Weekly Chat 14th to 20th Feb: Snog, Marry, Avoid – The Running Relationship Quiz!

[Cmoi]

Hello lovely running people, Happy Valentine’s Day!

How’s your relationship with running going? Are you madly in love, or are things going through a sticky patch? After a frustrating few weeks due to injury, I’m finally getting out there again. While I’m not yet back to where I was, the enforced break has made me re-evaluate my running, and notably what I love (and hate!) about it.

So, in the spirit of Saint Valentine, may I present: Snog, Marry, Avoid – The Running Relationship Quiz!

After much heart-searching here are my answers:

•Snog – scenic long-distance trail events featuring lots of vertical, absurd gradients and silly terrain. Sure, they’re mostly out of my league, I know I shouldn’t be with them, and they’re incompatible with my long-term commitment. But…. just once in a while the temptation is irresistible!

•Marry – running outdoors, how, when and where I want. Sometimes it’s bliss, sometimes it’s a bit samey, sometimes I wonder what the point is and think I could do better (see Snog) but, for better for worse, this is what I really love.

•Avoid – Mr Garmin. Yes, he’s really popular, clever and thinks he knows so much about me, even my heart rate! But he’s an empathy-free zone, and things always have to be done his way. I used to want to please him, but now keep my interactions with him to the minimum. Whisper it – I even go out without him!

Of course, as for all relationships, what one person finds attractive can be somebody else’s turn-off.

So, what’s on your Snog, Marry, Avoid list? And why? Strictly no people, please, but whether it’s places, types of run, events, training, tech, gear, whatever… time to spill the beans about your running relationship!

Looking forward to your confessions!

The Marathon Team xxx

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[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Great post Cmoi! I’ll have to do some serious thinking about this!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Seriously! 😁😁😁

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I am, of course, anticipating that everyone will treat my post with the extreme seriousness that it deserves misswobble ! 🤣

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Holding my breath for your seriously-thought-out confessions Irishprincess ! 😜😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Honestly I haven’t been thinking for all this time, we’ve had a few days in Venice and just got back (thank goodness we weren’t flying back today 😱)

But after having a little think here is my reply 🙂

Snog - intervals. Complicated relationship, definitely masochistic. I use to avoid them as they led to pain and spells on the IC but I’ve got stronger now and so can cope with them but only from time to time 😫

Marry - Long, slow languorous runs close to nature. It’s when I’m happiest and definitely a long haul thing 🙂

Avoid - park runs. I’ve done a few but don’t really enjoy them. I think it’s because they mess with any training I’m doing and since I seem to be in training most of the time……

Great post though!

Here’s a little photo from Venice 😍

Grand Canal, Venice

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Ciao bella! Such a lovely photo, thanks, though obviously I'm heart-broken to learn that you didn't spend your entire time in Venice pondering over your reply. 😜

With you on the marry and avoid - no interval snogging for me though!

[RunWillie Marathon]

That’s very good Cmoi 😍 Glad you’re back out there.

Still madly in love with running. I started C25K 2 years ago in a few days time.

Snog - Long distance is what I would love to do most of the time but sadly I don’t have the time or the endurance yet!

Marry - consistently run 5 or 6 times a week looking at the beautiful ocean counting dolphins.

Avoid - Anything too technical like track work.

Happy running everyone ❤️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

Today’s run 😎

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

That's such a beautiful picture RunWillie , and we're not dissimilar in our approach to running either. Though I'd have to drive about four hours to get to the nearest ocean!

[misswobble Marathon]

I’m still mad for running but we’ve fallen out so I’m avoiding it at present

Got a race coming up too so I’m well miffed 😤

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Hugs xxx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thanks shug 👍🙂

Still suffering Getting well fed up now

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Oh no misswobble , you're entitled to be more than miffed about that. Your running needs to learn to treat you with the respect you deserve. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery. 😘

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you 🙂👍

Still suffering. I had a jog out the other day but it’s like I have my shoes on the wrong feet 🙄

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Aw xxx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Just ordered a Wobble cushion 😀

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

Core-tastic!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Wobble cushions for the win! 👍😄

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Hmm, I'm not a very technical runner, but feeling like you have your shoes on the wrong feet 🦶❌🔁❌🦶 doesn't sound good. Really hope you can get things sorted soon. When's your race?

