It’s Monday again and time to chat about our week and an opportunity to find out what our VRBs are up to. We love reading all the news, how your running is going, are you training for an event and if so, how is that coming along? Perhaps you’re on the old injury couch or not able to run at all for other reasons. We understand so this is the place to share!
I was in Ireland last week for a few days and did a lot of sitting and not nearly enough time on my feet so ran only once in the time I was there. Hence I ended up with backache. I need to move to keep my back pain-free but I just didn’t get a chance. All the car journeys to and from the airports, the flights themselves, a funeral one day (a cousin but not close) and then I got invited for afternoon tea by mum’s Friendship Group 😍🫖🍰 which was lovely but, again, a lot of sitting was involved!
The exception was when my brother and wife took us out one day to do some exploring of the Antrim Plateau, a wild and rugged area of geological significance and also an AONB. The wind was fierce and the terrain is brutal but eye-wateringly beautiful. My brother and I took a bit of a hike to explore a little and my first thought was how hard it would be to run there but also so absolutely thrilling! On a clear day you can see Scotland 😍
Of course I did a little searching when I got back to civilisation and lo and behold I found this video of a race in the area which made me feel as if I was there in all its spectacular pain! This guy is funny and I’ve seen a few of his running videos before but this one shows the beauty of the area and just how tough it looks to run there. The Cairncastle Classic Fell Race is a 10 miler, elevation of 2,200 feet. When it’s too steep runners are almost on their hands and knees scrambling to the top and then coming down consists of sliding, as if on a playground slide, on your bum! 🤣 Well worth a watch. Anyone tempted?
Thanks Irishprincess 🥰 20K is done. I’m getting excited now. The positive about being so off plan the last few weeks is that I’m planning to just enjoy the day. There’s no pressure.
I was joking over61andstilltrying 20k or any distance should never be “just” . I’m guilty though of saying it when people ask What distance did you run?
It’s been a week since I ran so I’m heading out today as I can’t stand the worry of seizing up if I don’t get out and move. I had good, slow walks with the dog yesterday 🐕
Definitely tempted by the fell race (lovely pic btw). (the fells that is ... not so much the racing 🤣 - they would have to have a VERY generous cut-off time for me to be able to join in). I keep meaning to visit that area, it looks like there are several good events (Antrim Coast half, the Causeway events and so on). Something for the future.
My weekend turned out more energetic than planned. Plan was a short jog on Thursday (first day I was allowed to run after enforced break) and then a similarly gentle parkrun on the weekend. Thursday afternoon (just after the jog) I heard about the tribute run for Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos rugby player who died last week from motor neurone disease) on Friday evening. He was an amazing man and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation is also something I'm deeply grateful to: no way that I was not going to do the run.
The course was Strava art: based on an established 10k fundraising route called "The Roundhay Rhino". On Friday the route had a bit added that resembled a"7" on the Rhino's body - the "7" was there to match Rob's shirt number. The distance increased to 7 miles (so another "7" reference there). Despite short notice there was a great turnout at Roundhay Park in Leeds. It looked like 750 to 1000 of us were there and as we set off we flooded up the hill in a blue tide. Wonderful support around the streets with so many people coming out to clap. The atmosphere was both joyous and sad - an emotional evening and something to treasure as a memory.
Tired afterwards (1h 28m for 11.3k for the Friday run which was fine given circs.) but was not missing parkrun ... feels so good to be running again ... 😀
That sounds such a wonderful way to remember Rob. He was such an inspirational man so I’m not surprised there were so many turned up to the tribute run. That must have been quite something to be a part of.
I’m planning on doing the Antrim Coast HM this year. I’ve missed out the last two years because of injury so I’m hoping this is the year! Any chance you might be tempted?
hi IP. best wishes for staying injury-free and having a great time at the Antrim Coast. it sounds so beautiful. dates don't work for me unfortunately but will look forward to reading your run report in August
Hi IP. Love the photo, the idea of a fell race not so much!
Interesting week for me. Moving nicely through the early weeks of my NRC HM plan which is keeping my mileage down whilst pushing me to move a bit quicker on the speed runs (my general pace has really suffered from the recent spell on the IC). I have a recovery run to do today but it looks flippin cold and windy out there ...
