Hello everyone! Sorry this week’s chat is a bit late. We’ve let this one slip a bit but it’s here now so it’s time to tell us all your running news and what you’ve been up to.
We know you're chomping at the bit to tell us what’s going on. We want the good, the bad and the ugly so don’t hold back! Hopefully lots of the good and none of the bad or ugly.
But whatever you do, keep the faith, keep running and have fun 🤗🥳😍🤩
The Marathon Team xxx
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The good - Two new pairs of road shoes arrived today. There was a buy one get one free offer so was hard to resist. Testing both of them out this week.
The bad - Today’s run was brutal after staying up until after midnight watching the funeral yesterday. I managed to hold it together until I saw the pony 😭
And the ugly - my hand is still scarred from the big stack & I’m still fearful about doing it again.
The only reason that I managed to maintain composure was we showed the Westminster Abbey service at our church. I’m married to an Anglican Minister so I was very much on duty. On the sofa later Emma broke me 😭
I imagine you’re being very careful so close to the big day. I’m a year out from my marathon & already feel like I’m preparing. Moving back to the bigger drop trainers is a perfect example. I’ve just arrived home after my run to find a book that I’ve wanted to read for ages. I’m going to imagine we are the runner on the front. Go get that medal x
Excellent visualisation idea RW! Good luck with your training, I can’t imagine preparing for a year but then I may have been unconsciously preparing for this since C25k 4.5 years ago! That’s a good point, they haven’t revealed the medal yet… that’s one of the few things left now 🤔 How are the shoes? Have you tried them out yet?
You have been preparing a long time TailChaser You’ve totally got this. Shoes are fab😍 I tried the guide 15 on a MP run on Wed & the ride 15 on an easy run yesterday. I’ve got the Saucony Tempus on my marathon shoe list so the fact that I like the guide 15 is promising. You’re running London in New Balance?
Ooh, lovely. Glad they’re working out. Yes, photo below. They are ok, a little unresponsive but very comfortable, and they work around my lumpy achilles. I was tempted by some Saucony Endorphin Speed 2’s reduced in a running shop a few weeks back (to get a bit more oomph) but the sales person in there told me what I had would do fine (it’s a very good shop!). I think he had much more marathon experience than me, and I was already spending far too much so very happy to be talked out of it!
Hello there IP! I hope your back is feeling a bit better.
Well, the good is I had a lovely 10k run on Saturday. The bad and the ugly is that during said run I tripped over a log and in managing to stay upright have damaged my hamstring/lower buttock, my first ever running induced injury! Grrrr is all I have to say. A bit of a bummer as you so eloquently put it 🤣. Have been sitting on an ice pack the last few days, so am hoping to see some improvement towards the end of the week and will take it from there. I guess another good is that I’m going on holiday on Saturday so if said injury is still a bit tweaky at least I can rest it on the beach. Trying to look for a silver lining here!
Hi IP. I think lots of us have had a rather up and down September so far. Hope you’re doing ok. 🤞
Mine has sputtered along like an old banger. I had a back twinge for about a week, followed by the worst cold I’ve had in years. Both grandchild induced I fear! So whilst I ran the Cheddar 10k last Saturday and had a blast, I was way off par. I’ve probably only managed a quarter of my mileage over the last few weeks.
I’ve also done next to no yoga recently, due to the reasons above.
But rather than being a moaning Minnie I’ve allowed myself some guilt free time off - I watched the entire TV coverage of the Queen’s funeral from 8am-5pm yesterday, only moving off the couch once or twice! OMG RunWillie , I agree. The pony - and the corgis. 😭
Back to the gym tomorrow I think, just for a trot. Then Severn Bridge PR on Saturday and the Bristol 10k on Sunday. That should kickstart my energy levels. 😀
Hello IP! Oh no, it’s that time of year isn’t it, where we’ve all battled through the heat of the summer and we’re now letting our guard down as it gets more comfy. I hope you all get better very quickly.
I’m doing my very best not to be on the IC or get the lurgy, every tree root is being treated with the greatest respect and I’m hiding from anyone who sniffles. The rail strike is doing its best to throw in a curve ball but I hope I’ve second guessed them by getting coach tickets. 🤞🤞🤞🤞
A real indulgence yesterday as I sat in front of the telly from 10.40am to 5pm. I had to squeeze in my last (delayed) proper long run (12 miles) and a shower, and I was glued to it until they drove off to Windsor and I could finally have some breakfast/lunch! I was ravenous! I did hold back the tears a bit when the coffin came out of Westminster Hall and when it slipped into the floor in St George’s Chapel. Wasn’t Emma sweet? I hope the great grandchildren get to ride her.
We had planned loads of housework but none of it got done! It’ll get done, there’s more important things than dust and cat hair.
