Good morning happy runners; it is weekly chat time where we share thoughts, ideas, news, information, triumphs, set backs, anything we choose really.
I don’t know how far I will run today. Last Monday was my “not’ Great South Run 10 miles at PB pace, so I think I that I will probably try to run longer this morning but at an easy pace. I can “feel” a slight niggle in my left hamstring, so I might have to cut things short anyway. Hopefully a few stretches pre run will sort it.
It is a sign of the approach of Winter, but I enjoyed my extra hour of Sunday sleep 🛌💤 as we switched back to GMT this weekend. It looks as though the weather for the start of my Monday long run day will be dry and mild for this time of year at 13c. The wind speed is forecast to drop off as the day progresses ; but the forest has definitely decided that Autumn is here, so the colours are really starting to show as the leaves turn and fall and I am enjoying the feel and sound of the crunch of dry fallen leaves beneath my feet. However, there is a slight nip in the wind; another a hint that colder times are not far away.
To get to the point of this ramble, I am facing the fact that Winter is just around the corner. Winter has been my nemesis in recent years. Lingering niggles and injuries, low mileages, lack of fitness, VO2 max hitting rock bottom; nothing good to say about it really, apart from the all too brief high of a first run on newly fallen snow. So, I am looking for ideas on how to navigate through the cold weather (about 5 months of it up here) without ending up on the injury couch (again). I have got all the right gear; tops of different thicknesses and materials, bobble hats, waterproof jackets, gloves and leggings; but somehow I always manage to pick up a long lasting distance/pace/frequency limiting niggle. Setting off slower,and building up pace steadily on long runs comes out of the NRC Cold Run run with CB. I can do that….but how does everyone else survive the cold? Is winter a time to just cut back on distances to give our legs a rest anyway, or is this just an age thing?
Our southern hemisphere friends will just smile at this; emigration might be an answer, although I don’t think that Mrs BC and I would meet any of the criteria now!
So; any ideas on managing the colder weather would be welcome! Maybe it is your favourite time of year!
But, going back to how I started this post, this is your chat time; so if you have anything on your mind, just find a comfortable chair, grab a warm drink and share your thoughts. It is always great to start the week with everyone’s stories/ news…so just go ahead and hit the keyboard 🙂.
From your team Irishprincess linda9389 and me 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
I thought you would make it RW, provided you didn’t pick up an injury. Not the sort to give up!That is a beautiful picture; life without a cold winter is hard to get my head around. That said, I would struggle with high temperatures so I am probably in the right place. Always nice to hear from you RW 🙂.
Morning BC and pals. Winter running? I have nowhere safe to run after dark, so I foresee lots of visits to the gym. It saved my running bacon last year as in prior years my job wasn’t so busy was I was able to run in daylight. PR and Sundays aren’t affected thankfully, so all I do is ditch the capris for long leggings, and pop an extra layer or two on top. I prefer being too cool than too hot, so once I’m out I don’t mind winter conditions. Getting out is a tester though! 😅
I ran my virtual GSR yesterday and was far too warm in the (gorgeous nonetheless) sunshine. I Jeffed 1:1 due to my sedentary few weeks since the Cardiff HM. I’d done precisely 2 x PRs in that time; one running, one jeffing with my daughter and grandson in the buggy! We took it in turns, and kudos to those gazelles who whizz around PR pushing one. It’s hard work! 🥵
Flossie is improving I’m VERY relieved to say. She’s on lots of meds and it’s a waiting game with her leg, but it is getting better. We’re being uber cautious and she’s not allowed on walks longer than 5 minutes and definitely no jumping or sliding. She’s being a perfect patient though and of course she’s being thoroughly spoilt. ❤️
Good morning cheeky. So pleased that Flossie is improving. It is so upsetting when they are ill or injured; dogs are really good communicators, but it would help if they could describe their symptoms in a bit more detail!
I don’t have a problem staying warm on a winter run, but I seem to produce long lasting niggles once the weather turns. I may have to accept that it could be age related and perhaps I should just cut back distance/pace when the chilly stuff arrives. Maybe our racing speed legs need time out !
I must have read this post with my eyes closed on Monday! Well done on completing your not GSR! You were always going to finish 10 miles regardless of the build up. Something tangible emerging from the wreckage 🙂👍
Morning... well, here I am and wondering if we mind read?
