Winging it

edinrunna

This morning was 6x800 with 3 min jog between.

Jack Daniels calculator says these should be around 2.55 per rep with a similar recover so went with this. Wasn't feeling great before this and a bit worried I might have an Eric Dier moment at some point but thankfully made it through. I wouldn't have been as close to an escape route as he was last night!

Rep paces were 5.36 (8.55), 5.44 (8.42), 5.33 (9.24), 5.42 (9.12), 5.57 (8.52), 5.45 (9.27) with 1 mile warm up and cool down for just under 7 miles in total. Happy with the session, felt very controlled and was pretty much fully recovered for the start of each rep.

Plan for rest of the week is easy tomorrow, 20 minute tempo Friday, easy Saturday and long run Sunday.

Have just seen there is going to be chip timed 5k races returning here this month so will target Oct 13th to see where I'm at.

edinrunna

Thursday 1st

6 easy at 8.23

Nothing too interesting with this just getting in the miles

Friday 2nd

1 mile w/u, 20min tempo 3.15 miles, 2 mile c/d

Did this in the same park the 5k will be in, ran about half of it on grass/trail type surface. Probably should have done a longer warm up as I didn't really feel ready to run faster. Pace was a bit up and down trying to keep it controlled, especially around corners. Lots of traffic to contend with as it's a lovely sunny afternoon here. Mile splits were 6.14, 6.24 and 6.27 with the last bit 6.14 pace. Feeling fairly indifferent about this run, wasn't too difficult but at the same time was working hard enough.

edinrunna

Sat 3rd

No running, got called into work early and when I was finished I was in no mood for it

Sun 4th

8 mile "long run" at 7.16.

Wasn't feeling particularly good at the start of this but saw it through and last 3 miles were sub 7 which was the aim. Saw a woman doing the virtual London marathon, couldn't imagine doing such a long run solo, terrible conditions for it too.

31 miles for the week over 5 days which is a bit lower than I wanted. Ideally an extra easy 5/6 yesterday and 2-5 extra miles today but not too worried. Hopefully 6 days this week with 12x400 at race pace and a shorter tempo with time trial next week.

edinrunna

Monday 5th

5 miles at 8.00 in soaking rain.

Tuesday 6th

Morning - 3 miles at 8.11 - was gonna do a session this morning but short on time so decided to chance a double and do an easy run early

Evening - 12x400 at 5k pace off 1 min easy

Not sure how I thought up of this but figured it could be a good one a week out from a "race". 1 mile warm up to the paths that I do almost all of my running on now. I remember it being much better lit up bac in March/April but now there are some very dark stretches, add in lots of big puddles and maybe this isn't the best of ideas. Thankfully no trips or running into ditches.

Paces not as consistent as I'd like, couldn't look at the watch at all so ran by feel.

1. 6.02 (7.51) 5. 5.59 (7.30) 9. 6.23 (7.26)
2. 6.01 (8.02) 6. 6.01 (7.51) 10. 6.08 (7.54)
3. 5.56 (8.36) 7. 5.52 (8.09) 11. 5.31 (9.28)
4. 5.58 (7.40) 8. 6.10 (7.54) 12. 5.33 (10.01)

Looking at them now the first few were pretty spot on, clear drop off towards the end but deliberately picked it up for the last two. This is probably more like a fartlek I suppose? Pace felt very manageable throughout but obviously no rest in a race so will definitely be feeling it in the last couple of km next week all going to plan.

1 mile w/u and c/d for just under 6.5 miles and 9.5 miles for today.

I'll probably keep it all easy or the rest of the week and take Sunday off (will probably do some hill walking though) and then a short easy run Monday. Or is there maybe another shorter session I could do this week for sharpness?

edinrunna

Wednesday 7th

6 easy @ 8.07

Thursday 8th

4 easy @ 8.19

Friday 9th

5 easy @ 8.10

Saturday 10th

Off

Sunday 11th

4.19 easy @ 8.09 - think Garmin added a bit here was more like 4 @ 8.30

Monday 12th

4 easy @ 8.34

All pretty much the same just varied distance. Looking forward to giving it a lash tomorrow.

A goal sub 18.20

B goal sub 18.30

C goal sub 18.45

Plan is to try go out at just below 6min pace and then if anything left in the last km or so pick it up. Weather pretty bad but not too concerned, wind would be the biggest problem. It's a two lap course wih one pretty bad turn other than that it's flat and should be pretty good for a fast time!

