Photo: Vancouver Half Marathon runners on the seawall (the bit I'm most looking forward to!)
Hello lovely VRBs. How are you? Are you lucky enough to have the Monday Bank Holiday off?
I'm writing this from Canada, with less than one week to go til the Vancouver Half Marathon that I have been so, so looking forward to.
The last few runs have been a real struggle and I had already decided to go out there and just enjoy the scenery with no other goal in mind. But now I wonder if I will be going at all!
Long story short I have a heap of sores on my face and it is very swollen with extremely painful glands on that side. I gave in today and ran the gauntlet of my travel insurance company and a Canadian walk in medical centre on a Sunday morning! Verdict: possibly shingles again, but definitely an infection too. So I am now armed with antibiotics and antivirals, a face mask for going out in public (noone wants to see this!), and a rather sad face as the Vancouver Half seems to hang in the balance for me right now.
Hey ho! We runners are resilient folk aren't we? What will be will be! There is always next time if things don't work out. Adapt. Be flexible. Listen to our bodies. Grrr!
Right now drinking tea is a tricky process for me, but please do sit down with a brew and share some good news! I know I'm not the only one facing potential disappointments right now, so, if you have no good news, then share the bad and we can be as supportive as only HU VRBs can be. And we all know that better times are on the horizon!
So, however it's going, do please tell us your plans and what you’ve been up to.
Oh nooo Linda, that must be so painful. You have been building up to this run and I’m really sorry to hear that you aren’t in the peak condition you were when we met last month. But your health must come first and you are a regular visitor to Canada and you can do the HM another year. That sea wall run does look fantastic.
🤞for you, and a big hug.
Happy May Day to all. This Bank Holiday came as a bit of a surprise as I was thinking it had shifted to the Coronation weekend. That’s retirement for you. When working, BH weekends were so important.
After a fun fancy dress parkrun on Saturday, it was great to get out in the garden at last and restore some order. I don’t have any real running plans in May, apart from building on my distance. I did 2 x 10k runs in April so I’d like to gradually extend that long run, and maybe drive to run in different places now the weather is getting warmer
The London Vitality 10k has shifted to September because of the Coronation, so no May races are booked so far. I do hope to do a tourist parkrun or two though.
I wish all my running buddies who are facing health challenges at the moment all the very best in the coming month, and hope that you will soon be back in those trainers.
Well let’s say the garden is work in progress. It was lovely weather down here Saturday/Sunday but after a sunny start today, it’s now pouring down. Thankfully I ran before the heavens opened but got a bit damp walking back afterwards. We looked like drowned rats.
This May really is the month of Bank holidays in the UK, isn't it! Your plans for May sound wonderfully laid back and indulgent - I love it! I guess that must have been a bit of a nightmare for the London Vitality organisers, but great that they managed to find an alternative date.
Here's to some lovely weather and lovely places for those longer runs. Enjoy 🌞
Oh no Linda - I really didn’t want to click on the like button here 😢 it’s rubbish and I’m sorry you’re in pain too. I’ll pray it’s not shingles and your meds kick in to help the infection but you know you won’t run if you’re not up to it - and you have had some beautiful runs/walks there and took in the gorgeous scenery. Sending hugs.
Thank you 😊 I too fervently hope it's just an infection - that way running on Sunday won't be such a crazy idea 😊 I hope you're enjoying some lovely runs too 😊
That sounds horrific Linda, I’m so sorry it’s putting your HM in jeopardy. Who knows though; antibiotics can be miracle workers, so perhaps there’s a chance you’ll be able to run. I hope so. ❤️🤞Shingles is nasty. ☹️
Nothing exciting to report here really. My fitness is still returning by degrees and I’m looking forward to my 10k race in a couple of weeks. I’m also really looking forward to the HUHM even though I haven’t run more than a 10k for yonks. I’m going to take Jeff with me and have fun on the WSM prom! 😀
The antibiotics are already making a difference - modern science is a wonderful thing 😀 I'm still hoping it's not shingles 🙏It's great that your fitness has finally returned - nothing less than you deserve after the dedicated edfort you've put in.