I have been pondering, some of your winter run , ponderings, myself! Putting together Catch up Corner. on C25K, I have been thinking the very same things!
Thinking of weather... and running gear and shoes and everything that comes with these shortening, Autumn and Winter days.
I am struggling a tad right now, with all the issues going on concerning Mr OF... and having successfully got back to 10K, albeit not comfortably, I have fallen right back again, and am getting runs in, but gosh, they are short!
The colder weather spells, in between unseasonably, warm ones have thrown me... it is neither one nor the other at times. Because I am not carrying much weight I feel the old until I get going, so have already broken out my slightly warmer weight leggings and long sleeved warmer top! But on some days, have abandoned them and got our the lighter gear!
I love Autumn... it is my favourite time of the year, so the positives, are all there, in the glory of Nature... the winter too, holds no worries, except for ice. I never run icy days!
So... stopping this ramble,( sorry), to get to the point. I am using and will carry on using the advice I give to so many of our running friends on the C25K and Bridge forums.
I am using my three As. I Acknowledge, the situation) , I Accept, ( whatever is going on), and then, and here is the key... Adapt. ( tweak, change) , and simply go with it!
I do what I am able... now and in the foreseeable, future months,,, I run when I can, I adapt to each and every one and I enjoy... short, longer, very short or walk and run. I will dress for the day, I will embrace every step, sight and sound.
Yesterday, Sunday, I wanted to run longer. Sunday was always my fun day, run day,,, get out and just run, often over an hour... yesterday? No... the weather said yes, the body, wearied from all the emotional and physical upheavals of the last week, said a very firm no!
I ran for just over 3K and it was glorious. Says it all...
So that was no help was it!!!!!
PS
It definitely is NOT an age thing... I know many, many much younger runners than i , who really, really struggle to get out in the colder months.
I may be an old snail, but I am still a running snail!
Lovely pics Floss! I tried to put in a picture taken at the start of one of my trails with my weekly chat post, but I got a “ you appear to have exceeded our 10 MB limit” message and it wouldn’t load. Dexy5 has similar trouble on Fun Beyond, but not on other forums 😤. I will try to sneak one into this reply 😈.
So sorry that MR OF is still suffering; that is hard for both of you. Being able to run is a vital part of finding the energy to cope with the things life throws at us; which is why winter niggles are such a nuisance. I have had a pacier ( by my standards ) and a high mileage 6 months. Maybe it is time to cut back an on both for bit before my legs decide to make that compulsory for me! Perhaps winter isn’t the real problem; it may be trying to run too far too quickly for too long without a break in Spring Summer and Autumn!we will see! Hope November brings lots of happy runs for you Floss ❤️
I don't think I'm in a position to give advice on avoiding injury, any season of the year BC! With my leg still niggling, feeling as if it could fully flare up at any point, I decided to visit a physio here in Canada (albeit he's from the UK and qualified in Manchester!).
As with the very first physio I saw about 7 years ago, he immediately commented on how much smaller the muscles of my left leg are compared to the right (probably due to a cartelage issue I had for many years). So, step one is a set of exercises aimed at rebuilding those muscles. Secondly he suggests there is tightness in the quad itself and also in the lower back/glutes, so I am aggressively working with a ball and roller to release those area. Thirdly, he is an IMS or 'dry needling' practitioner/advocate, so I agreed to that too! Has anyone here ever tried it? It uses acupunctre needles to cause muscles to 'twitch' (most uncomfortable) and is supposed to relax them. He suggested three treatments were the norm - I can fit another in this week before leaving, but will need to look for someone at home if I'm to manage the third. I have no idea if it will work, but I am at the 'I'll try anything' stage with this pesky problem.
In the meantime, short runs since my half, with a view to hopefully being able to run my 10k this coming weekend. Fingers crossed ('fingers crossed' needs to stop being my best tool in the box!!!).
🤞 worked for you last time 🙂. Whilst I have suffered the agony of sliding suction cups, I haven’t been offered “Needling” ; I am pretty relieved about that! Hope this package of treatment does the trick.
