Photo: relaxing runners toes in front of a real fire in Canada while writing weekly chat!
Hello lovely VRBs.Grab a coffee and take a break. I'm once again relaxing in Canada. Most days I'm bemoaning the lack of snow (except run days of course!). It may not be snowy, it may not even be all that icy ... but having split and stacked wood outside all afternoon, it was nice to relax in front of a real fire while writing this post.
How's your week been? Have you managed to get out and run? Or has the weather/work/life/injury got in the way? Let us know know how it's going in the comments below.
As I trotted through a lovely 10 Canadian miles on a beautiful, chilly but sunny day last week (see photo in the comments below) I was thinking just how very, very glad I am that I both took the time and made the effort to become a runner (it took a long time before I could comfortably refer to myself as a runner; that belief was slow to come by). I then began to wonder how I would describe myself as a runner if I could only pick five words🤔
The first and most obvious is that I am far more determined than I ever realised. Secondly, I am a rule-follower! If the plan says I must run, then I must run. Then of course I can’t ignore the fact that I am rather injury-prone - enough on that😢 . One of the things that has surprised me most is just how competitive I can be; chasing PBs really, really motivates me🤩 . So what about number five? I think the word confidence needs to appear in my list; I have experienced and learned so much through my running and the confidence I have gained since week one, run one has spilled out far beyond my running. But that leaves me wishing I had allowed myself six words, because I am so, so grateful that I discovered running and this forum and all you lovely VRBs! 🙏
So how about you? How would you describe your runner self in just five words (or maybe six …)?
Whatever you’re up to this week, wherever you are, we hope you have a great one🤗
From The Team xxx
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I’m going with the following 5 words to describe my running self. I’ve banished negative self talk so I’ve gone with all positives which feels very un British 🤣
You are generous with help too RW. Your guidance about 7:30 per K being an ok easy pace early in an HM plan helped me through my last HM; …I was trying to go too quickly too soon…important lesson learned.
How wonderful are they! Un British they may be, but runnerish they certainly are. Your consistency and discipline are really impressive; month after month you turn out amazing distances. That it brings joy in the middle of such a busy life as yours must make it very precious indeed 🥰
Hope you’re having a wonderful relaxing time in 🇨🇦 linda9389 . Are you there for Christmas? 🎄
Here’s my running self in a 5 word nutshell:
1. Chilled (not a competitive bone!)
2. Trotter (one happy pace)
3. Stubborn (with myself; will not give up)
4. Content (mostly, see below)
5. Fortunate (not injury prone at all)
Right now, we’re in peak choir concert season, with associated socials and parties, and with it being busy at work too, my time is stretched rather thin. I’m afraid my running has suffered as I’m so cream crackered and, to be quite frank, I can’t be bothered to run! I know when things return to ‘normal’ I’ll be fine again, and I can start training for the Bath Half in March. I do like a target, and that’s a good one!
I'll be home for Christmas Cheeky - I am still lucky enough to have all three children on board for Christmas and will make the most of that for as long as I can 🙏
You have a perfect set of words there; they describe you very well indeed. I had noticed on Strava that running was taking a back seat, but as you say there is nothing like the lure of an event to get you back at it as soon as you can (especially one so long in the making as Bath!). That and the watchful eyes of your VRB's of course 👀. Meantime, enjoy the festivities and have a ball 🥰
Ahh lovely linda9389 . Enjoy. 🥰 We have a houseful too, including a 4 and 2 year old. Mahem will ensue! ❤️😂
I was just working out my running opportunities in the next few days (haven’t run since PR 🙄), and I think I’ll be able to sneak in a quickie tomorrow morning, and perhaps Sunday morning too. Woohoo! 🤸♀️ I can’t do PR this weekend as a small group from the choir will be singing carols around the wards of a local hospital. It’s very very hard not to cry doing that. ❤️
Ooo Linda, you could remove rule-follower, because you didn't follow your own rule of 5 words 😂👍😂 which would then comply so you could add it in again 😀😀😀. That's a bit chicken and egg.Ignore me today.....I'm trying to find 5 positive words but this cold is a bit wretched.