A race to look forward to it is always great motivation, and a prom is a fab location for a HM - at least it is in my opinion, with my preferences 😍
Ooh, a sparkly mask? Now there's an idea ... talk about making lemonade 😍Your idea of recovery runs is a little different than most it seems 🤣 Good for you! May you be fleet of foot and happy with your recovery result 👍
Aw Linda, I’m so sorry to hear this 😢, you must be in pain and disappointed. You must listen to your body, though, although why do our bodies give us the biggest shout outs when it’s least convenient! Bad bodies is all I have to say.
Unfortunately my news is neither particularly good or exciting. At the end of my 3rd week of a 12 week break, and still in a bit of pain which shifts around my leg. I also have covid now, so that scuppered any bank holiday I plans I had. I’m trying to look on the bright side as being stuck at home means I’m giving my leg a proper rest 😊.
However, your wise words a while back regarding your 5 month break and coming back stronger really do keep me going!
I sincerely hope you recover and even if you don’t get to do the HM, that you manage to have a lovely time in Canada regardless. It’s a country I’d love to explore.
Thanks RunWillie 😊. Physio said that a ton of muscle imbalances had caused strains and that the load of running was too much hence the pain. Didn’t help that I was doing hills which I’d been told to avoid, but I couldn’t help myself 🤣.
So it’s not one specific injury, rather lots of niggles that seem to be working their way down the leg as one bit improves.
That’s great you know what you need to work on. I’m hopeless at doing strength so I reckon I’ve got a heap of imbalances. You will be back Frenc & will be a much stronger runner. Sending hugs x
Good luck with your recovery and physio exercises Frenc . You are 25% through your time on the IC and hopefully with warmer weather, you will be able to get outside even if you can’t run yet.
Time passes so slowly when you can't run, doesn't it? Hopefully the physio has given you exercises to do to address the imbalances? Will you be having follow up appointments to assess any changes? To get covid on top of all that seems mighty unfair - you are getting a rotten share of luck just now ☹️ In the meantime, keep the faith. Things will improve.
I've only been to BC, but this part of Canada is certainly worth exploring if you ever get the opportunity 😊
Bad bodies indeed! How are you feeling now? I hope you’re improving and that the drugs are helping.
I do have exercises and another appointment with the physio next week. I also have a GP appointment on Friday as I want to cover all angles, but don’t know if I’ll make it as I still have the dreaded covid. But you could walk in to my GP with your head in a bag and he’d still say you’ve just pulled a muscle! We shall see.
sorry to hear you are unwell, it sounds very uncomfortable and unpleasant. Fingers crossed for a medical miracle, a speedy recovery and your HM run.
I’m trying to build up my hours on the bike while trotting out when I can. I love being on my bike but you need to be out so long to get some decent work done, half an hour in my trainers does the job so much quicker!! I’ve a 10k run and a 40 mile ride at the end of this week, so need to carry on with the training but save some energy for that.
Happy Bank Holiday everyone, and enjoy another one next weekend whether you be a Patriotic Royalist or Rebellious Republican!
You’re certainly getting those mile in now Shakes!
We’ve just bought some concert tickets for Saturday as I think we’ll be Coronationed out by 7pm. We were going to keep it precious for youngest kitten’s memories but he’s now going to work so…
Yep, you definitely need a bigger time investment for cycling the sort of distances you cover! A 10k run and 40 mile ride sounds like a strenuous end to the week, not to mention a very nice way to end a week. I hope the weather is kind to you 🌞
Oh no Linda 😟 that’s horrid, and I know how much you were looking forward to that HM. Here’s to a very speedy recovery now you’ve got the meds. I hope they do their job and you are able to get to that start line this year rather than having to postpone it 🤞
Having a bank holiday lie in this morning. An excuse for extra time in bed is always appreciated! My legs are feeling tired after doing 10k on Saturday and just over 8 miles yesterday. For some reason my brain is telling me to do ‘5k a Day in May’, my brain is evil! This is because it’s the last month I have to do it until November because marathon training starts again next month and I am way behind with my 2023km target. I have gardening to do today as well, so doing a 5k today may be a bit of a challenge! The tortoise may scupper the gardening anyway if the sun comes out. I need to go to the supermarket though, so fitting a 5k in with that at the end would be a reasonable option…
Two 10k races in May, both trails. I’m going back to work tomorrow for a rest (except I’ll be doing a 5k after work whilst I wait for Katnap to pick me up to go to a concert in Birmingham). I’m worn out just reading this back…I think I’ll stay in bed a bit longer…
BTW, we have 45 songs in the playlist for HUHM at the moment (we had 60 last time), any more ideas from anyone?
