Started so well ……. 🤧🙄😩

[cheekychipmunks]

And then W2 took a beating!

I’ve just started following the NRC 14 week HM plan. It started me on W3 with 12 weeks to go to the Bristol HM on September 19th.

Week one (plan W3) was done and dusted, to the letter. I even did the maximum of 5 runs and loved every one. I’ve never followed a plan before, with the obvious exceptions of C25K and the Magic 10, and most of my running is totally made up. It’s worked for me, but I’d like to see if I can better my 2hrs 49m PB. 🏃‍♀️

However, my whole family has had colds with varying degrees of severity (yes, definitely colds only - LF and PCR tests were nervously taken just to be sure, and all came back negative), and of course I got one too. 🤧 Cuddling a snotty toddler is going to do that isn’t it?! 🙄 Additionally, Mr Cheeky and I have just returned from a few days on Dartmoor. Anyone who knows Dartmoor will know that it’s extreme in terms of hills!

So no running for me since last Sunday. I took my kit just in case but a) the long walks we did on the moor and by the coast were more than plenty for my congested self and b) even I would have found running up and down the 0.25k gnarly hotel track countless times a bit much! On the moor itself? No chance!

We’re home now, but I’m still (TMI alert) “phlegmy” and I’m tempted to knock this whole running week on the head. This goes against my inbuilt need to complete any task I take on to the letter, but I don’t fancy being a hacking mess and possibly making things worse.

Tell me I’m being sensible! I think I’ll just skip this missed week on the plan or I’ll get discombobulated. After all, this isn’t my first foray into running a HM (it’s my 6th!)

I feel like I need to write Coach Bennett a formal letter of apology - he’ll be thinking I don’t like his plan! 😅😩

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Hi cheekychipmunks I think you're being very sensible! I don't think missing the week from the plan will make much difference to your preparations and it's better than trying to catch up the missing week and overdoing things. Good luck with your next HM!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Thanks David, you’re right, I’d only make things worse by trying to catch up with myself. I’ll resume next week, guilt free. 😀

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

They always say ‘listen to your body’, sounds like you are being sensible and doing just that. Give yourself time to get over the cold then return to the plan. All good plans are there to be adjusted to suit, feel free to get your pencil out and ‘re-plan’.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Indeed Shakes. I’m usually doggedly stubborn, but I do run a lot and my body is telling me to rein it back a bit. Next week I’ll be back at it. 💪

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

The trouble with a cold is we keep saying things like “it’s just a cold” and struggle on as best we can but actually colds are really horrible and knock us completely sideways, if we manage to get ourselves up and carry on with some sort of normality we are absolute heroes! Running? take the break and heal quicker, your best idea this week 😀 Dartmoor sounds fab hope you feel better soon

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

You’re so right Sola. I haven’t had a cold for ages and this one has really knocked me. I dosed up on cold meds for our walks, and I felt ok - but my appetite has reduced which is definitely a sign all isn’t 100% for me! I’ll do the right thing and resume next week. 🏃‍♀️😀

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

And we will look forward to seeing you back running strong

[RunWillie Marathon]

Rest up cheekychipmunks

Gorgeous pics 🥰

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thanks RW. Yes, it’s a beautiful part of the world and we love going there. 🥰

[Beatlesforever]

Absolutely the right thing to do! Coach Bennett would not be happy if you didn't listen to your body 👍 amazing pics 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beatlesforever]

He wouldn’t would he Beatles?! He’ll understand when I start up again next week. 😀😅

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Fabulous pics CC. You can just call this a cross training week. I think the walking really helps. We have managed over 80 miles of slightly hilly walking over the past two weeks..and the hills are definitely getting easier; so you haven’t lost any ground really. 💪

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC, yes it wasn’t as though I was sedentary this week! I agree about the hills. Even feeling coldy I still managed them with no problem! 💪 Another bonus being a runner. 😀

[Cmoi Marathon]

Glorious photos cheekychipmunks , and you'll be fine!

I can empathise as I managed the first four weeks of my marathon plan exactly as prescribed. Work and weather have turned the second four weeks into seven, assuming I can manage another long run over the weekend. That'll give me twelve weeks to do the remaining eight.

I'm glad you're enjoying your plan and wish you every succes with your next HM. 👍😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks Cmoi, gosh that makes me feel better about it - but I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll be fine too! I need to remind myself that the NRC plan is designed to fit around our schedules and life in general.

