Hey there lovely runners! How's it going? Tell us all about it below!! 😊
Has anyone signed up for the Reunion 5k, one of the pilot events in the government’s Events Research Programme? virginmoneylondonmarathon.c... There seem to be some early signs of recovery in the world of running events, in England at least (hopefully to be more widespread soon).
Yesterday I was lucky enough to run a LIVE trail event (almost 300 in the HM, 200 in the 10K). I was very excited and super nervous all rolled into one. There are so many things I’ve missed from live events, and I couldn’t wait to run a route someone else designed, marked and marshalled; where I didn’t need to plot the course and make sure the tech was set up to give me directions. Not an obvious thing to miss perhaps, but one of many things on my long list!!!
Ironic then, that this should be the first event where I got lost 🙄. I wasn’t alone. After struggling to run around a hill (imagine your right foot being about 1m lower than the left for several hundred metres), my brain was slow to clock that everyone in front was bunching up. I saw a sharp left turn and a steep climb. But why had everyone stopped? It wasn’t the first hill. Slowly the penny dropped … Much muttering and confused shaking of heads as more runners came to a halt. Consensus was that we were wrong so we doubled back, stepped over a fence and took a steep uneven track down through trees to eventually come out onto the right path! I’ve checked the map since and really can't see how the first person would have decided to leave the main path and head around this hill, but we all followed like sheep!!! Hey ho! Any chance of a PB had long since gone for me, so I really didn’t worry too much and there’s a first time for everything!!!
Are you looking forward to live events again? What have you missed most? Or are they of no interest to you?
Whatever you have planned, have a great week, everyone!!!
The Marathon Team xxx
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Because I only started running in lockdown I've never done a live event so it's all new to me and I feel a bit unsure where to start. Plus weekend time is at a premium and I don't think it's fair for me to spend too much time away. I'll probably dip my toe in the water with parkrun and see what happens!
Parkrun is a good place to start! So accessible, local, friendly, lots of atmosphere, free of charge and you can be home again by 10 or 10.30 with the rest of the day ahead of you 😊 My fingers are firmly crossed for the June restart.
I haven't done a live race since doing the cancer research 5k's years ago! I'm quite nervous about signing up for one..... there's one on Chepstow racecourse soon but I'm hesitant....possibly because it's a long time since I've done one, possibly because I'll be doing it alone...no one else running here, possibly because I haven't 'seen' people for months and am becoming a hermit 😁😬🤦🏻♀️
I get all of that! I'm always nervous before an event. One of the things I like about events is that I can still run alone and on my own terms, but at the same time be totally immersed in and a part of a real running community. However the effect of all these hermit months will take a while to shake off in lots of ways. Yesterday's event was really well spaced at all stages - even down to orderly queues to climb the stiles and get through the gates 🙄
We are a sensible nation on the whole aren't we!!! I like the sound of your event too! (Apart from getting lost bit!) I'll look at what's around me again and see it I can pluck up some courage!!
That sounds like fun! Even if you did all get lost 🤣
I have done 2 live races recently and I loved them! It’s so nice to see people and get new T-shirts! Got another one next weekend too.
But, there are over 50 people in my club taking part in the Yorkshire marathon (or the 10 mile event on the same day and in the same place) in October, so I’m really hoping it goes ahead! It’ll be our club’s biggest event to date and we’ve even got a coach booked!
Wow that would be a great turnout! Several local clubs had small groups there yesterday. Its good to feel like things are slowly waking up again. Here's to your growing t-shirt collection 😀
UpTheStanley and I are now signed up for the reunion race - all in the interest of science obviously. If this will help get races going, we’ll do all we can to help. We will be as excited as the youngsters who were clubbing in Liverpool this weekend . 😂
I have missed parkrun more than anything (run-wise). I am so hoping it will return in 5th June.
Brilliant! I was really tempted at first when it was planned to be 10k at Hatfield house, but less sure in it's new format. Which option did you go for? I have my fingers firmly crossed for Parkrun too - it will be awful if they have to abandon the start again but it must be a minefield to get going on such a large scale.
Yes, A is an early start if you don'tlive on the doorstep!!! I hope it goes well. I wonder if they imagine pre testing will be a given for large events in future?I guess parkruns and all race directors are at the mercy of landholders, and no one standard will prevail. Just have to hope a large enough percentage are approved, to avoid the impact of tourism on those that can go ahead. Such a balancing act.
Linda, do you think it’s worth posting about this on the bridge forum? The Great Run people sent me an email about it today, so they may be having problems attracting attention.
