This is the place for a catch up with your VRBs and sharing of your news. So, put the kettle on and grab a comfy chair and let’s see what’s been happening.
My news is that yesterday I ran my first 10K in two months 🤗🥳
Some of you know I’ve had various interruptions to my running for over a year now and it’s been a bit like snakes and ladders, but after yet another slow build-up from a 2K run in May I’m back to my “happy baseline” distance. I always feel the same when I return to this distance. Relieved, happy, excited about future runs but with a pinch of trepidation that yet something else will throw a spanner in the works. You know how it is.
Even though I went out early it was still hot hot hot 🥵 so the time was super slow but who cares about that when you’re having a ball and doing what you love and can justify eating a whole packet of crisps afterwards in less than 30 seconds 😋😂
And who knew that salt and vinegar crisps went so well with chocolate milk 🤔 yum yum 😂
Anyway, I’m so happy that it’s done and I can now focus on that distance for a few weeks before going further.
Well, that’s my update. What about yours? Tell us all about it, Has your running faith been tested recently?
I hope, if you’re struggling with an injury or setback at the minute, that you remain certain of your return and remember that your VRBs will be here to welcome you back. An injury is temporary but running is forever.
Whatever you’re up to in the coming week, have a great time everyone.
From The Marathon Team xxx
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I love your snakes and ladders description. And what's with the eating after a run? I'm never hungry for a couple of hours after a run, but I do drink loads. Salt n vinegar crisps go with everything, although cheese is my favourite 😀
I’m the same which is why I always drink chocolate milk immediately after a long and/or sweaty run. I don’t usually eat crisps afterwards but I needed to replace the salt quickly and they were there…..
A crisp sandwich with really fresh white bread and a big mug of tea is a wonderful thing too 😋
Do you deliberately crush the unsliced sarni asunder with your hand for the reassuring crunch, prior to cramming it in ? Oh, and it’s got to be butter 👍
Gosh, I could eat a full roast meal after running! Crisps, cheese, chocolate, a pasty, or pretty much anything (except liver!) works for me too. But then I’m a bit of a foodie and running just exacerbates that!
I feel hungry hours afterwards so it’s usually the next day when I eat a lot more. I woke up in the middle of the night last night with a grumbling tummy!
I ate very little after yesterday's long run and am still not hungry today, mind you my legs are saying "Come on, just a short run" and my brains saying "not on your nelly" so I'm gardening instead today
Hedge cutting is a lovely thing to do but hard on the arms and shoulders. Running instead a good idea. My daughter found a load of plants she thought I'd like to grow, so now I have broccoli cauliflower and courgettes in amongst the flowers, I'm less confident but will do my best with them,
SNAP!!! I ran my first full 10k in ages yesterday too! It must have been the day for it, The last proper long run I did was where I had to pull out of the April Forest of Dean half marathon injured and I’ve really been missing them. It felt amazing to be back at that sort of distance again. Mine was done late evening and it was actually cool!
I’m back on the NRC HM plan building for the Great North Run in September. There’s a bit of adaptation to make the long runs increase a bit more steadily than the plan says but the speedy runs fit perfectly with what my physio recommends to focus on at the moment. Plus, all the gym and strength I’ve had to do to recover has made me feel a bit more speedy which is a nice bonus (just in relation to my own times-I’m still slow!). Mainly it’s just nice to be back though! I haven’t posted here in a bit because I’ve been nervous about jinxing things but I really feel like yesterday’s run was a turning point. Totally relate to your description of feeling relieved, excited, happy and a bit nervous all mixed up in one!
This whole IT band injury episode has been a massive exercise in keeping the running faith and practising patience! It’s been so good to have a physio along the way to remind me that I will recover. Setbacks have been hard-there was a particularly miserable treadmill run a month or so ago that meant I could hardly walk after just a couple of km. Holding on to “you will get better-trust the programme and be patient” was so difficult but it’s so good to be seeing the results now.
So glad things are going well for you too. Beautiful picture of a beautiful place to run! Thse crisps and chocolate milk were absolutely well deserved. I like both separately-maybe I’ll try the combo after my next long run this weekend! Have a fantastic week ❤️
We are so lucky!! Love having a whole bunch of VRBs that totally understand what it’s like when that big “10” appears on your watch for the first time in ages.
