Hello running people. Another week, another chat 😍
How’s the last week gone for you? Is the running going ok? Maybe you’re training for a goal or perhaps you’re having a bit of a down time or even coming back from illness or injury. Even if, for whatever reason, you’re not running at all at the minute you’ll always be a runner here. So, get the kettle on, pull up a chair and tell us all about it.
I’m returning from a reduced mileage week which was quite nice and, for a change, I took some music with me on a couple of runs. I normally run “naked”these days but every now and again it’s just fun to do things differently. Anyway, this little memory popped up on my playlist and it made me smile 🤗 Ring any bells for you? Can you recall where it’s from? First one with the right answer wins ……. well…. we can give you a virtual crown 👑and medal 🥇
In other non-running news, I have at last been delivered of a washing machine - HURRAH!!! So no more hand-washing thank goodness 🤗 Mind you, my forearms got quite a workout with all that wringing💪 blimey….
We’re looking forward to reading all your news but whatever you’re doing have a great week everyone and have fun!
From The Marathon Team xxx
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Glad you got your washing machine. Ours broke last week but thankfully with our lot it got replaced the same day.
I will be back up to 100 miles this month so hopefully I’m back on track. I’m enjoying my zone 1/2 runs & I’m now on week 10 of my HM plan 🙏
I was listening to hubby chat to some of our boys over breakfast this morning about cross country this week. No.2 son was told to aim for under 4.00km pace. No.4 son was told never to aim for bronze always gold and no. 5 son was told that someone in his class had been training with their Dad. No. 5 had this response “It’s not good to train as you could hurt your leg so I’ll just be racing on the day” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Love that response! 😂 I bet they're all speedy gazelles 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃
Great news that you're back on track RW 👍and working through your HM plan. I know it’s taken a while for you to recover from Covid but it won’t derail your goals by the sound of it.
I’m seriously jealous that you got your washing machine replaced on the same day!
Morning IP! I think washing machines are one of the most important inventions of the modern age. They liberated so many (mainly) women from a drudge of a job. Enjoy!!!I’ve just done my 18 miler and am feeling a little sore but very satisfied. I tried calf sleeves for the first time and they do seem to have kept the twitching that I get at the end of a run down. Let’s see how sore I still am tomorrow 🤞 Just one more big training run to go, woohoo 🥳
Easier week this week, looking forward to a gentle pootle with Shake-and-run tomorrow, parkrun and the Big10k on Sunday. 4 weeks 6 days to go 😁
(sorry, never heard the music before. It’s very nice though)
Wow! 18 miles!! Well done TC, that’s brilliant 💪 You’re doing so well with the training, no wonder you're feeling satisfied 😎 I’m feeling so excited for you and I’m not running it! You are on top form!
I can do without any other electrical equipment but having no washing machine really reminds me how lucky we are. I remember helping my gran with her mangle and that must have been such hard work. Imagine those sheets 😱😫
Enjoy your pootle with S&R tomorrow 🏃♀️
(I’ll give the answer to the music if no one gets it)
Thanks IP. When Katnap and I first moved in together we rented a washing machine over getting anything else, they really are essential aren’t they? I was spin drying our smalls in a salad spinner before then 🤣
Yesterday was a bit of a mess tbh but I was so determined to get it done. Those negative little voices in my head didn’t dare tell me to call it a day!
It would be very tempting to cheat with the music but I’m not going to, I’ll look forward to the reveal 👍
It reminds of that film with John candy when the washing machine lid jammed so he used the microwave to do the family wash The camera pans to him hauling out red hot washing with some tongs😁
No washing machine! That must have been an absolute pain. I’m burning though kit so quickly at the moment because of the heat. Enjoy your new one!
It’s been a great week here coming off the back of a couple of dodgy ones with busyness and illness. New 5k best time (the first time I’ve done it faster than my c25k graduation week when I was running every run like a race!). I took two minutes off my 10k time to squeeze under an hour. I ran ten miles for the first time. That was all the same run! I’m following the NRC HM plan and there have also been some nice recovery runs and a speedy one.
