Hi there. Howβs it going? Do let us know how your week has been (there have been lots of amazing achievements) and what you have planned this coming week.
I wondered how on earth to follow last weekβs Finding the Fun chat. How about Avoiding the (irrational) Fear?π
I'm dreadfully superstitious (wikipedia: an irrational abject attitude of mind π€ͺ) and the number 13 strikes fear deep in my heart. This weekend, when I discovered Iβd collected 13 medals in 2020 all became clear - no wonder it was a bad year!
Iβll avoid running 13k or 13 miles - the last 0.1 miles of a Half Marathon is the only thing that makes the distance doable for me (though I invariably donβt feel that way at that point in the runπ ). When Iβm out running I shout Good Morning or Good Afternoon to anyone I see, but also to every magpie - seeing too many single magpies on a run or a ride will have me convinced that injury is lurking around every cornerπ€·ββοΈ! I hang on to my collar if an ambulance passes - easier on a run than a ride!!! Are you superstitious? Does it affect your running in any way?
Sunday should have been the London Winter Run (10k) - anyone else taking part in the virtual race? No medal for me this year, but Iβm looking forward to the run all the same. My next scheduled real race (Easter Monday) has already been cancelled. I have a feeling Iβll be nowhere near 13 medals this year but you can rest assured Iβll be counting any 2021 medals as I go - Iβm not jinxing 2021 with such a silly mistake!!!
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. Youβll find plenty of support and knowledge from your fellow runners here.
Have a great, fear-free week everyone ! π
The Marathon Team x
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:
Interesting post, Linda. I am not superstitious in any way, so canβt really help with that.
January was a difficult month for running from this side. I lost a few runs (including the long run yesterday) because of ice on paths that just made it too dangerous. Itβs no fun when you have to stop/start/abort because of slippery patches. Hoping for a milder February.
I want to be you! Freed of the burden of superstition π Far better to err on the side of caution - three runs a week and an injury in Jan could have put paid to Feb altogether! Milder and drier would certainly help!
I'm not very very superstitious but I do admit to having fear of seeing single magpies. One for sorrow, two for joy etc. If I only see one I think I am going to trip during my runπ
I have to say I have read the posts more often this month (January) and it has given me a lot of motivation. And some good ideas in each post . I started Yoga with Adrienne every day, now do foot exercises 3 x a week and this morning started to look into hr zone training. My heart rate is extremely high in any run and although it doesnt bother me per se, except that I can never seem to get faster, I think the answer might be in the amount of oxygen I have available to me. So, I did a 5m walk run this morning trying to stay in zone 2 and will continue to try this when I am running or walking on my own.
Thanks for all the motivation and help. Really appreciated.
I'm right with you and those pesky magpies! Sounds like you're mixing up your training really well. Let us know how you get on with the low HR stuff - that sounds like a great way to experiment.
Did you know that the Scots version of the magpie rhyme is 'One for joy, two for grief'? The exact opposite! I know this because my mother is half Scots, a fact of which she Iikes to remind us kids at every possible opportunity π
Oh thatβs funny Linda! On my run this morning - which happened to be 13k - I saw so many magpies that I was forever saluting them. My question has always been - do you need to see 2 in the same sight line, or does 1 + 1 count? If in doubt, I salute. π
I did follow my 13k with a 1.1k walk, so hopefully it was offset!
13k? ooh, you're brave! For me it's 1+1 in one hit or you're likely doomed if you don't say hello! But I misled when I suggested I might only be a little bit titious!!! Well done for getting out there yet again this morning!
A friend used to have to say βgood morning Mr Magpie, how are Mrs Magpie and all your baby magpies?β whenever she saw one. Happy Iβm not like that - it would be tricky running! π€£
I donβt have any superstitions but I have to go through pre run rituals (wait an hour after eating, hot water bottle on knee, inhaler, dynamic warm up etc) and I fear disaster if I remember something I have missed mid run. More rational than magpies, but still quite obsessive. I knew an Italian girl who always had to salute single magpies; must be drummed into people very young.
They sound like eminently sensible and soothing pre-run rituals to stave off disaster. I don't remember a time when i didn't acknowledge single magpies, but nor do I remember being taught to do so ... or even anyone else in the family telling me to do so π€·ββοΈHope the calf is behaving now?
