How's it all going? Are you managing to get out running? Are you working out in your garden or in your house? Running a marathon on your balcony? Tell us all about it!! πππ
If you're missing your long runs or feeling sad about your cancelled event, feel free to vent here!! We understand, we don't judge, and we know it's OK not to feel OK all of the time. We're VRBs and we are here for... us πβ€οΈ
I've been working out, and riding my bike, in various parts of my flat; and going for some very short runs outside. My hip rehab is going so well - I really think I've turned the corner now!!! π
I have also been having fun trying out a few YouTube workouts and posting about them over on the Strength & Flex community. We're building up a nice little library of online workouts over there, check it out:
Happy running, working out, rehabbing, and resting!!!
The Marathon Team xxx
If you are planning a virtual race for some time in April, visit the post linked here to let us know about it and we'll try our best to give you a pom pom cheer:
Hello! We are getting out, all four family members have been running, walking and cycling as best we can. We've discovered a couple of great 5k run routes that are variations on our usual dog walk so we can run, take the dog, and largely have him off the lead! We hardly see anyone and it's easy to divert or move aside to keep out of people's way. My daughter has done a couple of online work outs. We are still sane and no one has lost the plot.... yet.
Hi roseabi Iβm doing a Covid-19 Run Streak, prompted by Strava. So far Iβve run 14 consecutive days, at least 2km per day. Iβm intending to keep it up as long as I canπ
Iβm working from home at mumβs at the moment as sheβs recovering from a hip replacement operation. At times like this we need everything we can to keep our spirits up, so the companionship and community here will be invaluableπ
Run happy and stay safe everyone!ππββοΈπββοΈ
Hi ! Sorry not been here for ages. Iβm self isolating. Had a temperature and a cough last Monday. Temp came down through paracetamol and then it literally felt like the flu. Today it literally feels like a cold snuffly nose, headache and cough. Am due to go back to work a week tomorrow.
Iβm itching to go out for a run so as soon as I feel better I will be. Am disappointed the Shakespeare half has been cancelled but at least I know Iβve got a place for next year. Plus I can also do the rescheduled date for the Liverpool RNR half so pleased about that.
Iβm so happy for you and your hips! That is great news. As for us here, we are not on full lockdown just yet, and solo long runs are still allowed in Toronto. So yesterday I went to a nearby nature reserve and did a 21k run in there on the trails. It was raining, colder than I like and I was literally the only person there, but it was nice to have the chance to be there and chat with the local geese. I stopped far too often to take photos too and take a break It is a short set of loops but quite hilly so it was a good workout too. Iβve not done hills like that in awhile and I am feeling it a little today :). Someone in our run group made a virtual run request to all of us for the weekend to send headshots at our runs, then she made a montage of the headshots of all the runners that ran solo, assembled it into a poster and put it up for all to see. It was nice to see what everyone else was up to.
Quite a busy day for you Tbae, keep trotting in the garden.
Today when I got out of bed I immediately did a 3-minute plank, listened to the coronavirus news on the radio and then did a 3-minute exercise with my kettlebells.
At 9 am I did a 25-minute workout with Joe Hicks, the body coach on Youtube that everyone is talking about.
After that, I went a short 3K walk, got home and for the first time this year I got on my bike and went a short 8K cycle ride round the same course that I run 5K, so I am keeping fit and healthy as you are as well, enjoy the rest of your day.
Well done Alan thatβs a great day you have put in.I am sure you are in much better shape than me.
Today was a recovery day after my 20k yesterday.I have tried to let the gardening work take care of my strength and my trotting do the rest.
What you are doing is great using all the conventional wisdom and you have done it most of your life.
For myself I did a little for maybe 4 years for health reasons and weight loss before I found C25k and HealthUnlocked just over two years ago.
I guess Pete Magill has perhaps made me think and maybe I have taken some licence. I want to prove to myself that perhaps a trotting regime is sufficient to keep me fit,injury free and maintain my strength at a reasonably healthy weight.A 20k trot at my πpace is a lot of calories burned and without muscle loss.
I am interested to see what results I find in this final build up month.
Slightly odd to think I should have been in the London Landmarks HM yesterday. Had a weird feeling at the planned start time...
