Half Marathon Plan: Faffage and #flatabi 😊👔

[roseabi]

Hi all!

Not much longer to go now!

Hope all of us who are still training are feeling fine!? Comment below 😊

Hope that HoagyM and Teri73 had a good time at their Half Marathons today!!

I have been busy setting up my latest FAFFAGE LIST, and checking out the journey to Hastings. I must remember to get some petrol (it's on the list!).

Have any of you seen these "flatlay" pictures that are popular on Instagram? More specifically tagged as #flatrunner, people post what they are wearing at their running event. Here is #flatabi for your delectation 😊

So, what will YOU be wearing?

Good luck with your final preparations! And don't forget to rest and catch up on sleep. Here's a podcast about the latest in sleep research (I haven't listened to it yet, but it looks interesting!):

tinamuir.com/amy-bender/

roseabi xx

NB: If you are worried about sharing your identity online, please do not post pictures of your race number!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Phew! Thought flatabi might have meant you were still feeling poorly ...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I found a good way to get to sleep quickly this week. Jeff Gaudette emailed me about visualisation. So now I lay there before sleep and 'visuliase'; no tossing and turning, I work thru the pre-race pen time, I move on to the phases of my race - the slow steady, ignore everyone else early pace, the water stop, the pick up slightly pace ... and that's as far as I've got! At this rate the finish line will still be a novelty 😀 but I reckon I'm getting an extra 30 mins sleep each night at the moment 😂

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Oh that's good!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Aw thanks Linda! xx

Yes, I published the post and then immediately ran off to make my lunch - forgot about posting my own update 😄 (see below)

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Mentioned: HoagyM and Teri73 😊

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I finally seem to be free of lurgy, but still taking things fairly easily! Calves have been a bit sore so I'm thinking of doing one more long (ish) run tomorrow and then just resting until the 24th.

[mountaindreamer Half Marathon]

Good luck for Hastings Abi! 😊🍀❤️🏃‍♀️💥💥

All quiet for me at the moment, I’m afraid. Sports Therapist changed his mind from me running on my ankle issue to not running while every running step hurts. Thankfully I can walk fine, and can use the StairMaster and Elliptical Stepper at the gym ok, so just biding my time and trying to keep fit.

No idea how long it takes to build back up to HM distance after no running for awhile, though, and I’m told ligaments can take 6 weeks to settle... Still hoping to do Chester HM mid May, but who knows.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thanks MD!

Sorry to hear about your troubles, it looks as though you will have to wait and see how you get on. You are doing everything right by the looks of things, fingers crossed for you xxx

[mountaindreamer Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks Abi - I’m not going to do anything daft. I’m sure I’ll do a HM race at some point, even if I don’t make the Chester one. 😊❤️

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thought I hadn't seen you on Strava recently. Wishing you a speedy recovery xx

[mountaindreamer Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Thanks Marie - I’ll be back at some point. I’m kind of enjoying the change of going back to longer gym sessions for now. 😊❤️

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to mountaindreamer]

Positives out of negatives - that's good. I've had to knock my upper body training on the head because running when your arms hurt is surprisingly unpleasant 😂 Looking forward to getting back to it post HM x

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to mountaindreamer]

I missed you on strava too. Sorry to hear you've been grounded, but super impressed by your attitude to it. You're always enviably pragmatic when life throws you curveballs. Heal fast, heal well 😘

[mountaindreamer Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda - I guess all things are relative. The week my ankle first stopped me running, my spine had a bad flare-up anyway, so I spent a lot of the week drugged up in bed. So I guess it’s eaier for me to appreciate being able to be active again in any form. 😊❤️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to mountaindreamer]

Ahh, you're having a rotten patch for sure. Hopefully you will soon be out the other side.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Shorts!!!! After my run today...I needed fur lined everything..! Long run today at the coast ...turned out not to be..just 14K...hail... wind..and hills..

So..planning a steady 6 or 7 K relaxed run tomorrow and maybe a very short gentle one Thursday.

Feeling happy about getting round..if slightly over-excited..just hope it is a tad warmer...🙃

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Oof, I get very warm when I run 😊😊😊

Sounds like you're in a good place xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to roseabi]

I don't get overly warm..maybe I don't move quick enough..😉 I think I am slightly odd.

I feel relaxed..and am enjoying the runs again now...maybe I should have pushed to 18K before next Sunday..but I think I will be okay..I'll just take it steadily.

