It’s a pleasure to be hosting the ‘Tortoise & Hare Running Club” today – and I hope that you’ve all had a brilliant week, and enjoyed your activities.
As promised I’m sharing photos of the terrain along the cliff-paths in Guernsey and the beautiful scenery and sparkly sea which makes such runs so enjoyable.
I did a cliff-path run last week, and the photos show that route.
This week however, I was at the gym, and I decided to do some interval running – I ran 5 kms in total on the treadmill, but interspersed each kilometre with other activities (hill climber and the bike). It was fun, and made my session much more interesting than running the 5kms in one go.
For those of you who’d like to read something about running, here are some articles I found recently that interested me:
The first talks about the benefits of running, and say that “Running for Health: Even a little bit is good, but a little more is probably better” and specifically that - “The body responds to training, but to preserve that benefit over the long haul there needs to be active periods of recovery,” Dr. Baggish says: “Pulling back allows the body to repair and heal.”
I would recommend ensuring you pace yourself, and you give yourself adequate rest periods for your body to recover. The full article is here, and it is from a blog by Harvard University:
The second article I found helpful in terms of suggesting benefits of some High Intensity Interval Training – and it also recommends including some strength exercises too, and mentions ‘Running to Lose Weight’. It’s an article from “Women’s Health” and a link is here:
Finally – as I’m in my early 50’s now, I am cautious not to overdo it, and so I hope to try to pace myself, and stick to being more of a Tortoise than a Hare – in terms of speed and also distance:
Some thought-provoking articles, which I hope you’ll find helpful, if you have time to read them.
Please let me know how you’ve got on this week – I am really looking forward to hearing how things have gone.
I am out and about a lot today, but I hope to be back later this evening to reply to you – and will endeavor to reply to everyone who takes the time to contribute to this ‘Tortoise & Hare Running Club thread”.
Happy Running!!!
Zest
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Zest
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Hi, bet you never thought you would see me here! On Friday, I did W1R1 of couch to 5k on a treadmill. I only downloaded it to be nosey really but found I could keep up. Today I am doing the next run. It felt good. It ready to run outside and I was glad I put my sports bra on. Any tips for beginners who weigh 16 stone 13? I have also joined couch to 5k community!
A very warm welcome to you in the Tortoise & Hare Running Club - it is wonderful that you've joined us, and fantastic to hear you've done W1R1 of Couch to 5K on the treadmill. Well done! Also great that you're doing the second run today - and that you have your sport's bra - those are definitely recommended!
Brilliant that you've also joined the Couch to 5k community.
I would say pace yourself and make sure you listen to your body. I'm sure other more seasoned runners will give you plenty of tips - but I say 'Enjoy it' and follow the podcast instructions - and you'll continue to progress well.
Oh Ella that's amazing!!! Very exciting! I started c25k at 12st4 but I was very very unfit. You're going to be in a much better position as you've already achieved so much in terms of your overall health, diet and activity levels. But I would advise the same that everyone advised me - keep it really really slow. The running doesn't need to be especially fast, no faster than brisk walking, you're just developing a different motion (the exciting two feet off the ground at same time). Also are you listening to the NHS podcast with Laura and all the music? There's loads of little bits of advice on there, how to hold your body etc. Good luck for week 1 run 2
Sounds about right. No need to speed up just focus on the stamina and just keeping going for those whole minutes! I haven't heard the one with Sarah Millican but things have moved on since I did it 2 years ago... I bet she's great, just the right balance of encouragement and well-observed realism
Welcome Ella! I'm still surprised to see myself here sometimes 😀😀 Don't know how I ended up a runner.
My best advice is to just follow the programme and slow down if it feels too exhausting. It is so worth it. Life changing and enriching. You can do it!
Hi Zest thanks for hosting this week and posting up the links. Loving the photos - looks like a magnificent area for running. I like the idea of running on the treadmill then some interval training- I do that on the cross trainer only because it's so boring - indoor running is just not for me I'm afraid so I need to mix it up to keep me motivated! Well, I'm cutting myself some slack as I really need to work full on in the garden for the next few weeks. I do however have a cunning plan to get me back into my running - I have visitors arriving mid June for two weeks and a run three times a week is the perfect opportunity for some 'me' time during their visit...I can guarantee you I'll be back at my 5Ks on the 16th of June!
