WEEKLY CHAT 18-24 NOVEMBER 🫖☕️💬

[Irishprincess]

Hello fellow runners. How is everyone?

If you’re new to this community then this is the perfect place to say hello. We all love running here and everything that that entails, the good bits and the bad bits. We understand the passion and will celebrate with you on the good stuff but, as running is a roller coaster, we can also sympathise with the bad stuff ☹️ We’d love to hear from you.

To the regulars, what are you up to? What’s your news?

I’m in Ireland at the minute and enjoying my runs here. The cold spell hasn’t arrived yet but, in anticipation, I brought my cold weather gear and then was far too warm on my first run 🙄

I’m still building up slowly and everything is going well. The knee is behaving and I have avoided kneeling or crouching in the garden despite the fact I had over 200 bulbs to plant! I had to be creative so I knelt on my side to plant some which felt a bit weird but at least it didn’t aggravate the knee and they all got planted 👍

I’m hoping to be able to run a Christmas 10K in December so I’m keeping everything crossed that my buildup continues as well as it has been recently and I can do this one. The bling is a gorgeous 2D snow globe so I really have to cross that finish line one way or another 🤗🥰🤞

That’s it from me, it’s your turn now.

We hope you have a great week whatever you’re doing. Stay safe and stay strong. Whatever your goal is, you've got this 💪

From your team, linda9389 , Beachcomber66 and me xxx

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[Annieapple]

🍏🤗 trying to imagine planting 200 bulbs on your side 🙈 Only a runner would be that innovative!! Well done & glad the Irish weather is behaving! What a beautiful place to run & fab bling to add to your collection! Hope it goes well!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Annieapple]

Morning Annie; are you experiencing a cold start this morning too? My Dad always told me that there was nothing between us and the Arctic up here on the North East coast; he should know from his time escorting Arctic convoys!! Certainly feels that way. Good job we are tough, although my clothing today suggests otherwise! Have a good week.

[Annieapple in reply to Beachcomber66]

2 feels like -2 🥶 but lots of lovely sunshine ☀️ Oh wow your Dad would definitely know all about it! Xx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I hadn’t pulled the curtains when I posted this morning. We were 1 degrees and a slight frost 🥶 Snow is expected this afternoon so thank goodness I don’t have a run day today. I think my winter gear might be useful after all!

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Hi BC66, that's interesting what your dad told you that there was nothing between the English north east coast and the Arctic, in very cold weather when strong north or north east winds blow both the north, north east Scotland and north east and east England get the full blast of those winds with also heavy snow showers, where I live in Central Scotland we are sheltered from that weather by the Scottish Highlands to the north and have beautiful crisp days with long sunny periods although very frosty mornings, the weather now as I post this to you at 1.20 pm is cloudy but dry, temperature ,+1C.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Hi Al. It was down to 1C here when I set off running. Lovely day though. What amazes me is the number of small birds who flit around regardless of the cold; integral feather quilts clearly do the trick! We get shelter from hills too, from the west side; those on the “wrong” side of the hills get more rain. Fortunately we have the gear to cope with the conditions regardless. ☃️

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I have the gear for any weather as well BC66 but won't go a run in heavy rain or snow, if it does rain during a run I will keep going to the end, I am in Central Scotland but not so sheltered from the west when it rains, if snow comes from the east there isn't much shelter either.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

I am sure that you have it all under control Al. No prizes for heroics where the weather is concerned! 👍

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

🏃✅

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I was in rural Derbyshire yesterday and it was gorgeous but as we drove back towards civilisation we clocked a gritter behind us, and more of them as we got back into town

My sis and co were here yesterday evening and cleared off as the snow descended. It was chucking it down with snow when I went to bed

A lot of it but it’s not freezing thankfully 🙏

I plan to run today as I’ve done nothing since Friday. I’ve been minding the old dawg who is getting more infirm, bless him