Much better thanks. I found the worst spot and have been giving it lots of attention. Now I need to catch up on my fitness after two low mileage months; shouldnβt be ready to stop after 5k at easy pace!
I know; be sensible!! I am having to run on the road because of treacherous conditions on my lower trails. There are few more slopes to navigate on the road, so that, plus an extra half stone is probably the issue!! π
I'm not superstitious at all, definitely a happy sceptic πππ
But I do think that food preferences in relation to running can approximate superstition! I certainly much prefer to always, without fail, on pain of death, have a cheese and tomato pizza for the dinner before any racing event π€£
I have just signed up to a Garmin Coach half marathon plan! I have fallen off my previous marathon plan because where I live I am finding it difficult to get enough running done, and also because well really it's not a massive priority at the moment. So I thought I'd have a look at a Garmin adaptive plan out of interest, and to keep me going for the time being. I picked Jeff Galloway because he's a nice chap, and his plan has just 3 runs per week π And so far it seems rather interesting!!
Also I have just completed 30 days of Yoga with Adriene, and am quite happy to do less yoga for a bit. I'm still working on my push ups and pull ups, and we have just finally got around to setting up our indoor bike again. I'm planning to try out some HIIT stuff on it this week, wish me luck π¬
Happy running Linda and all, step on the cracks and be free!!! π xxx
Well now, that is an odd thing about the plan! It suggests we should run-walk, but there are no run:walk intervals set up in the workouts, so if I want to do them I will have to use an app on my phone, or "buy a Gymboss" it says in the FAQ. Lolz π€ͺ. Not doing THAT! Therefore I am running it all! πππ
I am not superstitious apart from perhaps counting crows, if I see one I am always hoping for a second one. Similar to your Magpies. Also I am convinced certain run tops and shorts help me run faster! π
Itβs been quite cold here lately and its been harder to get out in the dark on weekdays, so the treadmill has been handy for that and some speed work. I have also been starting to get out for my slower 20k solos on the weekends. No plan apart from my deferred 2020 race, so for now, Iβm just running in some nice spots where I can.
Coming from Ireland I should be very superstitious but Iβm not at all. Our whole culture is based on myths and superstitions ππ The only thing I wonβt do is walk under a ladder but thatβs from a safety point of view. I do believe in fairies and witches though π
My running has been nonexistent most of the month as Iβve been on the IC. But that saga continues. Iβll put a post up because, as you can imagine, nothing is ever straightforward when it comes to my running π
Have a good week everyone and watch out for those fairies π§ββοΈ π§
As I started reading I was thinking to reply 'surely you believe in fairies?' - and you did not disappoint! Sorry to hear your IC saga is ongoing , I'll look out for your post. I often find that one issue leads to another and it all gets complicated, most frustrating βΉ. Hope you're back at it very soon (in the meantime do watch out for magpies)
Haha π I even have a fairy garden! There are always magpies in the garden but when I see any I just have that theme tune from the TV show running through my head πΆ ma-a-a-ag-pie πΆ
Hi Linda...Iβm superstitious...a little bit... and get the magpie thing and I salute them when Iβm out running just to avoid injury!! Also ladders...I NEVER walk/run under them!! Iβm going to let you into a little secret...donβt tell anyone but I think Iβm going to try a HM plan...Iβve had a really good January doing RED and one of my VRBs thinks Iβm capable of it and Iβve been thinking about it for a while...I think Iβve finally plucked up the courage...there, Iβve said it now π¬ x
Oh brilliant!!! There is no way I could run every day for 31 days! How exciting! A half marathon is very achievable and incredibly satisfying, and I'm sure you can do it too! Do you have a plan in mind? If not then why not take a look at the link to a discussion of training plans mentioned at the start of the latest HM group post healthunlocked.com/marathon...
Thank you! Iβll have a look at these links...It was strange not planning a slot for a run today and the sunshine was very appealing but I resisted temptation and had a rest day! In 2019, I set myself βa medal a monthβ goal by running virtual runs so Iβm going to incorporate that in with my training π x
Brilliant! ππ» I can be a little superstitious, not walking under ladders etc. I like hopping from paving slab to paving slab missing the cracks but that's more for the fun element... can't say I understand the magpie or the ambulance thing π€£ I don't think it affects my running π€
Planning to keep on with the workouts, I've taken a last minute holiday tomorrow... I'm a bit worn out. My hydration is much reduced of late, driving so many more hours I am drinking less, partially by accident, partially on purpose as I have to plan my convenience stops π
I'll be mostly looking after my feet this week. I've bitten the bullet and ordered the five finger trail shoes from Vibram. All the experts told me no, stiffer shoe, no barefoot stuff but my gut says work the toes, big toes especially. It worked before so... π€π»
I did overdo things a bit in December, 90 odd miles over Christmas was slightly mad but I needed it too.