EllaMidlands excellent to see you have started the C25K that's brill. Hope everyone has a great running week
Great to see you! Great that you enjoy the cross trainer and that you do interval training there to mix things up. You sound like you're going to be mega busy with your Green Gym out in the Garden, but I bet it will be worth the effort. Lovely that you have some visitors coming for mid June, and you've already got your Runs planned to allow yourself some 'me' time.
moreless I'm thinking I might have a celebratory run when I've finished the ten raised beds...I'm about to start on number seven - so far I've rubbed 600 litres of compost into about 2000 litres of soil. It's 30 degrees here today so a tad warm to be digging I can tell you. By the way you looked fab in the photo the other day what a great way to celebrate your birthday. On my 41th birthday we climbed Stac Polly it's short of Monroe status but a peach of a climb. We were so lucky the weather was fabulous so we could so all the hanging lochs - a long time ago but like yesterday! If you're looking for Monroes - Driesh and Mayar from Glen Doll are a treat and you get to take in Corrie Fee one of the most magical places on the planet.
I'm sold, Mochta! These have to be definites! Thanks for the heads up
Hi Zest great to see your cliff path route! It looks absolutely blissful. Good to hear you're doing a little research to find out what you want to get out of running. I'm thinking a lot these days about the different types of running I do. I think switching between different exercises during a run is excellent for strength and stamina. I hope you reap the benefits soon
This week I ran twice and they were two 'events' - a rainy, muddy 5 mile trail race (Wednesday eve), and yesterday's sunny 5k parkrun. I loved both especially the sheer madness of running in the pouring rain with hundreds of other people. And I'm very excited to announce I'm officially a hare as I got a new PB yesterday 5k in 27:58 although I doubt I'll match that again anytime soon! And 143 people ran even faster than me! The fastest runner did it in 15:30 which totally puts things back in perspective!
This week I plan to do some longer runs and something on my own, without any pressure to run fast or anything, just to take in the scenery and enjoy the warmer weather settling in around us
Great to see you, and thanks for your lovely comments on the cliff path route - I do feel very lucky to enjoy such great scenery on my doorstep.
Fantastic to hear you had two Running Events this week - wow - sounds like quite an Adventure to run in the pouring rain and mud for the first one, and glad to hear you had a contrast with the Sunny 5km Parkrun yesterday.
I am bowled away by your Amazing PB - 27 mins 58 secs, that is FANTASTIC!!!! Congratulations!!!! You are OFFICIALLY A HARE!!!!
I can see you've got plans to enjoy some runs this week with great scenery and you're going to 'savour' every moment - and I hope you thoroughly enjoy every moment!
Thanks Zest! I'm looking forward to trying out my new hare powers on my usual tortoise routes through Epping Forest. I'll be looking out for some beauty spots so I can take some photos to illustrate my next tortoise and hare post too
Wow Ruth! That PB is amazing!! I could barely run 3K in that time! I don't care what anyone else is able to do, you're still a super-speedy hare to me!
I'm happy to know that you did get out for that longer, more scenic run too, so wtg you!
Hi, I loved reading your post. I am definitely a tortoise, I walk 6 miles a day 5 days a week but haven't had the courage to break into running yet. Maybe if I start power walking? Also, I'm in my late 40's and I'm not sure what limitations there are with exercising and age. ☺
I am really happy to hear you enjoyed reading the post, and Welcome to the Tortoise & Hare Club - great that you're enjoying walking 6 miles a day, 5 days a week - that is excellent exercise! You could try Power Walking - I've never tried that... so if you do it, let me know what you feel like. Maybe try a short jog? Even walking for a couple of minutes, and then quickening up for the next couple of minutes can be fun to do.
Anyway, hope you have a great week, and that you enjoy your exercise. All Tortoises and Hares are welcome here.
