2 more 5ks in the bag... I'm on the way back :)

Hello my lovely virtual running buds

Having been gently and lovingly nagged for a running update by my best VRB Sadie-runs , I thought I'd post what I've been up to, though the title of this post may well have given the game away, such that it is.

I've found a fun new route, which is variation on my nice flat canal route. I go along the canal for about 2.5k, turn off, drop down on a road onto the Middlewood Way (disused railway line, now a bridle path), back up that, turn off, up a steep-ish hill for the last 0.5k,and that takes me to within an easy warm-down walk of home. I like this route now, it's got a little more variation than just running straight up the canal and back, the downhill and the uphill provide some much needed hill practice too. This is good.

I've done this run twice now, once on Sunday evening, yes, I ran in the evening, just as it was beginning to go dark, and once this morning. I know it's only 5k, but at least I can still do 5k, right? My time hasn't got back to my fastest 5k time yet, but today's was just over 33 minutes, so it's getting back down there, and today's run shaved a minute off Sunday's time, so I think it's all going the right way.

Having done a load of walking round Manchester yesterday when I was going on a GDPR seminar (yes - really really boring), I was a bit still this morning, which of course had me paranoid, but doing my usual 6 minute stretching routine fixed that, and out on the run I was fine. I did more stretching just afterwards too, and that really helped relax my muscles so I think this stretching lark may actually be working. What's really helped is knowing which stretches will give me the most benefit.

Anyhow, that's all I have to report for now

Run safe, have fun everyone

Neil

p.s. Having used Pacer for the entire duration of my running career, I've made the hop to Strava. Thoughts? Initial thoughts are that the auto stop/start feature is genius. I can start my phone, settle it safely in my pocket, then start off, rather than having to juggle the phone whilst starting my run.

[Goforitmama Graduate10]

Great improvement! Sounds as though you are keeping hold of the ‘inner smile’ that running gives us.

5k is a nice distance, short and sweet and still enough to clear out the crud of anxiety we carry in our heads (or i carry around in my head). I know 10k feels even better, but 5ks are great!

[Hidden in reply to Goforitmama]

Thank you Yes, I think you're right. 5k is enough to feel like you have had a good run and to blow the cobwebs out. You're out for long enough that you can mentally disconnect from stuff that's troubling you, but if you're recovering, it's short enough to avoid causing more damage. Never thought I'd see the day when I was calling 5k a short run, did you?

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Great to be out there again Neil. Canal paths and disused railway lines sound like ideal running tracks. 🏃‍♂️👏👏

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

Yes indeed they are! Yes, it was great to get back out certainly. Happy just to do 5k, but it would be nice to get back to 10+!!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Won’t be long Neil.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

I was looking up the Middlewood way the other day. 16km long. I've walked part of it before. It's on my radar for daytime runs. My friend cycled part of it in the dark and had the feeling he was being followed by a black beast...! Any panthers round there?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Sounds eerie😃, perhaps you could run 🏃part of it on 31October

[Hidden in reply to BaddieThePirate]

It’s funny you should mention that, my last run it was nearly dark when I was on the middlewood way segment. Definitely eerie, I was glad to get back to well lit streets. So... does this mean you’re local to these parts then?

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Sometimes, depends where the pirate ship is moored!

[Hidden in reply to BaddieThePirate]

What, you live on an actual pirate ship? Well if ever you and your crew are moored in the area and fancy a run along the canal or something, let me know!!

[quirkybee]

Ooh, a lovely, warm, encouraging post Neil.

So glad you've picked up again and interesting to hear about the stretches. Do they help with the running as in, not making your legs not ache so much? I have saved some stretching exercise that old floss recommended and I'm not sure if it was Sadie too. I need the time to do them, let alone find the time to run. It's 3 weeks since I last run, but time is not good to me. I just don't know what to do.

However, look at what you've done, you're back doing the 5k's,so that is so encouraging not just for yourself, but for us, your running buddies (or not so running buddy, me, haha), I'm still your buddy though, lol 🤣🤣

Well done Neil 👍😊

[Hidden in reply to quirkybee]

Thank you, I do try!! yes, the stretches have been great. For me it’s quads and calf muscles which get tight, and a few minutes stretching loosens them right up, which makes running easier too. I tend to stretch both before and after a run now, and in the couple of weeks I’ve been doing it, I’ve really noticed a difference.

Sorry to hear you’re struggling with time. I know only too well how hard it is, particularly in the Autumn and winter. Hang in there, you’ve got us for support!!

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate10]

Lovely post Neil - and glad you’re having running fun! Sounds like you had a lovely run 🏃‍♂️. Glad you’re out there again x

[Hidden in reply to Dizzysmum17]

It feels great, and I feel a bit less scared of injuruing myself now that I have these stretchy things to do. I don't feel quite ready to go back up to 10k yet, but I reckon another 5k then a longer one. I did so love the longer runs. Yes, I'm aware just how daft that sounds, but I think you probably know what I mean

How are you doing since graduating?

[Dizzysmum17 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I know exactly what you mean! I totally agree - short runs just don’t feel the same although they are sometimes a necessity! I’m doing ok thank you - not sure what to focus on next but have a couple of 10k races before Christmas so will focus on those first I think. I struggle not having a goal! 🏃‍♀️😊x

[Richard7 Graduate10]

Nice going Neil. Take a look on Strava at the NHS C25Kers group. You will find a number of friendlies on there. Main problem I find is working out people's HU names to their real names!!

