First off, a big thankyou to Dexy5 for hosting the weekly chat last week 🙏
How’s your week been? Mine could definitely have been better but I'm in denial ... this should be week 4 of my HM plan and I haven't even got started yet; I feel there will be a need for some creativity in the upcoming weeks 🤔
Anyways. On to other matters. The admin team over here on marathon have been chatting about how to ensure we make this forum appealing to our fellow VRBs; we want to make sure we attract new people and then keep them interested, and we want to ensure this forum doesn't appear 'cliquey' to new members. (Edit: we don't want to put off any longstanding members who DO contribute - it's the collective experience that so many of you share that form the backbone of this forum and we are very grateful to our regular contributors for that 🙏)
One thing we are already working on is the forum name: we're well aware that a 'Marathon' forum sounds pretty daunting to many (maybe even to most!) - it certainly did to me - and it really isn't a true reflection of who we are. We hope to remedy that soon.
But beyond the forum name, can you remember anything that put you off joining? or what put(s) you off posting, or replying to the weekly chat? Do you have any ideas for things we could do to make the forum a better place? Ideas for more challenges perhaps? This really is your forum, so any thoughts or ideas would be very welcome. We know some members lie to read and enjoy, others like to chat and post but we want to make sure (as far as we can) that there is nothing putting anyone off! Maybe we can get a discussion going in the comments below, or if you prefer to PM one of the admins that will work too 🥰
But do tell us about you and your running (or not running as the case may be) too! Reading your experiences not only gives us new ideas, but also helps us all keep our own week in perspective and to feel part of a great and varied community of runners. So, was it a good running week for you? Or a little less than good? Or maybe just plain average, which in my book counts as good (no, I promise not to harumph about mine this week 😍).
Tell us all in the comments below, but most of all, we wish you a great week!
The Marathon Team xxx
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linda9389
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Hi Linda. I have a bit of time on my hands after crashing over a tree root on a crushed ash path at the beginning of this morning’s long run! Knee deeply grazed and full of ash, heel of hand bashed and a sore rib! Frustrating. I can walk though and maybe even run when the soreness reduces. Enough of that!
I think there is a point to be made about the title of this forum. I did find it off putting and saw marathon runners as a class apart. I am never going to run that far. But, everyone on this forum is friendly and happy to share their experiences, and not everyone aims to run marathons. It was roseabi who tempted me over. She replied to my post in Bridge to 10. I think I was musing about what to do next after 10k + became routine, and she said that there was a 10 mile badge available on the Marathon Running and Race support forum. “Just saying “ was how she put it. 🙂 So I went for it, and then went on to do a HM pretty quickly.
I think that referencing plans help, whether that is the written plans we can access on the forum or the free NRCHM plan. I only discovered the latter because VRBs mentioned it. It has made a huge difference to my distance runs.
Oh no BC! That's too, too bad. I hope it heals well and proves superficial at worst. It's too darn easy to go down ☹️ But you'll be back up and running again, of that I have no doubt. Hope you still get a flat white and a brownie?
I agree about the forum name - it has delusions of grandeur to which many of us don't/can't/won't aspire 😍
The leg is just a big deep graze. The main problem in terms of mobility is my ribs. The right hand side is painful when I walk or breathe…..ribs just get better in their own time if I remember correctly from my footballing days. I felt as though I could have continued running just after it happened (ok it would have been messy) but not now. What is the word I am searching for ….heck!🤬
Oh crikey BC, not what you needed AT ALL. 😫 I got thrown off my horse when it put on the anchors in front of a big jump, and I sailed over his head and landed on it, breaking a couple of ribs. Painful as anything for a while, but yes you’re right, unless your breathing is compromised indicating a punctured lung, there’s not much anyone can do except prescribe pain killers. Please get better soon. You want to enjoy your holiday - and run. 🤞🤞🤞🤞
It is what it is cheeky. I clattered down heavily on my right knee and side, rolled with fall and stuck out my left hand to prevent further damage…so my left hand is complaining too. Mrs BC is more bothered than I am ….might be worrying that I won’t be able to lift the small library she takes on holiday each year! Christmas and Birthday gifts saved up for the journey and quiet evenings. Molly is licking my knee ….the wrong one fortunately 😂. What were we saying about niggles? 🙄
There is urgent work to do; helping linda9389 to redesign this forum. I have been thinking that I post too often; I would hate to think that this deterred anyone else.🤔
You don’t post too much at all BC, plus you take the time to respond to other people’s posts regularly. You’re always there with a friendly word of encouragement. 😀
Now be careful hoicking that library of Mrs BC’s around!
