I finally made it over to beautiful BC, Canada to stay with my father. It's the first time I have been at this time of year, and the weather has been amazing so far, with the low autumn sunshine truly making the most of the fall colours; the reds and yellows, lit up against the deep blue skies are just stunning. And on top of that, this weekend is Thanksgiving here in Canada (another first for me).
Yesterday was my half marathon in Victoria on Vancouver Island. It wasn't my fastest by a long margin, but it did come close to being the prettiest and friendliest. Most of you know I’ve been struggling with an old injury the last few weeks, but I’m delighted to say the race hasn’t made it much worse; such a relief. I’ll write a separate race report when I get a chance, but for now I will just savour the fact that I did it, and, on this Thanksgiving, I will give thanks for having had the opportunity to run it, finish it, and stay off the injury couch! 🙏
How about you? How’s your running going just now? Please do tell us all about it, whether it’s inspirational or you’re in need of inspiration! Do you have lots to give thanks for too? There will be something🥰. I’m pretty sure we don’t have to look too hard to find something for which we can give thanks, and in my book we runners have more to be thankful for than most!
From beautiful Canada in the fall, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. Have a great week everyone 🍁
Your team, Beachcomber66 , Irishprincess and me xxx
Wow, beautiful colours in the sky and leaves! Congratulations on your HM, look forward to reading report 👍 My running is on hold while a try and shake off a cold/virus which I have had for over 3 weeks now 🤧😡 Did a ‘Jeff’ last weekend but very slow. But I am grateful to CBDB for the 25 Day Walk Challenge which I am really enjoying and also Rope Flow which is a challenge on the S&F forum - great fun!
Hope you're feeling so much better very soon Sue. The runs will be waiting, and all the more enjoyable once you're back out there. Walking is a great filler in the meantime, especially with the purpose that the 25 Day challenge brings. Enjoy 😊
Fantastic Linda, I've just seen your race and photos on Strava, 😁, looks a lovely place to race and run and you look amazing.Running for me is incredibly slow and short but it's happening so I'm happy. I've started 10 squats again as well, I can't believe only a couple of months or so ago I could do 100 and do them with weights but all progress is good. I haven't tried picking my weights up yet, I will but for now I hoover round them .
Hope everyone here has a great week, it's much colder so woolly jumpers are coming out of the wardrobe.
Yes, I used to do some daily and every so often did 100, now I can just about do 10, and they are a bit pathetic, but I found out yesterday I can run on the spot, looking back I've been getting slower for the last couple of years, this illness has been building up slowly and taking my strength and speed, not sure how much I'll get back but I'll do what I can to get some back
It's interesting that your illness may have been affecting you for longer than you realised. Who knows what might be possible once you have things back under control. As for 100 weighted squats? Only in my dreams!!! A nice measure of your progress going forwards, but remember to be kind to yourself - progress is progress, but rarely linear! Notice and enjoy each and every milestone on the way back to fitness 🥰
It was odd because looking back Willows v02max went down and down and his fitness age went up and up and in the end he got fed up and took his Garmin off. My v02max went down and down and my fitness age went up and up, that was a couple of years ago when I bought a new Garmin so I blamed the Garmin, it was a warning though to both of us for different reasons. I doubt I'll ever be really well again but once I've finished with the steroids hopefully be more on an even keel, reducing the dose each week is tough on my body and brain.
Goodness Sue. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, right?At least you now know there was a problem and that it is being addressed. I guess we all have to accept that there is a point at which we are no longer able to simply get fitter and fitter. But what we can do is to work to be as fit as we can 🥰
Statswise, I'm in a similar position Sue - way below my peak fitness on Strava, but slowly increasing. Of course I'm not having to fight a battle like yours, but in a small way, I too know how satisfying it is to watch that number grow 🥰
😁every battle is important for the person it affects. I've just been told I'm severely anaemic which explains the lack of energy and breathlessness which was really bothering me, I'm being booked in for a couple of iron infusions and although it'll take a while it should make a huge difference and I'll be able to run again 😁
You did it Linda, and your hip behaved(mainly!) 🙂🏆🧸🎆🎇Brilliant work. Two of our runners conquering Canada in the same weekend is amazing. I look forward to reading your race report; you should be sound asleep now!
