Hello fellow runners. It’s the start of a new week and so a nice fresh page for us to complete. What have you got planned? Anything interesting or exciting?
Have you been watching the Olympics? I’ve been glued all week and in fact, felt a bit torn when it was time to go out running 🙄
It’s all terribly exciting and I get a bit carried away, standing up and shouting at the TV to try and encourage our athletes in any way I can 🥳 I sometimes feel as exhausted as they must feel at the end of their events 🤣
Their physical prowess is a given and I am always in awe of what the human body can achieve. But it is the emotional side that also draws me, and in the Games there is always a vast range. From the pride and sheer joy when things go well to the gut-wrenching disappointment when things don’t, the gamut of human emotions is there.
I must say that the coverage has inspired me and given me a bit of extra oomph when I needed it. I’ve just had two weeks of high mileage on my HM plan and have come out the other side 👍 Channeling my inner Olympian, with three weeks to race day, dare I say that I’m in a good place. But it’s still one run at a time 🤞As I’ve seen at the Games, you can do all that training and it can still go wrong 😱
What’s your news? Are you running or not? If not, then we’ll keep the runs warm for you until you’re ready. Coping with disappointment and setbacks are Olympian givens and, as I know we are all Olympians here in our hearts, we will overcome and conquer 💪
Have a great week everyone, from your team, linda9389 , Beachcomber66 and me xxx
Looking forward to watching the Marathon this weekend. My boys voted that as the most boring Olympian sport 😱
I’m running but the last month was pretty low volume for me so I’m getting back on track this week. I’ve completed 1448.20km of my 2414km annual target so still away to go. I’m also planning to go sign up at the gym so I can start some strength training. I get a senior rate now I’m 50 🤣 I’m not terribly excited about building strength into my routine so I’m posting here for accountability.
It is exciting 😍 The Paris course looks brutal but I can’t wait to watch both races. No strength training at all for my marathon training. I wouldn’t have survived the Paris course 🤣
I can’t believe you did no strength training RW! Just think how fast you’ll be when you do! I’ll have to have a look at the Paris course, sounds intriguing - I guess it goes up into Montmartre?
You’re right. Our sunsets over the ocean are beautiful. I’m normally in the thick of it with feeding boys/encouraging them to do homework at that time. One day I will enjoy them outside of holiday's.
I think I will enjoy strength training as I’m confident it will make me a better long distance runner. Just got to work out the best exercises to do to complement my running.
I’ve also been glued to the screen watching the amazing athletes. Looking forward to the marathon also and what Kipchoge can do. As for me, this year I’ve had to rework my goals due to illness and other issues with my elderly parents, but I still am trying to push myself to get at least three runs per week in. No marathons this year, but trying some faster halfs. Took a break from the trails ( see pics) and mosquitoes this week to run down Yonge street to the lake. It was hot but fast and fun, with a long gently sloping 16k downhill to Lake Ontario, and then a paved path along the waterfront, with every other runner in the city! We have a civic holiday today so I am just taking it easy now.
It’s a hilly course so it'll be very interesting to see how that works out but it will be great to watch. Kiptum will be missed 😢
Those are gorgeous photos Decker. And I love the idea of a gentle downhill to Lake Ontario 🥰 Your goal reworking must have given you loads of other running opportunities and photos like these.
I do hope life settles down for you and you can return to your marathons again soon. Any more ultras planned?
Good afternoon (just) your Highness 👸. A 10k on my plan today. About 23 degrees out there, but there is a pleasant breeze, so no overheating. Unlike last week, I was well hydrated. I took it easy, and followed the same route as last week so that I could test out my top of the calf/knee issue on the hill which appears at 9.5k. I have a physio appointment tomorrow; typically, everything went fine today! I think the prospect of feeling steely fingers digging into the back of my knee put everything on its best behaviour.
One disappointment was that I couldn’t get the NRC commentary to play on the long run😡 I thought that switching over to the marathon plan (no I am not going to run a marathon!) would help, but it is still very hit and miss. Oh well; shower and the Molly and MrsBC walk next…got to keep this knee/calf moving….and then Olympics!!
I will have to do some research; I had assumed that Garmin fed into NRC rather than the other way around, but I have never checked it out properly. Garmin itself is behaving at the moment 🤞🤞🤞
Good morning BC. Thank goodness it’s a bit cooler now although I find it still humid. Hey ho, we can’t change the weather can we? 🤣
I hope the physio appointment goes well today and that the calf/knee behaves.