Odder still is that I had an e-mail from my charity two days before the cancelled event saying good luck etc. This had clearly been written before the world changed, and they had forgotten to NOT send it.
It's weird to see these pre-corona artefacts appearing. I find it odd to see adverts on TV for pointless things like perfume, and sometimes when I'm watching a film I get confused by seeing people doing "normal" things like meeting for lunch, or fighting etc. π
This oh this so much. Agree with you both. Everything I am watching thinking βno, how, thatβs so dangerous β!! Conditioned to the new normal so quickly ....
I have bitten off more than I can chew I think! Sandie1961 and I have agreed to try to build up to a sub 60 minute 10k. She only has two and bit minutes to go I think, and I am still in 1:05 territory. But hey, a bit of a challenge helps. Today was an experiment to see how far I could get at sub 60 minute 10k pace. Answer, 5k in 29.52 βΉοΈ. First sub 30 5k for about 6 months though, on a trail and there was a cold northerly wind blowing straight down from the North Pole....end of excuses.
I have hatched (yet another! ) cunning plan. One intervals session per week, then a run in which I gradually extend my 6:00/k pace to greater distances from 5k (as long as I can sustain it...might be an additional 500m per week) and then my long run. Hopefully the middle run will gradually build into the quicker 10k I am looking for. The one bit of good news was that VO2Max finally went back to 40 for the first time since last summer....won't stay there long of course! I am so lucky to have my running territory on my door step....seems the best thing to do is make the most of it. Well done everyone who is managing to run prodigious distances in their back gardens....real commitment. ππππππ
So long as it gets done who cares? Todayβs run was 2 seconds off negative splits (laps 3 and 4 the wrong way round) and the final lap was a near 1k Pb; ....the more I think about the more I am convinced; 32 minutes first 5k, and 28 the second. I just need to practice them in separate runs for now !
I am lucky enough to have a decent sized garden and with some bendy bits I can get a 100m lap. Did 50 laps this morning so 5k. Normally do 20k+ a week including a 10 so at the moment I am looking at a total 25 in 5 x 5kms, Will see how it goes, if I can cope with the boredom I may push the distance. I am abroad and we are not allowed out for excersise.
I follow up with PE with Joe and Yoga with the lovely Adriene
I am using my garden too..I am not abroad, but a few daft folk in the local area who are not being completely sensible! Go you... I am hoping to a 5K this weekend!
So pleased you're seeing progress with your hips. I saw someone with a turbo trainer on his smallpatch of front lawn the other day - I reckon that wouldn't be too bad, at least I'd still have fresh air. Needless to say the cheap deal I saw last month is now gone!
I thoroughly enjoyed my virtual HM split into three parts. I will definitely do that again - maybe aim for 21.1k each week, but vary the split distances.
I'm seeing all these tempting free workouts online, but am genuinely struggling to find time to fit everything in at the moment. Maybe I should drop one of the rides from my weekly schedule as it looks unlikely that I will be able to do my virtual 100k at the end of May (it will take me 5-6 hours to do 100k; the long training ride is building up from the 2 and half hours I'm at just now and I don't think that's on at the moment). Will see how it goes - making it all up on the fly at the moment π. Take care everyone.
That's really good news, roseabi. Like Decker, I have freedom of movement. And judging by the cautious optimism by the Norwegian authorities, I think it's unlikely that we're going to go into full lockdown right now. Let's hope things stay that way!
Some of you might remember the urban orienteering that kept me busy before the winter. Well, parts of Oslo are starting up again on Wednesday. It's a pretty good solitary way of getting exercise. So I figure I might use my long runs to run to areas where I do some 'hunting'. That way I can have my fun while avoiding public transportation.
Iβve been going out 3 times a week running 5k with hubby. Itβs odd but we just like to be out together and heβs not into further than 5k yet. Iβm now trying to increase my pace...doing little circuits around Pete as he does run/walk.
I cannot decide if I miss the longer runs or not. But itβs hard to maintain that positive mantra. My mantra was Body and Mind. βThe body achieves what the mind believes and my mind believes I can run 26.2 miles in the 26th April 2020β This has been my daily mantra for months. October 4th just doesnβt have the right ring!! Yet!
