Weekly Chat 29th Jul - 4th Aug - Be patient 🌞😎🏃

[linda9389]

'Be Patient. Let The Run Come to You.' Coach Blue, Nike Run Club.

Hi there wonderful VRBs!

Hope all is well in your runny worlds and that you are running and smiling in the sunshine as we hit the traditional holiday season here in the UK. Do join the chat below and let us know what you’re up to.

I’m back home, the sun is out, my runs are improving. Healing times! Switzerland was amazing' Despite our bad luck, I’d love to go back and experience more of it sometime soon. There are some wonderful places to run, most accompanied by the sound of Swiss bells (church bells, cow bells, sheep bells ...)!!!

As always though, it’s good to be home. I’ve managed to stay on track with my NRC HM plan (with a couple of minor modifications) and yesterday was a speed run - Deuces guided by Coach Blue. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and there was one particular phrase that has stuck with me ‘Be patient. Let the run come to you’. It struck a chord for many reasons:

🌞 All the times I have been sitting it out on the injury couch; the wait seems interminable yet the runs wait, and when the time is right they have come to me.

🌞 Every time I run I experience the toxic ten, the sluggish start and it’s all too easy for the mind games to start, for the gremlins to get a foothold (you know the ones - I can’t do this today, I’m not fast/strong/good enough, I’m getting worse and worse ….), but if I can just wait and gently run through that initial phase, the run I’m looking for will invariably come to me.

🌞 Then there’s the NRC speed runs where we’re asked to go from a pause for stretching to whatever effort the interval asks for; I usually find the first interval or two tricky as I build up to the necessary effort. But today Coach Blue made it very clear … ‘be patient, the run will come to you’. And for sure it did. I relaxed, improved, thoroughly enjoyed it and ended with a big grin and a spring in my step, ready to enjoy my day!

'Be patient. The run will come to you’ - that’s a new mantra added to my box of tricks. I suspect it will be called upon often.

Do you have a favourite mantra? What keeps you going? What helps you find that good run? Or what keeps your spirits up when you find yourself on the injury couch? Do share, don’t keep a good mantra to yourself 😎

We hope you’ve had a good week and that you have a great week ahead - whatever you’re up to, wherever you are. Please do tell us all about it in the chat below.

Your Team: Irishprincess Beachcomber66 and me 🙂 xxx

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

🎽🥳 For August events:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

🏅For a shiny new badge:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Good morning Linda. The advice which has stuck with me from NRC is the exhortation to “start easy”. As you say, on the speed runs this is supplemented by the stretch pause after 5 minutes before starting speed runs. Both really work for me. The first five minutes of most runs feel rough, and then my legs catch on to what is expected and I pick up from there.

Saturday was an extreme example! I ran my first Park Run in years. My first lap was at 6:42 pace, after that I just felt really good so speeded up through negative splits to end with my first sub 30 minutes since the summer of 2019. New mile and 1k records too. A bit crazy but there you are.

Meeting up with an 85 year old marathon runner who started running in his 70’s (he is off to tackle Berlin) made me think that we shouldn’t accept age as a limiter too easily. I won’t run a marathon, but I might just work my way through the plan to see how far I can go……

My sensible head will kick in soon….must be the sun !

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

😈 Never say never BC! 😈

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

NEVER !!!! 😇

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤣🤣 ( 🤥 )

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Hmmm. Let’s look at the evidence!

I finally got out of the door for a planned 8 mile run at about 4:30pm. It was still 24 degrees with a nice warming breeze, complemented by the softing light of the early evening sun. Ideal conditions. CB didn’t like it though; he maintained a Trappist silence throughout. Sharp guy our CB! Didn’t want to be associated with what was to follow!

I had just grabbed the first bit of running kit which came to hand; black OMM shirt and shorts. Not the best choice for hot weather. Worse was to come!

It wasn’t until I was descending a hill at about 10.5k, and my left quad started to complain, that I gave a thought to hydration. I hadn’t taken anything to drink with me,!I started to count the number of drinks I had consumed all day. 2 cups of tea, 2 cups of milky coffee….and that was about it…….!

I started the walk of shame home at 11.75k. What a numpty!! If you can hear the sound of metaphorical stable doors slamming in the background, that will be me, slurping up sodium rich liquids …..alas too late.

