Hello everyone, sometimes we don't feel like putting a whole post up and just want to share something small, so this is a great place for doing that during the week. Please join in the discussion 
Wasn’t it chilly today in the UK? I nearly froze!!!
If you're new or a lurker this is a great place to say a little hi without the pressure of a full post.
Have a great week, and enjoy your runs
Ju-Ju, Roseabi, and Sqkr
XXX
Coming to terms with my disappointing Beachy Head Marathon finish on Saturday (although it was a fab day out, I must say!). Legs feel OK, a bit stiff if I sit for too long. I'll take probably a couple of weeks off running to address a slight Achilles problem. After that I'm thinking about strength, parkrun, and half marathons for the next few months 😊 I'm going to sign up for swimming membership at the Leisure Centre this week, and I'll get back onto those stinking pull-ups!! 😄
Have a great week of running and cross-training folks!!!
Was thinking of you lot running on Saturday. We had intended to get over to watch the start but we werent organised on time. I guess the finish times would be quite a bit slower for this than for a road marathon?
Oh yes, they say 30-40 mins slower than a road marathon. Unfortunately my finish time this year was slower than when I first ran it two years ago as my first marathon! 😂
Thats the trouble with these events sometimes. We put a lot of work into training for them and somethimes we just get a bad day. Must be a nightmare for professional athletes whose whole season can be geared around one race.
On the plus side you are amazing for running it at all!!
Yep I’m really down right now to be honest. Have been looking foreword to running on Saturday in North Carolina but yesterday my back went out, I had to miss work today and Chiropractor helped a bit but I’m really upset that something I’ve been training for and looking forward to probably might not happen. Worst of all - I have zero idea of why my Back went out, that’s a bit scary.
IC is even suckier than the Couch in some ways 
I am so sorry, John xxx
What bad luck 😡 Hope you are soon on the mend.
Back is slightly better today but rotten head cold is walloping me This does not bode well for Saturday
Oh gawd 🙄. This happens! We sign up for races and within weeks of the start line our bodies start to pack up 🤷♀️😬🤨.
Hopefully you can get right in time for the off. Think positive! 💪👍🙂
Flying to NC in a few hours, head batter and back slightly better. Here's hoping...
I train for my marathon on an undulating and hilly-in-parts trail It’s. not easy and I find it knackering. It kills your hips as you’re taking short steps for ages, negotiating the ups and the downs, so not really getting much in the way of free running where you can stretch your legs a bit; you’re suffering by the closing stages
By the time you come to do a road marathon with some flat you’re gonna be lethal 💪💪💪👍😃🏃♀️
I'm sorry to hear that things didn't go as well as you'd hoped. Good luck with you recovery. Is there a report on the way?
I thought your time was great, and those hills!!!!! And great plans looking ahead too...
Yeah. Abi did a hilly marathon faster than my flat-as-a-pancake one!
Goodness no, you were much faster than me!!
04:46:00? that's 6mins faster than my Tallinn flat marathon!
That's just what Strava reports as the moving time, although I'm pretty sure I was moving for more time than that! Chip time was 5:19 and change 😐
Apologies was not wanting to mislead 😢
..but you did it roseabi, and not many can say that! So many things conspire to result in a 'great run' or a 'not-so--great run'. We can only run the one fate presents us with on the day, I guess. I am sure your achilles will settle now you can rein things in a bit. A couple of Halfs and you'll be planning the next big one, I'm sure!☺
Sorry to hear it was an off day Abi. I’m looking forward to your report. It sounds like a challenging course. You’re still awesome BTW
Abby - you ran a Marathon and not the easiest one either. You didn’t quit - that’s the “Winner” standard in my book 😊 I hope you are back on full form soon 👍
Thank you John!! xxx
Don't be so sad, at least you had great weather and didn't get too injured and don't be to hung up on the time, its beachy its more sightseeing and eating! You still beat my time by ages from last year! Might do it next year
I certainly did a lot of sightseeing and eating 😊
Thanks Ben xx
I’ve not done any cross training crept,walking the dog, since I fell and hurt my hand It’s playing on my mind a bit as my marathon is just a few weeks away. oh well 🤷♀️
Two short runs for me last week. The first one was along my usual route. The second one was on a running track not far from home. I took my 7-year old with me, and we had fun, even though it was chilly. 2K for him, 4K for me, with a few walking breaks. I had forgotten how good a surface it is to run on, so I'm going to have to do this more often. Or at least until the ground freezes!