Have fun with your strength today. It’s Pilates for me and maybe a wander into the gym for a short weights session if I’m not too tired. Most likely I’ll be heading straight to the cafe for some salt and vinegar crisps! Have a huge craving for them now! 😂😂😂
It was a bit of a failure of planning. I wore the wrong shoes thinking I was just going to take them off at Pilates, forgetting I might go to the gym after. Then I got stuck in traffic and arrived too late for Pilates. Couldn’t do gym instead because of shoes. Doh. I just ended up in the cafe with a friend. A decent result! I’ll find some yoga online later on.
I love cheese and onion crisps too. I can’t decide if they’re likely to be better or worse than salt and vinegar with chocolate milk! I feel a series of experiments are in order!
I’m soooo happy you’re back and in good shape MU! I’ve just started W2 of the NRC HM plan. My race (Cardiff Half) is at the beginning of October. I envy you doing the GNR. How exciting! 👏👏👏
Thank you! It’s such a great plan. I wish I’d been able to start a bit earlier-I like having a buffet so I can make the weeks last a big longer but September is a bit soon now! I’ve heard great things about the Cardiff half and it’s definitely on my list to try at some point. Good luck with the training! I might even pop over the bridge to wave some pom poms!! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Well done MissU. The 10k is a good distance to be at. Keep up those clam shells and other ITB exercises. Hoping I don’t have problems as I restart my journey to 10 miles.
Thank you so much! I’m a little weary of the monster walks, the clam shells, the squats of all kinds etc but I know they’re doing the business! Really good luck to you on your next journey too. Am crossing fingers that it’s straightforward for you 🤞
A) Amazing getting back to your fave 10k with no mishaps IP, and
B) That sounds like an awesome combo, and I’m going to have to try S&V crisps with chocolate milk when I’m back home …. after a run of course!
I’m still on hols and this morning did a wonderful 35 minute recovery run as W2R1 of my HM plan. I’m not ashamed to admit the fact …. in fact I’m embracing it …. that all 5 of my holiday runs so far have been at least a minute per km slower than when I’m running at home. I’m loving the chilled vibe. At least I’m earning my million calories per day!
I’m back to doing daily yoga too, something I let go when I had my bug in March as all that breathing made me cough. I have missed it. 🧘♀️
Your running sounds blissful Munks. It sounds as if you're definitely in holiday mode 😎 In fact it sounds as if you're on one of those relaxation retreats, running languidly and doing yoga 🧘♀️
I’m running a lot slower too atm because of the heat but I’m getting used to it and, like you, am embracing it.
It does feel that way IP, like a retreat. We’re already planning next year. Same place, same house! 😍
I find that the more I run, the more I realise I’m not cut out for enjoying fast running. Only sometimes, when Coach B or one of his pals, tells me I have to! 😅
Hi Irishprincess , thanks for hosting, and great news re your 10K!
As hot weather and life have again got the better of my running I only did two short runs last week.
Came home to a minor drama at the end of Friday's run. Heading down the final incline I could see a logging truck stuck at our house. To save our shutters and a streetlamp, the driver ended up climbing on top of his load, and chainsawing the offending logs down to 14 metres max length! He very kindly gave us all the offcuts to use as firewood. So my run was followed by 35 minutes of strength training using 1-2 metre logs. Photos show most of the saga, though sadly I can't post the chainsawing videos!!
Hoping to go away soon, so I wish all VRBs a very happy week!
This is what happens when a logging truck gets stuck on a sharp bend in rural France.
Seriously, just as well he wasn't one of the over-confident bash-on-anyway drivers that we've very occasionally encountered, as we'd have lost at least one shutter and window. He stopped just as the longest log touched the shutter, fortunately without damaging it.
Then when he started to drive off we all yelled "STOP!" as the lamp was about to get swiped. Cue more chainsawing.
National Forestry Office guy rocked up shortly after - can't have been best pleased to get the driver's call!
Yes, one of the photos is of the driver measuring, should be 14 metres max in future. No idea what minimum length the contract specified but that's not my problem! We were fortunate to get the wood, though it'll need to dry out, it's way too sappy to use this coming winter.
Result! Firewood ain’t cheap! Bet it’s good stuff anorl 😃👍
A lorry once knocked my garden wall down while we were at work. My neighbour saw it though and collared the driver as he attempted to drive off. It was all rebuilt by the time we got home. Better than it was before 😀
Love this Irishprincess and a big 'wahoooo' on getting back to 10k.
Tasha and I are focusing more on shorter distances for a few months after long periods of time training for Marathons and all the long runs needed for that.
It's good to focus on shorter ones and perhaps speedier bits every now and then. Running is so brilliant that you can do with it what you want, when you want and how you want...how awesome 😎😊
Glad you're both OK and it's good to focus on different distances and pace.Am in maintainence mode myself atm but hoping to be able to switch things up a bit sometime soon.
