Hi running buddies! I am up for the weekly chat and I realized I don’t have a whole lot that's very exciting to share. Just some quiet solo training has been the last few weeks for me. I do have a 20k trail race in a couple of weeks at Sulphur Springs, but it does not feel pressured at all. I‘m sure that will change as the day approaches. To prep for that, I’ve been adding my hills work and more trail into my daily runs, both of which I still (mostly) enjoy . Also trying to pay closer attention to nutrition and hydration where I often miss the mark. The Haliburton 50k is a long way off still so, no pressure there yet either. We’ve had a hit of heat this weekend so this morning was a bit of a slog in spots. Brought extra water and went through it all. I always seem to have to retrain my body and brain when the heat comes. The pics here are just some of the things seen on a couple of recent runs.
How about you? How has this last week been? Good or bad, let’s talk about it and if you have a race coming up in the coming weeks, we have an Events Post up, so go there and tell us what you're up to! : healthunlocked.com/marathon...
Hi Decker, great to see a chipmunk featuring in your wonderful photos. Dear little souls - when we lived in Massachusetts they used to squeak incessantly at breeding time, round about now from memory! 🐿❤️
I’m really looking forward to hearing about your trail races this year. The distances you run are something else! 🏃♂️💪
No real news from me. I’m doing lots of my training at the gym recently, possibly because I’m sick to death of running on the local common (blame the lockdowns as I know every blade of grass!), and I don’t always like schlepping into Bristol. I’m loving it on the treadmill, and take NRC with me to spice things up. Of course I’m still doing races and parkrun, so I’m not stuck indoors all the time!
Ha yes I thought of you when I came across this little one whilst lost in the woods yesterday. Asked for directions but got nothing from him 🙂
You may be the first person to say they are loving the treadmill! 😅 Actually for certain types of runs like recovery, and sometimes speedwork, I also enjoy the treadmill. I sympathize with your route boredom. I may know every corner of our local spots too. Sometimes just going in the opposite direction feels new. At least you are able to still get out and about!
Cheeky little monkey - he should have helped you! 🐿😅
It’s all about the environment for me Decker. At my last stuffy gym (literally and figuratively) I used to wilt after a couple of km. Now I have lots of people to watch, and proper air conditioning, it’s such fun - and NRC takes away the guesswork. I still love my outdoor runs, don’t get me wrong, but the gym is getting the job done, and I often meet Mr Cheeky for a ‘coffee date’ afterwards! 😀
Yes I would imagine AC makes a big difference. Mrs Decker has a treadmill in the basement and it gets so hot after awhile. Also no chance to people-watch apart from a dusty mirror
I saw some chipmunks in the wild in the US. I didn’t know what they were at first! I feared rats scuttling about my feet as I was in a park 😳. We’d just been freaked out slightly by a flock of turkey vultures feasting on a raccoon or some such thing. Eek!
😁Maybe it had been shot and just fell backwards. If you look at it’s left midriff that could be a pellet hole Good meal for the birds as is nature’s way 🙂
Your running life is more exciting than mine 🤣Although, I am loving my running since ditching the marathon plan. I feel at peace knowing for now that 30miles weekly is my limit. I’ve got a new pair of Altra’s arriving this week so that will be exciting & I will hit 100 runs for the year this week. We’re keen to get back to trail running now the heat has gone before the rain comes in.
We’re really blessed to have some beautiful national parks on our doorstep. One of my favourite places to run is Margaret River. It was the ultra last weekend!
Hello Decker. I am still on the comeback trail. 8k today, with which I am very pleased, but I was docked a point by VO2 max…which is not so pleasing! I will pinch it back on Thursday’s short faster run! 7.04 pace overall wasn’t too bad given I was trying to keep it steady. My average heart rate was the problem…..building up fitness is clearly the priority now. I have been sticking to my staple old railway route; I am just so glad to be out running that boredom with the route isn’t an issue. I will get to 10k 🤞and then start some very slow hill runs to try to recover a bit of strength. That is the trouble with being older….you drop off fitness really quickly and it takes longer to recover…..but so long as it is going in the right direction, I am content.
Thanks >61. I have just read your post about the NRC app. I am tempted to give it a whirl; not sure my IT skills are up to the job….but it may be worth a go. Have you stuck with it?
Not easy from the ic 😔 My knee injury has flared up, boo! I certainly would recommend the NRC app though. So much to choose from. The speed runs were so much more varied and fun compared to the jog run sprint app that I previously used. Numerous different coaches from around the world talking into my ear! Having various elite runners talking to me Mo Farah, Paula Radcliffe and woman marathon winner whose name escapes me was really good. misswobble will probably remember her name.
