It's Monday! Not just any Monday, but Cyber Monday. Take a break from your shopping and let's CHAT!!! How’s your week been?
I'm not loving the cold, damp/wet weather we've been having (it adds no pleasure to a bike ride).
Rather than starting my new plan as planned, I managed the grand total of zero km running last week😥 Hey, ho … maybe this week will be better, but it’s still looking doubtful. Every cloud though .... as a result I had spare time on my hands and found myself succumbing to the Black Friday sales. I managed to pick up a new watch I've been hankering after for a long while, at an absolute bargain price (having studied prices for two or three weeks in advance I can’t even put it down to impulse 🤷♀️). I christened it with a yoga session last night, but am itching to get out and try it on a run. I’m studiously avoiding looking at today’s offers!!! 🙈
How about you - did you pick up any running bargains on Black Friday, or do you have your eye on anything in the Cyber Monday sales? How’s your running going as we move into winter?
As always, if you're new here, or just browsing through the community posts, this is a great place to introduce yourself and let us know how you are doing. You’ll find plenty of support and knowledge from your fellow runners here.
Have a great week, everyone!!!
The Marathon Team xxx
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Sending healing vibes!!! And congratulations for your new watch 😍
I have a couple of pairs of Black Friday merino socks on their way, for use on my bike. Also, although not in the sales, I have invested in an extra pair of dreaded capris (digging the new reply editing features!). My new marathon plan starts this week and it's cold out there!!!
Two pairs is good - you can wear them both at the same time!!! Capris? Hmmm, I'll sticky with my fleecy full length thank you - you're proper hardy 😍Good luck with the plan ... and the temps!!!
Hello everyone! Newbie here 😁 I managed to start my HM plan last week and survived! I must admit, I am a big fan of running in cold weather, nothing like a cold, crisp morning for an invigorating run 😍❄️🏃♀️ I also bought some winter running gear last week - basically, my OH's Christmas pressies for moi 🙄😂🎄 Wishing everyone many happy miles!
I like the crisp cold ones too - but we've had cold, grey, damp days here (when it's not been raining properly) and I don't like those. Winter running gear is a great investment (do you have to wait til Christmas?). Have fun with your plan!!!
The one thing I don't like is strong winds - unlucky since I live by the sea 😂 I might leave one of the tops and the gloves as Christmas presents and start using the other top straight away, I could do with a long sleeved base layer! Enjoy your yoga, hope you can get out soon 🤗
I literally spent hours the other weekend trying to narrow down what I needed to buy to layer up, eventually remembered I had a Helly Hansen long sleeve base layer in my drawer ! Its bright pink and I wore it yesterday and it worked a treat.... perhaps I need another ....?
Morning guys! 👋 Hope you’re able to run this week Linda. 🤞 You must be climbing the walls, but at least you have your bike. So which watch did you get? I love mine and have no reason to change it ...... but I’m always looking! 😈 I’m currently on the lookout for a light running jacket. Something slightly warmer than my thin ones, but not too much. Recommendations welcome!
I also dislike this damp and dreary weather. It feels colder than when it’s properly cold, if you know what I mean. Still I just did my hilly run of the week and now I’m trying to work out which day to do my speed challenge. I really enjoyed it last week!
I went for the fenix 5s plus. I wanted maps on my watch which hugely cuts down the options, especially as I only looked at Garmin. Now to put my lovely Forerunner 235 on ebay!I have a really thin jacket and still get warm in it once I start running. I layer up underneath it.
The speed challenge is great isn't it? Have fun and surprise yourself 😊
Ahh yes I can see why you’d need maps. I’ve often toyed with a music model, but seeing as I always take my phone for emergencies, it seems rather unnecessary! And I do love my Forerunner 235. 🥰
I also get warm running, but I don’t like wearing lots of layers either, so I was wondering how it would be with a very slightly thicker jacket for when’s it really chilly!
Oh yes the speed challenge is brilliant now that I’ve found a way to make it fun!
Yeah, I'm not sure about the music either. When I did the marathon I was worried about batteries (takes so long, with my legs anyway), but this should give lots of options for what to run of what battery! I guess if you're happy running with a jacket round your waist, then a thicker one would effectively let you take one layer off at the same time 😊
I have to agree about the music. I have a vivoactive 3 and I love it but it won't connect to my bluetooth headphones so I have to take my phone with me anyway. On longer runs I take my plug-in headphones precisely because of the battery issue so... but still, I like that it only has one button and everything else is done on the touchscreen.