I felt much more relaxed at the pub yesterday than I expected - my first outing since October! It was a great way to finish. Having had my first vaccination has helped me a lot 🙂
Oh dear , sounds like fun though! Having someone plot out a sensible route with way markers and hydration stations are definitely what I miss. Currently suffering from a poorly planned half marathon distance run in the country hills. Beautiful and refreshing it may have been but gosh am I feeling it today!
A HM route takes a good deal of planning doesn't it? Especially if, like me, you don't like doing 'same old same old' on a ling run. There was just one hydration station and no loos on the route yesterday - you were encouraged to take your own drinks as part of the Covid plan (and I now have two nasty chafed spots from my hydration pack which I'm really feeling 😀). Keep moving and hopefully you'll feel easier very soon.
I’ve made a commitment and booked a place for the Cheshire Half Marathon on 12th Sept. Giving me 18 weeks to train. Not done more than 13 K but I think I can...
Fabulous! I'm sure you can do it- you have plenty of time to increase your distance. I grew up in Cheshire - off to check out your route 🙂 !!! Chester metric marathon has been on my to do list for a while and I also fancy the Stockport half if it's back next year. So many events I fancy!!!
I read your comment 3 or 4 days ago and have been thinking about this ever since! I've looked at the course and checked the travelling time so I may just have to sign up too!! My first ever event was the Chester 10k just before lockdown last March, I'd love to do the hm. 😊
I'll have to wait til 2022. I have a place in Oxford HM this Oct - rolled on from 2019. I remember you doing Chester 10k and I'm sure the half will be fab!
What a palava Linda! That must have been so annoying, and how awful for the first person to take that route - and embarrassing for the first person to follow them! 😳
I’ve been so fortunate during the pandemic as I’ve had my whole family around even more than usual, but running-wise I’ve really missed PR and PR tourism as well as missing out numerous times on running the real live Bath Half. So many postponements. 😩 No more virtual HMs for me! 😅 Here’s to March 2022 for that one, but at least I have Bristol to look forward to in September as well as a couple of 10k races, and the GSR. How wonderful they will be and I can’t wait. 🥰
In all the confusion I didn't really see who was at the front. One person behind me said 'we must be going the right way, look, people are still coming this way' Errr yes, that's because they're all following us!!!Virtual events have had their place for many, but like you I've had enough now. I can't wait to get beyond the bunched up deferrals and get to start choosing and planning properly again. Sounds like you have a great mix booked in for this year. Exciting times, especially if parkrun gets off the ground in June 🤞
Looks like you weren’t entirely to blame for the time then Linda. 😅How was it running with other people in a live event again? I’m really looking forward to Parkrun again and the Brighton 10k.
Even knocking off the two or three minutes standing time, I'd still be in the last twenty!!! 🤬😀 Maybe it's only faster runners that are ready to go back.I have to say it actually felt very safe. The start was a massive area with loos and bib collection and start line all within a 100m of each other. Plus, you could pretty much start when you arrived, rather than sticking to your given wave. I have to say it lacked real atmosphere though. No music or spectators. The marshals were lovely of course. But I think it's always a fairly low key event - very different from Brighton 10k I imagine. In fact we have more runners each week at our local parkrun - or we did pre Covid!!!
Sorry about the frustrations of the route Linda but how great to take part in a live event!
I have a 10k next weekend - entry restricted to 500 and two separate start times and spaced out waves within this. I am really looking forward to running with others again but like you, am always so nervous on race day!!
The Reunion 5k sounds like an important step towards the return of mass events, with the added security of testing and of course trialling the way we manage these in the future. It will be pretty emotional for all those there I’m sure...🙏🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♂️
Ooh, good luck! That sounds very similar to mine - just under 500 runners starting over a two hour period, The HM started an hour before the 10k. 4 waves (designed more to space out arrivals acccording to the organiser) and individual starts 10-15 seconds apart. I hope you have a fabulous time.The Reunion 5k should have the most amazing atmosphere - like you I think it will be very emotional too, especially Race C.
On social media there has been something of a 'marmite' reaction, with some people clearly feeling it's not safe and others being really keen to help or to be a part of something they see as so positive. Definitely an individual choice 🙂
They were promoting the reunion 5k on the parkrun podcast today. I think they are worried about the number of landowners who are unwilling to sign off the permissions. They see the reunions as a way of proving that outdoor running is safe. 🏃♂️🏃♀️
I have the London Landmarks HM on 1 August to look forward to - assuming Portugal is on the Green list and vice versa. It is hard to make any plans until the UK government state their rules. But really really hope that we can fly and attend. We will stay in the UK for 4 weeks or so, so hoping I will get one or two Park Runs in and possibly a 10k dependant on what is organised. We will be in London, Southampton, York, Leeds and Manchester at various times during the 4 weeks so fingers crossed I can book something. Unfortunately, we dont feel ready to book any flights never mind races😅
I have booked and paid for a place in the York 10k on 1 August but of course the LLHM date was changed to that date so cannot do both. Not sure I can defer to next year. Will look into it.