I had to keep asking questions on Bridge to 10k, to sort the tech, but it was worth it. I started with the Half Marathon plan, but then went more freestyle! You really can pick and choose to fit in with the type of running that you want to do.😊
Thanks. Knee injuries are a pain. Sorting mine out involved a lot of hip work as well as squats for my knee. Got there in the end, although I still apply a hot water bottle for 10 mins or so before running…seems to work. NRC might be a holiday project. Our youngest plus spouse is joining us for the first week….he can sort out the tech if I get stuck!
Just a short sharp 3k today. I am increasing speed on each short run. A combination of yesterday’s swim and today’s run have left my legs feeling loose and light. I hope it lasts!!
She is fabulous 😀🏃♀️ She’s retired from competitive competition but she’s still running up a storm with back to back marathons etc. she writes cookbooks on her days off 😀
Fabulous photos as always Decker! Loving your laid back approach to the 20k event ... I guess that's how it goes when you're busy! Wonder if you'll feel the same ahead of the 50k 😍Changing seasons is hard isn't it, I always forget too!!!
I'm enjoying freedom running just now - no plan, no pressure to remain uninjured ... just listen to the legs and do what I can! ... which was a most enjoyable 12k yesterday 😊
No plan no pressure. It's a good place to be. Yeah I think the 50 is going to be very challenging. Much more technical and hilly than last year's one. But that is later's problem.
Good stuff, Decker! Love those pics 😍 Thank you for hosting the Chat xxx
Having said I wasn't going to follow a plan, I just started my ultramarathon plan today! 😂 35 minutes easy was just the ticket because I am busy and it is warm!!!! I'm now thinking about shoehorning some strength work in before I have to make dinner... hmmmm... possibly I won't bother! 😊😊😊
Oh good stuff! I don't start my ultra plan until June. I've worked in cutback weeks this time around :). Hope you got your strength work in. I definitely did not. 😀
I did a "sprint" (ha ha) triathlon on Saturday - 160m swim, 17km ride, 3km run. It's just over a month since I had Covid and I have been blaming it for even shorter and slower runs than usual, but deep down I felt I was being lazy. On the triathlon however it really started to come home to me.
Breathing in the pool was a bit difficult but I thought it must be water-induced race panic. On the ride I could hear myself chuffing like a steam engine, surely faster than usual, I thought. On the run I had cramp in both thighs and my legs felt like lead. I had to walk some of it, which was disappointing. After the finishing line I was explaining my post-Covid state to a steward and wondered who was wheezing. It was me! A bit frightening to realise how much I am still affected, and it's a real issue, not just a vague lack of stamina.
On the upside, the last time I did the same tri was three years ago, not long after I finished C25K, and I was five minutes faster this time. I have a much lighter bike now, but surprisingly my run was faster too - how did that happen?
I'm thinking of going back and doing C25K again to build myself up. My next big event is a marathon-length hike at the end of July so long walks will be a focus for a while...
To do a sprint Tri after Covid is amazing in my book. You must be doing something right with a faster overall and run time! Best of luck with your Mara-hike too!
Love the photo’s! We see all sorts in our runs don’t we 😀. I saw yesterday that the Little Egret is back on my local country park. It flew down and perched itself next to a grumpy-looking heron. Wonder if it cheered it up 😁
I’ve been away - and had not run for 12 days - so turned out when I got back. I was only going for a jog around the block but ended up doing a leisurely 14km. I took my running gear on hols but by the time I’d schlepped up and down all day on some serious hills I was too knackered 😤🥵. Plenty of steps accomplished to mitigate the cream teas 😋
Last year I saw what I think was a Great Egret, and he was hanging out with the much more common Blue Heron by the local pond. First and last time seeing one of those white beauties.
I think it's ok to skip a few runs on your holidays. It sounds like you more than made up for it with your hills and step count! 🙂
I had to make do with walking it, which I did numerous times. Living as I do as far from the sea as is possible in the U.K., I do like to run on the prom given the chance. I think I’m running a coastal half in September though 🙂. Dunes! Hard to run on but hey ho 🏃♀️
Hiya Decker, I do love your photos. I don’t know how you can run so fast and still take such lovely shots!
I’m laid up with a cold at the moment which is very frustrating. I’d just started doing some strength and conditioning in preparation for my marathon plan, couldn’t understand why I ached so much for so long afterwards, and this appeared.
Still, it’s the only way I was going to rest before the plan kicked in so I’m hoping it’s a good thing in a way, and better to have it now and get it out the way. Didn’t stop me walking parkrun though. Hoping I’ll be well enough to help marshal at the Worcester Marathon on Sunday and then get back to it 🤞🤞
Thank you TC. I hope the cold is sorted sooner than later. The more I read the more that real rest seems to be so important in recovery and overall performance improvement. So maybe this is a blessing in disguise before you dig into your mara plan. 🙂
Yes, sometimes the hardest advice to take is to just take it easy. I've consciously included clear cutback weeks in my next plan. Never done that before.