Hello IP, so glad to hear that you are back to 10k again. It makes all those physio exercises worthwhile.
I was doing well but the relentless sun over the weekend was not well timed for volunteering at parkrun or doing a 10k race. Even with high factor sun protection and hats, the aloe vera has come into play.
No races now until August, but I will be training for the 10 miles GSR in October . I’m afraid eating after a run has become a habit!
My goodness me Irishprincess, it took you only 30 seconds to eat a full packet of salt and vinegar crisps, we should have a competition for anyone who can beat that time, it certainly won't be me as it usually takes me ten minutes to eat a small packet of crisps, so on to news about my running.
Last Monday I celebrated 5 years since I graduated from C25K by rerunning run 3 of week 9 at the very same place as I ran it the first time in 2018.
This morning I bought 2 new pairs of Hilly running socks to celebrate 5 years since graduating, the man in the shop asked me if I wanted to buy socks suitable for marathon runners, I said no as I don't run marathons but told him that I run a lot of 5 and 10Ks, he asked my shoe size and I bought the correct socks which were suitable for me as recommended by him, I do find the staff in those specialist sports shops very friendly and professional to a runners needs.
Happy Runniversary for last Monday Al! 🎈🎉🎊 you’ve done so much in that time and are a fab role model for anyone just starting. I hope you celebrated after your run too.
I like Hilly socks too, they are long wearing and come in nice colours 🙂 And you’re right about the smaller shops, they tend to be more customer focused than the bigger ones.
Here’s to the next five years for you Al, enjoy it all 😍
Thanks Irishprincess, the shop where I bought a big sandwich 5 years ago to celebrate graduating from C25K is now closed and like many which closed during the pandemic has never reopened, when I got home, later in the day I ate a ice cream chocolate swirl, yummy 😋.
Hi IP, Great to see you back at 10k and looking onwards and upwards. IC is the pits!
Good news is that my knee infection was pronounced “sorted” at the hospital yesterday and the rib pain has reduced dramatically, so, hopefully I am not far from putting on my running shoes again!
There had to be a sting in the tail this morning; I woke up with vertigo!! Unbelievable ☹️. Mrs BC went out for a walk after breakfast and met a lady who described the Epley manoeuvre to her….so I am trying that. Maybe I should try to eat a bag of salt and vinegar crisps in 30 seconds ……I did demolish a bag very quickly recently after a long walk in the hot sun, so I get it 😋. Think I will resist posting until I have completed run….fed up of moaning !!
Hi BC, so glad your injuries are close to being history, but vertigo? Oh no. Is the Epley Manoeuvre the one where you hang your head off the end of the bed and move it quickly from side to side? If I’m remembering correctly it’s what Mr Cheeky was advised to do after his ‘incident’ and subsequent mild concussion. It worked like a miracle. Hope it sorts you too. You need to run, especially on hols.
I think that there are variations on the theme, but that is the exercise cheeky. If I end up at the surgery they will make me take out travel insurance before I am allowed back. Just embarrassing!
Oh BC! For heaven’s sake! Those running gods really have it in for you at the minute 🤬 Definitely a tale of ladders and snakes for you 🙂☹️
That’s great news about your knee but a big boo to the vertigo. Have you had it before? I hope it eases quickly and you can get out there again soon. You know you will. We know you will. We’ll just have to outmanoeuvre those running gods…. 🕵️♀️🕵️♂️
Thanks Sandie. Much better this morning thanks. I do get weird migraines without headaches. I know the technical names but don’t want anyone reaching for their medical dictionary!! It was probably one of those. Easy day today.
I’m scared, I’ve entered the Manchester half marathon in October, and I’m not up to running that distance yet after been quite ill for the past two years, I’m so slow too. I’m a member of a running club but everyone there is 4/5 minutes faster than me per mile. HELP!!!!
I am sure there are lots on here that can recommend a perfect plan Agelesslass. I am sure there will be many people who will be running in fancy dress or walking so don’t worry about your speed, unless there is a cut off time. Completion is the important thing.
How lovely to see you here again but I’m sorry you’ve not been well.
You’ve got lots of time before October. Are you going to use a training plan? Many HM plans are 12 weeks so you do have time to build up. I’ve used Hal Higdon before and it’s worked really well with three runs a week. But there are loads of others. I’ll find some of the posts with links on various plans you might find useful and send them to you tomorrow.
