Unbelievably, we’re fast coming up to the end of May! Yikes! Where did all those months go?
A bit of news to kick us off this week. From now on we’re going for a little change to the Weekly Chat. We’re dropping the various topics and “themes” and keeping it general. This is the place to chat about whatever you want. We know how much can change from week to week in a runner’s life 🙂☹️🙄
Tell us how your running is going. Are you training for something or just running free and doing your own thing ? Maybe you’re not running at the minute at all ☹️ in which case you can tell us what you’re doing instead.
Whatever you’re up to, we’d love to hear about it. Whether you’re new to this forum and would like to say hello or whether you’ve been here for a while, grab a tea/coffee/whatever and spend a little time sharing your news.
But whatever you’re doing, have a great week everyone!
From the Marathon Team xxx
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🥳 If you have a race coming up in May then let us know and we can give you a pom pom send-off:
Hello IP. Hope you (and everyone here) are well. I haven’t posted much lately, mainly because my running wasn't going very well. Not really sure why that was, but thankfully I'm now out of the doldrums. It was quite mysterious as I didn't change my sleep patterns, hydration or overall health/lifestyle, and I continued running three times a week, but my times were getting slower and I was feeling worse while I ran.
Then on Saturday I tried Parkrun for the first time in five months and ended up getting my fastest 5K since November. Boosted by that, I ran 12K this morning. My hope is to get back to HM distance (any chance of another HUHM?) and also to start enjoying running again. Moral of the story seems to be:
1. Have a faster run occasionally to really push yourself
2. Don't give up, even when the game of running is more snakes than ladders
Spot on Stephen. I have started to include a 3k faster run each week for that very reason. I enjoy it and it seems to be helping the rest of my running. I have had a bad 7 months, but running things seem to be coming together now. Maybe a bit of sunshine helps too.👍
I gave my run a bit more welly this morning as I’ve only been running slow since hurting myself at the end of January. I think the weather is giving us a much-needed boost. It’s warming our engines 😀
Well done on your 5K time!That must have given you a boost and then the 12K this morning! I think it’s fair to say that you're back 🤗
I guess there are a thousand tiny things that can affect our running and some we’re not even aware of. But clearly the mystery hasn’t done your running any harm at all.
I totally agree with the snakes and ladders analogy. I’ve landed on a snake for the past two months (long story, injured back while gardening 🙄) but I’ve got two running feet on the bottom rung of that ladder now as I ran for a total time of 15 minutes this morning 🤗
Thanks, IP. Sorry to hear about the back injury. I know how painful that can be. Who’d have thought that gardening could be so dangerous?! Take it easy and well done on getting back to the running.
That must be a relief for you all as I’m sure it was exhausting trying to come up with new ideas each week. Thank you for running the weekly chat. I love hearing how everyone is going. I don’t post much except for this & the park run weekly over on Bridge.
We had a big storm today & I wasn’t sure whether I would get to run. I’m keen to maintain my 50k weekly base for the rest of the year but Winter is coming! I’ve got an amazing Hoka gortex jacket so rain doesn’t faze me but thunder and lightening is another thing.
Happy week everyone ❤️🏃♀️🏃🏻♂️
Today’s run - Just made it back before the lightening 😳
Definitely a good idea to keep out of the lightening. The odds of being hit are probably infinitesimal…. but why give it any chance to get you! Stay safe 🙂
Well here I am .Just wanted to let you know where I’ve been for the last 3 weeks.I had posted all about my foot problems that did turn out to be my bunion after all.
I had been self diagnosing for ages and finally said no it is the bunion.
Well I got a telephone appointment with my GP he passed to telephone appointment with physio and she started the ball rolling X-RAY first then appointment with consultant he put me as a priority because of being a runner then 8 weeks later there I am in hospital having it done.
It’s been 3 weeks now and I’m going back later today to see the outcome it’s been covered for the 3 weeks so I haven’t seen it.
I totally underestimated that I wouldn’t be able to put any weight on my foot and have found it really hard.
I am hoping that from today I might be able to do something with moving the foot.
Hope the rehab goes well Mumpark. I always feel better when I have a recovery plan to follow; they may be boring but at least you can feel, and measure, week on week improvement. Hope it goes well for you. 👍
It’s good to read your update Mumpark . At least you’ve had the surgery done and you are now on the road to recovery. I’m sure your consultant will give you exercises to do.
Please keep us updated and all the best for a good return to running 🍀
No definite plan from me here. It would be nice to extend from 26km to 30km at some point, but I'm in no rush. Last week's insect bites had me grounded for a few days. I've earmarked the Jubilee long weekend for a long run.
Hi IP. The weather forecast today was fine for this morning, but it is supposed to be raining this afternoon. So I reversed my normal Monday routine; I took Molly for her cafe walk this morning in order to protect her posh new hairdo, and I will run in whatever comes this afternoon! I spoil that dog 🙂, but she repays that a thousandfold with her empathy, loyalty and sense of humour.