Today’s long run turned out to be so/so. I backed off the pace and ended up running 17k. Not as far as I had planned, but I was overdressed and therefore under hydrated despite the tail wind. I feel much more comfortable running at pb speed. Holding back shortens my stride, but not my cadence; I suspect that I ended up running more slowly with more effort today! AHR was only 132 bpm, so at least that was ok. Another thought is that maybe my bowl of porridge is not enough fuel for the longer distances; a good breakfast and a later start is my next plan! I think my long runs will have to grow steadily week on week if I am to get to a 26+ Metric Marathon. It may turn out to be too far; I am not stressed about it. Just something which would be nice to achieve.
I forgot to mention my ill advised, emotion fuelled, 25k walk in ordinary Next boots last Wednesday!!! A week later the blister shows no sign of receding 🙈 I don't feel it when running though, so guess I'm really not a heel striker 👍😍
It's not inflamed thankfully, and not that painful unless I'm barefoot on a hard floor. Then it's like standing on a pebble rather than painful as such But enough now, I'd like it to go away naturally without me having to intervene 🙈
One of our party out there cut his arm on a very sharp knife; he just super glued it. I insisted that he went to casualty….and they said they would have done the same thing!
Hello Beachcomber66 and running friends, it’s definitely autumnal down here today and yet yesterday it was bright sunshine and Al fresco dining temperatures.
The first item I change is my shorts and this month I’ve been in capris or leggings, depending on the day. I also put vests away , and start running In T-shirts or thin long sleeve shirts. Later these will be doubled up and gloves will be added when temperatures go down further. I can’t cope with cold hands. All my warm up exercises will be done indoors before I go out instead of after the short walk to my run start.
I don’t recall getting more niggles in the colder months, but I certainly don’t hang around in the open after a run, like we do in the summer.
I was really pleased to do my Virtual GSR last week too. I owe that to my physio coming up with the right exercises to clear up my piriformis problem in time for the run. The exercises probably strengthened my legs more than usual too.
I’ll probably get out once this week and then we’re off to a tourist parkrun, weather permitting.
Hi Beachcomber66 and all VRBs ! I must confess I like the Autumn and Winter for running the best, and always enjoy getting out my reflective legging, spotty M and S ones much admired even though they are quite vintage now! 🤣 not many hints and tips but do love my gloves and reflective Gear!
Bit of a quiet running week last week, just 2 ,one at "Love Running Tuesday Nighters" run club (5k) where afterwards a lovely lady had baked cupcakes for us all to thank everyone for supporting "Team Tuesday" in their recent IW marathon! Then the following day my new run light had arrived so I had to try a "Round the block" 3k , it's great, and angled so I don't blind people/cars! 👌
Saturday I dropped my vintage Peugeot to have its engine revamp! Been saving up! So walked back from there, it's a v steep climb up ,then a very puddly footpath (see piccy!) Which required lots of paddling!!! Then v steep downhill, and a flat bit to my Dad's. And found some lovely doggos to pat in the park including a 12 week pup Jackerpoo and a giant Irish wolfhound 🐕🐶🥰. So another 6.5k . And today cycled to work and back 15k😊
Ooh, I think I have the same ones aliboo70 - dotty from the knee down? The zip on the back pocket has broken on mine but they are perfect for night running. I’ve also got some proviz running tops, with reflective long sleeves that I love.
We are just back from dinner out with a friend; Mrs BC pointed out that I had only had a bowl of porridge and a scone all day up to arriving at the restaurant…….probably not enough to support a 17k run and a further 6.8k of walking 🙄. I must get my diet sorted out!
Thank you so much Dexy5. The day just ran away from me yesterday. The start of my run was delayed, I needed to take Molly (and Mrs BC ) out for a walk when I got back and by the time all that was done, it seemed daft to eat before our early dinner out at 6pm. A nice satay starter followed by stroganoff…..I think it all tasted so exceptionally good because I was so hungry by then!
I’m planning on running through winter as per. It might mean more layers, and always a hat, but that’s ok. Winter brings its challenges if we get snow and ice but hopefully we’ll get plenty of chances to get out there 🙂
I’m praying it’s not wet for my end of November marathon 😀 🙏
I was at the seaside over the past few days and got out of bed early for breakfast and ran a Parkrun on the front 🏃♀️ I really enjoyed it 😀
I’ve got a cleaning up operation to start now I’ve finished sorting out a decorating job. We emptied the room and laid a new floor too but everything has to go back in once it’s cleaned and polished. Having a book cull too 😏.
