The start of another week (where do they all go?!) and perhaps new plans for you or new adventures. We’d love to read about them.
Although the calendar and my garden tells me it’s spring here there is still nothing spring-like about the weather. The potholes are the size of small craters and the puddles are more like ponds and so I haven’t been able to run on the roads very often recently. Luckily I can head for the arboretum which is pretty muddy but crater and puddle-free. They’ve re-surfaced a few paths and I thought they looked like race tracks! I was lucky enough to be one of the first visitors to use them so they were fresh and not trodden 🤗 Whoo hoo, my own race track 🏃♀️
Well, this is the start of taper for me (HM is on Sunday) and I’ve made the decision not to run at all 😱 this week. I completed the 10 miler last week which went relatively well and I could have carried on, which is always a good sign. But my knees were a tad achey and on a 6K run yesterday they started to complain around the 5K point. So, I’m giving them a complete rest, apart from walking, until race day. I have a sports massage booked for Wednesday so hopefully that will loosen things up 🤞
This running business is always a roller coaster and you never know what’s around the corner so let’s see what happens on the day.
Is your running going to plan? Or are things taking a different turn? Share your news, good, bad or ugly. We’re always runners regardless of where we are on the journey.
If you’re sick or injured, then we’re sending you loads of healing vibes and wishes for a speedy return.
If you’re running, then have a great week!
From your team Beachcomber66 , linda9389 and me xxx
🍏Lovely read! Great photo! Wishing you well … Pom poms for race day! My comeback to 10k thwarted by an ear infection but a temporary blip. Back to Coach B soon! Xx
Gosh I got 🦋🦋🦋🦋 for you then IP. Soooo close now. I don’t blame you for taking this week off. I’ll be thinking of you on Sunday! 🥰
Me? Nothing special, just need to complete C25K W9 this week (because I’ve started so I’ll finish!), then I’ll be starting with Coach B and friends for my looong run-in to the Cardiff HM. It’s in October, so no rush! 😂
Oh that would be EPIC if you could join me in Cardiff IP! Wishing you all the best for Bath, even slightly more now! 😂🥰 Remember the bling photos won’t you (as if you’d forget!) 🏅🏅🏅🏅
Marathon training continues. Long run is 12 miles again this week. I enjoyed last week’s 12 miler. I ran along the coastal path through the dunes which certainly tested the legs. I saw a huge kangaroo but couldn’t get to my phone in time to take a pic before it bounded off.
No other news. Just logging those miles & trying to eat enough.
Happy week everyone! ❤️🏃♀️🏃🏻♂️
edit to add
Cheering for you for your HM Irishprincess You’ve got this!
I’m sure eating the right food is a big element in marathon training. I mean, how do you replace those calories???!!!
I’m not running your distances but I still have to really think about what I eat as I can lose my appetite quickly after long runs. Have you got a special diet or are you just following your instinct?
Keep doing what you do RW, it sounds as if it’s working really well for you 🤞🍀
I think with a first marathon it’s all trial & error. I’ve got some great plant based books from endurance athlete’s which have really helped me. I’m vegetarian & my iron dropped last year so I’m keeping on top of that with monthly checks. I also struggle to eat enough after a long run & feel like I’m playing catch up the days after. The nutrition is very much a work in progress like the long runs 🤣
12 miles done 👍🏻 No food consumed until hours afterwards. Oops. I did manage to get three gels in though during the run. Told you it’s a work in progress 🙄
The arboretum looks like a fabulous place to run. Enjoy your race on Sunday, I will wave my pompoms.
My back injury has been easier this week so I tried for a 5k run this morning and it felt ok so extended it to 10k.
I don't think I can do a longer run before my HM on 7th April, so my revised plan is to do 2/3 10k runs each week, with some yoga thrown in, then rely on muscle memory and a positive mindset on the day. Its scary, as I won't have run the hm distance for over a month, but I hope it will work 🤞
That all sounds positive and your plan is sensible. It’s so hard to juggle things around if we get hurt during training. If it makes you feel any better, it’s been over 2.5 years since I last ran a HM so I think you’ll be absolutely tickety boo 🙂
The April Events post will be going out shortly so keep an eye out for that so we can wave some pompoms for you 🥳
I do hope that rest, walking and massage prove to be just the right combination. I have entered my first ever HM due 18th May. I imagine that there is only 10% chance of reaching the start line. I do not have confidence that my knee is up to it. I have been reading around all sorts of HM advice on the forums which has been very interesting. I intend keeping my running to no more than effort 6 or there abouts, in the hope of putting less stress through my knee as I build up my distance.
So hope that all goes well with your HM on Sunday. 🏃♀️😊
Lots of people run/walk or even mostly walk a HM so there is always that option. My plan B is to walk if my knees give me big grief but you never know until the day.
I do wish you every luck in the world with your training, you've been through a lot and have worked so hard. Please do keep us updated on how you’re getting on.