I’m so looking forward to running an actual HM race. All mine have been solo. 🤞

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I'm not even looking forward to running an actual race! Every single one of my runs has been solo and I've no idea how I'll react to running with other people.

I've seen precisely two other runners since I started C25K. The first was months ago, a guy appeared from a forest track maybe 200m ahead of me and didn't even notice me. The second was two days ago on my C25K graduation runniversary, a guy about half my age was running up the track I was heading down, so I actually got to say "Bonjour!" as we passed.

There's a 22.8k trail race about an hour from here in a couple of weeks. I might enter, just to see how things work, and to try to get over my anxiety about being totally out of place.

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to Cmoi]

Hi Cmoi

That trail race seems like a good idea. Besides, you're a (hill trained) runner, and it seems you speak the language so I'm sure you'll fit in.

For what it's worth, I've only ever taken part in one real race and I was a power walker then. I thought there would be a number of walkers but I was the only one. I felt a bit odd at the start but, even though I was walking, I fitted in OK and had a few plesant chats on the way round.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Thanks SkiMonday , that's reassuring. I'm just having a crisis of confidence, need to get over myself!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Aww Cmoi, I hope you get to do your trail race. Whilst it’s definitely different to running solo, for most it’s a wonderful experience and very positive. Runners are a friendly bunch and if your race has marshals, they do a fantastic job at encouraging everyone.

You’re a brilliant runner, so you definitely won’t be out of place!

I hope you’ll let us know how it goes if you end up running it. 😀

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheekychipmunks for your kind words. I have to be realistic though: my usual runs are pretty tame by local standards, that little local 22.8k trail has 770m elevation gain! I need to get over myself and get on with it.

[Stephen_UK Half Marathon]

Hi CC. Yes, sensible indeed. I wouldn’t worry about keeping to the plan exactly. You know you can do it anyway. And health comes first. Hope things are easier next week.

Great photos, by the way.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Stephen_UK]

Thank you Stephen, and yes I must remind myself that the NRC is designed to be flexible! Health does indeed come first - without it we wouldn’t be runners at all. 🙏🏻

It’s a gorgeous part of the world, and we had a lovely few days. 🥰😀

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

You can afford to give yourself a bit of a break. After all, you’re not starting from scratch and are already very fit with all the running you’ve been doing. I’m sure you could do a HM with not a lot of training. The walking has kept you going, so snuggle up on the sofa with a box of tissues for a couple of days and pamper yourself. Hope you feel better soon xx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Thanks Sandie! At least there’s plenty of footie and Wimbledon to keep me occupied, as well as a BBQ we’re having here for my choir friends tomorrow afternoon. My singing isn’t up to much at the moment, I must admit! 😖😳😅

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ah, well you don’t have time to run as well then, so good timing. Always horrid when you feel under the weather though 🤗

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Colds are an irritant at the best of times, but even more so when they prevent you from running! It’s on its way out now, I can tell. 😀

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Everyone needs a break sometime. It looks like your Lab likes doing what Labs like doing. At least the water was clean.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Thanks nowster. I don’t often have a week off running, so I don’t feel too bad about it. It’s so unlike me though.

Flossie loves the water (and it was crystal clear), but she only gets in if a stick or ball is thrown in first. 🤷‍♀️ 🐕

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ours (of ten years ago) would go in any water, the muddier the better. He'd start the walk yellow and come back brown.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Of course! It’s the law that Labs come back from a walk dirtier than when they went out! 🐕

[backintime 10 Miles]

Oh, you made me want a 99 - I can't even think how long it's been since I ate a flake!

I've always followed "if it's above the neck, you can do sport, if it's below the neck, rest up" advice that I was given way back when I did martial arts. If you're hacking away, I would rest up and recuperate - no fun running and coughing anyway.