After my half marathon a week ago I feel a little aimless in my running. Not sure what goal to set myself. I tried a faster 5k yesterday, started faster but ended up with the same time as usual. 😏
It’s good to have goals, do intervals etc ? Are you following a plan for a faster 5k?
I don’t have a plan as such. As I said, I’m a bit aimless at the moment. Maybe I should find a plan, that would get me a bit more motivated. 👍🏽
I signed up for a virtual 50 miles in November - just to makesure I keep ticking over now it's cold and dark. Will need to look at HM training very soon, but for November my goal is just to keep getting out there 😀
Is it a decision between speed or distance for you next? Maybe choosing one focus will guide your direction?
It was damn cold this morning, and the first of many ice scraping sessions I fear.....
I'm still experiencing plantar fasciitis, so haven't been running much lately. It doesn't hurt much at the moment, but I'm wary it will flare up again if I go out. I am really fed up!
Sorry to hear this Mike. It must be so frustrating.
It is! It flared up again after the Park Run the other weekend. I rested it until last Friday and then did a 6k as I couldn't bear it any longer. Saturday morning I could hardly stand on it.
Hang in there - do the rolling etc and it will improve. It’s so hard when injuries happen 🤗
I will Ju-Ju. I've been rolling with the correct equipment (an empty beer bottle) and bought a gel thing to support it which seems to be helping. It's just so tempting to go an run, but I know I need to rest it. The thing then of course is losing fitness, which seems to happen very quickly.....
Can you do other stuff to keep up your fitness?
My problem is always having to fit in with work and home life (mainly running around after a 6 year old).
Yes that is hard... urgg
I know I'm always going on about them, but eccentric heel drops are very good for PF - twice a day, bent knee and straight knee 😊
Hi Mike! I've been suffering from plantar fasciitis since March, so I get your frustration. My efforts during the June challenge here took me back to square one. Do you have access to a stationary bike? I've used one regularly to keep up the strength in my thighs. It has really helped with the general frustration as well.
I definitely recognize the fear of it flaring up again. You just have to give it time.
Since March!! Not good! Mine feels much better today. I've been rolling it, doing some of Abi's eccentric heel drops and have bought a gel strap thing to help support it. I am supposed to run with the club at work at lunchtime. While I'm eager to get out there I just know I'll do it no good.
We have a gym at work so I could use the bikes in there. I just hate gym work!
I've had it for this long because it happened in the run up to the London Marathon and two other events I had planned, and really wasn't in a position to defer. I managed to keep it at bay until the end of June. Then it flared up so badly I couldn't walk. So try not to think about how you hate the gym, but how much good you're doing yourself, and how much quicker you'll back on the roads.
Week 1 of my HM training programme went well. Managed to get the 3 runs in and 2 cross-training sessions, one of which was a short bike ride on the new partly constructed mountain bike course in the coulee across the street from my house with my family. I also ran a portion of the mountain bike course yesterday for my hill session. The hills aren't as steep as the trails I train all summer but will help to train running more of the long gradual hills, as is my goal for next year's trail races. I'm going to enjoy using this trail as much as possible until the snow gets too deep (and then will pull out the snowshoes for crosstraining).
I have a plan in place to get my runs in this week around my on-call schedule, but it involves a tempo run on Hallowe'en night. Hopefully I can get out before the tricker treaters or else might have to resort to the treadmill ☹️
You have fully embraced the trails! Sounds like you have a great plan in place there Sask 👍🏼🙂
Trails make me happy 😊. The mountain bike course isn't as scenic as the lake trails but it's also not isolated and literally across the street! Whoohoo!
Can’t beat that convenience!
It has turned freeeeeezing! I put the heating on yesterday, that's how bad it felt here—and I never put the heating on till I absolutely have to (usually when we find the cat has snuck in under the duvet to sleep, where she's categorically not allowed). And I put my winter tights on to run this weekend too! Brr.
Now I've hit my speed target I'm a bit torn, do I try and hit a new target? Or start running further again? Hmm. I need to strategise for the winter I think! I also need to get back to doing three runs a week if I can, I've been really lazy lately and have only been doing two 😞
I too am a bit torn between trying a bit more speed work, having an end of season rest or starting to build-up to some slow super long jogs/tours around the countryside to look for new running loops/circuits. The snow has descended here in Helsinki but it should melt away soon as more warm weather is forecast for later this week (10 degrees!).