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

It is just cold at present; no snow yet 🤞🤞🤞. Late Saturday it is due to warm up to 11C …..but gales come with it😬. Rather have snow than gales I think!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Hope you managed your run and the snow didn’t stop you MissW.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I did ! 😀🏃‍♀️ Lots of snow about but it wasn’t that cold so it will probably be gone by tomorrow. It was falling from all the trees as I ran along 🙂❄️👎

My new shoes were a horrible disappointment and I returned home with soaking wet feet Hmmfff ☹️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Oh no! That’s not a good start for the shoes…but I bet everything looked real purty 🥰❄️☃️🌨️

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Looking much better for the weekend; windy but warmer👍

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

”Arctic convoy”🥶. We were discussing these guys last weekend when my BIL met a WWII diver. Apart from the cold, we can’t begin to imagine can we 😐 🙏

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

No. He will have been 16/17 at the time I think ( he said he lied about his age). He was on a brand new cruiser (HMS Jamaica). I got the Artic Star medal for him, but sadly that happened after he passed away. Not surprising that he brought us up to respect the power of the sea and to wrap up warm in cold weather!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

A friend of ours has a family history of being merchant seamen, so all the lads had to have a stint, as their dad had instilled in them a sense of adventure. He still has 😀

Ditto my BIL who is ex para, and is planning at 70 years old to clear off to Africa for a few years to do a steel erecting job. Most folks are considering retirement 😀. Mind you, my OH is still working 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Only our daughter had a sense of adventure in our household; she did her PhD research in Alaskan bear and moose territory, and then in Canada where she encountered more of the same. Eventually she did most of her field research/ projects from boats on Canadian lakes. Must have had some of my Dad’s fortitude I think.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Our friend’s first voyage as to Alaska funnily enough. He’s married to a seafarer too. She’s hung up her life jacket now but their daughter is now following on the tradition 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

A job with whale watching thrown in! Can be dangerous waters though.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Terrifying! I have much respect for seafarers. People who ride horses too 😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Annieapple]

I don't know why I ordered so many bulbs but those catalogues are hard to resist and it seemed a great idea at the time!

Hope you are well x

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

My husband bought me a long-handled bulb planter as I had a bad back 😀

I used it for the spuds 🥔☺️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I’ve got one of those too but my ground is so hard (clay) that I struggle to get a hole dug with it. The closer I am to the ground the easier 🙂

[RunWillie Marathon]

Hi Irishprincess & other VRB's,

Glad your knee is behaving.

I was moving so slowly today on my run after a very busy work weekend. It's always good to remember your "why" on days like today.

283.50km to go to hit the annual goal. It's going to be tight but it's still doable.

Happy week everyone! ❤️

Today's run 🥵

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

If anyone can do it, you can RW. It must be so satisfying to count down the miles 😊

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I had a c goal which I've met, a b goal which I'm 100km off, and the a goal. It's feeling like a slog to be honest but I will press on 💪

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

You will definitely find a way RW. Marathon runners never give up 🙂

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I still can't believe that I'm a Marathon runner. It has been a good year for running even if the annual goal is out of reach.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Just thought I would remind you 🙂

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

You earned it RW. Respect to you 🙌💪

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Oh wow 🤩 That picture ☀️ I want to be there. Now!!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to RunBrianRun]

And me 🙋‍♀️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Let's charter a bus. 'Fun Beyond on tour' !!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

We could organise that!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Good morning Your Highness. What a beautiful image of autumn; the leaves look to have been very carefully arranged. I hope your training continues to go well (bulb planting is cross training of course). Not long to go.

It is freezing cold up here. 2 degrees now, rising to 3 around noon, and snow predicted overnight 🥶. It is my rehab tester run this morning. I see the physio again on Wednesday and she recommended that I try a very slow short trot today to see how things are. I am a bit wary to be honest. After the sharp pain I felt last Monday, I will be anticipating a repeat experience with every step but, it has got to be done. Thickest leggings, injinji socks with extra long tops so as not to leave a gap at the ankles, plenty of layers on top with gloves and Pom Pom hat to finish. The sky is clear, so we have bright sunshine and everything looks beautiful, but we have a huge bubble of arctic air sitting on top of us. Looks as though it will hang around for the best part of a week. Joys of living oop north!