Laineyfrecks

Just stumbled on your log! Very decent times indeed.
I am a relatively new runner too after only getting my act together to run my very 1st marathon, DCM 19. I have gotten some brilliant advice from people on here. My huge problem was slowing down for easy runs, but now because I run 6 days a week it's invaluable to me, means my sessions go better & less risk of injuries!

Very best of luck with your running & log

edinrunna

Laineyfrecks wrote: »

Just stumbled on your log! Very decent times indeed.
I am a relatively new runner too after only getting my act together to run my very 1st marathon, DCM 19. I have gotten some brilliant advice from people on here. My huge problem was slowing down for easy runs, but now because I run 6 days a week it's invaluable to me, means my sessions go better & less risk of injuries!

Very best of luck with your running & log

Thanks for the input! Have read some of your log, it's inspiring stuff, the rapid progress is definitely a testament to your commitment but more importantly discipline!

Couldn't agree more re the easy runs and the volume, I used to run every run around 7.10 pace which was just asking for an injury. Hopefully I've got my paces around the right level now. If i can improve the same rate as you I'll be flying it!

edinrunna

Tuesday 13th

5k "race" chip time 18.22

Woke up this morning to heavy rain and strong wind, thankfully both had died down a bit by the time the run was happening. There was 8 runners, with start times staggered by 5 seconds in order of predicted time. I put down 18.30 which had me starting second. I did one lap of the course for a warm up along with a few strides (first time really doing them) and a few light stretches.

The route has a section on grass which was flooded so we went a tiny bit longer by going around on a path. This meant crossing a small patch (maybe 20m) of flooded grass to get to the path.

The guy ahead of me took off at a fair pace, I started way too quick and after 400m by my watch I was at 5min/mile pace - way too fast. Tried to get some control back and mile 1 beeped at 5.39, breathing heavy already.

Felt like I had gotten some control at this point, any time I glanced at the watch pace was 5.50/5.55. After 1 lap I was working hard but felt sustainable. Crossing the grass patch felt dodgy, was just waiting to slip but thankfully got back to the path in one piece.

Mile 2 came in at 5.58, happy enough at this point but the breathing is getting heavy and find myself slowing a bit.

Struggling to hold pace in mile 3, the legs feel good but the breathing has lost control. Mile 3 beeps at 6.03. Just hanging on at this point, manage to pick it up slightly at the end to 5.48 pace.

Gun time 18.28, chip time 18.22 so B goal achieved and maybe on a better day 18.20 or below was there. The guy ahead finished in 16.23 so was out of sight pretty quickly, a 16 year old girl was behind me in 18.27, serious run from her.

Very happy with the result, I suppose the next natural goal should be sub 18. The organisers of this race also do 10ks on Sundays, so I'd like to take a stab at sub 40 for one of those soon enough. Its definitely aerobically I struggle so more consistency is required, will hopefully increase the mileage slowly too.

Thanks to everyone that has given support and input so far, much appreciated!

ThebitterLemon

edinrunna wrote: »

Tuesday 13th

5k "race" chip time 18.22

Woke up this morning to heavy rain and strong wind, thankfully both had died down a bit by the time the run was happening. There was 8 runners, with start times staggered by 5 seconds in order of predicted time. I put down 18.30 which had me starting second. I did one lap of the course for a warm up along with a few strides (first time really doing them) and a few light stretches.

The route has a section on grass which was flooded so we went a tiny bit longer by going around on a path. This meant crossing a small patch (maybe 20m) of flooded grass to get to the path.

The guy ahead of me took off at a fair pace, I started way too quick and after 400m by my watch I was at 5min/mile pace - way too fast. Tried to get some control back and mile 1 beeped at 5.39, breathing heavy already.

Felt like I had gotten some control at this point, any time I glanced at the watch pace was 5.50/5.55. After 1 lap I was working hard but felt sustainable. Crossing the grass patch felt dodgy, was just waiting to slip but thankfully got back to the path in one piece.

Mile 2 came in at 5.58, happy enough at this point but the breathing is getting heavy and find myself slowing a bit.

Struggling to hold pace in mile 3, the legs feel good but the breathing has lost control. Mile 3 beeps at 6.03. Just hanging on at this point, manage to pick it up slightly at the end to 5.48 pace.

