In case you missed it, our virtual HealthUnlocked HM and 10k event is confirmed and entries are still open!
★ The HU spring 2023 main event will be on Sunday 14th May, 9.30am
BUT we will also accept runs at any time on Sunday 14th May or at any point during the following week of Mon 15th - Sun 21st May.
It's not too late to join in!!! Just comment below ⬇️
Choose either the Half Marathon or the 10k, or opt for the 'double' (be it back to back or over two separate days 😍).
If you missed the original announcement, there is a link to that post at the bottom of this one (along with links to all previous posts relating to this event).
★ Event start list
We have now put together a list of who has 'entered' already, and for which event. Please check if we have got the details right for you! You can find the latest version of the list here: docs.google.com/spreadsheet...
If we've missed you off the list or got the wrong distance , apologies - let us know in the comments below and we'll fix it. Remember, you can change your mind right up until the last minute - no terms and conditions to wade through here!
★ Keep the comments coming!
How's the training going? everything on track or is life getting in the way right now? Adaptability is often the hidden key to getting to the start line in good shape; don't be a slave to your training plan if your body, or indeed, life in general, is telling you otherwise! Do let us know how you’re getting on below.
Have fun, take care, enjoy your runs and happy training everyone 😍
I’m just about to head into week 3 of my NRC 8-week 10k training plan. So I think I should be all right if I don’t dawdle too much with my training, which I tend to do. Dawdling for me is when I take 2 weeks to cover the runs of 1 week in NRC.
But even if I don’t quite make 10k, I think I will run-walk if I need to.
I remember the first time I participated, I didn’t “officially” enter as I’d only gotten to 9k, so I ran with everyone on my 9k and it was such fun!!! But the last km was hard.
I think I’m much for fitter generally now, so should be able to cope, and can also run-walk a bit.
Hi. Welcome! We'll add you to the list and see you on the start line 😊 If you are a strava user, you may want to join the HUHM10K strava club for some added motivation (follow the link at the botttom of this post to find out more)
Hello Linda, I had hoped to join in and perhaps make my first ever HM distance. In reality my knee seems unhappy too much of the time 😔 I reached 11km recently, but I need to scale right back and if I run at all, only at very easy conversational pace. I suppose I need to either make another physio appointment or even see a GP. So I'm currently trying to come to terms with things and can't say how I shall be mid May. Sorry. I suppose joining a 'race' even if we are only racing against ourselves, when I know that I mustn't increase my pace at all seems rather upsetting. Better leave me out.
Oh I'm sorry to hear that your knee is telling you to scale back again. We do try to stress that this is an event rather than a race; it's about your chosen distance and not about time; it's an event run for you at your chosen pace along your chosen route.
(I will certainly be running mine slowly as hopefully I will have already run a HM race the weekend before).
But the whole point of this event is to encourage and motivate, most definitely not to stress or upset.
On that basis, would you like me to take you off the list altogether this time (you can always come back on if things are looking up by May) or would you prefer me to change the distance to 10k for you just now?
Either way, a visit to your physio or even to the GP may be a really good idea at this point. Sending very best wishes to you and that troublesomee knee!!!
I have a booked half 2 weeks before this, knowing me I’ll drop the mileage right off like I did last time and take ages to get back to the distance again if I don’t have motivation.
Can I do a very slow and steady half please? I may just squeeze a 10k into the week as well.. I may be slow, but I’m greedy as well 😂
Definitely not too late!!! I have a half the week before so mine will be very slow too (may even be my recovery run 🤣). I'll put you down for both, but no worries if you change your mind 😊
Welcome! That's fabulous. Will this be your first HM?As I mentioned to PDIGC above, there are lots of useful discussions in the pinned post section for completing a half marathon - some bedtime reading perhaps 😊
Do be sure to claim your HM badge once you complete it (and we do love a race report, especially if it's your first half) 🥰
Apologies, I hadn't seen your message. It is my first HM yes. I have a slight knee niggle so I'm hoping this won't become too aggravated. I had IT band syndrome last year and that was awful. I'm trying to strengthen glutes etc so fingers crossed.
If I make the HM day I'll definitely be back on to report back.
Whatever you do, don't feel any pressure to push on for this HM if your niggles tell you otherwise. Better to fix the issue and run a half marathon when the time is right. There is always the option to run the HU10k instead, or indeed to rest it out and try another time. I'm not trying to discourage you, but equally I don't want there to be any unnecessary pressure on you 😊
Oh yes, we'd love to have you. If you're official event is on 14th and is 10k (or more), you can very much count that as your HUHM10K unless you specifically want to run it separately 😊
I’m made up to see my name on the 10k list! Back in January I wasn’t even sure if my running might be over, so it’s lovely to be back on track, fingers crossed. Thank you for organising linda9389 😊.
We're so glad to see you back too. It's so hard to see the light sometimes isn't it? But it's true. We just need patience. And when we are back, it's even better than ever. Every time! 🥰
Ah this sounds amazing but I’m nowhere near ready for a half Marathon for May but what a great idea! Good luck to everyone taking part and I’ll sign up for the next one!
Things have unraveled for me pretty quickly. Ankle trouble looming large. Some form of over use tendonitis is suspected. So whether I make it to the start line of the HU spring event is questionable. Need to be sensible though given my main events in 2023 aren't until the autumn. Not at panic stage yet, but was full of plans for lots of prep work and pre training training. But hopefully by being sensible and listening to my body things will resolve soon. 🤞
It's so frustrating isn't it! As you say, listen to your body and focus on those autumn events - see anything else as a bonus. Sending patience and healing vibes your way !!!