I started the C25K on my 59th birthday and just under a year later, I completed an extremely slow marathon. The only limitations are the ones we give ourselves, so don't worry, by this time next year, I bet you'll be back here, telling us all about your amazing running achievements
Those cliff path runs must be really special. What a beautiful place - you are lucky. The gym would have to pay me to run indoors 😀
Thanks for the links, I love to read about running ❤️📚🏃♀️
I've had a bit of a sore throat this week and had to skip my Thursday run, so I've only managed 24.4 km this week. Saturday was a 16k run and I had good legs/didn't struggle.
Yesterday Copenhagen was full of marathon runners and I spent the entire day out on the route cheering people on. The fastest of my running club friends did it in 3:40, the slowest in 6:11. It was such an inspiration to follow her around. She struggled and cried a bit when she crossed the finish line, but it was such an accomplishment. It was quite moving to see her receive her medal ❤️🏅
This week I'll be increasing my long run to 18.5 km. The longest I'll run before my next half marathon on June 11. I'm a little nervous.
Great to see you! But sorry you've had a sore throat this week and that you had to skip your Thursday run - hope you feel better very soon? You've still got a very good total of 24.4kms - wow - and one of those was a 16km run on Saturday - that sounds impressive. Really well done! I hope you enjoyed it.
Great that you were cheering your friends on at the Copenhagen Marathon yesterday - and that all of your friends achieved so much...! It does sound emotional to have supported your friend in that way. I am sure she would be glad of your support and encouragement.
I'd like to wish you success with your runs this week, and I feel sure you'll be amazing in the Marathon on June 11th - exciting!
Thank you, Zest. The sore throat is long gone - it was just a day and a half. And my run on the 11th of June is not a full marathon, just a half - that's plenty for me.
I used to cycle to different points of the London Marathon to catch different friends, I really remember the excitement. What an inspiring thing to be part of! And hopefully more than makes up for missing one of your planned runs. I hope that sore throat vanishes pretty soon. That 18.5k run needs to be done! Congrats on an easy 16k too. Really impressed by these distances
It really was exiting - I'm still buzzing! I don't really care much about the elite runners - they are out of my league and I can't relate. But the people who struggle to keep running and somehow manage to win the fight, they are the real heroes in my book.
Oddly, I am looking forward to the 18.5 k even though I know it is going to be tough. It is nice to know that once it is done, I'll be ready for my half marathon - just need to do some light jogging and relax
Ha ha light jogging I just know that doesn't mean what it sounds like A few easy 5ks or something? What are we like? Hope you can channel some of that marathon excitement into your 18.5k
Brilliant, Iben! You can tell your friend that came in at 6:11, that she's my hero!! If I'd managed that time, I'd have been beside myself with joy!
Your next half marathon is going to be a doddle! If you can do an easy 16K, you're laughing! Another 5K is nothing and if I was going to do 18.5K, I'd just keep going out of sheer bloody-mindedness, for another 2.5K
You're a running super-star and have absolutely nothing to be nervous about
Dear Zest , I just wanted to say a big thank you for your post. I read it yesterday morning, after dipping into the running club out of curiosity! The articles were so interesting and very relevant. I stopped running years ago for fears about my knees which have at times given me bother. I never did a lot of running just a few 5ks and 10ks, and then a really wonderful experience as part of a 5 woman relay team in a marathon. Until yesterday, I thought my running days were over.
After reading the articles in your post, I said to hubby that I thought we should both start running and do the C25K programme. To my surprise he agreed, and off we went to the running shop to get him kitted out with shoes. I already have newish running shoes, but used for walking. He is 62 today (same age as me now). His smart new running shoes are his birthday present from me.
So we'll start this week. I'm going to take it very slowly, maybe an even slower start that C25k, just to make sure my knees are ok. So I'll be a real tortoise. I am wondering if anyone else started with doing less than the 8 X 60 second intervals in C25K? It does seem quite a challenging start.
It looks like you have got off to a great start EllaMidlands . Well done you! And Mambo1 , I had a book 'Run till you are 100' so you are just a youngster! Unfortunately, the book went to the charity shop, as I didn't think I'd need it again!