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

27th March. Not run properly for 3 weeks tomorrow 🙈

I’m dog sitting til Tuesday so I’ll be out and about, keeping moving at least. Awful weather this morning but the dog loves it 😁🐕💦🌫🌊

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Keeping moving is something at least. Fingers crossed for your race!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Sorry to read this MissW ☹️

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Down but not out 💪🙂😘

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Never out MissW 💪

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I’m headed out in a mo for a test jog. I’m worried I’m losing fitness, and with my race coming up, am getting worried 😤

My husband texted me last night 😁to point out a race to me. He’s getting fed up with me not running 😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Fingers crossed it went ok MissW🤞 I read an article recently that said the more experience a runner has the more the body will retain fitness levels.

I feel your frustration ☹️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

How did it go?

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Not very good but I did it 🙂🏃‍♀️

My fitness felt ok but I was only jogging very slowly for a short time. I’ve got my wobble cushion and I’ve been using that. I’ve put it in the lounge doorway so I can’t go in and out without using it 🙂. As I type this I’ve got my knee up, but I’ve been ok today and have been pottering. My greenhouse window has been ripped off and badly damaged. Gawd knows how I’m going to get it back on 🙄. There’s always sommat 🤷‍♀️🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Ok is a good place after a spell on the IC.

Good luck with the window!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I hate having to ask OH as he has to re-invent the wheel. He’ll demolish everything then tell me to get a new one 🙈.

The fence has blown down too 😁. I’m currently charging the battery on my car and making bread between checking progress. A woman’s work ……. 😁.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Multitasking!!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I stupidly wore my dead Nikes to run in ☺️ So keen was I to get out🙂

My new ones are exactly the same but I painted some white bits on the old ones so I wouldn’t get them muddled up 😵‍💫

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Good idea about painting…

[Maddee_6333 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Xxx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Maddee_6333]

I’ll be back 👍

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Big hugs to you from me and George dog 🐶🐕MW hope you get sorted soon xxx 😘

[misswobble Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Mornin shug 👋. Love to you and George 🐶😘

Not been running yet but I might venture out in a mo. Weather’s vile 🌊🌫💦 ☹️ I won’t stay out long though as it’s just a test run 😁🏃‍♀️

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Hope it went well MW ?? Sunny here at the mo but still windy!😘xxx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

I turned out yesterday but it was a nightmare Because of my sore knee I untypically drove to the country park for my run. Got back to the car after my slow plod on the trail and it wouldn’t start 😫. Several freezing hours later the rescue van showed up. I was freezing, hungry and desperate for the loo. The weather was horrendous 🥶

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Oh misswobble , what a nightmare! I mean, I'm pleased you got out on the trails, but boo to all the rest. I do hope you got home, thawed out, fed and comfortable (I'll confess, I'd probably have peed on the spot) with no further hassle. You deserve some good luck now 🍀

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

The weather was so vile there was no way I was gonna bare my arse to have a pee Besides there were two pecky swans stalking me for my bread shoes 😁.

I cleared up a fly tip before getting in the car as the poor swans were trying to eat cardboard. There were beer bottles and all sorts of rubbish dumped in a heap. I’d got a box in my boot so I put the rubbish in it and straight in the boot. Several hours of sitting in the car later the pile of rubbish was really smelly What a bloody rotten day

I ate like a pig when I got home. Eggs and bacon and thick slices of home made bread doorstops 🤤 it took hours to get warm. I got into bed with a brew after my bath 🛀

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Everything up to getting home sounds urgh. Why do people fly tip? Obnoxious behaviour. You, however, are fab! 🤗

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Races are definitely in the snog category; although my experience is limited (not many races!). The element of risk, hint of danger and the joy at crossing the finishing line and collecting bling take runner’s high to a new level. At nearly 70 years old, these experience need to be stretched out. The occasional dalliance…not a way of life.