Hi All, I did a very slow 7.5 miles in the rain yesterday. I got up nice and early and was running by 6.30. It’s the longest run I’d done in years and although it was glacially slow, I felt very strong and really enjoyed it. I haven’t lived round here that long so it was a great way of exploring the lovely countryside.
I’m adding mileage very slowly but at this rate I should be just about ready for the half in mid May. How is everyone else’s training going?
Hi! Your running has progressed really well since your graduation, congratulations! Increasing your long run gradually is a great way to get to HM distance, and running it slowly is perfect! If at any point you decide HM is going to be too much of a stretch for this May you can always switch to the 10k this time. In the meantime though, good luck with your training, it's obviously going well so far and a great goal to aim for 👍
Mines going OK, apart from a slight knee niggle on one side. I'm up to 14k now and just adding one to two km each week on my longer run. I'm not going to go higher than maybe 18k and save the full HM distance for the event day. Fingers crossed i get there. Good luck to everyone.
Crossing my fingers tight for you. Do keep an eye on the niggle. There's nothing quite like increasing distance to find weak spots. Just keep taking note; ask yourself if it is progressively getting worse. If it is, you may need to act (rolling/stretching/strengthening, or maybe seeing a physio, or maybe cutting back). Do you have any cut back weeks in your schedule? One week of reduced mileage/load in every 4 or 5 is very beneficial, allowing the body time to repair and recover. Good luck 🤞
Actually I didn't know a cut back week was a good thing. My plan was to reach 18k and then just push for the final bit on the day. I'm only doing one long run per week adding an extra km or 2. The rest of the week I'll try and fit in a short run and a couple lower body conditioning classes at home which largely consists of squats and knee lifts. I have just started introducing my old physio exercises from last year when I did have IT band syndrome. On any long runs where I think the pain is getting too bad I just have a quick stretch and slow the pace. I will be sure to stop altogether if the pain gets worse or I notice it is not recovering post run. Currently, it's gone within 24hours but not sure what will happen as I increase the distance. Fingers crossed.
Some plans only go to 16k, so 18k and push on the day should work well. Reintroducing physio exercises sounds like a really smart move too. Cutback weeks really do help - definitely worth considering in the future 😊
Sorry to hear about the niggle but it sounds like you’re being cautious and sensible. I like the idea of leaving a little bit for the day. Good luck with it all.
yes I’ll join you in the 10k it will be something to aim for. After doing the virtual LM in 2020 I stopped running! So I want to try and keep running after the ‘real’ LM on the 23rd April. So having an aim is a great help ❤️
Hi again! So you're running the real LM this year? Wow, that's amazing, you may have stopped for a while, but you've certainly turned that around and got yourself right back into running again 👏 I hope you have a fabulous day. I will add you to our 10k start list and we'll keep an eye on you for added motivation if the post marathon blues are threatening to get the better of you 😀
definitely feeling very nervous about the LM as I’m old and slow!! But I’ve done the training so fingers crossed on the day will be much ch better. I loved the virtual running with family and friends and beeps from perfect strangers driving by. This just seems like a big step up.
Agree keeping the motivation up will be very helpful. Thank you xx
Ahh, but that big step up should be loads of atmosphere, loads of support and the most amazing feeling of camaraderie! You will be carried along on that wave. Old? slow? as far as I can see there is always someone older and someone slower ... all you need to do is make sure your having at least as much fun as they are 😍
I'd like to join in please. I'm following a n NRC plan and will be up to 16K (I hope) by May, but I'd like to run with my virtual buddies, is that ok? Not quite HM but over 10K?
Absolutely CG! It will be great to have you along. I'll put you down for the 10k and you can have bonus credits for the additional 6k 🥰 When it comes to submitting times, you'll be able to choose which 10 of the 16k to count 😍
Hi Linda, just wanted to confirm that I would please like to be on the 10k Start Line, rather than HM. A sore knee at the end of March and being away means I am a bit too far behind HM target, but keen to give the 10km a proper go!! Thank you.🙏🙏🙏
Sorry, I thought I'd replied. I'll add you to the start list for the 10k so you can kill two birds with one run 😍 If you mention it on our May events post here healthunlocked.com/marathon... you'll also be included in our weekly pompom cheer and know that there are lots of VRBs cheering you on 😍
Thanks linda9389 you did reply but I hadn't booked the event then so I was letting you know the event name. It's just coincidental it's on the same day 😁
I’ll need to drop out unfortunately 😞 6 weeks on the injury couch means I’m not in any fit state for taking part in anything; virtual or otherwise. Plan to slowly build up my return starting next week 🤞 with some run-walks to see how it’s all working. I’ll be sending a big virtual cheer to everyone taking part in both distances on the 14th.
Really sadly, I’ll have to pull out of this one now too. The comeback from injury is going really well but it’s just too soon for me to be ready in time. I was thinking about run/walking it but I know myself well enough to know I’ll push on further than I should. 😭😭😭
Next time round, I’ll be there and this time I’ll be on the sidelines, alternating waving my pom poms and holding up a silly sign for everyone else who is running 💪🏃♀️❤️
I’m going to have to pull out too Linda ☹️ I’m nowhere near where I should be and still having problems with my shins. My body doesn't like anything over 14K atm and, as I won’t get my new orthotics until after the 14th, I’m not going to risk even the 10K.
I’m so disappointed and gutted that I won’t be able to claim my gorgeous badge from Virtual Runner ☹️ but that’s running for you.
I’ll still be cheering everyone on though and thinking of every runner 😍
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
