How are you? We haven’t posted a weekly chat for a while, so do tell us all your news in the comments 😊😊😊
It’s been great reading all your virtual race reports - and the occasional real report too -and seeing so many people reach their 10 mile, half marathon and marathon goals over the last few weeks and months. Times may be strange but it seems to me that HUers are very good at making the best of it!
I achieved my 1000km annual running target in October, a couple of months early, and received this lovely medal this morning (it's so shiny it was hard to take a pic); now to work on the 5000 km goal on my bike (that one’s going to go to the wire I think, so I’m very glad we can keep exercising outdoors during the upcoming English lockdown). How are you coping with the latest restrictions where you are?
As always, 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.
Looking forward to reading all your news/plans, have a great week, everyone!!!
The Marathon Team xxx
If you are planning a virtual race, visit the post linked here to let us know about it and we'll try our best to give you a pom pom cheer:
Well done on hitting your target, Linda. Great stuff.
Anyone else finding it harder to run in this weather? I don’t mind the rain, but a lot of my paths are now too wet or muddy to use. That means more “pounding the pavements“.
Yes, I definitely miss my favourite trails - I have found a few tarmac or hardcore farm tracks or cycle routes which are interesting to run along but don't threaten to turn into a mud run any moment. They're just about keeping me going, but it's a bit limiting, particularly as I'm starting to explore longer distances. I have some nice routes planned out that may have to wait until spring
It's easier to hit targets when you don't have to take months off! I missed by a country mile last year 😀. Yeah, mud's a bit of a bind isn't it. Maybe an excuse for some new trail shoes???
Hello, I'm dipping a toe into this forum having made my way through C25k and B210k in the last 4 months (lockdown convert to running). I'm aiming to keep building up my distance and have 10 miles in my sights. Having looked around for plans I decided to give the Garmin Coach programmes a try. However, they don't do a 10 mile programme, so I've actually ended up starting the HM plan. I keep telling myself I'll just stop when I get to 10 miles rather than trying for anything scary like a HM. Sometimes I even believe myself...
Ha ha - that sounds very familiar 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ What starts with 5k somehow ended up with Half Marathon for me and a speculative entry into next year’s London Marathon ballot!!
10 miles is an amazing achievement, good luck with it I’m sure you’ll get there - i simply followed some advice to add a km each week to my ‘long’ run and the support on this forum got me to HM after 10 miles as part of the autumn group (I’d recommend to anyone to consider joining the spring group next year).
I may end up doing something like that, but thought I'd give the adaptive plan a try! We'll see. I like the sound of the groups, will definitely see if I can join the next one.
Welcome to this bit of the forum. And yes, you should believe yourself! If you can run 10K, you will be able to run 10 miles. And if you can run 10 miles you will be able to run a HM.
Hello! A very warm welcome to this forum. A HM plan will be an awesome way to get to 10 miles 😉. If you look at the pinned posts thereslots of useful info for running a HM, sorry I mean longer distances .... Keep posting and let us know how it goes. Have fun!!!
Wowsers! 1000km by October, that takes some doing!
All is good here, preparing for my virtual half tomorrow. Have carb loaded (burger and chips), and drunk extra water. My trainer tags are on the correct trainers, my number is pinned on my race shirt, and Oaty flapjacks are baked. Now I just have to hope for sunshine and not too much mud (it’s partly a trail run).
I'm new-ish on this forum, having just done my first 10 mile run, posted last week, when I got loads of lovely responses from you lovely lot of runners.
I notice that the next iconic distance I tackle, be it 5k, 10k, 10 miles, always seems like it might be enough for now. I think, oh well I might not do that distance again.
But there is also that adventurous side to running, where a distance that seemed epic becomes more normal and then it's on to the next distance!
So, I'm thinking about a half marathon distance once I have a couple more 10 mile runs under my belt. No plan, I'll just see what happens. I'm reading up about nutrition, what to take with me (energy gels will be a no no, might have to be raisins), just in case I end up going for this distance soon.
My shorter runs are a bit rubbish these days. I know I need to do shorter runs, but my pace tends to be slower on these runs, plus they feel a bit of a struggle. I think I'm just not really committed to them! I'm like an old machine which warms up over a long period!😂
I know what you mean - sometimes it's not possible to find your rhythm or happy pace on a short run. However, if you call it a recovery run - then short and slow gets you a big tick 😀. I wrote a post a while back wondering where it all ends? Will I ever be content where I am or will I always be pushing distance or pace boundaries until I reach my limit,? So far the answer still seems to be yes 🙄😀
Good luck with your raisin fuelled adventures - your limit isn't in sight yet 😊
Enjoy yourself! The increase in distance comes gradually and you can have fun along the way. Exploring new bits of your area keeps things interesting. Taking some tasty morsels is a good plan 😋. The peanut power bars are way lush and just the thing after the first hour. The recipe is on a pinned post I believe.
Having got back up to 10 miles I reckon it is ok to post here again! I want to get in an HM before Christmas. Last winter I was thwarted by a couple of chest infections...maybe social distancing will keep me out of trouble this year. Reading I-J’s post fleetingly conjured up romantic notions of running even further.....but no. HM will do nicely. 👍
Well d one on hitting that 1000km early, linda. Lovely bit of bling too. I hope for a bit of shiny myself soon, Marlow HM went virtual and I completed it in 2 lovely trail runs locally. Pleased with my time and that I'm very near hitting my 500mile 2020 goal.....will have to set an extended target!
Oh yes, lots of lovely trail options round Marlow!!! I got caught up in a real HM along the river between Marlow and Henley a few weeks ago when I was on my bike, can'tremember which one it was now. Congratulations on completing it virtually - hopefully a nice bit of bling? Well done on reaching 500 miles already - that's a lot of running!!!