Today is long run day. On my variant of the magic plan I am due to run 9k, but we will see. It is also the fourth anniversary of my starting C25k, so I may or may not post some reflections later. Probably looking forward is a better idea for this year. The important thing is that after months of seemingly endless injury, I have been managing 3 runs per week and feel to be back on track. All the vital signs are good, including average resting heart rate dropping back to 52. As a gesture of intent, I downloaded roseabi’s HM plan and cross training regime this morning. Molly chewed up the last version; possibly a non-too-subtle little hint that she was not getting due attention! So, a fresh running chapter commences. HU, the people who support it and those who post, work miracles in terms of helping people achieve things they never thought possible. Thanks to all.❤️
Firstly, many congratulations on your fourth runniversary 🥳👏🏃♂️ and of course you're going to do a long run to celebrate 😂 I mean, I wouldn’t expect anything else…
Such great news about your continuing successful return from injury, I’m so pleased for you. It’s always a joy to get back into a routine after a stint on the old IC.
I did giggle about Molly chewing up the HM plan 😂 Do you think she was trying to tell you something? 🐕🦺
Happy Monday IP (good to be reminded of the day of the week when you are away!). Hope your niggles are easing and you are still out running. I'm free running just now, taking it light in an attempt to get my leg niggle to go away, but did push myself at parkrun this week (Penticton, Canada) and beat my Feb time by over 2 minutes (and I WAS trying in Feb!!!) 🥰 Very happy with that, even if my mileage is rather low right now. Happy running everyone xxx
That’s fab news about beating your Feb time by over 2 minutes! Go you 🏃♀️ It just goes to show that it’s not always about pushing ourselves too much 🙂
I had a sports massage on my back today and I must say there were some serious tight spots there 😩(you know the ones they use their elbows for 😳) so I’m hoping it’ll make running feel a bit better.
Enjoy your time away and hope that niggle stays away and you continue to get some runs in 🏃♀️
Hi Irishprincess , really glad to hear that your back is starting to improve, even though it's a slow process.
I've just got back from a few days away in our motorhome. Managed one run - and being me it involved a bit of uphill and trails 😜 - and several walks. Also did a bit of yoga for the first time in ages and enjoyed it. I'd stopped due to arm and shoulder pain, so am still a bit wary.
Essentially though I'm still in pootle mode, not helped by the weather, which is currently hot (30°+) and stormy. I'll be super-busy as an examiner in a few days so really should make an effort this week!
Did 11k (277m elevation gain) on roads and trails this morning so that's a reasonable start.
I'm hoping to get in two or three runs a week over the examining period, but work will take priority - it's not fair to candidates if I'm wiped-out and can't do my job properly.
Hello IP, I am pleased to read you had a run, which is great news! I know your back has really caused you a lot of trouble, and being on the first rung of that ladder 🪜 is fabulous.
Well this end I managed my 3rd ever HM yesterday, so had been working up to that recently. Taking a few days off now to let the legs recover a bit, then I’ll probably have a few pootling runs later in the week, and a longer one at the weekend. Got my eye on a semi new route so we shall see! Quite excited by that prospect, although I need to do a bit of OS research first.
Me too IP! I’ve been fanning out from my regular trail to follow other paths leading from it. Hard going in places but time flies when you’re immersed in the run 🙂🏃♀️
Hi IP and all fellow runners!Glad to hear you're building up your run time IP that's great news!
I'm trying to eat more healthily at the mo ,not 100%successfully! Am feeling chubby!! And also trying build up the runs to 3 or 4 a week after being a bit slack lately!
Most weeks I'm doing Tuesday club(around 6k-Road based), Weds club(all trail usually 8-10k) very occasionally Thurs (this week its a summer 5k series!) and parkrun most Saturdays.
Eeeeek my Needles HM is on 5th June! Not done many long runs at all . But it's the one I do every year in memory of my Mum (6th anniversary this year)so I'll do it whatever and just enjoy the amazing scenery(its a trail run voted 22nd best in UK!) My partner is doing it as his 1st ever HM!!
Can't do club tomorrow night as relatives over and pub tea booked(see what I mean about healthy eating going astray!)so I'm pledging Weds Thurs and Saturday!
Sounds lovely Ali 😀 good luck with the training. Your healthy eating should help. Get you in the right frame of mind for race training. I’m half a stone heavier so I’ll join you in the fit club 😀👍💪
I hope your back is improving and you can get back to doing the things you love 🙂
I entered a race yesterday, a bit of a family affair as it turns out. Even my husband is taking part! 😳 🙂 along with my niece and my great nephew. Overnight stay involved so I’m looking forward to it. 5k so a bit of a change for me.