You’ve run the distance before so you know you can do it but I can imagine your illness has maybe knocked your self-confidence a bit. But, you’ve got all those miles under your belt and lots of support from your VRBs here and probably from your club too, so you can do it.
Forget about speed and what the others are doing. This is about you and your race, no one else’s.
Just focus on ticking off one training run at a time and that will prepare you physically and mentally for the HM and you’ll be absolutely fine on the day. You’ve got this 👍
thanks for your reply, very encouraging words. I plan to go out later this morning to see how I get on, I’m hoping to get my mojo back, it’s not there presently. I will look at the Hal Higdon plan, I need my running back, it’s my saviour 😄
I’m probably going to do the Bath HM, it’s on the same day as Manchester but I haven’t even started training yet and plan to start at the end of July so we have plenty of time!
you’ll be reyt! 😀👍🏃♀️ You’re not running it next week! Time for a slow build-up. It’s not about what your run club folks are going to finish it in. “It’s all about you, it’s all about you baby”! 🎶🎵😘😀🏃♀️
Enjoy the training. Have fun out there 😎🌞.
I’ve got a trail half in September to look forward to. I dare say there’s a fair few here have got one too, so you’re not alone. We can chivvy each other along 🙂
Hooray for your 10k! Congratulations IP! Very pleased for you. I'm enjoying my running at the moment, On my training plan and just pleased I'm regularly running 3x a week..,. Well ok Sundays run didn't happen til today .... But it's done and I got out. 😁
lovely to hear you are back at your ‘happy distance’ IP. Your eating habits sound normal to me. I try to let my body tell me what it wants, the results can be interesting 🤨!
I’m now in France and battling with imposter syndrome. The Eymet Social Running Group are wonderful people and really friendly but all of them are faster than me. They always wait at corners for me to catch up and dismiss my claims that I am holding them up. It is warm and hilly here so I’m still adjusting to the conditions but once adjusted I won’t be much quicker. Thankfully the desire to get out (and the great coffee and natter when we finish) overcomes the impostor syndrome, long may it continue.
You’re definitely not an imposter S&R! Your experience reminds me of a running club I went to and for the very first run we were told to run “slowly” up a hill. Well! Everyone else’s slow was my fast and they all waited for me at the top of the hill. But this lot weren’t very friendly or encouraging so I didn't go back and found another, much friendlier club!
I did do a HM last month, ending in front of the fish and chip shop just in time to pick up my pre-order. However, I have had twinges in the knee from about 8km whenever I've tried to do a 10km run recently. (Apart from yesterday.)
Well done on getting back to 10k. I'm in ticking along mode atm but still have that HM as a possibility one day in the back of my mind.Oh salt and vinegar crisps are the best!
Congratulations on your 10k IP! That’s fab news after all the setbacks you’ve had the past couple of years. Long may it continue! Not too sure about your new flavour combinations though, I think you might have to get your tastebuds tested 🤣
I have to say, my mojo has been lacking this past week. Building up to our holiday and having loads to do at work has taken its toll but it’s also probably been good for me as I think I overtrained a bit recently and needed a bit of a break.
So, Katnap , the kittens and I have just arrived in New York. We’re just about to go out for a little walk before we will probably put our heads down for the night as we’re all shattered after a long journey. And to add to that, tomorrow our Amsterdam marathon plan starts - it’s only a gentle 20 minutes, which is probably just as well but I suspect it may get extended, especially if we go near the park. When I get some photos I’ll have to post them. I love the idea that we are starting our Amsterdam training in New Amsterdam - listen to me, aren’t I the get setter 🤣🤣
Ooh, have a fabulous time in New York TC! I’m sure a run in Central Park will be on your agenda 🤗 and yes, you must post photos please! I’ve been to NY but never as a runner and I have a little image now of running through the park….
Good luck with the training. Not that you need it, but enjoy it all 😍
Just waiting for Katnap to charge up his watch 🙄 then we’ll be off. The Avenue that is off our street meets the finish line of the New York Marathon by Central Park! Gotta be done!
Great news on that 10 K.... I am trying steadily to just build back to one!
Not sure that is going to happen just yet... !
I am persevering ( and enjoying) keeping up my exercise routines... daily one as ever and a few extra bits too...weirdly, though, I feel I need to work on some upper body strength.?
My legs feel very strong, my stamina is really good...but there is just a feeling that something more is needed... cannot really explain that one. I do feel a tad bowed down a little.. rounded shoulders.
Yonks ago, Mr OF videoed me running and this shoulder issue showed clearly and I worked on that very hard... I am going to have to work on that one again.