🙂 I understand Linda. It is a question I ask myself occasionally.
On the wider question, I wonder if confidence is a big issue. My experience won’t be typical because my age is a factor, but I never expected to reach 5k, or 10k and the longer distances seemed out of the question because I started so late in life. Ju_ju’s plan was critical in getting me to 10k. I enjoyed her slightly off beat videos too. The two together offered a step by step structure which allowed me to check out week by week that I could do the additional distances. Meeting up with the ever expanding crazy gang in the process was a real bonus of course, and that continues to be the case.
That process was repeated in the Marathon forum, after roseabi dangled the carrot of a 10 mile badge, although initially I felt out of my depth here and tended to continue to post only on Bridge to 10k for a while. This may happen anyway, but maybe the message that “YOU can go further, if you would like to, and we will help you get there” needs to start in Bridge to 10. Probably just a statement of the obvious, but there you are 🙂
I think that's a good point BC. Just as roseabi dangled the carrot for you, so the current admins on Bridge can do the same. A 'steady migration' helps too because people then find names they recognise and that does wonders for anyone lacking confidence 😊
Hi Linda. My rib cage is about the same thanks, painful when I move. . I think that the knee wound (about the size of my knee cap) looks clean but angry red! Mrs BC has decided that she is taking me to the walk in clinic to have a proper dressing applied 🙄. I thought that I was doing ok, but Mrs BC gets anxious, so time to give in gracefully. Our psycho friend says 3 weeks for the rib cage.
If my ribs didn’t hurt so much, I would be running today is probably the most meaningful assessment. There is no stiffness anywhere in my legs at all.👍
I suggested 2 weeks to the clinic; they thought that would be fine. I think our friend automatically manages expectations so as not to disappoint; he will be quite happy with an earlier recovery date.
No problem. Very thorough; checked my ribs and dressed my knee using honey! BP, blood oxygen all good. He said I would be fine as I was so fit. Flattery gets you everywhere.🙂
oh no Beachcomber66 , so sorry to hear about your fall. The trouble with tripping while running is that happens much faster and comes as such a shock. I hope it looks better once you’re cleaned up, and you won’t be on the IC long.
Cheers FP. I think it was the surface which has hard spiky edges which did the damage, that and the fact that my knee skidded along it rather than just hitting it square. People get much worse 🤷♂️
Thanks JP. I have had rib injuries before….centre forwards have very sharp elbows! The knee will heal much more quickly; biggest problem is stopping Molly from licking it!
The problem with ribs that they take a while to heal, as I have to keep breathing…..I will know more tomorrow. We will walk miles on holiday so I won’t be sitting around feeling sorry for myself. Hope you get a date soon.🙂
Oh no BC, I hope you’re not too sore for too long. Just as you get back to it as well. Blinkin’ tree roots, jumping out of the ground, not minding their business, annoying innocent runners 🤕
😂 I was wearing sunglasses because it was so bright, but the area where I fell is lined by dense foliage; I think that I just didn’t see the tree root …..or it jumped out in front of me of course. It’s years since I fell over anything!
Definitely jumped out! The same thing has jumped out at me twice this year. Actually, I have found wearing sunglasses has been very tricky around the park in certain light conditions, they do make it difficult to see the tree roots. Take care out there!
I just looked it up - 17th June 2022 waw ny fall! Close huh? That was a really, reallly hot day - in the 30s later in the day -- and I was in the shade of the woods, in sunglasses, tripped over a root! Maybe I'll put out a warning early June next year 😍
I think you’re right Linda! I think BC’s comment about sunglasses is something to note for the future. It’s getting used to the different light in the summer and that light through sunglasses can make the roots look different.