Did a half marathon event weekend before last. Did a 32 km last weekend so now am tapering for my upcoming marathon Got to head out later for a jog. I’ve got the dog for a week so i’m walking Him loads 🙄. He makes me really tired as he gets up so early 😫 💤. I’m having two breakfasts 😁😁. Still getting pain from my hand injury so I’ve not been going to the gym or doing any yoga as I can’t put pressure on my hand Not ideal but it can’t be helped.
The dog walking counts as cross training though 😃🐕
Have a good week peeps 👍😃🏃♂️🏃♀️
Hope your hand mends well soon. The dog walking sounds more energetic than running!
It is! 😁💪
yes I do hope it heals up soon, take care
I can count dog walking as cross training? I'm doing great then!
Oh, waita minute, Garmin doesn't even rate my dog walks as moderate intensity
What do they know 😁
After building up to and running the Great South Run, last week I just ran a couple of 5ks on my local trails. A chance for my legs to restcand recover and also a great opportunity for taking some photos!
New trail shoes arriving tomorrow 😀, although they won't get an airing until the weekend because my weekday runs (now that the evenings are darker) will be on local roads. Enjoy your running week, everyone!🙂
Just started a new marathon training plan today, working towards the 30k march race I signed onto. I picked a beginner plan since I’ve never done marathon distance before. Had to adjust it to fit my Saturday and Wed group run schedule. Need to get used to the slower but additional runs during the week. The longer runs are about the same as what I do on Saturdays now. And so it begins 🙂....
...we believe in you Decker! Good luck with your training!🙂
Oooh how exciting 😃. Takes about four months to train Busy busy
That is about the time I have before my race! 😁
Good 💪👍😃🙂
I had worried that an ultramarathon trail race i was fancying was too soon after my marathon, but I now find it’s six months between the two Still dithering though 🙄
Is 6 months enough time to train for an ultra? I’ve no idea. Our race leader qualified for Boston so he is doing our 30k and running to Boston over 2 weeks and then running Boston!! Crazy. Massive respect but crazy. 😁 in a good way
They can do it if they’re running all the time. They’re conditioned and ready to go 💪👍🏃♂️🏃♀️
We’re newer runners so we have to do all the prep 😃
Haha yes I guess if you never stop running you are always ready for the next race 😁
I have got three 10k races lined up over the next 3 weekends - hope that is not pushing it too much, I got a bit carried away! They will be my long runs each week, then I'll do an easier run with my running group on one day a week and intervals/hill work on another day. After the 3 races I want to start training for my first half marathon in March. Apparently the Hastings Half is very hilly and tough, so not sure what I've let myself in for, but I can always walk some if it's too horrendous.
I need to start doing some strength training/ cross training too, need to sort out a plan - that is my weak point at the mo.
Wow, it is a busy time for you coming up! Best of luck with all your races!
Thanks Decker! 😊
I have had a great running month (for me anyway) with injury free training for GSR, an enjoyable GSR run then 3 good runs last week in half term, completion of my 1000km 2018 challenge and, if I run 2-3miles this afternoon, I complete my 75 mile October challenge. However, it is cold out there and my mojo is slipping. I have nothing planned and feel a bit lost. I need to keep moving so helpful tips or a kick up the backside gratefully received 🤣
Sounds like a great month! 😀 perhaps book another event to aim for?
Yes I think you are right. The local hm has been moved later to early May but there is a 10 mile run in early April. I may look into those and a 10k in February. I got off my backside this afternoon and ran a 5km with intervals. Boy do I hate interval training! 76.5 miles run in October, goal accomplished 😊
Well done. I hate intervals too. Only ever done them in a group with someone blowing a whistle 🙂
Sounds like you have momentum on your side. Quick, book a race to keep it going 😁!
I need find something to do, Paris Marathon is to far out to worry about now.
run?
hmmmm interesting concept, it is too cold to do cycling now!
i might do this next year as well - london-revolution.com/
Dulles Airport - most confusing gate signs outside the PRC LOL. Onwards and soon upwards and then downwards to Fayetteville then on to Ft Bragg and hopefully Back will not let me down Saturday