Marathon runners are really organised …….🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

... ahh, but marathon runners train in order to become organised 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

But we learn about hydration in C25k! 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Sid we? 🤔 If only all things were learned from the first lesson!!!

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I didn’t learn about it until I was running 15km!!!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I can make up some excuses; last year I was out of action through the summer; injury and trip to Alaska ( running in bear country is not recommended!) This year we have only seen hot days in the last two weeks and yesterday was my first run later in the day…. but ; a rookie error. I have let it go now; spilt milk…. But confession is good for my soul 😇

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Confessions amongst friends who have all made the same mistakes is even better!!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Definitely; I wouldn’t be running ow without all the lovely people here.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Spot on. And many times too 🙈😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Not just spilt milk ... hopefully a lesson learned 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Definitely; plenty of liquids including zero have been glugged today.

Yesterday was a bad day; starting at the minor injuries unit ..possible foreign object in my ear. All turned out fine, but it threw my whole day out. I actually thought “ maybe I am not supposed to run today “ but I did anyway! End of plea in mitigation.🙄

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh my BC. Glad that turned out to be something and nothing. A big win that you got out at all.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

So maybe we can dock Captain Sensibie a point for his lack of hydration planning, but really Beachcomber66 you’re not the only one. I didn’t think about taking water or anything on my 10 miler, whereas there’s no way I’d run that distance outside without any.

I was lucky - you were sensible and walked home! We’re always learning!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

The gym will have had air conditioning? If so, no problem. You are right CC, we all make mistakes, some are dafter than others……luckily we get away with most of them! Good to have friends to back us up when things go wrong.🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It did Beachcomber66 , but I was on my favourite treadmill at the end, which unfortunately doesn’t get the full benefit so I was dripping! Maybe I should pick a different favourite treadmill? No, I don’t think I can! 😂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Tsk. Tsk!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Couldn't agree more CC!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh wow! Congratulations . Well, you definitely started easy for that parkrun ('easy' being a relative term) - what a great run. Age may call for adaptations, but limitations don't have to be front and centre. The NRC marathon plan is gentler than the HM one (well, up to HM distance it is anyway!); definitely worth giving it a try.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I will have a look; thanks Linda.🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Well done BC 👍 Your consistency is paying big dividends 👏

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP. Bit of focus on hydration now and I might be in decent shape. 🙄

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I had a 10K to do today and I normally don’t take water with me for that distance but given it was already 20 something at 9am I took some water and a bit of Tailwind too. Thank goodness I did as it was hot and I was sweating a lot. It was a very slow run 🥵

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

You see, that is how it should be done ; well prepared and sticking to a sensible pace IP. Brilliant work.👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

The heat makes such a difference doesn't it. I got it wrong a couple of times in Switzerland.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

You’re not the only one BC. Last year was a big lesson in hydration and sodium intake for me. We are always learning!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Nice to be in good company 🙂. Partly is was down to the sudden change in weather.After over 6 months of rain we have had a couple of weeks of bright sun.

Brain in gear now.👍

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yep the temptation is strong to just get out there and run in the sun ☀️ Also the time I need to watch not overdoing it 😀

[RunSkippyRun Half Marathon]

Hi Linda, hi all,

lots of things to think about in your post - thank you. As someone who's trying to re-find something I lost a while back these are nice, comforting sentiments 😀

It's been a goodish few weeks (had a lovely seaside parkrun on Saturday). Slowly getting back and being a bit patient and getting a bit stronger. This week there's a 8k on Thursday evening which has a horrible hill at around 5 k ... I'm wondering whether it'll be very hot and whether to Jeff it or try to tough it out ... we shall see. But there will be pie and peas at the end - my stomach thinks this a great incentive 🤣

Happy running all.

(I also like "runny worlds")

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunSkippyRun]

Pie and peas! Now that is a great incentive (though possibly less so in the heat!!!).

Good to hear things are moving in the right direction. Good outcomes take time (and effort) as they say, but they do tend to be worth the wait.

Good luck Thursday, however you decide to tackle it 🌞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunSkippyRun]

What sort of pie is it? 😋

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Love a pie in any weather! 😋

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Hello Linda, did you learn how to yodel in the Swiss mountains? I’m glad you went on to enjoy the holiday despite your initial setbacks.