In the marry category, like you, are the every other day runs of varying duration and conditions. I can take the rough with the smooth from the joys of a new pb to dragging home one limb or another after a break down. I am good at remembering to celebrate anniversaries too and am a fairly cheap date with only a flat white and chocolate brownie (or similar) needed to mark the occasion.

Avoid; definitely IC. What a perfidious wench she is! Just when you think you are making progress she crushes you. You are left wondering; is this the end or just a blip? The only solution is to seek help….I see a podiatrist on Thursday. Whether he will put me back on track or simply help to extract my foot from my mouth remains to be seen…….🙂

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I love this reply Beachcomber66 , and may IC and her duplicitous ways soon become but a distant memory for you!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Hi Cmoi! Thanks for hosting the Chat this week.😍

Glad to see you're on the mend! I am too, my Achilles is much better and I'm getting back on track (or road anyway) with my marathon plan. Go us!!!

And lol, nice subject! I have been pondering it all day, but I keep coming back to the different race distances, so here goes:

💖 Snog: The longer triathlon (half-Ironman and beyond). I am (very) seriously toying with the idea of Castle to Coast next year. This is roughly half-Ironman distance and would take me home from London, which is a thing I just love! But what worries me is the bike leg, quite apart from the 105 km length of the ride, I am actually pretty scared of cycling downhill! So I'll be heading up over the downs on my bike later this year and asking myself some pretty hard questions...

💖 Marry: Marathons have my heart!

💖 Avoid: 5k 🤮 I'm kidding really, hoping to rock up to parkrun a bit more this year... with trepidation though! Maybe I'll just volunteer, haven't tried barcode scanning yet... 😂 5k is so hard!!!

Happy running, lovers xxx

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I hereby proclaim you Queen 👑 of the castle 🏰 roseabi , even a sprint tri would be a step, or more accurately a swim, too far for me!

Downhill cycling is properly scary. Several decades ago, during a summer holiday in the Roya Valley, my husband made me ride up a very steep winding road for hours. I got a puncture and cried most of the way up, before rocketing down the descent in a fraction of the time, frantically hanging onto my brakes.

Think I'll stick to silly trails!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you!

Eek!! I tend to hold onto the brakes until my forearm tendons are completely gone, so there's a lot of work to do 😂😂😂

[Hidden]

Ooh! What a fabulous post Cmoi

Snog: I just love the excitement of the NRC HM training programme at the moment. So much so I end up dreaming about completed and forthcoming runs. Maybe I'm just an oddball 🧐😮🤪🤣. Also doner kebabs. Is that allowed 😀

Marry: it has to be Coach B. Dont tell Mrs RfJ. I really find the coaching to be inspiring. It makes me feel happy and in control. It makes running so joyful (for me anyway)

Avoid: blooming Garmin and its numbers driven programs. Great watch but the training plans just aren't for me.

Happy Valentines Day everyone.

Happy running 🏃‍♂️

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Garmin's not getting much love today! Mine's been really irritating my wrist recently 😂

[Hidden in reply to roseabi]

Ha! Mine has been unusually quiet the last few weeks. I would normally expect an "unproductive" or similar message of encouragement. Maybe he's just waiting to destroy me next week with a barrage of abuse 😁😁

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Mine just keeps telling me I'm getting older. 👩‍🦳

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Me too 👵🏻😁

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Typical Garmin, always rubbing people up the wrong way!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Well, Hidden , I'd said "no people" (to avoid libel and other shenanigans 😱) but I guess Coach B is more of a virtual presence 🎧💬🏃‍♂️. However, there's considerable evidence to suggest that he's involved in relationships with lots of others. Sorry. Please feel free to console yourself with doner kebabs and Dairy Milk. We won't tell Mrs RfJ, or Garmin, about any of it. 😜

[Hidden in reply to Cmoi]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Snog: parkrun. It's sometimes hard, sometimes easier, but it's always a fun time.

Marry: The Great Outdoors. There's no way I'd want to run indoors. I'll run in most weather conditions.

Avoid: The Injury Couch. It's never fun. Also I'm not one for structured training programmes (apart from C25K) and prefer to run to feel.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to nowster]

Giving way to temptation every Saturday, in public, nowster ? It's a slippery slope, this ParkRun of yours!

