HM plan. A funny old week! (Warning! Long ramble)

[Sandie1961]

I am still managing to keep on track with my HM plan even though it means a bit of faffing swapping runs around to fit in with my French running group. Sunday was supposed to be a 50 min progression run, but my legs and lungs just wouldn’t do what they were told. I ended up doing just 6.5k round the (relatively flat) lake and had to walk twice. Disaster! Why does it seem harder to run with a group than alone? 🤷‍♀️ Monday was our hottest day so barely moved out of the shade on the terrace then on Tuesday I’d swapped the planned speed repeats for a short easy run, but our club run was cancelled due to the whole area being covered in a pall of smoke which had blown across the 100km from the Gironde wildfires. As we live on top of a hill, I was able to run along the ridge and avoid the worst of it, although the smell was awful. Thursday was my long easy run - 105 minutes. I managed 14k and over 200m elevation gain. Thoroughly enjoyed it until the last couple of ks when I tried to avoid the last steep hill by cutting across the public footpath. Big mistake - I’d forgotten how rocky it was through the wood and the almost vertical long wet grassy hill up to the road 🤦‍♀️ Finally this morning it was time for those dreaded sprint repeats. A 10 minute easy pace warm up, 10 x 20 sec sprint/45 sec recovery, 10 min easy pace cool down plus an extra bit to complete 5k. A bit of confusion about when the first interval started with much pressing of buttons on the Garmin, but after that it went fine. All intervals at an average pace of less than 5 mins/k and a fastest pace of 3.42 (probably for about 2 seconds 😂😂). So week 4 completed, 32k covered and 9 weeks to go. Onward and upward! Happy runny weekend all 🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏻🏃‍♀️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

You are in a different league Sandie; superb running. I guess joining an established group on their terrain is difficult; their bodies will be attuned to it. My running with another person is coming on fine. He is building up fitness again, so needs to be encouraged to take it steady, but we are running routes that he is familiar with, so I am having to be a bit cautious in terms of keeping fuel in the tank for any steep bits ahead. In the midst of all that we have found a “happy pace” which is working for both us. Looking back at the times, we have speeded up a bit this week without being conscious of it “in run”. Your interval speeds are great! You will have time for lunch before I finish the GSR! Enjoy your time in France.🙂

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Not sure about that BC! As you say, terrain makes a huge difference. Completely flat at home and full of hills here in 2nd home. I guess it must be good for me. I really did enjoy my long hilly run on Thursday!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Scilly was a bit up and down, but I seemed to manage ok. Maybe holidays provide extra zing. Nothing like your 200m gain though…..amazing!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Well done on your mix of runs Sandie. Brilliant intervals too 💥 Hope you get some reprieve from the heat. It was delightful the last few days of our stay in Finistere. Low-mid 20s with a sea breeze. 🙏🏻

I too prefer running solo as I don’t want to be dictated to by someone else’s pace. On the rare occasion I have gone with someone, it’s been a bimble by mutual agreement! 😀

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I think you do acclimatise after a while. 30c is starting to feel comfortable and running in 20c isn’t really a problem. I really do stress out though worrying that I’m too slow for the group, even though they are lovely and we get to have coffee, pastries and gossip after 😂

[Katnap Marathon]

It's nice to see you having some focus to your running Sandie1961 !Have a great weekend!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Yeah, even though adjusting the runs to fit with the running club is a pain, it’s brought the fun back!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wow Sandie that sounds like an amazing week, well done you! I know from the Canadian wildfires just how difficult it is to breathe in the smoke laden atmosphere, horrible. The heat saps you too. As for running in groups (or even just with one other person) - I find it very, very stressful, I imagine I can't do it/keep up/last and am under pressure the whole time - much as I want to I mostly do not enjoy those accompanied runs. So I'd say you successfully conquered some very tough challenges this week. Good on you!!!

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you 😊 I joined the running groups (1 in the UK, 1 in France) to make me accountable but also for a bit more social interaction. Most of the time it is fab, but there are times when I just need to go at my own pace and chill!

[Cmoi Marathon]

You're doing so well Sandie1961 , especially given the temperatures recently. I was wondering if the Gironde smoke had reached you - so sad, and we're not even in August yet.

Bon courage pour la suite !

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

It really is helping having a plan although a faff when trying to match to the club run. After the temps earlier in the week, it really doesn’t feel that hot. Acclimatising!

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Well done running in France Sandie, we’ve seen your temperatures. Thankfully it’s a bit cooler here today but still hot for parkrun. I was quite glad to be running up and down the funnel today.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I can imagine. Only 18c when I went out this morning so need to go fairly early as we are up to 30 most days

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Wow you are doing great Sandie. The heat and smoke would certainly combine to hamper your efforts and I know the pressure of group running well. I am at a point now where I run solo or with just one or two friends. But I agree the social factor is a great bonus as is running with some faster folks to push you just a bit.

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker . Our summer stay at our place in France is also quite different in terms of climate and terrain from home in the UK (lots of hills! 😂). While it’s challenging, it makes it more interesting too.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Sandie1961]

I understand Sandie. I no longer have a fear of hills and almost enjoy them now 😅