I always remember, while doing C25K, Jo Whiley saying you should repeat “I love running” when the gremlins start chatting away. Coach Bennett also says to smile while you run and you relax into it better. Both seem to help me.

On Friday I went out in the heat to do an 8k run. I was bemoaning the fact that it seemed so hard and that 16.1k (10 miles) seems so far away on a WhatsApp chat with running buddies. They did exactly what you would expect of forum buddies and boosted me up when I needed it.

As we were both volunteering at parkrun on Saturday, UTS and I ran the RunWalkLocal on Sunday in 21°C 🥵. It wasn’t fast and included a few walking steps, but at least I managed to run 17k this week.

Have a good week all.

Dexy on a hot RunWalkLocal

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Smiling definitely helps doesn’t it Dexy5 ? Laughing is a bit tough though, and I often find myself laughing out loud at Coach B and pals - especially the exchanges with Daniel the Engineer! 😅

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oh yes, poor Daniel.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Poor Daniel/ I think I dislike Daniel even more than CB!!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I love Daniel and Coach B linda9389 - they make me chuckle. 😂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Be careful - passersby will be getting worried!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Daniel the Engineer reminds me of Radar O’Riley in M.A.S.H tv programme 😀

Coach B talking about his brother’s leg conking out on a run made me howl 😁

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

You will be ready Dexy5. No rush…🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yep Dexy5 , be patient and let that 10 mile run come to you 🥰

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Haha, we did discuss yodelling when we got to the top. To be honest the cow bells would have drowned us out anyway 😍

I love running is a good one; I often think to myself I'm so grateful I can run, particularly if I'm beginning to flag or struggle, and that helps too.

Sometimes 3k can feel a struggle, then 8k in 21 degrees would feel like an impossibility so don't be too hard on yourself. Gotta love run buddies though - they're the best for keeping you going, helping you find that good run and keeping your spirits up🥰 What a great photo!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi Linda and all. I love Switzerland. Its sheer beauty is breathtaking. Plus I was (still am) rather a large Roger Federer fan! Not sure I’d fare well trotting up those Alpine passes though! 🥵 I’m amazed how well you bounced back after those mishaps though Linda. Tough stuff indeed! 👊

I felt pleased with myself yesterday. After my recent couple of weeks off with my cold (pretty sure it wasn’t Covid, but who knows?) I wanted to fit my long W9 run in, and it was another 10 miler.

But …. I’d promised my grandson I’d watch his tennis lesson at 9:30am. Not enough time to nip down to the Prom in Weston, no way was I subjecting myself to all those kms on the common, so guess what? Treadmill time! 😅

I did it - 3 x 5ks + 1 x 1.2k with super quick resets in between (darned hour limit), and I had fun! Finished in time to watch the tennis lesson and felt righteous. 😇 My mantra? I can and will do this - and it works 99% of the time.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It didn't feel like I bounced back well at all CC; I've felt proper feeble for a couple of weeks!!! Even now I cannot get my sports bra fully fastened by myself 😠

I just couldn't imagine 16k on a treadmill - you're amazing! As for getting it done before 9:30am? I need to lie down just thinking about that!!!

'I can and will do this' is so powerful and right to the point - love that!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

The fact you’re running at all after all that is mind blowing linda9389 ! Lots of us would have curled up into a ball for a while. Not you. 👊

As for my run, well needs must and I’d have been cross if I’d bailed. Shows how determined us runners can be! 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

When I'm knocked down I miss running even more, I crave the lift that I know I will get from the runs. Even the tough ones - maybe especially the tough ones!

Determined indeed!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

16K on a treadmill!!! Blimey. You deserve a separate piece of bling for that Munks 🏅

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks Irishprincess , I wondered whether I was being overly daft attempting it, but somehow I knew I’d be fine! I owe lots to the treadmill. It’s saved my running on many occasion., and it did again on Sunday. 🙏

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Another fine line - we know ourselves best but we can't avoid the odd daft optimistic mistake. Hindsight is a wonderful thing 😍

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You deserve a cape after that superhero treadmill run!! And before 930am. Wow. I bow down in serious admiration!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

You and me both!!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

To be honest MissUnderstanding , it was fine and I really did enjoy it! I don’t enjoy running in exfreme weather conditions and if I can avoid it, I will! 😅

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Were you watching something or listening to something as you ran 10 miles on a treadmill!?My brain can not begin to think about such a thing. My head is shaking! Words fail me ....