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

I've been lucky with the weather so far. Maybe not this weekend. It's forecast for snow or sleet at the moment.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to nowster]

I've run in both snow and sleet. Snow's more fun. I won't run in deep snow, or when it's icy though.

(I'm now imagining your ParkRun as a sad little Anna from Frozen, desperately begging you to come out to play!)

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

I might have to Let It Go. 😉⛄

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to nowster]

You know you want to get out there. 😍 is an 🔓 🚪 !

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Haha! Love this. Snog? PBs. Can't resist the temptation, but really should know better!

Marry? Running by water, through trees, alongside mountains ... wins my heart every time!

Avoid? I'm 100% with BC on this one!!! Injuries! Always lying in wait to lure me on to the couch. No, no, no! I'm running the other way ...

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I've given up chasing after PBs linda9389 , they always break my heart!💔🏃‍♀️💥

[TailChaser Marathon]

Oh blimey Cmoi, that's a very good question! I don't think I can divide it up at the moment. Running and I are definitely going through a sticky patch at the moment. However I'm hoping we're getting through it.

Body has been causing arguments and acting like a spoilt teenager since the late summer which is causing all sorts of tension in our relationship. Every time I go out it complains it doesn't want to do it. But being the annoying parent, I drag it out and eventually it realises it was a good thing after all.

This weekend I think body and I may have turned a corner. I think it's realised it's not going to win (not yet anyway 🤣) and has let me go faster again and not thrown it's toys out of the window after I've made it go a longer distance.

Unfortunately, it is going to get beaten up by a very tiny lady with very strong hands today though as it's the monthly massage. Wish me luck! 😝

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Bodies are like that TailChaser - moody things! Hope the relationship therapy works!!

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Great Post! 👍🏻🤣

I can only be certain about my avoid & marry...

Avoid events that adds stress! Just run for fun. I can't think of anything worse than race related nerves, portaloos, race numbers and all that.

I am married to being an individual runner doing my thing, my way, when, and how I want.

I guess the "snog" would be grassy downhills where I can pretend to be an aeroplane... 🤣🤣🤣

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

So with you with "run for fun" GoGo_JoJo . I'm constantly struggling to keep running from becoming a "pass-fail, must perform" activity. I'd much rather pretend to be a ✈️

[Maddee_6333 Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Pretending to be an aeroplane for the win 😍

[Mormor1 Half Marathon]

Great question... I'm still deeply infatuated with running......snog is definitely a run on the coast followed by a dip in the sea, that's the very best.....Marry? Hmm, I'm in for the long haul....hope to have years of enjoying this relationship tho a late starter.....avoid? Any type of fall that puts a spoke in this beautiful relationship....worry about Ms Garmin raising my fitness age, becoming a running bore by going on about the benefits to the wrong people!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Mormor1]

What I love most about your reply, Mormor1 , is the being in it for the long haul. While I'm a bit younger than you, I also hope to be running for a good few years yet. 👍😁

[Hidden]

Snog: Running in terrible weather. Wouldn’t want it all the time but wow, what a high!

Marry: just going out and doing it, like Mormor1 this is a long term, committed relationship. There are ups and there are downs but I couldn’t be without it.

Avoid: organised races and events. Dogs who try to attack my canine running companion (who I considered putting as the marry category as he is a great running mate and makes me feel safe. However I decided it sounded weird😂) and I am ashamed to say; big hills!

Oh also avoid : the SweatyBetty sale 😊

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Sweaty Betty - lol!!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Hidden]

I adore my dog Hidden , but he definitely doesn't make me feel safer if I run with him - I'm more likely to go flat on my face! Also, while most local dogs are fine, there's one German Shepherd that came racing out of its garden and got very snappy with me the other day, so no way would I take my dog along that path.

I've never (yet) succumbed to the charms of Sweaty Betty, even in the sale. Just can't bring myself to shell out on clothes that are all too likely to get muddy and torn on the trails.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

But they last for years Cmoi and still keep their shape. I fell on a tree root once wearing a pair and although I had a cut on my knee, there was no hole or tear in the SB leggings!