I am really inspired by your reply - and I am so happy to hear that you and your husband are starting the Couch to 5K programme - and I would like to wish you both some enjoyable runs. How lovely that you bought him those smart new running shoes - it's good to have comfortable and appropriate footwear. Happy Birthday to your husband, he shares his Birthday with another of our regular runners in this Club (she is called moreless and she describes herself as a Tortoise runner, but I think she's secretly and most definitely a Super Hare She ran a Marathon last week - in the dark of the night!!!, and she's turned 60 today!)
I hope you and your husband enjoy celebrating his 62nd Birthday today.
I never followed the C25K programme, as I was a bit technologically challenged and therefore didn't listen to the podcasts - so I don't know about how it starts, but I feel sure some other people will be able to comment on the start - I would say adapt it to suit yourselves, and go at your pace. That would be my approach to anything really - adapting it accordingly and listening to my body for signals about how it's coping.
This Tortoise & Hare Running Club is posted by different members each week, but it is always pinned - so you should be able to find it easily, and the next one will be on Sunday - so do look out for it. I will be looking out for you, to see how you get on.
If you join the c25k forum too and ask there, I'm sure you will find many who started out even more gently and I also know that many repeat runs and weeks.
Thanks, PippiRuns , that's a great idea. I hadn't thought of that, and I hope I rediscover that love too! I'll let you know. Some cycles these next few days, then first run at the weekend, I think.
Not yet, PippiRuns .Thank you for checking 😀First one is scheduled for early tomorrow morning- before the world is awake! Cycling and walking this week so far, but running is the priority tomorrow ! 🏃♀️
Good morning, PippiRuns , just wanted to let you know that we have completed our first C25k run! We managed all 8 running intervals - tortoise pace, of course. We were on a beautiful golf course overlookingthe sea. We thought grass would be kinder to old knees. Now stretched, showered and breakfast in the sun. Wonderful way to start the day.😎
Not seen much sunshine today - it was stormy in the late morning, lots of thunder, lightening and lots of rain, and then it's been grey the rest of the day. I have ended up having a 'rest day' - didn't even have a walk... But I feel good for it, and hope to get out and about on the Bank holiday tomorrow - to make up for it. Might even have a run! Enjoy wearing those sunglasses Looking cool
Thank you, Zest . That's very sensible advice to listen to my body, especially as I might be tempted to push myself trying to keep up with hubby. I think he might be more of a hare. moreless is a real inspiration - what determination. Looking forward to letting you know how we get on!
I'm so sorry that it's taken me so long to respond to your thread! This has been something of a busy week! Thanks so much for being such a fab host
Your beautiful pictures have made the wait well worth it! What a stunning view! How wonderful to be able to run there!
Your exercise routine sounds like a lot of hard work! You must be super fit! I bet leaping up the cliff steps is easy peasy now!
Thanks for all of the links, I have scanned them, but need more time to do them justice, so am waiting for a quiet day, to be able to peruse them at my leisure
For myself, I did 4 x 5K last week, aiming for short and slow, to gradually ease myself back into things, after my marathon. I was actually quite surprised at how quickly I recovered after all, because the way I felt for the first couple of days, made me think I'd never walk again, never mind run!
I'm so sorry that I haven't responded to everyone yet, but I shall keep coming back to catch up with you all
You have been mega busy this week, I know that, and I am so glad to hear you enjoyed your Birthday.
I think you were very sensible to ease yourself back in gently after your Marathon last week - and it's great that you've recovered quicker than you anticipated - you are clearly a super fit person - which I can see from the photo you posted in one of your other posts.
I'd like to wish you a wonderful week of running and other activities, and thank you so much for your encouraging words, which I always appreciate.
When you get chance to read other people's replies in this 'Tortoise & Hare Post' you will see how you've been inspiring others with your endeavours - you are one inspiring lady!
I must stop there, otherwise I know we'll back into our Mutual Appreciation Society again.
A joy to read Your post Zest and what wonderful pictures.
Last week I was walking / jogging the coastal paths in Malta and then on the Island of Gozo. Both walks were about 12 miles along stunning unspoiled areas with amazing views. I'm in love with walking now and planning a walking holiday in August in the Highlands. I know I'm going to have to get a speed up to out run the midges !
