I had quite the weekend. Saturday was grey and miserable again. Without going into too much detail (let's keep the miserable half short) I was exhausted after a dreadful sleep, knocked over an almost full mug of tea which smashed, slicing the palm of my hand and frying my laptop to a sudden, dark death! After such an auspicious start it was no real surprise that the start of the decorating job I'm doing while Mr9389 is away, was just overwhelming and structureless and I achieved very, very little! The highlight of my day was probably an hour's walk to get some fresh air. The rest was miserable and frustrating
I decided Sunday should be a day off!
My plan told me the day would start with a half marathon run (my first since May last year). And what a day it was! 😎The sun shone beautifully - a sunglasses day, it was crisp and cold and bright and fresh. After so much rain, I had reluctantly chosen a road route to avoid the mud and puddles; our road was no longer a running river, so I had high hopes of dry feet!
Well, that didn't quite work out 🙃. Twice I had to turn around on myself because the lanes were totally blocked (and I didn't want to run any part of 21k with water squelching between my toes - these were BIG puddles)). At one point I ran past a farmer trying to fix his pump. By the time I turned back yet again (yeah, I should have believed the 'ROAD CLOSED FLOOD' sign) he had fixed his pump and the road I had just run along had turned into a raging torrent. I skipped through that, knees to chest, comic book style! The hose he was using had lots of holes in it, so there was a new fountain display along the roadside too. I stopped and congratulated him on clearing his pump, he looked very pleased with himself 😅
I made my way back to the rest of my route - having to skip a chunk - and found myself running past home with 3k to go. I was having such a ball though, it was no problem to run right on by and find that other 3k. Road it may have been, but it was such a gorgeous day and such a 'glad to be alive run', it really didn't matter.
On getting home I had (yet) another go at powering up my apparently dead laptop, and joy of joys ... it worked!!!!
A good soak in an epsom salt bath, followed by a visit from (and walk with) my daughter and the day was done. All followed by a lovely leisurely evening on the couch and plenty of time to reflect on a great day.
Bad days do really make you appreciate the good ones.
Just like runs, I guess.
So how's your running going? Plenty of mud and puddles ... with a bit of sunshine perhaps? Or is running off your agenda right now? However it's going - and do let us know in the chat below - I hope the sun shines on you this week and you get a chance to appreciate at least one 'really great day'. Me? I'm off to do some decorating 😵
With love from The Team xxx
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Loved your run report Linda, a joyful run to make up for the tea disaster! 😂I am out of action at the moment (again 😬), achilles tendonitis this time...
I had an online physio assessment with treatmyachilles.com, I found them on YouTube. I am diligently performing my heel raise exercises and hope to be run/walking in about a month...🤞🤞
I have been volunteering at Parkrun to keep my spirits up, I've done barcode scanning and timekeeping, it's quite good fun! Although cold - lots of thermal layers needed 🥶 I'm hoping to get a few in the bank and then I can enjoy Parkrun the rest of the year guilt-free! 😂
Happy New Year VRBs, hope this year brings joyful runs your way! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Oh no! How annoying is that. It all seemed to be going so well ... 😒 Hopefully that month will fly by - and conditions will maybe have improved too! Stick with the exercises and come back stronger than ever.
I enjoyed volunteering at Parkrun during injury periods; I agree it keeps you in touch, keeps you in better spirits and definitely buys you some future credits.
Yes it's very frustrating...I sometimes wonder if I'm meant to be a runner 😒 Not giving up yet though!! C25K here I come again, in a few weeks hopefully 🤞
Not much to report here. It is still stinking hot & still have 5 boys home on Summer break so no long runs for me. I did manage 30 miles last week & hoping for the same this week.
Thanks linda9389 😍 I’m not sure about my base fitness. I’m keeping up with hubby on a weekly run if he slows down for me so that’s progress. I suppose I will see if my base miles have paid off when the marathon training commences. 🫣
Maybe time for some 'cross training' RW - plan in some time to work on your confidence, it may be your weakness 😍 We all keep telling you how great you are; start there and work with it 🥰
I’m working on mental strength as you’re right it’s a weakness. I need some good race mantras that will make me smile when it gets tough. I can’t take it that seriously although I’m pretty serious about finishing……so that’s a good start. x
I can’t quite believe that I’ve managed to build to 30miles weekly & I’ve finally signed up to that marathon. This forum is a huge part of that. Thank you TailChaser for all your encouragement. x
Great report Linda, I feel like I was there with you every step/breakage of the way! Well done for the long run and big cheer for the laptop!
