Hi everyone, how have you been managing this past week?
It’s been very hot here. This afternoon 31 degrees felt like 38 🥵 I’m just getting back from a rest after some left knee issues. IT band I think. Had a few virtual sessions with a Physio and finally got the green light to run late last week. I had my first longer test run yesterday in my new Salomon hydration vest. So far I am really liking it. How about you? Any new gear? Are you doing any virtual races or solo runs?
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!
I’m glad to hear you’re on the mend Decker and got a test drive using your Solomon hydration vest. I absolutely love mine! I find it doesn’t chafe, fits like a glove and have used a Solomon bladder in addition to the bottles that come with it and it is still so comfortable.
I’ve been a little quiet on the forums lately - life just has been getting in the way but I’ve still managed a couple runs per week on my HM plan. I was supposed to run my Banff HM today but of course it was cancelled so I ran my Banff virtual HM yesterday. I sported the race bib on my hydration vest and ran the campground loops and and then all the way to the end of the park, back through the campground loops and was able to easily get my 21.1 km. Unfortunately my training plan only went to 16 km because the excitement of the event and crowds was supposed to help you get through the final 5 k. Well the last 3 k were tough but I got it done. It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t pretty but it is done. Now time to relax, run what I want, when I want until I start missing a plan. It might take a week, a month, the summer but there is little doubt that I’ll be seeking another plan. Although I’m going to take the summer to run some shorter distances and try to get faster. I seem to have gotten incredibly slow this year.
Congratulations on your virtual HM Sask!! That is awesome! You worked so hard and waited so long for it. Doesn’t need to be pretty, it just needs to be done and you did it. Way to go!
As for the run vest, at first I did not love the front lacing system but I can appreciate it now. I have a 2l Platypus flask I won at a race last year. I just need to find a hose for it. My old bladder is done as the hose leaks every second outing. The vest itself is snug and sits up high with a surprising amount of storage.
Your casual summer sounds perfect. But yes I hear you, it may not be too long before a new plan beckons. Good luck with whatever you do!
I agree on the lacing on the front. I found it awkward to do up initially but as you wear it more, it gets easier as it wears in. Although on cool runs when the fingers don’t work, there may still be some cursing going on 😆. It is quite shocking how much you can pack unit and because it is snug, it doesn’t shift at all. It isn’t cheap but so worth it, in my opinion.
Fab news on the virtual Banff HM Saska! Good for you 🏃♀️🙂 I was thinking about this at the weekend and thought it was due around now.
I’ve never worn a vest as the thought of yet something else around my body doesn’t appeal. What with the sports bra and the belt 😩 .... but I’m also aware that my current water bottles hold only about 16 ozs and sometimes I’ll need more, so maybe, one of these days I might take a wee look 👀
Many congratulations on your HM, now you can run amok just for pure joy 🙂
I wasn’t sure initially about the vest but find it isn’t restrictive at all. I still use my flip belt too because my phone doesn’t fit in a zippered pocket and worry about it bouncing out, but it might not. So lots of gear to contend with but love love love the Salomon hydration vest.
I have a Salomon vest, and this week I tried it with a bladder for the first time. I had intended to test it out first on a shorter run but, well, I just couldn't be bothered 🙄 Cue much frustration at the beginning of my 30 km run last Wednesday, as I realised that it didn't fit into the pack in the same way as my previous set-up (a cheap one from Amazon). I eventually got going, but then I realised that the bladder's insulation sleeve made a horrendous noise while I was running. So that ended up going in the first bin I passed! After that I finally was able to get on with my run, but by that time I had forgotten about my planned route up to the South Downs Way, and ended up on a much more convoluted path, so that when I finished the run I was about 5 km from home 😄
Oh well, it was a nice day for a walk!
I have also been doing some more windsurfing, and should be getting out to sea soon - which we didn't expect to happen this year, bonus 😊😊😊 I went for a swim in the sea and then afterwards heard reports of many jellyfish - eek! So I'm not sure if I will survive the summer!!
I've another 30-ish km run planned this week, and an intervals workout - with temperatures set to soar I imagine I will be taking a few walk breaks!
Take care in the heat and enjoy your exercise, Decker and all xxx
It’s good to know about the noisy bladder insulator. One less distraction. I have a platypus bladder but its fitted with a bottle top now. Might look for a hose for it. But will check the fit first! 🙂 My old one would occasionally leak through a hole in the back right down your shorts making it look like you had an accident, so that one is in the bin now too. Your wind surfing looks awesome too (safely from the shore for me since I don’t swim :)) Jellyfish 😳!! You are brave. Good luck with your next 30. Hope the Faff gods are kinder this time around.
Huh, that’s interesting about the bladder insulator. I used my Salomon bladder a lot last year with the insulator sleeve and didn’t really notice it. Although I had nothing to compare to since it was my first go with a bladder. I found as long as I got the extra air out of the bladder it didn’t slosh too much and I hooked both the bladder and the sleeve through the eyelet to keep it up in the vest. If I didn’t get the air out first it was quite noisy.
I sucked the air out of the bladder, it wasn't a sloshing problem. I just found that the sleeve made a rustling sound that I didn't like, and even fastening the top as you mention didn't help. The sleeve is gone now anyway 😄
Oh I hope the psoriasis clears up with the prescription - great news on the haircut front though. Our barbershops are opening on Wednesday, not a moment too soon! Though I am sporting a cut from Mrs D., I'd still like to get it cut in the shop again.
Haha he is brave. I would never cut my own hair. I am still living down a crooked franken-fringe I gave my daughter when she was a toddler. In my defence she would not keep her head still no matter what!