I am loving the snakes and ladders, analogy. That is exactly what it is like... you get a little further onwards and then , wheeeee, down you slide again!
I love the idea of munching after the run.. it is one of the parts I love the best.. back in , a drink of juice for me and the prospect of a yummy breakfast!
You’re so good to keep up your exercises Floss. I’ve let mine slip a bit because I was scared to do anything to aggravate my back issues. But I have no excuse now and I must get back into a routine.
Upper body plays a big part of my routine because our arms drive our running don't they? Also, I need to keep the old bingo wings away 😂 I see a bit of wobble again 🙀
I think it was Stephen_UK who first used the snakes and ladders analogy here but it is a very accurate description of my running life!
Good luck with your buildup to 10K and enjoy it all, as I know you do xxx
Congratulations on getting back to 10k IP. There is something very satisfying about 10k, definitely my favourite distance. Feels like a proper run, but doesn’t usually wipe you out (unless it’s hot and sunny 😎)
I was away in the Cotswolds for a few days last week and didn’t even take my running kit as it was forecast to be hot. I did a 8k with my club on Thursday and parkrun on Saturday, then went for a bike ride on Sunday with Mr S, stepdaughter and granddaughter along a disused railway line in Derbyshire. Embarrassingly I managed to misjudge a kerb as we set off back and ended up sprawled across the track. Thankfully I was going slowly but sore knee, sore hip and sore chest muscle from putting my hand down to stop myself 🤦♀️ Decided to miss last night’s club run and will see how I feel on Thursday.
I checked the heart , not to like but to send love! It’s so easy to get caught out by a pesky curb, you need to learn how to bunny hop like the pros ( don’t ask me, I can’t do it!!).
That would be so cool! I’ve always wanted to do that. Katnap and I did an off road track competition once and I decided to go for it on a jump…. I ended up in a messy heap in the mud having got no ‘air’ whatsoever! They make it look so easy! That was the only time we did an off road track competition 🤣 Hope the soreness doesn’t last long Sandie 🤗
salt n vinegar with choc milk ! Nah. Cheese n onion would be my pick 😁. It never ceases to amaze me the concoctions I will happily shovel down me upon long run depletion (or even short run, come to that!) 😊
Well done IP, it's fab getting back to 10k isn't it...makes you feel like maybe you've truly got your health & fitness back 😀 👏
After a pretty rubbish last year health wise, I finally feel like I'm back on track.
Did my 1st 10k in 18 months 😳 for the HU10K...was absolutely thrilled & since then have got back to 2 x 5ks & 1 x 10k weekly.
Needs a bit of bedding in to strengthen my legs & continue to improve lung function but I'm so glad to be back...and contemplating HM training when it cools down & maybe one day a metric marathon. Lovely to be healthy enough to be positive about the possibilities again 😊
Wishing you full health with absolutely no snakes for a long time to come 🤞
Hello IP and thank you for hosting this week’s chat. 😀 You’ve had more than your fair share of injuries and niggles this year so it’s great to read that you’re finally back at it. Long may it last.
I’m back after my covid 😡 stint and really enjoying my current bout of training. I’m just back from the track this evening after a particularly brutal session which involved running back to back 200 metre runs with 3 minutes from the start of each. So you run 200 and walk or jog back to the start. Coach blows his whistle after 3 mins are up and off we go again. If you don’t make it to the start after 3 minutes you drop out. I was thrilled to be stay with it to the very end covering 15 laps. We started with 30 runners and finished with 8 and I came in 3rd covering the final 200 metres in 30 seconds. I was given around of applause from the others! Loved it! Even the coach dropped out at lap 12.
Brian! That sounds brutal but really well done for your placing! That’s brilliant 👏👏👏 And to get a round of applause. Go you. That must have felt amazing.
Keep going and keep us updated. We love reading all about it 🏃♂️
Friday night is here and yet again I've missed out on the weekly chat! I'm sat up in bed with a cuppa and twirl bar and contemplating going downstairs for cheese and onion crisps!I love reading everyone's comments and pleased to hear that you are back up to 10k, it's such a satisfying distance. I love your comment 'an injury is temporary but running is forever'.
One of my running friends has just written a long post on our parkrun Facebook page about how he returned to running despite having chronic heart disease. An amazing guy!
I'm tootling along at the moment after training for and completing the hot and humid Port Sunlight 10k a couple of weeks ago. Both Garmin and strava seem fairly happy with my performance at the moment, so I'll settle for that.
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