Also doing online fitness classes and other stuff online. Lots of interest in Phytosport and the 30 day healthy eating detox programme, so obviously others out there being healthy exercising!!
Take care everyone and stay safe. Keeeeeep running ππΌββοΈ ππΌββοΈππΌββοΈππΌββοΈβ€οΈ
Iβve been getting out for my runs doing 2 x 5km during the week and a 10km on the weekend. I would like to keep this up but if the exercise restrictions happen and we are limited on time outdoors then I will probably go to exercising more frequently but less distance.
Hello Roseabi, so glad to hear that your hip is getting better. I am trying to be patient, 4 weeks after my ski injury, but the physio confirmed I was on the right track for recovery during our FaceTime consultation. My exercise plan is on an app so I can see a video of the exercises performed correctly; so much better than the sketch pictures usually handed out.
We are missing our parkrun get togethers, so we have occasional coffee breaks on skype with Mr & Mrs Coddfish and Oldgirlruns . I think the social thing is the hardest to cope with during this time, but a little bit of technology can help keep in touch.
Iβm also getting cappuccino withdrawal symptoms and I am now doing research on coffee makers to keep me going. βοΈ π. We are safe and healthy so far, so that is the most important thing.
I got a nespresso Citiz, which I like. Then my husband was given a big, posh Miele machineπ³. Hardly used π€·ββοΈ So, we have his n hers π. His does beans and ground and has a Huge water tank and coffee tank Too much coffee being consumed though I fear βΊοΈ The chap who gave him the machine was having an in-built one in his new kitchen ooooooh π
Iβve declined to buy one previously because we are regulars at a few local coffee shops and cafes who make a great coffee . But I am now missing my frothy cappuccino. It sounds like you are well set up now. βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
I canβt afford to go out for coffee. Most of it is just froth innit π€·ββοΈπ
Would you like marshmallows and almonds on that? π. My husband was asked that. He honestly had no idea that it was even a thing He politely replied, βno Iβd like coffeeβ π.
My son came back from the US a few weeks back and he brought me some coffee back to try. Peetβs Big Bang π
Cool that you're getting better! πI'm still managing 5 weekly runs and two cross training sessions, don't ask me how. Where l run in south London mostly, l barely see a soul so I'm not posing threat to anyone and nobody is posing any threat to me, but you never know with this virus....The police see me often but never stopped me. Yet.
A few days ago a friend told me there was a shop selling killer pomegranates towards where our own Sadie-runs lives. I never before ran 12k to buy three pomegranates but, boy, where they worth the effort.... π
Oh I love a pomegranate - and sounds like they are within easy running distance to me?! Bonus! (Where?) I must say the phrase killer pomegranates conjured up a vision of a fruit with a flick knife. π
Itβs a bit weird out there. My regular running routes are busy, too busy to use at the weekend, as all the people who might otherwise exercise in the gym or get entertained elsewhere flock to them. My sister in lawβs dog walking routes are so overrun with non regulars it has been distressing her dog, who bit a runner yesterday, and sadly has been put down today. We are all, obviously, missing proper contact with family and friends. I went for a run this morning, enjoying the sunshine and the sea views but notice I am becoming increasingly anxious and that running isnβt the βfixβ to that that it usually is. Michael Gove saying a half hour run is about right depresses me when I am a slow runner and know I need to run for a longer time than that on at least 1 run a week to keep my fitness. I guess none of this is important at present but I feel the need to unload! Take care everyone.
Oh Coddfish Iβm so sorry to hear about your sister in lawβs dog. Others have also spoken about all the normal routes being so crowded now but for such a thing to happen is very sad. I think until weβre limited to half hour runs only, we should carry on trotting for longer when we can - I know I really need the exercise! But it will be early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Stay well.
Thanks. She lives on the edge of Sheffield and had been spooked by Derbyshire policeβs tweeting into staying in her local park. He was a big and fairly neurotic dog so itβs sort of been coming, but sad all the same.
Sorry to hear about your sister in law's dog. Because I was so busy a few weeks ago, I started running in the afternoons, and once the restrictions were introduced, I noticed far more runners out there than usual.