My husband lived in Canada for a while before I met him but we have visited together and I loved it. It’s one country I say I could leave the UK to move to.
I can see why. Away from the cities, you need to be pretty “can do”; power cuts through falling trees, very cold winters, small townships with lots of miles in between. I am sure that those issues have helped to create really hospitable supportive communities. We enjoyed the place and the people.
It does, plus the time difference makes things worse; our eldest reckoned we covered about 15,000 miles in total getting to London, Vancouver and Denali Alaska and back. No wonder my running took a dip!
Honestly, I am so happy that my hip didn't go back to it's Jan half marathon state.I was truly euphoric sitting in the bar at the finish line, with my first (and second) glass of prosecco, watching the marathon runners come back. So much to be grateful for.
Hope your marathon plan is progressing nicely, weather and general demands of non-running life notwithstanding 🥰
Marathon plan on pause until after the GSR; I am keeping up with the exercises though. Don’t tell anyone, but I would love a PB at the GSR….2022 was great, but the run was disappointing. We will see.
Oh Linda, I’m so pleased you crossed the finish line and remained niggle-free. Whoop whoop 🥳 looking forward to your report to read the details 🍿It sounds such a beautiful race especially at this time of year.
I’m always most thankful for my good health. At my age, quite a few of our friends are falling to serious illnesses and health problems so I never take my health for granted and am thankful every single day for what I can do. When I started to run I wanted to have a fit, strong body so that I can go into old age with as much in my arsenal as possible 💪
And on that note, I’m in Rhodes taking care of my body in a different way. Total relaxation 😎 ( well, apart from the run and the strength session in the gym yesterday. And the dancing to a Drifters tribute band last night 🕺💃)
I did 20 minutes on the treadmill as it’s too hot to run outside and I’m not getting up extra early. My knee was ok so I’m increasing slowly by time rather than distance. I have a feeling this is going to be a long process but at least I’m running!! 🤗
Have a great week in gorgeous Canada Linda and wherever you are to everyone else xxx
Ooh, that looks divine IP; enjoy every minute of your trip 🌞 Great to hear that you are managing to run on your knee - the time plan sounds perfect. I have everything crossed for you.I'm not really niggle free, but I think a couple of easy weeks will help a lot. The main thing is I don't seem to be right back where I was in January 🥰
I agree with you- our health and fitness are something to be very, very thankful for 🙏
I’m never niggle feee. I think it’s because I am constantly using my body and trying to do the same things I was able to do years ago and it doesn’t really work 🤣
Having only been through Vancouver from the airport to Whistler on ski hols , I would love to be there to see all the sights in Autumn, and I’m glad you were able to go. Well done on your HM; I look forward to reading your post.
UpTheStanley and I are both suffering streaming colds and hoping they will disappear and leave us fit to do the Great South Run on Sunday. Also, having had a covid jab last week I have been suffering a few side effects the last few days, including a very sore arm.
So it’s rest and recuperation for me, early nights, good healthy eating and lots of fluids. Hopefully I can do a few taper runs later in the week to keep everything working.
P.S. forgot to say I ran (and walked) 14.4 km last Tuesday so not much further to 16.1 km on Sunday 🤞
yes my sore arm is much better this morning so it’s just the colds to contend with now. So long as it doesn’t head for the chest we should be fine for the weekend BC.
🤫. Whispering very quietly, the weather forecast looks good for Sunday. The wind just needs to stay in the same direction as forecast.
Here’s hoping you feel better soon Dexy, especially after all the training (well done on that 14.4k run👏). I am getting a flu jab at work but luckily not until after GSR.
Yes, I saved the flu jab until Monday after GSR, I wasn’t counting on getting a full blown cold instead. 🤧. I read that it takes 3 days to get your cold , 3 days duration and 3 days to get over it . If true I should be fine by Sunday.
Oh dear, I do hope you're both improving. You want to be on top form for both the run and the social activities that an HU GSR meet up involves!14.4km should be a great boost for you after the injury issues; so happy to read that 😊
You should definitely put Vancouver (and the island) on your to do list 🥰
Oh yes, I'm always incredibly thankful for the chance to run by the sea. It's always a big draw for me when I'm choosing events; happily there was a lot of that in the Victoria half.How's your annual mileage goal looking now RW?
