How’s things going for you this week? What’s motivating you to keep running/exercising right now as our ‘new normal’ evolves?
I’m about to celebrate another anniversary – tomorrow marks a whole year since my third half marathon ended with my first stress fracture😢 It proper mucked up summer 2019 for me and, despite a good comeback from September onwards, I must admit it has started bothering me again which is massively disappointing. Hopefully, it’s nothing to worry about and all part of the ongoing healing process because I do need my runs, especially just now 🙂.
This coming weekend should have been my Women vs cancer cycle event (Ride the Night London). Should I try for the full 100k this weekend, or should I take another few weeks to get to the full distance (what else is there to train for just now?) - the jury is still out, but I'm definitely enjoying increasing my long rides again!
If you're new here, or just taking a look and getting comfortable before posting, hello! This post is a great place to introduce yourself if you're ready to do so.
If you are interested, there are plenty of workouts you can do at home from the YouTube library over on Strength & Flex, why not take a look!
Morning Linda. Bad start to the weekly chat, a moan about my knee playing up again! This is the second time I have got back up to 4K but then the discomfort when I jump returned! Feels better this morning after icing last night. Maybe I’ll leave I t for a week (again) and ice it every night (just leaves my daily 6k dog walk) and then ice after every comeback run? Come back soon physios! 🤞your problem is not returning.
Arrgg that's annoying for you. When I had knee pain very early on in my C25K life, I took a full 6 week break and restarted. That was slightly longer than necessary because of a holiday, but it did the trick. Sometimes stop-starting can end up taking longer and being even more frustrating. Have you tried a physio appt by phone/video? I did see that an osteopath local to me has actually restarted seeing patients again (saying he has full PPE), so maybe the option of a real physio appt isn't too far away. In the meantime, sending more healing vibes, patience and good luck!
Thanks Linda. Will try to keep off running for two weeks ☹️ and see what happens. All the swelling from the original injury has gone... I think this is just a stubborn residual impact niggle . Healing waves working already. 👍
Aaaagh what a pain BC! As Linda says, you could try for a virtual physio appointment. If you want I can PM you the details of my physio, the same one I suggested for Redcello41 .....? They seemed to help her out very well.
Thanks your highness. I e.mailed my physio this morning, really just to say how responsible she was being, and she has responded by saying that she will be happy to read about my symptoms to see if she can recommend some rehab exercises. She is really good; tough but good. So I will see how that goes before trying anything else, but thank you so much for the offer. 🙂
That’s not the sort of anniversary you really want to celebrate Linda ☹️ But that’s in the past and look how much you’ve done since 💪
I do find that old injuries will sometimes come back and remind me they’re still hanging around. I badly sprained my ankle years ago and every now and again it gives me bother (especially in the heat it puffs up like a puffer fish) but I have a routine now and rest it for a few extra days, wear a support and do some exercises, stretches that seems to do the trick. Fingers crossed yours will disappear soon or at least you can manage it.
I’m still in my routine and am well on the way again to building up the distance. I want to get to my regular routine of long runs and I did 12K last week which was comfortable and on a lovely new route. The road was a bit isolated to begin with but then I met a few cyclists, a walker and several cars so not that deserted! But I’m excited that I’ve found a new route and there are a couple of really tricky hills which keep me on my toes. I’ve ordered Tailwind to try for the first time so I’m really looking forward to my 14K this week 🤗🏃♀️🙂 And I’ve ordered two pairs of new socks as I realised I was down to only two decent pairs!
I’m still doing all my other exercises and stuff on rest days. My Pilates class is thinking of returning on 1 June but I’m still not comfortable about going back into that environment yet. Initially we were told we’d have to wear masks but I went out the other day to the bank (first time I’ve been out “out” in eight weeks) and wore a mask and I must admit I don’t fancy doing any kind of exercise wearing one 🥵 I found it a bit warm and then my nose started to run 🙄
Anyway, all is good in our household. Hope you’re all managing ok and keeping sane.
Your running sounds to be going really well. I'm a Tailwind fan, hope you find you like it too. I don't think either of my pilates classes are thinking of going back yet, but one of them was suggesting we might try outdoors which I thought sounded good. The teacher of that group is in the late stages of pregnancy though, so I suspect it won't happen before the baby is born. In the meantime Zoom is allowing both classes to still run ... I just hate lying here looking at all the dust and cobwebs under the furniture and up on the ceiling 🙄
Hi and welcome! You're in the right place. Lots of support and encouragement to be found here as you might imagine 🙂. Take a look at the pinned posts and keep posting to let us know how it's going. Enthusiasm will stand you in good stead 😍
I managed to do a run up to Devil's Dyke this morning!!!! So pleased to finally be back in them thar hills, and it was my longest run since Feb 23rd 😊😊😊 I'm thinking I may drive up there next week to get more quality trail time.
