Hi everyone, I’ve been away at a cottage with the family for a week and we’ve returned a little worse for wear as we had a few random injuries conspire to try and ruin our week. First Mrs. Decker twisted her knee as we packed the car - so no canoeing for her and any long hikes and running were out. Then my son had a bad reaction to mosquito bites and we had to find medication in town for it. Then I got my leg caught in the dog’s lead as he was killing a beachball and I now have a long deep scar across the back of my left ankle to show for it. And finally, the day before my birthday, I was attacked by some wasps - they got my index finger and my elbow with about 4 or 5 stings. I then had a 48hr delayed reaction with my finger swelling up like an Octoberfest sausage on a hot BBQ. It’s back to normal now and I did get it checked at a walk in clinic to ensure there was no infection. It was still a great trip with some new memories to look back on, and things could have gone much worse. The pic is our doggo Otis by the water the night before my wasp adventure. I wound up moving my long run to Sunday as I was a bit tired from the driving home and medication. This all got me thinking about how life can easily get in the way of our runs and that there is only so much we can control. How about you? Are you able to manage your runs around life? Any tips on how you’ve made it work for you? Any stories of when it’s not quite gone to plan?
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The Marathon Team xxx
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Crikey Decker, that was rather an eventful trip! Life sure can get in the way of running. Hopefully everyine and wverythjng is nkw healing well. Right now it's still a sore quad that's getting in the way of my running. A brutal sports massage has left it shouting louder than ever! I'm trying to rest it as I desperately want to be fit to run when I head back to Canada next month. Fingers crossed. We had a new addition to the family on Friday (well to my daughter's family to be more precise) - another Otis though this little guy looks a little less wolflike than your handsome chap!
Otis, the little sausage that would easily fit inside a foot long sub!!!
Both Mrs Decker and I swear our hip and back issues are tied to Otis rather than running. He's good strength training I suppose, which is good since I've missed a few of those lately... Your fella is a sweetheart though.
Haha Tbae - well it's not like we had much choice - and really it wasn't so bad all things considered. Thanks and I hope you are doing well and Mrs Tbae is still recovering well too.
Yes thanks Decker.Dispensed with her crutches and got her first physio check up on Wed 3 weeks since procedure.Will see surgeon at 6weeks and all going well discharged and allowed to drive again.💪🙏👏👏
Gosh Decker - That’s an eventful family holiday. Great photo of Otis. Happy birthday.
Weather is trying to get in the way of my running.
It’s been the wettest July in decades for Perth, Western Australia . However, apparently “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”
My boys throughly spoilt me last week with heaps of new running kit for my birthday so I’m all set whatever the weather. I got a Dri fit vest, short sleeve Dri fit, Long sleeve Dri fit, a 2nd pair of compression running tights, two new pairs of road shoes, one for easy days and one for faster days. A Hoka Gortex Shake dry run jacket to cope with the rest of our rainy Winter and some million mile lights for early morning runs when the heat kicks in.
In spite of the weather, I ran my longest running week and did 50k last week. Looking at the forecast again it’s rain rain rain all week ❤️🏃♀️
Well happy birthday to you! You look like you hit the jackpot there with all that new gear - you are set for whatever comes! I treated myself to a new pair of Goodr running sunglasses for my bday (the model is called "Whiskey Shots with Satan" so they've got to be good!). Best of luck running through the rain - at least you'll be doing it in new gear!
happy belated birthday Decker - I love that picture of your dog
life has been kicking my backside, I'm running but I'm not putting in the hours I wanted and needed to put in to do this properly, my HM is looking less and less unlikely. I am tired ALL the time as I am sleeping worse than normal.
I'm telling myself that I will get one done eventually, but it would have been nice to come out the other side (if indeed we can say this) of this whole pandemic with a nice HM.
I'm up and down about the decision - I'm still not quitting but I won't damage myself.
On the plus side, I now have work up until the end of December. Potentially beyond that too, time will tell (I am freelance), so at least the time I've been putting into work has been paying off.
I've had my first jab - 2nd one is due the week before my HM (another potential point against).