I think I’ve read that statement here before about “I’m not going to run a marathon” and then what do you know, next thing we’re reading a post from that same person to say they’ve just run a marathon! 🤣
You win; not even a chuckle! Too professional to laugh at a client.
We agreed that a metric marathon should be achievable, but a full marathon would have to be something I really really wanted to do…and that (fortunately) isn’t how I feel about it. The marathon plan is useful though.
My vastus lateralis (one of the quads )is what is causing the problem at the back of my knee. It raises the knee, which is why I felt an initial twinge in my quad before having to stop my run because my knee wouldn’t function properly. She gave it a good working over (😬) and reckons that the exercises I am doing will sort it out now. So hopefully I will be good for a trot on Thursday and it will improve day on day. She is a 🌟.
Behave 😂. If I try it, it will be an accident; a long very slow run when things feel ok at HM might tempt me to try to push on…not going to happen any time soon!🙂
🤷🏻♂️ I have never liked them. Unfortunate, as they are really good for runners, but there we are…sorry bananas..although I am not the one eating them so they should be grateful!!
Well, test flight on my “under repair” quad went fine. I went back to my 6k hill run (which I had omitted for two runs because of pain), had a bit of a twinge on the steeper parts, but otherwise it was really solid, in fact I managed a new fastest pace for that run. I was surprised when I stopped my watch!
CB came along for whole run this time; now, when I think about it, he did tell me to up the pace to 1Ok then 5k pace mid run…..that was where the twinge kicked in…..he wasn’t to know that I was running up hill! Must be all of these Olympians inspiring me 😂. No bananas were consumed before, during or after this run 🍌
I’ve been glued to the screen too. In fact I’m ‘working’ this afternoon and have the games on iPlayer on my home computer, next to my work laptop. I’m a good multi-tasker! 😅
Still on my HM plan. W10 now, and the long run is a 13.1k “dress rehearsal”. We’re meant to replicate the evening and morning of race day, as well as running with similar hydration and nutrition as on race day itself. The only difference should be the distance. Not sure I’ll be as organised as all that, but I’ll do the 13.1k on Thursday and hope it’s cool, or preferably even raining. 🙏 I’ve been hiding in the gym in this heat, but I don’t fancy another long one on the treadmill. Plus it’s nothing like race day! 😅
Morning Munks. You’re better at multi-tasking than me then because I tried to do something else while the TV was on and eventually gave up and focused totally on the Olympics!
Your plan is ticking along nicely. I did try to enter Cardiff but they were sold out! Apparently they sell out very quickly so I must keep an eye on that next time.
I have a down week this week so am taking it fairly easy. Good luck and enjoy your 13.1 on Thursday 🤗
Thanks Irishprincess , I’m liking my elongated weeks approach. I need to work out what to do after Cardiff to ready myself for Bath! Go through the plan again? No idea! 😅
Shame you couldn’t get into Cardiff this year. It’s a Superhalf and sells out really quickly. I posted a reply further down the thread, but they do an early bird special soon after the race, so keep an eye out in October. 😀
I always find it a bit exciting to work out what to do afterwards. Push for further distance? Or ease back on that and go for speed? I use to have a system that enabled me to be “almost HM ready” by doing a long weekly run of 10K/12K/14K/16K and then keep repeating. I loved that and it was still good to mix things up on the other runs.
That sounds like a fun idea IP. I don’t know if even I could stomach starting the HM Plan from W1 again so soon! I might try something like you did, and add some of the NRC speed and recovery runs. 😀
Hi Irishprincess and all VRBs ! Yes loving the Olympics , especially the swimming and athletics (triathlon was a favourite!)
Bit better running week this week, after 12 day covid break! ,1st run Thurs night with club was a 5k out and back, still v humid! Parkrun Saturday ,449 there on seafront route. And then yesterday went out with the marathon training guys(I'm not!)I did the 8 miles option,some of them went on to do another 6 miles but quite a few of us just did the 1st bit. Must have been 15 or so there. Pretty Riverside route and some nice shady wooded paths which was nice 😀
Missing my Tuesday club with dog sitting duties this week (I have week off!) But going to a "Let's all run together" meet up of all Island clubs Weds night ,5 miles up Tennyson down with food and drink afterwards ! Relay next Saturday too
Been good to get out and about. We're just on ferry back from 12 hr trip to hospital with Kenny's daughter (dialysis), so will try and get some fresh air rest of week!!! Xxx
Morning Ali. I love the swimming too as we have a few family members who use to swim competitively so I’m used to screaming for those events 🤣 But the athletics too 👍
Great news that you've recovered ok and you're back. You must be good if you've just done 8 miles 👍
That meet up sounds fab! What a great idea. Enjoy it and have a great week xxx
Hello Irishprincess and fellow runners. Oh yes we have been glued to the Olympics, going through the highs and the lows with the GBR athletes. I am sure UpTheStanley uses as much energy as them while watching the event!