Still feeling a bit wheezy, going to try antihistamines as suggested by the lovely GoGo_JoJo
I have been running up and down our stairs in lieu of hills, but I actually quite enjoy the workout (😌 I know, right!?), and may keep it up for a while! Planning more 5k pb and shingle shenanigans this week also...
If it wasn't for signing up for the Great Run Solo, I think I'd take one or two weeks off running just to be on the safe side. To complete the challenge, I need to run another 50km over the next two weeks! I may have to let this one go ...
Devil's Dyke must've been a completely different run after all the seaside running you've been doing - a very welcome change I bet! Shenanigans is a great description for your inventive training exploits - great stuff 😍. Enjoy.
🤔 yes and no. Does it target them in particular, probably not. I haven't had to use an inhaler for several years now and I used to rely on it during the hay-fever season, which for me was March to November 🤣 I can really feel when pollen is high but the psychological effects of taking the tablets, using the spray, and good breathing techniques (not just for running, but to combat seasonal asthma) seem to do the trick. There may be an element of reducing a level of inflammatory response to the histamine which may also help.
I am on week 10 of my 12 week half marathon training plan. 8.1 k tomorrow and Thursday and 14.5k run on the weekend - I do my long runs on a Saturday . I am lucky one or two of my running group are joining me on the runs now (we're in Portugal and further ahead of the UK in terms of the lockdown - pubs and restaurants opened today after physios, hairdressers, beauty salons etc opened two weeks ago)
I never feel the runs are "easy" but am not as scared at the thought of the longer runs any more so that is an improvement. It is getting hot though and this weekend is forecast to be in the 30 degrees C. We usually set out at 7.30 am - might have to do 7.00 am on Saturday.
thanks for the all the info. Really helps me to read everyone's stories.
Tailwind is a brand of running nutrition products. When mentioned on here, people are usually referring to the endurance fuel product. It's a powder which gives you carbs, electrolytes and optuonal caffeine - you mix it into your water bottle. What sets Tailwind apart from other similar products is their claim to no 'gut bombs'!
Hair, nails ... oh I'm so envious (and a little bit shallow for feeling like this) 😍.
Those are warm temps - early morning and shady routes are definitely the way to go. Things are rarely 'easy' when we are gradually pushing ourselves, but 'doable' is the key thing, and you've got that well in hand. Good luck.
Thank you Linda. I am using another type introduced to me by a member of the running group who does triathlons. PowerBar PowerGel. Easy to swallow without needing water.
I have done half marathons before (3 in last two years) but this is the first one I feel I have really trained for! Am hopeful to achieve it and run it well.
I did the inaugural LLHM in 2018 but didnt get a place in the ballot for the second one. I think you did one of those didnt you? It was interesting and well supported throughout.
Yes, 2019 LLHM was my very first HM! I didn't get in through the ballot this year so was going to volunteer instead but I see the decision has now been made to cancel for this year.
Not quite such a groundhog week for me as I’ve now resumed driving the 1.5k to the Common. Our road still isn’t up to full traffic volume, but it’s enough for me to think twice. I miss it as it was a lovely start/end to my runs. Never mind, it means things are (hopefully) going in the right direction and it means I can take Flossie the dog with me again. 😍🐾🐕
It’s funny, I could drive further afield to my old routes, and give my legs a break from the trails for a bit, but I feel “safe” up there. I can socially distance myself easily - I’ll stay put for a while I think. 🏃♀️🏃♀️
I’m super proud of my yoga streak. As well as following Adriene’s calendar every day (soooo much easier than picking my own like I always used to!), I’m honing my crow. I won’t leave the mat until I’ve done at least a 10 second one. 🧘♀️ 💪 I did 15 seconds the other day, my longest flight ever! It does show that practise makes perfect, as I only used to be able to fly for a couple of seconds before lockdown!
Oh, and non running related, just had to share that I was within 2 evenings of completing my 2,000 piece jigsaw of Santorini when my cat flipped the board it was on and now it’s back in the box. I’d “only” spent 8 weeks doing it!! Luckily I love my cat. 😫😫😫😫
Happy running everyone. Hope all those niggly niggles remain at bay for those who are feeling them. 🏃♀️🏃🏃♀️🏃
Like you I'm sticking to wide, open routes even though it means missing much of the scenery I loved - I'm not ready for the close encounters that might involve.