I’m doing a Poppy Challenge for November to run as many miles as I can to add to the total 88,824 (888, 246 is the number of poppies displayed at the Tower of London last year to represent the number of fallen soldiers in WW1) It’s beautiful bling too.
I’m not going to be silly and run lots of extra miles but I’m planning on some 🙂 Walking is included too.
It didn’t get off to the best of starts because I’ve had terrible low back pain. No idea why, it came from nowhere. I tried everything - stretching, heat, ice, Pilates moves, even sleeping in a different bed because I thought it might be the mattress. Anyway, a few days ago I stretched out my hamstrings and hey presto, back ache gone! Amazing, just like that. I have a hamstring stretch that I do regularly but clearly it didn’t work. Instead I did the one where you put one leg on a low table or stair and then lean forward. Quite brilliant 🙂
Last week I ran my first long run with no music and I really enjoyed it. I’ve always relied on my epic tracks to keep me going on long runs but I found the quiet very soothing actually. It was a new there and back route which was lovely apart from the hill at the end 🥵
Oh and I started to use the stationary bike for non-run days 🙂 so all good in my exercise world.
Gosh, was that display so recent - it seems a lifetime ago that we went. Be sure to post a pic of your poppy bling when you receive it . Glad you fixed your back - if you come up with a new magic calf stretch do let me know 🤣. Your long peaceful run sounds gorgeous - real food for the soul. Happy days 🙄
You know, when I read the blurb on the medal website I thought “no, surely it was longer ago than that”. I’ve checked and yes it was in 2014!
Of course, I’ll post a photo of the bling 🙂
The best calf stretch I’ve found is when I wear my running shoes and bend one foot against a step or wall. The stretch is much deeper than when I’m barefoot - weird.
Lovely piece of well earned bling there Linda! Congratulations! Things have been quiet for me since the 50 a few weeks ago. Just easy runs both solo and some really nice ones with friends. Still working out future goals. Work has been very busy both days and evenings so the runs are a nice break. We had our first drop of snow yesterday and I had an icy early morn run. Still working on getting my ice legs back. 🙂 It’s going back up to 16 tomorrow! From multiple layers to shorts in two days. I also picked up some new ice cleats that I am keen to try out.
You deserve the break!!! Especially with the injury stress leading up to the 50k. I absolutely can't ever imaginee looking forward to running with ice - no matter what!!! Hope they keep you steady 😊
Congratulations, Linda! I'm so glad you started this thread. I've missed the weekly chats.
I woke up in a bad mood today (mostly due to world events), so I went for a run. I was planning on a short run, but the weather was good and figured that nothing would cheer me up like managing to do my first longish run in a while. I was right. I ran 12.4 k with a few breaks.
Still running and generally ticking over til I can get my marathon done. Waiting for a few bits to arrive, eg a hydration bladder, a new arm band, etc I need to tote food and drink as there’s no support systems for this solo affair.
I thought I might as well run the thing being as I’ve trained for it. There won’t be any bling though 🙂.
Ooh shopping, nice!!! Can you find a nice virtual medal for your marathon - there's a lot of choice out there this year!? Look forward to hearing all about your marathon soon, in the meantime happy planning 😊
I went for this one as I had the matching HM one in March virtualracinguk.co.uk/produ... They're not shiny, but very light wood - it was the wording that appealed to me, seemed to sum it up perfectly.
Wow Linda! Well done, and that is sooooo shiny!!! 😍
I've not been doing all that much recently - keeping up with the Achilles jelly work (Achilleses feel good), push-ups and pull-ups, a bit of yoga (Achilleses actually don't like that very much!), and the occasional run with some speed included. It's been very windy here which makes things interesting 😊 I've been avoiding windsurfing the past few days because I'm working on my flute exam and don't want to kill my arms! And sadly windsurfing won't be happening after tomorrow, drat 😥
I'm thinking about possibly having a last-hurrah 2020 50k in the next couple of weeks, and then after that I've pretty much decided to revisit the old MyAsics marathon training plan with a view to running a fairly-fast solo marathon in April! This plan is so simple, perhaps a little dull, but I remember I did like the routine of it last time I used it (for Brighton 2017), and it did get me my fastest marathon to date!!
I've just finished copying the plan from a pdf into a Google Sheet, so here it is if anyone sees this and is interested:
Yes and no. I feel especially virtuous during runs when the temperature is below freezing. On the downside, if it's a bad (i.e. icy) winter, it makes the long runs in spiked shoes somewhat exciting.
I have no idea how you do it! My legs are like jelly if I have to walk across ice ... I shuffle along like an old man in carpet slippers . .. running would terrify me 😱
That all sounds really positive (especially the achilles). 50k huh? what a great way that would be to see this horrible year off!!! Will take a look at your marathon plan - thanks for the link 😊
My ultra partner for next May has just announced she's going to try to do one during this lockdown. Somehow I think I'll be attempting a solo ultra in May!!!
Last time I just took the middle runs as tempo runs and the long ones at a comfortable pace, with hills quite a lot of the time. I didn't have a watch then, so this time it will be interesting!
Congratulations on the medal Linda that's a great distance!🙂👍
I'm not doing huge amounts of running as foot still bit dodgy(got physio started 10th in theory!) But did manage together out in group of 6 in club night last thurs eve then an early group of 5 in hilly Ventnor Friday morning,was tired out after that, first runs for over a week! Hopefully out with partner tomorrow eve for a 5k! Hoping to do a run with him on 28th doing an annual race route as couldn't make the proper race on 6thDec,but their one might not be on now. We shall see!
So many unknowns just now. I'm signed up for a race on Dec 13th but, like you, I'm now wondering if it will go ahead. I do hope the physio can sort your foot quickly and get you running regularly again 🤞
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