The speed challenge looks good. I've not joined in this time but I'll keep an eye out for future ones 👍
Not wishing to show off (blows own trumpet) but I have my headphones working with both my phone and my watch - whichever I happen to switch on first. Haha. Whether it stays working is a whole other matter 😂
Morning all! Had a good week run wise, managed to fit in four runs culminating in my ladies socially distanced 10k run yesterday. My friend shoots out the blocks quite fast in the first km (I am the opposite) and she's been training a lot and it really shows, I am struggling to keep up! Good though, and we finished the route together. Giving me the incentive to crack on myself and just hoping we will be back together every week at parkrun one day soon.
I've not looked at Black Friday deals, I find it all quite overwhelming to be honest, though I do need some new socks, as the cushioning in mine is definitely shot! Decathlon emailed today with free delivery.... I might take a look.
On watches, I've never used one - I track my runs, and listen to music and podcasts and I don't know if the watches have music/podcast capability? Currently just use my phone in an arm band (which I dont' find all that comfortable I will be honest).
Some watches do have music capabilities Joster. I’ve often wondered if I’d like one, but I always take my phone along in case of emergencies anyway, so it would be broadly pointless. I make do with my lovely Garmin Forerunner 235.
Definitely worth a look for you though. Garmin (and other sports watches) are game changers in my opinion!
Thanks cheeky. So you have your phone and a garmin? What does the garmin do that a phone can't or doesn't do just out of interest? I do feel I must be missing something - everyone has a fitness watch of some description except me! 😂
If you like running stats, you’d appreciate a Garmin! Mine’s a mid range model - Forerunner 235 - and it does far more than I use it for, ie. intervals, workouts etc etc.
My favourite function that I discovered recently is “Finish Time” where you input your chosen distance and you can glance down during your run to see your estimated finish time. I also use my watch for recording my yoga sessions and walks.
The best thing about the smart watch is that you can check your time, pace and distance at a quick glance instead of trying to get into a phone on your arm , from your belt or running with it in your hand.
That sounds like a great run! I always take watch and phone and although my new watch can hold music and can send an alert to emergency contacts I think I'll still take my phone because I can't imagine being without it! I used to have an armband for my phone, then I put it in a belt but now I buy leggings with a side pocket and keep it there. It's so secure/comfy I forget it's there, but it's easy to get to if I need it. I wouldn't be without my watch though - so easy to check info on the run.
Hello all. I missed my long run yesterday as I have done something strange to my right heel. 5K run went fine on Friday morning, but by mid afternoon it was painful to walk on. No idea how I can injure myself without anything seeming to happen. The only “theory” I can think of is that because it was zero degrees when I ran I somehow failed to warm up and that changed the foot position. Anyone else experienced anything like this?
That's annoying! Heel pain could be plantar fasciitis (the pain would probably extend to the arch of the foot). Another alternative is that you've bruised it. Earlier this year I had a really painful heel (bottom and side), it hurt when I put any weight on it and it also hurt if I pressed it. I went to a physio as I had a HM coming up. I was scared in case it was another stress fracture! After much checking he decided it was bruised, just soft tissue damage. It cleared in about a week. It didn't hurt to run on as my heels barely make contact with the ground, so I think I carried on running. He figured I must have landed awkwardly on a stone or something. Hope yours proves to be something quick and simple too 🤞
Thanks, Linda. That’s very reassuring. Hoping it is just a bruise and that I will only lose a week or so. Maybe good for me to have a week off occasionally anyway.
Hope you are healed up soon to test that watch of yours! I also picked up a new Suunto watch at a massive 60% discount and tested it on an HM run yesterday. It worked well but I forgot to pause it once or twice. Need to look at the settings. It’s a bit overkill with a barometer and storm watch settings but it may come in handy someday. Mrs Decker also ordered a treadmill after 20 years of resistance so I may be “borrowing” some time on that in the coming months 🙂. The Suunto move app has lots of free plans too which I want to investigate. Enjoy the rest of the week everyone!
Oooh, that makes me feel better! I'm hopeless at making choices so deliberately only looked at Garmin! I'm still ploughing my way through the instructions, but already have found things that are easier than with the 235. Not quite figured out how to run with a map or a route yet, but hopefully I'll manage without losing too many run records (at least the buttons do much the same as my old one)😅. I used my treadmill the other week for the first time in ages; it rarely gets used but on the occasions it does it's pretty high value (and not too soul destroying so long as it's not too often). Have a great week exploring your watch!
