WEEKLY CHAT 30 OCTOBER - 5 NOVEMBER 👻 🎃 💀

[Irishprincess]

Hello running friends. How’s it all going for you?

I spent a bit of time last week thinking about what subject we could kick off our chat with and was getting nowhere. Then I remembered that it’s Halloween and of course the perfect time of year to cast a spell 🪄🧙🧙‍♂️

I’ve looked through all my magic books but can not find any spell related to running, but I’m working on it and I’m sure, if we gather up the power and energy from all of us on these forums, we could cast a magnificent spell!

So, just for Halloween, if a running witch could wave a magic wand and grant you a wish what would it be? Mine would be a completely injury-free running life, for always 🤞How about you? Share the magic and tell us how your running is going and what your spell would be 🤩🤩✨🌟

Whatever you’re doing this week, have a magical, mystical Halloween and try not to get too scared 😱🫣👻

From The Team xxx

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[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Morning Irishprincess ! Now I'm up and about I'd say my spell would be to not be so achy!!! Especially the morning after a run (bit I'm rubbish with cool down stretches! )

The run wasn't too bad on the legs yesterday and then the longish walk in the afternoon did me in,my stepson must have been getting fed up with the updates along the seafront of "Ow my legs are aching now !"etc!

Tomorrow night we have a Halloween club run up to Carisbrooke Castle to run round the moat with ghostly tales on the way!!!

Have a great week everyone! Xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Oooh a run around a ghostly moat with spooky tales on the way! Now that’s my type of run 🫣

I like your choice of spell and know what you mean. I seem to get aches after almost everything I do whether it’s running or gardening or sometimes even sitting! As long as they aren’t anything serious then it’s all part of an an active life methinks.

Have a fabulously scary run and don't forget to look under your bed afterwards 😱xxx

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Should be fun I hope,maybe wet again! 😫😄xxx

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

Enjoy your ghostly tales aliboo70

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thankyou SueAppleRun ,it's a yearly event at club! Xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

A run with headlights; brilliant. There should be a few bats flitting around the castle, and maybe some hooting owls to add that extra bit of drama. Enjoy!🧹🧙‍♀️

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It's a good place for owls!!! Eeek! 😱😄xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

I met this fine specimen in the woods last week.🙂

Carved Wooden Owl

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Gorgeous!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

That sounds marvellous. Have a great time Ali! Fun is the best antidote to aches 😁👻

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I hope so, it'll be interesting, trail shoes I reckon! Xxx someone usually trips over the tree roots,hope it's not my turn!!!! 🤣xxx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Oh they’re a bloody bugbear aren’t they! I can trip over dust 😁😊

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Typical ,they changed it to the road route cos of the weather,still we had fun and got drenched 😁🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

You have to watch out for pot holes on roads though…🙀

[RunWillie Marathon]

Hi Irishprincess & other VRB’s

No spells allowed in our family although the Vicar has just left with a clown wig on to go run the Halloween 5k at our run club.

We’re hosting an alternative event to Halloween called “Light up the night” tomorrow. We’ve got about 350 kids coming to our church for fun & sugar. I’ve volunteered to be a dancer in the disco area. I’m due to run a HM tomorrow which could be interesting! 3hours of dancing after probably 3hours of running 🤣

Happy week everyone ❤️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to RunWillie]

That's a lot of leg work 😁 enjoy both running and dancing

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks SueAppleRun 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Our estate (housing, not country!) has lots of gardens sporting gravestones, witches, bats, scorpions, half buried skeletons and various limbs sticking up out of the ground. Our church is sticking with its glitter parties. Kids( and the young at heart) have fun whatever. 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Cross training at it's finest 💃🏃‍♂️

[misswobble Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Oooh enjoy your dancing 💃🏼 😀👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Ooh I think a clown wig would be seriously scary 🙀let’s hope it didn’t scare too many people! Although I believe 350 kids on sugar is the ultimate terrifying scene 😳😱😱😂

Three hours of dancing will definitely keep you fit! Enjoy 💃

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Where to start on choosing a running wish? Make my asthma vanish? Make me Injury free? ..that is a good one IP; make my 18th “on the proper date” birthday next year my real 18th birthday? I am probably flirting with the rules there…..I think being medical condition adverse to running free might cover asthma, injuries and other nuisance stuff….so I will go for that!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Here's hoping your wish is granted BC

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

I think that it is working! I ran 5k this morning, which I thought I was running at rehab pace….when I checked the pace afterwards, it had increased from my last effort over the same course (14 seconds/k per better), but AHR had gone down.