Take care Linda, big hugs xxx. Have a great runny week everyone!
I’m aiming for 2023km this year. I managed 2022km last year but it was a stretch with Covid & the big stack. I don’t run as long as you though. Excited to see your next marathon training block 😍
Your 2022km gave me FOMO RW. I finished last year’s 1000 miles by doing 5k a day in December but being poorly and then injured for a bit put me back this year. I’m sure I can do it though and this marathon will have more running in the training that the LM plan did. I’m trying the intermediate LM plan to try and get my time down, just got to adapt it to what we have planned over the next few months. Starting to feel a bit 😬 again…
I'm exhausted just reading that too! I hope you stayed in bed for a good while!!! 5k a day in May sounds like quite a challenge, but would certainly contribute to the 2023. Good luck whatever you decide.
I don't have much option as far as postponement goes - if I can show medical reason (which would cost me) I can save 25% next year, and that's about it. So I'm still hoping to do it, even if it's a slow meander rather than a race 🙈🤷♀️. I just wish they'd hurry up and let me know if it's shingles or not.
Great work on the HUHM10K playlist - I need to get a post written about the RunGo soundtrack ...
Ooh, I’ve just checked the list and we have more on there. A great excuse to delve back into Spotify!
How’s it going? Judging by your Strava it looks more positive than when you wrote this post? I really hope you are able to take part, even if it’s not as speedy as you hoped for.
On day 4 of my challenge. I was feeling it this morning but it’s been quite a long week and I’m still recovering from a late night on Tuesday. Next run will be about 40 hours after today’s, so I’m hoping that is lots of lovely recovery time. So far, so good 👍
Still waiting for shingles results, but have felt noticeably better today and yesterday. Still hoping to run, at a more leisutely pace. Off to the expo to pick up my race pack tomorrow .. beginning to feel a bit of excitement come ing back. Main issue could be the toll the antibiotics have taken on my digestive system 🤔 🙈😱😢
Not getting on to strava at the moment so didn't see that you are actually doing your May challenge - wow, go you superwoman!!!
Oh Linda; empathy and a shed load of sympathy too. We have both been targeted by the running meanies! One thing I liked about Canada was the health service. The sudden infection service was great. Ok we paid, but not a lot, and things like scans were same or next day and the pharmacy and surgery were in the same building. Triage within 10 minutes of walk in, and Dr appeared shortly afterwards; incredible. Even called me a taxi to take me home (compensation for being an old geezer🙂).
I too am in “what should I/can I do?” territory. The covid 19 has gone, my ARHR is falling, and I did short runs on Thursday and Saturday. Today is usually long run day on the plan, so that is what I will do; carefully. Had I still been on programme, today would have been 20 k. Last week’s cancelled run should have been 12k with intervals, the week before I ran an easy pace 16k. So if I were to do the classic “step a week back from when you last ran”, I would end up running further! So I will be sensible and start an easy 12k and see how it goes. Once my rage at the injustice dissipated, I quickly transferred my “energy” into getting well (aka kept falling asleep!) and am now stoically just getting on with it as best I can…..still doing some whining though…it is allowed! Get well quickly and be kind to yourself. Massive UK 🤗 🤗🤗.
I was very impressed with the service too BC, much better than the reviews had led me to believe .... although I'm still impatiently waiting for the results from the shingles test!
That soudns like a very sensible way to ease back into your plan. I think I started back from Covid with an 'easy' 12k too. I hope it goes well for you and you can then see this covid bout as a thing of the past. Onwards and upwards!
I suppose the testing turnaround time depends upon whether the tests are done locally. You would have thought that Vancouver would be a main testing centre anyway. 🤞🤞🤞for the right result. I was offered a shingles vaccination when I turned 70. I am very glad I said yes!!
The nurse said a couple of days. I called last night and he tol me to call back Friday!!! He confirmed everything is tested in Van. Hey ho. Patience Linda, patience!
