Spring 2021 Half Marathon Group 😍 Quick hello, and actual races?!

[roseabi]

Hi HM-ers!!

How's it going? Tell us about it!!

Thank you for all the interest in the 10K addition to our virtual event on March 28th! Looks like a go-er 😊😊😊

Since the UK Government's "road map" for England announcement on Monday I've been seeing a lot of excited posts by businesses on social media, parkrun have published their plans today, and I had an email the other day informing me that my entry for the Grand Tour of Skiddaw ultramarathon of last year has been transferred to August 28th, 2021. Gulp! Could I actually finally get to run it??? I'd better get up onto those hills and get training! Spoiler alert: it's no hardship 😃

I'm not forgetting our VRBs in other parts of the world - how are things looking for you?

Most importantly though, we must remember we're none of us out of the woods yet. Before large-scale events can return (to the UK) we have to wait and see the results of the proposed pilot studies that will begin in April.

And there are many people suffering loss, and other long-term effects of the pandemic. Sending ❤️❤️❤️ to all of you.

Wherever you are, life is short, so enjoy your running and resting!

linda9389 & roseabi xxx

February 26th, 2021

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Spring 2021 Half Marathon Group list: docs.google.com/spreadsheet...

HUHM Spring 2021 Strava Club: strava.com/clubs/HUHMspring21

Virtual events list: docs.google.com/spreadsheet...

Previous posts:

Invitation to join: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Check-in and Strava club: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Virtual events list and possible HUHM event?: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Top Tip #1: Negative splits!: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Top Tip #2: Mix it up!: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Top Tip #3: Treat yourself!: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Virtual HU HM prep: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

10K race? And some nice links - hills n thrills!: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Joster Half Marathon]

Thank you for the updates. I missed the previous reference to 10k on 28th March, I'd love to join that please. Also so pleased to see plans for parkrun restarting on 5th June!!!!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Joster]

Fingers crossed!

[Guinea70 Marathon]

Wow! that Ultra marathon looks like it will be a fantastic route to run I hope it goes ahead for you

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Guinea70]

Thank you! I think I first heard about this event about four years ago, and I just wanted to do it so much - I used to go fell-walking in the Lake District a lot when I was in my 20s, and Skiddaw is the hill I climbed the most. Originally I was going to do the Grand Tour as my first ultramarathon, and for my 50th birthday (it's about a week before my birthday), but I got lured into the London2Brighton 100k and South Coast Challenge 55k in 2018, and then decided not to do any big races in 2019 (which was when my 50th was). So in 2019 I decided to enter the 2020 Grand Tour, but of course that didn't go ahead - so here I am with a 2021 place! 😂

[Ellesbelles85 Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Good luck to you for it Abi... can I ask- what exactly is an Ultra marathon?

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Ellesbelles85]

Thank you!

Technically an ultramarathon is any distance that's further than a marathon, but the shortest ultramarathon class is generally 50 km - and we award our ultramarathon badge to people who have done a 50 km or further. Ultramarathon distances also include 50 miles, 100 km, 100 miles, and even further! The longest ultramarathon of all is the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, which is a road race, but the majority of ultras take place off road, and some are extremely hilly!

The Grand Tour of Skiddaw is 44 miles 😊

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-...

[Ellesbelles85 Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Wow! That sounds immense!! Goodness Roseabi- that’s amazing! Well done you! And good luck although I’m sure you won’t need it at all! You’ve got this! 🏃‍♀️💪🏻

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Ellesbelles85]

Thank you!! xxx

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Hi roseabi and lovely running friends! Happily my preparation for the HUHM at the end of March is continuing on track. As some of you know, I do love a spreadsheet!😊 Mine indicates that I’ve got 152.43 km to run to complete both my HUHM training plan and also my LEJOG4 virtual run on 28 March with the half marathon🏃‍♂️🤞I’ve got shorter runs scheduled for next week (when did 10K become a ‘short’ run for me?🤔). After that I return to longer runs with a 17K and 18K on 10 and 17 March respectively. Other than that, it’s just 5-7K runs, interspersed with Intervals, Fartleks and Tempo runs.

I see that Junior Parkrun is pencilled in for return in April, then Parkrun in June 2021 if all goes to plan. I sincerely hope it does!🙂🤞

We should hear today about whether the Vitality Big Half will be a ‘real’ event at the end of April. I certainly hope it will but it’s in the lap of the gods🙂

Happy running everyone, hope you get out and enjoy the lovely spring weather!🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to David_G]

Gah! You beat me to in on the parkrun news David 😀 I’m trying not to get too excited 😂

[David_G Metric Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Sorry TailChaser! I was just so excited at the news! 😃

STOP PRESS: I’ve just heard the the Vitality Big Half is postponed until 22 August (my birthday!🎂🎉) so I’ll have to do it. What a way to celebrate entering my 58th year!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to David_G]

Wow! xxx

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to David_G]

Brilliant! That will be a great way to celebrate! 👏

[TailChaser Marathon]

No going back now roseabi! How exciting!

