Weekly Chat 11th Oct to 17th Oct

[GoGo_JoJo]

So I've been thinking about this post on and off for several days as I always do in advance 🤔 but no, inspiration was not very forthcoming.

We're coming into a new season, the weather is changing, cooler, darker, potentially wintery. It feels like there's already a lot going on. I've got time off this week and next, I've got a yoga retreat in Wales next weekend. I'm sticking with running almost every day, breaking up my weekly mileage goal. I'm still working out every day. I've had a sort of pinched nerve in my neck now for a couple of weeks causing pain in my neck, shoulder and back. I'm having treatment every Weds with a chiropractor. He's not a bone cracker, he uses a little percussion gun/tool. It's great, it is working, but it feels like slow progress and I confess to feeling a bit impatient and a bit worn down with the nagging discomfort.

So enough whinging, my question is; when you're feeling a bit stuck, where do you look to for a bit of inspiration? What revives you when you're flagging a bit?

If you're new here feel free to jump in and say hello, we don't bite! 🤪

Whatever you're up to this week, have a great one!

The Marathon Team xxx

--

If you have an event coming up next month, or would like to find out what our VRBs are up to, check out Irishprincess' brand new October Events post!

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

Want a badge? Go here: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[RunWillie Marathon]

Hi GoGo_JoJo

Sorry about your neck. Hope it heals soon.

Everyone on here is my inspiration!

Patience is my biggest problem. In fact I think all running injuries so far have been caused by my impatience to move forward.

I was starting to look at Marathon plans but after a recent knee niggle have realised that I’m just not ready for that yet and that’s ok as I will be one day ❤️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to RunWillie]

Patience is such a virtue, but it's so hard to attain! 🙈🤣

Marathon is usually always up there somewhere but you can take it in chunks, get to 15 miles, then 20, then it's not such a big deal or such a big push 👍🏻😁

Thank you, it is improving but when he said 8 to 10 treatments I didn't really believe that, kept thinking 2 or 3 might do it... 🙄 we're up to 2 with the third this week. It is helping but as with anything body related, it's pretty unpredictable and nowhere near as quick as I'd like! 🤣

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thanks GoGo_JoJo 😍

I’m going to keep maintaining 20-30 miles weekly and see how I go next year. I’ve found a plan that works for how I’ve been training so it’s waiting in the wings!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

The massage gun is a portable one in a travel case in RED 😁. O’Yeet NexNo me neither 🤷‍♀️😃

oyeet.com/collections/nex-s...

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks, I'm seriously considering something like this, just not sure if I can reach the parts really needed 🤔

[misswobble Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Yeah if you’ve got to be a contortionist you’re going to crock your other shoulder 🙁

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Exactly. I did wonder if my new sports bra was to blame!! 🙈🤣

[misswobble Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Quite possibly! 😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Ouch! Sorry to see that you're having neck trouble Jo!! It is so wearisome. I hurt my neck windsurfing the other week, and it was giving me headaches for several days 😣 Hope yours hurries up and gets better ❤️

Inspiration? The first thing that springs to mind is Instagram! 😂 A scroll through that and I get to see someone partaking in a crazy Crossfit workout, or running a lovely trail; Candice Burt conquering the world, people with disabilities kicking ass, handstands with chickens... It all looks like fun to me! 😍 That and seeing all the people of Hove out running in all weathers 😊😊😊

Happy running, resting, trailrunning, handstanding, Crossfitting, kicking ass everyone!! xxx

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Yes, sadly each part is connected to other bits so you can't have just one sore bit. I even took one day off work after the first treatment, my head felt like it was being clawed apart in two different directions 🙈🤣

It's true, there's so many folks of every description out there doing as Catra Corbett would say "epic 💩"

It does help bring things back into perspective! 👍🏻😁

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Owwwwwwwww xxx

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

🤣 it was actually very interesting... but tiring!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

p.s. At this moment I'm writing my faffage list for the Oxford Half this Sunday, and I just realised I forgot socks... and shoes!! 😂🙈

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

🙈🤣 shoes might be good!! 🤣

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

The first thing I wrote down was "bag-drop bag", so it seems my focus is very much on AFTER the race 😂😂😂

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

You're thinking of the pub!! 🤣🤣🤣👍🏻

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

🍻

🙄

😁

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

😁. Failure to get food in my goody bag, and no coffee to be had post race, irked me beyond reason the other week. I understand your prioritising post race stuff. I only wish I had! I used to! A habit I need to revisit 😃

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

I'm mostly thinking about warm clothes! Checking the weather every day now, and it's looking a tad windier for running than I'd like 😂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Wind is a pain in the ars! ☹️ We know we have it to face though, so dig out the caps and head bands, buffs and gloves. I was rummaging t’other day and dug out my lovely merino buff 🥰. Bring it on 😎💨🌊❄️🌨🌦☃️💦🌫🌧

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

And go-faster caffeine chews 😊😊😊

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Oooh never ‘ad them!