This week halfway through the training and it now feels not long until the actual event (7 weeks). I’ve got new more cushioned trainers coming for the longer runs and I can’t wait to try them out.
Thanks! The trainers are some bargain ASICS gel kayano 28s (now the 29s are out, lots are very reduced). I had gt 1000s for c25k, have gt 2000s now which really suit my feet so it seemed a natural choice! I had to do an online order for my size in my preferred colour so they’re currently in a depot somewhere. Hoping they’ll get here for this week’s long run! Photos to follow.
Best of luck for your forthcoming HM. I really like NRC. Do you recommend the HM training plan? I've heard a few people use it now and it seems to work for them. If I do get brave enough to sign up for a HM , I'll have a look. And new shoes, always a bonus!! 😄🏃♀️
Thanks @Hedgehogs123! I’ve really enjoyed NRC HM. It’s easily been the best thing for my running since c25k. Two recovery runs, two speed runs and a long run every week are on offer. That’s a bit much for me so I’ve been taking a bit longer than a week-wish I’d started a bit earlier because I’ve now caught up to real life and I’ll have to skip some instead. I’m still a newbie really so I like that it doesn’t feel too serious and scary (I’m aiming to finish rather than set a fast time).
The speed runs have been a revelation-absolutely love them. It’s got me well outside my comfort zone but in a good way! Sometimes the commentary is a bit cheesy but I quite like that and I feel like I’ve learnt a lot. I’d definitely recommend it. It’s free so the worst that happens is you try it and delete it if it’s not for you!
I entered the HM on a whim when I’d had a good run training for the 10k, which I entered on a whim while still doing the c25k. I’ve had wobbles about whether that was nuts but overall I’m super glad I had something to aim for. Might need to come up with something new soon!
Look forward to your run report, sounds like you've definitely got the right frame of mind. If I do one it will be just to complete it and Feel the sense of achievement that I'm absolutely sure you will get. Good luck!!! 💪🏃♀️
Hello IP. Another week flies past! Washing machines are always replaced as urgent items here. I know what is good for me.
My running has been all over this place this week. A slightly quicker 10k (6:48 pace) on the 20th, a steady 13k (6:59) on the 25th, but I felt a calf niggle afterwards and then nothing until today because we had a big event on Saturday with people staying over for a few days etc. Today was a rare 5k. I was quite pleased with 32:08 and the calf niggle did not reappear… but VO2 max has suffered a bit ….who cares! I have booked in with the physio for a quick check over on Friday, all in the hope of being fit for the GSR. My legs felt pretty strong so maybe the rest did them good.
I just need to settle into my familiar three run pattern again, and slow down a bit.
No clue as to where the video is from I am afraid!
We don’t want any niggles at all BC do we? But it seems I live with them constantly 🙄 I guess the trick is to work out which ones are “normal” and which ones aren’t.
I’m sure your physio will be totally honest with you and hopefully give you a tick in the box.
Maybe I didn't word my post properly. It’s the music not the video that should be familiar ….. 🤔 I can’t believe no one’s got it yet….
Niggles not needed!!! I made the appointment to make sure I got an early appointment; I would have lost time if I had waited to see how it felt! A loosen up will do no harm anyway!
Really? Perhaps they changed the podcasts then…… apart from this track you didn't miss much. The music was dire. misswobble will back me up on that ….🙉
It was often hilarious 😁. “Truly, I’ve had enough of you and Julie, we’re hardly ever on our owwwwwn” 🎶🎵 AudioFuel was responsible for the soundtrack. It did help you keep time though - breathe two three four 😀🏃♀️ I actually paid for their “First Hour and “Second Hour” downloads to help me with marathon training
I did like the one where the singer shouts “pick it up, pick it,up, pick it up” 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️😄
Im still talking about my first 10Km the famous 'cake run 🤣 and looking forward to my next 10Km run which is in Lincoln, but just hoping its not up what we call steep Hill. Which is exactly as it sounds, very very steep!!