I am sure your mum is enjoying your company 🙂. Have a great week.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Morning BC.

Those runs are a mixture of terror and hope so I’m keeping everything crossed for you 🤞but we know we have to try and find out what’s what. You’ll know pretty quickly methinks.

I imagine the temperatures are similar in your area as they are here 🥶

Have a great week and hope todays run goes well 🍀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you IP. I think that you are right; I will soon find out. 1C now; this is either going to be a short run or a very very short run 🙂.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

☺️ the run went fine. A slow 3k (average pace 7:06 with a first lap of 7:25; how is that for being good! 😇). No pain at the site of the muscle pull at all. Perhaps unwisely, I stopped for a coffee before walking home, and found that some stiffness had appeared on the outside of my lower leg which I “felt” when pushing off. Job for physio on Wednesday. Might be a compensating issue or separate problem. Not a big deal though. So, on the way back to being whole again I think. 🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yeah! Well done for going slow ⭐️ I think stiffness is definitely much better than a niggle.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Feels ok this morning. There may be some weakness there; calf raises may be in order.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

that’s what I’m on with. I’m using the rolled up towel on the floor one as it prevents the heel drop, which my physio warned me against at this stage in the niggly ankle

There’s allus sommat! 🙄

You beat me out the door ☺️ I’m clearing up, having coffee etc 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

It’s like keeping spinning plates going; at least one part of the leg or foot started to complain, begging for attention!

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It’s an age thing I suppose but when you look around I think we’re doing better than most 😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Hee hee; I laughed when I discovered that in September I ran further than 99% of other Garmin users aged 70 to 74! I felt quite smug until I thought it through….there aren’t that many of us! I wonder who the 1% was ….

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Don’t sweat the 1%! You’re the real deal 😁💪

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

😂 flattery will get you everywhere!

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Hope it goes well Beachcomber66 Hubby is on a slow comeback from a calf niggle. It's frustrating 😞

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Calves can be resistant to rehab. On top of that, I lose fitness more quickly than younger runners, so I am keen to get out there running again quickly. Balancing that urge with the risk of making things worse is more art than science. 🙂 hope it is my lucky day!🤞

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Hi IP

I hope that your knee is repaired fully in time for your run on the 8th. I can’t imagine planting 200 bulbs lying on my side but needs must.

I’m deep into winter training but only at the track once a week at the moment as I have a project on in London designing a gym for a hotel. It’s very exciting as it’s a new build hotel in the city. I’ll be hoping for free membership when it’s done. 😂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Least they can do!🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Oh that sounds very exciting Brian! Can you please make sure they put lots of hooks around the walls. I don't know why gyms (or even some hotel rooms) don't offer hooks as they are invaluable for hanging all sorts of stuff 😊

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Good point IP. Do you mean bag or towel hooks and that sort of thing?

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Yes, somewhere to hang a top or small bag or towel, etc. I never use lockers in gyms so invariably have to take my stuff with me and usually end up throwing them on the floor! At the most recent hotel gym I used a few weeks ago, I took my running belt with my room card, phone, big hanky and ear plugs container plus a towel. In any other gym I would have had a top too.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

That’s really useful advice IP. I do exactly the same! There will be hooks!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

👍

[misswobble Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Marvellous! Sounds. Fabulous 😀👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi IP, gorgeous photo! 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Enjoy your stay with your mum. She’ll love your company I’m sure. 🥰 And enjoy your chilly running too. 🥶 I’m impressed with your 200 bulbs. Your garden will be incredible in the spring. 😍

Mr Cheeky and I arrived in 🇪🇸 today for a quick 5 day break. My running stuff came too, and of course I checked out the possibility of a city trot when we were out exploring. Not going to happen. It’s a beautiful little city, but we’re in the cobbledy old part and I saw no runners at all! Never mind, we’re off to the rowing lake in Banyoles tomorrow, and since the 1992 Olympic rowing events were held there, I know for a fact there will be a cycle path for all the coaches etc. Perfecto! 🏃‍♀️ I did two weeks of my C25K round the Munich Olympic rowing lake 6 years ago too!