It’s been an exciting day here too. What with beautiful weather, UK parkrun dates, booking annual leave for a festival that we haven’t got tickets for but that is supposed to be happening now, getting a firm date for a concert that was in mid May but is now in January. It’s all go! Just need the Vitality 10k at the end of May to say something (anything!) and the Big10k in September to say it’s going ahead and life will feel like it’s starting to move again.

Meanwhile, training has been scuppered a bit by sleep patterns going awry again 😴 but maybe the weekend lie-ins will help. All on track though 👍

[Katnap Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

You'll be fine! Just do it! 🐱🐱

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to TailChaser]

😊😊😊

All sounds good! xxx

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Ooo that Ultramarathon sounds scary! Well done! I did look at the new Cheltenham racecourse run events but still don't feel confident booking or attending a public event. Quite happy with the virtual HUHM! However, I am worrying a bit about where to run! We are still only allowed to exercise from own front door. Now that somewhat limits my routes as there are not many lanes without massive hills... and on a long run I'd rather avoid them!! I'm hoping that by the end of March I can drive to the canal!!

[David_G Metric Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

If you can’t use the canal, you could try running from home northwards, running back home, then eastwards and back home and so on. It gives you a chance for hydration and loo breaks when you get home every time. Just a thought anyway and might be worth thinking about?🤔 Good luck!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to David_G]

Oh thank you yes hadn't thought like that! I might start practicing that because our drive is a rough track about 1km long that is the climb I'm quite glad to get out the way, but I can do a decent 10k both ways on the lane at end of drive that won't be too hilly....part of me would rather do it where I'm used to running too as I know the way marks. Thank you!

[Kalessin Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Thank you David_G, that's a good suggestion. Because I run so slowly a HM will mean being away from the house for a long time and I'm worried about my husband (who is disabled) being on his own for that long. I was trying to work out two loops but for some reason hadn't really considered out and back, it might be the perfect solution...

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

I must admit I'm mostly worried about travelling up there 😂

That's a good point about dates, I'll have a think...

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Train would be good 🙂

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Massively expensive, and doesn't go to where I need to go. Driving is much more convenient 😊😊😊

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

If only train travel was more affordable Daft int it when it would relieve clogged up roads

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Yes!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Not just trains ! My local bus service is really expensive so I walk. Having said that, I’ve got flippin fitter 😁 I’m not long away from my bus pass, unless the goalposts get shifted.

[runningdad Marathon]

So we’ve heard today the Edinburgh Marathon Festival events on weekend of 29/30th May are going virtual for the second time. I’m increasingly sceptical about LLHM going ahead the weekend before. Should know more on that soon. But either way the training continues. I’m totally up for one of the HU virtual runs- which one depends on how the training goes in next few weeks. Spring definitely feels like it’s almost here.

[Beatthestreet in reply to runningdad]

Yeah, I got my notification again today. Never mind, will just need to carry on with virtualHM training,hopefully I’ll at least complete the distance this year. Gave up last year.😔

[runningdad Marathon in reply to Beatthestreet]

Oh do keep going. Achieving the distance is a massive achievement in itself. Events will return. Until then we can stay positive and keep training.

[misswobble Marathon]

That looks an exciting prospect 😃💪🏃‍♀️

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Should be fun!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

It will be if the weather’s kind 😃🤞

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Ha yeah! I think the weather in 2019 was atrocious and they had to move the route slightly for safety reasons 😨

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I was reading a race report last night for a half I want to do in September. They said the weather was bad, with a horrible wind whipping across the DUNES 😁 making life difficult for the runners.

So even in the supposedly warmer months anything can happen weather wise. Up in the hills it’s expected, so your mandated gear should see you through all eventualities.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Yes, I need to get a proper set of waterproofs for it! And a compass 😁

When I did the Brighton Half last Feb we had really nasty strong winds, and I wore my sunglasses despite the dullness of the day so I wouldn't get sand or small stones in my eyes!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

On the subject of eyes, I had mine tested this week 🤓, and that subject came up. I need to get eye protection sorted as mine have been so sore, and streaming at times, but then very dry too. Decathlon ones should do me 🙂

Decathlon do waterproof trousers etc too by the way 🙂👍

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Sorry to hear that! Hope the glasses help xx

Yes, I've seen their waterproofs, they look pretty good 😊😊😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Fingers crossed for August, that looks a truly testing challenge!!! My late May London bike ride was cancelled again yesterday and this time it's been put all the way back to 2022 (fourth time lucky?). I think everything else in spring/summer has already been cancelled for me, so first up will be Kew 10k and the ultra in September, then Oxford HM in October. That's not to say I wouldn't be tempted if I spotted a real race in the meantime - who am I kidding? I'll be actively looking for them. What better than a nice 10k event, no pressure and LOADS of atmosphere. Eyes peeled ...