Oh eck π€¨ thatβs awful news about the dog. Iβm so sorry to hear that π§. What an awful thing to happen on top of everything else π
My ears pricked up at Michael gove too π€¨
Iβm running to Lidl to get supplies this morning. Then running home. If I have to queue it could take ages as itβs 9k round trip I didnβt go out yesterday so I need my running fix π I figure running and shopping in one journey makes sense. Also I donβt buy much as Iβve got to cart it π
I have a lidl cycling rucksack which I got when I had shin splint and OH got me a bike. Itβs been an absolute godsend. It was cheap as chips but it seems bombproof. It amazes me how much I can get in it π. When itβs on it doesnβt move either
If I were you, I would drop the "slow runner" label and think about adding some faster intervals into your short runs! Seriously, this will do amazing things for your fitness, I really hope you'll think about it xxxxxxxx
Thanks, I do sprint intervals as part of my weekly running pattern anyway but as a short 60+ person I am never going to run 5K in anywhere near 30 minutes, whatever I do, and it's important to me that at least 1 of my runs each week is 5K or more.
I'm so sorry, I do realise you were sharing your frustrations rather than asking for advice, I just get carried away sometimes! π
I feel this creeping anxiety too, I find that I don't like to go too far away from home, so I'm ending up running circuits around our local Lagoon. It's not so exciting, but at some point this all will pass!!! Are you able to get out early as Oldgirlruns suggests? Since no time limit is being enforced as yet (and may well never will be!) please don't worry - get that weekly 5k done! xxx
Hi roseabi! Sounds like your hip is behaving which is great news. ππ
Iβm running every other day, but since I was asked politely by a policeman not to use my car to get to my favoured running/dog walking route, as too many non-locals were, itβs cramped my style a bit. I can still walk or run to get there, but without the dog as the road isnβt very safe, or use the gnarly field behind our house (yuk). But today I ran multiple loops up by the airport viewing area - usually packed with plane spotters! Today it was absolutely deserted - just a patrol vehicle inside the perimeter fence which I waved to! Itβs quite lovely actually as there are fabulous views over the Bristol Channel. Mighty exposed though, so I wonβt be doing that route when itβs windy! π¨
Of course I have the garden too - but thatβs being saved until absolutely needed! π
I saw 5 different police and local authority patrols whilst running the Southsea parkrun route this morning, meanwhile Derbyshire policeβs antics have contributed to my SIL taking the decision to put her stressed pointer down. Very sad. Hope you can find a suitable dog plus running solution.
Very sad Coddfish, thatβs the dog who came to visit at Christmas is it? You sister-in-law must be devastated. But being bitten by a dog as a runner is awful too. I have a friend who bears the scars of a similar occurrence.
Yes itβs one of the dogs that stayed at Christmas. My niece (SILβs daughter) also has a pointer, fortunately her dog is generally less nervous and seems to be coping ok (but we donβt know how she will process the sudden loss of the other dog as they would be together most days).
I got badly bitten by a corgi when I was ten. I still have the scar as it made a hole. I love corgiβs though, and dogs in general That one was not being looked after properly poor thing
I am generally a bit nervous around dogs and hate the classic "oh he won't hurt you, he's only being friendly" typical owner response. Thankfully I have never been injured, just frightened.
Unfortunately SIL's dog, whilst not a bad dog, was always a somewhat nervous dog and had been very spooked by being confined to parks with lots of people when he usually roams open empty spaces. I think he was probably also picking up on the level of anxiety his owner and indeed other people are carrying. I don't think he would have been safe off lead in the current circumstances and it wouldn't have been possible to get him the level of exercise he needed on a lead (40kg muscular dog). So, without any line of sight on an ending to this, I think SIL took the only decision she could in the best interest of the dog as well as anyone he might have injured.
Thatβs appalling about your SILβs dog Coddfish. Iβm so sorry. βΉοΈ
The only place I can take Flossie to run with me is in the field behind us. I went up there a few days ago and itβs downright dangerous for the most part as itβs so dry and rutted. Iβm going to the Common tomorrow and Iβll see how the road is. Under normal circumstances I wouldnβt walk it if you paid me, but itβs so quiet at the moment it might be ok. I hope so because Iβm missing having her with me. πββοΈπΎ
I couldn't help but notice our QE venture was meant to be on Saturday. At least I managed to run the route, give or take the bit that was closed, when we recced it in February.