Thank you for your good wishes. I’ll think of that on my way round 🥰
Thank you for your reply. I'm not following a plan. I gradually reached 10km then looked at the NRC plan, but only to see how it built up the long run. Far too quickly for me. I am keeping to no more than 10% increase per week on my long run, with cut back weeks too. I was then completing two other runs of about 30 minutes one speed from NRC and one easy pace. Then I decided to at least make sure of 4km for the two shorter runs and because of my knee problems only increase pace to a max of 6 out of 10. I have enjoyed running faster, but I am having two different types of knee pain. Both very short lived a minute or so. One very localised at the exact place of my meniscus tear and the other more general knee area, which actually prevents me running normally. Boo! Both make me feel that running could stop at any moment.
I have no idea which races become full or when, so I thought that I would enter, but I am not at all sure that I will be at the start line and know that I can withdraw. I don't really want to walk the course, so we'll see how my knee responds to me being as gentle as I can, while of course, still increasing distance.
How many runs of 10 mile distance have you completed in the lead up to this Sunday's HM?
That’s how I reached my first HM, and I know lots of others here have done the same. That way you can really listen to your body and do what it needs rather than coming a cropper by following a structured plan. It does work!
I’ve done one 10 mile run for this HM. That’s usual for me although the plan I followed (Hal Higdon HM3) specifies two 10 milers. But with starting the plan a week late and missing another week due to sickness, then it’s only one this time. It’ll have to be enough.
Thank you for your reply. I had a quick look at the Hal Higdon HM3. I see that the two shorter runs cover more distance than I am. I am aware that the jump from 10 miles to HM is lots more than a 10% increase, but I assume you have found it works without causing injury.
Love this Irishprincess it's so true when you say that, 'This running business is always a roller coaster and you never know what’s around the corner so let’s see what happens on the day.' So rest up and look after those knees.
We're both doing well really. Trying to be consistent with our weekly mileage and mixing things up. Here's hoping we keep injury free.
Note to knees: Come on! You've got this. Now is not the time to complain. You've a job to do. Sit back for a week and reflect on just how helpful you are going to be on the 17th! Nothing more, nothing less.
You're a very wise princess IP, and I hope you are royally rewarded in Bath - I look forward to shaking my (green) pompoms for you! In the meantime I will carry on limping, resting, recuperating ... and no doubt (hopefully) improving in the near future! 🙈
I’ve been talking to my knees all week Linda 😂 and from memory, I’ve gone through similar aches before other HMs so I think it’s just me and how my body copes with pre-race stress!
Is your hip any better? Have you seen anyone since you got back? I imagine you’ll want to feel better from Covid before getting your hip looked over.
They must listen in the end 😍I haven't investigated my hip yet because we're heading away for 3 weeks tomorrow, just in the UK but it would interrupt any treatment. Given my low energy I'm just resigned to wait til April now and hopefully it will gradually ease in the meantime 🤞
Everyone at HU is willing you through this your highness; success is just finishing in one piece…..followed by operation legless! Rounding off your comeback from a long period of IC with some substantial shiny bling. Poetic 🙂
Hi IP and all VRBs An exciting week coming up! And a good choice to rest up well before your HM, you can do it Irishprincess !!!
Last week I was using up time holiday allowance from work, so had a few outings out and about! On a rare sunny day on Thursday I walked from Freshwater Bay to the Needles and back(if you click on the photo you can see Tennyson Monument at the top!) , fuelling up at my friends mobile coffee shop 1st! It was lovely! 🌞😁braved walking through the herd of Cows too! 🐄A family situation is making life quite stressful atm so it was good to be out! 😭
Managed to get to our Sunday run club too, 34 of us there this week doing a 10k so that was nice!
Club tonight, really rainy here atm !
I'm aiming for my annual Needles HM (9th yr) in early June so that's what I need to focus on!! Running feels like hard going atm,hoping my fitness will improve in the next few months!!!
That is a beautiful photo! A gorgeous sounding walk but I don’t fancy walking through a herd of cows 😱 eeeekkk!
I’m sorry the family situation is still stressful and I do hope it eases a bit for you all. Stress can sap our energy so take it easy on your runs and keep giving yourself lots of TLC xxx
Ploddy sometimes just has to be enough 😀 I know it’s frustrating but sometimes our bodies refuse to co-operate. Dang! It’s annoying. Try and get some good sleep 😀👍
It was my first run for 3 weeks yesterday and I can confirm that skiing at high altitude does not help running at sea level. UptheStanley ran with me for a let’s see what happens run, and It felt rather strange using different muscles, but we got through 4.5 km ok.