Thanks IP. We will be speaking to our psychiatrist family friend as usual at 10.00. If he can’t help to fix it he will persuade me that it doesn’t matter 🙂
Ouch that sounds painful😞, hope you recover quickly. These blinking trees and tree roots that insist on jumping out!!I agree with your point, I was rather put off by the title thinking that my entries into 10kms weren't in the right forum.
I wonder if we don't just call it, General running and support?
There's a thought. At the moment we're thinking to include 'beyond 10k' or something of that ilk, to give a sense of progression from the other two forums. Along with 'race support' for those who are looking to enter races and the like. Whatever it ends up being, it won't be fancy 😍
The concept in my head is this forum is there to offer support and share knowledge and to share stories and information :- (a) for people who want explore going further than 10k; (b) for accomplished 10k plus runners; (c) for anyone! We need a pithy phrase to capture all that 🫣
Thanks aliboo. I am just in “get on with it” mode now. Two funny developments. The hospital put honey on the wound to help heal it, but the weather is so warm now, the honey is melting and running down my leg! Molly is very interested! I also checked my Garmin record of the run; just 1k and then the crash landing, but VO2 max awarded me a point 🙄
Sorry to hear about your fall BC. I wish you a speedy recovery. By the way I think having you on this forum is amazing. You are a true gent and I love that you find the time to respond to fellow VRBs and are always encouraging and positive in your responses. 👍 Keep doing what you are doing.
Thanks Brian. There is a really good open group of people on HU; the more comfortable people feel about joining in the better… I am sure that we all feel that way.🙂
No ideas from me (yet!!) but I promise I will ponder it.
I remember I joined as a progression really from C25K and then Bridge….. after doing the 10k and moving up distance it just felt natural that all those over 10k would come into this section. However, I do think it did cross my mind that maybe I was a bit of an imposter given I am a ‘half marathon’ runner as opposed to a full one. A tweak of the name may be helpful I think.
I also find when using the forums that I’m much more likely to respond and get involved with a chat as opposed to start one off with my own post. Not sure why to be honest but I think it’s just easier for me 🤷🏻♂️
So with both of the above in mind I can contribute to this weeks chat by announcing I will likely do as little running as possible this week!!!
I ran the Southend Half Marathon yesterday along our seafront (yes, I know it’s probably more estuary than sea but I didn’t name the place 😂😂). This was made much more difficult by the fact it was in 24 degree heat (at 9am) and there is no shade whatsoever.
I was absolutely thrilled to finish (if only so i could attend to my sunburn) and am over the moon that I got the whole way round in what felt more of a test of endurance than I’ve ever done. My time wasn’t amazing but I am more than happy with it in the circumstances!!
I guess I’ll have to do a ‘recovery run’ at some point this week but I’ll put it off as long as possible.
Finally, just in case anyone is interested - I used the NRC half marathon plan this time and whilst I didn’t do anywhere as many runs as it gives the options to do - I found the variety of runs and training options was much better than my old method of just running a little bit more once weekly and the odd 5k midweek. I’d probably recommend it as long as you are someone who doesn’t need to tick every box off (as 5 runs a week seems an excessive undertaking to me)
No ideas works for me! We just want to make sure we aren't missing a trick somewhere 🥰
I still feel an impostor here whenever I hear it called 'the Mara forum' or I sign of with 'the marathon team' 😍
Congratulations on the Half marathon yesterday. Sounds idyloic running by the sea in the sun ... BUT.....!!! That must have been a real test of endurance - you deserve a rest (but do keep moving).
I too love the variety of the NRC plan and have no qualms about only doing three of the five runs each week (and even those take me longer than a calendar week as I only run every third day). It's a great resource.
I felt the same way when I joined all three forums tbh. At least I do accept I'm a 'runner' now. I can shop for shoes in person without apologising for my pathetic efforts 😍
I lurked on C25K but never posted until I'd completed, as I was so scared of failing and looking stupid. Not sure re Bridge, but think it may have been the same.
