I had a lousy run today! It's OK, I'm not too concerned, but it was really disappointing.
It was supposed to be a 20k easy run, with a target pace of 7mins/km. I planned a route along the canal, but having been away for a week I didn't realise how wet I now assume it must've been! The towpath was a quagmire for huge stretches, with massive puddles in others. I'm very protective of my feet and ankles so do tend to slow down if I'm not sure of my footing. From pretty early on I was aware of my blister hotspots - a week off seems to have softened them up again! Then around 10k I had a stomach cramp which thankfully quickly passed. My legs were tired and I couldn't really pick up the pace even when the ground was firm. Then from about 16k my tummy became very worrisome! I'll spare you the details, but at 19.67km (I rememeber it clearly, no way was I going to make it to 20k) I dived into the pub and rushed to the loo!. Of course I was going to complete the 20k (I'm like that!), and having had a cheeky sit down in the pub loos, I decided to go a bit further and complete the HM distance 🤷♀️
A whole host of reasons why it went wrong - a week of skiing, travelling all day yesterday, probably dehydrated as a result, had a big curry for dinner last night (despite an already slightly dodgy tum), the muddy slippy surface... so I'm not too despondent. After all, I made it to HM distance and you may have noticed I haven't mentioned the stress fracture - so that has to be good news! And, it was better than my first attempt at 20k this time last year (lots of walking and a migraine). So, I've ticked off the distance and the rest was just today. The next run will probably be easier, and I know I didn't give up. It can't all be easy can it ? 🤣
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linda9389
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No, it can't. Some runs, especially those longer ones, rely on details more than anything else. You do something different or wrong, you pay for it. I'm training for my first ultra, and commitment to details is essential but I've decided that I'll go easy on myself and simply prolong the preps if I'm not fully ready. As for the pubs along the course, well.... I run alone and always make sure I'm in a populated area with, let's say, free facilities, just in case. You've done really well hitting the half on a muddy trail, I'm not good on slippery stretches. 😉
And when you do something different, and actually know better (curry comes to mind here), you deserve everything you get I guess! There are plenty of 'free facilities' along the towpath but I don't even want to think about that as an option 😨. Suddenly urban areas have an appeal that has previously eluded me 🤦♀️
I ran a marathon having watched my team lose in the final the night before. And l had some pints along the way. I paid for it in the morning, lol, l PAID for it. In London l always run with my drivers licence (if you find me in a ditch you'll at least know my name), and a bank card (if things go not according to plan the cab will take me home). Needs must.
Sounds like a tough one Linda - well done for persevering and carrying on to HM distance! ✔️💪. Lucky you were passing a pub at 19.67k 🙏 could have been a lot worse!😮🙂
I actually passed the pub about 0.5k earlier (I was going the wrong way at the time 🙄) and stupidly thought I'd done enough pelvic floor exercises to get to 20k. There was NO way I was running past it the second time though 🤣🤣🤣. The thought of having to use the 'free facilities' today (as Mr Run puts it) is horrendous 😨😨😨. I guess someone was watching over me after all 🙏
Wow you got all the challenges thrown into this one Linda! Well done on seeing it through. At least you have some logical reasons to make adjustments going forward.
Can't all be easy? That sounds absolutely horrid... and yet it made me smile?
I think it is just the image of you haring??? along the muddy trails with total determination and then rushing into the pub...sneaking a little sit down and then just going out and carrying on !
Completely awesome!!! Just a wonderful run... go you!!
It does seem a bit funny today - at the time it did not! I'm glad the lady behind the bar was so unphased and accommodating- there was no time for discussion 🤣
I've had to have a sneaky sit down in supermarket loos, sports centre and a few general public ones.... With the poomergency! And abandoned to run to go back home then back out! 😱😱
Oh no poor you! I'm really hoping this was a one off. I was already a bit 'off' even before the curry, and for the rest of the day yesterday. I guess I will have a new gremlin to battle on my next run, but I will choose my route carefully 🤔
Pretty much an out and back route so I didn't have much choice. I went wrong a few times, so ended up with a much longer than usual cool down walk too 🙄
That’s definitely dogged determination Linda. Thanks for the reminder about curries too, we have a lot of them so I think tapering them as well up to a long run is a good idea! Well done on getting it done 👏👏👍
It was hubbie's choice and I just went along with it. When eating it I had the fleeting thought that I would never do that before a race ... now I will never do that before a run, any run!!!
I’ve had two dysenteric attacks on ONE run but sadly nowhere near a loo ☺️😁. Gawd don’t remind me 🙈. I laughed so much though I cried 😂 the situation I got myself in was so bizarre I spare you the detail ☺️
OMG! I thought it through at the time, and some more since, but I simply cannot see any way it could end well 😱😱😱. You have grit aplenty MissW - a true survivor 😍. May it never happen again!
Your a star.⭐️Sorry for your experience but what an inspiration you are and did I ever need motivation.Never give up.When the going gets tough the tough get going.
You have done alot of long runs lately, I have noticed on Strava. And you have done amazingly on all of them.... I think what you are experiencing is the hazardous nature of the long run.... you are doing just brilliantly... and progressing really well
I have Bath HM mid March, hence the long runs. Very happy to be back up to that distance. I don't really like city runs - prefer a good dose of nature - but after yesterday, I can appreciate one or two of the things a long city run can offer (pretty sure it won't be muddy for a start 😂)
I have done bath Half a few times. Its good if you are OK with crowds? And its also very very flat so alot of people use it for PB's etc... Yes variety is definately the spice of life!!!
I hated GSR, but loved LLHM. With hindsight I don't think it was the crowds that spoiled GSR for me. In fact I love the atmosphere of a big race, all the emotion and energy and a real sense of just how 'big' running is. I know it's not for everyone, but I think I actually feed off that. My son is running it too (tho with uni mates, not with me) so, just as at LLHM, there will be a sense of not being quite alone in the crowd too 😀. I'm really looking forward to it 😍
Humour and humility - it's a winning combination, Linda. Thank you for sharing. I take as much from the posts where we're honest about how horribly tricky this running lark can be as I do from the ones where people are storming their goals. Wishing you a better run next time.
Blimey Linda! Determination in spades there considering things didn’t go to plan 🙄 But curry the night before???!!!!! You do like living dangerously don’t you 😂
But great stuff, you’re all ready for Bath, whoop whoop 🏃♀️🙂
... and importantly Bath has toilets and no muddy trails! When I got back from holiday I was hoping to find my racepack, and yep there it was ... err, oh, no ... it was my son's race pack! He's living in Bath but for some reason must've put this address. I did read they were sending them out by estimated finish time and postcode order. He says mine will be ages yet - so rude 🤬🤬🤬
Yes, I got a packet this morning and I was so excited because I was convinced it was for Bath, but no ☹️ it was just some invitation to a retirement planning seminar 🙄 from a company I’ve never heard of. I was so disappointed and a bit miffed too (am I that old?) until my husband reminded me that yes I was actually retired ☹️ 😂
That sounds like a tough run physically so well done indeed for getting to your HM distance. My long run this weekend is that long and I hope i don’t face the same challenges as I am sure to quit and call a taxi
I hope your next run is a more positive experience
Thanks tiggs. I don't think you'd quit! Anyone facing your trail runs is no quitter 😀. I don't have another run on my plan til Thursday which is good as I'm still not good today. Hoping to try a ride tomorrow, but it might be a gentle one 🙂
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One foot in the door.
HUHM virtual 10 Mile Run Report (+ 2 bonus miles!)
A change of focus and rethink of goals...... possibly a HM 😁