Gun time 18.28, chip time 18.22 so B goal achieved and maybe on a better day 18.20 or below was there. The guy ahead finished in 16.23 so was out of sight pretty quickly, a 16 year old girl was behind me in 18.27, serious run from her.

Very happy with the result, I suppose the next natural goal should be sub 18. The organisers of this race also do 10ks on Sundays, so I'd like to take a stab at sub 40 for one of those soon enough. Its definitely aerobically I struggle so more consistency is required, will hopefully increase the mileage slowly too.

Thanks to everyone that has given support and input so far, much appreciated!

Great run in ****ty conditions, well done.

You’d manage a sub 40 in your sleep!!!

TbL

Laineyfrecks

Cheers for the kind words!

Well done on the race, will echo what TBL said, 40mins won't be a problem for you

edinrunna

Thanks guys, Jack Daniels calculator says the equivalent 10k would be 38.06, not sure how realistic that is but will aim for something close to that in a few weeks time!

Wednesday 14th

3.1 recovery @ 10.31 plus 4.1 easy @ 8.13.

Ran a 5k in the morning with a friend, first time not running solo in ages, the company is great. A few friends got into running over lockdown but have abandoned it for the most part, will try to get them going again! Was enjoying the run so added on 4 more miles by myself afterwards.

Thursday 15th

6 easy @ 8.12

Legs slightly stiff for the first few minutes but fine for the rest.

Friday 16th

30 minute fartlek, 4.55 miles @ 6.36

This was 15 times 1 minute on 1 minute off, trying to keep the off parts fairly steady. The watch was probably not very accurate for the splits due to going under bridges etc, the paces supposed range from about 5.20-6.00, with the off bits from 7.00-9.00. Downhill drag for the first half and uphill drag for the second half to make the second half more difficult. Pretty much tried to just go what felt hard for the on parts. 1 mile warm up and cooldown.

Really enjoyed this session, I'll maybe try to alternate this with a 20 minute tempo weekly and hopefully an interval session and a long run with it for the next few weeks. I've scouted a good park to to do the tempos in which has a couple of steep-ish hills and is mostly trails and grass. Also want to start adding strides and hill reps too but very conscious of trying not to do too much too quick. 5 days running so far this week so hoping for a clean sweep for the first time in a good while!

edinrunna

Sat 17th

10 mile long run @ 7.55

Usually do long runs a bit quicker but seeing as this was the day after a session took i easier for the most part, a few steadier miles in the middle mostly downhill. Hope to increase this by a mile every week for a few weeks to get up to 14/15.

Sun 18th

5 easy @ 8.22

Not much to note on this other than finding this pace much easier to run at now, used to be a bit clumsy but feel like I can maintain better form now.

edinrunna

Monday 19th

5 easy @ 8.38

Kept this as easy as possible as planned to do a good session Tuesday.

Tuesday 20th

8 x 1200m with 3 min jog recovery

Any sessions I've done are ones I've either seen on Youtube videos, or stolen from other logs here. Have never seen this anywhere before so I don't know how I came up with it and not sure I'll be attemting it again, tough session! I almost definitely did the reps too fast, or else did too many. Paces were

5.48 (8.36)
5.54 (8.21)
5.58 (8.58)
5.50 (9.35)
6.02 (9.06)
6.05 (9.15)
6.12 (9.11)
6.04 (9.46)

The first 4 are downhill and second 4 back up the hill, not very steep but long drags. The last 400m of the last 3 reps were mentally and physically very tough! I was well recovered after the 3 minutes each time at least. Garmin says there was a 41.37 10k in there which would actually be a 1 second PB!! 1 mile w/u and c/d, around 10.5 miles in total.

edinrunna

Wednesday 21st

5 easy @ 8.49

Thursday 22nd

8 easy @ 8.55

Not sure my Garmin is very accurate when it comes to heart rate but it says the average for this was 129 BPM, the lowest I've seen it I think!

Friday 23rd

1 w/u, 2 hard, 1 c/d

Had planned on a longer tempo run but was short on time, 2 hard miles were 6.10 and 6.12.