As for here, I'm not going to respond on forum until later in the week. As you know I think it's important for forum members to give their views without my piling in with my ten-ton boots and my admin hat.
Took me months to screw up the courage to go into the local running shop, co-owned by a guy who actually came 21st in the Marathon des Sables a few years ago. They didn't laugh at five-foot nothing, 60 year old, novice runner me for coming in and saying I wanted proper trail shoes. They couldn't have been nicer.
Wow, it was so hot yesterday. So well done you on running a HM! I’m quite good at putting on sun tan lotion before a run (another faff to stop me getting out) , but I missed a patch today. There’s no doubt it works where you put it on!
Good to hear from someone who wasn’t a Fordy Runner doing the Southend Half yesterday Kevin! There seemed to be hundreds of them meeting up down there.
Half marathons are tough enough without the added heat, been there myself during the mid-July HMs they like to have around my way, and it’s really hard work. Very well done!! 👏👏👏
thanks very much - yes there is always a big Fordy runs contingent at Southend HM. I’m looking out for the video to appear on you tube. Said hello to Chris Ford when he passed me (there is a loop, I was nowhere near him pace wise 😂)
Would love to see you do it. It’s a shame it’s been so hot the last twice (this year made last look positively cool though). It’s a nice race (except for Maplin Way near 12 miles). The 10k in October is worth a look too.
Yes - I discovered how to do intervals with NRC and I strangely love them!!
I'm slightly tempted by the 10k. Let's see.I agree about the NRC interval runs. I used to be scared of them but they are oddly enjoyable in a masochistic kind of way.
I enjoy the chat, the fact that I can forget about timing, as that is all done for me, and I like the data showing the speed achieved in each speed interval which I don’t get from my G35 (maybe that is operator error). It feels really liberating to be flying along, knowing that I won’t be maintaining the speed long enough to do any damage! A trip back into my crazy past! 🏎️
That HM plan is brilliant. That’s when I found my love of the interval/tempo/fartlek run… hideous but wonderful. I’m on my third time doing it at the moment. It’s hill repeats this week and I can’t wait!!!
That heats been brutal for running in so congratulations 👏👏 on that HM. I'm following the same plan and now in week 3, 12 weeks to go, I did 5 runs last week then took 2 days off before today's hill repeats, it's a great plan isn't it?
Yes it is really good. I must admit I ignored the ‘recovery runs’ and ended up selecting 3 runs a week from the plan. The long run, an intervals run and one other based on what it had for that week.
Well done on the hill repeats today - by far the hardest runs in my experience as your mind definitely questions quite why you keep running up again!!
I’ll definitely use the plan again (I have a charity spot for the London Landmarks Half next year).
I’m running the ASICS 10k in London in a few weeks so need to figure out what to follow to keep me moving between now and then!!
I decided, as i only have 3 official medals (and two coveted HU virtual runs - Autumn 2020 HM and Spring 23 10k) I should probably enter a few more things to make it worth investing in a medal hanger!!
Medal hanger whatever next 😲. I have no medals, I'm thinking though if I keep the consistency up I might enter something next year. Someone told me about a race called Beat the Tide, from Worthing to Shoreham and back along the sand, I guess at my speed though I'd get wet coming back, it's 10k
Yes, it's not sand dunes or anything fancy and we have a lot of stones but the fact that I can walk there in just over 15 minutes and have a swim is a bonus
The NRCHM plan worked for me too. You have to pick you way through some slightly cheesy bits, but the outcome was really good. I didn’t manage a pb, but the HM felt really relaxed, no tight muscles at the finish. I am still using the runs to try to pick up pace a bit…or at least I was until yesterday’s nose dive. A steady recovery run and you will be good to go again. Sea breezes should help 👍
I love the weekly chat as I love hearing how everyone is - the good, the bad & the ugly. I love being part of this running community & it has actually inspired me to not rule out a marathon one day. I’m very happy to hang out here though whilst a half marathon is still a stretch for me. It’s a journey 😍
I’m heading to Spain this week with my sister to see my Mum who is not very well. We’re travelling light so I’m wearing my Peg’s to keep all running options open.