I was casually looking at the Suuntos, then the sale hit and bang I have a new watch! I’ll still use my old Garmin for walking as it has a music bluetooth connection so I can manage my phone podcasts with one hand while walking the dog. I just hope I don’t use the Treadmill as an excuse not to go out in less than perfect weather. 😁
Whereas I was obsessively checking out the Garmins and counting the days to Black Friday!!! I doubt you'll revert to fair weather running and the treadmill - you seem to love the outdoors way too much for that 😊
Hi everyone miserable, grey and damp where I live too I had to have the lights on all weekend, which is so depressing ☹️ But I do much prefer the colder weather to run in I can't cope with the heat.I spent a lot of time last week reading through all the information and advice that you guys gave me when I asked for help after I made the decision to move on over the Bridge 😊 So I now have a plan which includes strength exercises something I must get into a routine of doing, I also managed my longest run so far of 11.75k.
No Black Friday buying for me although I do need some road shoes but I'm going to have to wait until I can get to a physical shop. I've got trail shoes but now I'm going longer distances I'm finding I'm on roads a lot more than I imagined 😩
It's the lack of light that's so depressing isn't it! Well done for getting your plan together - that's the hardest part of the training 😊. It's definitely best to get to a shop for shoes unless you're repeat buying. The only time I bought new ones online (without having tried them before), I bought directly from Brooks as they had a 90 day returns policy, no questions asked even if they have been run in over that time. I know the policy works because I had to send mine back!!!
Exactly I've just had to put a light on to eat my jacket potato 😵 I don't mind it getting dark early I just wish it would be a bit brighter during the day.I'll be in my trail shoes now till the new year as I know town will be packed once it opens up. Is wearing trail shoes on roads likely to wear them out quickly? I understand why you need them off road but not really the disadvantages of using them on roads.
I'm the same, I need new road shoes but I'll have to wait and go in person. We're in tier 3 so not sure if sport shops will open this week, I must look it up. Btw what's the best way to clean trail shoes? This weekend was my first muddy run and I didn't want to put my trail shoes in the washing machine so I spent a looong time in the garden with a hose and an old toothbrush 🙈 and they're still not dry!
I just let my trail shoes dry near the radiator and then bash the mud off when it’s dry. I never physically wash any of my running shoes - I’m too scared I’d ruin them!
I don't know if it's the best way but I just leave mine to dry naturally, stiff with newspaper of very wet. When dry I bang off as much as I can and then brush the rest off.... seems to work. I'm in tier 3 as well I think all shops can open, I'd rather wait till the new year if I can as I think towns will be so busy.
Mine are still proudly clinging to all the mud and dirt they brought home from my Virtual London Marathon on 4th October - badge of honour and all that 😅
Oh wow, I'd definitely leave the mud on too after a marathon! Well done 🙌🙌 I was worried they wouldn't have any grip with all that mud - that's how much of a newbie I am! 😂😂 I never bother cleaning my walking / hiking shoes and they're fine
I haven’t looked at any running related goodies as I really really don’t need anything but I have been looking at golf stuff for my husband 😇 he likes his gadgets.
I’m pleased that I managed to get three runs in last week in between caring for mum including a lovely 8.5K which was just what I needed. I’m hoping to get out today at some time too. The weather’s not bad here, we’ve had fog, frost and sunshine so all sorts really. Thank goodness I packed a couple of pairs of running kits so that I can layer up if it gets really cold but so far I’m still in capris and a long sleeved top. Winter starts for me when I have to wear gloves and that hasn’t happened yet 🙂
It was just lovely Linda. I’m planning to do the same route tomorrow morning, I didn’t get out today in the end so will get up early 🙂 Mum’s stitches came out today so that’s good.
Not wore gloves yet, and I’m still running in capris 😃😁. It’s been mild so I’ve been feeling dead lucky I’ve managed a ten miler and ran a 10 k yesters, and a few shorter ones in between.
I’ve had some new run duds recently so no shopping in the sales. Just as well I think. Had I not been skint I wanted to get a Garmin F35 but I hope my husband is getting it me for Christmas 🙏🎄
It's been so mild down south too, and cos it's misty the nip in the air keeps catching me out! Have worn gloves a lot on the bike already - and even had the buff up over my ears yesterday!!! I'm sure you've been a very good girl this year, so hopefully Santa will be able to fulfill your wishes 🤞😊.
Hmm. Physio had to cancel today, for good reason.,....I might be better before I see her if this goes on !!🤔Hope she is soon back in play; she is great 🙂 Exercises only at the moment.