Saturday 24th

12.78 long run @ 7.42

Joined up 3 routes to do this so wasn't sure how long it would be in total. Normally try to do the second half of these steady but was finding conditions fairly tough with puddles and leaves. Picked it up for mile 9 and 10 to 7.13 and 6.59 but was struggling a little bit so finished off easy.

45 miles in 6 days this week, will do an easy 5 tomorrow to cap off what has been one of the more intense but enjoyable weeks of running I've done!

edinrunna

Sunday 25th

5 miles easy @ 8.11

Pretty cold and dark for this one, a sign of things to come!

Monday 26th

6 miles easy @ 8.11

Did this in the morning so not dark but just as cold! Did some push ups and squats afterwards to try get some "strength" work started again.

Tuesday 27th

8 x 400m with 60 seconds rest

I set up a workout on the watch for 10 x 400m and ran a 2 mile warm up to a stretch of path that is a long straight slight incline. I wasn't feeling particularly good and had some soreness from the few push ups and squats the day before! The aim was mile pace which according to Daniels calculator is 5.20ish. My watch doesnt show pace during the intervals, only distance, but any time I've done 400s I've been able to judge it pretty well.

The first few were hard but manageable, the 60 second rest felt rapid and was just about getting my breath back to start the next one. On the 7th rep (uphill) my form broke down badly for the last 100m or so. The rest felt non existent, and the same happened on the downhill 8th rep, and began slowing down with 50m to go, so pulled the plug there. 2 mile cool down home and I was very disappointed with myself, first time not finishing a session.

When I got home to check the paces my disappointed eased a little, as I had done the first few way too fast. The paces were 5.06, 5.05, 5.17, 5.04, 5.18, 5.07, 5.18 and 5.18.

I need to do these on flat surfaces I think, but the track is still closed! But will try to find somewhere better, I go too fast on the downhills and struggle to keep form on the end of the uphills. They aren't steep inclines but definitely noticeable.

Wednesday 28th

5 miles easy @ 8.31

Very cold and very dark for this, need to invest in some better gear for this weather.

Plan for rest of week is longer easy run tomorrow, fartlek Friday, easy Saturday and long run Sunday. Will maybe do half marathon distance Sunday as jealous reading reports in logs here from virtual marathon weekend, some unreal performances! Although won't run it as a TT or anything, just the usual easy first half and faster second half.

Would also like to buy a book about running training, I have no specific goals but does anyone have any recommendations for something that encompasses most aspects? Jack Daniels is the one I'm thinking of as it seems popular (and I use his calculator!) but if theres anything that might be better maybe I'll get two. Wold really just like to be better educated on the thinking behind things like sessions, easy runs etc. and then maybe I could stop winging it and stealing session ideas from other logs!

Murph_D

I’m a fan of the Daniels Running Formula book. Lots of evidence-based advice, huge variety of sessions and plans for every distance.

Sacksian

For anyone, but especially for someone interested in more middle-distance stuff, I'd recommend "The Science of Running" by Steve Magness.

What I like about the general tone is that he's not particularly dogmatic about any one approach and is very much of the "experiment of one" model for coaching runners (e.g. the "My Rules of Everything" and "My Rules of Training" sections).

It's also a really useful book if you're interested in managing your own training and if you're not necessarily a 'plan' person.

There's some stuff that I haven't seen covered in as much depth in other books - particularly the bits around tailoring sessions/tempos/long runs, etc differently for slow-twitch and fast-twitch runners, which might be relevant to you. As well as the various appendices on progressions of specific endurance sessions for various distances / hill circuits, etc (which are applied to a degree in the plans). This is the sort of stuff that gives you the tools to figure out what a training block might look like for you if you're designing it yourself.

A lot of material drawn from the literature review for his Master's thesis so that element of it is actually a fairly objective review of relevant research.

Loads of interesting stuff and loads of useful stuff, apart from the plans themselves. Their inclusion sort of undermines the general "experiment of one" philosophy of the book. I think they're just there because that's how you sell books about training and it's hard not to have them there.

But I'm not a fan of plans anyway, and always sceptical about those really complicated multi-pace sessions (of which there are a LOT in the Magness book), simply because so few athletes buying this sort of book know, and/or are disciplined enough to differentiate, their 1500m vs. 3k vs. 5k. vs. 10k paces in a single session, so the sessions just end up a random collection of efforts/paces pulled from the air (which sort of devalues them). But the way in which he lays out the progression of different sessions for different distances for fast-twitch runners and slow-twitch runners in the Appendices (not the plans) is really good.