That's good to hear! We're all behind you on that journey to a marathon 🥰Best wishes to you and your mum, I hope you have a lovely trip and find some nice runs too 😊
I get it Linda. However, I came over from the Bridge when I began running regular races, and I didn’t let the word Marathon put me off - rather that the word Race attracted me.
Maybe a snappy race-type title, or one which emphasises the next step up from 10k? (Not helpful as I haven’t suggested an actual title have I? 😅)
Anyway, I hang out over here for the most part now, but I always peruse the Bridge too. All super friendly forums. 🥰
Probably quite a few Linda. But the flood gates opened when I ran the Bristol 10k and got my very first beautiful 🏅I had to have more, and the distance came naturally. 😀
Hello Linda, my week of hosting is nothing compared to what all of you admins do all of the time to keep these forums going. It’s only fair to take the load off every now and then.
Yes it did take me a while to move over here because most of my running is up to 10k so I thought the bridge was more relevant. But really, once you’ve achieved the 10k distance this should be the natural place to be as you’ve crossed that bridge.
Hopefully, our class of 18 isn’t seen as cliquey to others, but we do seem to have stuck with you longer than many groups, and that is probably because of our meet ups and the friendships we have made. But if others feel excluded because of that, we can certainly tone things down.
This should certainly be the place to discuss plans for increased distances. Although I have no plans to do a marathon, the discussion on long distance training is useful. What is a tempo run, a set back week, tapering?. What do you need to carry on a longer run to sustain you through the miles ahead? Tips for summer running , winter running etc. Race support is great on here too with the mass of advice from other more experienced runners.
I’ve just had an email from the organisers of my next 10k race at Exbury Gardens and discovered there are 600 female runners out of the 1000 entries. What great statistics when you think of the times when women were not allowed to compete. I think it is also an indication of their higher interest in the free entry to the gardens included.
Only 2 weeks to go now, and although it will be hard to get there for a 9.00 start, hopefully it will mean lower temperatures than I ran in today. 🥵 2 T-shirts are available and I’m hoping to get there early enough to have the mint green, rather than the Fluoro yellow. 😬
I was thinking maybe removing the word ‘Marathon’ might be the way to go. Seems a shame though but maybe something that suggests endurance runs beyond 10k? Maybe just ‘Beyond 10k’ - bit boring though…
I love looking at the stats to see the ratio of men to women at parkrun and in races. It’s always good to see it more balanced out or, like your race, more women. I’ve noticed my club is really female heavy, it’s very pink, very aimed towards fun rather than competitiveness. There definitely seems that there has to be a little something extra to make it more attractive to women.
The Fordy Club certainly knows how to have fun TailChaser .
I guess yellow is just not my colour . We did a rainbow out of our running shirts for a parkrun pride photo. Apricot was the closest we could get to yellow. My running jacket is yellow though .
I hate the pink/blue thing Linda but it seems to have worked with the Fordy’s. Chris wears pink so everyone else is happy to wear pink 🤷🏻♀️ The coach wears loud, flowery Saysky kit just to complement the pink 😅 I rebel and wear purple!
I think, whilst it is obvious the ‘class of 18’ have genuinely become friends through the forum it doesn’t come across as cliquey or exclusive. I genuinely get the impression anyone could come along to a meet at a race and be welcomed with open arms.
I would also say that in posts on the forums you all also seem genuinely welcoming and willing to converse with any forum member. It was this that made me stay after joining a couple of months into my C25K
That is really lovely to hear. I never thought of it as cliquey, I’ve never been in a clique in my life! We love meeting fellow VRBs, just as Cheeky says 😀
Love the t shirt carrot. Run Dexy, run!!!More women than men is still pretty unusual I think isn't it, although most events I've done have been close to 50:50. I'm very envious though, that sounds such a great venue (to me at least).
As this forum is the last in line, some people do stay around and so a few cliques may be inevitable ... but that's not the same as cliquey; the main thing is to make sure newcomers feel welcomed - and the group of 18 is a very welcoming bunch 😊
Thanks for Hosting Linda - hope your training experience improves pronto!