I think I am about to lose a good friend; in fact a running life-long friend! One of the lugs which holds on the watch strap of my faithful forerunner 35 has smashed off and disintegrated beyond repair! I have managed to tighten up the one remaining screw, but it fell apart again during the night so I am not sure that a lasting fix is possible. It just did everything I needed and I didn’t have to bury my head in the manual every five minutes to operate it! A simple watch for a simple guy! The search begins ……… ☹️
Mine is a refurbished one. It says “Garmin refurbished” all over the box so looks kosher. Maybe you could get one. I think when I looked on Garmin there was a link to the official distributor. I was having a look for one as my battery was not fully recharging
Only 3 weeks plus a bit to go misswobble! I hope that all is going well.
I went out for an evening recovery run tonight and, as an afterthought, donned my headlight. It took a while to find! I managed to get out and back before I needed artificial light, but it is quite dark outside now. Another chapter opens! I was too early for the owls and bats…maybe next week. 🦇🦉
It was a sad occasion too. Last run for my faithful Garmin 35. The ports where the strap screws in have just disintegrated…..so Garmin 55 arrives tomorrow. I will have the “joy” of setting it up. My 35 has lasted 6 years and seen me through from 5k to HM. I will probably charge it up and use it as a pocket watch! I don’t usually get attached to items at all but we have been through a lot together.
I use a rechargeable headlamp. Works well. The day just got away from me; again! Had to pluck hair from Molly’s ears this morning (fortunately she doesn’t mind!), walk her, then off to the vets this afternoon, late lunch, an hour’s digestion break before running ….warm up …. and so it went on. Nice time to be up in the woods though.
oooh love Parmesan. I had quite a lot of it on my salmon recently and browned under the grill Might make it again tomorrow as the salmon is already in the fridge 😋
I don’t know BC, I just keep plodding. I find the dark more difficult than the cold, I just keep adding the layers and then maybe take some off again whilst I’m running. Cold is relatively easy once I’m out there: two buffs, one for the neck, one for the head with the hat, gloves with a flappy bit to turn your fingered gloves into mittens, they’re fab. Short sleeved top over long sleeved top, thermal leggings, sorted. Thermal leggings are great, like your legs being given a hug whilst you run!
But the dark, the dark I don’t like. I’ve been looking at my HM plan and I’m trying to get my head around how to do intervals in the dark without going flying. It was easier during lockdown and when I was WFH more but now I’m back in the office more it’s getting tricky. Can’t see me cutting back on distances, marathon training starts again at the beginning of January and there’s the two HMs in December. Other people do it don't they, and it’s not as if I’ve never done it, so I’d better find some way of coping with it again hadn’t I?!
Lots of ideas here thank you. Which thermal leggings do you have? Legs being given a hug whilst you run, sounds really good. Do you do all this running and work full time?
I have RonHill winter tights with reflective bits up the legs. They have a slightly fluffy inside so are a bit cuddly. Not sure they’re that easy to get hold of anymore unfortunately as they are a few years old but they are worth hunting down, I have a couple of pairs and I almost look forward to wearing them each year!
Maybe it is just coincidence that I always end up with an injury in winter. Hopefully doing all of this NTC strength and flexibility stuff will help. My monthly mileage has gone up during the second half of this year, which could have made me stronger; but I guess that a cut back period isn’t a bad idea.
You’re probably right there BC, it’s good to cut back occasionally and give everything a chance to recover and build. Mr Fordy was saying on his podcast the other day that it’s really important to warm up before a cold weather run, get the heart rate up slowly etc, and then stretch after. I still do the old 5 minute walk but I should probably be doing more than that now. Fingers crossed for you 🤞
I do a ten minute warm up exercise routine in the house these days, courtesy of NTC. I need the stretches pre run, but I like to do them before hitting the colder air. I used to worry about stretches on cold muscles, but I think this routine warms things up and leads into stretches quite well. 🤞🤞🤞
I think that discovering NTC yoga and strength exercises as a bi-product of using the NRC Marathon plan is helping flexibility etc; I enjoy it! Maybe that will help.
I’ve got several pairs of warm lined leggings. All Ron Hill i think 🤔. They’re fine in the dark as plenty of reflective bits on them Dunno whether I’ll be wearing them though as they don’t agree my my psoriasis 😏. Looks like I’ll be having cold legs 🥶
Yes, I can imagine they’re quite scratchy. I wore mine for the first time this winter on Friday. They were too warm and it was only 7°C. This time of year is so awkward!