Thank you, my daughter took that photo - she's quite proud of it
You sound maybe like you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself over this HM? I can relate as I've felt the same way many times. All I can say is just put your weekly time in and it will pay off eventually. As they often say in the C25k group, poor runs are often followed by good ones. Sleep is really important, and if you can get that sorted then it should help a lot. Life is more important than the running too, so if you really feel you need to break in order to deal with other life stuff, then you should for your own mental health. I can also relate to your work situation - I am also freelance and just had my contract renewed too - it is a real mental relief isn't it? And a good feeling to know your efforts are appreciated.
Hopefully your second jab will not have rough side effects - ours went well without anyone feeling too poorly afterwards.
I had a phase like that before my March HM - I was struggling with work and life and just wasn't coping with the increased training volume. So I decided to take it easy, and to do what training I could, but erring on the side of arriving at the start line undertrained rather than overworked. I think it was the right decision and certainly helped mentally. Congrats on the extra freelance work, sounds great in these uncertain times.
Many happy returns (albeit belatedly). I had a wasp run in last week too when I got stung on the ear. Ouchy, and some colourful language on my part but otherwise no harm done.Just winding down to the end of the month needing just under 30k to hit 200 for the month. Assuming the forecasted thunderstorms this week have sufficient breaks in them, my usual three runs of Tuesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday morning should see me safely through that milestone before I take a week off, heading north to see my family.
Thank you SF and I'm sorry you had a wasp encounter too. Nasty things aren't they? Oh the kids learned some new words on the trail that day from me as well! He got me on both my left and right sides - my ring finger and elbow. Sounds like you are putting down solid mileage right now and should snag that 200k badge no problem. Best of luck on your break and fingers crossed for no more wasps!
Ha yes you're right Jo - no real harm done in the end so it's all good. Mrs D is still not running but she is managing stairs and back at work today so things are looking up.
Holy smokes Decker, what an eventful holiday. I’m so glad you all lived to tell the tale, and hopefully no lasting damage. 🤞 What a fantastic photo. It looks like it should be on the front cover of a mysterious novel or a sultry LP! Stunning. 😍
I’ve had to negotiate one major life event (my mum passing away 🥺) and a couple of colds - oh, and covid - but I always touch wood when I say I’ve had no sidelining injuries to myself in the 3 years I’ve been running. I know I’ve been very lucky in that department, as I see lots of my VRBs on the IC for prolonged periods and I can’t imagine how that would feel. I always put it down to my non competitive (read that as snail-like!) running style! 😅 So there’s my tip. Take it easy! 😎
Thanks IP - that photo was taken by my daughter - she is quite proud of it
You've dealt with more than most all of us and have been an absolute inspiration on managing life. That is some good advice too! My injuries are almost always due to pushing too hard on efforts when I should be recovering. Wise words I am trying to take to heart!
Hello Decker, my goodness, a very eventful week away! I was stung (just the once) by a wasp a few years ago, the first time as an adult and boy did it hurt, so I cannot imagine how much pain you must have been in! Ouch 😣. That’s a smashing photo of Otis, I’m glad that overall you had a great trip. Planning runs around life can be tricky, eh!? I just try to take each week as it comes and stick with what I’ve planned. Of course the wheels come off sometimes, but one thing I’m learning is to be adaptable - the heat knocked me for six recently but I didn’t beat myself up too much for not running so often. I also just literally came back from a gait analysis, so I’m itching to try out my new shoes! I already ran today, but the lure of new shoes should get me up nice and early on Wednesday. One thing I’ve realised is that I CANNOT run after work, I’m too lazy! So getting up early is a must do, it doesn’t get any easier, but boy does it feel great after. I hope to get to a HM distance by Autumn, just need to put the work in now 😊👍😊.
Thanks Frenc - it was just so unexpected as I did not see them coming! I admit I've been a bit gun shy since to bound into the bushes with abandon. Re the photo, thanks, I should have mentioned my daughter took it and she's quite proud of it too. Yeah planning is tricky but I must say my run habit is quite embedded now and I just go and do my thing every week. It's a form of mental health for me too, and I'm like you. Early morning runs are MUCH better than late ones, so I get out early and it sets the tone, much like you. New shoes are always a strong draw to get out the door. I hope you have many happy miles in them. Good luck!