I got a 10 mile badge here a few months after I completed C25K, but I was perhaps a little intimidated, felt I would be out of place, until IP noticed I ran a HM distance last summer and suggested I get an HM badge.
I often feel I have nothing to say, as my running is very dull (which is how I like it), and cannot comment on posts about races as I have no experience of racing, but I do still feel a strong sense of community through this forum which is invaluable and has sustained me through the ups and downs of several years learning how to run. And the recent Virtual HM was great and I think provided a real sense of it being a shared, if virtual, occasion.
For my current running, I just hope to get through June unscathed as the heat does not suit me, and there are a lot of events going on ...
I say unscathed - on Saturday morning I found myself jogging through the setup of an athletics event with 100s of people milling around. A large chap stepped in front of me, we collided, made our apologies, and I continued hardly breaking stride. A km further on I realised my Aeropex headphones were no longer on my head. I jogged back, but of course they had disappeared by then, with so many people around. I try to have a spare of everything as I know I will break or lose things, so I walked home, put on the other Aeropex and set off again.
On Sunday morning I found myself catching up several chaps carrying wind surfing boards in single file on a narrow pavement. They were leaving room on the left, so no problem, except that as I began to pass them the chap at the front suddenly closed off that space. His companions shouted a warning, and so did I, but there was nowhere for me to go. I stopped running, but my momentum tipped me forward so I fell down. I hit the ground with my hands in front of me in kind of a reverse press up, bending my arms to absorb the impact. The chap with the board was apologising and asking if I was OK, and I got up, smiled, waved and carried on. When I got home I found I had grazed and broken the skin around my right elbow but was otherwise fine.
So, an eventful weekend, but on the bright side, there was no way I would have had the balance and core strength to brush off these incidents if I was not a (somewhat) experienced runner. All good I think!
We very much welcome members who enjoy reading but prefer to stay in the background 😊 We just want to do our best not to put people off joining or put them off posting or replying if they would like to. We want people to feel comfortable and confident that there is a place here for them.Goodness you had anything but a dull run! Glad things turned out as well as they did given all that; annoying about the Aeropex though, not cheap 😕
That’s annoying about your aeropex ForbiddenPlanet . I discovered I had lost an earring after my run yesterday. Now where in those 10km around Southsea could that be? This running lark is getting expensive!
Hi Linda, I always read this weekly chat but don't often comment, I feel like a bit of an imposter because the furthest I've run is 10k and that was very slow. I'm following a HM plan and going in to week 3 but I doubt I'll ever run a full marathon. Last week was good but I've taken 2 days off before starting this next week and my legs are ready to run again so hopefully tomorrow although it's very warm .
You are definitely not an imposter! Someone wiser than me above described this as the place after you’ve done 10k or want race support etc. I think it does feel like the obvious end progression for us all after we have crossed the bridge and achieved the goals of C25K and ‘bridge to 10k’ regardless of how many times we’ve gone that far. I also think it feels the right place where runners can be if they aren’t going for the 5k goal or working a plan to 10k. It’s a nice comfy lounge where we can sit and talk over tea together.
Most of us aren't going to run a marathon, you're in very good company there. Thinking about it I felt an imposter when joining wvery one of the running forums! Maybe that's inevitable. Like others, it was a tentative step to increasing distance and it was rhe warm welcome when I arrived (rather than any confidence in my ability) that kept me here 😊
Good evening Linda, I’m just drying off after my club run. Just managed to dodge the thunder but it was like running in the shower - the rain was so warm!
Funny old week last week. No more 5ks a day, so I went to the gym to get ahead on my marathon strength routine and it totally wrecked my legs 🤣 Got a bit carried away, that’ll teach me! Had to make sure I was ok for Sunday so I did very little other running apart from my Weds club run and my weekly run with Shakes. I didn’t even do parkrun, I marshalled. Seemed to do the trick though as I beat my course pb by a few seconds yesterday, which will do me in that heat.