It's going to be a stretch to make it. I'm at 1915km. My b goal is to run further than last year & my c goal is to run the year that I'm in. I'm not giving up on plan a yet. 🤩
So happy the race went well and did not aggravate your old injury. And that you got to experience the BC autumn colours. Must be so beautiful in places there. My friends live in Victoria and keep talking about this race so I must go up one year to try it.
I am finished for the season with my race wrapped on Saturday. It was good and I am still stiff but not in pain and may try a super easy 5k to loosen things up a bit today. Now to plan for next year
You really should give it a whirl Decker! It was beautiful and so well organised and friendly. The parkrun at Clover point was great too (your friends aren't J Wright or Amanda or JJ Mills? Lovely people I met there!).Your mega race is a great way to end your eventing year ... and now a whole new year awaits for you to fill, have fun with that. I have to confess to already having booked most of next year already 🙈😍
Haha! Maybe they know John, JJ or Amanda ... 😍I have decided to do the six Super half's, so spring and autumn are booked already as most of them sell out pretty fast. That's my excuse 🤷♀️
Thanks for posting on your Canadian break Linda. We await the race report with bated breath!
Just a 14k today (rounded up; it was billed as a CB 90 minute run, but when I hit the time target I decided that 14k was tidier, so carried on for a bit.).
It was only 5C when I got up this morning, but the sky was clear blue and the sun steadily increased the temperature to 10 degrees. I, more or less, (less I guess) repeated last week’s 14.43k route, but this time stretched and warmed up properly before leaving the house. Last week’s run was at 7:24 pace. This week’s was 6:53 pace. The difference? Mainly stride length. I was back to .93 m today instead of last week’s .86m. All down to proper preparation. A little 5k or similar towards the end of the week and I should be good to go at the GSR 🤞🤞🤞.
It will be a stretch; we will see. It was in the dockyard, that my leg seized up; I remember someone shouting “no walking in the dockyard”; having a bit of fun I think! Hope it wasn’t one of guys with an automatic weapon!
If I can run over the bridge, I will have improved on last time. I have remembered your advice about avoiding dockyard cobbles.
At this rate it may be a while before I get to a race report 🙈 We've had a busy long weekend, but hopefully the next couple of days will be quieter and I can catch up on replies!What a difference in pace BC! That's amazing. Such a great confidence boost for that GSR PB. That's a race report I look forward to reading 🥰
I do hope the weather plays ball at the weekend for you all. Coastal runs are great, but the wind can make or break that final stretch of the GSR. I'll keep everything crossed for you.Canada really is beautiful - at least, the little I have seen is beautiful! If you ever get the chance to visit then you definitely should!
Congratulations on your HM linda9389 ! So glad it all went well for you! Love that photo,what beautiful colours! 😊I had a decent weekend of parkrun and a 5 miler with my Sunday group (many of whom had done the IOW marathon the weekend before so were enjoying a shorter run!!) finishing off my 10 days leave from work- Some nice things, meet ups, pretty walks, a cycle ride, cafe stops- some not so nice(a friend's Dad's funeral, and a mainland hospital trip)
Back to work now and no club tomorrow night due to new childcare rota, but hope to get out in next few days !
Have a great week everyone xxx
Compton beach walk with my friends Saturday afternoon
What a gorgeous photo Ali. My father keeps commenting on how lovely it is here now the holidaymakers have left 🥰Hope you are heading into your new routine feeling refreshed by your break. Enjoy the next run when it comes 🥰
Kenny and I did our own run Tuesday evening after dropping off his daughter in the pouring rain, enjoyed it! Parkrun planned for Saturday , possible Recce of 10 mile trail race Sunday with run group,not 100% sure yet! Found out today at my repeat blood test that my iron levels were v low a month ago, definitely feeling a bit of energy coming back, will be interested to get results next week after taking the supplement! Running definitely feeling a bit easier. 😊
That’s it; training runs complete with a little 5k. Looking at Sunday’s weather forecast for Portsmouth I may pack snorkel and flippers; could be a biathlon I suppose! High winds too; just a little cloud of gloom hovering over proceedings. Still time …………🌬️☔🏃
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