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Yes to both over61andstilltrying . The treadmills overlook the pool where there’s always a lot going on. You can also see other people running on treadmills on the other side of the pool. I had my favourite tunes from my very long running playlist in my ears, so I was a happy bunny. 😀

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

So people watching and music oh dear! We are all different, aren't we?! Happy bunny sounds good 🐇😊🏃‍♀️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Different is good 👍

[RunWillie Marathon]

Hi linda9389 & other VRB’s

I love this running quote “A good run is like coffee. I’m nicer once I’ve had one”

We’ve been enjoying both in Bali.

Happy week everyone! ❤️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

An island run over the yellow bridge

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Love that RW!!! Hope you're having a wonderful, wonderful time 🌞

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

This is absolutely me!!! I’m nicking that motto!!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Hi Linda and other VRBs. It sounds as if you have recovered brilliantly from your accident and it didn’t stop you having a fab time.

I love the sound of cowbells. My first honeymoon was spent in Switzerland and the sound of cow bells is still a strong memory, as is the glorious scenery.

You and I, and others here, know the meaning of patience only too well 🙄 but I do love that “the run will come to you” . It’s so true isn’t it? Although it’s very easy to lose heart while on the IC and think, “I’ll never run again”, “maybe this is it for me” …. etc etc. But keeping in touch with folks here keeps me grounded and gives me loads of inspiration and self-belief and so I keep going ❤️

My sports massage therapist told me about a 73 year-old lady in his running club whose marathon time is 3:30 and she started running in her 50’s!!! I take a lot of inspiration from that.

I do have a mantra and use it fairly often. “Don’t be a wimp. Just do it” 🤣 It puts things in perspective for me because I know that running a hard run is nothing compared to what others put themselves through or have to go through so I just say to myself to get on with it.

I’m into my second high mileage week on the HM plan and it’s all going well. Because of the heat I took a stronger mix of Tailwind with me on my long run at the weekend and experienced a bit of an upset tummy afterwards as well as a strange dizzy feeling. I’ve put it down to the fact it was the extra caffeine which I’m not used to, so it will be my usual mixture this weekend. It’s all still a learning curve 🙂

Enjoy your running Linda and have a great week everyone x

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It’s tricky getting the Tailwind mix right isn’t it Irishprincess ? Too weak and it’s ’what’s the point?’, too strong and it’s ‘bletch’. I’ve never tried gels, but I can imagine they’re bletchier still.

I’m amazed at these late starter veteran marathon runners. I hope to be one - but there will be one major difference between me and that 73 year old ( 🐌 ) 😅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

No I’ve never tried gels either. Even the thought makes me heave 🤢

Lots of years for us still Munks, so exciting 🤗

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It's a very fine line between bleugh and bletch 😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

What a lovely place to spend your honeymoon. Wow, that's one amazing lady!!! Times like that are inconceivable to me - at any age. 'Don't be a wimp' is a bit harsh 😍 but it sounds like you respond well to a bit of 'tough love' 😎

I went right off tailwind; it was fine on my tummy for ages and then suddenly I couldn't stomach it. I much prefer an ordinary electrolyte drink now and take chews for energy. That's been working for quite a long time now, so fingers crossed it remains that way. Good to hear your mileage is unaffected though, as you move closer to your half.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

We’re all different. I use to take my home made flapjacks which I still love, but I found it a faff to eat, breathe and run at the same time. Now I just eat them as post-run fuel 😋

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

The chews just gradually melt at the side of my mouth. Probably not so good for my teeth mind!!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes I think about my teeth when I’m slurping the Tailwind but luckily my dentist is a runner too 😊

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

Patience? What’s that?!! It’s been a rubbish couple of weeks with covid but I’ve run twice in the past couple of days. I’m way off the training plan but I’m giving myself a week or two to just build slowly and see where that shakes out. It’s so good to be moving again, albeit a bit slowly!