It’s just so unsightly that I just don’t want to be seen out with bare legs. I went out in my shorts today hoping I wouldn’t see many folks. How wrong I was 🙄
I loved Heidi when I was little! I used to dream of living in the mountains and having that melty cheese fondue that she ate with grandfather
Now I’m more Frau Rottenmaier 😁
My lack of hair was a boon this morning. No more grappling to get it to stay locked down with a hair slide
I put Max Factor under-eye concealer on the worst of my spots this morning An entire tube 😁. I wanted to wear my shorts without feeling embarrassed. It worked well 👍
A haircut... that sounds so lovely! Our hairdressers have been back a while but my salon shut down due to Covid and with the backlog of appointments I haven’t even bothered trying to get in anywhere. Fortunately my hair is long, one length so it is just always in a ponytail, a bun or braid.
I hope your doc is able to get you some relief from your psoriasis.
So glad you knee has behaved itself for these last few runs. It's such a relief isn't it! I think we're in for a stinker of a week weatherwise (better for riding than running) so I may have to set the alarm early.
Yesterday I turned the page - left my Ride the Night plan (even though the event is postponed to October now) and turned to my Oxford HM page. It may not happen, but it's time for another Half methinks, even if it's another virtual one 😍. Exciting. A fresh clean plan ... to mess up and juggle round life, injuries and the weather 🤣🤣🤣.
It's funny how you're all talking about vests. To help my 16-year-old son who is so slim that no hydration belt will stay in place, I bought him a vest that came with a hydration bladder. It was a great success.
We had that heat wave last week, and my thermometer even read 40 degrees a couple of times - unnatural for Norway. I went out for 4 runs, but even though I headed out early for my long run to check out the beaches it was too hot and I couldn't even make it up the first hill. I still managed 9 k (and three beaches), although my pace was awful. My next two runs were slow, but I learned from my mistakes. I did another longish run that started at 10 pm - we don't quite have midnight sun, but almost, so I always try to make the most of it this time of year. My fourth run was my personal speed challenge, and I actually managed to improve on my time.
I did an even later run yesterday. I was about to go to bed when I discovered that I hadn't closed the activity ring on my watch, so I headed out, even though it was 11. It was still pretty light out, and I really enjoyed it. And I didn't swallow any bugs, unlike my night run last week, so I'm pleased.
That is great the vest worked so well for your son! The heat takes so much out of you doesn’t it? It must be amazing to go for a run at 11 and still see where you are going!
Ooh, I’ve been trying to do a push-up for weeks and can do the downwards bit but I can’t push myself up again! I’ve mastered the knees to floor move though 💪 but I guess the full bit will come with practice, practice. Any tips?
You could start with half pushups on your knees and gradually move to full pushups. I found an app called 100 pushups for a dollar something that gradually gets you up to 250 pushups! I’ve got up to 100, but my form is very suspect and I do them too quickly. I just will go back and try to improve each time. They are also done in sets, not all at once, but the structure I find helpful.
I can do the half push-ups on my knees ok, it’s just the full one that’s still elusive. Although I can get up by pushing my bum up first, I know that’s not the right way so I don’t do it.
I’ll look for the app, thanks Decker. Not that I particularly want to do 250 though 🥵 If I can do one properly I’ll be chuffed 💪
If you can do a good two-minute plank that's a solid start. You don't want a wonky lower back when trying to do a push-up. Try and do just one, but do it properly and slowly. Shoulder blades and surrounding tissues will disagree (but you can already do your 2 minute plank so you'll come good). Once you nail that first one, work on little blocks. Also, never, EVER, attempt push-ups first thing in the morning without warming up. My son, a big muscular trained swimmer did just that and messed up some of the muscles in the back which cost him lots of time outside the pool, and his butterfly got messed up. Go easy and gentle on yourself, like when you do your beloved runs in hot weather.
Practice is everything. I could plank it for up to 10 minutes until my wife said 'why's your bum so high up' and helped me lower it down to a proper level. Now I'm happy if I can stay in that position for 3 minutes, with stomach burning and tissues snapping up. I don't really like burpees. A bit too much for me. I feel odd doing them. My quiff gets all messed up from all that jumping.
I can plank for two minutes ok, it’s not my core that’s holding me back it’s my shoulders. But I’m working on it and am making progress with a pull-up too 💪🙂 so I guess it’s just a matter of keeping going.
Thanks for the tips, I always warm up before doing any exercise, even working in the garden as I’ve been so injury prone in the past 🙄
I will post as soon as I master the first push-up, in fact I’ll tell everyone I see 🙂
Great news that you’re back Decker, must feel such a relief after a few twinges.
I’ve ordered new earplugs and a new armband for my iPod. The bands are hard to get because they don’t make the iPods any more and none of the others fit so it took me ages to find the right size. I’m also waiting for the Sweaty Betty sale which is usually at the end of June, so watch this space 🤣
The running and other exercise is going well. I’m still trialling different flavours of Tailwind and at the weekend took the Tropical buzz mix with added caffeine. It was yuk 😖 don’t know if it was just the caffeine but it left a horrible aftertaste so I wont be using that one again! But the run went well 🙂
I’m not looking forward to the heat here due in the coming few days but will get up extra early to try to miss it and then languish in the shade sipping long, cool drinks and eating frozen grapes 😋
I really like tropical buzz what I espeially like about Tailwind is the lack of aftertaste 😀 having said that I only make it up to about 30% strength 🙂
Good luck with the iPod accessories search! I still shove my phone into my flipbelt with music running through wireless jbl earbuds. Happy the training is going well too.
That’s hilarious. I forgot all about that. I’ll have to give it a go again. I’ve got some grapes in the fridge - time to place them in the freezer! We’re supposed to get to 30 today!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