On Saturday I volunteered at one of the Dorney Lake events - three tri distances, plus a 5k, 10k and HM. I was on registration and the finish line and was busy from start to finish (6-12.50!!!). Sadly I was somewhat underwhelmed with the organisation and the lack of appreciation from the race team, but hey ho, the other volunteers were lovely and it was interesting seeing a tri up close (I'll not be getting any closer than that tho!!!). Just got to decide what to do with my race credit (if it ever comes through ...) 😍
I've been gardening all week and have been mindful of all the gardening injuries we see on here. With BC's words about gardening and running making poor bedfellows ringing in my ears, I tried to be extra careful. All the same I managed to bash a big toe nail while moving a heavy pot and it now looks as if I just ran a Half Marathon. Never lost a big toe nail before ... but I'm pretty sure that's going to happen ☹️
Anyway, enough of my rambing, I should really get out there and do this run - I know I'll feel great when I get back!!! Have a lovely week everyone 🥰
Oh blimey Linda, that toe accident sounds sore 😫 The only time I lost my big toe nail was when I damaged it skiing, it took six months to grow a new nail and I was utterly fed up because it was summer and I couldn’t wear my lovely summer sandals 🙁 But it wasn't painful so you can run with it I’m sure.
Those Downey Lake events are pretty well known. Shame that it didn't sound that friendly. I do think we are spoiled in that regard because it’s such a friendly place here!
Sorry to hear that Linda 😟. I’ve lost loads of toe nails ☺️ Once they start to die off they don’t hurt unless you snag them, so tape the nail down if you’re running.
They can take an age shed themselves. Big toenails can be trimmed as they start to lift.
Hi IP. That looks like a beautiful place to be…. But running up near vertical hills…..no chance.
I was going to post about my HM attempt today, but I am so annoyed with myself that I have decided just a mention is enough. I did get the distance, but staggered rather than ran the last 1k, but I made a complete mess out of it. The trouble started in the first few seconds; somehow I must have selected “ without guidance” on NRCHM app. How I did that is a mystery; I never choose silent running! Second mistake was not stopping to fix it; I am a “ I have started so I will finish” type. This led to the third error; I ran the first 10 miles far too fast. I knew it, but by the time I realised what was happening, it was too late to fix it. So I blundered on. The last couple of K was awful. Upside, a new PB by 9 minutes and 9 seconds….but it wasn’t what I was trying to do. It was quicker than my 20k a couple of weeks ago…so no “if only I had completed the HM then”. The first 10 miles was only a couple of minutes off 10 mile PB pace.
Maybe I should book a post run sports massage and have a whinge to my physio….not that I will get any sympathy🙄! Grrrrrr!!
Stop. Breathe. Reflect. You did it!!! You absolutely smashed it. The end may not have been pretty, it may not have been your dream run ... but adapt, be flexible ... and focus on the did's rather than the did not's. Massive congratulations on a HUMUNGUS PB. Mission accomplished. Goal for the next one? Stick to plan ... or maybe not ... maybe this will awaken a whole new rebellious BC. Did I mention congratulations?
And if I can't convince you, stop and think what you'd say to one of our members? I hope you're treating yourself to at least one brownie and a flat white 🤩
HM’s make me emotional for reasons you know about; By the end of the week, all that will matter is the time. It was windy cold and wet out there today, but I was too stubborn to postpone the run until later in the week. Message to all; we all make mistakes, but it doesn’t matter provided you don’t end up injured as a result. We can put it right next time around.
I have booked a sports massage for tomorrow to deal with the post run tightness; one sensible step in the right direction. 👍
Holidays next week (mid week). I really want to get some holiday runs in this year; zero last year following my fall. No HMs for a couple of weeks though!
Bit of stretching tonight (after a muscle warm up) I think. Tight hamstrings are the only thing I can feel, that is usually an easy fix. 🤞 I got away with it.
Whoop whoop BC!!!! Take it. You ran it and earned it and got a PB (and what a time difference too). That’s flippin’ brilliant! It doesn't matter how you felt, you did it!
Mind you, you have worked hard for this and have been consistent and disciplined with your training so you deserve the glory now 👏👍
A huge well done and congratulations. You are a star ⭐️
Thanks IP. I did grab a triple chocolate brownie and coffee afterwards! We are making a good dinner tonight; making up for lost calories. I think my frustration stems in part from having been so careful and structured for weeks, and then messing up at the end in such a ridiculous way.
