Hi everyone, I haven’t posted much recently, although I’ve been replying to other people’s posts. Thought I’d just check in with what I’ve been up to. 🏃♀️
I’ve had a mighty odd 3 weeks which I initially thought would derail my HM plan entirely. It’s been mentioned before so I won’t go into detail again, but my husband was brutally assaulted 3 weeks ago today. He’s ok, but it wasn’t nice at all, and the guy responsible has been charged with a major crime. A trial will follow unless he pleads guilty, and we really hope he does. 🤞
So running was far from my thoughts when it first happened, but ironically covid restrictions at the hospital meant my training could still go ahead. I was the one designated visitor but I was only allowed to visit for an hour each day. Running helped my mindset no end, and my HM plan remained intact. I’m also thrilled to have my daughter back running again and we’ve been doing PR each week. So wonderful. 🥰
Today was the longest run of the NRC plan as it doesn’t have us running the full distance until race day (September 19th in my case). It ended up being hotter than I expected so I was happy to have chosen my hydration vest with added Tailwind. I needed it from 6k onwards. 🥵 The sun was really warm and my rain dance was clearly ignored! 🙄
It was uneventful up to 18k when I got a stitch. Ow I don’t get those as a rule and I have no idea why I got one today. 🤷♀️ The last couple of kms were spent easing back. It was tempting to walk, but I soldiered on and it did disappear. Nasty things stitches. Any tips?
Of course NRC had me running further than Garmin to reach 20k. Thanks for that! 🙄 Run complete and I just about had enough in my legs for a short cooldown walk. Flossie looked fresh as a daisy! 🐕
I arrived home but couldn’t jump in the bath immediately. Some friends had come to visit Mr Cheeky so I thought it rude to disappear! I advised them not to hug me though - nothing to do with covid either! 😅😳
Next up, NRC all week, then Severn Bridge PR with daughter next Saturday and Severn Bridge 10k next Sunday! Bling to be had. 🏅😍
Have a great week everyone. 🥰
Written by
cheekychipmunks
Half Marathon
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Thanks Linda, yes, just some fun speed runs (still can’t believe I’m saying that!), recovery runs and a long run of 60 minutes this week. Looking forward to race day! 👏👏
Oh my word, what a long way to run, your training plan seems to be working well, Terrible thing to happen to your husband I must have missed that post.
Stitch, I only get that when I run too soon after eating but not your reason, agree though nasty thing stitch.
Thanks Sola. Yes it was a horrible thing to happen. I didn’t do a separate post about Mr Cheeky but mentioned it in the weekly chat I think. Running is truly amazing. 🥰
Thanks Stephen. He’s on the mend, slowly but surely. 🙏🏻
I always assumed stitches were caused by dehydration too, but I was careful to drink plenty yesterday, plus I started zipping water from 6k onwards today. I’ve definitely felt thirstier on runs and been out in warmer weather than today without getting one. Odd. 🤷♀️
Ahh yes, maybe that had something to do with it. It has been humid recently hasn’t it, even though it hasn’t been that hot. I’ll be careful to drink even more up to race day. 😀
Oh cheeky what an awful thing to happen, hope he's ok now. I've found running to be a complete sanity saver when life gets hard.Can't help with stitches, I had a couple when I first started running, and all I could do was slow down until they subsided. Never knew what caused them. Have fun chasing that bling!
It was nasty grumpy. Poor guy was in a bad way, but his rowing fitness and strength helped him hugely. He’s slowly on the mend. 🥰 Yes, running helped me when I lost mum in 2019 too. We’re so lucky to have it aren’t we?