[Hidden in reply to Richard7]

Thanks Richard, just joined

I know what you mean about working out people's names... but I live in a permenant state of confusion anyway, so it's all par for the course really...

How are you doing anyway? Are you getting back into the stride of it, as it were?

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Just followed you .. still trying to improve my pace. Doing interval runs mid week which are great for a bit of speed but means less running on that session - at least it did for me.

Otherwise trying to keep going with a couple of 5s either side of the interval run.

Want to get my distance back up again but want to improve speed first so that it does not take forever to do 10k!!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Neil, have found you too. Hope that is ok.

Jan. x

[Hidden in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Of course it is Jan

[pianoteacher Graduate10]

Well done Neil! I've been advised to go no further than 5k for the next 4-6 weeks whilst my hamstring heals. I'm also a lot slower than I was - I think a good 30 secs a km slower but I'm hoping the speed will come back given time.

Good luck with your continued recovery x

[Hidden in reply to pianoteacher]

Wise advice, I'd listen to that But at least you can now run again, which is great.

The road back is an interesting one. On this run I was a minute faster than my previous one, which means I'm going in the right direction, but I'm still slower than I was before all of this. I'm pretty sure I'll get back to it though. What I loved was that my pace was pretty consistent, well apart from a couple of anomlalies which I put down to Strava not me

Good luck with your recovery too, sounds like you're doing brilliantly!!

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Neil. Looking for positives out of injury my son only has 38 secs to go to equal my parkrun PB which is really spurring him on and I'm certainly clicking up the volunteer credits! Even helping at Eastbourne juniors on Sunday in with barcode queries. Apparently it's mainly shepherding kids 😂

[Hidden in reply to pianoteacher]

Oh wow, that's really good for your son, sounds like you're both doing really well with the parkruns actually. And much respect to you for helping with the juniors. Shepherding kids sounds like a nightmare actually, so you have my respect!

Oh - on the musical front, did I ever mention to you that I got the Barbershopper of the Year award at my barbershop chorus recently? There's a trophy!! Not quite sure what I did to deserve that, but I kind-of feel accepted now

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

No you didn't mention it! That's brilliant well done 😁

[Hidden in reply to pianoteacher]

Thank you. It was a welcome boost to my usually-low self-esteem actually, maybe I am good at something after all...

I'm really enjoying my role as assistant musical director too... it's great. I get to have fun directing the chorus reasonably often, without the responsibility of actually being the main MD. Win-win if you ask me

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

That definitely sounds like a win! Hopefully it's you I've just followed on Strava and not some random Neil 🤣 I've got the same profile pic as on here x

[Hidden in reply to pianoteacher]

Haha yes I think it's me, either that or I've just followed someone back with a profile pic looking scarily similar to yours

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Hello Neil! Thanks for the update! Sounds like you are truly on the road to recovery. But buddy, what do you mean, “only 5k”?! That is a fantastic distance, one not to be sniffed at! I haven’t run 10k in ages... am thinking I might do Ju-Ju’s plan again at some point, to build back up safely.

Don’t push yourself to get to 10k again too soon. There’s no hurry. 5k will keep you fit and healthy and in the game, and when you are back at full strength and ready to challenge yourself again, that’s the time to do it. (Coaching myself as well as you here, can you tell?! 😂)

Happy you are back out running. I run in the dark in the morning and never fail to get freaked out at least once. At least now I feel able to outrun any beast/nutter/zombie. 😁

Sadie xxx

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Hi dear VRB

Don't get me wrong, I am still getting a little pain, but I'm confident based on what the physio said, that it's just stiffness, not a major injury, which is comforting to know. I'm still amazed by the difference a few minutes stretching in the right places makes. I was waiting for a train on Tuesday evening on Manchester Piccadilly station, I must have looked a right nutter doing stretches against a low bar as I was awaiting. Didn't want to waste the chance though

For what it's worth, I don't think you need to do bridge again, but if you do, well I'm your man

Neil xxx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I get it, I get it. 😁 Oh, by the way, hit me up on Strava so I can stalk you on your runs! 😂

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Wow, I think it's been a while since anyone asked me to "hit them up" How do I do that then? How can I find you? I registered with the email address you have for me, if that's any help.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I was so cool in the '80s. Nobody says it now, of course. I could not search you using your email address, and when I used your full name, a few hundred people of the same name came up and I did not know which you were! You could try joining the NHS C25Kers club, and then I can find you easily (or vice versa!)

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

A few hundred people of the same name she says... you should try searching for you by surname I'll msg you my Strava profile link!!

[DebJogsOn]

Good to see you're properly back Neil. Mind you GDPR is enough to make anyone run for miles! 😂

I love Strava - and it's only failed me once in all the time I've been using it (there were a couple of other times where user error was an issue 🙄). Sometime I swear I've run further and faster than it says though 😉. I'll have to look out for you on there.

[DebJogsOn in reply to DebJogsOn]

Ha have found you on Strava via Richard and Jan. Hope that's ok?

[Hidden in reply to DebJogsOn]

Of course it is - I’ll have to find you back!!!

[Hidden in reply to DebJogsOn]

Thanks Deb, and yes I know what you mean about GDPR. It’s a pain!! Had another good run today which I shall post about later