When I get home I’ve vowed to get my **** in gear and get my new HM plan under way. Once it’s said on here it’s as good as done.

Have a great week everyone. 🥰

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Enjoy your break Cheeky; HM Plan will be there for you when you are ready.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

We can always find a running route no matter where we go Munks! Enjoy your holiday 🤗

I thought I had work with 200 bulbs but a friend of mine, when I told her, replied that she had ordered 400!

For Bath I have normally started my plan at the end of December but last year I was late and started in January. We have loads of time yet 😊

[misswobble Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Have fun! Sounds a lovely place to run 😀🏃‍♀️👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Hi IP. Thanks for hosting chat while you're away, have a fabulous trip. Glad your knee is behaving, long may it continue.I went to parkrun on Saturday, my first run in two weeks. My leg was niggling again yesterday, but it much improved today. 5k probably wasn't the best idea for a try it and see run, but I had to collect something right by my 'nearest event not done yet', so I couldn't resist 🤷‍♀️

I've decided to give your Hal Higdon plan a try for my next half. It's much shorter than my version of the NRC plan, so I have another couple of weeks to be nice to my leg before I need to get started again!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

That’s a good sign Linda 👍 Do you think your exercises are helping? Sometimes it’s hard to judge whether a niggle would have got better with just rest.

I hope you enjoy the plan as much as I do. I do like the factored in two days of cross training but I usually do my strengthening exercises those days so miss out on actual cross training. I did try cycling and then got some new weird pains 🙄

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Don't tell anyone ... but I haven't been doing my exercises! I am such a determined, focused person, yet I have the most awful block when it comes to repetitive exercises. I absolutely can't find the key to unlocking that. If anyone has any ideas, I am all ears. I desperately want my leg fixed, but can't bring myself to take the medicine. I have added a tick box to my run spreadsheet. Let's see if that helps any. But it's already afternoon and I haven't done them today as yet 🙈

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I always put my favourite tracks on when I do my exercises. The epic ones that make me feel like a warrior 💪🤣

Well, it works for me!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Good news that your knee is behaving IP - and I hope you are enjoying your time in Ireland!☘️

Temperatures are cooling a little here but no need for gloves or extra layers just yet, unlike our friends further north!❄️

Nothing new happening with my running - I guess just aiming for consistency and joy!🤣😊🏃‍♀️

I do hope to fit in another virtual HM before Christmas (see medal I am hoping for below) so will start to increase distance again over the next few weeks to try and earn this. I will then drop back for a bit before looking for a Spring Half somewhere!🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Gorgeous bling Sandra! That’s definitely worth training for. And consistency and joy are perfect bedfellows 🏃‍♀️🤗

We’ve just hit -1 here this morning and I am due out for a run so I think the winter kit will be used after all 🥶

Keep enjoying yourself 🤗

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Hi Irishprincess and all VRBs ! No running yet for me but hoping to go to club tomorrow night for a 5k, injuries seem to be healing up pretty quickly! Antibiotics making me feel a bit queezy but last lot tomorrow morning! and weirdly can't sleep well (is named as side effect!) and been up at 4am last 2 nights reading book!!! And shopping on vinted! I went for a walk to where I fell yesterday and from my strava think I've pinpointed where it turns from pavement to drop kerb! That might have been it,also think I might have turned to see where running companion was too and lost concentration! 🤬

Weirdly had a nice weekend overall ,restful ,watched parkrun, Kenny went off to do his Southampton race 10k which went well and he took 1.5mins off last year too! Feeling grateful with the minimal injuries😊and looking forward to shopping for more new trainers!

Stormy weather here tonight, hopefully have calmed down by tomorrow. Been to watch Paddington at cinema,I loved it 🥰xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

That’s brilliant news Ali. You must be a quick healer 😊 Antibiotics are hard on the tummy aren’t they? If you like it, then eating some natural yogurt helps with the tummy thing.

