”There are no strangers here….”

[Irishprincess]

I was supposed to fly home from Ireland on Monday but my flight was one of those affected by the air traffic meltdown and so I had to re-book and finally got home today 🙂

During the extra few days I went out with my mum to find another gardener for her. She had been at our house for a few weeks and when we returned to hers the grass was like a meadow! She tried calling her regular gardener several times but his phone was dead and sounded as if it was disconnected. We hope nothing bad has happened to him and we have no other way to contact him so we’ll just have to wait until, hopefully, he calls my mum.

But in the meantime the grass needed cutting and, if the last chap doesn't appear then mum needs a regular person. We got a recommendation from someone locally and the man came out the next day. He did a brilliant job and when he’d finished he just mentioned that he was going to his running club. So, obviously my ears pricked up and we got chatting….

You know how it is 🤗

He started the local Parkrun years ago and also started the running club he was talking about. He’s also coached new runners through the C25K programme so you can imagine we had a grand old time 🤗

I’ve not been able to run for three weeks now and am really missing it but the chat with this stranger gave me a little boost. Well, he’s really not a stranger, just a new fellow runner I just met 😍

All runners unite whether we are running currently or not 💪

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh goodness, you were REALLY delayed! What a lovely connection to make though ... the two of you couldn't share better interests, esp if he loves your mum too 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I originally rebooked for the next day but then the flight kept getting delayed and I didn’t want to manage all that stress when wondering what to do so I rebooked for a few days later when things hopefully would have settled down.

Everyone loves my mum so I’m sure it’ll be a great relationship 😍

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

I love this story of connections and it is good news about your mom’s lawn. Sounds as though you will have more new running friends to make next time you visit when you get to meet the running club. I hope your recovery is going in the right direction.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

We are everywhere it seems 🙂

[GTFC Marathon]

Love this Irishprincess it's ace chatting to people who are runners, you just click with them 😃

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

I know my whole demeanour changed when I found out he was a runner. I was so excited to talk to him and I only hope I didn’t scare him away 😂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

That’s how our local Runr company was formed. Runners who realised that if you wear something to identify you as a runner, every other runner will want to chat to you on the train etc.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

What a lovely idea!

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

I bet your mum enjoyed the extra time with you Irishprincess , despite the extra hassle for you. And now you’ve met the local parkrun hero you will have to go next time you are there. It’s so funny how runners just chat away.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

The extra time was a lovely thing Dexy, just meant to be 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

If your mum’s original gardener doesn’t show up (and I hope he’s ok), it sounds like you’ve found a superb replacement IP. He sounds like he’s got the lot; excellent grass cutting and gardening skills for your lovely mum, and someone for you to chat you when you’re visiting.

I hope you’re on the mend once and for all, and can get back to what you love soon. 🏃‍♀️🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Mum’s a bit worried about her original gardener but she can’t contact him any other way so she just has to wait and see if he gets in touch with her.

This new chap can do everything, general maintenance, painting, etc which is such a bonus.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Ahhh that's great,yes it's funny how a common interest can lead to non stop chat! Whenever club mates come through our shop at work we always have a right good catch up! And our removal man last year was a fellow runner! That's how we all get on so well here! Glad your mum hot her grass sorted and you're home safely xxx 😊👌

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

It’s a strong bond that connects us, isn’t it? 😍 xxx

[Katnap Marathon]

Some lovely serendipity thanks to NATS (and not gnats).

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Katnap]

Haha 😂

Serendipity is one of my favourite words ❤️

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It’s an interesting word with a history. From Serendib ……🤓 ☺️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

And a feel-good film too 😍

[misswobble Marathon]

What a kerfuffle IP! I feel for those caught up in this sort of thing. There’s a human story attached to everyone involved. Missing connecting flights and such like is hideous for those involved. Those travelling alone!😑😥.

I’m glad you made it back and that you’re ok 🙂👍 it must be a relief to have your mum and her garden sorted out 🙂 A runner too! 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I was lucky as I was travelling on my own but I agree with you about those stuck with children. It must be a nightmare. One of our neighbours knows someone who got stranded in Spain with five kids 😱

Mind you, I feel extremely stressed just thinking about five children, anywhere 🙈

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

So would I! 😁. I hate flying and would happily never do it again Can’t be doing with all the ridiculous palaver.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I know. I use to love travelling but it is such a pain nowadays. I have read that there is a trial (Manchester?) of a super huge x-ray tunnel that you walk through and it does away with the need for all that individual searching.

Also, the need to limit the size of liquids we take is being scrapped with some airports already adopting it. Bring it on I say!

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Such a pain that you were delayed but a brilliant outcome! Extra time with your mum ✅ found a gardener✅ found a runner to chat to✅ got home eventually ✅Hope you are back in you running shoes soon!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

You're right, there were a lot of pluses 🤗 I know I’m lucky.

All that’s left is the little titchy problem with my running 🙄

[Week7 Half Marathon]

😕 not fair is it?! Hopefully not too long now so that you can make use of that lovely cool autumn air which will soon be with us. Early mornings are definitely starting to cool down!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

They are! I love autumn and winter so I’m looking forward to the coming months 😍

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

…there’s a lot of us about IP!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🙂

Here’s to getting back out there soon.🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Are you still on the IC Sandra? I know you were waiting for the physio to come back from holidays. Have you seen her\him yet?

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I am, I’m afraid! I have had two physio appointments now - I have some sort of tendon irritation in glute area. Physio has been great and things are settling down but she has told me no running for another four weeks😱 while we work on some stretching (hips) and strength work (my left glute not really firing properly and still weak on left side (foot/calf) following a very old injury.

To be honest, despite missing my runs, 🥹 I am totally committed to trying to sort out some of these imbalances that have obviously left me more vulnerable to overuse injuries. My lovely physio says this is not an unusual timeframe for a tendinopathy and that it’s important it settles properly and that I then return to my runs carefully. I want to return a stronger runner!💪🤣 It is not really affecting the rest of my life - apart from having had some discomfort in my lower back, glutes and top of hamstring. Sitting for long periods was uncomfortable for a while too but as I say, I feel that things are settling now….so autumn running, I will be ready for you!👍🙂🍂🍁💨🌧️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

A very wise approach as we want to be able to run for as long as possible. I’m at that stage too, taking my time and trying to get my body strong and less prone to niggles.

My physio thinks my hip niggle is tendinopathy too but she’s not 100% sure as the symptoms don’t fit completely. I’m seeing my osteopath next week as I feel the tightness is coming from my lower back. These things are usually all connected aren’t they?

Fingers crossed for both of us 🤞And our favourite time is approaching ❄️😍

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon]

Haha loved this story. It's amazing when you connect with another runner isn't it. It's a like a secret code which connects us all! Hope all works out for your mum too. 🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

A secret code! Yes. That’s exactly what it is 🕵️‍♀️

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

What a lovely bonus to your delay! Perfect running chat time!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

It was! 😍