Totally agree on the non-decision making benefit of the yoga calendar too, and the little and often effect of crow practise - but a 15s flight? Wow, that's fab!. Saying nothing about the jigsaw though - too many cat lovers here for me to air my view 🤐
Don’t get me wrong, I love my cat - he got away with it way easier than if one of my family had knocked the board over! 😅😅
I do yearn my towpath run. It’s where I did the majority of my long runs last summer, but it’s too narrow to be able to pass or be passed safely. One day .... 🤞
And yes, I’m loving my crow. I’ve discovered the optimum placement of my knees/arms! 😅
I actually shed a small tear! I’d worked literally every evening on it, and could see the end in sight. 8 weeks to virtually complete, 1 second to demolish!! 😅😅😅😅 🐈
Hello Linda and Marathon group. I have also decided to go for a HM distance having completed 10K run recently. I’m just on week 4 of my plan as I want to build up slowly so this week, I will be running the second 10K of my life. In October last year, I started out on my running journey feeling as though I could not ever run for more than a few minutes. Now, I just take it a week at a time and see how far I can get. I love all the posts and the support and will be really pleased when hills become a joy 😂 instead of a fear.
A great decision! Building slowly from a 10k base is a good approach too. Hopefully you'll find lots of helpful info, support and encouragement here - keep posting to let us know how it's going.
I've avoided hills - even moderate inclines - for the vast majority of my three years running. Only very recently have I realised they aren't something to fear. Sure, I can't run as fast as on the flat but climbs don't wipe me out after all, they actually add interest to the run (not that I've tried anything terribly steep, to be fair).
Morning Linda . Our new normal is certainly strange but I think I'm getting to like it a bit to much, from a running and doing creative things point of view. I've never really had any negativity in my life and in that respect I'm very grateful and lucky.
There's not a lot I can do about our business being closed and although at first it was a huge worry and stressful, I'm now turning a corner and thinking differently about the future. It's not like I'm going to reinvent the wheel but I am going to have to reinvent our business and what we do in the building and I'm quite excited and looking forward to new beginnings.
I hope your injury isn't going to cause you to much trouble right now as you've come a long way since the stress fracture happened and you've got a great bike ride ahead of you! Take care and hope you have a lovely week! Xxxx
I think you could do it this weekend but you need to go with your gut. 👍🏻
I'm really hating the term "new normal" Might be "new" but nothing about it is "normal" and I will not accept it as so ✊🏻🤪
I'm on target to be back to ~26 mile runs in September then I can go back to my plan from last year, which was to push on for 30+ in the Spring.
Still get some weird pains/grumbles from my feet but so far still making small improvements and rarely any discomfort when actually running.
Loving getting back up to longer runs. The further I go the further I seem to get away from folk pulling faces or looking like frightened deer at the sight of a runner. Tip: if you're going to use a track that is less than 2 feet wide do not expect 2m distancing... 🙄🤣
Really, really missing my monthly massages. Glad that my proper workload is a bit lighter right now so that my body isn't getting too much strain. Stretching and cross training can only do so much so really missing my maintenance.
I got stung by nettles while getting past a man on a narrow path yesterday 😬 The stings felt really odd later - I went for a walk, and every time I took a step the stings on that leg sort of went "bzzzt" like mini electric shocks!
blasted nettles! I actually use a Zapper to combat them. I don't know if you recall the massive reactions I had over the past two years to them but the Zapper, which is designed for mozzie bites etc actually gives you a teeny tiny shock and disrupts the histamine reaction. It's great and really works. I've not had a single bad reaction since. I find the reaction is worse when pollen is higher and my body is already sensitive to reaction.
Eek! Poor you 😥 That is interesting, I have not heard about it, although I used to be terrible with mosquito bites. There's certainly a lot of those damn nettles about at the moment!!!
It's great seeing you back on those long traily, view filled runs where you belong. I'm really missing my massages too! I'm not disciplined enough when it comes to stretching and that was making up for my inadequacy 😀
My foot is hurting when running, but having three days off, it seems to have got worse each day and I can feel it more and more when walking. Arrrggghhh! I can be more philosophical than last year, but it's so disappointing because it had felt so, so much better. Hey ho. I may wake up tomorrow and it feel fine again 🤞
As for the ride, I'll just see how I feel at the weekend I think 🤷♀️
Morning all, I'm here again. Yesterday I did my fastest 5k in 18 months, as part of my running club's time trial 5 mile. Really chuffed as without things to train for I've been a bit unfocused and lazy.
Must remember to keep to my plan as the sense of achievement I felt when I finished was brilliant!
Excellent, especially achieving the PR when going for a longer overall distance! I need little markers to keep my attention at the best of times, but even more so at the moment. Looking for that sense of achievement definitely motivates me. Good luck with your plan 😊
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Weekly chat 18th to the 24th December❄️