Get well soon

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to backintime]

Thanks BIT! I was thinking of that mantra - luckily I don’t have a proper cough, but I can feel the chesty tickle, so I’m sure running would make it worse. I’ll hang fire until next week. 😀

Oh, that was a gold standard 99 too. It had a dollop of Devonshire clotted cream on it. 😋😋😋😋😋

[backintime 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oh, clotted cream - I <3 clotted cream - it's not widely available here - I can only get it if I go to Marks & Spencer in Paris, but since Brexit, they haven't had even half the good stuff!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to backintime]

It’s certainly a decadent treat isn’t it? I hope you get a supply soon! I highly recommend it on a 99! 🍦😍😋

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Feel better very soon. Maybe you will feel like a run before the week's out, if not then don't! That's being adaptable - a very necessary, but underrated skill which Coach Bennett often mentions. He'd be proud of you 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. 😀 I’ll more than likely not run until Monday now though. We’re having a BBQ for several friends tomorrow afternoon and there will be 🥂 involved so I can’t see myself being fighting fit on Sunday, cold or no cold! 😅 I’m going to run with Coach Bennett on Monday. That’s a date! 🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

For flip’s sake Munks, that’s the last thing you need in training ☹️ Having said that, you’re a pro and I’m sure if you did no further training and just turned up on the day you’d run a stonking race 🙂

You’re doing the right thing. Your body needs rest and then you can pick up again feeling perky. With any training plan there’s always risk that life will get in the way at some stage.

Those are lovely photos, shame you couldn’t run so you’ll just have to go back again soon 🙂

Take care of yourself and keep eating ice cream 🍦😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Ahh thanks for your confidence in me IP! I’m sure I could turn up and run a HM with little training, but I’m not sure I could stonk it! 😂 I can’t stonk at the best of times. 🤣

It’s the very reason I picked the NRC plan. It made it clear that it was flexible - only I didn’t realise I’d need to be flexible so early on. 🙄 Never mind, like you said, bodies need rest every so often. It just better not get too accustomed to it!

We’ll definitely be returning to Devon before long. We love it there. 🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

We’re going there at the end of September (a little post-Bristol break 🙂)

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Ooo lovely IP. 🥰 We’ve just booked again for a couple of days in the middle of August. 😀

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Don't worry about Coach Bennett Cheeky, we think you are being very sensible. Rules are made to be broken after all. Looks like you've had a lovely time on Dartmoor.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy, I guess they are - except these are rules I don’t want to break! 🙃

Dartmoor was gorgeous as ever. 🥰

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

8 lovely photos, especially the one of Flossie the dog, of course you are sensible, sounds to me that you have had a touch of flu, rather than a cold, good luck for your next half 🏃🏾 marathon 👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al, we all had a great time, including Flossie. 😀 I don’t think it was flu as I managed a 17k walk on Tuesday. I just don’t like not feeling 100%, it’s a waste of valuable time!

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Skip skip skip Cheeky! You can do the hops and jumps later.......😜

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Good advice Jonathan! The HM is still a long way off. 😀

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Makes sense to take time off when you're not well and I'm sure that's the best way to prepare yourself for your HM. Besides, you've enough running "in the bank" to be able to afford some time off.

Looks like you all enjoyed your trip to Dartmoor, especially Flossie. Were you tempted to join her for a swim?

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Thanks SM. I’m looking forward to getting back out I must admit! It’ll be Monday. 😀

No, I wasn’t tempted to join Flossie that day. She was swimming at the edge of a little harbour and I’d have got very odd looks! 😅

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

I’m really looking forward to a proper walking/running holiday at some point. You were very sensible, in my opinion, not to run after reading your description of those hills 😮

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

I couldn’t have run on Dartmoor even if fully fit Brian! I think it’s reserved for the uber hardcore only! 👊😀

[Dups Half Marathon]

I think you are definitely doing the sensible thing. You still have plenty time to adjust your plan in time for your HM. Hope you feel better soon

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dups]

Thanks Dups, I feel miles better now but I’ve given myself permission to take the full week off. I’ll be back running tomorrow. I think a rest week is important sometimes in any case. 😀

[Run46 Half Marathon]

Definitely doing the right thing, don't want to give your cold the opportunity to bed in for the long haul! There's something I've read about not running if your symptoms are below the neck....something along the lines of 'Above the neck, what the heck. On the chest, better rest'

Hope you feel better and can soon get out doing what you love best 🏃‍♀️👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Run46]

Aww thanks Run46 , yes I bore that in mind as I could feel it creeping down a bit! There was a segment on Jeremy Vine today about people getting heavier colds than usual at the moment. Happy to say mine’s pretty much cleared up now, and I ran this morning. 🥰

[Run46 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Wahoo, nothing keeps you from running for long 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Run46]

😂