Back in gear!

[Beachcomber66]

After a grotty few weeks with a niggly chest cold I think that I am finally back in gear. Part of sudden upsurge in feelgood factor could be the effect of running in bright sunshine today, with only a gentle breeze to contend with, in place of sheets of rain and freezing wind! Deer gambolling about on the moor top, bull finches, a water rail ...lots of signs of spring to lift the spirits. The major part however, is open airways (I will spare you the details!). Last week I dragged spluttered myself around my hill course but then managed a slow 14k on Friday. Today I breezed around the hills, running the steepest 1k 44 seconds quicker than last week. Legs felt lighter and I finished feeling refreshed instead of knackered! I haven't a clue where I am on my half marathon training plan. I am back to where I was on the 12 December really; 5 weeks 😬! I have been running, but, apart from a couple of 5ks, it has been hard going and I have stuck to short distances for the most part! Molly walk now and then recalibrate my plan I think. I haven't got a specific HM in mind so no real rush apart from the fact that I like a plan. Enjoy the weather while it lasts 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Yay, you and me both BC! Wasn’t it a magnificent day? 😍 It’s sounds like you were the one gambolling, not the deer! 🦌 I’m so glad you’re feeling better and your airways are clear (I can imagine ..... 😖)

Flossie and I did a chilly, somewhat slippery underfoot, 7k trail run earlier this morning and I should have taken my 😎! What a treat. Let’s order some more of this weather shall we? 🏃😀🏃‍♀️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes...garçon...two more helpings of bright sun please with flat whites to follow! I wore my road shoes today too; I think that trail shoes take a bit more out of me, but they are needed in the mud. You are right, I feel great...doesn't take much to lift the spirits again.😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

No, we’re simple souls us runners! 😅

[Mummycav]

I am looking forward to another run in the sunshine today, it’s crisp and bright here....I hope it’s as enjoyable as your run sounds today Beachcomber66 ...glad to hear you’re feeling better

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Mummycav]

Thanks Mummycav. Now for a different form of exercise.. a walk for me while Molly hurtles around the beach...very relaxing!😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Glad you found the brightness again. You're lucky that you don't have the pressure of an end date for your plan, take all the time you need to make sure you find the enjoyment in it.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Definitely Linda, thanks. If an HM pops up that I fancy, and I am ready, great, but no point in needlessly taking all the joy out of it .👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Breezing around the hills sounds fab! Sounds like the grotty chest cold is well and truly gone 🤗

I’ve found this cold weather is making my teeth hurt 😫🙄 Must be the fact my mouth is open and the nerves are being blitzed! Never had it before though.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thermal sensitivity is always on my dentist’s check list. I run with a gaitor over my mouth when it is really cold; helps to keep the asthma at bay...maybe helps my teeth too! 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I do brush with Sensodyne as I have sensitive teeth but I’ll mention it to my dentist next week when I’m there for a check-up. When I wear something over my mouth I feel as if I’m having a facial 😀

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

Good to hear you're back in top gear!

You're doing better than me on the half marathon training plan - I did over 13k on 5th December and haven't managed more than 10k since then!

Never mind, its keeping going that matters. This fabulous weather is a real bonus too. 😊🌞

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

A bit of sunshine will spur us all on. Sure you will pick up on distance soon 👍

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Yes I had a chest cold about this time last year BC and it's amazing how long it takes to completely shake it off - and how great it feels when you finally do!

Just 5k for me today - but my first sub-28 since November and you know what.😀The recovery continues!👍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Glad to hear it JP. My 5k record is 28.17 so you are already way ahead of me again 😊. Hope you are at the point where you don’t feel you need to cross your fingers before stepping on the gas! All this caused by a small dog not under control!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Sounds like you were turbo charged! I have had that feeling just twice, I think! So good and for me so rare. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

It happens in patches for me; then I pick up a niggle or catch a bug and slide back a bit! Same for all of us I suspect. We just have to enjoy the highs.😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

So glad that you are beginning to feel tip top again Beachcomber66. I’m with you on the sunshine , Oh it was so lovely at the beginning of my run with Blue skies, a lovely calm sea and a gentle breeze . All runners giving a smile or a nod , as if to say “what a great day for running”.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Hi Dexy5. Yes people’s faces were emerging from their hoods today. Like early flowers ! Be a while before under foot conditions will be good for speeding up work, but there is plenty of time for that. Even ditched my jacket today....legs may appear soon!😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Don’t be too rash BC, it’s still only January 😂😂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I think 10c may be the threshold! 🥶

[Redcello41 Half Marathon]

Glad to hear you're feeling better! I've also been off for 5 weeks so my half marathon training plan has definitely gone out the window too! I will also be sitting down later this week to recalibrate my plan too, only difference is, is that I am running the Bath Half on 15th March so it's going to be an interesting few weeks of training!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Redcello41]

You know better than to try too hard and put yourself out of action again. I have been running, apart from one week, just not as far as planned. I may do 10 miles this week, but I did an hour of swimming with fins today, so may need a day off tomorrow; tough on the achillies. That will mean running on Friday so no Park Run..again. Weather is nice though 😊

[Redcello41 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes very true, must be careful not to push myself too much, don't want to end up with yet another injury! Swimming is a great alternative and a brilliant option for cross-training!