As for mantras? My most commonly used one is sinply “get it done”. That often comes out on those bit-of-a-grind runs that just have to be done to get the miles in the legs. It doesn’t have to be pretty. It just has to be done. Lock in and enjoy the boring, sort of tough miles! I genuinely do like that sort of run. My husband always likes my run reports for those sorts of runs as “I did it by doing it!” Don’t overthink. Don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be. Just start running and run until you finish. Do it by doing it.

When I’ve been injured, I’ve found reframing “rest” as “recovery” really helps because that means I’m actively doing things that will help me come back instead of on the sofa feeling sorry for myself. I wish I’d managed that during this bout of Covid but I mainly sat on my bottom and ate crisps.

Thanks for a great post. Those Swiss cows are certainly a sight to behold!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hahaha! That’s what I do when I’m not running for any reason MissUnderstanding - crisps! Guess how many bags of Hula Hoops I ate IN A ROW recently when I was off with my cold? 4!! I could have continued too! 😂

I love ‘get it done’. Snappy and factual! 👊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I’ll raise you, I once ate six bags of cheese and onion in one sitting 🙊

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I see your six bags of cheese and onion and raise you twelve bags of wotsits. In my defence, I was writing a final year dissertation ..,

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

🤣🤣 ok you win.

Mind you, in our defence, I do think the bags have shrunk over the years. When I open a bag of crisps now, I say, “is that it?” 🕵️

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yes!!!! Shrinkflation I think is what it’s called. And wotsits are mainly air anyway…

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

If I didn't care about my health or care about how I’d feel the next morning, I’d eat those bumper bag of crisps and drink a bottle of red wine. One day perhaps….. one day 😇

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I'm coming close to closing this thread .... 🤢🤢🤢😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

🤣🤣🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Just that flavour or crisp in general? I can eat all flavours with the same abandon, apart from Prawn Cocktail 🤢

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Just cheese and onion. .. or bacon ... or beef ... maybe some others ...

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Snap! Can’t bear prawn cocktail. The others…send them all my way!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

OMG! I can't eat ONE bag of cheese and onion ... 🤢🤢🤢

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you!

Four bags of hula hoops is impressive but I think with training at a steady, conversational space, you’ll see that number build slowly over time. 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Don’t tempt me! 😂😂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Whaaaattttt??? 🤢

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Don’t you like them linda9389 ? 🫨

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

No!!! Nor anyone who recently ate them 😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

🤣🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Whaaaat? I’m aghast! 😂🤣😂

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

More for me!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

They were something else to hear!

Glad you're now off your behind, ditched the crisps and back out running (you have ditched the crisps right?). Now for some mental athletics as you juggle your plan to fit again; get it done! That's a great mantra, keeps it simple!

For sure, time on the IC can be so much more than 'rest' can't it. Recovery, yes. But sometimes more than that too - I doubt I'd ever have found my second interest in cycling had it not been for my stress fracture. Silver linings and all that 🥰

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Crisp consumption has now fallen to pre-covid levels!! One delicious packet of lidl deluxe cheese and onion with lunch!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I simply can not like this comment! But I do like that that he covid symptoms are abating 😍

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

🤣🤣🤣

Thank you! It is nice to feel a bit more like myself ❤️

[Tessie66 Half Marathon]

So far this week Gym 6 a side football and went with the 40 minutes nice slow run on the NRC but it was a hot and sweaty one this evening . Well done to anyone who goes out running in this weather 👏

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Tessie66]

It's tough in this heat isn't it? Hydrate well and find as much shade as possible.

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

DEFINITELY too hot I've decided not to do any ridiculous long runs this week 🙃

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Tessie66]

It's either that, or a very early start maybe? Finding a shaded route can help too. There's 10 miles on my plan for Saturday ... I think I'll need an early night on Friday to get up early enough on Saturday!!!

[Tessie66 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I'm up for work at 5.30 so early mornings not for me but I'll do parkrun Saturday and after taking my daughter to the airport early on Sunday I might do my long run before a week away myself

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Tessie66]

Oh gosh yes, that's an early work start!!!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

This reply is a crisp and allied confectionery free zone!

