Putting it out there .... 😖

[cheekychipmunks]

I could press cancel and walk away from this post ....... but I won’t.

Inspired by linda9389 ’s post over on S&F about committing to her daily ankle/foot exercises, David_G ’s kind offer to make me a personalised HM training spreadsheet in order to finish LEJOG4 with the HUHM at the end of March, and a message I got this morning from Runclusive allowing me to delay my virtual Bath Half until then (was supposed to be on March 14th), I’ve decided I’m going to:

Run a Half Marathon on my local common. 😳

And? You might be thinking .....

Well those of you who follow me on Strava have seen me doggedly doing RED January up there in all this weather. 💦💨 Is it enjoyable? No, not in the slightest, but I like a challenge and I thought I might as well continue training there and cross the LEJOG4 finish line in style (although it’ll definitely be highly unstylish and I can tell you right now it won’t be a PB!)

All that, plus I’ll be being a good bunny and running local during lockdown. 😇

I could still press cancel and not submit this post ..........

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

You can do it!! 👍🏻😁 I've seen it, it's out there now! 🤣🤣🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

It is, isn’t it JoJo? 😳😅

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I'm watching too 😊😊😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I suddenly wonder what I’ve done! 😅😅

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It'll be fun! xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Yes it will! 😀

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Well, I’m glad you didn’t press cancel and submitted it cheekychipmunks 🙂👍 I hope you manage to follow the plan and finish LEJOG with your HM round the local park!🏃‍♀️ I’ll be doing the same thing except I’ll be running around town and along the seafront🏃‍♂️🏖🌊 I’m confident mine won’t be pretty or stylish but I’m determined to finish LEJOG with my HM😊🤞I’ve even done a countdown spreadsheet which automatically compares my progress on LEJOG against the HM schedule I’ve set myself. It’s got pretty colours and everything else I can throw at it!🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Your location sounds more inviting than mine David_G ! Unless I can preorder dry, still and just a bit cool weather for the preceding week. If I had to run 13.1 miles in today’s conditions, I have no idea how long it would take me! 💦💨💦💨😅

You’re spreadsheet king aren’t you? I’m very impressed! 👏👏👏

[David_G Metric Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I’m very lucky to have the sea to run by Cheekychipmunks!🏃‍♂️🏖 It’s very relaxing when it’s raining and there are fewer pedestrians about, but in the sunshine it can be a bit tricky trying to avoid everyone! 😣

I tend to run along the bypass then - not much to see so no-one but cyclists and other runners to contend with🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🚴🚴‍♀️

I’m a Data Analyst by trade, so spreadsheets are kind of my ‘thing’🤣 and sometimes I can’t help myself😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Mine’s a very impressive spreadsheet, thank you! 👏👏👏

I hope you get a decent day when you do your HM too. We’ll need to do an anti rain dance or something! 🤞🤞

[David_G Metric Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Yes that would be nice Cheekychipmunks! 🙂🤞 We need not too hot, not too cold, not windy or too much rain. A bit like Goldilocks, really!😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Hahaha yes! 😅

[Hidden]

All 👀’s on you now cheeky 😃, you’re all set for double glory, all hail the good bunny 🐇 😘🤗

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Glory or bust JR! 🐰😇

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

the only way to taste life 😃

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Indeed! 👊

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

You’ve done it before cheekychipmunks and I know that you can do it again. I’m not sure UpTheStanley will be joining you this time , but you never know. Well done for keeping up with RED in such appalling weather.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

When I ran my first HM *with* UTS it was on the mostly flat towpath that I used to use for my long run training, plus that was in dry September. The common isn’t at all flat unless I go round and round in 0.5k circles, and it certainly isn’t dry! But yes Dexy, I’ll do it and the fact that I’ve announced it means I now have to keep accountable to all my lovely VRBs! 😅