The stitch thing is puzzling me. It’s my first in over 3 years of running! 🤷♀️
So sorry to hear about your husband Cheeky - what a terrible thing to happen. Well done to you for carrying on with your training (I am sure it helped) and it’s all clearly paying off with that long run!💪🙂
Thank you Sandra, yes running helped no end. It gave me time to reset my mind. 🙏🏻 He’s feeling a lot better which is a relief. Still a way to go, but every day sees a small improvement. 👍
Wow I'm so in awe of your strength and determination, very well done for carrying on with your HM plan. Very glad to hear Mr Cheeky is on the mend and back home, I must've missed the post where you mentioned it. Big hugs 🤗Well done on that 20k!! I'm so behind with my HM training but hoping to get back on track this week, then pick up at the 7 weeks to go the week after. Funny that NRC keeps you running longer than Garmin, it's the opposite for me, NRC always hits the target distance before my Garmin. I wonder what's going on there 🤔 very exciting that you're so close now to your next HM! 💪🏅 Enjoy your 'short' PR and 10k runs with your daughter 😃🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
For strength and determination, read stubborn Beatles! I know I can do 21.1k, so 20k was within my capabilities today, stitch or no stitch. I didn’t bank on it being so sunny and warm though. 🥵
Mr Cheeky is feeling much better, but needs to take things easy as he has mild concussion, not surprisingly. He’s definitely in the mend though. 🥰
No clue with Garmin/NRC discrepancies, but my Garmin always reaches the distance before NRC, often by as much as 0.5k over a longer run. 😳 Enjoy your training! 👏👏
Firstly, I am so glad Mr Cheeky continues to recover. I appreciate that you can’t say much with a court case pending, but this sounds really serious. Let’s hope for an early trial; good job Mr C is in your very capable hands.
As for your run; amazing!! 20k fine and dusted just like that. I can’t help on the subject of stitches; I have never had one…I probably run too slowly!! Lots of liquid required and a cheeky shaped space on the sofa!!💤
Thanks BC, yes it’s a very serious charge. We just hope he does the right thing, but who knows?
Your running too slowly stitch theory doesn’t hold water I’m afraid. You forget who you’re talking to! 😅 🐌 It probably lasted for 1.5k and it was pretty uncomfortable. I slowed right down and it seemed to pass, but I have no idea why I got it in the first place. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
After a very quick google, there seems to be a shed load of theories but few facts! Hydration is one suspect or the wrong sort of hydration…. but you will have all of that worked out. Timing of and content of meals is another suspect. I have discovered that I need to let my pre run zero stand for a good while before drinking it, otherwise it causes abdominal inflation. 🤷🏻♂️ Hopefully it was a one off.
Interestingly I chose Tailwind over SiS yesterday, but I’ve used Tailwind in the past with no issues. Plus it was so far into the run, and it just came out of nowhere. Who knows Beachcomber66 ? I always run at the same time, apart from race days too. So odd. 🤷♀️
Wishing your husband a quick recovery, I hope the man who assaulted him goes to jail for a very long time.Good run for you today CC, I hope Flossie the dog enjoyed it as much as you did.
Very well done on that 20k cheeky, what excellent stamina you have. I’ve only had the stitch once while at Beckenham Place parkrun. I think I was trying to run faster than normal while trying to chat with a VRB at the same time, so my breathing was too shallow. I walked and took deep breaths and that seemed to clear it.
So glad to hear that Mr Cheeky continues to improve under the TLC of the family.
Great run cheekychipmunks and glad to here and glad to hear Mr cheeky continues to make good progress. Not sure about the stitch sounds like just one of those things I don’t get stitch too not able to give you any tips so I think you did the best thing and soldier on and finish the run. Great distance enjoy your runs before the HM. 👍👏😊🎉
Thanks Over. I can’t think what caused the stitch at all, but as I was so close to the end I figured it would do no harm trying to run through it. Maybe would have been a different story if it started early on and kept recurring.