Sunday, 26th June, Louth Run4Life 🏃♀️
My knee is much better running wise but it’s still hurting me when I’m doing the garden etc Got a physio appointment so am plugging away meanwhile 🙂
Hi IP. I’m coming to the end of my month ‘off’ (sort of). I start my marathon training plan in two weeks (eek!) so May has been prep, trying new things (supplements, workouts etc) and resting my niggly bits in the hope they might improve. I’m certainly feeling stronger after last week’s cold. Thankfully it didn’t last too long. I’ve got a new watch, new training regime and now I’m feeling like a small, souped up car waiting at the start of a long race, revving it’s engine, itching to get going! I can’t wait to get started now! London here we come 😃. Hope your niggly bits are improving too IP 🤞
Ooh, it’s so exciting TC! I love the image of a car ready to go!! Haha 😂 I imagine you're a gorgeous bright red colour, all energy and full of life 🚘
It sounds as if you’ve made brilliant preparation which will help you in the weeks to come.
Have you planned to have a regular sports massage? I only ask because I swear by these to keep tight spots at bay and relieve a lot of muscle tension. Definitely worth doing.
I’m so looking forward to reading about your progress TC. Good luck and keep us updated!
Thank you IP, that’s just what I feel like, I’m so excited!!!
Sports massages have become an essential bit of kit in the last year or so. I have two people I go to. I have evil lady booked for 4 weeks time and it may possibly be nice lady after that as it takes me days to get over evil lady! Evil lady also gets booked up really quickly even though she inflicts great pain! Katnap and I also share a Theragun now for the in betweens.
After my first week of The Plan I’m going to the TCS ‘Meet the Experts’ session at the Royal Institution. It’s about plans and nutrition and looking after yourself. It’s probably also a big selling job by TCS and New Balance as they keep talking about the Oxford St shop but that won’t take the shine off. I’m also going to find the hotel I’ve booked, buy some bagels in Brick Lane and generally get even more excited 🤣
Please tell me if I get really annoying over the next few months 😳
Morning IP. Yes I can’t believe it’s the end of May either. 😳
My running has been going really well, and I’m having a blast. I got super cheesed off with battling the wind and monotony of my beautiful common (blame lockdown) so I’ve taken to the gym for most of my runs. I’m one of the minority who enjoys the treadmill, as it satisfies my loves of people watching and running at the same time! I don’t have anywhere easy or safe to run straight from my house, and I look forward to my sessions with Coach Bennett and his pals.
I’ve pretty much learned what settings to use for my ‘efforts’ and I’m quite adept at nimble button pressing when doing intervals and hills. 😅 I've also learned how to calibrate my watch to the treadmill, but Strava ignores it and does its own thing regardless. Most of all I do think it’s helping and it prevents me from slipping into cruise control at a slow pace (where I could run for hours!)
I’ve also reconfirmed that I’m not competitive with others, only myself. If I pass someone at PR or during a race, great. If they pass me again, cheerio, enjoy your run! 👋 Jockeying for position isn’t my thing, in fact if someone wants to play that game I’ll more often than not slow down to let them get further ahead!
Running is so personal isn’t it? That’s why I love it so much. HU is still the icing on the cake! ❤️
Oh Munks, it sounds as if you're on a roll! I did most of C25K on a treadmill and must say I loved it at the time. I did venture on one again a few years ago when we had snow and ice and I found it really hard! But I still enjoyed it and think it’s what you get used to.
The elites do a lot of treadmill running as there are so many various programmes you can do so you're in good company 💪 Go you!
I’m sure you have remembered that Bath would have been this Sunday……
Yes it would have been wouldn’t it? I’m still smarting at their ineptitude 🙄 Apparently part of Marlborough Lane is on the route now so maybe it was a blessing in disguise! 🥵😅
Hi IP. Where does the time go? 😳I’m working on NRC HM plan and am really enjoying the guided runs. Have made a tentative plan to run a HM at the end of July/beginning of August. My last 10k, on Saturday, included hills ( well inclines really) and I managed them quite well which I feel was due to the tempo running with NRC 👍.
Hopefully your back will continue to improve. I hurt mine through gardening some years ago and ended up with several bulging discs and surgery 😩. However much better now and just have to remember to take it carefully when digging and weeding 🪴. Take care and thank you for the Weekly Chats.
NRC is very popular around here so I’m not surprised you’re enjoying it. Have you got a specific HM event or are you running it “free”? Either way, it’s a great goal, good luck with the training 🍀
Thanks for the good wishes on my back. It’s all my own fault because I get carried away and haven’t learned yet when to stop 🙄 But you have had serious pain in the past with yours 😩
Digging is really hard on backs isn’t it? I think I’ll just have to keep asking my husband to do it for me 😍
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Weekly chat May 16-22