WEEKLY CHAT 19TH-25TH FEBRUARY: Sickness Stops Play ☹️

[Irishprincess]

Hello lovely runners. How’s it all going for you?

The unpredictability of this running business means that we never know what each week may bring, which is why it’s so good to read about everyone’s news in the chats! Sometimes a lot can happen from one week to the next.

I’ve just returned from a little holiday in Tenerife. A gorgeous adults only hotel on the North coast overlooking the Atlantic. I was intending to carry on with my HM plan and if I couldn’t find a nice (relatively flat) route then I knew I could head into the hotel gym to the treadmill. What could possibly go wrong?

Two days into the holiday I took a sneezing fit while sitting by the pool and felt like I had a cold coming on. I started taking paracetamol thinking that would be that, but then on day three I felt really ill and ended up in bed, too nauseous to do anything except sleep. Long story short, I lost my appetite, developed a hacking cough and felt rubbish for the rest of the holiday and, apart from one 5K along the seafront on the first day, didn’t feel well enough to run. So, I’m a week behind on my plan….some juggling is needed 🤹‍♂️

It was most likely COVID but I didn’t take any tests with me. Does anyone take tests on holiday? I did test myself the day we got home and it was negative although that didn’t tell me if I had it earlier. It’s a miracle that Mr IP didn’t get it with my coughing and spluttering all over the room 🙏

Hey ho. Such is life. I was supposed to do a nine miler yesterday but that didn’t happen. Instead, I ventured out for a very slow “test the waters” 5.5K which was ok so I think I am good to pick up my plan this week🤞

It was so disappointing to go all that way for a nice winter break only to get sick and not be able to enjoy myself ☹️ but we did manage to go out a few times so here are a few sunny photos for you. That beer is mine! After my one and only very hot, uphill 5K I thought I had earned it 😎

In happier news, I got home to find my race bib on the mat 🤗 That brought a smile to my face 🙂 Along with the thought, “Aargh! I’m not ready!” 😳

I hope you haven’t been held back by illness or injury but even if you have, we know it’s always a temporary setback and the running will wait. Tell us in the comments how your week has been and what you’re planning for this coming week.

From your team Beachcomber66 , linda9389 and me

xxx

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[misswobble Marathon]

Morning IP 👋. I hope you’re feeling better now and can get back to running. Being sick on holiday is really annoying 😏

Long run day for me. I’m off 🙂🏃‍♀️

Have a great week everyone 👍

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Have fun misswobble ❤️🏃‍♀️

[misswobble Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thank you 🙂. I did! 😀🏃‍♀️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Have a great run missw! Whoop whoop 🏃‍♀️

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

15k run with Coach B. Finished it about 4 or 5k from home so I walked at a fair kick as it turned cold and grey. I wanted to dodge imminent showers as I’d got a merino on under my long sleeve 🏃‍♀️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I love my merino tops. I still have one I bought from Aldi years ago, still washes like a ribbon 🥰

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Mine’s Aldi! I’ve got two 😀 love em 🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

My only regret is that I didn’t buy two at the time. The other one was a gorgeous mint colour too….

What colour are yours? Mine is a deep fuchsia pink, almost purple. Love it.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Both are silver grey. One has pink piping detail Both long sleeved. More recently they’ve only offered short sleeves so I’ve not bothered. I sometimes wear a tee over the top when it’s a bit cool 🙂

One has developed a ladder but it’s not got any worse

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Two; luxury!! I have one 🙂

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I know 😀. I’m blessed 😇. My husband bought both of them for me for Christmas and birthday. They were inexpensive compared to merino elsewhere. I’m taking good care of them 🥰

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I bought mine before I started running; to wear as base layer when I standing in rivers in early Spring. I think it will last forever!

[RunWillie Marathon]

Hi  Irishprincess & other VRB’s,

Oh no being sick on holiday is rubbish

Tenerife is so beautiful. I went on holiday’s there as a kid.

Week 3 of Marathon training for me. 35 miles on the run plan with 6 miles at MP ticked off already. An extreme heatwave warning is still in place so I’m embracing the early mornings.

Someone has lent me Nedd Brockmann’s book “Showing up” Nedd Brockmann ran 2,456 miles from Cottesloe Beach,Western Australia to Sydney’s Bondi beach in the East in 46 days and 12 hours 🤯

Happy week everyone ❤️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

Some inspiration to get my mindset right😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

You're doing so well RW. One run at a time and a lovely tick next to it afterwards 🙂 How satisfying is that?

