Weekly chat Mar 1-7

[Decker]

Another week, another chat. Hope you are all doing well and staying safe. Our cold snap has finally ended and we’ve been enjoying some warmer temps, but it’s still been icy after the thaw. Today’s trail run was the most icy by far. It’s a miracle I only fell once, the micro-spikes hardly made a difference on the hills. Today was also a first run with a couple of new run buddies. I love running with one or two friends and also solo, but the old style big run group is not really my thing anymore. Maybe that will change with time. The pics above are from the last few weeks’ runs. How about you? Are you a lone wolf or do you prefer to run with a pal or two? Canine pals count too! Or maybe the larger run group is your thing (at least the memory of what that used to be like - this too shall pass). What works best for you?

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

--

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:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Want a badge? Go here:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Looks so beautiful, but sounds impossible to run on 😱 I generally prefer to run alone. The marathon and the last few long training runs before it, are the only time I've really run with a companion. I wouldn't want to do that all the time but the company was a massive part of getting me to that finish line. I do love the atmosphere of a race or parkrun, but it's a far cry from the joy I get from a solo run.I'm currently failing miserably with my new plan! Having run 10k rather than 12k a week ago, I then missed a 5k yesterday!!! It was the very different structure of this plan that appealed to me in the first place, but I do need to pay a lot more attention!!!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Linda, I was genuinely scared in a few spots. Bigger spikes if I am to ever try that again!

Yes the really long runs are nice to have a running mate to help push one another along or at least distract our minds with conversation, right? All the time though, is a bit taxing, I agree.

Ha! yes I guess your new plan requires a bit more attention. 😁

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

What fun. It's good to have "challenging" runs from time to time 🤣

I'm usually solo but have run with a couple of people and I'm actually thinking of doing a jog leader qualification and taking small groups trail running so to test that I'm going to take 2 or 3 ladies out and see how that goes. If I hate it, no point in spending my money 🤣

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Challenging was not the word I was using. It was closer to what the @&$!???

You’d make an awesome jog leader with all your long run experience. Maybe even a splinter jog/birdwatching group? Just something to think about. 🐦 🦢🙂

[Magellan Marathon in reply to Decker]

A jog-birdwatching group sounds like something that should be a thing. I’d join if there was one near me!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Magellan]

So would I!

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. 😊 maybe it could work...

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I am definitely a lone runner. I think it comes from starting at age 66 and the desire not to hold up other runners. I run at odd times too, including in the dark! I do like park run, but have only managed 7 (all pbs strangely enough) . I do want to do at least one big run with VRBs (that was to be last year’s Vitality 10000) so 🤞it will happen sometime. It may be age, but my succession of injuries continues. Having got my calf sorted out finally, I now have an Achilles twinge😡. A few days rest and some heel dips should sort....frustrating; what happened to the days of just lace up my trainers and run??

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

How is the Achilles now BC? The running gods need to give you a break don’t they?

Whenever you’re ready for that long overdue meetup, tell us. We’ll be there in a shot! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky; your role as senior morale officer is invaluable!!My Achilles (just around my heel area) still felt sore after my run on Saturday, to the extent that I stopped running after 1k. Only good news was that VO2 max went up one 🙂

I have wrapped it up in KT, following a YouTube video. I e.mailed my physio who said to reduce the calf exercises I am doing down to every other day (there are some stretches involved which engage the Achilles) and see how it goes. It feels ok this morning, so first step is to see how it feels after my exercises. I will certainly leave it until tomorrow before attempting another run. The origins were really innocuous; kicking a ball on the beach for Molly to chase and feeling a very slight pull in the heel of my standing foot. Probably a short lived thing..... just so frustrating on top of the rest of it. Man up and get on with it my sister would say!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I don’t like reading about you being injured BC - it happened too often recently! Your woods monsters will be missing you! 😅

It’s often the most innocuous things which scupper us though. I’ve kicked many a manky tennis ball for Flossie and come close to stubbing my toe, only to reprimand myself - what if I jeopardise my running? 😱 But hopefully this is a minor blip for you and you can trot along pain free soon.