When I say walking I do jog along and mix it up so that I can keep going longer. I hope that means I'm allowed to be a paid up member of the T & H club
Thank you! It's lovey to see you - and great to hear you've been enjoying some walking and jogging on the coastal paths in Malta - and then in Gozo as well - wow, that must have been amazing! Those are long distances, and it's so great to hear you're in love with walking now and that you've planned a Highland Walking holiday for August - something to look forward to!
I think it's great that you are jogging along and mixing it up - and that your stamina is increased that way. I definitely think you are elligible to be a paid up member of the Tortoise & Hare Club - you are an amazing and much valued member - we are lucky to have you with us.
I hope you have a lovely week and enjoy your forays into the outdoors and hope the sun shines.
Hello T&Hers! It's been a while since I've posted (well, just over a week) so I've just been catching up. I haven't actually run in nearly 2 weeks I do still love it and I will resume shortly. It's hard to explain - but it was becoming a bit of a burden to think to myself, 'I can't go home and relax after work, I have to go for a run.' It became yet another thing I 'had' to do, that I was pushing myself to do, and I was so tired.
The other thing (cue sad music) is that I have barely begun the grieving process, having lost a parent nearly 2 months ago... Until recently I have felt very numb to it and I realise now that I threw myself into running, signing up for races etc. as an effective but desperate distraction.
I'm less shocked and more sad now and it's overpowering - albeit in a subtle way, like a low constant drone in the back of my head. I've made myself sit at home, tackling my feelings, this week, instead of pretending everything's ok and going for a run as normal (and I've wimped out of the sudden heat in London).
That said, I've been so stressed and irritable this week (stupid work stress, it's mad) that I probably could do with a run to burn off my stress!
Anyway, the upshot is that I will start running again soon, I just need to get through this week and probably needed a recovery break having pushed myself quite a lot in the past 6 weeks. I've got a 10k race for life in June after all!
It's good to see you, and you have explained your situation regarding having a couple of weeks away from running very well - all completely understandable - being tired after work and then thinking about 'having' to do something can definitely feel like a chore, rather than a pleasure - and I'm glad you didn't force yourself to run, when you didn't feel like it.
Grieving is such a personal journey, and you described feeling numb and now beginning to sit more with your feelings and 'feel' them, and on top of that you've had to tackle that work stress too - that's tough, but it's good that you're giving yourself some time to process things.
Like you've said, you've pushed yourself quite a lot in the past 6 weeks, so your recovery break is much needed, and you can start running again when you feel ready - there's no rush, but whenever you do re-start, I hope you enjoy it. Your 10km Race for Life in June is a goal - and hopefully you'll enjoy it when the time comes.
I apologise if my reply doesn't make sense, I'm aware I'm a bit tired now - it's later than I thought! Nearly midnight. Must go to bed, but I wanted to reply to you before I did - as I just saw your lovely reply, and I wanted to wish you a good week - and to say be kind to yourself and I also wanted to send you a hug (((LindaLamont))) and wish you well for the week.
Hi Lina, I can understand completely how we end up setting up routines that end up becoming a chore rather than liberating. It sounds like you need to find the running love again. IrishPrincess has written a lovely post about running without her watch over on the Bridgeto10k forum, it seems we're all guilty of over-pressurising our runs. Can you maybe just do one run a week in a less time/pace/distance focused way? I spent a lot of the winter only managing one run a week, it at least keeps your hand in, and with this heat it's a challenge to run early enough at the moment anyway. Maybe plan somewhere nice to run, somewhere you can contemplate and take things in. And you will be fine for the 10k in June whatever you do as you have the fitness now to do it.
Hi Lina, don't stress over the lack of running. If all you can manage at this point is once a week, that's alright. You don't have to be a Lina Lamont movie star all the time. Some of the time will do
The same goes for healthy eating. If you can master one healthy meal a day then you have already been more successful than if you had not been able to eat a healthy meal that day.
You need time to grieve. Forgive yourself, start over, and move on.
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Tortoise and the Hare club 30 April 2017
Slow and Steady Wins the Race 
Weigh-in TUESDAY 21st March 2017
Sunday weigh in 26th February 2017