Morning BC. I have read that some runners take the whole winter off running and focus on strength training in readiness for their return to runs in spring. You could always consider this, maybe not for five months though!
You know I love winter but running does take more preparation I find. I do much longer warmups (mostly in the house before I leave) and if it’s not bitterly cold, then a longer walk too.
While the idea of shorts on cold days is still tempting I do think I need to keep my legs as warm as possible and cover up. I never understand runners who wear shorts on freezing cold days. What about their poor muscles?
When temperatures drop then a hat and gloves are usually the first additions to my winter kit and then the rest follows dependent on how cold it gets. A few winters ago I got away with not wearing any thermal kit at all as it was so mild but usually for most winter days it’s two layers, one of them merino. Merino is the best for really cold days and if there is a bitterly wind then it can’t get through.
My biggest challenge in winter is staying hydrated. I have to make a big effort to keep drinking water but this winter I’m going to try and add things like cucumber and lots of fruits to flavour the water and make it more interesting. I intend to keep up my strength training too.
I do love taking photos which I find helps keep things interesting and reminds me that, even in the depths of the darkest winter, spring is not too far away.
Maybe we could put together a sort of winter running incentive for everyone… ?
Noooooo!! 😂😂😂 stopping running is the last thing I want to do. Maybe I should cut back on the distance a bit when the icy blast finally arrives. This graph, if it will load for me, shows the picture over this year. Low mileage winter and better summer. I have been wondering whether I should cut back a bit anyway. I have done a lot of K’s, for me, in the last 6 months. I have really enjoyed that period, but it has to slow down some time.🙂
Good luck to all in keeping up kms whilst the days get darker, colder and the weather more unpredictable. Although if the weather on the south east coast of the UK (where I am) is anything to go by these last two weeks, I'm still going to be running in shorts and a vest come December!
My tip? Well, without thinking this through I signed up to do my first HM race on March 2nd. A little while afterwards when planning my training realised most of the hard work would be being done in Jan and Feb, so I've no choice really unless I want to be walking half of the HM!!
Hi BC, I think I will try to run as much as I can through the winter. And when it gets really bad, there is always the treadmill. I am trying to get back into a strength program this winter too. As for the weather, I have a long run tomorrow, with initial temps running from -1 to 5 degrees, so layers are in order. 2-3 layers up top and run tights. Gloves too. My hands get no circulation these days. I am doing the Trans Canada trail with friends . Hoping to see the last of the autumn colours before the great freeze hits. Maybe the elusive bear will show his face again. Here is a recent pic of the local park colours where I often run.
Hi Decker. What a photograph! Canada is a stunningly beautiful country. I have never been outside of the City in the fall, but the pictures you see are incredible.
When you say “doing the Trans Canada Trail” does that mean that you and your friends are aiming to do the whole 28,000 k in your life times or was it just a figure of speech? Certainly a bit far for a weekend outing🙂! Lots of bears to encounter over that distance too, although they may be sleeping soon? I hope that you all have a brilliant day’s running and emerge intact and with a smile on your face and a beer in your hand.
I am coming to the conclusion that I need to maintain strength through the winter but cut back on distance a little. I had a shock the other day. I found the “Insights” bit of the Garmin app. It says that in September 2024 I ran farther than 99% of other male Garmin users aged between ages 70 to 74. It must mean UK users, but doesn’t say so. That is still a bit crazy! Time to take stock!
Ah yes I should have edited that to say “a portion” of the TC Trail 😊. There is a section of the Rouge trail north of Scarborough that connects with the Trans Canada. We’ll likely just do an out-and-back of 2hr or so.
The colours now are not as intense as a couple of weeks ago when that photo was taken, but they are still impressive.
I am not surprised by those stats BC, when you consider that as a marathon runner you are in the top 0.01% of the world’s population. That’s not even accounting for age. As a 70+yr old, you are in quite an elite category! Even among Strava users I think you are in the top 5%. But I understand the idea of dialling back a little to avoid injury. Rest and recovery become bigger factors as we age. I am trying to take that into account too.
It is a delicate balance. I need to do enough to maintain a level of fitness; losing fitness takes much less time than recovering it as you get into the vintage stage. I need to leave some PBs to achieve next year anyway.👍
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Weekly Chat November 23rd-29th 🏃♀️ ☕️ 🍰