Again that fits with our experience; digital imaging stuff was very quick, but anything involving test tubes / microscopes took longer. Frustrating, but it makes sense unfortunately. If they don’t hurry up you will have recovered !🙄
Hi Linda. I am so sorry to hear you are suffering with Shingles. I’ve had it periodically (always on left hand side of my face/forehead) since my late teens and it’s miserable. I reacted badly to anti virals but did find that each time I got it (including both pregnancies!) it was less severe. I really hope that with your meds and some rest you will be ok for the event. 🤞🤞🤞. I realise how disappointed you will be if you have to miss it 😢
Hoping you feel better soon.
For me, I’m on track for sub 60 minutes 10km for our HU event so am really pleased about that! Knee seems to be behaving but taking it steady. I’d like to aim for a faster time but most importantly I want not to get injured. My Garmin 10km plan takes in HU 10 km and Race for Life in early July. It was hottest run of the year so far yesterday so hoping for similar conditions or cooler when the days come!
Oh goodness! that's a long time to have been suffering from shingles - so early to have it first time around. As you say it's miserable, and it's very hard to ignore when it's on my face and in my mouth! Yuc!!! Still hoping this is only an ordinary infection, but we'll see.
Really good to hear that your knee has behaved enough to get back to 10k, and at a great pace too. Race for Life in July could well be hot couldn't it? My very first ever event was a July RFL (5k) and it was so, so hot and dusty. I won't ever forget that run, for some good reasons but also for some less good reasons 😍
Oh Linda, that's the worst news ever, fingers crossed the antibiotics and anti virals do their job quickly and you start to feel more comfortable, that's rotten bad luck.It's been a rollercoaster of a week here, ashes, coroner, family (his) 👎 then I finally got the pension letter to let me know how much I will be getting from works pension, it's only taken them 3 months to let me know whether I will be ok or will need to go and earn some money, then every day my lovely neighbour got home from work, text and said "I'm ready" so off we went for a walk. 👍
Then Sunday we gently ran run 1 of week 1, and it felt quite hard as she is half my age and her slow and gentle was just out of my comfort plod zone, but we are really enjoying ourselves, walk one day run one day and rest on Saturday 😁
Well Sola, it's certainly bad luck but it is far from the worst news ever 😘 Thank you for your wishes.
Gosh that's late in the day to get to know your pension income, what a worry! Glad it's sorted now though and you can plan properly. Your neighbour sounds lovely, and how wonderful that you are both there to hold each other to account and to make it more enjoyable for each other.
Oh Linda, how rubbish when you should be getting all over excited about now! 😟
Crossing fingers the meds do a super job & you still feel able to take part...but if not, as you say there's always other days & you know we all empathise. 🤞❤️
I took a month off a while back as my chest was still a little off & I started regularly feeling unwell the day after a run. I came back gently, 10 min runs every third day, then 15 etc, pleased as punch to be back to 5k 😊
I doubt I'll be at 10k for the HU run, but am thinking I can run 7 or 8 & walk the last bit...very much looking forward to it regardless 😁👍
You've done a great job of working your way back again. You may surprise yourself and run the whole 10k, but another option may be to incorporate a 1k warm up walk and a 1k cool down walk, running the middle 8k if that feels feasible. Then if you're feeling good at 9k, you may just find you can run one more ... 😊You know yourself best though - whatever works for you 🥰
I agree - sensible is sometimes only for paper!!! And on that note, I am fairly sure I will 'run' on Sunday; slow and steady but that will give me more time to take in the views 😍 And if that choice comes back to bite me I will know it was my own fault 🙈🤷♀️🙃
Run done! Turns out it was a 13.1k aka 8 miles. I walked the long steep hill ( @Katnap please note) and took things very steadily. By 11k I was ready to give up! Enter Coach Bennett right on cue with his “this is the toughest part of the run, but you are tougher etc etc “ so I fell for it and kept going. All 13.1k. My legs felt like lead in the last 2 k. It was quite warm, I didn’t take a drink and maybe a bowl of porridge laced with honey and a cup of tea wasn’t quite enough this morning. In fact it clearly wasn’t enough!! Flat white, triple chocolate brownie and a bottle of water later, I am picking up. I was lucky to be able to run that far so soon post covid; I should be grateful. 🙂
Following on from my viral infection in February, I am now using average resting heart rate as a recovery indicator. It dipped below 60 this morning, hopefully on its way back to 54. I hope that you are feeling much better and that your ARHR is behaving. Bugs cannot be allowed to win!!