Spooky 😂

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

That's very positive

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

That’s a great wish BC, I really hope it comes true 🤞

Not sure I’d want to be 18 again though, maybe a bit older like mid 20’s would be a fine place to start….

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Good thought….all of that study and exams and stuff…climbing the greasy job poll…..18 is too young! 👍

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Hubble bubble.Toil and trouble.

Put on your shoes and run!

Gremlins be gone .

Legs be strong .

Happiness lies that way.

Get that Halloween magic wand out.....I want to go faster.....but I'll settle for just being able to go...

Happy Halloween runners far and wide.

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to SueAppleRun]

I love this ! x

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Oldfloss]

Hardly up to your standard x

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to SueAppleRun]

Better...

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Great poem SueAppleRun ! 😊 xxx

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks, xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Fab! Being able to go is probably the best spell ever for all of us 🥰

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

Exactly

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Mine’s fairly straightforward IP. Make me just a tiny bit quicker up hills. Then I’d have so many more lovely routes close to home to explore. 😍

And to make sugar part of a healthy diet. Unlimited sugar.

That’s it; nothing much to ask. 😇

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You don’t need to waste your wish on that one CC…you already know that the way to run hills better is….to run hills. You could just decide that one run per week is a run walk…and just walk the hills guilt free…then maybe run up hill a bit more each time ….that is how I conquered my all run hilly 5k…haven’t tried to run it for ages though 🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I didn’t know you had a sweet tooth Munks. Maybe extra sugar would give you extra speed up hills…..just a thought 🍩🍫🧁🏃‍♀️🗻

[Oldfloss Administrator]

A spell to make!

Now what shall it be?

Will it be a spell that works, for just me.

Or shall it be one that we all can share

To run with joy, without a care?

For injuries eased and feeling well.

What would I wish for, with this magic spell.

I think that really it has to be,

A wish that is granted for you and me.

To keep running, together, with never a care

Whenever, wherever, who ever we are.

Happy, safe running everyone x

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

I am going to use the W word Floss. Wow!! Beautifully expressed and thinking of others as ever. We are so lucky to have you.🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Oldfloss]

So brilliant. If we all sing that there’s more chance it will come true.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Just fab Floss 😍 a perfect spell for us all xxx

[misswobble Marathon]

I managed my pre marathon longest run at the weekend so feeling glad that’s behind me 😤. Got a half marathon on the plan this weekend which was a bit of a shock 😩. I was looking forward to an easy life til race day 🙂

Got the old dog in tow til Saturday so plenty of slow walks for us 🙂🐕. It’s not stopped raining so far ☔️🌊💦. Going to do some yoga and strength stuff this week 💪🧘

Have a great week everyone. Let’s hope for some dry spells 🤞🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I thought your marathon was up soon MissW!

As usual, your training sounds awesome and you are in great shape for the big day. Can’t wait to read all about it.

You haven’t told us what your spell would be though ..,🪄

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Oops ☺️

My wish is that I have far fewer blisters this marathon 😬 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

🤞🍀

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

What date is your marathon misswobble ?? Well done on your run, and enjoy your walkies with the old doggo xxx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

I’ve been a but under the weather so I’ve not run since Monday. Done plenty of slow walks though 🐕

Sunday 26th Nov 🏃‍♀️

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Oh no hope you feel better now 😘xxx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

I had a long run to do today. I did it in the pouring rain I was ok apart from having to blow my nose every five minutes 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Hope you feel better soon MissW. Have some flowers 💐

There’s still plenty of time 🤞

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Aw thank you

Still a bit 🤧🤧🤧🤧 but ok otherwise. I did my long run today. Never stopped raining. I ate my snack in the bus stop 😀. Then later in a covered walkway between some houses 😋. I was really cold and wet by the end then still had to walk home I started jogging again to keep warm 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Good one Floss, perfect! 😊xxx