Mr Cheeky is being spoilt rotten, as should be the case! 🥰
So glad things are going well for you cheeky. You’ve got some fabulous runs coming up and all your training is just proving how brilliant running is when times are tough. Fantastic cheeky 😍🤗👏👏
Great stuff! You’re going to smash it 👏👏Slowly but surely thanks. Still can’t put running weight on it but I’m sure it will come. Yoga went better than expected today 👍
I am so sorry to read about Mr C's incident, but very pleased to hear that he is a fit fellow and recovering well. A real turmoil for you and your family. To tell him get well soon from me.Well done on your amazing 20km!!!!!! And sorry I have no experience to share about stitches. All the very, very best for your 10k race and the rest for your HM preparation. You are one serious superstar. 😊🌟🏃♀️🐕
Stitches: I got a bit of one today. The way I cope with them is to belly breathe (which I do anyway) but suck in the gut when breathing in, then release it when breathing out. Then I reverse it and suck in the gut when breathing out and release it when breathing in. Do it back and forth like this for a few breaths each time, and the tension in the area seems to go away.
Yes I ended up doing that to a certain degree nowster. I do yoga, and breathing is a huge part of that too, so I thought it was worth a try. I think it’s what made the stitch subside. 😀
Oh what a super run! That’s a cracking distance, especially as the weather’s getting warmer. Your training sounds right on track especially considering the troubles you’ve had. Well done you cheekychipmunks! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Ahh thanks Frenc. I’m really looking forward to my race and I feel like the NRC plan will have prepared me well. I’ve always winged it in the past! And yes, running has helped me through these last 3 weeks no end. 🙏🏻🥰
Well done Cheeky! Never had a stitch (well not since I was several decades younger!), so can't offer any advice on that, but hopefully you won't get a recurrence. All the best for the Severn Bridge 10k and positive thoughts for Mr Cheeky's continuing recovery.
Thanks so much Jonathan! He’s getting better slowly each day. 🙏🏻
I hadn’t had a stitch since I was at school a very long time ago. I seem to remember they were pretty common back in the day. Can’t see proper hydration as being priority then!
Can’t wait for Severn Bridge. It’s a great place to run. 🏴 🏴
well done, thats a brilliant achievement, youre done so good with your running, I can't imagine running beyond a 10Km!!
Im so sorry to hear about your husband , it sounds absolutely awful both for you and your husband, what a horrible time. I hope you get the justice your husband needs, but more importantly you both heal emotionally.
Ahh thanks Hedgehogs. I seem to have decent endurance so that helps my running no end. I just trot along. I’m also very stubborn and when I set my mind to something I tend to do it. The stitch tried its best to scupper me yesterday though.
My husband is amazing. It’s obviously early days, but he’s being so strong and talks freely about his experience. I’m sure there will be difficult days to come, but he has great support. 🥰
I missed your original post too Cheeky, but knew something bad must have happened to keep you from your mat.It's good to see Mr C is doing so well after that horrendous attack.
You must all be totally shaken up by this, what a nightmare. It's good to see you are still able to go out running to help you mentally cope. The yoga will be restorative too, and ease tension once you can quiet your monkey mind. (Adriene's term)
Thinking of you all and wishing Mr C a continuing good recovery, he is in good hands. 😚🙏xxx
Aww thanks BBR. I didn’t write a specific post about it, but I mentioned it in one of the weekly chats. I can’t go into great detail here, but suffice to say it was horrendous. Mr C is incredibly strong physically and, it turns out, mentally, although it’s still early days. Running has definitely helped me, and I did venture back onto the mat for an easy practice this morning which felt nice. 🧘♀️🙏🏻
Well done on your run…especially with that stitch! Good luck next Sunday…it’s just clicked that it’s BH weekend 🙄 Severn Bridge 10k has flown under my radar (although historically I know it happens), who’s the organiser as I’ve not seen it mentioned in my local Welsh running emails 🤷🏻♀️
I’m not entirely sure who the main organisers are Lottie. LetsDoThis maybe? I’ve had various different emails! It’ll be my third time doing it. 2019 it was 28 degrees with zero wind, last year was a time trial due to covid. Let’s see what this year brings. 😀
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