We will be in Vancouver (our first visit) for a few days in early August. Heathrow to Vancouver non-stop is a bit daunting; I could pick any number of bugs in that time 🤒🙂. Looks beautiful.
That's a great ARHR BC. Interestingly mine has behaved fairly well through all this. I'm surprised.
I hope you love Vancouver! I have travelled so many times through these Covid times and been lucky enough to not even pick up a cold. Don't worry too much xxx
OMG Linda, sounds awful, I really hope you get well soon and you sound really positive despite how you must be feeling. I hope the antibiotics kick in soon and you get some relief.
What would your advice be to another runner in your position? That's what you need to follow for yourself. Take care and be kind to your self 💝
I know worse things happen, I have plenty to be grateful for, but I am sulking 😍 I've checked deferral and refund and there's no sensible option. I've checked the cut off time - 4 hours. I've decided I will probably give it a go, but be kind to myself and taking it as pure tourism.
Hope all is well with your running after your super race 😊
I hope it goes as well as it possibly can. I'm a real believer in everything for a reason even if sometimes it's not clear at the time, but it will be at some point. You take care.🤗
Sorry to hear you have shingles Linda. I know it can be very painful. I don't think my sister has ever forgiven me for missing her wedding many years ago because I had shingles ...
Best wishes for your upcoming event; I hope if you get some good rest between now and then that may do the trick. 🤞
My running was going well, and then a sore foot took the wind out of my sails. This has reduced my mileage the last couple of weeks.
Yesterday I switched running shoes - to a pair of Nike Tempo Next% which seem to be providing fantastic protection for my foot, so I'm hopeful I'm back on track.
I'm still hoping the test for shingles will come back negative, but we will see 🙏
That would be a great result if the short rest and new shoes have done the trick. It's amazing how much cushioning shoes can lose, even before the soles or tops show any sign of wear. Maybe new shoes was exactly what was needed. 😊
Not actually new shoes - already had 350 km on them - though I do have some new Nike Tempos on the shelf when needed. More that the soreness was in the arch of my foot and I realised the Tempos don't let that part of my foot touch the ground.
Oh no, Linda! That sounds awful and is such bad luck. I will join with the others in hoping that the antibiotics do their thing - and hope that you feel more comfortable soon. It will be a real shame if you have to miss your race but it’s not worth racing if you are unwell. Fingers crossed for you.🤞
I am plodding along on my usual runs, enjoying these two bank holidays and looking forward to the Great Bristol 10k in a couple of weeks.🙂
Bad luck for sure, but hey ho! I will probably attempt the race but am not likely to be 'racing' 😊There's a plethora of Bank Holidays this month isn't there ... something to celebrate, and running is a great way to celebrate! The Bristol 10k is something nice to look forward to too. I hereby declare May a good month 😍
Oh no Linda sorry to hear your news but I really admire your positive attitude 🙂 hope things improve for you soon 😘My news, after good running week 2 weeks ago, last week I was really slack! New running week for me starting with Tuesday club tomorrow night 🤞hope for better things!
Unfortunately stuck in work today but managed an evening 6.5k walk down to the seafront tonight for some nice air!
Really slack? Sounds like a great tactical recovery week to me 😍That's a gorgeous photo ... I'd love for my walks to end up at the sea 😊Hope you enjoyed the club run and are all freshly motivated 😊
Oh Linda, that’s awful. Shingles is supposed to be really nasty. A friend has just been diagnosed even though she’s never had it before.
I really wish for a good recovery and that you are able to run the HM. You were looking forward to this one so much and I sympathise with the thoughts that are probably going around your head at the minute. There’s always something in this running game isn’t there? Just when things are flowing nicely 🤬
My running is not flowing nicely. I keep getting shin pain after long runs so I headed to a new podiatrist at the weekend. I gave a detailed report in my “3D gait analysis” post but essentially I’m not running at all until the shins are completely pain-free. I realise that kneeling in the garden is not doing them much good either but I can’t give up two passions at the same time!
Hey ho, we know we’ll heal and get out there again and we’ve been on this road many times before.