I intend wearing my first funky coloured leggings and top..seems only right that they should be at my first HM.

Thanks you x

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Absolutely! Gotta look the part, sounds like a fabulous outfit!

My colours are a bit dull - I kind of wish I'd included my bright red pants to add a bit of zing to the photo, but they of course won't be visible on the day. At least I hope not 😲

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Haha. Glad I'm not the only one who was slightly shocked by the shorts!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I just tried listening to that podcast but I fell asleep...

[Madge50 Marathon]

I’ve started looking at the logistics of getting about around Edinburgh for the EMF.......found we’re staying close to one of the parkruns, so a bit of parkrun tourism will be happening.....

Like the idea of a ‘flatmadge’ 😂........might do a before and after, although the after might not be too different....😂

Good luck abi, look forward to the report and a pic of the bling

(In the best scooby doo voice) Go rabi, go! 🏃‍♀️

Mx

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Madge50]

Rooby Roooooooo! 😄

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon]

All set for Hastings HM too! Feeling quite excited! 🤗 Did my last longish run today, a flat 10k on the seafront. Went well except for the butt niggle reappeared after 5k or so, not really painful but a slight ache deep inside. Not sure whether to go for a sports massage - keep changing my mind! Need to do some more self-massage with the tennis ball at the very least 😬

I must do a #flatmutley, I've got a fab outfit lined up - I'm running for Dogs Trust so I've got their bright yellow vest top and my multi-colour pawprint leggings - I do like to stand out in a crowd! 😁

Happy pre-HM relaxing everyone! x

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Can't wait to see your #flatmutley that sounds like a great outfit!

I haven't thought about mine but I am having my hair done on Tuesday and I might have to slap some fake tan on if I'm donning shorts 🤣

[pianoteacher Marathon Half Marathon]

Was debating whether to go for shorts or not yesterday as the forecast at the mo is warmish. I get warm running but really feel the cold at all other times!

I'm getting in a tis about getting to the start line as I was going to get my boyfriend to drop me off rather than waste energy walking the mile from my house. We live on the course though so I'm not sure if the road will already be closed?? My son is doing the mini run and his stepmum is coming over to do the HM so we could possibly all walk down together?

I can't believe it's come round so quickly! I've decided to go with an easy 8k tomorrow followed by 5k on Wednesday ahead of the big day x

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to pianoteacher]

Apparently the main road is only closed at the start of the race but it will probably be chocka so walking might be quicker! I'm wondering where to park - too far for me to walk. Hoping I can squeeze into the car park on Cinque Ports Way

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

I've been wondering about the parking situation - they don't say anything on their info about the car parks getting filled up. I am planning to head for the 'park and walk' one, but I don't want to be too early and have to hang around for ages getting cold!

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Ok I think I know the one you mean - is it further towards the pier? That one is quite big so you should be ok. At least you can warm up walking to the start! The one I'm thinking of going to is quite small so I am aiming to get there early and go for a walk.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to MutleyShuffle]

It's at St Leonard's Academy, Edinburgh Road; but apparently it's only 8 minutes walk away! The other parking they mention (this is on the letter that came with the bib) is Cinque Ports Way, I guess that's the one you're heading for? I'm sure I'll just end up being way too early - always do! 😄

[MutleyShuffle Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Ah, St Leonards Academy - that should be huge! Yes I'm trying for Cinque Ports Way but if it's full I'll come to your one. I will be silly early too! 🤗

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to pianoteacher]

I like that sort of walk as a warm up.

[Lordi Marathon]

Good luck Abi!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Lordi]

Thanks Lordi! xxx

[Katnap Marathon]

Reminds me of Flat Stanley. You could send yourself by post to far flung places if you were that flat... Just add water! 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Katnap]

Ha I remember!

[Clairecandothis Marathon Half Marathon]

roseabi do you have a Marathon training plan?

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Clairecandothis]

Sorry, no xx

[Teri73]

Sorry to be so slow responding, work has been crazy but the HM was brilliant! I had a wobble when the organisers emailed 10 days before saying there would be a strict 3 hour cut off, at that point it was taking me 3:06 to cover just over 20km. I need not have worried, but my anxiety about being picked up by the “slow coach” spurred me onto a 10km pb. I finished the HM utterly exhausted and tearful at 2:50. I am dead chuffed with that 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Teri73]

How utterly wonderful - well done!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxx