Hello how’s everyone doing? I read recently that we all need a good reason to run. I am just coming back off a short break to sort my elderly parent’s move to an assisted living community. It’s been mentally exhausting and every week seems to bring more challenges and paperwork on top of my own family needs and a full-time job. I’m not complaining. It’s just life. But running for me has been a chance to escape all of that and just focus on what’s in front of my two feet. I suppose lately (and likely longer) that has been my “why”. I’ve also been listening to run podcasts and doing some race research for next year. Still no solid plans yet but it’s been a nice distraction. Maybe a Quebec ultra race or a California race with my friend that recently moved there. I also applied on a lark to the Berlin lottery! 🙃 In the meantime I’m just trying to maintain my current weekly run structure in spite of the dark and colder mornings. How about you? What’s your “why”? Also any plans for events in the coming year? Or are the solo shuffles more your style?
If you have a race coming up in December, we have an Events Post up, so go there and tell us what you're up to! healthunlocked.com/marathon...
Hi Decker! You're a superhero, and I'm so pleased to see you've been getting your race research in - fingers crossed for Berlin!!!
I have gone a bit crazy with my event booking for next year 😂 I already have...
Brighton 10K in April
Milton Keynes Marathon in May
Brighton Trail Weekend Marathon in June - that's a brand new event! If anyone's interested: brightontrailweekend.co.uk/
The Grand Tour of Skiddaw ultramarathon in August
Great South Run 10-miler in October
And I'm probably going for the Brighton & Hove Triathlon super-sprint in September, but I'm not sure yet. And I'm in the London Marathon ballot as usual, so you never know 😂 Actually I sort of hope I fail to get that one, because my plan is basically to only do only NEW things next year!
But my "why" is not "to run as many races as possible", believe it or not! I think my reason for getting out there is because I want to stay fit and healthy and running until I'm 152 or whatever I get to 😊😊😊
Amazing roseabi !! You have so much in the works! All my hats are off to you. Can I ask what makes it a “super” sprint? Excellent “why” there. Hard to argue with longevity! 🙂👏👏
The super-sprint is the shortest Tri distance - usually 400m swim, 10k bike, 2.5k run. I've done a couple of sprint races (750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run) and this year an Olympic distance which is double the sprint.
I confess I always rather thought the super-sprint wasn't worth bothering with, but one day my husband said why not try it and go as fast as I can. And I thought actually that's a fun idea! Trouble is it's only a couple of weeks after Skiddaw, so I'm not sure...
My why is to get some headspace and escape reality for a couple of hours. Have a disabled son (blind and autistic and other stuff) and my wife is severely sight impaired as well. Running helps clear the head, no music or anything else to listen to for me.Thought I was a solo person, but ended up running a 10k relay slot at very short notice in the Manchester marathon, I’d only done a few 10k’s at that point. Actually enjoyed it, although I was no where near prepared (had 10 days notice). But that prompted me to train for a half marathon for the sake of it. Next year who knows, I’ll probably be stupid and put my toe in the water for the Manchester half.
It sounds like your time out there is well needed and well spent Reggit. It also sounds like you may have snagged the distance bug. I bet dollars to doughnuts you’ll be doing that half 🙂
Good luck with the Berlin lottery Decker, that sounds like one you’d definitely have to do at least once 🤞
I have a few races booked. A 10K this weekend, 10 miles in February, Bath HM in March and the Antrim Coast HM in August.
I answered my “why” this morning when my mum, who’s staying with us atm, asked me if I enjoyed “that”. I had just got back from a very wet, windy and cold run and I was sodden but my answer to her was “I never feel so alive than when I run” 🤗 and that’s it right there for me. There’s nothing like it for just giving me that life affirmation euphoria 😍
Thanks IP, yes I’d really love to run through those gates once.
Very exciting! You are also very sorted with your race roster. I think I’d better get moving with my decisions. In the past I’ve missed out for having waited too long to decide!
I think you’ve nailed it. People ask me the same thing and I have a hard time to explain it but yes, to actually feel fully alive is that sensation to a T.
I don’t think I’d do it if it wasn’t. Maybe I’d take up golf (actually, that thought fills me with dread).
And I’ve not stopped surprising myself at the progress I’ve been making, despite old legs, and that’s really good motivation. Actually moving forwards in more ways than one!
Yes, I’m planning to enter one or two events in 2022, the gods be willing.
It is fun most of the time. But we’ve also had those horrible runs and just get up at 5am and do it again because of something deeper I think. Maybe it shifts a gear we did not know we had.
Yes those small successes feed the next ones don’t they? And over time we do bigger things than we dared believe possible. It’s amazing really.
I hope you get into the events you have planned and enjoy them all!
My “why” is because I’m so proud that I can. I always assumed I couldn’t run because basically I had no clue what to do, and assumed the toxic 10 would carry on for the whole run. I’m thrilled that C25K taught me otherwise, and I’m fitter now than I’ve been in years. 💪
Next year I have the Bath Half in March, the Severn Bridge 10k in August, the Bristol 10k in September and the GSR in October. Who knows, I might enter more! I’m also in the London ballot, but I know that’s a big step too far for me so it would be a definite Jeff occasion if I were to be successful. I’d love to be part of it! 🥰
I wonder if any of us would have believed we'd be doing these things when we first began?! I certainly did not. 10 was it as Mrs Decker is fond of reminding me.
Wow I love that real events are back on and everyone has just jumped back in again! I do hope these events are amazing and you've inspired me to start researching again! Fingers crossed for London too. You never know!
Thinking back, I don’t recall having any plans apart from completing C25K and probably doing some running afterwards.
There again, I’d power walked a hilly HM before I’d even thought of trying running so I guess that beating my walking time may have been lurking around at the back of my mind somewhere.
Glad you've managed to keep finding run time in amongst everything else Decker. My 'why' is simply that it makes me feel great! But 'great' is a many layered thing - it makes me buzz, it makes me proud and gives me a huge sense of achievement and self worth, it clears my head, it calms me down, it keeps me fit, it helps me manage my weight and gives me a reason to eat/drink more healthily, it makes me challenge myself and it has put me in touch with some amazing like minded people!!! Yep, it makes me feel great 😍Body willing, I have Kew Gardens HM and a local 5 miler plus my 100k night ride all in spring, then Chester Metric marathon in autumn. I've cancelled my deferred ultra because they changed the date and it clashed with Chester. Given how many niggly injuries I've had, that is actually a weight off my mind tbh. Here's to 2022!
Thanks Linda. Yes I’ve been a bit focused on what exactly makes this work for me. It’s just simple and direct. A to B. With life being so overly complex this is such an attractive thing. Wow 100 miler bike night ride sounds awesome too! I think you have more than enough to keep you busy without throwing an ultra in there too. Gotta leave something for the next year!
Only 100k!! Deferred repeatedly on account of covid! I did try to get to 100 miles when it was first cancelled - got to 130k and was so bored of my own company I never made it any further 😀
Ha ha great question! Sometimes you’ll find me wringing my hands and bemoaning the why! I mean why do I do something that can hurt, make me cold, hot, feel daft, isn’t all that cheap thank you very much, takes up time, makes me get up at 5am IN THE WINTER, etc etc, you get the picture 🤣.
I think the why can be hard to quantify. I love the me time, exploring, wearing bright things you wouldn’t catch me dead in any other time, the headspace it gives me, I think it makes me a more patient person, the sense of achievement, everything combined really.
Right now on a practical level, I’m trying hillier routes so that my next long one (on the flat) will feel just that little bit nicer - that’s the plan anyway.
And if I’d never started, I’d never have found this place, so that’s an excellent reason to keep going too.
Yep 5am in the winter, in the rain in the cold. It should make no sense but it does!
Expanded fashion horizons! There’s another reason. You are braver than me. I still have 100 shades of black that I run in. With a headlamp to be seen 🙂
If it helps I was very adverse to hill work. But now I do it once a week and I think it really helps when things come to a crunch. So good for you and more power to you!
Hi Decker ! You're doing amazingly well, handling all that.
I know what my late mother would say about my "why": "You're daft as a brush!"
That pretty much sums it up, in fact. My "why" is primarily "because I can" mixed with being fortunate enough to live somewhere that makes me want to get outside and enjoy my surroundings. Plus, I enjoy it, I'm fitter and have increased body confidence (not saying much, since that started as a negative.)
I'm not even bothering to look at events right now, let alone book. If I do another organised event it'll have to be something that has particular appeal, as did the St Jacques maratrail. Can't see myself running that again though, not least because it, along with its 115km and 72km sister events, has now been taken over by UTMB. Quite fancy volunteering though.
Still have ideas for silly solo runs up hills too, once the winter weather's over.
The California marathon was run yesterday 🙂 I had a read and a watch of the highlights.
I hope your running plans bear fruit Decker. Planning things is part of the fun isn’t it. Poring over races we’d like to do 🏃♂️- if only😁
No races entered yet but I’ve asked Santa to bring me a local half marathon 🙏. I plan to run my usual birthday marathon next November. It’s open already I think. Several of my local races haven’t happened since 2019 but I hope they’re back this year. They’re on my doorstep and proper fun. My fave local ten miler has hit the dust 😢.
The Cali race I am looking at is run through the giant redwood old growth forest. Would be just amazing to do that. But it may just be a dream for now. It is fun researching though.
Hope your local HM comes through along with the other local races. I’m sorry about that 10miler! At least you still have your bday mara! 🏃♀️👊
Sorry life has been mentally exhausting. Glad running has given you some relief from all the stress.
My ‘Why’ is mental health although the more I run, the more why’s I have. I started C25k after a miscarriage, and will always be thankful for the gift of running!
No races planned as most races fall on a Sunday in Australia. I’m married to a Pastor so Sunday running is tricky. I’m normally dancing with a bunch of kids including my five boys in our kids church.
Love cheering everyone else on though. The running community is wonderful ❤️🏃♀️🏃🏻♂️
It amazes me there are so many different facets of life that running has impacted in this group of ours. I'm happy it has impacted you so positively.
Ah yes that could be challenging trying to book on a Sunday. Although you sound like you have your hands full with your five boys, so maybe simplicity is what's needed in your particular case
Morning Decker!Well done on fitting in your runs around such a busy and challenging time!👌
I don't always feel like I run that well or enjoy it 100% of the time!! But the challenge,the scenery,the friendships and the achievement and still being out there after 8 years still amazes me as I never thought I could do it but always wanted to try!
My partner has the dreaded Covid at the moment but luckily I'm still negative. His isolation ends on Saturday and I have a race on Sunday all being well! I'm not very fit at the moment but it's such a great route over Tennyson I'm going to give it a go. Its a trail race I've done a few times ,10 miles of hills!
Then on 19th Dec we have another trail run,the 5 mile soup run(soup at the end!)
And on 27th the very challenging Abominable Snowman(again a trail!)10k
Also have signed up for 2 Road races Ryde 10 mile in Feb and Salisbury 10mile in April . So enough to keep me busy!
Did a night time 5 miler last week which was good fun ;I was the slowest at the back and walked some of the big hill but it was a beautiful starry night and the group stayed together and looped back,about a dozen of us!
Added a picture from chilly Hilly a few yrs back Our lovey photographer Peter (who sadly passed away last yr)took it and its me and my brother trying to outsprint each other to the finish line!!
Paul and I at the finish!I think on the results I won but they might have been being kind!
Love this photo Ali - you always have SO much going on race-wise - I don't know how you keep up with it all, but you are enjoying it all with great company so why not? I like the idea of a soup run! Never tried a night run - I run into trees in broad daylight so I can't imagine how night runs would work out on the trails - good for you though!
Haven't done much this year ,reckon this will definitely be my all time lowest mileage for the year! Night time trails are fun and the person in front will usually shout "hole "or "roots "or "bramble " before you get there! The good thing is not being able to see the top of the hill too! 'Hoping this weekend will happen ,not feeling 100% at mo so will decide later in week and have my booster jab today too x
Thats understandable Ali considering the kind of year we’ve had. I do hope your partner is fully recovered and out of isolation soon. That is a good night trail system! Hope this weekend happens too and that you are feeling full strength. Good luck with the jab too 💉 🏃♀️
Hi Decker 🙂 Thank you for hosting the chat this week.
It seems like you have had a tough time keeping all the plates spinning recently. I’ve been in a similar position with my mum. She’s getting to the point where maintaining her independence is becoming very challenging, and exhausting too. I try to spend as much time as I can with her as I hate to see her lonely and in pain. When I’m there, (every week at least), I always try to have a run, but as I’ve been on the IC, that has not been possible, which makes the mental strain more challenging.
Now that I’ve been on the IC for so long I’ve had a a chance to reflect on why I run and just how important running is to me and how it has become an integral part of my life. I am rather obsessed with it tbh. 😂 In particular I love the personal challenges I set myself. I’m not one for entering races but I do have my sights on at least one masters event next year as well as the Brighton 10k in April. If it hasn’t been for these injuries i was targeting the international masters too but I’m not writing that off just yet!
At the same time I have been brought face to face with the need to balance my running with other aspects of health and fitness in order to stay fit and healthy as I grow older.
With that in mind my intention is to join a local gym and build more strength just as soon as my knee and ankle heal up which hopefully will be soon.
Happy running everyone and a speedy return to all those also on the IC at this time. 👍
I feel for you Brian. My parents are both living together still, and though it is a blessing it can also be a real challenge since they are very different people with very different needs. And my mum is slowly slipping into dementia, but it's all part of the process and you just work with what you have.
Regarding running you have been challenged this year but it's good to hear you will be joining a gym to build strength. That's a great thing to focus on right now. Here's hoping your ankle heals quickly and stronger than before so you can get back to your smoking fast runs.
I started because I felt I needed to. I do it now because I want to.
I've had many benefits from running. Reversing the middle-aged spread has been the most noticeable, but that's not the really important thing.
I've been working from home since February 2020 (I was off ill when the world went crazy). It would be so easy to just stay in, only going out for shopping, etc.
Running gets me out. I get fresh air. I get sunshine (sometimes). I sometimes get wet and don't mind it a bit. I get a little bit of interaction with people. I get some variation in the day.
Whether it's a 20 minute quick stretch or a two and a half hour long run, every run is different. And a race is different to a solo run.
I don't have any races planned, apart from the weekly parkrun.
I suspect that I am a very unlikely runner! As other members of the class of 2018 know my running started with a spinal fracture; T4 vertebra to be precise. I slipped spectacularly on ice hidden under slush, and what was supposed to be a nice dog walk ended up in A&E. They treated it conservatively, which is medical speak for dosing me up on pain killers and telling me to lie down or sit (getting from one to the other was agony!) until it fixed itself. During the long periods of reflection which were a feature of this treatment, I began to think about how I could get the best out of our lovely location on the edge of the North York’s moors. I think I caught a glimpse of what an old immobile me might look like (I was 66 at the time) and made the decision that I was not going allow that to happen without putting up a fight. Age, and the fact that I had done no running for thirty years or so (even then it was chasing a football occasionally, rather than real running ) seemed likely to be a problem. But, I downloaded the app and gave it a try. There were lots of aches and pains and I started very slowly, genuinely expecting that every run would be my last….but somehow I kept going. I drove 5 minutes to the car park next to the old railway line so that I didn’t have to pass any of our neighbours in my running gear. I trembled at the thought of week 5 run 3 and had to give myself a good talking to! I decided that the worst outcome was likely to be some way short of spontaneous combustion….which fortunately turned out to be correct! Despite all of this, in August 2018, I graduated.
The main drive (to get to the “why?”) was and is the sense of achievement as 5k became 10, and then 10 miles and then HM, plus the feeling a being fittish and healthy, the joy of the countryside and attendant wildlife and the absolute pleasure of meeting (virtually for the most part) the lovely HU crowd from whom I have learned so much and many fellow runners out on the trails. I may be a bit more injury prone than my younger VRBs, but I intend to keep this going for as long as I can.
Sorry, that was a bit longwinded, but you did ask 🙂
You have been through so much on your run journey BC. And I sense you’ll be doing this for a long time to come. I forgot to mention the wildlife. You’ve reminded me about that important why. To be a little closer to the natural world around us.
My "why" has changed over time. Originally it was to prove to myself I could finish c25k... 🙃
then due to variety of reasons it was for my sanity 🤪
then it became self punishment 😔
Then it became about mental and physical health again 😁
There are times I become concerned it's addiction or ocd but I test myself by taking days off or shortening runs and it seems OK
Overall now it's about nature, time in nature for mental and physical health. Even my early morning boring pre-work runs are looking for foxes and watching the little birds getting busy in the predawn light. It's also about gratitude; that I can do it, that I have all this nearby, that it exists at all for me to see and find 💖
That’s a lovely sentiment Jo. I’m so happy for you and where you’ve arrived on your run journey so far. Yes I’ve had the same self searching doubts asking why many many times. One small encounter with a fox, hawk or coyote can make up for days of dull dark solo runs, so nature esp on the weekend longer runs is definitely a why. If I can get a pic even better! 📷 🙂
Having crossed the boundary into T2 diabetes in 2018, I initially used diet and power walking to bring it under control. From the start, I figured that the power walking was an interim solution. The 10k into work took me about 80 minutes; doing that twice a day and three or four times a week took up a lot of time. The running was partially a way of cutting down on that. However, I’m not convinced that Marathon training is any less time consuming.
I guess I also run as a challenge and for enjoyment. Not sure that I really enjoy running in the dark when it’s chucking it down but it’s a great sense of achievement. It’s also good going at a nice, leisurely, pace and achieving a PB (although not on the same run!)
Currently, I have the Bath HM in March (booked aeons ago), the Milton Keynes Marathon at the beginning of May and I’m considering another Marathon in early April (I figured that a gap of a few weeks is a good idea). I’m on the waiting list for the one in Manchester but I might opt for Brighton instead.
The power walking must have set you up nicely for these longer distances you are covering now. You're going to have to change your name to "Marathon man" soon! Best of luck with the training for all your races.
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