I have started a McMillan Garmin plan to finish in a goal time. Loving it so far (4 weeks in) and hope the training stands me in good stead for the HM goal pace.
But enough about me!!! Really happy to hear about all your plans for the various races and wish you all well. I am jealous in many ways of your access to the races but where I live is a good place to wait out the lockdowns and restrictions - I can't have it both ways xx
LLHM doesn't sound quite so far off now! Fingers crossed that all falls in to place. I need to fly to Canada but, like you, there are so many difficulties and unknowns that it feels impossible to make any plans.Sounds like that will be a great trip if it happens - lots of scope for parkrun tourism there. Fingers crossed for you 🤞 In the meantime, nothing like a good training plan to keep you busy 😊
I've not been running a year yet, I started C25K after France's first lockdown, so have no live event experience. Nothing's likely to return here for weeks or months, which frankly doesn't bother me, as I really don't fancy running in a crowd.
As for my 2nd October maratrail (trailsaintjacques.com/epreu... I've already managed to stress about collecting my race number, where to pin it, the weather, what to wear, what I have to take, buying and using a running watch, how to get there, what time it starts, arriving on time, finding the start, missing the checkpoints, getting lost, getting disqualified...
Oddly enough the panic about actually completing hasn't yet set in; I'm assuming that will arrive later!
Yep, I think you have most of the worries covered there. Well done!!! Means you're on the ball, know what you're doing 😄 Almost impossible to believe you've been running less than a year, amazing!!! I have no doubt you'll complete your maratrail ... weather permitting 😀
After your recommendation and the online reviews I read. I decided they should be perfect for my long run and my faster 5k once a week. I’ll keep the Altra in my rotation for mid distance recovery days.
Oh how lovely to do a live event again Linda! Sounds fab, even the taking the wrong route thing as it’s all fun isn’t it? Hope you got bling 🙂
I’ve really missed live events although in our local area they’ve been back for a few weeks now but I haven’t been tempted yet. I think once I get my second vaccine I’ll feel much happier. Also, I think I’d really miss the crowds and spectators. Did you find that on yours? At almost all my previous races it was the atmosphere of the spectators that kept me going on tricky spots and especially at the finish. But hey ho, we are where we are and it’s just great that we can get back to some kind of proper racing with a hope that we can have crowds again in the future.
I have the Bristol HM in September and that’s all I’ve got in the diary atm but once I get back home I’ll take a closer look at what’s around.
I almost forgot the bling! My daughter's biyfriend and her best friend did the 10k. They waited and gave me a cheer 2k from the end and stood on the finish line too. When I finished I headed to them (both wearing medals) and we walked back to the cars. It was only as we split that J said 'did you get your medal?' Oops. I wasn't quite with it yesterday 😕I definitely missed the spectators and also music. My hubbie and daughter were waiting about 5k from the end as arranged. Amazingly - her boyfriend came up behind me literally as the HM rejoined the 10k route so he said a quick hello before powering off up the hill into the distance. That all helped, but if I'm being honest, I did feel very alone and unsupported/unmotivated for a long stretch in the middle. A 10k might have been better with the lack of spectators.
By September, infirmed by the findings of the Reunion 5ks, maybe spectators will have made a return 🤞
I can’t seem to “like” posts atm….. You almost forgot the bling!!!!!! Linda!!!! 😱
I see what you mean about the lack of crowd support but I guess even at pre-lockdown races, there were always patches where there was a lack of spectators.
I’ve missed racing like mad 😩. I’m not getting any younger so am impatient to be out there hauling my sorry ar*e about 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
On that note, my 64th birthday November marathon is booked as is my hotel.
Hoping for a June trail race, which is just a walk to the start for me. All my other usual races are cancelled. Even the local half marathon is no more, replaced by a 10k, but I’ll be there 🙂🏃♀️ October I think 🤔
Til then I’m running regularly and on target for a half marathon run every month 🙂
Trying to get my weight down a bit as I’m carrying some ballast ☺️
What better way to celebrate a birthday! My local 'walk to' race was cancelled this year and last, so my place has rolled over to Apr 2022!I'm also carrying unwanted ballast at the moment. Not making any headway with it yet, but every day is a fresh opportunity right?
