace your sister-in-law’s food with a little calfig, that’ll take all pressure to run fast off you 🤣
Yea... the last 2.4 I thought I was gonna run out of water! So overjoyed was I when I found a water source (I'd forgotten my emergency money too!🙈) I forgot to find it hard 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I love your determination, but also your control. You seem so measured about everything. From what you've sometimes posted I guess it might not always feel that way to you, but to me it all looks perfect. A day of running and accomplishing your 20 mile target sounds bliss. You're doing fantastically and I'm sure you'll accomplish much more yet. As for your SIL - why compare yourself to her and push to her idea of bliss? Yours outshines mine and lots of others too. Run it your way, it's the best way 😍
You're dead right... I'm a control freak 😣 but I'm better than I was and I work hard to remember that I simply cannot control all aspects. I've learned that the hard way... I can't force my body to work if I don't look after it.
If only I could control my thoughts and emotions as easily as I control my 44 ton truck 🤣👍🏻
I really do try not to compare but I fear not meeting expectations and I feel like she's expecting a lot. I need to work harder to say no... that's not on the menu...
I don't want to outshine others per se, we're all so different with different abilities.
Last year I ran past an old man with a Zimmer frame in a street near mine, he was doing the oddest shuffle and it didn't dawn on me until I'd gotten a ways away...he was RUNNING! Bless him, with a Zimmer frame. OK he wasn't moving fast or was likely to get too far but he was doing what he could. It chokes me up now to even remember. So many of us don't do what we can whilst we can (which is why we come to this so late in life) and yet there are so many still just doing everything they can.
Life is such a gift, movement is a gift from life. I, for one, spent too many years sitting on my arse. I don't intend to waste anywhere near that amount of time in the future. Don't get me wrong, I like a sit down and a chat or a TV programme but I want to enjoy what life has given me.
There's nothing wrong with my body (In spite of years of self-criticism and an amount of body dysmorphia) it took me till 40 to wear a bikini on holiday with any level of confidence. Now I run about in shorts and silly socks and I don't care cause it all works and works pretty good. 💪🏻
Kinda forgot where that was going 🤣🤣🤣 but you know what... doesn't matter 👍🏻😁
Just keep on running, if you can't run, walk/ cycle/ dance/bum shuffle... just keep moving...and keep smiling! 🏃🏻♀️💃🧘♀️
This. 👌Every sentiment in this response is so true and the image of the man running as best he could made me well up!
Huge congratulations on reaching miles, I'm aiming for it once before my marathon, not on quite the same terrain as you have got going on thrre though!
Enjoy your plan and try not to compare or compete. You are your own joy. 😊
Massive congratulation! And love that video thing you did, so cool and then you have excuses to stop and take photos which seems wise. I think you deserve a rest now!
Well done dear Jo! I have loved watching you ramp up the miles on Strava, and your runs always look so filled with adventure! It gladdens my heart. 😊 And spurs me on in my own distance adventures. You are a great runner who knows her body’s capabilities well. Here’s wishing you many more running adventures and joy!
Brilliant Jo. And sensible too. You seem to have struck a great balance between self discipline and distance. I am learning a lot threading through all these responses and comments as I consider moving up slowly in distance safely.
I am training to learn to walk on a bike by paddling without sitting, this way of walking exercise may give the thrill and adventure of being a pilot or astronaut, the skills will be managing yourself personally in the flight of the wind and the heat of the sun, you may reach a 100 miles run in the time it takes to walk or run for 20 miles
🤔 I understand the paddling concept but surely if you're not sitting you'll basically be dragging a bike between your thighs, making it harder work, not less and take longer?
Or do you mean on an adapted machine, like a glide cycle?
The way I paddle walk is to feel the bike moving in an orbit as the wheels go in orbit, I focus on the path ahead and think of the goal to achieve. Its very helpful when mountain climbing with a bike and paddle walking on it, there are 27 gears to change to suit the strength and fitness of the walker and rider. But there is always the temptation to sit on the seat and let the bike roll along in free orbit. The idea of a physical exercise is to go into the wave and orbit. We can likewise paddle walk on a boat in the lake or sea, we may row it with hands only while seated and that's perfectly fine for physical exercise
Nice one, well done! Long ones are all about determination, self control, will power, structure and discipline. Amongst other things. My aim was constant movement over 42k without stopping for anything, except perhaps collapsing and perishing through exhaustion, lol.
Keep it going and avoid temptation for overdoing very long runs. You need recovery more than you think or feel. You'll get there!
Thanks! My goal tends to be determination and just being outdoors and exploring new places and drinking in the views and overcoming the small challenges along the way; cows, dodgy stiles, and not getting lost, although I'm getting much better at the latter!
I'm much better at stopping for pics and snacks than I was, the bigger the mileage, the less guilty I feel for a pause (as silly as that is!)
I'm definitely getting there, so much stronger and fitter, so much more stamina 💪🏻😁👍🏻
You are just awesome i have the utmost respect for what you are achieving. 13/14 Miles is far enough for me i'm exhausted even thinking about 20 miles plus. Your time is stunning . Brilliant Well Done.
I'm so lucky having interesting places to go, I must admit running 20 miles on a boring road really does not appeal at all although I suspect it would be physically easier 🤔
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
2017 running goals and goals for the New Year
Why do people have to be negative about other people's achievements 
What are your running goals in 2019?
What are your running goals for 2017?