I think if I was training for a Marathon I would never go out and meet anyone for several months in fear of catching something! Very anti-social.
I’m a bit paranoid before a HM so I imagine for a Mara it would be 100 times worse. You’ve got this TC, you really have.
The funeral was both wonderful pomp and deep sadness. I intended to go out for a run but like you, sat on the sofa all day and then wasn't in the mood. Well done for doing your 12K 👍
Housework? Pah! Far too many more important things to do….😍
First the good; a new 10 mile PB on Monday. Ok it was just a 1:52:39, so calls to the Guinness Book of Records are not required, and I didn’t set out to run at that speed (dead on 7 min per K), so no careful planning was involved. It just happened. I was a mere spectator. Also good was that VO2 max did not dock me any points, so average heart rate was acceptable at 142.
Now the bad; My faithful Garmin forerunner 35 has stopped picking up elevation readings. I have thoroughly cleaned the back, but it just doesn’t want to know. I am thinking about getting a 245 (?with or without music), unless anyone has any dire warnings they want to share. It is close to our wedding anniversary, so the climate is right! I nearly replaced the 35 last year, but thought that it was unnecessary in the end. I have narrowed down my selection criteria to only one..I just fancy an upgrade! The evaluation process is easier that way.
And, finally
The ugly. Running 10 miles on Monday was plain daft given that I ran a power cut disrupted 10 miles only on Thursday. Plain daft in that the repeat run was fuelled by Thursday not being a “proper” 10 miles. Back to C25k! I seem to have got away with it, but, with my injury record, it was stupid to push the boundaries. So I will revisit my GSR plan and try to instil some sanity into it. I have an image of my physio in mind, should I need a rescue act pre GSR; double tea pot arms and a look to turn my legs to jelly! Maybe I should carry a GIF on my wrist next to my (new) watch……🐲…she is lovely really 🙂
I’ve got a 245 Music BC, really like it. Had it since about April I think and I finally get decent stats. Does all sorts of useful things and I can put a couple of podcasts on it so I don’t have to take my phone to the gym and forget it!
Congratulations on your 10 miles PB! 👏👏👏 and now calm…breathe…only a few weeks to go 🤞
Thanks TC. I was thinking that some suggested runs from a device might be useful too. Provided I keep the pace down I should be ok. I know that I can run 10 miles at an acceptable pace now; maybe one more, say 10 days before 16 October, will be enough, leaving a reasonable taper. Maybe a Tai Chi class is needed !
There is a class in our local sports centre. I swim there every week so I could check it out tomorrow. Worth investigating anyway. Our Country Dancing has started again; the music and movement is relaxing …so who knows…..
Ok, I have signed up…for Pilates! The other classes didn’t really fit in time wise. Starting Friday morning😬. Need to do some gentle stretching I think !
Just a short reply on your elevation comment. My Garmin Forerunner 35 didn't display elevation on my last two runs: Sunday 18/9 and yesterday 20/9. Hoping normal services will soon be resumed.
Hello again Beachcomber, My Garmin prompted me to install updates today which I did and elevation was duly displayed for today's run but the elevation for the previous two runs has remained blank.
Well done on your PB BC! And the fact “it just happened” is surely a plus given your recent injury record.
Have you contacted Garmin directly to ask about the problem? I’ve found them very helpful in the past. Might save you a new purchase but there again, you deserve a new purchase! Would a new Garmin be an anniversary present to yourself or would Mrs BC be “persuaded” to gift it to you? Just wondering…… 🙂
And what can I say about the ugly?!!! Most of us have been where you are. We’re only runners and only human so of course we’ll push the boundaries. Fingers crossed no harm has been done and you’re good to go again 🤞
My physio appointment went well. She confirms it’s muscular and nothing serious but has given me some exercises as my glutes aren’t working as they should. The same old. I’m not surprised as I’ve let the old strength training slip 🙄
Injury sounds promising IP🤞. Mrs BC had a glute issue so I packed her off to the physio. It took 3 visits to clear, but it didn’t stop her from moving about pretty easily.
As all of our finances are combined, the idea of one buying for the other is slightly academic! There is the option of nominating a present or accepting a surprise (or a combination). So no problem.🙂
I had a pretty ugly start to last week. Totally misjudged eating lunch and ended up having to abort a run 17 minutes in when I nearly puked in a bush. The next day, I ran out of time and had to cut it short again, but this time 36 minutes in. At least it had felt good until then.
The good was definitely finding a super bargain new pair of trainers. North Face Vectiv Flight massively reduced. They’re going to be my HM day trainers. I’ve been out a few times in them now and I’m in love. I know everyone loves a picture so I’ve attached one!
It’s been a much better start to the week. A lovely 45min 7.5km chilled out run today. I’m having a practice at the full HM in a couple of days, then starting to taper. I’m very excited about that! Plus my number has arrived…. Eek!