Speaking of caffeine, just back from a slow plod 🏃‍♀️☕️

I was going mental! I couldn’t get the brew unit back in the coffee machine😫. I was contemplating the lump hammer 😁

Order restored now ☕️😤😃

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Whew! ❤️☕

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I didn’t do a faffage list last race. That’s where I went wrong. It’s not essential of course but it does serve to make you sit down and think properly about likely scenarios

My pitch up and go strategy is not infallible ☺️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I have headed out the front door a few times only to realise that I wasn’t wearing my running shoes 🤔

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

😁😁😁

[misswobble Marathon]

Ouch! You have my sympathy! 🙁. Your yoga trip sounds lovely🤗 I’ve seen a travel sized gun/massage tool on the Internet and the user liked it as the sufferer can use it with one hand. I’ll look for the link.

I’m flagging too with a painful hip. I’ve got a race on Sunday en route to a November marathon and it’s worrying me a bit. Good though to be able to find support here and feel that we’re all in it together The common aim being to get well and get back out there “givin it large” 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️💪🌪.

The other day I overheard my husband and niece organising their arrangements for my race on Sunday. So he has no expectation I won’t be doing it 😁 I hope his confidence isn’t misplaced. I console myself with the fact it’s a 10km. Had it been further ……🤨

I’m just off for a bit of a jog 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ it’s all a bit frustrating as I’m supposed to be seriously marathon training. Not done a long run for over two weeks. It’s 6 or 7 weeks to marathon day 😤

No more moaning. It doesn’t help 😃

Have a good week everyone 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🙂

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

It is frustrating, and yep, moaning and whinging does nothing to help 🤣

It's lovely your family are so supportive. It would be quite demotivating if they just weren't fussed at all.

I might invest in a tool as it's an area which is frequently tight...🤔

[misswobble Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

She’s got a fairly local teaching job recently so she’s home. It’ll be her first time supporting me. Greasy spoon breakfast was being discussed. For them, not me 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Fingers crossed for your hip MissW 🤞

[Tbae Metric Marathon]

Sorry to hear about your pinched nerve in your neck Jo.I pray for a good outcome and hope you have an enjoyable time in Wales pursuing your programme.Coincidentally “The 2021 Dragon’s Back” was televised and shown yesterday on BBC1.If you have a spare hour it’s worth a watch for us runners.

I count my blessings everyday Jo for being steered toward C25k and then HealthUnlocked.I will never forget your ✅ response to all of your 27 runs.Your natural talent and concern for others.We are lucky to have you Jo on this Forum.

I am fortunate that the Forum does it for me as life’s challenges pull me away from my running goals.I beat myself up less nowadays for my lack of determination and not ✅’ ing off my goals.That is all down to the amazingly experienced folks on this Forum.I have found the enjoyment in running.The warm up , the run and the cool down.For me it’s a confirmation that physically and mentally I am where I should be.I have to keep things very simple.I have dropped all the well established and well known supporting programmes for running.I can only handle very basic stuff and I still believe I can get there.I do enjoy seeing the progress of others and them finding what works for them.

Atb Jo as always and thank you.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🌟🌟💪💪🙏🙏💫💫⚡️⚡️

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to Tbae]

Ah Bob, you're a tonic, you really are. You've warmed the cockles of my heart 💖 I want to be you when I grow up, still learning, still growing, still doing whatever I can 💫💥👊🏻😁😘

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Your neck problem sounds painful Jo. That must be debilitating but at least you're noticing an improvement, albeit slowly. Enjoy your Yoga retreat, is it alcohol-free? 🍷🤨

I get most of my inspiration from you lot here 🙂 I just read some of the achievements and that usually sets me off on a little trot. But sometimes it’s a story in the media about everyday people who do extraordinary things and that puts things in perspective for me and makes me want to at least try for the next goal or target 🙂

In fact, I’ve been so inspired by various tales here that I’m going for another HM at the end of this month. I did Bristol three weeks ago and then saw a HM on my doorstep and thought that I should give it a try at least. The tricky bit is working out how to keep the training going without over-doing things. I’m doing Reformer Pilates twice a week now and still doing lots of strengthening and keeping the mileage to a decent level but not too much.

