How's it all going for you guys? Here's a cheery wee Easter scribble I did for my granny, I think the wildlife must be having a great time outside with fewer humans getting in the way! It's taken me a while but I'm getting into a bit of a routine now, and have even set an alarm on my phone to remind me to get a blast of HIIT in each day else I'm liable to turn into a bit of a chocolate egg myself. Though I'll be honest, I have also been getting into a routine of having a Baileys coffee for elevenses, it's going to be a shame when that has to stop! 😋
Let us know how you're all faring, and all your running plans and outings! Doesn't matter what they are, it's just lovely to hear people are keeping active in tricky times. And don't forget to get involved in the SPEED CHALLENGE! I've not linked the post as there will be a switch-over soon but it is pinned over on the side, so no excuses-get your speediest feet on, and see if you can beat your PB!
If you've not already looked, do also take a peep over at the Strength and Flex forum. Lots of stuff to help keep you strong and fit, and it all works really well in conjunction with running:
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:
No Baileys coffee for me, but we've been loving the UberEats deliveries of locally-brewed beers! Loving them perhaps a little too much 😂
I am really into trying out online workouts at the moment, and doing my usual indoor stuff as well. I am still working on plans for marathon training with very little running - so far I am increasing my indoor bike ride times (45 minutes is my latest best), have been out for my first shingle beach run this very day (1km and that was jolly hard work!!), and have come up with the idea of doing walks (running is too noisy for the neighbours) up and down the back stairs in our block of flats - 7 stories, coming next!. Also been doing push-ups and pull-up (I can only manage 1) prison-style, with three daily reminders from Alexa 😁
Aaaaand, my hip is pretty much better, and I ran my first 5k in a while last week!!
linda9389 the forecast for the Brighton Marathon on Sunday is still looking pretty good, although a bit more windy than I'd like...
Glad the hip seems it's sorted! I still haven't got any closer to a pull up. I'd conveniently forgotten my goal to do one by the end of last year 😄 I can use my pull up bar as a sort of floor thing, so even though it seems I can't put it up anywhere except my front door (!) I can probably use it to get some decent arm strength. I should get on that.
Glad to hear about the hip Roseabi! Sounds like you're on to of training
Lovely art work there Sqkr! Baileys! Mmmmmmm gorgeous. Loved the stuff I say "loved". I wouldn't be averse to a bit of Baileys cheesecake though I don't suppose
Been for a run this morning. Just a 5k but I put in a few hills. Doing Joe Wicks PE workouts every weekday morning. Running every other day as per. I downloaded a fresh "Get More Fit" free Nike plan, which I'm following. This is day one of week 2. I'm doing the weekly Speed Challenge 1k here too.
I have heard really good things about Joe's PE routines, I do use his HIIT routines even though I struggle a little with his voice 😂 Maybe I'll take a look for some variation!
No Bailey’s for me but I realized I was averaging a beer every evening, so have eased back on that (a little). The month supply I picked up may need replenishing soon!
I’ve been trying to maintain my weekly distance and slowly increasing it, but trying to ease on effort, but it is harder to relax these days isn’t it? I have found a number of new trails though, while moving my runs north as the city closes parks and trails - we are still not fully locked down here and long runs are allowed. I have another new route planned for the weekend.
Still holding hope for my October 50k race, and will need to up distances soon to prepare for it.
Crossed fingers for October! It seems a long way away, but it's such a strange time, nothing feels terribly linear any more. I've been refreshing the registration page for my marathon in November (last year they started taking people in April, I've had 'Registration open' in my diary for months!) but I guess it makes sense to hold off until all the curves are going downwards again.
Yes and in the meantime we just train towards it, right? Some people in my run group are doing their final 35-50k runs now because they were training for the races that did not happen. I think in some ways it is harder to do their race distance without the crowds cheering or medals at the end. But that’s what we do this year. 🙂
I’ve picked up quite a few bad habits since lockdown started 🙄 No Baileys coffee but I do have a coffee with cream some days which is sort of like Baileys but without the alcohol 😏 And I had a beer every night last week at about 5pm after a day working in the garden. Oh, and I had a glass of red wine the other night with a BBQ. I adore red wine but can’t drink it now without lasting side effects the next day and true to form, I woke up feeling I had a hangover even though I had only one glass 🤢 Such a light weight. So, a new week and I’m determined not to slide into long term bad habits and an ultimate point of no return...
I’m continuing to run every other day and am slowly increasing my distance again. Thank gawd my niggles seem to have settled down and I feel tickety boo again. I have a variety of flat and hilly routes so I alternate (I did the flat one on hangover day 😏). I’m doing virtual Pilates and strength exercises and getting a good workout in the garden every day.