A little trot today, well two really; a 5k recovery run, pause for coffee, then the 15 minute CB start the week recovery run. No hangover from Monday’s foul up, but I I took things carefully. I have booked an appointment with my physio for Tuesday as a precaution. Saturday’s speed run and Monday’s long run will test things out. Another journey begins!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Phew. Another bullet dodged BC! It's 28C here and 1.30pm. I have a speed run to do. Currently waiting for cloud and rain 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Only 22 here…plenty warm enough. Trouble with evening runs up in the woods is that midges come out to play. Enjoy, whenever you fit your run in.👍

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Hello Linda,

So good to read that your runs are improving and even that you are incorporating speed runs. No speed runs for me since the Duffield 5 on 24th June. Astoundingly to me my injured knee is behaving like a 'normal' knee and I have even been running without a knee support on it but my left knee is a cause for concern. I can no longer bend it fully so getting to the bottom of the fridge and up again is a challenge and any similar manoeuvres. Boo! I began wearing a knee support on it a while back and am being regular with the physio exercises. I know that I stupidly tried that 'how am I at getting up from sitting on the floor in the crossed legged position without using my hands test thing' - big mistake, my knee was already not happy and that test should not be attempted with a poorly knee. Keep thinking of going the self referral route for a physio, but so far I have gone with MAF running again setting a heart rate alert at 128bpm, so very slow meaning less impact through my knee and completing my knee physio.

As for mantras, I particularly remember a time when I had lost the joy of running and went with each run is an 'investment in my health'. No argument allowed, just do it. Since more than one time when running was not possible, I just so value being able to run and want to try to keep up my level of fitness. I endeavour to plan for enjoyment with varying my running routes and interesting podcasts. BBC sounds Lives Less Ordinary among many others. Was it Decker's recent link that stated 'every mile is a gift' and 'every run is an adventure' I like those. My adventure this morning including musing on whether I should carry some sort of mini secateurs to deal with stinging nettles. Would have definitely helped me.

Thank you for hosting and happy running to you 🏃‍♀️😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

What a shame about the grumbling knee. Perhaps it spent a little too long compensating for the other. If I were you I'd try the self referral; there's likely to be a wait if they are busy so if it improves you can cancel and some other lucky soul will get your slot but if it gets worse then you're already in the system. If thre isn't a long wait then they're not busy and you'll get some valuable insight as to how to mend it.Investment in my health is a great mantra; do, so true. Finding enjoyment is a fabulous added bonus- keep it up 🥰

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Hello again Linda and Beachcomber66 , I had been musing on ringing the physio referral system for probably 3 weeks, so many tasks, continually playing catch up, but I knew it was the right thing to do. So thank you for encouraging me to get on with it. 😊 I'd already thought that if the problem had gone by the time the appointment happens, someone else would be delighted to have my cancellation. I waited for ages on the phone, but in the end went with the 'press 0 and leave a message' option. I'll keep you posted. I actually think that I have another torn/damaged meniscus even though I didn't have a fall. Boo! Physios are very knowledgeable so I look forward to what the appointment reveals. Of course, more than happy if my knee improves with the 'treatment' I'm giving it.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Well done. I'm sure you won't regret it xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

I second the self referral. The trouble with knees is that, as you know, the real source of the problem can be elsewhere….hips, adductors, quads, hamstrings. I like the comfort of knowing that my physio has got to the root of the problem and thus given me the right exercise regime. That is important as sometimes things can feel worse before they improve. Oh, despite the posts above, I don’t think that crisps of any flavour will help🤞🥰

[Decker Ultramarathon]

That is a great mantra Linda. I don’t have a mantra as such but I do have ongoing conversations with myself on long runs :).

My weekly miles have dropped considerably since I have no full maras in line for this year. Instead I switched to improving my HM speed a bit and enjoying the trails again. Last year with two road maras, it was all road training and I missed the trails. The mosquitoes not so much.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Decker]

Those conversations can get pretty heated in my head on a tricky run 🤣Ah yes, I'm sure you're happy to be back on the trails. Happily our biting insects are mostly relatively lightweight.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

You and me both 🙂. Last week after the rains, the mossies were out in full force

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

I had forgotten all about no-see-ums and Deer Flies!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thankfully few deer flies on my local trails!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

We spent most of our time near or on lakes; deer flies were quite happy to fly out to our canoes; they bite lumps out of you!

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes we see them a bit further north. We did a trip to Manatoulin Island a few years back and they were everywhere. They don’t mess around!