Your holiday sounds eventful in so many less-than-fun ways - glad you still managed to enjoy it 👍, and that photo of Otis is wonderful 😀.
I used to manage runs around life quite happily. Then I went and signed up for a trail marathon and decided I needed a training plan. Cue stress, frustration and guilt, because my life, my personality and "do this specific run on this specific day, five days a week" are just not compatible. I've managed all the runs, but 11 weeks of plan has taken me 14 weeks.
I'd planned this weekend's runs on the basis of what turned out to be a completely wrong weather forecast. By yesterday evening I'd only done one speed run, had a head full of "can't run" gremlins, and was feeling completely panicked and intimidated by the plan's demand for either 80 minutes tempo or a 22-29km long run.
So I decided to ditch the plan in favour of just running how I felt, for the first time in over three months. Got home 14km and 351m elevation gain later, so much happier.
Going with the flow has a lot to recommend it... 🙃
Honestly I think something a bit less structured works better for a Trail race plan - I think you made the right move going with your gut on this and it seems to have paid off. That's a great run with lots of elevation. I kind of took the same approach in the training this year, just doing short, long and hills. Keeping it simple, and the runs have been quite enjoyable too. Even the hills! Here's to going with the flow...
I reckon that I have had 3 holidays in Canada and suffered nothing worse than fly bites. I guess I am just lucky. We tend to go late May early June so maybe the wasps are more laid back then! Hopefully you have had your share of bad luck for now.Now that I am retired, there is much more scope for arranging the rest of my life around running; I am old though so it isn’t all good! That said there are always family issues and other problems people ask me to work on, so it isn’t all easy!Today was a good day. I had my physio appointment and have been passed fit for the Great North Run HM in September…..My joy quickly turned to mild panic; it is one hell of a big event. My escape route has been blocked off!!😬
After a gentle 13k on Saturday I reckon that I will get the distance, absent any disasters. I am taking a leaf out of Cheeky’s book and keeping things nice and slow. 6 months of niggles is about 5 months and 20 days too much! Belated Happy Birthday Decker.
Yay! Excellent news! The GNR had better brace itself - and I hope it has a cafe at the finish line so you can get your customary flat white and double choc brownie Beachcomber66 ! 😅
Get booking your accommodation - and then start your countdown. I’m getting excited on your behalf! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I think this was payback for me getting rid of 3 nests around our home a few years back. We had Yellowjackets in the composter, and Umbrella wasps in the chimney, flying into the house. Word must have gotten out...
Wow great news for the GNR! Yes maybe some panic there too, but it's healthy panic, right? No worries, you've got this BC
I was on holiday in NW Wales the last two weeks. Hot and humid. Not fun for running, especially when it's 18°C and 90%RH at 7am.
I had planned to be doing a Half Marathon by the end of this month. Not a chance! I'll resume that attempt next month when it should be a little cooler.
Happy belated birthday Decker, it sounds like a memorable one for all sorts of reasons 😳 All those wasp stings sound really painful but thank goodness they didn’t sting around your feet and legs 😱
A few days ago we discovered we had a wasp nest in the roof so have had it destroyed today but I’m now finding a few of the little blighters somehow getting inside and I’m now looking for them everywhere! I’m not going barefoot atm 🙀
That’s a gorgeous photo, I can almost hear the wolf howling (Otis looks a bit wolf-like)
Life has got in the way of my runs recently, a combination of high temperatures here and friends coming to stay but I’ve managed to stick to my HM training plan apart from one run and even got up at 530 am to go out one morning (a first for me!)
But you’re right, we have limited control sometimes and just need to do what we can do.
I hope you have a restful week after your “break” and that all the stings have gone.
Thanks IP - It was lovely family time in spite of the issues :). Weirdly the sting on my elbow was not nearly as painful or inflamed as the one on my finger - and yes - luckily no stings on my lower running half.