I did my longest run since my last (and only) half marathon nearly four years ago. 15km in the bag and the legs with 8 weeks to go, so feeling quite chuffed about that, and did it at roughly the pace I want to do the main event. Think I'll repeat that distance again next Sunday just to reinforce it.
Also doing Dry January - what a difference that makes to the spring in my step on a Sunday!
Ah, 15km is a great distance to hit, especially with all that time to go. You are very patient though - I think I'd be repeating but would be so tempted to add another kilometre to get 10 miles 🙈
I admire anyone who completes dry January. I always feel better if I try, but I hardly ever make it through the whole month, for one reaon or another. I reckon all my determination goes into running, leaving me weak in other areas (including food and alcohol resistance!!!). OK. Not such a plausible excuse really. I'm just weak!!!
It's just started to snow and I'm hugging the radiator - stay warm I will, but it's a bit of a challenge today! So glad I ran yesterday in the sunshine 🌞
Well, as it happens, I had a small mid Dry January blip. My son left for New Zealand on Monday so I felt obligated to buy him a pint in our local before he went (!) and in a moment of weakness/emotion/whatever I ordered a glass of wine! I also had a couple of glasses by the fire at home, after I knew he was in the air... But back to it now, hope to make the rest of the month.
I totally get the point re getting to 16km - I had kind of forgotten that if I'd done another bit I'd have passed the 10 mile mental barrier... but that's for this weekend, so I'll be really pleased to get that one under my belt!
I commiserate with your having to decorate. Poor you 🙁. Organise your food first is my tip for getting through your labours 💪👍😀
That comedic knees to chest, tentative hopping gait, is produced as we try and mitigate the sudden chill of icy cold water on our tootsies. It’s tiring though isn’t it 😁
I’m not running today, or yesterday. Dentist later 😏😬. I’m dreading it as my young dentist “retired”. Hmm 🤔
Have a lovely run folks, or enjoy your rest if not 🙂👍
yes, we build things up in our minds, fearing the worst. A bit like marathons 😀
I did a decorating course at tech some years ago as I had a big project to do and wanted to get it right. Best thing I ever did. I did a plumbing, carpentry, decorating and brickwork taster course. I’ve decorated my current house. It desperately needs doing again but I keep putting it off. ☺️
only you Linda could make a HM with loads of rerouting and water sound like bliss!! Well done. I’m still recovering from the lurgy but did manage to ride my bike yesterday. 22 miles, some gentle undulations in great company with coffee and cheese scones to end. Then later I joined Katnap and TailChaser for a pint of Guinness and a catch up. No running yet, but it is good to be back in the land of the living.
Haha. When you put it like that .... 😅 ... but Saturday was a truly awful day!
I can only admire you getting out to ride at this time of year. It was chilly yesterday but I bet it was a lovely head clearer after being ill! I saw lots of runners and several cyclists while I ran At one point a group of six guys rode past ... as I was facing oncoming traffic, with no pavement, they all had to move out slightly to accomodate me. It felt like a personal fly past (OK, my mind wanders a bit on a long run, poetic license and all that 🙈). Cheese scones sound yummy though, perfect post ride. And cheese scones, Guinness and great company sound positively heavenly! A great day indeed 😊
I’m tee total these days but I made myself a hot toddy in desperation cos of my sore throat and constant coughing. It was absolutely gorgeous and of course knocked me out 😁. Scary amount of whisky 😳 💤
Oh misswobble, get well soon! 😢 When I was a student I got bronchitis due to my dodgy dwellings and the best way to temper my cough/wheezy chest was whisky hot toddies as it was much cheaper than cough medicine and also helped me sleep. Probably not the best long term solution though.