It’s also been the best weather of the summer, so we have had to drag ourselves away occasionally.
We chose a different parkrun on Saturday, in a park in beautiful Lymington in the New Forest. It was hard work running on grass , and with slow inclines , so I ran/walked it.
I longed to be able to run a full distance without feeling the need to walk occasionally, especially as I am due to race 10k in 4 weeks time. So buoyed by some friends on WhatsApp over the weekend who had run 10k and further, I set out this morning with Coach Bennett. He abandoned me at 6k but I coped without him. I ran west to Old Portsmouth for a change and along the new sea defences which were quieter than expected. I saw a few familiar faces from parkrun, which is always nice. Took a photo at Southsea castle and then ran towards home. I think a change of scene and lower temperatures helped and I managed to run it all apart from when chewing a fruit pastille. It was not easy between 6 and 9k, but it was good to complete it in 1hr 18mins.
Now what I want to know is how come these Olympic athletes all look so good at the end of their events. I looked like a sweating lobster when I returned home! 🦞
Morning Dexy. Oh it was so exciting last night wasn't it? Keely ran a stonking race! I got so carried away that I broke a bit from a light fitting 🙊🤣 Loved it.
Good news on the 10K. You're good to go for the race.
I know what you mean about the athletes looking so good. Some of them have their makeup on and false eyelashes. I’m with you on the lobster look afterwards 🥵 but it is such a good look because it shows we’ve worked hard 💪
Thanks Sandra, I hope you are enjoying school hols, and didn’t get flooded last week when the thunderstorms hit Surrey. Are you doing the NFM in September?
Howdy IP. It’s been a while since I chatted on here! Just finished watching Keely getting her win and Duplantis getting his world record - both amazing, I’ve been hooked since the last note of Celine Dion’s belter at the opening ceremony. Still can’t get over Alex Yee’s 29 minute 10k after swimming and cycling!
55 days to Berlin. It’s coming around quickly now. Mileage is starting to ramp up but I’m trying to be cool about it. I survived 14 miles yesterday after 5 miles on Saturday so I think I’m in quite a good place. Trying very hard not to compare myself to some of my fellow Fordys who are out there doing 20 milers for their autumn marathons already. So I’ve had to keep a bit distant from the chatter for my own sanity! I’ve got a ‘box fresh’ pair of my favourite race shoes waiting to be broken in very shortly. I’ve had them over 6 months, waiting patiently under the bed, especially for Berlin.
I think I can’t wait but it’s also that fear isn’t it? The buzzy fear that makes it all worthwhile once you’ve accomplished your goal? I reckon if we have anything in common with the Olympians it’s got to be this?
Morning TC. Wasn’t Keely fabulous?!! I loved how she just went up a gear and pulled ahead on the final corner. I thought it was looking a bit tricky at one point and I think that’s when I broke a bit off one of our light fittings waving my arms about 🤣
And yes, Duplantis!!! He was on fire!
Your training sounds it is where it should be despite the recent heat. How’s your sleeping? I was just saying to my husband yesterday that I am sleeping much better since I started taking magnesium and then last night I had a terrible sleep 🙄 but I do think it is working.
There’s nothing like lovely new shoes to look forward to. Are they screaming at you yet? Let me out, let me out 🤣
The “buzzy fear” I love that. And yes, that’s just the feeling. There’s nothing like it.
I did some research and you’re right, there are loads, but in the end I went with this one and I do think it is working with my sleep but also my recovery from sore muscles after a long run and even my digestive system!
She was wasn’t she? Queen of the track! Just watched Josh Kerr - don’t think I’ve ever shouted at the telly so much before - bad tactics by Jakob! US hiding in plain sight.
My sleeping doesn’t seem to be affected by the heat, I generally melt most nights anyway whether it’s hot or cold. And if I don’t wear myself out my head has too much going on. I take magnesium too, it does seem to help - certainly helps the achey muscles once the distance ramps up. I used to be kept awake by them too! I don’t think anything non-addictive works consistently unfortunately. Scarily I got up at 4.30 for a run this morning, and it wasn’t that hot! I did it last week because it was hot, this week I just wanted the evening off to relax.