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

See, I've only been running for 21 months, so am still working my way through my stock of Lidl gear. Latest acquisition, as of yesterday, a pair of black softshell leggings for one euro. I am such a cheap date!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Oooh, I’m off to have a look……. I love my Aldi running gear. My favourite winter running top came from Aldi, its merino and washes like a dream.

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I keep missing the merino tops in Aldi. It doesn't help that a lot of their stuff is currently mail order only and the stock disappears very quickly.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to nowster]

Aldi here doesn't do mail order as far as I can tell. 😞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

It was by chance that I found the top years ago. My husband had gone in to look at their wine (apparently the bubbly had just been voted the best in Which?) and I had gone in for a potter. Then, I spied the most gorgeous top…. my only regret is that I didn't buy the other colour too ☹️

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

There are two Lidls and one Aldi within a 25km drive, but I don't think our Aldi has ever had merino running stuff in, boo.

French and British Lidl and Aldi also have their "specials" in at different times. The softshell leggings came in a few weeks ago, then disappeared completely, then came back with 30% off. Bought a pair, then yesterday I spotted another in one of their random boxes with no price tag at all. Checkout assistant informed me they were one euro so I grabbed them!

The same branch has heaps of the Lidl branded sweatshirts and sweatpants that they're evidently failing to shift!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

I think much of successful purchasing is being in the right place at the right time 🍀

But one euro!!! I mean, you couldn’t walk away from that could you?

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Exactly, and these'll be great for winter walking as well as running, so even more absurdly bargainous! 🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Haha 😂 I’m so with you on the SB sales Helen!

[Hidden]

I run in remote, muddy and woody places. Dog makes me feel secure and Sweaty Betty is great quality gym wear that is (imho) good value. Washes well and lasts for years.Just keep me away from the sale…

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Given your recommendation Hidden I just tried to look at the Sweaty Betty site. Infuriatingly it's refusing to load properly - must be trying to tell me something! Ah well, sales finished here last week anyway.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Hah! Great topic Cmoi!

For me Snog is running on the trails especially in the quiet mornings with the sun shining. But the rain is lovely too. And the potential of seeing wildlife.

Marry: 3-4 runs per week no matter the weather. We are in a very committed relationship.

Avoid: it was going to be a trail focused year, avoiding the big busy road races, but I’ve decided one last hurrah in Berlin this year and then back to trails next year. Injury is also a real threat this year with 3 back to back long races in September due to my poor planning, so will be trying hard to avoid that scenario. Have been avoiding strength work too but will need to move that into another category soon!

Happy running everyone!

[Cmoi Marathon]

Ooh, you're definitely doing Berlin Decker ?! Wonderful! Maybe you can indulge in a bit of snogging before things get serious with Germany? 😜

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Cmoi]

Yes hotel is booked and it’s happening with the exception of some new global catastrophe. I definitely plan on some snogging prior to the day. 😉

[Maddee_6333 Half Marathon]

Snog: Dawn trail runs in the summer (but see avoid)

Marry: Canicross running

Avoid: running in the heat. I am so not a hot weather runner.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Maddee_6333]

i'm so impressed that you do canicross Maddee_6333 . While I'll occasionally go out with our dog I just haven't found the knack of running properly with him. Admittedly I've not tried wth a proper canicross lead - we do have one, bought by my husband for no good reason years ago. Think I'll be sticking to forest walks, as they're lots of fun, and keeping running separate.

[Maddee_6333 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

It helps if you have a puller 👍

Dog pulling ahead on a trail run

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to Maddee_6333]

Love that photo Maddee_6333 !

I don't let Jedi pull on a normal lead because he's a powerful 35kg Border Collie - Bernese Mountain Dog cross, and I'm a 53kg shortarse. My easy pace on gentle gradients is pretty much his trot, which is OK, but if I go any faster he starts to run. Unsurprisingly he's way, way faster than I am!

Here's a photo of the speed demon chilling out two months ago.

Dog posing on countryside road

[Maddee_6333 Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Handsome chap 😍