Thanks for this week's chat IP. I think Monday was a strange day for many of us. My good is being in Cornwall for two weeks - so beautiful. My bad is some sort of glitch on my phone (Samsung) which makes all sorts of ererratic typos (think random cacapitals and repetitions of letters typed), but only on the HU site - anyone else having the same issue? My ugly is trying to get back up the hills to the farmhouse we are staying in!!!
Apologies for being so absent, but the typing issue has compounded my being busy on this trip. I will be back for a thoroughly good read soon. In the mantime happy running or resting everyone xxx
Thanks for doing the chat this week IP. I was working in the office on Monday but they did have the funeral coverage on a big screen TV all day and it was strange and sad.
My good was recovering from my race with an easy run last Wednesday and it felt good and new Altra Lone Peaks shoes which turned out to be very good even with zero drop. My bad was that I felt so good I tried on Friday to switch over to a 5k speed test instead of an easy run. Then back to my weekly 20k on Sunday. It’s been a bit painful in spots ever since. My ugly has to do with the reason I did the 5k test. I accidentally double booked back to back races the week after next. On Oct 1, I have a 25k trail race and on Oct 2, I have a 5k that my employer is sponsoring so I was asked to participate, and signed up without realizing the problem! 😅 and I’ve not run a 5k in some time so I need to get some speed practice in. But I think I also need to be careful going forward.
After a lighter week following GNR I'm looking forward to my second HM (Munich in just under three weeks). Left myself plenty of room for improvement in terms of time, style, prep ... well everything really. 🤣
Looking to prep better by getting a decent couple of longer runs in on the next two weekends. I won't do the silly hilly course I did before GNR but instead go for something flatter and get the distance in (cooler weather will help). Still working out fuelling and hydration (not getting on with using a bladder). Also won't forget various creams and unguents!
The good thing is knowing that I can get round ... the mental side of things is weirdly important sometimes.
Last thing is to make sure I can get my fave track on the headphones for the final run to the finish.
Hello Irishprincess, Sorry I haven't been replying to much recently. Most days are over full. Sounds like physio is not too concerned about your current issues. Which is good to hear.😊
So for me good that I am back up to 30minutes running. Not so good that Achilles, knee and hamstring all still have issues. Physio said that I can run but with reduced stride to not over stretch my hamstring (I think I had already mentioned this). I started this and gradually my stride has lengthened, but hamstring is clearly not yet fully happy. No pain when running though, Plenty of exercises to do for all three issues.
My heart rate is up, pace and VO2 max are down, but at least I'm running three times a week. 😊🏃🏻♀️
That all sounds so positive! Running three times a week is great news and it sounds as if the exercises are working if there is no pain. That’s always the ultimate goal for our running isn’t it?
As long as the physio says those magic words, “you can run” then all is right with our running world 😍
There is no pain because of my shorter stride length. Physio basically implied to only run if there was no pain and that would mean shortening my stride. I had hoped to reach HM distance this year, but that idea is postponed.
Pleased you see only positives but heart rate is up, pace and VO2 max are down all sound pretty negative to me. Most runs have not seemed as easy as I would like, the last one did, I think show signs of improvement.
Again? Is frustration the right word to describe it? I know another one but this is not the right platform. I’m really sorry, life often plays awkward games but it also offers opportunities and one of them will surely be yours. I’ve been trying to get to sub 4 hour marathon for…….god knows how long but my life’s schedules also interfere. I manage to keep fit, injury free and healthy but the work simply doesn’t allow for that kind of commitment where life needs to revolve around running, not the opposite. Oh well, let’s both wait for our opportunities. 😉👍
I’ve used all the words possible, believe me 🤬 A two week break would not normally have made much difference but I hadn’t fully recovered from a back injury earlier in the year and so the double trouble put a stop to the HM ☹️
The back has got worse now so I’m going to see a specialist as I’m totally fed up and it’s getting in the way of everyday life, not just running.
I have no doubt you’ll reach your goal mrrun and the success will be all the sweeter because of the obstacles leading up to it.
Ta for the Clint pic 😍 Proper cheered me up after a week of feeling utterly dire 😫
The Good - running the Cleethorpes half marathon despite doubting I’d be able to make the start line. I was so poorly on the Saturday during the drive over 😵💫
The Bad - the drive to Wales the day after my race
The Ugly - being poorly on holiday. All I wanted to do was sleep💤
OOh I always like a bit of Clint 😍 I put on The Bridges of Madison County when my mum stayed with us a while back. She’d never seen it before and I had seen it a few times but still 😢
It sounds as if you’ve been really ill. And I can’t believe you ran a HM feeling like that!!! Just seen your post so will tootle off to have a reread…..
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Weekly chat 19th – 25th June 2023: Running fun 🏃♀️🏃♂️🥳