Finally feel like Im leaving covid behind and getting close to how fit I was before. Ive got my 50th Parkrun this Saturday and am aiming for a sub 25, fingers crossed.
Still can't decide whether to be brave and enter my first HM next April. Ive only ever ran 10 miles once before and although Im slowly increasing my mileage each week (not more 10%) I don't know if its a distance I would enjoy. How do you know??
🤔
I hear how well you all do on HM and Im tempted I have to say, just to prove I can. One of my running buddies, says 'well if you run 10 miles, its only a Parkrun on top of that and you've done a HM'! hmmmmmmm, still not sure!!
You can certainly do it Hedgehogs123 if you want too. I’m a wannabe long distance runner & enjoy the longer runs so much more than the speedy runs. I think you will know if you decide you want to do it. Cheering you on for your 50th park run and a sub 25 😍
That’s why you’re such a good runner. Park run is my only tempo . I can never be bothered with intervals. There’s an ultra runner in our run club that runs an interval session once a week. Maybe next year……😍
I only get through the intervals as I use the NRC coached ones where they stay with you and urge you on the entire time 💪🙂🏃♀️ All I have to do is run 😁
I remember that MissW 🤔 we were all so impressed that you ran it because at that time so few of us had run even to 10K! See, you were a legend even way back then 😎
Ha ha wish I’d done that the 2nd time I tried a half marathon! In my head it was flat. Not the best time to try out a new route, I was almost in tears 🤣.
But what's flat? For me, for distances up to and including HM, it's anything where the overall average gradient for the course is 1% or less, so 50m total elevation gain over 5k, 100m for 10k, etc. It's only once you get to 3% overall average that I start to think of it as getting steep, and it's around 4% overall average that things get serious.
As I've said before, I think organisers should provide clear details of the overall elevation gain (or loss), elevation profile and gradient of their events. With almost every runner recording stuff on Garmin, Strava and the like, it really shouldn't be that difficult to do. I don't see any organisers describing their races as short, longer, or longish and not giving figures! 😜
If the hill is that steep them you can always walk it. Loads of runners do.
I was surprised at how long it took to recover from Covid even though I didn’t suffer too badly during it. It does take a toll doesn’t it?
Only you can make the decision about the HM. It depends on your motivation and why you'd want to do it. I did my first one because I wanted a different type of bling 😂 shallow I know but it worked for me.
Most HM training plans get you to 10 miles before race day so there is no doubt that if you can run 10 miles you can run a HM. Some people run the distance once and never do another one because they don't like the distance and prefer the shorter runs but you don’t know until you try……
You could check out what’s on and pick a particularly scenic route or somewhere that’s special for you. And of course, you’d have all your VRBs here cheering you along the way…🥳
Ooh different type of bling??? I'm getting excited because the Lincoln 10km you get a T Shirt, medal and a goody bag!! 🤣🤣I was completely blown away by the support for my first 10km on here, so it's worth it just for the virtual cheerleaders!!
Interesting - "Steep Hill" looks very similar to the rue des Tables in Le Puy en Velay. It's 18.9% at the steepest part and the finish line of the St Jacques trail events is at the top.
Hello there IP 😊. Washing machines are never to be underestimated in the amount of labour saving they provide! Glad you have a new one now.
I am just pootling along really. After a long weekend working I have tomorrow and Wednesday off, so looking forward to a a nice run. Hopefully will all be good, and it still gives me a chance to do an early run on Friday, then Sunday my traditionally longer run of the week. I have recently got a new job, still at the same place, but more responsibility etc. It doesn’t start proper until mid October but in the meantime I’m aiming to enjoy the freedom I have responsibly e.g. running! I have no idea what my timetable will look like once the new job kicks in. Mind you I only seem to know what my new manager gets up to via Strava so at least he’s a kindred spirit 😊.
I love the idea of naked running but have never been brave enough to try. Some of the songs on my playlist are SUCH a trip down memory lane I am literally transported to another place and time which is wonderful.
Good luck with the new role Frenc 🍀 It’s usually a pretty tiring period of time I think so it’s great that you’ll have your running to escape!