I said elsewhere that, if ever I lost it, I'd buy another copy. I did lose it and did buy another copy (then found the lost copy and gave it to someone else).

It probably suits some runners and not others. It suits me.

Dubh Geannain

If you're getting a book. I'd recommend getting a hardback. I got Daniels book on the Kindle. Made it over halfway through and meant to go back but it was a pain in the hoop as you'll find yourself looking to flick back an forth through the chapters. I'm actually going to get the physical book on my next Amazon order. I'm sure you can bookmark pages on the Kindle but it's just not as handy if you want a quick refresher.

edinrunna

Cheers guys, that Steve Magness book sounds like exactly what I'm looking for, will also get Daniels as it seems to be the bible for distance running, and the variety seems like it would be useful.

Dubh Geannain, I don't have a kindle so it'll have to be hardback out of necessity! Much prefer reading from paper than screens anyway, and like you say I like to be able to flick backwards and forwards through books. If I can keep up the consistency for the rest of the year and hit a few small short term goals I might follow in your footsteps and attempt a 5 minute mile training block in Spring.

Sacksian, I think I have similar mindset when it comes to training. I haven't done many sessions but the ones I have I try to keep them simple and focus on one pace for the work (although I am fairly inconsistent in hitting those paces!) Experimentation also appeals to me so I'd like to have a decent background knowledge to try to find methods that suit my abilities and goals.

Thanks again for the recommendations!

Might as well throw in today's run while I'm at it, 7 miles easy @ 8.21, miserable weather but at least it was in daylight.

edinrunna

Last week was a disaster.

Friday 30th

16 x 1min on/off around a hilly park. It was mostly on grass which varied between very boggy and very slippy. Good workout though and pushed hard on the on bits that were uphill trying to keep the off bits fairly steady. 4.55 miles @ 6.51 with around 2 miles warm up and cool down to get to the park.

Rest of the weekend became a write off.

As did the beginning of the week

Wednesday 4th

4 miles easy @ 7.44

Had to force myself to get out and do it and didn't enjoy it. Ran a bit faster just to get it over with.

Sunday 8th

6 miles easy at around 7.45. Watch was dead so guessing the pace, bit too fast like the one on Wednesday.

For my own sanity really want to be focused and consistent this week. Got Daniels book still waiting on the Magness one, have only really skimmed Daniels so far, looks good though. Don't know if I'll follow any plans in it rigidly but will definitely pick up some good knowledge.

Laineyfrecks

I really found following a plan helped me to be consistent! Once i was a few weeks into running 6 days a week it just became 2nd nature to me. Some days are harder than others but thankfully they are far and few between! Keep going, you have been doing really well

edinrunna

I read a bit more of Daniels and I was doing something similar to the red fitness plan the last few weeks. Thought about maybe committing to one of the plans in the book but decided against it with no races. I think I'll try to spend the next few weeks trying to get a bit stronger overall. Not really interested in lifting weights for now so more like push ups pull ups and squats as well as core stuff. Not the first time I've said this but a bit more determined to follow through this time!

So in running terms I'll try to get out every day but almost exclusively easy miles, maybe something faster once a week. And the chip times runs are still happening every week, so will attempt that 10k as soon as it suits. I'd be hoping to have a good base then to get more specific training in the new year, and hopefully a race to target. Won't make for a very exciting log but I'll keep it updated anyway.

So this week has been just under 4 miles Monday, 6 miles today and yesterday, all easy between 8.00-8.30.

edinrunna

I'll give this one another go!

Did almost nothing in December, I think two runs both less than 4 miles. Still caught up on a few logs on here and felt envious but still couldn't get the motivation to get started again. Now we are in lockdown 2 here so what better time to try get the discipline/consistency/motivation or whatever it should be called back.

Took a few days into the new year to really get going all the same, 4 miles on the 2nd and then nothing till Tuesday which was 6 easy with no watch on pretty dangerous paths. Did the same 5 days this week except the ice has thankfully melted this morning so a bit safer. I did slip coming around a corner on Friday and was lucky not to hurt myself. Thankfully it was 300m from home.