As for this part of HU…well yes, I was intimidated too when I first started out, and when I took the decision to go beyond 10k it felt like a rite of passage tbh. It was intimidating, a bit scary but I also felt very proud that I had come so far that I felt I could chat and contribute to a forum where some really experienced, ‘proper’ runners hung out. It felt like stepping up onto a podium. I still feel very proud that I chat on the Marathon forum, especially now I have ‘Marathon’ against my name! I can see what you mean though - do you think people aren’t stepping up because they feel they don’t belong to ‘our club’?
I’ll have a think about the rest. As you know, and as my name implies, the main thing that stops me contributing is just a lack of time 😩 I’d love to contribute more, which is why I love this weekly chat!
Glad your rested legs paid off - given restraint doesn't come easy to you, the PB was well deserved, congratulations 😍I guess it's inevitable that people feel nervous or at least challenged, when they move up to a new distance; it's getting the balance right so it's not offputting that is our challenge.
It does sound like weekly chat is a great vehicle for busy folk and for people who don't want to be writing their own posts for a variety of reasons.
I don't post on here but do read the pinned posts and some posts from people I follow. I've also taken part in some of the challenges.
Mainly because I don't feel worthy. I've run several 10ks, but have no desire to run a marathon, and don't take part in races only ever running alone. I'd like to run an HM one day but the furthest I've run so far is 7 miles whilst nominally following the NRC HM plan last year.
I feel like you need to have run 10 miles until you "belong" here so think there is a gap but not sure how you'd go about filling it.
So interesting how we can all be intimidated by the term ‘marathon’ and distances in general. I guess what it helps show is how much we respect the distance and realise what it really takes to achieve it. I think, however, you are absolutely ‘worthy’ as frankly we are all ‘runners’ at the end of the day
See Mrrun's comment below; for him marathon was the lure, the challenge. Just goes to remind us how different we all are - and how strong the running thread is that brings us all together.
We think you belong already! I genuinely have no idea how far most people have run! It's absolutely not important to us - unless it's important to themselves as part of their journey. Maybe stressing 'beyond 10k' would help. So please, feel like you belong because you do 🥰
Maybe worthy was the wrong choice of words. I guess because I don't have much to say about marathon or race training or race reports it doesn't feel like this is a natural home for what I'm saying I suppose.Not that I'm intimidated by the word marathon, I just don't want to ever run one.
At least we have choices with our three forum set up; hopefully there is somewhere for everyone to feel comfortable. I remember getting so much support here as I moved from 10k to half marathon, partly thru sharing my experience and questions and concerns, that I hate to think people miss out on that same support (if they want it of course, not everyone does).
I guess because I don't have much to say about marathon or race training or race reports it doesn't feel like this is a natural home for what I'm saying I suppose.
You are, of course, totally worthy Birdlady64 , not least because your posts are consistently supportive and helpful.
I can empathise with what you're saying though. My one marathon distance was very far from most people's idea of what a marathon is or should be, and wasn't a goal, more like serendipity.
I still had to train for months, otherwise I'd never have made it. Unfortunately I experience training as I would Dementors - "they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them" (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
The week’s been good, Linda, see that weather outside 🌞! I’m aiming at daily running, shorter distances, being mindful of the efforts that l put in (faster running). I always remember the mantra ‘running in warm/hot weather could be the equivalent to altitude training’ and the real benefits will come into play once it cools down again. Until then I’m in the zone! 😀
When it comes to:
‘The admin team over here on marathon have been chatting about how to ensure we make this forum appealing to our fellow VRBs’ - l can only say that the ‘marathon department’ when l started C25K in 2016 was my inspiration and my aim - not an exclusive club for those ‘advanced runners’. I wanted to get there, wanted to push myself into that level, l didn’t see anything intimidating about it, the whole forum felt (and it still does) open and welcoming for all.
I guess we all have our ideas of how far we can go, and what we want to do. You can repackage the marathon label and make it as wide open as possible, my wife will still be laughing about those who put themselves through the 42.195K grinder. 😅
This forum is a genuine and open place, very encouraging and supportive and l feel that runners of all abilities benefit from it, I certainly did when l started.