I set off to do a recce last week but got lost but I did notice there is a long hill near the start….. I think it’s flat the rest of the way but hey ho what will be will be as the song goes.

Happy running everyone and have a good week x

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I prefer to start with a hill or two, it warms everything up nicely and then it's plain sailing from there on 👍🏻😁

It can feel hard to find the right balance and I guess we ought to change things up occasionally 🤔 but once I get into a proper habit I'm not keen on changing 🤪

Every day is 🍷 alcohol free for me. Been sworn off it for some years now. I've seen first-hand the damage it can do. Useful in my job really anyway. I'm looking forward to it, not really too sure what to expect but there's a swimming lake too which I intend to make good use of, even if its just a bracing dip! Conveniently for me it's all vegan food. No caffeine, you have to bring your own if you need it 👍🏻🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Yes I’m sure you’ve seen some awful things with your job. I’m alcohol-free four night a week and must say I so enjoy that first glass on Friday 🍷

I once asked for fresh cream on a “healthy spa” weekend and the other guests looked on in horror as if I’d committed a crime 🙀

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to Irishprincess]

🙈🤣 I must admit I'm slightly worried that there might not be _enough_ food at the retreat. I eat healthy... but I do eat a lot!! 🤣 might need emergency snacks!

Not work related, as a truck driver I just see stupid people... watched my mother lose brain cells and more to alcohol. 👎🏻

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I definitely find inspiration here. Probably 80% of what I have learned about running came from HU. 10% from my physio and the other 10% from learning from my own mistakes! I like to read people’s success stories, but also the good tries too. Plus peoples’ recoveries from injury. The Force is strong on we runners!🙂

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It is definitely a great source of information and inspiration. Weirdly I've been a little absent just lately with the discomfort making me a bit short, but already feeling the benefits 💖👍🏻

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Hi Jo, I'm sorry your neck is giving your grief. Neck and shoulder strains seem to just hang about. Good that you've found a way to manage recovery though (at least after that first painful session). Hope it heals fully soon.

This has been a challenging time for me since mid August with stresses helping my elderly parents get sorted after their accident. The running and especially the structured plan have been a real help. Just getting out and knowing that all I have to worry about is this hill or that trail in front of me. As for general inspiration, Instagram and Podcasts work for me too - Candice Burt, Dylan Bowman, Courtney, the guys at Trail Runner Nation and so many others just doing amazing things. And friends both in person and virtual pushing themselves are hugely inspirational too.

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

You've had such a lot on your plate, you're right, being able to just focus on a run can really help us re-center. 👍🏻

You'll have to start planning for the next one now 👏🏻🤣

I've got some time with friends soon, that always helps 💫

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Oh I’ve started looking already for the next one 😁😎

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh patience, patience! Flippin' easier said than done though! Good luck.I have to say most of my inspiration comes from lovely HUers, there's always someone trying something different, achiesomething great or battling on despite the odds!

I have a half on Sunday but my quads/hips are still not quite right (haven't run for at least a week) and my longed for sports massage today has just been cancelled! I still plan to give it a shot but it ain't going to be fast or pretty and there's more than a chance it could end up as a DNF 🙈. Oh to be injury free ... 🙃

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Fingers crossed Linda 🤞

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks. I might try crossing my legs as well!!!

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It's not easy to run with crossed legs, though. 😆

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Oh how dare your therapist cancel!! Quick, try someone else!

Actually my chiropractor has cancelled this weeks session... his secretary rang yesterday, he's ill... funny how he knows he'll still be ill Weds 🤔 yes, I know, very little sympathy from me! Be even funnier if he's put his back out! 🤣🙈

Shall I come get you round your half? I know you can find a way, it doesn't need to be fast or pretty! 👍🏻💪🏻🤞🏻😘

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I did wonder if I could find someone else ... but such a lot of effort in an already busy week. Has your chiropractor offered anyone else to cover your appt? Don't wish anything too tricky on him - you want him back!!!

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Nope. I'm just a little peeved. 😒 My thinking is if you're unwell Monday you don't start cancelling for Weds until you see how you are Tues! I've got my normal massage Weds am anyway so I'll get him to focus most of the session on that area.