Running gods - you hear me? 😠

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Sure they are quaking in their boots CC 🙂. Will order some more KT today; just for stability. I could easily run through the pain, it isn't much, but one of the experienced guys I meet in the woods occasionally gave stern warnings about achilles issues which can take weeks to heal if they are allowed to develop unchecked. Plenty of stuff to keep, me busy in the meantime!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I definitely do more solos when I want to meander and take photos. It would drive most other runners crazy to hang with me! Dark running is something I’ve tried but I don’t love it at least not this time of year. Interesting all your PBs are Parkrun group runs. I guess it is the race setting? Hope the injuries ease up soon. It’s frustrating for sure. You’ll be back full strength soon enough!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker. I think the answer to the park run PBs is a flat course, nice surface and, as you say, the stimulus of other runners.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yep that’s true. Running on a flat stable surface makes a huge difference too. Many of my PBs are on the local high school track for that reason too.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Wow Decker, what beautiful photos. I can’t imagine running on ice - I’d be over in a shot!

It’s usually just myself and Flossie the dog on my runs. I prefer it that way, although I do enjoy running with others around at PR (resuming in June, all being well - yay! 👏👏) and at races. Of course VRB meetups are the best fun ever, and sitting around scoffing massive breakfasts and comparing notes on our runs is second to none! 🥰

I’m only doing short runs until the virtual Bath Half on the weekend of 13th/14th. I did a 10 miler last week, and as I’m running 2 HMs in 2 weeks, I don’t want to push my luck! The common is currently dry. Oh please let it stay that way! 🙏🏻🤞🙏🏻🤞🙏🏻

Happy running everyone. ❤️

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky, oh the ice was a bit worrisome in places.

Flossie sounds to be such a great run companion. One day Otis and I will run together on a trail. June Parkrun is really something to look forward too!

You sound fully prepped for the Bath Half too. Fingers crossed the common stays dry for your effort! 🤞Good luck!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker, I’m ready for my HMs and I’ll run them both no matter what the weather throws at me (but I’m doing a constant fair weather dance!!)

You’ll have tons of fun with Otis one day. It’s such fun running with a furry friend! 🐾🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Gorgeous photos as usual from you Decker, they could be advertisements in a running magazine!

I’m a lone runner but have run with others, from a single friend to several in a running club and then with thousands in races of course (hopefully these will return this year 🤞) Each experience brings something new and is fun but in my heart I prefer my own company. It’s one reason I gave up the running club, because I wasn’t really enjoying the running and chatting thing.

I’m back on track and did four runs last week, albeit still short distances but no sign of any niggles and I’m upping my exercises and strength work, so all is good here 😊

Have a good week everyone and here’s to another week closer to end of lockdown 😍

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP 🙂. Yes the variance of run types is interesting. It might tie back into why we are doing a run - to connect and share with another or to clear our own minds/heads, or for performance reasons. I never know which its going to be the night before. Sometimes it’s all three :).

Great that you are back on a regular run and exercise schedule too! 👍🏼

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

One of the best bits about running with a friend is the coffee and cake afterwards ☕️ 🍰

[Magellan Marathon]

Gorgeous pictures. I wouldn’t have the courage to run on ice, even with spikes. When it was icy here I switched to trail running, the mud had frozen in ruts and footprints, so it was rough hard and crunchy mud instead of slippery wet mud or smooth ice. I am in awe of people who run on ice!

I have done two non-solo runs, one with my sister at her parkrun route last summer, and one today, where my son came with me for the start and end of my run, taking off to go fast in the middle. I plan to do a trail run soon with my sister, but mostly I like to run alone, I’m not slowing anyone else down and I don’t need to adjust my pace for anyone. I like some time alone with my thoughts or my playlist. I go for walks with my husband or sons when I want company, walks are good for a natter.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Magellan]

If I knew how bad the ice was, I would have likely changed my mind! The two young fellows I ran with were like mountain goats on the ice without any spikes, but even they had a couple of close calls.

It must have been nice to run with your son. I’m still trying to get my kids to run with me. My daughter came close. I think she would be a strong runner. One day! But I agree time alone is something special too. Best of luck with your trail run with your sister.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Lovely pics!!

I am a lone runner, probably because I'm mostly a lone person 😊

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Ha yes as in running, as in life I suppose 🙂. My circle has been shrinking dramatically this year so I have just a few people I can/will run with now