I’m sending you a big hug and am keeping everything crossed for you that you will feel well enough and be contagious-free for your race 🤞🥰
Thanks IP. I had shingles three weeks before my miserable GSR back in 2018, and I always blamed the shingles for that misery; on that basis alone, I really hope it's not shingles this time! Still waiting for the results on that ...
I'm so sorry to hear your shins are still problematic. To impact both your passions is truly tough, especially as the weather is improving too. I hope you can find shed loads of patience ... as you say we are old hands at travelling this healing road aren't we!!!
I hope that your medication is working and that you’re starting to feel better. As usual, your photos of BC are beautiful. It looks like you’ve been having a great time overall. Crossing my fingers for a quick recovery.
I’ve been missing in action on here for a bit. I’m going to walk part of the Camino in a couple of weeks so have been running less, walking more and doing a bit of strength training. I have a half marathon on the schedule for the end of September.
Thank you. Yes, as always the photos here in BC do not disappoint! The unexpectedly lovely weather has been an amazing bonus (although I believe rain awaits in Vancouver!).
Good luck with your Camino walk - I'm sure that will be amazing, enjoy. End of September is a great time for a half marathon (which one are you doing?) - something lovely to look forward to.
Which part of the Camino Lavender1962 ? I know several parts of the French route; in fact I was staying at a gîte on the Chemin de Compostelle just this weekend.
Oh no linda9389 that is such bad luck. I do hope it isn’t shingles and that the antibiotics do their magic before the weekend. I assume the photo is Stanley Park? I can understand why you are so keen to run there. Beautiful!
I am still plodding on with one Club efforts session a week, one Club social run and parkrun (pace is creeping up again after the latest cough and cold over Easter). I’ve got the 2 Castles 10k next month with ARBs so am thinking I might just do a 4th longer run each week as prep.
Fingers crossed for the weekend and sending hugs xx 🤗
oh gawd 😖. Ruddy typical innit! It could be stress! Shingles can recur at such times. I got a mahoosive breakout of something immediately prior to flying to my son’s wedding 🙄.
I hope you are well enough to take part but if not you could spectate perhaps 🙂. Fingers crossed for you 🤞
I have started to think about the end of this NRC HM running week (Monday for me). It is a 20k run. Ignoring covid, this follows a 13.1k long run last Monday, which was preceded by 2 x16.1k long runs in the preceding two weeks. Am I having a C25k run 3 week 5 moment, or is this really a hell of a jump?
Oh my goodness... how horribly painful! So near to that HM and in such a stunning place ! We came to Wales yesterday... Bank Holiday at home...but arrived here to sunshine and today ahs been gloriously sunny and warm... AND i got a run in!
Whilst I am here I am going to eat well, sleep well and keep building my strength back, yet again, after the issues of the last couple of weeks, ready for our Virtual HM and 10K !
Every thing is crossed for your recovery and the pain to ease... stay strong and sip slowly.. you are right.. we are determined and we will get through..
Sending you a very gentle hug and hopes for feeling better soon xxx
PS
I am about to write a very positive post on Bridge about struggling and strength ! You have it in oodles xxx.
Absolutely right Floss; if anyone can do this, Linda can. Just a question of her making sure that she doesn’t try too hard…but she is too sensible to do that. Horrible bad luck. 😬
Aww, what a lovely thing to say - that's made my day 🥰
Sunny North Wales is such an amazing treat isn't it? I'm sure that must have lifted your spirits. It's things like that - and runs like that - which make us really appreciate why we stick with it through thick and thin. I hope you have the most restorative of stays xxx
Oh my goodness Linda, that sounds awful. I hope you aren’t too badly affected and can take part in the Vancouver HM. It would be such a shame if you couldn’t do it, but as you say what will be, will be. Get well very soon.
As you know, this week I got a PB in the 100, dipping just under 13 seconds for the first time at 12.99. I run again this weekend. I’ve got the 100 heat and final on Saturday and the 200 heats and final on Sunday at the Sussex County Champs. It’s a big event in Crawley at the K2 stadium there. This year they are also running the Sussex Masters Championships within the event. This means that I will be running with guys more my own age than at normal open events unlike the one earlier this week.
I'm going to do it! Slower ofcourse, but thats OK and definitely better than not at all.Wow, you're having a busy month. Go show them how it's done 🔥💪😊
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