I know Coddfish. It would probably be quite nice up there now too. But we will do it. We just donβt know when yet. Iβm off for my daily exercise now, a walk around the cemetery maybe.
I walked the seafront from the Pyramids to the Point and then back through the common this morning. Very quiet out there today, fewer runners, old couples, dog walkers etc than I have seen on previous days. The section of seafront between the D Day and Clarence Pier is closed to cars to stop people parking. Meant you could run on the road just like in the GSR! A few MAMILs on bikes coming through (including Mr C, as that was his chosen exercise today). Hope you are all well today
I've driven on the wrong side of the road twice this week to allow for two different runners who were each social distancing from someone walking on the pavement by running in the road (which I've done several times myself over the last week). Whether your average-couch-residing-white-van-man (sorry to be so stereotypical, but you know what I mean) would have moved over is anyone's guess though, so do take care π
Oh no! A pointer. Such beautiful dogs. So sad. (I may be a little bit biased as our lovely 11 year old is an orange and white English pointer, we don't see all that many of them).
What a week, our lockdown is somewhat more formalized here in France, so that rules out any real running off property for me. However, I do have a Cave! so weekend endurance training was a 50km cycle on the Saturday and a half marathon row on Sunday while listening to music, lots of music!! I'm not sure if firewood stacking counts as core training, it should do, but it's meant working outside and getting chores that have idled completed and a sense of achievement into the bargain. Stay positive in uncertain times is the mantra.
Up with the larks so just had a strong coffee to revive me as Iβm run/ shopping this morning for essentials not a tomato or egg in the house. Eggs eek! In my rucksack π. Itβs about 9k round trip so best leg it if Iβm to complete the job in 30 minutes as per Goveβs dictat. Iβd have to be Superwoman πͺπ₯πͺπ₯πββοΈ Gotta queue too I expect π€¨
Pleased to hear your hip is getting better Roseabi ππ
Keeping fit here. Doing joe Wicks PE, and running every other day as per. Eating healthily and doing a once-a-week virtual WW workshop
We have to keep well to come out the other side of this thing in as good a shape as poss.
Good news about your hips Roseabi. Itβs always such a relief when we feel things getting better.
After an on/off stint on the IC I was able to do a 5K two days ago, the first pain-free run in over 5 weeks, so Iβm very happy. Iβm going to stick to short runs for a wee while to get me back in the game but I have a nice 9K village loop which Iβd like to do again , especially as there are literally no cars on the road now π
I did a virtual mat Pilates session today which was rather good so Iβll do a couple of those a week and Iβm still doing various strength exercises/stretching every day.
Things are still good and Iβm pretty content to do what I can do.
Hi roseabi β€οΈ good to hear your hip is on the mend!
Thank you also to all the members who keep us all going! Whether you're writing about your successes or trials and tribulations or just liking and commenting on other peoples posts, it's comforting and heart warming to know that you're all there! You may be Virtual Running Buddies but your support it VITAL β€οΈ So here's to all you VITAL RUNNING BUDDIES πππππππ
Glad your hip is behaving Abi! I went out for my first post-quarantine outdoor jaunt today, and ran to the recycling bins with a big box of stuff and then on to Aldi to get some of their reasonably priced oat milk to try. Then ran back, rather lopsided, with my canvas bag full of heavy milk cartons π It was 2k out and then 2k back, so not a bad wee run, especially as we're discouraged from doing much more right now. I'm awfully unfit though, I don't think it was just carrying stuff that made it feel a bit hard! π¬
Hey! Glad you're better and getting out jaunting again! Kudos for carrying milk on the run - and that's 2k further than I've been running recently πππ
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It is a short set of loops but quite hilly so it was a good workout too. Iβve not done hills like that in awhile and I am feeling it a little today :). Someone in our run group made a virtual run request to all of us for the weekend to send headshots at our runs, then she made a montage of the headshots of all the runners that ran solo, assembled it into a poster and put it up for all to see. It was nice to see what everyone else was up to. 
Weekly Chat 8th to 14th March