Hi team, great to read all your posts. I've randomly started the NRC HM training plan. I dont usually like plans but I'll do it while I like. Tonight instead of sitting down after a tiring day I went straight out for a baby interval session which went quite well (bar tripping on a non-recalled dog) so I'm quite pleased with myself. My niggles are significantly worse at the moment so I feel a trip to physio might be needed although I have no time atm... I might book for when I have marginally more time... Tomorrow I'm going to try and ask work to finish evenings at 9.30pm instead of 10pm as it's affecting my sleep / running. Cant have that!Happy running x
Wow that is a long day. I feel tired running at 7pm. Can't imagine 10pm! I much prefer the morning runs when you feel like you've got a full tank to work with. Hope the niggles are sorted soon too.
Great photos Decker, as usual 🙂 It sounds as if you're doing really well with your running.
As I’ve mentioned in a separate post, I’ve just been able to get out to do a few baby runs after being on the IC for two months. But yesterday I did 3K and my back doesn’t like it at all! It felt ok at the time but as soon as I got back to the car it started to grumble.
Good timing as I’m off to the physio shortly but I think this will be a very slow recovery ☹️ Thank goodness for this place where I can read all about everyone’s running 😍
Hey ho, such is a runner’s (or in this case, gardener’s) life. I’ll get out there again one day.
Hello Irishprincess, I hope that your physio was appointment was both encouraging and helpful. My appointment is due to be on Friday. I may try to run tomorrow, but I am 95% certain that my knee will be far too painful. I sort of what to refresh my mind as to what it feels like so that I can write an accurate description to read to the physio. When I last tried the run was probably less than a minute! I deleted the data. 😔I do hope that the joy of pain free running and gardening are yours before too long.
And yours too 🤞 I’m thinking the same as you. I’m always toying with whether I should even run or not at the minute. It’s tricky isn’t it? I did do a little bit of gardening this morning and the back feels ok…..
The physio loosened everything up and gave me more exercises, and she did manage to get rid of a particularly troublesome tight spot, which is good.
I’ve booked a sports massage for my back next week hoping that might help.
I really hope the physio tomorrow can shed some light on what has caused your issues. Best of luck 🍀
No running for a month, not too surprising really (next appointment 22/6/22). I have exercises to increase the mobility of my knee. Strength will come later. I have lost the ability to bend my knee fully. Probably my meniscus has been aggravated.I am really taken aback by what has happened as I reached 10 miles last November with no knee trouble, so why now? The detail takes too long to write. The physio was going to email me the details of my exercises, but hasn't as yet. I don't she said whether they should be daily or say 3 times a week. She is also a runner which must help.
I guess sometimes things build up ….. but I’m glad that at least you have a plan! It’s always good to have a plan 🙂 And yes, it definitely helps that she’s a runner 🏃♀️
I’m trying a little jogette again today. Believe it or not I foam rolled the tops of my thighs and the tightness in my back disappeared! I’m not sure that has fixed the problem but my back feels a lot better. I had been walking and wondered why this area of my thighs felt so tight and then I remembered that I hadn’t used the foam roller for months and Mrs Google said that tightness in that area can cause back pain . So, let’s see…… 🤞
Hi Decker thanks for hosting the chat. As usual I’m sat here admiring your pictures. 😃 I went to a lovely park this week and attempted a few myself all inspired by yours. Sadly I feel rather short, but it’s a work in progress and I blame my phone. 😂 I’ve been brave enough to attach a picture from the day here. 👍
Good to read you’re still enjoying the trail running and that you are fit and well. I must admit the idea of running a 50k would terrify me.
I’m having to back off the full speed training and focus on strength work for now, as I am getting a suspected minor hernia investigated. I’m taking each session as it comes and if I feel any pain there I just stop that activity and move to another one. It’s keeping me strong and fit for now at least.
I have a 200 metre race next Monday evening but may well be pulling out of that one too.
The big problem is the length of time to get an appointment for a scan. If I wait that long the season will be over entirely. It may not be a hernia but the doc wants to rule it out which I get but until I know for sure I’ll keep the training sessions alive but cut down on the top speed work.
Thanks Brian. Many of my shots are edited a bit, (vibrance, or vignette along with some other adjustments). I think your shot is great too.
So far so good, but I am managing a couple of niggles. I cringe to think of rinning at your speed. I can hear my bits breaking just thinking about it 😂
Sorry to hear about the potential hernia but you are managing it wisely. That could be serious. Fingers crossed that you don't have to pull out of your event!
Hi Decker , your photos are just wow, as always, and it sounds like your running's going well too. 😀
I've not run for a few days, as I've been super-busy and the weather's gone mad, with temperatures into the 30s. I might get out tonight for a short run if the thunderstorm stays away. Planning to go away for a couple of days as of tomorrow so hopefully will catch up then.
Thanks Cmoi. Hope you get some run-time into your busy life schedule. Yeah I’m hoping the temps will just settle here soon. First cold then so hot and now cooling again.
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