[Tasha99 Marathon]

ThatI could eat as much rubbish as I want yet not put weight on. This way, I’d enjoy running as I’d stay slim.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

You always look gorgeous in your photos Tasha 😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Happy Halloween. I'm in the Canaries at the moment and Halloween doesn't appear to be a thing here. I won't miss it!I too would like to wave away injuries with a magic wand. That's all I ask, and in return I'll put in lots of effort 😍

It's a bit warm and limited for running here for my liking, but we've had two fabulous long cycle rides.

Currently waiting for the sun to come up enough for me to run !

Have a great week everyone 🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I knew that would be your wish too Linda! We do have a lot of experience on the old injury front don’t we?

Have a fab time in the Canaries and enjoy the cycling and running 😎

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you 🥰I am now sitting in my very own saltwater pool 🥵🥵🥵

Rewarded by a lovely sunrise

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Gorgeous! 😍

[Lookslikejames Marathon]

I'm with you on the injury free spell, although I'd take just getting rid of my current ailment. I'm going to attempt a run today, my first in over two weeks. I've lost count of how many weeks I've been injured, but apart from Chicago, I've done absolutely no running for months and I'm desperate to get back to it!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Lookslikejames]

How have you been after Chicago? I know you had a few problems with your ankle just beforehand.

A few weeks off will have little or no affect whatsoever to your levels of fitness but I know it’s hard not being able to run at all.

Good luck for the first run back and let us know how it goes 😍

[Lookslikejames Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I've been eating like I'm still training for a race and doing the strengthening exercises my physio gave me, but I'm at the point now where I NEED a run!! I'm going to try at lunch time and just see how it feels. I fully expect mu leg to go again but as long as I can get a few miles done I'll be happy

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Lookslikejames]

How did it go?

[Lookslikejames Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It went ok, I only did three miles just to see how it felt. When I got back my other leg was niggling a bit, so I'm going to have some more physio on that on Thursday. Overall, I feel like I'm on the mend but I'm just going to take it very slowly and cautiously!

Felt so good to be out there though, it was much needed!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Lookslikejames]

Sounds promising 🤞 My recent injury spell had me starting back on 1 min run/1 min walk! It has taken forever to get to a 25 minute run but, like you, I’m taking it very slowly.

Here’s to a good recovery for those of us who are returning 🍀

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Lookslikejames]

Good for you! It doesn’t have to be fast or long. Just a lovely slow jog to shake everything out and see how you feel afterwards.

Recover well 💪🙂👍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Hello Irishprincess and runny buddies. Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble, and things that go bump in the night. Although I would not wish to change my life, I would love to know what it would have been like if I’d discovered running when I was younger. Whatever, I’m so glad that c25k and a Santa run got me going at 60.

Running for me is coming along nicely, between torrential rainstorms, and I’m trying to keep up a series of exercises to strengthen piriformis and glutes. Think clams, bridges and squats!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I know what you mean Dexy. I had a memory pop up not long ago where I recalled running around the race track at school and not minding it but then I never did it again! Why not?

Anyway at least we are lucky that we found it later on in life and can experience it. So many people will never know how it feels.

Keep up those exercises! You’ll have glutes of steel come spring 💪

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

It is reassuring to know that someone else is exercising too Dexy5! My regime is aimed at loosening very tight calves, quads, hamstrings, glutes and adductors(all victims of intervals), so I am mainly doing stretches. I do some strengthening exercises with exercise bands first, including squats, to warm up the muscles before stretching them. I don’t think that trying to stretch cold muscles would end well! After 4/5 days I can see ( as in my fingers are getting closer to me toes 😂) and feel the benefit. The trouble is that I know it will be hard to keep it up for long once the exercises have done their job. Mrs BC is able to touch the ground from standing really easily without doing any stretches at all….maybe she has short legs and long arms (not really!).

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It’s always so satisfying when you start to feel the results. Well done BC!