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Brilliant! How many laps will that be? You can set up a little aid station in one corner of the common (or maybe at the top of one of the hills? Maybe take a portapotty too 😀Will Flossie be running it with you?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It all depends on the weather in the preceding week Linda. If it’s dry it opens up so many more possibilities and I can fashion a 2k lap of the perimeter. If it’s like it was today I’ll need to stay up high, but that’s only a 0.5k lap! I reeeeaallly hope it dries up! 🤣

And yes, Flossie will definitely come! 🥰🐾🐕

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Too late - we've seen it! You can do it Cheeky - no problem.👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Hahaha, darn Jonathan! Yes, I can probably do it - but with no problem? Hmm, let’s see what the weather throws at us! 🤣

[TailChaser Marathon]

Woah!! Cheeky! Very well done in pressing ‘submit’! We know you can do it💪💪💪

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

You’ve seen my recent runs TC. You surely think it’s a bonkers idea! 🤣🤣

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Probably but when has that ever stopped you 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

😅🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅

[Charlies1 Half Marathon]

Well done for hitting submit! You are committed now & it will happen.

I'm still hoping that they ease the restrictions at some point in March, otherwise there will be a lot of us running in very small circles!

Although my interpretation of local is that if you start at home & get back to home and are roughly within a 7 mile Boris-bike ride, then it should be OK.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Charlies1]

My problem is that I can’t run straight from home in this current lockdown Charlie, so I drive the mile to the common. My other routes are 5+ miles away. The first lockdown in March was different and the roads were deserted, but ours is a small busy country road, with no pavement. So the muddy trails it has to be for me! It’ll be a challenge. I’ve done 10 miles there before (and vowed never again!), but I’ll do it. 😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

You are one crazy chipmunk......but we have always known that!! I would join you virtually (honestly 🙂) but I am still struggling. Calf seems ok one minute then off it the next. I had to walk up a hill on my new street route today to get my heart rate down....half a stone over weight and pausing for breath on a 5k...I am a wreck! I pushed on to 5.5k to make up for the walk.....anyway we will all be standing on the finish line ready to welcome you "home" from your HM. Hope the weather dries out!🌈

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Ahhh BC, please stay off the IC. You’ve done your fair share on there. 😩 Will another physio visit be on the cards? We need you! 🙏🏻

Yes, I’m a nut. I remember vowing “never again” after my 10 miler there in the summer (when it was dry as a bone 😳), but hey, I like a challenge. I might regret saying that! 😅

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You are a morale boosting chipmunk too!! Thanks Cheeky! It was ok last week, so I didn’t take up my option for an appointment. If it carries on through the weekend I will make a booking on Monday. Oh for the days of a quick 10 miles, flat white and brownie, home for a shower and not so much as a twinge !

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

At least you have an amazing physio to mend you if needs be BC. A gem! 🙏🏻

You’ll be back with your 10 mile runs, flat whites and brownies, I know you will. This sounds like a temporary niggle. 🤞🤞

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Been a feature for a month now; today’s 5.5k is the longest run since then; time to get it fixed!!👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes off you pop. We need you running to your heart’s content this summer! 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♂️

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

I'm glad you didn't press cancel cheekychipmunks because (a) you can do it and (b) we are all here to cheer you on. Well virtually anyway. Good luck 😊👍💪

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Buddy34]

Aww Buddy, thank you for your confidence in me. Support from my lovely VRBs means so much. 🥰

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Haha - glad you did not press cancel. Did you think for a second that this group would try to talk you out of it? 😂 No worries we have complete faith in you. Go get that thing!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Haha, no there’s no one on here who’d I expect to tell me it’s a bad idea Decker, only me! I’ll pick a (loooong) killer playlist and simply trot away. Thanks for your support! 🙏🏻😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Go Munks 💪 You’ve told us now so you have to do it!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP! Yes I do have to do it don’t I? That’s why I posted, to keep me accountable. The message about the Bath Half being slightly more flexible with the virtual run date was what made me decide. 😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I got that too but I ignored it 🙄