The improved time is beginning to register though 🙂!
Wow Beachcomber66 there's some gold there you found panning in the HM river ⭐ longer runs throw out all sorts of tests but you got there, got a PB and had that first 10 going out strong. Certainly lots to be positive about and a few things to tighten up. Really well done because it's a fabulous distance 👏👏👏👏👏🏅
🙂 Feels a bit more like success this morning Mudita11, thanks. 🙄 rookie error or not, I did get the job done, just not quite in the way I had planned. I might escape the physio’s double teapot this morning 😂.
Many, many congratulations! 🎉🏃🏻♂️🎉🏃🏻♂️🎉🏃🏻♂️🎉 You did it! And a new PB by 9 minutes and 9 seconds! And not injured 😊 But oh how I know a bit of how you feel/felt. Completing it and yet not how you wanted it at all. All this time preparing thinking, hoping, talking about it and then... oh not plan A! Boo! Worse than boo! Simply wretched. Well that's how I felt. But you ran all that way without the dulcet tones of CB. All on your own you did it! Such determination. We learn from our runs don't we? Like you I feel I should have known better and made better decisions, but we can not go back in time so - process and move on knowing you have a new PB and you did it! I hope you are feeling recovered and that you have a lovely holiday. 😊🏃🏻♂️
Hi >61, thank you 🙂. I am fine today; a bit of a post run wobble yesterday, but my sensible head is now back in gear. Tiredness does funny things! I had a physio appointment this morning; a few minor knots teased out and I am fine to run again. I think that my next run will be an easy 6k or so at recovery pace on Thursday. Swimming tomorrow.
It’s perverse isn’t it; I seem to be saying that I would have been happier with a run which took longer, but which fitted neatly within the plan in my head! Barking mad.🙄
I think that we just accept what we have achieved with a smile and move on. The worry about your knee was a much bigger issue, but it didn’t stop you. That alone is a huge success; the rest is comparatively insignificant detail.
I think that I will impose a 12k limit for my holidays; give my legs and emotions a rest !
Thanks IP. Good to get a clean bill of health. I had an interesting chat with my physio about the injuries she was most often asked to treat and their causes. Might be a post in there sometime.
I’m like you though. Once I’ve pressed “Start” that’s it. What will be will be 😀
I know, it’s easy to say you’ll take the first half steady then throw the kitchen sink at it in the second half, but runs just don’t work out that way🙂
Thanks missw! Off for a slow recovery pace run now. As you say; the result looks good on the app! The record will last; the frustration melts away quickly🙂.
There are some beautiful areas Up North. We stayed in Dundalk a couple of weekends ago and visited Slieve Gullion Forest Park. There is a scenic drive there and its simply stunning.
I tried Fell running for the first time about three weeks ago and it was quite frightening. It had been raining all weekend and everywhere was just so slippery. I didn't fall but came close a few times. It is a 10k run and I must have walked most of the way up the 300 meter incline to a Cairn (tomb), and there was also a few steep valleys in between which didn't help.
It was probably a bit too much for my first mountain run and it was meant to be moderate, but I think I will need to do a good few more of that kind of run before I get used to them I guess. I think I finished 5th last and am in awe of the runners who finished way ahead of me.
There are a few more runs in the series coming up, I might try an easy one if I'm able.
Oh wow! Looks amazing! I love the idea of fell running but I imagine youd need to practice it a lot in training. If you’re lucky to have something nearby then that’s ideal really.
Good for you for doing it at all! Some of the steep bits are soooo steep it’s almost like mountain climbing 😱 Well done 👏
I’ve done a local 7km one a few times to dip my toe in. It’s an easier one and the weather was good. I liked it as the terrain is a leveller and us oldies can do well 😀
He does a lot of outdoor stuff not just running. I’ve just watched him discover some terrifying holes in the ground in a forest where someone could disappear! Something else to think about now 😱
Steady 4K recovery run this morning. Slightly stiff, but nothing to bother about. VO2 max reckons I am “Superior “ again; shows how much it knows 🙂. Next challenge under consideration….but holidays first 🏖️
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