That fire looks amazing, very satisfying to cut and split your own logs too.....keeping those runners feet warm.
PROUD that I still can, grateful and thankful too but they are not my words.
STRONGER and more confident for running, even when it's slower than I'd like or shorter than planned.
HAPPIER inside for the time, peace and quiet of being out, gazing across the Downs, or out to sea. I'm even very happy running round the streets looking in front gardens. I spent one whole run wondering if figs really were NOT vegan and if I should go back that way and grab a couple out of the bowl someone had put at the end of their path.
CALMER, that one might be because I retired this year but I'm sure running plays a part.
ASSERTIVE, I've always been a yes person, of course I can fill in for so and so and she can have he night off, I'll do that, it won't take long, does it matter if I'm.an hour late home from work? You want to meet up on Thursday? Yes of course I can rearrange my life to fit in with you. Silently being a bit resentful that no one filled in for me or rearranged their life so I could do my planned run.
Now? I wish I could but Thursday is my planned long run day this week, what a shame it's the only day you can make it. Said with a smile and offer up my free days the following week.
I do hope the cold is in retreat and that you are feeling a bit better. I had a horrible one for the first week and a half that I was here - rotten timing - but it's virtually gone now. No fun!
I love your list! You must clearly never give up being a runner 🥰
I should have put proud on my list too - but then that would have been seven 🤔 As I typed rule follower, it occured to me that it wasn't entirely true (I am weak), but it is very much what keeps me on plan. And, like you, my runtime becomes a priority over and above things that would sway me at any other time.
Thank you Linda, this cold is a bit vicious, but I think a few more days and I'll start getting some energy back 😀.Running, especially this year has given me the time and space to look at how I want my life to be and what I have learned is that it needs to be different......it's different to expected anyway but I haven't fallen back into that person who arranged their life to suit everyone around them and felt that slight resentment. It's been very freeing.
Now that’s a conundrum. 5 words. There’s some great answers on here already, many I can also relate to. How about this?
FIT. There is no doubt that the running me is far fitter and healthier than the me working in an office 10 years before I started.
STRONG. It is not just fitness that gets you to the finish line, mental strength gets you over the injuries and obstacles along the way and keeps you running on the day. 💪
TECH-SAVVY. Before HU I had never done Facebook or posted online, and had to learn as I went along how to tag people, insert photo montages etc. Then there’s the Garmin watch and all the stats, all the running apps with guided runs, Bluetooth equipment. The list goes on. 😵💫
EVANGELICAL . Give me the opportunity to mention running, Couch to 5k and parkrun in a conversation and I will take it. Thankfully I recognise the signs when the listener has heard enough. 😴 🥱
CONSISTENT. I do manage to keep getting out there and keep the running going, injury permitting, and I can’t imagine a life without running now, which is absolutely amazing.
FUN. Oh what fun running has been and it allows me to the opportunity to dress in bright colours, wear fancy dress, and meet up with lovely runny people (some of whom would rather not be wearing fancy dress). 🥳
As soon as I read your post, the 5 word phrase “Triumph of ambition over reality” came into my head🙂.
5 separate words might be;
1. Fortunate: to be running at all at (almost) 72 years old, having started aged 66;
2. Determined: I bleat a bit about injuries in the immediate aftermath, but I quickly settle on a plan and get on with the process of recovering;
3. Structured: credit here to plans like NRC, I build up distance and pace carefully week on week, avoiding sudden increases in pace or distance. I do lots of relevant between run exercises and stretches these day and I feel stronger for it:
4. Appreciative: of all the help, support in times of trouble, and lampooning I have received from running buddies, actual and virtual.
You are right; we all seem to see running as an amazing precious gift which needs to be nurtured if we want to prolong our association with it. I don’t let myself do the “if only I had started earlier” stuff. It is here when I need it most.