Perhaps we should focus more on how to inspire new runners to continue their journeys after C25K rather than rebrand the marathon section? I always wonder how many don’t finish (or do finish but never continue) and that should be the ultimate aim - maintaining a healthier lifestyle through having fun whilst being supported by a great community. Just a thought. 😀
I definitely agree with you mrrun (apart from the intimidating bit, but that’s probably just my own insecurities, nothing to do with the forum and its members). ‘Marathon’ was always the ultimate target group. Stepping through those distances, open mouthed at what I was achieving, it had to go somewhere and, thinking about it, I didn’t want to sound crowing and smug (although I would never mean to) to those in the groups that were still getting to grips with the shorter distances by just staying in there. I do think it is a very important group to have.
I think ‘Fun’ is definitely where it’s at, that would certainly keep people going, something where they forget to be worried about what to do next after C25k. What? I don’t know…but it’s definitely something to think about. 🤔
Perhaps we should focus more on how to inspire new runners to continue their journeys after C25K rather than rebrand the marathon section?
That's what the Bridge to 10K forum is for though mrrun , surely? One of the things the curent Mara admins are very clear on is that we have no intention or wish to encroach on what Bridge does.
As a Bridge admin, I totally agree with Cmoi We try and tell people that Bridge is for anyone that feels they’re ready to move on from the Couch to 5k board, whether they are actively working toward 10k or not. It’s supposed to be somewhere for people to share how they’re running and be encouraged by others. Posters can decide for themselves where they feel is the best fit for them at different stages of their run journey-there aren’t any hard and fast rules.
I like the idea of the “Run for Fun” theme. Going to kick that around in my head and see where it lands.
Once again I'm reminded how different we all are. How running unites so many different types of people. I do agree with you on the point of encouraging and inspiring people. Maybe we should spend a bit more time on Bridge drafting new recruits 😍Happy heatwave, enjoy 🌞
I love the marathon forum , though I admit the change of name may be a good idea! It's the one I mainly look on as has the familiarity of longstanding members but also lots of new people and new races to read about, and plenty of training tips. It's just a nice positive place to be! 😁My car broke down last week (in sainsburys carpark!) So I missed my Tues & Weds clubs getting it sorted. So come Thursday I thought I'd make an effort to go out as Needles HM in a few days! I did a solo 5k from my house on a new route just before 9pm as it had been so hot and I enjoyed it running towards the setting sun with the sea in the background. Even threw in a couple of hills and reached the end of my rd spot on 5k so that's a good discovery! Was still very warm even at that time!
I don’t post on this forum probably because I find it a little daunting and out of my league. I have no desire to run a half or marathon or enter any races (except the HU virtual 10KM ones of course!) but really admire anyone who does in real life events (my 78 year old Dad still does regularly). That said, I did have one challenge of a 10mile run across the Sussex Down’s (which I have done in 2021) so that is off my bucket list.
I have volunteered at various local races (I am a dab hand at the teas and coffees) so have witnessed post race runners and it still doesn't convince me!! 😂
But I always read this forum (and I really like reading the post run write ups). I find all the forums enormously helpful and have learnt so much in my nearly 4 years of running.
At the moment, I frequent the Bridge more - it seems to be where I am running wise and comfortable with.
I am glad you posted this Beth. Having got to 71 I sometimes have the “how many years can I keep doing this?” question in my head. Your Dad still running strongly at 78 is a great encouragement. It doesn’t mean that I can do the same, but it gives me hope 🙂
Never too old Beachcomber66 . Although he did his last Marathon last year, he will happily enter half marathons. And yes he can still run a 5KM quicker than I can !!
So long as you have found one of the forums comfortable it's all good! Maybe if we drop the marathon title it will feel a little less daunting, but reading and not posting is good too!
I love volunteering at races when I can't run; you can still soak in all the atmosphere and feel a part of a big community - without working up a sweat 😍😍
Hello... I did initially creep in here a few moons ago... always feeling like an imposter... having got here, though...the welcome has always been unconditional and absolutely welcoming support!
But..it is the act of getting folk to come in... and my feelings are, that a change of name will do much to encourage folk...
I like Beyond 10K... but this is about more than that that maybe... Beyond 10K... The Next Steps x
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