I like this time of year, it's nice to run in the cold, my work doesn't have showers so it's important for me to be able to do my short weekday runs without breaking a sweat. I am still in vest and shorts, but I suffer from earache, so I think I'll be wearing ear muffs or at least a buff before I succumb to sleeves or long trousers.
I did my first HM distance yesterday, 2:27, which fills me with joy, because when I finished C25k in April I had a vague notion of maybe one day running 6k or 7k as an extreme challenge, and even in August I thought a 10k was beyond me. Yesterday's run was on almost flat ground though, because I went to the old railway line to do it, so my next challenge is to do a HM or longer on hilly ground. Most routes in this area will have at least 400m of climb involved. I've made a playlist of Christmas music that's nearly 4h long, so my next long run will be moderately steep and very slooooooow.
Have fun with your new watch, running watches are brilliant!
That's amazing progress - you should feel very proud! I'm loving the sound of your playlist 😃. Slow is the way to go, but make sure your legs are properly recovered before another long run!!!
Hi Linda - sorry you didn't manage to run last week. Is it an injury or just life getting in the way?
Yes, there are many tempting offers out there just now, aren't there? Your new watch sounds great!
I am frequently getting distracted from buying things for others by things I would like for myself! Today I ordered some Aftershokz earphones - something I vowed I would never have due to the price! However, I am sick of getting tangled up in the wires of my current earphones...and there was 30% off, so...present from OH sorted!😀
The running is going well, although I only got out twice last week rather than my usual three. I have signed up to do the Virtual Runner Winter HM (anytime from 1st Dec to end of Feb). All being well, I hope to run mine in the New Year some time (end of Jan/early Feb).
All things running aside, I am now getting very excited as my eldest is back from Uni this weekend!😀🎉🎉 Not seen him (other than 'virtually') since the beginning of September, so can't wait to have him home! 🙏😀
Injury! Somehow I've pulled something in my outer hip area. I'm sure it wasn't running as I've done less than 20k in the last 2 months - I'm thinking it must have been pilates. Aftershokz are great, I hope you love them! But having your son back - that's excitement I can really identify with 😍
Sorry last week wasn't good for you, hope this week is better. I've been working quite hard on HM and strength training and am contemplating taking a little taper week - nothing hurting but my legs and core generally feel a bit tight and I don't want to overdo it.
I have ordered a few shock absorber run bras in the sales - to date I've been using multi sport ones which have been ok but I think it's time to move up to run specific ones.
Kept my longsleeve top on for a whole run last week - definitely getting chillier!
Well done on taking note and action, or inaction!!! Hopefully you will feel easier and reenergised after your cut back week 😊 . I'm a big fan of shock absorber run bras and recently bought a couple of new pairs when I saw them going cheap. You will notice a difference I'm sure👍
After doing nothing much running-wise since my sub 2hr HM in Oct 2020, I doubled my distance to a whole 2km today 😂. No issues apart from 160 bpm for 2km at 6:15 pace (shockingly unfit). Aiming to be back to 5k by Xmas, 10k early next year and a spring HM. Long way to go still...I why oh why didn't I keep things on tick-over this year with regular 5k jogs?! We live and learn 🙂
Hi! Last week I managed 1 measly run which I wasn't;t too impressed with! I told myself every day to go out and hone every day didn't eek. But this week? A lot better! On Monday I went on my first ever sandy run- in the dunes and the beach. It was 7k in total, but I swear was the hardest run I've done!! The sand made me feel like I was running in mud.
And today I managed, without planning it... my first HM! I'll do a report later but I'm very happy with myself!!
I had tried to do some running shopping but all in vain! I was searching (in person) for a good shock absorber sports bra; and whilst there are many - none in my size! I'm a very small band and very large cup and somehow in all the running shops in my city they don't exist. So I'm tempted to order online which I'm always sceptical about but we'll see. I was also looking for winter (thick) tights I'm finding it so so cold lately and my think Nike ones just aren't cutting it. I found some lovely ones, including from New Balance, Asics, and the posh Nike ones... but with all of them something was wrong! I wouldn't mind if they were cheap, but when they are so expensive I only want to buy something which fits properly. Again sizing was mainly the issue. I do hope I find some soon though because it is chilly out there :/
We'll call last week a cut back week, no shame there! It clearly gave your legs chance to recover so you could pull that HM out if the bag - huge congratulations! I feel a badge must be in order 😊. I buy shock absorbers online - old seasons colours, much cheaper! Hope you find some leggings as I can only agree that its getting nippy!!!
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but I'm very happy with myself!! 