That book looks an interesting read. So much of running is feeling uncomfortable. An amazing feat of endurance there! It is amazing what some humans can do 😳

Have a great week and stay cool 😎

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Sounds like a great book, especially if you're training for a marathon. Good luck x

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

What a rotten thing to happen on holiday, hope it's gone away now. Holidays do that sometimes, it happened to us in December and took a long time to get over.I started the NRC 10k plan just to give myself some focus, then yesterday couldn't get signed in so went off and did my own thing.

Ankle deep in mud here still.

Have a great running week all.

Field

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Now that is a muddy field! Apparently our garden was flooded again while we were away. But it doesn't seem to have harmed all the bulbs coming through 🌷🪻

Have a great week doing your own thing Sue 🤗

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

It's lovely to see all the bulbs, I'm back in to NRC so thinking doing run 3 this morning, it's not a long one, have a great week Irish princess 😁

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Lovely photo. It's good to do your own thing too. It's still really muddy round here too, I daren't take my new running shoes out. Best of luck with the plan.

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles in reply to Cantstopmenow]

Thanks, I'm enjoying it so far but trying to combine it with low heartrate running so most of the runs are super slow

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon]

oh no, poor you, thats sounds awful and does sound like the dreaded C, just when we think its gone away, its still lurking!! Plus for it to happen when you're on hols even worse 😥Hope you are feeling better.

We have the Welsh 3Peaks Challenge coming up in May (its coming up a bit too quick now, and I just hoping I will be back to full fitness for it. They still havent got the anaemia under control and its the breathlessness thats causing the most annoying /frustrating thing, my legs are keen to run but my lungs aren't 🤔. That said Im doing all the training runs/walks, hill training and just joined CBDB on the 7 days strength training challenge, (which was hilarious as my balance is awful so I kept falling over! 😂) So as Ive said in previous posts, my determination will keep me going.

I like the picture that RunWillie has put below, I'm sure its something that Coach Bennett says, about 'get comfortable with being uncomfortable' as I guess if we never push ourselves, then its a shock to the body on race day. I try to remember that on those tough race days, when actually all you really want to do is stop!

Everyone on here training towards a full marathon is just amazing, I just can't imagine running that distance. I have my second HM in April but not getting hung up about my time given my fitness, just want to enjoy it.

Have a good week all.....🏃‍♀️👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

You’re doing everything you can and I’m sure you’ll be in great shape for May. Your mates will take you along too 🥰

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

🤗🤗

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

I recognise those photos! Garachico and the amazing view from the restaurant at Bellavista towards the Punto Teno road, or thereabouts?? We did a hazardous, terrifying and memorable walk down that mountain a couple of years ago. The beer in Bella vista was the best ever. You almost need full PPE to keep healthy after a plane journey nowadays. Such a shame it affected your holiday.So running, I went out with my Monday group this morning. Some did 10k and a couple of us completed a second circuit to cover the HM distance in preparation for March/April events. The weather was a pleasant 7 degrees, partly sunny, with a troublesome westerly wind. I found it much more tiring than last week's HM run, no idea why. However, after a hot shower and an egg butty I feel very relaxed.

Hope your training plan goes well. Xx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

OMG that last section of the mountain journey! 😱 My husband was driving so I was closest to the edge and it was terrifying. Thank goodness the hotel gave us an alternative way back. Phew!

I’m going to wear a mask on flights now. There were quite a few wearing them coming back and it makes sense still. I’m sure that’s where I caught whatever I had.

That sounds like a very satisfying run, especially the egg butty afterwards!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Hi IP, I am late on parade as usual!! Sickness on holiday sucks! Let’s hope it is behind you and you can pick up the plan where you left off. My Isles of Scilly holiday was blighted last year! Shouldn’t be allowed!

Long run day for me today. A comfortably paced 10k at the end of “11 weeks to go” week on NRC HM Plan. I went for my route with the 2k hill stretch at the beginning. It went fine; my AHR was better than last week’s 5 miles over the same route and the pace was 9secs/k less slow! It all felt pretty relaxed. There is always a price to pay though. A bit of stiffness in my left ankle, and my left knee caught my other leg a couple of times towards the end of the run, which suggests a bit of weakness. I may book in with my physio just to be on the safe side. It felt ok when walking Molly; just a bit sore. Distance wise, there is no increase in the week I will start on Thursday, so no big decision needed until a week later when the long run really ramps up. I may choose to take things a bit more slowly than the plan suggests. All in all, not a bad start to the week….apart from two incidents 5 mins apart when people lost control of their off lead small dogs and there was a risk of my falling over them! I had to turn around and run back to the owners with the dogs following in my wake each time 🙄 …..just smile and get on with the run!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Little dogs on or off leads (those long extendable leads are a nightmare for us) are always a red for danger sign. When I come across them I always watch them very carefully.

It’s always tricky to determine if a bit of tightness is normal or something to look at more carefully. A quick visit to your great physio will put your mind at rest BC.