Hi Linda; that sounds like a really satisfying run. Sometimes that means it felt good only after it finished, but your “glad to be alive” suggests otherwise. Epic run.🙂
I expected it to be clear skies with frost this morning, but it clouded over a bit, which maybe kept the temperature a little higher than would otherwise have been the case. There was mud a plenty, but no ice and hardly a breath of wind. I went for a CB 1 hour run with a target of about 8k in mind. There were lots of puddles / muddy patches to dodge, but I forgot about pace and just got a bit lost in thinking about the words of CB floating around in my head. I was awakened from my reverie by a young and friendly boxer dog who had decided to join in and jump up at me as I ran along! I walked back to its owner (whom I know) he thought I just wanted to chat 🙄….I asked him, very politely, if he would mind putting the dog on his lead until I was out of range as I was afraid we might trip over each other. Dog put on lead, smiles all round, run resumed. So I finished off 8.2 k at the end of CB’s hour and headed for coffee. This is the third run since Christmas where I have felt really good after finishing, for no particular reason. Nothing to do with pace or distance….just a bit of feel good. CB’s magic maybe 🙂
Needless.to say the run had it's difficult.payches, it's negative stretches, butnoberall I was really happy to be doing it and genuinely just enjoying being out there chatting to myself 😅Running magic. Wonderful stuff. To experience that on three runs i n such a short.time must be a great boost, confirmation that you're 'getting t right'. Celebrate it 😊 I've been using NRC more than I used to; maybe I'm gradually building up a tolerance for CB 😍
Steady on there Linda; next step could be really enjoying CB! I think that I just absorb it now; like background music. I am running more relaxed maybe. At this rate I could be back to HM by May….I really want that PB this year!
Oh Linda, what a lovely run, and I'm so glad your laptop is ok, mugs can more easily be replaced. After Saturdays parkrun and Sundays long walk over the Downs, today was a nothing day, I ate and read and ate and read some more.
I'm getting a bit twitchy about Wednesday but it's an early appointment so I'll be home by lunch time, a few non running weeks and a good plan in place and spring will be here before we know it!
Today it snowed, we got a good covering, the most we've seen for a few years 😁 we are all happy Apples now.
Yes, the mug was inconsequential (apart from cutting my hand 🤬).It will be so good to have both eyes done; you will be healed before you know it and not look back. But you're certainly packing in the exercise before hand 💪
You must have had a good deal more snow than us. Enjoy!!!
That's brilliant running linda9389 and I always think we earn our runs like that...and you certainly do!! A motto I use is 'The Comeback is bigger than the setback' and you did just that 🎯✅
Hello linda9389 , what a day you had on Saturday! I bet you felt like going back to bed and starting all over again. But look at you knocking off an HM without even thinking about it in that glorious sunshine.
A new year of running has begun. I for one am quite pleased that 2 parkruns a week is now over after the Festive break. Because we are both involved in the Core Team, getting up time is earlier than just going to run, and we have had some very early mornings. But one bonus is seeing this lovely sky on Saturday .
Like many others, UpTheStanley has had a streaming cold over Christmas, followed by the usual chesty cough, so we have just had a couple of short gentle runs together in addition to the parkruns for me. A bit parky today at -3 in the NE wind, but better than gales and rain.
I had my annual hypertension review recently and was really pleased to find that my blood pressure is normal and blood tests clear. To think I was on medication for 10 years before I started running. I bless the day I started Couch to 5k. That is better than any medals or T-shirts I’ve collected.
What a beautiful sky Dexy, reward indeed for an early start. Hope UTS is back to full fitness very soon.Being off meds is real validation of your running isn't it? What a difference the decision to start c25k has made for you. T-shirts and bling are the icing on a very good cake 🎂
And many of us have cause to bless the day you started C25k too Dexy5; you have been a big help to many of us- and then there is all of the Park Run activity you have shared with UTS too. Hope 2024 is a regular blingfest for you .🙂
How did you do that Linda? You just went out and did a HM, no build up really, just went out and done it?!! You’re going to smash that marathon target no problem 💪 Maybe it was all the distractions???! There have been a lot recently haven’t they?