I’m also practising different run techniques that I never had the time/inclination to do before so early days but I’ll post if I have any breakthroughs 🏃♀️🙂
What an amazing scribble Squeak, so talented! Ahh, Baileys coffee mid-morning ... that takes me back to a work cycling holiday where the Facilities Manager parked up to supply us with coffee and Bailey's mid-morning to keep us going until the lunch pub stop! My alcohol intake is stable right now, but my carb loading would be more suited to the latter stages of a marathon plan than lockdown 🙄.
I'm enjoying the freedom running and sticking to 21.1k a week to hopefully keep my foot sweet ready for Ocotber HM training (hold the dream). Looking forward to trying my 1k speed challenge segment again tomorrow😨
My main focus has been on my cycling (as I'd promised my fundraisers I'd complete the 100k by the original event date of 23rd May). Despite there there being no stipulation in the government’s own legislation that exercise should be no more than an hour, I know a lot of people think otherwise; as a result I'm no longer enjoying my long rides. So I'll write to my sponsors to explain and dial back my training to keep around the hour. I will try to keep a longer ride on Sundays unless something changes, but as Monday is a rest day that'll be my two days exercise in one!
Stay safe everyone and enjoy your exercise, whatever form it takes in these strange times.
I was so wobbly and so scared when I started riding again last year. It didn't last (and let's be honest I'm not exactly adventurous🤣). Just do it! A perfect time to find your cycling legs 🙂
It's mad, I used to go out on my bike all the time when I was little with no concerns at all, but those were country roads...arguably more dangerous as they were single track, but many fewer buses about! I do cycle to work from the bus station but that's on a nice off-road cycle path... I need to get braver!
I added good lights and bright clothes and believe that makes me invincible on the country lanes (OK, I don't really, but I keep saying it to try to convince myself cos they are SO beautiful) 😀. My worst cycling injuries last year were a couple of wasp or bee stings - it hurts when you have a head on collision with a big insect!!!
What a beautiful picture Sqkr. I’m on the IC so I’m afraid I’m being led astray with glasses of wine, chocolate eggs etc. My weight is up a few kgs , which is not going to be good when I do get back to running. However, now I can cycle, and get stuck into gardening the future is looking better. My physio exercises have got tougher too so I’m now strengthening thighs, ankles and glutes ready for my return to running shoes.
I guess in many respects it's not the worst time to be on the IC! You can properly focus on your physio without the distraction of thoughts of long, rambly runs and things. You'll be a machine by the time the lockdown is lifted!
Yes Sqkr, our 10k race in London in May with lots of Running Buddies has been cancelled so I won’t be the only one missing that. I’m certainly hoping to be fit again for a 10k race in the New Forest in September. Fingers crossed we will have some normality by then. I was all signed up to volunteer at parkrun while on the IC but sadly that can’t happen either.
At the moment I’m concentrating exercises on the dodgy leg but I’ll need to strengthen both at some point or I’ll be running in circles 😂😂
I love the picture, Sqkr! Last week was a mixed bag. I decided to change the route for my long runs to a hillier option. It's mostly gently uphill on the outward section, which makes for a nice run home. I managed to make it 17 km, and finish in just over 2 hours, so I was pleased. Unfortunately I had made the bad mistake of joining my son in PE With Joe that morning, so my core was really sore the next day.
I went on 2-3 hour hikes for all of the Easter break (Thursday to Monday), which I think had a bad effect on my left ankle, so that two of my runs were no good. My Saturday speed run went well, but I decided to take a couple of days off from running. We'll see how today's run goes.
Thanks! It was still fairly weak during the run, so I'll probably stick to short runs this week. Thanks to the global situation, there's no pressure on my training, so I don't have to worry about skipping the odd long run and letting my ankle take the time it needs to recover.
I've been thinking the same thing! It's almost been a blessing to have had an injury during this time, I think it's helped my perspective an awful lot 😊😊😊
Oh another vote for Joe's PE sessions? Is an achey core a good thing 🤔 I reckon it probably is as long as it doesn't interfere with other exercise plans... I must take a look!
I just tried Joe Wicks' PE session for today! I got all the capital cities right and nearly launched the kitten out of the door by mistake (she kept darting in and shouting PRRP and attacking my feet mid'kick), but am now looking forward to the smug ache of Doing Something Active.
Great little sketch there! I'm currently on the IC with my left knee for the past 3 weeks which is annoying! It's such a shame how I was able to run through rain and wind during the winter and now I can't run in this perfect running weather! Been doing online workouts though and being careful not to load my knee too much! Today is meant to be workout day and I really can't be bothered at the moment. Might do a bit of Pilates later...
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I'm currently on the IC with my left knee for the past 3 weeks which is annoying! It's such a shame how I was able to run through rain and wind during the winter and now I can't run in this perfect running weather! Been doing online workouts though and being careful not to load my knee too much! Today is meant to be workout day and I really can't be bothered at the moment. Might do a bit of Pilates later... 