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Good luck, hope you find something! xxx

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

And thank you!!!!! xxx

I'm a bit worried about the drive up there, but the run should be OK 🙃

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to roseabi]

You're barmy!!!!!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Coach or train 🙂. Or you could split the journey and stay somewhere nice overnight Make it into a mini break 😃

[misswobble Marathon]

I did a lovely, leisurely 10 miler yesterday. Went off-road by a major road and was in gorgeous countryside I did get horribly bogged down in places but managed to stay upright. Beautiful bright day too

Tuesday is new shoes day. Long, long overdue

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Woohoo!!! xxx

[Hidden]

Thanks roseabi and all the very best for the skiddaw ultra, looks amazing, I love to imagine I could do that one day! well maybe just run the bit in your picture would be great 😁 So anyway, after a month of not being able to run at all, a planned week breaks, then IC, weather, illness in that order! I have restarted my 12 week HM plan this week at Week 1, so far so good, so all being well definitely up for the 10k on the 28th March, which will fit nicely into the scheduled plan. Looking like the end of May at the earliest now for HM but if it’s later that’s fine. Really want to do one before September so I’m ready for the Robin Hood HM at the end of that month fingers crossed 🤞🤗

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

Glad you're feeling better - good luck and have fun!! xxx

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

I'm another victim of the Big Half postponement. I'm going to try and stick to my plan for the original date, then start it again 12 weeks before 22 August. I have a 10k trail race in June postponed from March 2020 inbetween to look forward to too.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Langley-Loper]

Excellent xxx

[Cmoi Marathon]

That Skiddaw ultra looks amazing roseabi !

I've never done a real event in my life (there again I've only been running since May last year) and have no idea when, if ever, I might. We're still under 6pm-6am curfew here in France, with weekend lockdowns in some areas, and more threatened if the stats don't go the way the government wants.

So, not knowing whether all will be fine and dandy for the HUHM date, or whether we'll be back to exercising once a day 1hr/1k radius from home, I'm just going to concentrate on enjoying myself, getting muddy in the forest and heading out on the roads when I feel like it.

🏃‍♀️ 🌲 👣 🏞️ 👟 😄

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cmoi]

Fabulous plan xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Do you remember that trail race I mentioned a few weeks ago roseabi ? I just looked at the site and there's a possibility it might be postponed from June until October. Hmm. That could/would make a lot of difference to me for a whole variety of reasons. I'll see how the HUHM goes first though!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cmoi]

I do remember! Nice to have it to think about later!?

[PurpleFish59]

I absolutely love the Lake District roseabi, such a beautiful place! Hope you have a great time doing the ultra!

My HM should have been today. You might remember I was having some doubts about the Garmin plan a few weeks ago. Well I did the HM virtually today and I shouldn’t have worried, I beat my target time by almost 7 mins and knocked 12 mins of my first attempt to finish in 2:13:23. Felt really strong this time and didn’t hit the wall like last time.

I think it’s doubtful the actual race will go ahead on the new date of 18th April, so next stop HUHM on 28th March!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to PurpleFish59]

Thank you!

Oh wow you little beauty!!!!! Fabulous work 😍

[Kalessin Half Marathon in reply to PurpleFish59]

I saw your update on Strava, brilliant time, I am so impressed.

[AndrewJR75 Half Marathon]

Hi everyone, I seem to have hit a ten mile wall. I’ve managed that distance in my last 3 long runs now but can’t seem to go any further. Hard to explain why. It’s not being out of puff, my breathing still feels fine. My legs are hurting but not unbearable. I think I’m just stopping because I can i.e I’m not under any pressure to go further. I’m hoping the virtual HUHM gives me the extra motivation and maybe I’ll do it then.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to AndrewJR75]

I think that could work!

[Ellesbelles85 Marathon]

Hi all, I will definitely be part of the 10k on the 28th- I’m doing the bath half this month on the 13th... getting a bit scared now as it’s really close and it’s my first ever one! But super psyched and will all the wonderful support on here and STRAVA it’s great to know I can still be part of the challenge! ☺️

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Ellesbelles85]

You can do it!!!! xxx

[Couchphoenix Half Marathon]

Hi Roseabi

I completed my first Half Marathon today and a few of my VRB’s have mentioned that this the place to pick up a Half Marathon badge next to my name.....could I have one please 🤗

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Couchphoenix]

Congratulations!!!