So annoying to get lost during an organised event! Still, things will get better!! 😍
I am feeling a little anxiety about the travelling arrangements for my upcoming events, and also the fact that they are all very close together! But I am looking forward to them very much - particularly the support, and that finish line feeling!!
I'm also looking forward to starting my ultramarathon plan, and Jeff Galloway, my HALF MARATHON Garmin coach, has been getting me off to a good start - Friday has 32 km on the schedule!!!! 😜
Wow! My ultra plan only goes to 32km (edit: oops, as roseabi points out, my plan actually goes to 35k but is still short of the full 52k event)!!! Talk about being prepared 😄. All these cancellations have caused a few autumn calendars to overfill ... will call for some judicious cut back weeks! But just think of all those finish line feelings 😍
The longest run in Linda's plan (actually 35k) is enough to train for a first time 50k, and really is plenty for anyone who wants to conserve their fitness and try to avoid injury by not overdoing their overall mileage (most of us, right?). Many novice marathon plans have a longest run of 30k, which has roughly the same longest-run:race-distance ratio. And don't forget that the aforementioned back-to-back runs are also a strong feature of this training plan.
roseabi is spot on (and yes, my plan does actually) go to 35km not 32km!!! Many HM plans only go to 10 miles, marathon plans rarely go the full distance either. For my marathon I went to 34k (including the warm up walk). The extra distance on the day was fine. The 'short' long distance appeals to me precisely because it reduces the chances of getting injured in the run up to the event. There are only a few weeks of really long runs in the plan.
You can! I did for my first few Half Marathon's because I believed I needed that confidence. For the marathon it wasn't practical for various reasons and it was absolutely fine. The atmosphere on the day made the difference. The longer distances really take it out of you; there's a limit to how often I want to run 50k or more!
I've just looked at my maratrail plan linda9389 and the longest run is 20 miles, so 32.2k. Right now that seems simultaneously not nearly enough and impossibly long. Also don't know whether to be overjoyed or horrified that there are only three runs in the plan that are longer than I've already run. Must stop overthinking this! 🤔
My ultra plan is similar. It takes 7 weeks to get to 25k then three weeks later I do 35k and then a week or two to taper before the real 52k🤦♀️🤷♀️😕 😂
I have done a lot of long training runs in horrible weather and in the dark but it’s no fun Getting tsunamied by passing juggernauts 🌊 😩 It’s a whole different ballgame in fine weather though.
Glad you managed to get and do a live event - even with the challenges. Guess that is a problem with trail runs - I know the 10k river run I did a couple years back was poorly marked at one point and a lot of people went the wrong way! Still as long as able to enjoy the run that is the main thing 😀
As it happens, I hated every minute beyond 13k!!! That was my fault though, not the route 😀 Wonder if your river run was the same company? F3 by any chance? We didn't even get distance markers. Tough for anyone without a watch (or for anyone who got lost and didn't know much extra or short they'd gone 🙄). Luckily I was virtually spot on 21.1 when I reached the finish mat (I think the actual course was a bit short compared to Garmin, or at least that's what the two 10k runners found).
No the one I did was with Fullsteam, though sounds like similar issues. That one was also short, though I also had problems with my Fitbit that day (was before I had a Garmin) so never got an accurate distance.
Frustrating! It seems harder to get an accurate distance on a trail run. This particular one went through wide grassy spaces and there were many lines you could take - especially given social distancing and it being an out and back route for half of it, shared with the public.
Ermmm....I have signed up for the Great North Run! A charity wrote to me and asked if I fancied it; I signed up the same day! Bit rash as I am struggling to run 3k at present; my peroneals on my right lower leg are still sore after massage last Friday. There is plenty of time before 12 September; of course there is 😬
Oh your adventure sounds a lot like my Fat Ass trail race last November, where I took a wrong turn, wound up in the opposite direction than most everyone else! Not my finest moment. At least in that case the organizers expected some people to wander and even gave out a prize for the most lost runner! No idea how they ever found them.
I am just signed up for one trail race, deferred from last year. It's not until October, and we are still in lockdown, but hoping things will be back to some sense of normality by then. Until then, just trying to keep the engine ticking over.
Wow. Really? They expected people to get lost 🤔 I was running with a Garmin workout - for my 1.4/0.1 run/walk intervals - which meant I couldn't run with a course on my watch (I so wish you could do both at the same time). I might think again and add Komoot to the mix if I do another trail run 😀Canada are having a rough time at the moment aren't they. BC seem to have turned the tide at last, hopefully you are seeing improvements again now too, especially with the lockdown.
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