My running is going ok really. I’m on Day 8 of RED 5k/day and so far so good. Bit stiff but complementing the running with Adriene’s 30 Days of Yoga is helping, and I have a massage to look forward to on Friday.
Nothing as dramatic as your adventures Linda but we have been touristing due to our parkrun’s recent cancellations. We have more planned due to a busy January of trips. We reckon we can do parkruns starting B, C, D and E before we have to go back to our home run to RD.
With this more regular running and more regular running clothing washing, I have found that I need some new socks. RED always seems to highlight what clothing is starting to see better days. My Hilly ones have done many, many, many miles now. The outside of them is fine but they are fraying inside, which is odd and annoying as they catch. So I have been enjoying the cosiness of my two pairs of merino wool trail socks (one pair normal, one pair 5 toed) that I don’t wear often. So the E parkrun will probably be Birmingham based and coincide with a trip to the Running Show at the NEC and a bit of shopping. Anyone else going?
Happy shopping TailChaser 😍 It’s a good job that I’m not being released on the Running show. I’ve just bought my marathon shoe as it’s the first time it has ever gone on sale in Australia. What a tempting day you will have. Enjoy! x
Ooh, what shoes have you bought RW? Sounds like destiny is calling you there, I have to say. Shake-and-run and I will both be aiming for the Brooks stand to try on the Ghost Max and I’ll also be ordering a new bra as they send them post free from the show (they never have my size). Then it will be socks… annoying thing is that payday isn’t until the following week (but maybe just as well)! I’ve just got these ahead of time though, they feel lovely and comfy.
I’m very envious of your shopping trip with Shake-and-run What a fun day you will have. 😍 I love your new socks. I only run in injinji. I managed to buy the superblast on a 26% discount on Boxing Day. It has never been discounted in Australia & normally sells out at full price so I’m ridiculously excited. I love my nimbus 25 so think it will be a good pairing for marathon training.
Have you run in them yet? I’ve heard really good things about them. I’ve got my merino Injinjis on atm, post parkrun, they’re lovely and cosy. Maybe one more pair if they’re on offer next week.
Not yet. I’ll get the boys to give them to me for Mother’s Day. I’ve still got to do my mileage in my Boston 12’s before I start running in a new pair. I will get to try them in May. It’s hard to wait 😊
Oh I can imagine. Just get them out and have a good sniff every so often 😁 Not much beats the smell of new shoes 😍
I have a new pair of Saucony Pro 3s that I’m saving for Berlin but at least I’ve worn a pair of them before. Jury is still out on the Boston 12s for me. They’re ok, especially after wearing in, but I think the new Hyperion Max’s coming out later in the year sound really good (they’ll have a nylon plate like the Speed 2s & 3s).
I feel the same about the Boston 12’s. I’ve done 83 miles so far & the best thing for me is the grip. That continental rubber does not allow for any slip on our beach path. Did you swap out the laces on your Boston 12’s?. I haven’t & they always come loose. I have to make them super tight to keep them tied 🙄
Your saucony pro 3’s would have been on my list but I didn’t want a carbon shoe for my first marathon. The plan is to take it super chill. I know I can use my nimbus if the superblast doesn’t work out for me at my easy pace. Think the perfect marathon shoe is a never ending quest😍
You’re right. The Pro 3s were good because they delayed the achey legs - the bounce really helps to stop your legs having to take such a bashing. The only thing they did do was turn a big toenail half black, it’s still half black now 🤷🏻♀️
I’ve kept with the Boston 12 laces. It’s more then thinness of the tongue and the flappy sides, they make it really difficult to get my feet in as I’ve got high arches. The laces being so thin feel like they’re digging in to begin with but that seems to go thankfully. They haven’t come loose on me…yet.
I’ve got high arches too. Maybe, that’s why we’re not loving the Boston 12’s. I haven’t got a black toe nail yet. I feel like when that happens you’re a proper long distance runner 🤣
No, no,no! I've been following the NRC marathon plan for several weeks (months) already. With my injury history there's no 'just go out and run' 😅 Apologies if I was misleading 🙈I get caught out on laundry with just 2 and sometimes 3 runs per week ... 7 would seriousl challenge my domestic skills, or, morelikely, send me running to the shops 🙈🤷♀️
I'm loving the parkrun /run show planning. You've got this 😅😅😅
Good luck with the RED runs, I really admire (and envy) folk who can run every day 💪
Ah, that makes more sense, but you still knocked it out of the park!