Enjoy your week 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP. Controversial topic, dogs and leads. I came to the conclusion that for large dogs, extending leads have no use. The dog needs to learn to come back when ordered early on. Molly is always either off lead or on a short lead depending on where we are. If she is off lead, I keep a sharp look out and call her back/ slip her on lead if a runner or cyclist is approaching; no problem. Long leads give large dogs too much leverage, so they take you for a walk rather than vice versa! For small dogs, the extending leads can be a tripping hazard; so people just need to be careful if they feel that they need to use one. I survived yesterday’s encounter🙂

My Achilles was really painful when I got up this morning! I have given it a bit of Bob and Brad rubbing treatment, but I am not hopeful that this is just going to disappear. I am wandering around in an old pair of running shoes so that I have the benefit of the heel drop. I am sure that I mentioned in a recent post that I hadn’t heard from my achilles for years…big mouth!!🙄

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Hello Beachcomber, Very pleased that your 10km went fine, but sorry that you had some niggles. Think that I have adopted the enjoy my running and health while I can, as we just do not know what tomorrow holds. A near neighbour, runner in his 60s had a stroke at the end of last year, spent a long while in hospital and now how home but needing a wheel chair....

I wonder whether you have had a physio appointment

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks >61, I have made an appointment for Monday; no sense in hanging about. We have just walked Molly and my achilles behaved..but running is another thing as you know. I get injured, do as I am told and get fixed; hopefully we can keep doing that.🤞🤞🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤞🤞

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I hope that the physio visit brings positive news.

I seem to be upping the exercises given to me by my physios at the moment with the hope that my knee will support my running plans. Still not confident as I suppose since my fall in 2020 I have had two big set backs. Gently, gently ... only I don't really want a gently, gently journey 😂🏃🏻‍♀️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks >61. Swimming today, with flippers. Might be a kill or cure….I know; take it gently 🙄. Part of the problem is that Achilles apart, I feel fitter than I have been for ages! Coiled spring 😂😂😂

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes I think I am feeling fitter too. Disappointing that what I consider some nonsense heart rate data on my 10km run put my VO2 max down. I had being enjoying my longest period (since my records begun) at 42. I am sure it is all nonsense too, but I had been enjoying it all the same. My heart rate was over my maximum by the way. I manually changed my maximum upwards a while back according to something I'd read. Ah well, we have a fair idea of fitness, don't we? I hope the swimming goes well.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

I need to re-calibrate my VO2 max too. Red zone at >154 seems a bit low to me.

Swim was good thanks and my achilles feels better; there is a bit of weakness in the calf though…..I think I will just do some exercises and miss out the two runs which are scheduled pre appointment.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

As we’ve said so many times before in these parts, it seems there are some disobedient owners out there who have no idea how to control their fluffy friends 🤬 The problem is if we meet one we don't know how they are going to react.

I’m sorry that your Achilles was painful this morning. Fingers crossed that you can get it sorted or maybe just a few days rest will do the trick 🤞

I love Bob and Brad. They are very user-friendly!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Bob and Brad make me laugh, but it is all good stuff. I always waggle my feet around first thing on a morning; I got a good click out of the affected foot today, so maybe that will help.

I agree; if you are walking a dog, you have to be considerate of others. Young dogs, of any size, needs lots of training; it is hard work and there is a lot of know how involved. We set all of our dogs off in puppy school; but lots of the training was directed at us! I meet lots of dogs on my runs without any problem; yesterday was just bad luck.

[Dendev75 Half Marathon]

Oh no IP that’s rotten luck to get ill on holiday 😢

I’m glad you managed to get a run in and enjoy a beer in a warm sunny place.

You’re right that runs will always wait when we get injured or poorly.

I’m hoping I’m back on plan training for my HM next month after being ill and starting my plan late. What will be will be.

Good luck with your training. ☺️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dendev75]

Exactly! I’m really two weeks off my plan as I started it a week late so trying to juggle everything around now. But we can only do what we can do. Go us!

[nowster Metric Marathon]

Good evening IP.

I did a couple of weeks of running every day (or more strictly every night). Then I had travelled home for the weekend, arriving late and tired, and didn't run on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Today was the first nice day for a while where I didn't have a work video call with New York in the late afternoon. I got slightly delayed but got out just as the sun was starting to set, and ran my first 10km since before Christmas. I stopped twice to take photos but still completed it in just over 58 minutes which I'm exceedingly pleased about.

On the way I saw a barn owl, two cyclists, several bats, the same two cyclists but with their lights on, and a hare. I needed the head torch for the last 20 minutes of it.

The photo was taken roughly about the half way point.