I do need to get the shoes out from under the bed. Maybe they should go on their first run on my next interval session, I need to try them out don’t I 🤔 Release the shoes 🤣 Oh go on then, they deserve it! A bit of added excitement 😍
The Josh Kerr race!!! I stood way back from the light fitting and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I keep saying out loud, “he’ll never sustain that pace” and Steve Cram agreed with me! 🤣 It was terribly exciting though 🤗
It was amazing wasn’t it?! The whole things been pretty incredible. I think we’re going to feel quite bereft when it’s over 😢 but we have a huge medal haul!
The shoes have been out this morning 😀 They definitely need a few more miles in them before the big day.
I like to think so Dexy, thank you. I’m just glad youngest kitten especially is carrying it on. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for eldest kitten as he’s just breaking in his insoles with the hope that running won’t be so painful for him.
Yes, he had a gait analysis because running seems to cause him a lot of pain. He’s had them 3D printed. Had them about two weeks now and he says he’s started noticing the difference. As you say IP, he’s eased himself into them. He’s been told 4 weeks before he can run.
I haven't had time to watch any of the Olympics til today. But that's OK because its the velodrome cycling I love and that started - in great style - today. Sounds like you will smash your HM IP, and hopefully you'll be able to enjoy this one too.I've just booked a couple of 10ks with the volunteering credit I earned recently, but other than that I'm sticking rigidly to my HM plan. So far so good. I'm managing to run every other day, and to stretch after every run (it's almost become a habit recently) and I was delighted when my sports massage guy pronounced my hip flexors the softest he'd seen them 😍😍😍
Morning Linda. The cycling is very exciting. Laura Kenny has already called it that the team will win 8 medals, so yes, a great start!
I feel great this time around so fingers crossed it’ll continue until race day. I so want to enjoy this.
All that stretching must be doing something good! That’s great news from your sports massage chap 👍 Apparently they know just by touching our muscles whether we stretch or not. So we can’t fib!
I'mdoing the Victoria HM, Vancouver Island, BC! I think cheeky may be doing Cardiff, and it's on my list for next year or the year after as I'm going to try to do the six superhalfs if I can get my calendar to work!
It sells really fast doesn't it. Maybe I should make it next year's goal too. I have to be in Canada at the end of Sept, but maybe I can get back in time.
Hello Linda, Sounds like your running is going really well. So good to read. I wonder which stretches you are completing after a run and how long you hold then for. I am sure I based mine on something from the forums ages ago but perhaps I need an update/refresher course.
I just do the post run routine in the new version of the C25K app: hip flexors, quads, calves, hamstrings, IT band and back rotation. Each stretch is held for about 45s in the app. It's far better than the nothing I was doing before 😍
I am running... yes I am... up and down the hills and dales... short and long... Completed my Virtual Run for Born Free Foundation, and expecting my Tiger Medal, by the time I get back home.
We are staying in Derbyshire again, for a few days in the Dales, rest and recouperation.... so some cycling and some glorious runs are, I hope in the offing! Memories of our Monsal Trail get togethers, with friends from here, and thoughts for next year's meet, when there will be a fair few of us
I am still using the NRC 10K plan to keep me on track and am finding Coach Bennet's sage advice, so useful for me mentally, too. Mr OF is going through some tough times just now.
I am not pushing too hard, but am enjoying doing a few speed ( shhhh ) runs again!
I have watched bits of the Olympics... but not a huge amount... and am in awe of those surprise finishes! I have channeled those a tad, in my final spurts!!!
I’m sorry to hear that Mr OF is going through a bad patch, and hope that being in a place where you’ve shared happy times will help. The Monsal trail is also the perfect route for some interval training. Enjoy.
As you can imagine I’ve been glued to the Olympics. Watched the 100m final in a fish and chip shop and was embarrassingly loud as I cheered.
It’s also really focused my mind on the terrifying prospect of walking out to my 100m heats at the masters world championships exactly one week from today. I’m ever so slightly terrified to be honest. I hope I make it through the first round as I’ve had an adductor injury tear on the 22nd July and haven’t run since. I’ll be training again tonight so I’ll see how it is and make a final call then.
I’ll try my best to keep you all updated on my progress.
Haha I can just imagine you in the shop Brian. I’m with you, very loud in my cheering 🥳 I broke a bit off one of our light fittings last night while I was shouting for Keely 🙊 But that 100m was sooo close. I still think Thompson got it 🙂
We’re all behind you, as you know. And surely terror is a good motivator 🤣 Keeping everything crossed for that adductor and good luck with the training tonight 🍀
You are our official HU Olympian RunBrianRun ! I hope you’re able to pick up some tips from the awesome sprinters we’ve been watching! I love how you were watching from the chippy! And there’s no such thing as too loud when it comes to cheering btw!