Well done to Kenny for his time! He must be chuffed with that.

I love the Paddington films. Not seen the new one yet but will probably wait until it hits tv. I do want to watch Gladiator 2 film on the big screen though 🍿

Take care and enjoy club night xxx

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It's not looking too bad and can drive ok too 😊I'm going to backmark so that'll be nice steady pace! Xxx

[misswobble Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

I hope you’re feeling better Ali 🤞😘

Speaking of trainers ……. 😎😁

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Yes had a good run thanks. Legs fine, lip and hand still a bit gammy!!! Xxx

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

…Oh, I want to see the new Paddington film too! 🙂

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

It's lovely, think there was only about 10 people in our screening too! 🤪xxx

[misswobble Marathon]

Yhe snow globe sounds 🥰. You’ll bag it IP! 💪🏃‍♀️😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I can’t say no to that can I?

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

it sounds unique so NO! 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Their medals are usually fab 🤩

[misswobble Marathon]

I’m still indoors but planning to turn out into the SNOW shortly! 😏😤

Right on cue 🤨 Please 🙏 make it clear off before Sunday 😇

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Everything crossed for you 🤞

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP 🙂. 26 miles is a long way to run if the weather is foul It’s been cold, and windy, in the past but to date I’ve kept dry 🙏

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Shame they didn’t have regular stop offs for hot chocolate and mince pies. I might even consider one myself if they did that! 🤣

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

What a lovely picture Irishprincess . Unfortunately the leaves looking a lot soggier today with grey skies and showers. I think you did well to get your bulbs in before the snow hit Ireland and the North. Lying on your side out there would not be quite so pleasant now.

UpTheStanley and I went to Littlehampton Prom parkrun along the coast on Saturday and I was wearing gloves for the first time this season although I was in a short sleeve T-shirt. We were honoured to have Founder, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, as a cone marshal but I didn’t recognise him at the time as I was chatting to another runner about the fact that we had been lapped just before the halfway point by the fastest runner. I did say “thank you marshal” though . I spotted him in the cafe after. It was great that there was no announcement, no fuss, just a normal parkrun.

I was going to get out for a run today but I woke up far too late to run and make a hair appointmen,t so hopefully tomorrow when the sun is coming out again.

I’m jut taking it fairly easily at the moment as no races are planned and there lots of other things to think about with Christmas ahead of us. I feel privileged to be able to run when so many on the forum are managing injuries. Healing wishes to you all.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

What a great experience to have the man himself there! Not sure I’d recognise him if I saw him but then again I’m not a parkrun runner.

Taking it easy running-wise is always a fine place to be. I need to start shopping for Christmas as I’ve done nothing!

Have a great week 🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

I’m visiting relatives next week so have had to start a bit earlier than usual. 😂. Have loved buying the children’s presents. Adults are more difficult.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Your healing wishes have borne fruit! My physio session went really well this afternoon. I can run further now and she said that the muscle pull is on its way out. For good measure she worked on my plantaris muscle (behind the knee) and hamstring too; so she followed path of the pain up the chain! Another appointment in two weeks (to give things time to settle) and that should be that…..please 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

That is good news  Beachcomber66 .

I was running in 4°C this morning so I imagine it’s even chillier oop north with all that snow.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

We had a thin covering of snow this morning, but the sun came out and chased most of it away. We have hit 1C! It is forecast to warm up on Sunday; bad news is we will have gale force winds and rain! Familiar?

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh yes. UpTheStanley has warned runners that parkrun will be cancelled if the wind and rain is as currently forecast on Saturday. 95% rain and 51 mph wind off the sea, and feels like 3°C

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Very wise; plenty of notice and clear criteria 👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Sounds good BC 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP; much better than the Achilles tear I feared! The weather forecast is pretty bleak. Next run is a choice between tomorrow (freezing cold) or Saturday; warmer but with heavy rain and gales!