We awoke to our first real winter snow shower yesterday morning. It’s a long time since I have had to clear snow off my car and the drive. I suppose that it is good cross training; provided that you use a heavy shovel and dress to avoid frost bite. As predicted nearly all of the white stuff had cleared by this morning thanks to some overnight torrential rain. Off to the physio this afternoon (again) and my injury meant that I missed the real joy of running on fresh fallen snow yesterday. My perennial battle with winter injuries continues. I felt so fit coming into winter that I thought I would be fine, but no, the niggles have returned. Maybe it is my age ☹️. I am probably a permanent line in my physio’s winter cash flow forecast! Lots of swelling with this niggle..so 🤞🤞🤞.
Enough! This is supposed to be a chat, not a one man moaning session! I did find some time to muse about the way the high tech stuff developed for elite athletes eventually rolls on to we non-professionals. Watches which “suggest” the distance and pace you should run today, and alert you if you are behind target mid run. Mine makes me jump with a random buzz to tell me that I seem to be unusually stressed; self fulfilling - heart rate rises immediately! Computer designed shoes for a perfect fit and orthotics “made to measure” are out there too. To think, I started off with a battered old pair of trainers and my wrist watch! I don’t pay much attention to orders from my new watch. I just run as far and as fast as I want to by feel. I don’t mind Coach Bennett et al chatting to me as I run, but that is as far as I go. Perhaps I am just old fashioned 🙂.
Anyway; the main point of my post; how are you doing? Maybe you are tech whizz or gizmo fan who loves all of these new gizmos? Whatever, we love to hear what is happening in your neck of the woods….so pull up a mushroom and spill the beans (a nice mixed metaphor to start the week for Shake-and-run ( you are welcome 🙂).
Oh, look out for the February Events post which will be appearing mid week. Time to rev up those Pom Pom wavers again.
Have a great week everyone. Apols for lack of photograph; the system is not playing this morning!
Morning BC, so sorry to hear you’re on the IC - I must have missed that unfortunate news. I hope your physio works her magic again. I’m sure she will, she’s a miracle worker. 🙏
I had a new watch for Christmas. A lovely no overly frilled Vivoactive 5, although it has all the info I need. One thing it doesn’t do is tell me off, or suggest unrealistic goals. We’re friends, and it’s simply a newer version of my Vivo 3. 🥰
I’m somewhat back on track running wise. Winter running (without Flossie in tow) isn’t my favourite, and with Jenny and I morphing into buggy runners at PR, any potential speedier running that was lurking in my little legs, has well and truly gone! No matter, the gym has been my saviour during the foul weather, and I have some meetups/races to look forward to. 😀 So my enthusiasm is still there, but I really miss running with Flossie. 🥺 She’s allowed short off lead walks only at the moment, so I can’t risk going up on the common. She’s a good girl, but there are too many unreliable dogs who might bash into her.
I am sure that you will be running Cardiff again cheeky; one of your favourites. Well done on keeping up your fitness. Your Vivoactive sounds to be properly house trained. I can’t say that my watch has in anyway pushed me too hard; I just don’t like the prompts (Thinking about it, I am the same with people! Just an old rebel at heart).
You are taking really good care of Flossie. The weather is foul today..rain and more rain, it will be muddy underfoot too, so we will probably just slip Molly (and Mrs BC) into the car and take her over to the cafe for her sausage and a fuss. She is slowing down a little; maybe the weather or an innate desire to hibernate. Lots of sense dogs🙂
Definitely doing Cardiff BC, but that’s not until October. I have the London Winter Run next month, the Bath Half in March, Monsal Trail 10k in April and Bristol 10k in May. I need races (aka bling) to look forward to! 😅
Oh yes, dogs know best. I’m with Molly on wanting to hibernate I must admit. Hope she enjoyed her sausage today!
Back from the physio. The sheath around the tendon on my achilles is irritated. It needs icing to reduce inflammation and heat to generate more synovial fluid (lubrication). I might be running in a week….another appointment before then. She also checked out the mechanics of my feet when walking( using a computer linked floor pad) and we concluded that it was worth trying heel cups in my new cascadias. So 🤞🤞🤞🤞
An excellent idea to take your trails in with you for check Beachcomber66 . It will be interesting to hear how you get on with the waterproofing. Mine let the water in but also let it out again and are breathable. I’ve never had cold feet, even when soaked.
Hope the recovery goes well and you’re back out running again soon. I was making great progress on the HM NRC plan in advance of the Brighton HM in early March, completed 2 of the 10 mile runs with relative ease, although not overly happy with my pace.
However I have just returned from minor surgery for a biopsy on a cyst / growth on my knee (or just below) and in order for the wound to heal have been told to avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks. I have 8 weeks to the HM and 6 weeks left on the training plan so 🤞 I haven’t lost too much condition by the time I get back out there. Going to be a frustrating 2 weeks……….
I should think you will be fine IR; only risk is too much too early on your comeback runs. Stuff always intervenes at the most inconvenient times; we get used to it. You should lose virtually nothing over two weeks. Hope the test result comes back good👍.
Hi Beachcomber66 sorry to hear about your situation, hope you’re back on the road to recovery soon with the help of your physio 🤞
I now use some custom-made insoles as suggested when I had a gait analysis a couple of years ago following an injury. So far I’ve had no issues with them, nor any injuries 🙂👍
I’m now training for the London Winter Run in February. I’m hoping to be able to run the entire thing, although I know I won’t be able to compete with my pre-heart attack self 😕
Other than that, I’m going to book an appointment with my physio now the festive period is over! 😊
Hi David. My situation doesn’t even trouble the scorer set against what you are going through; timely reminder to me not to whinge too much!