Running with music was my gift to myself after graduating from C25K 🙂 because the music was so dire I needed to reward myself with what I liked 😂 and I agree with you, it does transport you to a different world. But since much of my running now is on quiet country roads I think it’s safer to run without earplugs.
Yay IP, a new washing machine! That’s exciting! 🥳. Mine gets a thorough workout several times a week and I’d be absolutely lost without it. Nothing like as much as when the kids were young though and when I used to ride. Horsey stuff is truly rank, so I suppose it’s having an easier time of it nowadays! Although Mr Cheeky’s rowing kit …. 🤢
Running has been good of late. Awesome Severn Bridge 10k yesterday, plenty of runs with Coach B and pals and I’m already looking forward to the next few weeks when I have a few more bling opportunities coming up. My hanger is getting very full! That reminds me;‘I need to do a bling count soon! 🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅
I don't know the music IP - but is your playlist shareable? My previous attempts at finding a 'classical' run playlist haven't been very successful! I'm still ticking along out there. A miserably slow 'race pace' run on Saturday, which was way short of race pace and distance; followed by a final long ride on Sunday which was woefully short of speed too. There was a definite theme going on! I'm currently deciding whether to do today's run or not as my tummy is not feeling it today. Ho hum. We'll see ... Overall though, very pleased to still be on plan and pretty much niggle free this close to an event. Have a great week everyone.
Niggle-free is the holy grail of running Linda so that’s great news! Not so good news on the tummy though ☹️ hopefully it’s something that will disappear quickly. I find my digestion is becoming more sensitive as I get older and I have to really consider what to eat and what not to eat. And the running thing complicates matters 🙄
I’m surprised no one has picked up on the music yet. Must be just me then 😂 It’s from C25K week 4 just before the final walking section. It’s the only piece of music that I liked from the podcasts and I recently remembered about it and put it on my playlist. Clearly it was totally unforgettable for most other people 😂
I know I can share playlists but I’ve no idea how. But I’ll give it a go. Mine are mostly big epic orchestral pieces that make me feel like a warrior 💪🤣
Niggle-free is indeed utopia IP! My stomach has always been my achilles heel - stress or marginally outdated milk or salad products are guaranteed to create havoc 😡 Oooh I gave up with the podcasts very early on and used the app with my own music, so I may never have heard it.... that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it 😍
Specifically salad leaves I think ...I did my run yesterday; figured not running was guaranteed disappointment whereas getting out there had a marginally greater chance of success. And guess what? yep it was tough but it was surprisingly successful!!!
I couldn’t work out what the music was but the pictures were lovely. I was trying to see if they were from a particular place where you had run.
I’ve been up in Reading with my two sons celebrating the youngest’s birthday (not at the festival I must add, we’re all too old for that one 🤣). He’s 28 now. How time flies. I’m now back in Chichester where I care for my mum during the week. Luckily I get help so I can escape to Brighton on Thursday for my club track session and usually stay over there at weekend. Makes full training practically impossible though as I’d love to go the gym more often.
I’ve booked onto some Pilates classes starting in September and I’m really looking forward to those.
I have also entered the 100 and 200 events at an open meeting in Portsmouth this Saturday. My coach said I need as much race practice as possible so I’ve added this one in.
The season is drawing to a close now so I’ll make the most of this one and the next one on the 10th in London. I’m really hoping for 90% age grading but I must be careful and not overdo things. (Ha ha like that was ever my style 😂)
I tried running with music a few times before I switched to sprinting but I found it distracted me. I like listening to my own thoughts on a run and I can’t do both 🤷♂️ Less of a problem now as it’s all over so quick 😂
I hope everyone enjoys their runs this week however short or long.
The photos are lovely Brian but they're not mine. The music is from Week 4 of the C25K podcasts. As I’ve just explained to Linda it’s the only piece of music I liked as the rest was just dire and I recently remembered about it and put it on my playlist.
That’s great news about the Pilates. Is that mat or reformer? I hope you enjoy it and you’ll notice a difference. I’m sure you will.