Ha I was just telling BC how this might be payback for me destroying a few nests on one particularly hot summer a few years ago. The exterminator had to come and deal with the one in the composter - a big colony of yellow-jackets - they are the smaller ones, and another nest in the chimney of larger umbrella wasps, which are slower and apparently not nearly as aggressive as the YJs. Good luck clearing your place out and watch out for those little YJs - they have a mean streak!
Good for you on sticking to your plan - 5:30 is quite early! I normally do 6am, but have been slacking lately.
All the stings have gone, thank you, and tomorrow is a new day.
Found three in the bedroom last night so had to move into another room! Have no idea how they're getting in. They’re dying which makes them more aggressive 😱
What a lovely photo. Sorry to hear that your holiday was rather 'eventful'. I am getting back on track with my HM plan. 7k on Friday, 5k Park Run Saturday and today a 13k. Friday was a lovely early morning run, Saturday was heavy rain, thunder and lightning and today was too hot, so very slow!
Thanks Sue, it's my daughter's pic - she is quite proud of it. Yes as holidays go, it was not too bad, really. No harm done. Wow you've been busy! Saturday sounds fun - I love rainy thunder runs!
Blimey Decker that was a proper adventure holiday! Glad you all pulled through and recovering well. I think your daughter is super talented taking that wonderful photo. She must get it from you as your photos on Strava are always excellent.
I’ve joined a running club now and I’m at a bit of a crossroads in my training at the moment. A careful balance needs to be struck and I’m trying to plan a way forward that is target based but flexible enough to fit around family. Ideally, I would like to train for the vets league next season, and eventually the masters too but I’m not sure about the level of commitment required also training for sprint events is entirely different from aerobic events.
I may focus on the 400 that crosses the boundary between both. It’s exciting and worrying all at the same time.
I ran in my first track race for over 50 years last night, and that certainly was fun, but boy is there some work to be done if I want to catch some of those gazelles I ran with. It’ll be fun trying though 😅
Here’s a picture of the track. A very pretty location in Lewes near Brighton.
Thanks Brian! it was an adventure, but no real harm done and all is well again with us. 👍🏼🙂 . I will let my daughter know her pic was so well received. She will be chuffed I’m sure!
I saw your Strava post from the meet. It might have been short but oh so quick! Whatever path you choose, I’m sure you will excel. You’ve always been really fast. If anyone can make it work it’s you. And I think it’s also good to have some faster friends to keep you pushing your limits. Good luck!
Thank you Decker. It was so much fun and as a bonus nothing seems to be hurting today 😂 I’m still on a bit of a high tbh. I am not sure what the official times are yet, and even though I came last in the 400 it was under 70 seconds i think which I’m really happy with. I’m also looking forward to seeing what my 100 time was.
Ouch, sounds like a painful holiday all round - beautiful picture though, congratulations to your daughter and happy birthday to you.
I completed my 5k plan and knocked 3 minutes off my PB - I did look like a beetroot at the end but it was a happy beetroot! I was going to post a blow by blow but think it might be better as a standalone post.
Next we have two weeks of holiday where I'll try to fit in a bit of running along with normal holiday activities (I don't think I'm going to believe we're actually going on holiday until we get there, seems so unreal and still so much that could go wrong.). It's odd how my priorities have changed compared to previous holidays - lots of running gear packed, tennis gear definitely deprioritised. And I've picked out a route on strava already...
Once we're back, HM training starts in earnest, aiming to do the Great South Run (10 miles) in October and then Gosport Half in November.
I am interested in trying a low heart rate HM plan - any recommendations? I've tried a few low heart rate runs and my normal easy run pace is just below MHR (except up hills!) so I think it should be fairly easy to fit in to a plan even if it isn't low heart rate specific.
Thanks very much and congratulations on the 5k PB! Can’t wait to read how it went. And hope your vacation is recharging and relaxing. I did the same thing before my vacation, checking potential routes and elevation profiles to fit in 😅 Best of luck with your HM and GSR training too!
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