Well, I don't know about you, but we've definitely had some weather up here these past few days! Lots of it, pouring from the sky. I'm working on the MTB World Cup today which was held in Fort William over the weekend, and it was a very squidgy affair to say the least!
How's things with you guys? Hopefully less squidgy
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Sqkr & roseabi
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Sqkr
Half Marathon
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Not very squidgy here in London, warm and cloudy today! Just started my HM training, and so far so okay. Started building in some strength training a few weeks ago, and think I can already feel the difference in me pins! Cannot imagine ever running 21km, but here goes to trying! Off to Cornwall next week, so training will halt for a bit (though I will get in a couple of short runs, boyfriend permitting!) Will be doing lots of walking though, so all good.
Had a nice weeks hiatus as we took the girls away for half-term. Just signed up for a 10k in Septemeber which will keep my motivated to run regularly, but not doing to many miles over the summer which is not my favourite time for running.
It did rain a bit down here, but the grass is browning all the same 😐 As am I, as it's mostly been pretty sunny 😊
It's been windy too, so I've done a bit of windsurfing! Also have been increasing my push-up numbers per session, and having another crack at trying to do "more than one stinking pull-up" 😄
I'm afraid to say that my plans to achieve a pull-up have stalled dramatically since finding that of the eight doors in my new wee house, none are suitable for a pull-up bar. They're higher than usual doors, so I couldn't reach the bar without using a box...and then I discovered the bar doesn't fit anyway because one door is really narrow, one is too wide (the front door, a lucky escape for the neighbours) and the others are curved so the bar just falls down onto my toes if I pull it. 🤔
We have a little outdoor gym over the road with pull-up bars, so if I had your door problem I could still do pull-ups. Hypothetically. But there is often a gang of big hunky types there doing all sorts of fancy stuff, and I'd probably feel too pathetic in their presence 😂 I do sometimes have a go when there's no-one about... So I'm not sure I can wholeheartedly recommend outdoor gyms, but do you have such a thing near you?
I've been a bit lazy of late, just a fun 18km run/walk last week. Sort of lost my mojo a bit. Planning to ramp things back up soon, 5k today, 10k planned on 6th the HM Sat 8th June. My daughter installed a pull-up bar the other day and because I last did a pull-up in 1984 I just had to try! Turns out I've got the upper body strength of a 8-year old child (2 pull-ups and an aborted 3rd). Might have a think about some general strength training (core) as I've never done anything except the running bit so far.
Starting third week of no running. If all is well, I'm allowed to try running again next week. It's not yet well In my head, three weeks off meant two weeks healing then a whole painfree sensible week then back to running. So I'm a bit sad I'm not on track. Only registered for 25km for my June medal; really hoping they can be run rather than walked, but not this week.Hey ho. Maybe tomorrow will be the first painfree day
On a more positive note, I've dusted eight years of inactivity off my bike and taken my first wobbly ride in a long time. Should help keep the legs and lungs active while I'm being nice to my ill-deserving foot!
When I got plantar fasciitis last year in the run up to all the big events I signed up, my stationary bike was my salvation as it kept my thighs strong, and helped me finish all my events. An actual bike should be even better!
Pre-wedding planning had me away over the weekend at my bridesmaid's in Southend shopping and eating too much very yummy cake...and choc...and cheese of the vegan variety so even though I came home earlish was feeling fairly heavy when I set out mid afternoon on Sunday.
Still, another 15 miler in the bag. I could quite happily stay at 15 for a while really, I find it a nice distance but I do want to crack that 20... so this month I will aim for 17.
The heat is ramping up but I've found a really cheap bladder that I can fold and tuck in the rear of my vest even though it's not built for it so should be able to carry 2l.
I'm working this Sunday so really need to plan and do all chores to leave the day free 🤞😁
Despite being on call most nights last week, I managed to get all runs on the first week of my new HM training plan done. It's still 31C outside after supper so am going to delay my interval run until Wednesday and run Wednesday, Friday, Sunday this week, by am planning on getting my bike out and try out the new mountain bike course that is in the coulee in front of my house. Can't wait! I've been really bad at doing any sort of cross training activity, so should be able to check at least one box off this week!
Whoohoo! That was fun🚴🏻♀️!!! It has been about 15 years since we lived near the mountains and used to bike technical trails so my balance and slow manoeuvring around obstacles needs some work, as does my climbing hills but that was a great workout! Heart rate was up, and I felt the burn in my quads. The bikes may get a bit of a workout this summer - what a great cross training activity 💪
I just got back on my bike too! It's been 8 years since I last used to cycle the school run with the kids. I was a right nervous Nellie even on ordinary street corners - but l did do a mini section on a track in the woods and decided that would be so much nicer. Nowhere close enough to do that properly without driving or cycling a fair way on main roads sadly. May see if I can get the bike in the car at the weekend 😀
I just braved the roads and lanes to get to some lovely local woods. I can feel the burn 😀 and my sitting down bits would like to remain standing for a few days 😂😂😂
Haha no kidding 😂. I'm lucking - my tushy is surprisingly not sore but I spent most of the ride with my butt not on the seat but hovering over it adjusting my weight forward or back depending on the hill grade. Hubby was giving me some reminders as we rode and the skills are slowly coming back to me. I had to ride through a narrow path between 2 rocks that was just the width of my tire. I made the rookie mistake and didn't get my pedals parallel to each other so bam! Slow speed stop 😂! I'll master it next time .....maybe 😂
Ooh that all sounds very technical 😯 I will have to do some reading. There were a couple of steep bits today - I never got off my bike, but I daresay I could have made a better job of it 😂.
Got out for my longest run in ages yesterday. Ended up as 18k - I could have kept going but it was getting a bit too warm and I was nearly home.
I’d left my water bottle at work the week before, which was a daft error. It meant I had to pop into a shop for water at around 12km; and I felt I probably deserved an extra treat at that point. I can now vouch for the restorative effects of a dark chocolate Bounty. Yum! Well... coconut’s a health food, no?!
Haha that pic is what the trail run felt like 🤣. I’ve been just doing my thing since then. Got an easy pace solo HM in on Sunday morn in the misty rain. Listened to a great podcast about positive self talk vs neg talk during from the POV of an Ultra winner. Reading up on mindful running too. Good for someone like me who is often focused on time. 🙂Working on speed and starting the full mara plan next.
Hmmm and here's me pondering my approach to the 2castles race at the weekend....shall I do 1 last hill rep and run tonight...? Tinkering with pace calculators and getting a feel for my stamina for the last hilly 5k of the race....I have no intention of going slow 🤣 (we all have different paces I know)
Are you sure that photo wasn't from the Ecotrail in Oslo?
Week 1 of marathon training for me. I haven't been feeling particularly optimistic, partly as I'm pretty busy. And of course self-doubt - partly fuelled by the great improvement on my SSC result, which was realistic, but you know what those demons are like. I forced myself out on a 5 km run last night after 9 pm and it was quite nice out, especially considering how light is out here in the north. It turned out to be my best non-parkrun run in a year!
Now we have to see if I can follow the marathon plan I've made for myself.
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In my head, three weeks off meant two weeks healing then a whole painfree sensible week then back to running. So I'm a bit sad I'm not on track. Only registered for 25km for my June medal; really hoping they can be run rather than walked, but not this week.Hey ho. Maybe tomorrow will be the first painfree day 
Weekly chat 29 May -4 June 