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I’m only doing it for the bling! 🏅😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Of course 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I knew you’d understand Irishprincess ! 🏅🏅🏅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I only ever ran 10K to get some bling 🙄😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

😅😅

[UpTheStanley Half Marathon]

Hmmm - that time I did the distance the same day as you, the only time I've ever gone that far, Dexy5 paced me to 10 miles, and I don't see that happening again by the end of March. I haven't run further than 10k since the 2019 GSR, and the weather is definitely not inspiring me to go any further right now! So on you go girl .....🏃‍♀️😃👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to UpTheStanley]

Hmmm, I suppose I’ll let you off UTS! I’m just hoping amongst hope that the ground dries up, or it’ll be a long slog ....... 😩😳🙄😅

[BaddieThePirate]

Oops, you missed the cancel button 😅

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to BaddieThePirate]

I was hovering over it, I can tell you Baddie! 🤣

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Brilliant plan_go for it!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thanks W7! I’m looking forward to it now. 😀

[CBDB]

You got this! I’ll be watching in awe as you finish RunLeJog4! I’m in the same cohort and still in the South of England! 🤣🤣 👏👏👍🏽💪

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to CBDB]

Thanks CBDB, I always vowed never to run more than 10k there, so of course I did 10 miles. I vowed never any further than that, and now I’m planning my HM! But that’ll be IT! 🤣

[Lazyfrog Half Marathon]

Amazing, you can do it! 💪💪💪 How do you cope with running long distances in your local common? I always get bored if I have to do more than 5k circling in a park, but I have to do it sometimes when my usual trails are too muddy or frozen 😖

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Lazyfrog]

It’s a beautiful place to run Lazyfrog, and as long as you can deal with hills it’s easy enough to make up distance. Except, much as I enjoy hills, I don’t like to do loads of them on long runs so I do need to run some of the less hilly trails more than I’d like! It all depends on the footing - bone dry or muddy makes a massive difference to my options ..... 🤞🤞

[Lazyfrog Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Sounds like a great place to train 😊 Yes, I am painfully aware now all the difference dry and rainy days can make... I think I didn't appreciate my summer runs and puddle-free trails enough😅

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Well, CC, you're committed now! You've had plenty of practice up on that common so I'm sure you can do it. Is there such a thing as running wellies?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Ahh now there’s an idea SM! 🤣 🥾

[Hidden]

Brilliant cheekychipmunks

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks lmc. 🙏🏻

[Hidden]

Only 9 days Left cheekychipmunks 👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I’m surprised how much I’m liking RED Jan even though the weather has tested my resolve Hidden . 😀

[Hidden]

It's been challenging definitely cheekychipmunks but sooooo enjoyable 👍 weather 👀 chilly mainly, but oh the rain 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

And the mud ..... 😩😩

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ahhhh we do I believe have said Welsh mud 👀 or at least I think it's mud 😳

[Mormor1 Half Marathon]

I think it's a really good idea to finish in style...my daughter was traveling round India a few years ago and had to cut short her travels and return to the UK several months sooner than expected.. She decided to end the traveling in style by walking lejog and camping at night... It took 3 months of 'eat, walk, sleep, repeat' but she did it.... I've never seen her look so continuously happy! So.....Go for it and good luck.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Mormor1]

Thanks Mormor. Your daughter must have been so disappointed to cut her travels short, but what a great way to make up for it! 👏

I’ve enjoyed LEJOG4 and now I’m close to being less than 200 miles to go, the end is in sight. Ordinarily I wouldn’t tackle a long run on the common for numerous reasons (mud, hills, not a large space), but these are different circumstances and I thought, why not? 😀

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles]

Even I’ve seen it cheeky - you can’t press cancel now!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Darn it OGR! 🤣

[Oldgirlruns 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂

[over61andstilltrying 10 Miles]

You are amazing ! ! ! 😲 🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

You’re very kind to say so over61. I’m hoping it’s not a massive error of judgement on my part! 😱