Hi Cheeky, yes I am glued to the screen and replays frame by frame! 😂 I wish there was an option to watch the start close up instead of so far away as you miss small details. Can’t have everything I suppose 😅
I used to love watching Arthur Ashe at the chair between games, and Linford Christie before the walk up to the blocks. Zoned out to all going around them and oases of calm, as if in meditation 🤞
It’s normal to be nervous but you can’t know how things will unfold. Just give it some welly as you normally do 💪 🏃♂️🌪☄️🔥💥 🏅
So pleased that your HM training is going well IP - very exciting,🙂💪High mileage is not the easiest thing in the humidity we have had recently!🥵
I have also been glued to the Olympics whenever time allows - so pleased for Keely Hodgkinson last night!👏👏🥇
Taking advantage of being on my summer hols, I have been trying to maintain my running consistency and have also been able to get to the gym for an extra session each week too!💪 Like you, I have a HM plan on the go, although my race (the Cardiff Half) is not until October. My husband, sister and eldest son have also entered (OH is Welsh🏴) but whether we will all make it to the start line is anyone’s guess!!🤣🤣🏃♀️🏃🏽🏃♀️🏃🏽🤞
I did get up very early to miss the heat Sandra but it was very satisfying putting those ticks against the runs 👍
That race was superb. Keely’s tactics worked so well, she clearly had a plan! On my run this morning I tracked out that distance and it’s unbelievable how fast she can run it! Almost superhuman, which, I guess in a way, they are.
cheekychipmunks is doing Cardiff this year. I tried to enter but it was fully booked as I left it too late. So maybe a HU meet-up next year as Linda is wanting to do it too?
Good luck with the training for you and everyone. How lovely to be able to do this together 🥰 Hope it all goes to plan 🍀
In a good place sounds wonderful 😊 Long may it continue. My non injured run is not happy. I have a physio appointment next Thursday and it seems a little strange to say but I am so looking forward to it.
I have been running three times a week with heart rate alert at 128bpm so very gentle including walking if needed to reduce heart rate, longest run 7km, no speed runs, but yesterday only a meagre 25mins as my knee was saying stop 😔.
Lovely post, I'm cheering you on. Currently I'm in hospital and not running, but rock bottom was hit Sunday and I'm climbing back up one step at a time, reading posts to inspire me. Xx
Thank you Linda, it was a battle that I was losing and eventually admitted to hospital, my doctor this morning is a runner and promised me I'd be better and will run again xx
Hi Sue; hope this upward trend accelerates and you will soon be back in your new home. I miss your accounts of your runs. 💐💐💐 I know flowers aren’t allowed in hospitals…but 🙂
Flowers and tea, I am spoiled. the consultant said today it would take weeks to get my energy and strength back but it will come, my first aim will be to walk the 7 mins to the beach and sit on a bench and look at the sea.
I too miss the sea, not sure I could walk 7 minutes just yet but I will in a few more days I'm sure, I will say hello for you and post pictures when I make it there
of course it will! Eat well, sleep lots. Hopefully this warm spell will continue and you can drink in some healthy vitamin D 🌞
You’ve got a strength energy bank to call on. I know it’s been depleted but you can get it back. Being by the sea, on your fave spot, will be grand. We’re sending positive vibes for a speedy recovery 😘
I didn't order custard for the next couple of days food, but more potato . Look what turned up for dinner last night. The staff rallied round and found me some butter and cheese
When I got back home I’d a letter from the hospital to say I’ve got a physio appointment next week - after self-referring for an ankle problem. I’m still running but not as much, not as far, and no speed runs at all. I’ve started a fresh marathon plan so need it sorting so I can crack on 🏃♀️ I want to take advantage of the lovely weather 😀
Going to a new dentist is scary. It’s the unknown. I once had to have root canal with a new dentist and it was a big mind over matter experience for me to keep from running out of the waiting room 🤣 In the end I mentally took myself off for a “run” during the whole procedure and it was fine. I didn't feel a thing and really enjoyed the “run” 🙂
My husband has had the same thing last week! He was fed up with the faffing around and cancellations so up sticks and found another dentist. He had his root canal done and went to work afterwards 🙂
I moved there too based on his good experience, and thankfully all went well 😜 The cost made me wince though 😬.
I’m back there next week for a wash and brush up 🪥
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