My latest injury came about because I was pushing the exercise thing. My fault completely but a lesson I have now learned 😇

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

No danger of my pushing the exercises IP. I do exactly as instructed and no more. If anything gets ridiculously easy, I move on to the next strength exercise band, but that is as far as I go! Swimming today, so that should help too.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

You're so good BC 😇

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

A reformed sinner IP! Not quite a zealot yet.🙂

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

I wish I had discovered running sooner in life rather than being a convinced non-runner for so many years. Having said that I have done precisely 2 runs in the last 2 weeks, both parkruns, as I don’t seem to be able to make time in our epic east coast Australia trip to do more. And I’m not bothered. Lots of walking though!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Sometimes running has to take a back seat to other life stuff, especially a grand vacation like Australia!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

Our friend who lives near Brisbane has to choose his days and times carefully because of heat, humidity etc. I would be looking for snakes everywhere!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

And spiders! 🙀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Definitely spiders!

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

We’re currently in Lamington National Park, not far from Brisbane (going there tomorrow). Rainforest, but quite cool today after the heat of Byron Bay yesterday. Seen lots of birds, a couple of lizards and, thrillingly, a possum, but thankfully nothing dangerous or creepy!

Parrot perched on a woman’s head

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

There are two people in my family who have a phobia about birds and I daren’t show them this photo!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sandie1961]

Yes we signed up my Aussie friend for parkrun when she was here, then she discovered it starts at 07.00. She hasn’t made it yet. 😂

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

That’s unlucky. Both of mine have started at 8.00, although apparently some areas do 7.00 and 8.00 so people can do a double!

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Hi IP

It’s got to be the stay injury free, healthy and strong, magic spell that I’d go for (technically that’s 3 spells I suppose 😂). I could use it right now too as my old ankle injury decided to revisit me a couple of weeks ago. 🙄 I haven’t wasted the time though as I’m using this non running period to get my PF finally blasted with some shock wave therapy. It’s working too! I’m also in the gym and I’ve started some reformer Pilates classes which I’m still not sure I enjoy but I have a second session later this morning so I’ll perhaps get a better idea after that.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Those are all great spells Brian 🙂 At least your ankle behaved for your important racing, phew!

I loved my Reformer Pilates but haven't returned since my back problem although I have been thinking recently that I need to get back to it.

Reformer Pilates is so different from mat Pilates that it does take a bit of time to get used to but you do feel a difference fairly quickly so keep at it. I do think the instructor makes a huge difference to the success /enjoyment of a class so if you're lucky to have a good one then you are in good hands. Mine was brilliant and was always tweaking our positions and advising us during the class.

Did you enjoy it any more today?

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes, it was much better today IP. The instructor was older and more personable which really helped. There was also another couple about my age in there too so I didn’t feel so out of place. They were lovely and we’ve arranged our next Sunday class together as we are vastly outnumbered by those young ‘uns and having another bloke in there is a relief as I was very outnumbered last time!

I plan to continue with these sessions for now. I’m not sure what improvements I can expect though. Maybe core? I typically like to know how to measure progress as it motivates me.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Good news that you enjoyed it better Brian.

You’ll soon have your own measurements of improvement. Mine were being able to work for much longer bent down in the garden without backache; “acquiring” an extra inch in height because my posture was so improved; feeling some of the exercises easier as time went on. To be honest I never felt how it affected my running but we did so much oblique work that it must have done!

All those smaller muscles get a great workout so there must be a huge benefit, especially for a speedster like you!

I think I’ve talked myself into starting again……🙂

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Those are great improvements IP. I’ll be sticking at it for sure as it can only help as you say. Obliques aren’t a muscle group I have spent any time knowingly improving so that must be helpful.

How many times a week did you do it? I’m thinking just once or twice is enough as my training schedule and mum doesn’t leave a lot of spare time.

PS Glad you’re thinking of starting again 😀☺️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

I did it once a week and occasionally twice. Chatting to other people before and after my class, those who did it twice noticed a huge difference but, like you, I’m not sure I would have the bandwidth to do it twice.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

He had good taste then 😂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

His fave tune was “Down the Dustpipe”. He would literally dance himself into a frenzy. Happy days 🥰