Had planned on doing 6 days with a 10 mile run today, bit did a 13 mile walk yesterday so thought it best to take the day off running. Wasn't feeling too interested in a long run today so did a deal that I'd do 6 instead but made it a little swifter. Still not using the watch but I'd guess it was around the 7.45 range, the rest were probably mid 8s. Happy enough now with that week and probably for the best I didn't jump straight into a 40 mile week.

I'll try to run 7 days this week, slow down another bit on a few runs, do 1 light session and a long run Sunday. So that should bring me to around the 40 mark.

In the medium term not sure what to do, maybe keep a pattern like that for 4 or 5 weeks and do a time trial. And try to get back to doing core stuff which I actually did manage to keep up for most of December but nowhere to be seen so far in 2021.

crisco10

If you struggle for consistency, would you consider taking on a plan that has 1 or 2 rest days a week?

The reason I say this is that I feel if I had a 7 day a week plan, if I miss a day the whole plan is gone and it might lead me to throwing it out entirely.

However if you have a few rest days in there,
a) you can enjoy them when they come and
b) they give you flexibility when other things (like 13 mile walks) come up.

edinrunna

Strange as it sounds I actually feel like I find it easier to keep consistency with 7 days a week (think I remember someone else saying that on their log a few months ago too).

The main problem with consistency tends to turn up when other aspects of life get in the way. Outside of lockdowns I work pretty much full time and also full time with university. I have no problem admitting either that I like a drink, and sometimes a night out will turn into a 3 day bender. Which obviously can result in several "rest" days in a row! During lockdown I get furloughed, there's no partying so running can go much higher on the priority list. The only problem is keeping it there!

Last year I probably would have ran before or after that walk so I'm taking it as a sign of progress that I had the sense not to!

In terms of following a plan, I would really struggle to commit to anything with no race or target at the end of it and that seems out of the question for a few months. So I suppose I'll look at the next while as base building if it could be called that. Almost exclusively easy running but lots of it. This is what I did during lockdown 1 and I think I made good progress. However I would like to add in one session if nothing else so I don't forget how it feels to run faster!

Rambling a bit at this stage, but I suppose what I'm trying to say is that the running itself is rarely the problem, it's more so the external aspects. And the short/medium term goal is to try to find the right balance that's sustainable. Thanks for the input!

edinrunna

Monday and Tuesday were 6 easy with no watch. I thought I was running these around 8.30 but aftee using the watch for a session today I think I was going a bit faster. Will consciously slow these down again and maybe bring the watch a couple of times just to keep an eye on th pace.

Today was 20 x 1min on/off which turned out at 5.7 miles at 7.01 pace. The total is what I was aiming for, trying to alternate 6/8 pace but unsurprisingly the first few were too fast. Did it as an out and back so the gradient was against me for the second half but still slowed more than i would have liked. Still a good session i think and will probably repeat this once a week and see if I can increase the total distance. Might also vary the on/offs to spice things up. The ons ranged from 5.30ish to 6.30ish and the offs 7.30ish to 9ish but as I said the average is where I wanted it. 1 mile warm up and cool down for 7.7 total.

edinrunna

Seems I'm losing track of days of the week so will start noting weekly/monthly/yearly miles here as I'm hoping to do most easy runs without the watch. I thought yesterday was Wednesday! So after today's easy 6 at 8.13 pace (bit too fast maybe will slow down further) I'm at

Weekly - 31.7
Monthly - 65.7
Yearly - 65.7

edinrunna

Saturday

6 easy at 8.46. Contemplated shortening this but felt good so kept going.

Sunday

10 long run at 8.14. Usually do long runs a bit quicker but will take them easy for now and build the distance to half marathon over a few weeks.

All runs so far have been a breeze aerobically but the legs are feeling it a bit. The jump in mileage from 4 to 30 to almost 50 probably a bit risky/stupid but thanfully no ill effects so far. Won't be increasing much if at all over the next few weeks, might take a mile off one or two of the easy midweek runs to add on to the long run. Happy with how it's going!

Weekly - 47.7
Monthly - 81.7
Yearly - 81.7

Laineyfrecks

Well done getting back to it with consistency etc. I would just be a bit cautious of increasing your mileage so quickly, it is better to build it up gradually to avoid injuries etc.

Best of luck

edinrunna

Cheers, yeah very true about the increase, might even make some of the runs 4/5 miles this week and slow them down if not feeling like it's comfortable.