Prolix is just a relic from my English Literature lessons at school….your writing is high quality.🙂
Ahh, we love what you write BC! I'm afraid my paricipation in English Lit lessons was terribly succinct! I couldn't see how these teachers could possibly know Shakespeare et al had meant anything other than what was written on the page!!! I thought it was all nonsense. How arrogant was that? I'm happy to say I'm a little more open minded and better informed these days 🙈. ... and much more open to learning from those who know better😊
Linda, you look very comfy and settled in front of the fire. What a great question.
Fun - lovingYou can't beat a run on the beach and up and down steep sandhills. I have also acquired a variety of dressing up outfits, for various running events, thanks to my new running friends.
Distance seeker
I love settling into a long run.
Motivated
The de-stress and health benefits are too good to miss.
Content
I like to have a target, but I don't like to push and pressurise myself too much. I'm just happy with my pace (not fast by any means) and distance.
Thankful
For the joy of getting out in the fresh and being able to run (possibly weather related!), for an appreciation of the beautiful English countryside, for being able to control my weight without dieting, for new friends I've made, for improved fitness .......
I'm smiling as I write this. I would probably not be a runner now without all the advice and support available on HU and lovely VRBs. I definitely wouldn't have tackled the magic 10k plan or HM. I love reading posts, but I am not very good at replying. Sorry folks! Thanks to all who contribute regularly X
Your list is great - such a balance of effort and reward.
I am the same as you - without HU I suspect I would not be still running, and I definitely wouldn't have had the confidence to push to 10k, HM and beyond. HU is a great place to hang out, whether lurking or sharing 🥰
Love it!! (And I love the photo, you look so cosy!)
Do you mind if I copy your first 2 words Linda? They are definitely mine as well (athough some people would say I’m just bl..dy minded 😂)! You probably know how much I love a plan, I usually stick as rigidly as possible to them. My latest HM plan may have fallen apart but that was due to events way, way, way beyond my control, and I still ran the race despite my training being rubbish. So I think that’s the first 3 really:
Rule Follower
Determined
Resilient
During the race yesterday apparently one of my clubmates was shouting and waving at me as I got near the line. I’m sorry to say I didn’t notice them at all, I was concentrating on catching up with another club mate who was just ahead of me 😬 Sometimes I just get so in the zone that nothing else really exists, so that’s another:
Focused
For once I wasn’t trying to catch my club mate to beat him to the line, I just wanted to finish together with him as a club mate. So for once my usual thinking left me, so that would probably be another word:
Competitive
Not sure why I’m competitive as I’m not exactly speedy in the bigger scheme of things, but I do like to confound people’s assumptions of small older ladies. Maybe I’m also reminding myself that actually, I’m not too bad at this running lark…and that is as much of the buzz as the bit of bling round my neck.
It’s nice to be back…hopefully a bit more regularly once again. Have a great runny week everyone 😍
Yes determined is the nice version of all sorts of less nice words isn't it? I love resilient - I may be injury prone, but a great deal of resilience has fuelled all the comebacks!!! I agree with you too - the competitive aspect (me vs the previous me) provides a massive buzz and can be behind a smile that lasts for a good week after a successful event.
Oh, and you're absolutely spot on - you really aren't too bad at this running lark, not too bad at all 😍
All day yesterday, with 20mph when it wasn't gusting. Thankfully it was just a short speed run - made longer by the fact the NRC app glitched as usual and eventually totally froze on me; being a rule follower, I didn't want to stop before time was up, so 20 minutes somehow became 29 mins 🤬😍
Determination really does make a difference, doesn't it. Hmm ... I imagine woody trails make for a lot of squirrel spots for Squiggy 😍 I too love the headspace that the solitude of lone runs provides - such a luxury in our busy world. Happy running indeed 🥰
I did manage two runs in the last 5 days after an 8 day lay off. The ice and snow has been replaced by patches of mud interspersed with some reasonably clear/firm trail. The temperature has gone up a little bit today, but tomorrow and Thursday look cooler and still a bit wet! Just got to take opportunities as they come at present.