I’m still plodding along with my HM plan. I ran a ten miler with Coach B in the pouring rain yesterday, but it did stop eventually and I was able to ditch my jacket. Yay 😁
My Achilles is still twanging 🙄 but I went steady and got round. I wonder if it’s all my muddy trail runs that’s causing it 🤔🤷♀️
I think that there is something in your muddy trails theory Missw. My Achilles has been sore at the end of runs for a while now, after years of almost Trappist silence. Nothing else has changed; my weekly mileage is moderate, which only leaves the mud and my shoes of course. Now my shoes probably shouldn’t need changing yet…they have clocked just over 400k when I added it up this morning, but I am not going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I ordered some new ones this pm! Meanwhile my calves and hamstrings are getting lots of stretches; physio says the achilles is just a symptom of tension higher up in the leg. In particular, she tells me that there is a muscle behind the knee and the peroneal muscles on the outside of my calves, all of which get very tight through the effort of keeping me upright in the slime! Makes sense. 🤞 for a bit of dry weather soon!
It definitely makes sense BC. I didn't know we had a muscle at the back of the knee, but I’m going to ask my sports massage lady this pm about it because I just feel as if my knees need a really good stretch!
I’m back. She’s new to the practice and is BRUTAL 😫 but she found the muscle quickly enough and I nearly went through the roof! Then she found other really tight spots in quads and hamstrings that almost made me cry. She’s convinced that she’s sorted out my knee niggles. I’m feeling a bit battered but I am feeling confident 🤞
I was out and about last night and everything felt fine. Ditto this morning walking the dog. Hopefully it’s mud related and that once dry weather arrives and dries up the trails I’ll be cured. You too 🤞😀
Good luck with the exercises, and with the new shoes, the combination of which will see you set to rights 🙂
🤞 for both of us. I did the stretches this morning and have just come back from Molly’s walk. Everything feels ok. Running is a different matter I know. I am up for another 4K bimble tomorrow to see how things feel.🙂
I’ve been flexing my ankles and calves since early this morning. I did slow walks with the dog yesterday and all was well 🙂🐕
I’m jogging to the start of the intervals which is usually about 4km. Once I’ve done the intervals I either walk or jog home depending on how I feel 😁.
Have fun out there! 💪😀. I’m outta here 😀🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Yup; I have been flexing my ankles too with a stretch my physio showed me last week. Add on crab walk and squats, both with exercise bands, adductor stretches, quad stretches, happy baby for hamstrings….I am knackered before I start moving!
Just the 15 minute hot water bottle on knees and I am out of here too……..gone!! 🙂
And I’m back; well, I have been for a while. I stopped after 1k to do some calf stretches and then went on to complete a steady 4K. I can feel the tiniest twinge in my achilles, so I will need to keep on top of that, but nothing much🤞🤞👍. All that tightness behind my knee has gone. My other foot was sore on top when I finished my run on Monday, so I stretched some magic tape from the sole of foot and applied an 80% stretch before anchoring it on the other side of my foot(a trick my physio showed me some years back); not a glimmer of a problem post run today. So all in all, a good comeback effort. I must keep up those exercises though. Maybe change the Happy Baby to happy bunny! Hope your run went well too.
yes it was ok ta 🙂👍. Ladder intervals with Coach Cox. It rained though 🤨. It’s still horribly muddy on the trail but I figure when it’s not I’ll be quicker 😁🏃♀️
Downloaded a fresh week of my plan and am pleased to see my long run is shorter than the last two weeks 🙂
I have found my achilles quite stiff and painful first thing in a morning recently. It seems to be calming down now 🤞🤞🤞🤞. The glute, hamstrings and calf on the affected leg were all really tight before my physio got hold of them 😬…and she gave me exercises, including a nerve glide, happy baby and an adductor stretch….all of which have got easier to execute day by day. Add to that ny high heel drop shoes; which I have been using for ages now,I think I am on the way back. I couldn’t even do a calf stretch properly on the day I started my treatment. I think I need to keep these exercises going now.
10 miles in the pouring rain!! I am sure that I would have delayed my run for a dry period. You are clearly made of sturdier stock than me. Was it actually pouring when you set off?
Yes it was raining heavily enough for me to choose my waterproof jacket ☔️💦💧🌊
You do get used to running in the rain. If you’re training for longer races you can’t really avoid getting wet. You can set off in the hope it stops - which it often does. If it gets too dodgy out there, and you’re worried, you can turn around and head home 🙂
I have only once come back completely soaked. When the rain came it was just as long to go on as back. It made me laugh in fact giggle lots that I could be running in such conditions. I shy away though from setting off in heavy rain.
By the way do you intend to run the White Peak Half Marathon on May 18th? I have entered as a first ever HM, but my knee is still a concern so not confident that I will make it to the start line.
I'm sure you'll have found it, but I thought I'd send a link. My knee isn't right, boo hoo but I'm going with 'motion is lotion' at the moment and very easy pace.
Just want to wish you bucket loads of luck and good wishes for Sunday, IP!🤞🙂
All good here - loving my running at the moment.❤️🏃♀️ Not running anything more that 10ks at the moment and just starting to work (tentatively!) on pace. I may look at building up distance further later on, if I stay injury-free!🤞🤣
I love that you’re loving your running at the minute. I think for those of us who go through periods of injury, it is particularly sweet when we get back to a joyous injury-free running routine 🤗
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Read all about it? 📖 🎽 Weekly chat 27th March – 2nd April 2023