A 90% age grading would be quite something! Good luck with it, you’ve had an amazing year 👍 I’m sure your sons are very proud of you and boast to all their friends about your running!
I haven’t been able to run for a month now due to horrible back pain. I’m supposed to be the 20k trail sweeper for my local upcoming trail race but I’m going to have to cancel. I can’t get into my regular physio but will have to try someone else because although the stretches I’m doing are helping, I can’t quite turn the corner. Hopefully I can get a run in soon. My psyche is in desperate need of a run.
Oh no! I sympathise Saska as I had bad back pain in March which derailed me for several weeks. It’s so frustrating when you're itching to go out for a run. Do you know what caused yours? Mine was over-gardening.
Have you considered seeing an osteopath rather than a physio? I couldn’t see my regular physio either when I first had the pain and a neighbour recommended a particular osteopath who was very good and definitely got me on the road to recovery.
Fingers crossed you get to see someone soon 🤞 Take care x
The other thing to add is that towards the end of my recovery I got a really strong sports massage on my back and surrounding muscles which made a huge difference as everything felt so tight and stiff. Something to consider obviously with agreement from your physio.
I’m not sure what caused it but suspect doing too much too soon and a muscle in balance. I had taken 2 weeks off to go to my mom’s Celebration of life then jumped right back into my training. I had felt great after the long trail run but got twingey after my moderate city road run later in the week. So who knows. I’ve been unbalanced for a while and have battled right tight hamstring/glutes for a long time and I think it finally got the best of me. I’ve been going to a chiropractor and stretching but am not aware if we have a local osteopath. I’ve booked into a new Physio next week and will see what she says. I went to a doctor this week and he didn’t feel it was a disk issue, just musculature fortunately. It’ll come but I am sad to have to cancel on my trail sweeper duties
We've just bought a new 10kg drum washing machine. Won't be able to try it til move to new place at the end of the month though! Glad you have your new one ! I was very slack last week, only 1 run and couldn't even be bothered to go to parkrun favouring a lie in instead . Stressed cos ancient car has major revamp (head gasket) but then sprung 2 water leaks,hopefully bits arrived for it today! So been on bus and some cycling! Went to work and back twice yesterday (giving George dog his meds and prescription food each lunchtime)then cycled to run club and back too, legs felt shattered but luckily a day off today. Night off tonight then other club tomorrow 🤞
Piccy of George having his feet soaked poor old chap!
I have no idea what size drum I have Ali, 9Kg I think. I always look at the cycles before buying because I don't want loads of them as I only ever use a few. I’ve just about caught up and the weather has been great for drying so I can sometimes get two washes in a day.
You have had a busy old time of it but all that cycling is great for the running!
We have a rubbish machine in our rental so looking forward to this one! It has a decent quick wash and could fit a small duvet in which is good for the kids stuff! George is being good all things considered, as he's usually so feisty!
Yes, i can feel my legs getting stronger at cycling so hope it'll have some impact. Our new place is nearer the cycle track so hope to do more once we move!
Legs feeling recovered tonight after a rest so hope to make club tomorrow! 🙏 xxx
Hi Irishprincess , thanks for hosting! I spent most of last week taking the dog for 5k walks, as my husband had a bad back, and also did a couple of very uninspired runs.
Feeling slightly more like myself so far this week: managed to go a bit faster for 3.5k on roads on Monday, and then today a slow 10.5k mostly trail run with 276m elevation, the most I've managed since that bloody in every sense of the word faceplant.
I've given up on targets, events and Strava challenges though because I've jinxed myself with them this year. If I can get anywhere near where I was a year ago before 2022 is out I'll be happy.
ETA: sorry people, I had to rush off when I posted yesterday, so forgot to wish you all safe, happy running!
Thanks aliboo70 , that's kind of you and I really appreciate it. Impressed by the cycling, I've still not got my bike back out - there again I couldn't bend my leg properly for weeks so not much use on a bike! Fingers crossed for your car, and big snugs to George. xxx
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