I chose the 30 minute NRC Rainy Run on Friday and the 45 minute Cold Run yesterday. Both felt ok, so I haven’t lost a lot of ground since my 10k 15 days ago. CB had some handy tips on the Cold Run; I was able to run into the wind on the out leg and thus had the wind at my back when I turned for home…well the cafe…same thing really. Misery guts VO2max docked me a point yesterday despite my ARH being identical to Friday’s run🤷♂️
More disruption is ahead. Some dead ash trees near the cafe have to be felled next week, and that will limit my access to my usual trail. They have to get it done before Christmas, apparently so I guess there are only 12 chopping days left 🫢 sorry! Enjoy Canada; wonderful place as you know.
Sometimes a couple of weeks off can be really beneficial ... well, apart from the frustration of course! I'm happy not to have been dodging ice and snow here when running (apart from one morning where the pavements and roads had an evil sheen!).
Hopefully the cafe will still feature on your modified trail?
By the way, have you ever thought of taking a part time job with a cracker company? 😍
I was told yesterday that the cafe will be closed on Monday. The dead trees are very close to the building so they have no choice sadly…..could have avoided Monday though! 🙂
Hi Linda that looks very cosy there. I’m fighting hard stay positive and find 5 positive words to describe where I currently am. So I guess positive is my first word. 😃 I’ve abandoned plans for the European Indoor Championships and now focusing solely on the World Championships in August 24.
Frustration is an obvious one too at the moment. My last track training session was Nov 19th and I’m trying really really hard not to worry too much about it as I can still train in the gym.
Strong because I’m hitting all kinds of PBs in the gym with this enforced rest from the track. For example a year ago I was at 70kg on the rear kick machine. Last night I was on 140kgs. It’s so encouraging for me to see progress like this. And keeps me motivated.
Motivation is more than just a word for me. It’s the fuel of my determination and that’s my third and fourth words 😃 Motivation and Determination.
Finally I’d choose grateful, as like so many here, running has completely changed who I am and my outlook on life. It has given so much more than the medals and bling. I’ve met some truly inspiring and amazing people on this journey including all you lot on here who continue to inspire, motivate and amaze me.
Hi Brian. You have had an amazing year! I gather that your ankles need a bit of TLC at present and that you are taking out your lack of track time frustrations on the gym. I am sure that your ankles will be back at their steely best when you need them. In the meantime, have a great Christmas 👍
Hi BC I’ve had a great year and I’m excited for next year too. My targets are bold but I always set my sights high. Yes, my right ankle has something going on in there which is preventing track training but I’m hopeful it will recover and besides even Noah Lyles has a proper rest in the off season.
That must be so tough Brian. When running is such an intense part of your life it must leave a massive hole. I can easily imagine how the gym work is filling some of the gap though - stick with it, knowing full well that it will be a great help in your comeback for August. Ypu have motivation and determination in spades! We have no doubt you will be back. Stronger than ever. In the meantime, no prizes for guessing what you'd like for Christmas! Here's to speedy healing 🤞
I trepidatiously asked my husband to sum me up in five words 🙉🙈🙊
Rat
Up
A
Drain
Pipe
I know it’s only four but hey ho 🧑🎄
I’m not running at the moment. My psoriasis has gone crazy so I’m trying to let it calm down before I head back out the door. I’m thinking of inventing a running kaftan if no such thing currently exists 😀 I’ve seriously considered doing all my running at night so I can get away with wearing shorts 😤
Haha! Nice 😍How awful that the psoriasis is winning right now. I can't imagine how uncomfortable and frustrating that must be. Speedy healing Miss W. The drain pipe awaits you!
I need some sunshine 😀. I might try getting an appointment for light treatment at hospital. I’ve been put off doing so as the waiting list has been too long.
The lesions don’t heal, which is the problem. Only being outside in sunshine, with legs out, seems to work. I don’t want to be seen in shorts in daylight at the moment though.
It seems crazy that a few months ago I told my niece that fingers crossed I thought I was cured 🤷♀️ I spoke too soon 😑
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