Straight downhill lane at dusk, hedge left, forest right. Hazy orange horizon with hills.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

What a beautiful photo nowster . You could use it on a calendar.

That sounds a gorgeous run, running into infinity and beyond…. 🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to nowster]

Simply beautiful. Well done you...x

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to nowster]

Beautiful photo! That sounds a lovely run.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

Oh Maj!!! That is not a happy holiday and thank goodness you are feeling more like it now!

Pesky Covid, especially the new sneaky variants is still creeping around and laying folk low! Glad that you are getting out and taking it gently too !I am creeping, ( that is the operative word), back towards 10K , ready for our virtual buddy, HM and 10K meet up on the Monsal trail in April..

Slow is the word.. easy running the other two Happy return to running IP and happy runs everyone!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

It took me by surprise Floss that’s for sure! Anyway, I’m feeling much better and about to start this week’s runs… 🤞

Enjoy your training. So much to look forward to! xxx

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Sorry I’m so late! It seems it happens so often that, 3 days into a holiday, illness strikes. Something about relaxing I guess. Hope you are feeling better x

As for me I finally accepted the inevitable and am following my physio’s advice to avoid running to allow my inflamed piriformis to recover. I am still doing RED Feb but walking about 2.5k a day. I did walk/jog parkrun #98 in 40 mins on Saturday, to keep me on track for 💯 on 16 March. I’m also doing my exercises, stretching, heat/ice. Starting to feel better, so hoping skiing will be ok in 2 weeks’ time, then need to try to get ready for Monsal in April!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

You're clearly being a very good patient Sandie 😇 It’ll all pay off. You want to be ok for the skiing!

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

l’m sorry to hear that you’ve been unwell IP. Hope you’re fully recovered soon. 😘

We are on our ski hols so no running at altitude for me.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Feeling much better thanks Dexy. Have a 10K to do this morning so that will test everything out properly!

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Hello Irishprincess, I am so sorry that you were poorly while on holiday. Boo! But I see further down the replies that you are planning a 10km run today and that a race bib (yikes!) has arrived, sounds like the too long on the ic period may be in the past. Pleased to say I ran 10km last Saturday, but not confident that my knee will not complain if I increase much further. One physio put my flare up down to overuse, so I need to be ultra careful, I have had a few twinges reminding me that I do not have a normal knee. But I plan to keep trying.

I hope your 10k went well. Which event was your race bib for? I have a feeling that it is a very long time since your last race.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

10K done and all good, so I’m back on track with my plan 🙂 It’s such a satisfying distance isn’t it?

I’m glad that you're back to 10K again, you've done really well with your recovery.

The race is the Bathhalf in March, my nemesis, and I’m trying to stay laid back about it…… “it’s only a race….it’s only a race….”

You're right, it’s been almost exactly two years since my last race and my last bling! I’ve so missed the bling 🤩

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

10K done and all good, so I’m back on track with my plan - sounds wonderful 😊🏃‍♀️ Long may it continue

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

🥰🥰

[taichi1]

Hey IP glad you are fully recovered!! Zero energy, nonstop cough and zero appetite, exactly what I had last month. It wiped me out for 10 days literally. Ironically I can have only got it from the gym, as that was practically my only social contact that week hahahaha. Anyway like yourself I tackled a friendly 5k gingerly to start my recovery then a couple of weeks later managed to reach 10K. I'm sure it was Covid also. Its amazing how easily you can be laid low...Anyway it's great to be back isn't it !!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to taichi1]

It’s great to be back! I didn’t have this reaction the last time I had COVID but I guess there are different strains.

Here’s to the future for both of us 🙂

[taichi1 in reply to Irishprincess]

Agreed!!! 😄😄😄👍👍👍

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Oh no Irishprincess ,so sorry to hear you got ill on your hols😭,looks a beautiful place too.But glad to hear you're feeling better and back on your training for Bath!!! Onwards and upwards!💪🏃‍♀️😁 Love Aliboo xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Ali, It took me by surprise, that’s for sure. But over the worst now, thank goodness xxx

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Urghhh being ill on holiday is the worst. Glad you got out a bit though and hope you're ok now? I'm finally feeling like I'm ok to run after just being ill over December/ Jan with colds - voice loss and general tiredness. I believe it stemmed from COVID in early Dec too but didn't test. I did a long run ( my favourite 10 mile route) on Sunday which was a beautiful spring day here. I loved it! Then this morning I went out in torrential rain. Definitely varied! I still enjoyed that too - wet feet and all and had a well earned warm shower after! Here's to Spring coming back soon.... Please 🙏

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

There’s still so much going around. Think I got a bit complacent 🙄

I’m back on plan but who knows? We can only do our best at the end of the day. Getting the 10 miles done is a huge relief ✔️