I have had to loosen my strict laundry schedule otherwise it would be hopeless. Thankfully it’s freezing so nothing is getting too smelly (but maybe tmi 🤢😆) 9 days now, only 22 days to go 🥳. Thanks Linda xx
Firstly Linda, I’m sorry to hear of the many challenges you faced in this one. But you persevered and pushed through which is what it’s all about, so well done to you. Also happy your laptop is functional. That is the stuff of my nightmares.
I’m sorry it’s been such a long while away from the forum for me. I am back just as a participant this time around. My short break away turned into a longer and longer one until work and life kind of took over. I did maintain the weekly runs and trained through two marathons last year (Toronto and Berlin which was amazing!). That kept me sane and focused this last year. Also learned a lot about nutrition! Still trying to work out this year’s races. I think Ottawa might look good for the spring. Apparently it’s a very nice race along the water. Not sure about a fall race yet. I’ve just got back from vacation in Cuba feeling a bit slow and sluggish along with cold. Apparently we are getting some more snow tomorrow🥶 . Bit of a departure from the 28 degree beach runs last week (see pic). 🌴 ☀️ . Sigh…🙂
Hey there 👋 So good to hear from you. Sounds like 2023 was a great running year for you. I've watched your runs - and admired your amazing photos - on Strava, but somehow missed you were in Cuba! It looks and sounds amazing, but what a change from running in 28C to running in snow - one extreme to another! I loved Vancouver half and would bet the marathon is lovely too ... about as far from you as Berlin though 😍 Happy hunting 😀
Thanks Linda, yes 2023 was a great running year. I only got two short runs in Cuba before our fam went down with a bug. 🤢. Vancouver does sound amazing too, though we are on a tighter travel budget this year after New York, Berlin and Cuba, so it will likely be closer to home 😀 Maybe 2026?
Good to see you again, welcome back and well done on two marathons as well!! Shaking my head in astonishment. Work and like taking over but still training to complete marathons in Toronto and Berlin! Yikes!😊👏🎉🏃🏻♂️
Haha thanks 61 🙂. Well the mara training is what kept me sane through the rest of it. Also Toronto was included just to test my training and make any tweaks over the summer for Berlin.
What a wonderful feeling when things fall into place. You ran a HM in the first week of January and your laptop recovered! Brilliant 😍
I absolutely get how you felt on that run and you described it wonderfully. That “nothing can stop me, I’m invincible and could run forever” kind of run. Truly magical when they happen 🤗
My running is going splendidly and for once I have zero niggles, mysteriously my cadence has increased with no effort from me and I can now forget about the new orthotics as they seem to be doing their job! So, onwards and upwards 🙂
I’m sticking to the bike for cross training and am actually enjoying it even though I have to “book” my time on it with Mr IP as he is on it every day 😂 I was quite chuffed with my level 3 on the first day but then he went and spoiled it by saying he does level 21!! 😳🙀
Great news IP, you have had a really tough time with injury. 2024 should be a great year for you. Come spring you will be running along leafy lanes and chatting to film directors again!
Haha no Linda. A few years ago I posted about a man who stopped by on one of my runs and chatted to me. He told me that they were filming at a local country estate but he didn't know what.
The next year I found out it was Bridgerton and that they still use the estate for filming.
BC is always teasing me about film producers….. hence my reply with the popcorn.
This is the second time I nearly ended up in a movie. When I lived near Virginia Water I came across a film crew and afterwards I found out they were filming a scene from “ The Huntsman:Winter’s War” with Chris Hemsworth. Sadly I didn’t see Chris but I made a point to run by the crew and thought perhaps I might be cast as an extra….😂
Pleased to hear this >61; looking forward to reading happy extra long race reports from you this year. You have had more than your share of issues; payback time 🙂
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