I will get some miles in but I'm committing to a lower mileage week this week to be sensible π€ͺ
Thinking about it my superstitious thoughts are more to do with kit, needs to be the right socks/ shorts etc. Jacket especially as recent events proved! π€£
βHello Mr Magpie, Howβs your wife and children β. Havenβt a clue where I got that from but it happens every time. I was also a π΅πΆπ΅ma-a-a-ag-pie π΅πΆπ΅ child
Apart from that, Iβm not too superstitious and have no problem with the number 13. Good job as UpTheStanley was born on 13th!
Long term plan - 10 miles Great South Run
Short term plan - run 2 or 3 times a week extending distance gradually and continue meeting up with new pal Adriene .
Hello Linda, no I'm not overly superstitious.... so no running effect! January was brilliant as I ran or walked 100km for Team Wales in the run1000 agri5nations challenge and Team Wales won!! It was great having this to get me active in January! On to February πππ΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
Hi Linda. Iβm on the home stretch with my Runners World 5k Challenge. This is race week so itβs one easy run today and then rest before race day on Thursday. Time to beat is 22.47. Iβm quite interested to see if the plan actually works or not. If it does Iβll definitely include it in my training plans going forward. I try not to get too superstitious about things, Iβve obviously got to take it more seriously though as I do seem to have more than my share of bad luck recently. Ho hum
Ooh, good luck on Thursday, that's gone quickly! We'll be watching and cheering you on! Just imagine if chatting to magpies could make all the bad luck disappear π
Hi Linda I read your post yesterday and then spent the day trying to think of anything I'm superstition about. All I could come up with is trying to find some wood to touch, although usually there isn't any too be found and if 2 bad things happen I do find myself waiting for the third π I don't walk under ladders but that would just be asking for trouble.The snow has returned today so I'm not sure if I'll be able to go out on my 3rd rehab run tomorrow, rain is forcast later so hopefully I will. The good news is my knee seems generally OK after the 2 runs last week. A bit stiff in the morning and the odd twinge every now and again. There were certainly some of the YWA moves that weren't for me at the moment but I'm carrying on with the February yoga calendar as I enjoyed the daily practice.
That list doesn't sound like it should interfere with running too much π. Sounds like good news on your knee, fingers crossed it just keeps improving. It's amazing how many twinges we notice once we become hyper aware - but if it isn't getting any worse or more frequent, then I tend to work on the basis that I'm working at an OK level and just keep gradually increasing the load. Daily yoga, even short sessions, definitely brings improvements in strength and flexibility - but also a deeper awareness of how your body works, which has to be a good thing I reckon π
Yoga is brilliant not just for the body but mentally as well, when I was working if I missed my weekly class I could feel that I'd get stressed much more easily about stuff. And the breath side has helped me since day 1 of C25k.
Got confirmation this morning that my now-annual birthday marathon is ON! π₯π₯³. Did a little jig in my lounge, with a few whoops of joy π Yesssss!
So, Cleethorpes here I come ππ΄ππ¦ππββοΈ
Better get me a training plan π€π€π€πββοΈπͺ
Think I will take up saluting Magpies; slow 7k today, which is good, but had to stop to massage my calf into life after 3.5k !! Grrrrrrrrrr!! Have e.mailed my physio. This has been messing me about for over a month now. I had started to run without tights, but reverted to them today.....maybe they are exerting too much pressure on my calf ? 4x5ks, 1x6k and 1x7k looks like a recovery programme, but I am having to run so slowly; despite that VO2 max put the boot in and docked me a point. Hope it isn't my age .. π¦ ( nearest I could get to a magpie!!)
So frustrating! My calf is just about getting there but realistically it has been playing up since the end of September. I took at least two three week breaks during that time too.I just find things take forever to heal! Hope your physio has some good ideas to move you on. Fingers crossed crosswd, touch wood ...
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Get the kettle on folks! It's the weekly chat for the 6th July - 12th July πͺ β