Thanks for your ideas. I have thought about insoles and/or heel caps. This trouble started before I got my new cascadias; they feel great on, otherwise the finger of blame would have been pointing at them. They are 4 mm heel drop lower than my Adrenalines (8 versus 12) and I have spoken to the running shop people about insoles. Apparently my high arches are a complication which points away from orthotics. I will have another chat to my physio today. The swelling has gone down now, but yesterday I was thinking maybe shin splints or stress fracture. Let’s hope my brain is just catastrophising. 😬
Sorry to hear you are injured BC, sending you best wishes for a rapid recovery.
The high tech AI features of my Garmin are certainly confusing. I find them worrying too. I was using the adaptive Garmin Coach feature to train for my marathon attempt but abandoned it because it kept suggesting a long run of only 1 hour 20 minutes as well as anaerobic sprint intervals once a week. Obviously I have way of knowing what the outcome would have been had I stuck with it but I doubt I would have completed the distance.
I also found myself checking my HRV, resting heart rate and sleep score every day. My watch didn't seem to know if I was asleep or not which lead me to question the usefulness of the suggested workouts. I stopped wearing it at night and felt much happier and more optimistic.
On the other hand I started wearing it at night again and looking at the suggested workouts. On Saturday it suggested a second successive rest day. As I had only run 7 very slow miles all week I ignored it and ran. After only 6 gentle miles I had to throw in the towel and catch a train home. Perhaps Garmin was right all along, I certainly wished I had taken another rest day.
I'd be so interested to hear what other people's thoughts are on these target based daily suggested work outs. I am bewildered by it all!
Bewildered; You and me both ! I am not questioning the accuracy or quality of the information provided by these watches. It is more a matter of personality. I am just a “read around, experiment and then work it out for yourself” type. I have a set programme which I follow most of the time. Long run Monday, Hill run Thursday and speed run Saturday. I can fit the NRC plans around that. Just being presented with a “we think you should do this today.” when I had something else in mind doesn’t work for me. Too set in my ways maybe.
I much prefer your approach to being slave to my watch. Apart from anything else the strap causes a nasty skin irritation if worn 24/7. I think you are quite right about it being a personality thing. I seem to be a bit of a worrier and found myself stressing about HRV, resting HR and other such things that are possibly inaccurate and I don't really understand anyway! 😂
I've never bothered with any of the training stuff on my Garmin and refuse to wear it all the time. I don't even wear it for all my runs. Sure, that messes up all the data, but why should I care? I don't run to get the approval of an algorithm or to brag about my stats, not that I could tell you much about them anyway. I stopped paying attention once I realised that the more I enjoy a run the more likely Garmin is to disapprove of it.
" I stopped paying attention once I realised that the more I enjoy a run the more likely Garmin is to disapprove of it."
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I love that attitude Cmoi , I agree with you too. Running is surely one of the simplest and most natural sports but we do seem to have made it ridiculously complicated.
I feel obliged to say that I recognise that many people find data and stats very helpful, useful and motivational.
However, it just isn't the case for me. I got tired of finishing a run feeling happy and confident, only to look at my watch and feel crushed because my pace, heartrate, VO2Max or whatever didn't met with Garmin's approval.
So I now run by effort and for enjoyment, when and how I feel like it. If I want to challenge myself I do, if I don't, I don't.
I wish you happy running, whatever that means to you!
I turn off all the alerts, sounds, vibrations, etc off my Garmin to ensure the battery doesn’t quit on me on long runs/races. It’s an old, basic model but suits my “keep it simple” mantra 😀
I shall be following suit, I have come to the conclusion that to get better at running I just need to run more consistently. To do that I need to keep it enjoyable which means turning off all the notifications and alerts and just having fun being outside. 😃
I think if I had too much tech and a watch that told me what to do I’d be incredibly anxious. I have a Garmin 220 (on its last legs so will need a replacement soon) but I just look at the basic stats on it like pace, distance, cadence. I occasionally use it for intervals and that’s it. It doesn't have a heart monitor and it doesn't talk to me which would drive me crazy. At my age I know my own body pretty well and so judge from what it tells me. Usually, if I’m still breathing at the end of a run then I’m happy 👍🤣
Yes, I found myself becoming quite stressed by it at times. I had a lovely little run today with no alerts or notifications. With gloves on I couldn't look at my watch either. There had to be a positive side to this dreadful cold spell! 😂
I reckon tech has held me back over my nearly five years of running. I had a couple of years where I was so focused on low heart rate training without truly understanding where I was at. I keep it fairly simple these days. Running is so much more than stats to me now, although I do like keeping an eye on distance as I run virtually across Australia. I find for me that having goals that keep consistency is helpful.
I can't add photos anymore to the chat, so maybe that's a blessing to you all. No blue skies as you're running throughout winter.
Hi RW, I have just been zooming with our friend in Brisbane. Hot over there!!
I couldn’t add photographs yesterday. I sometimes e.mail a version of a photo to myself but reduce the size in the process. I think that there is a size limit on posts and newer phone cameras might be part of the issue.
I never got into low heart rate training. I am happy that most of my runs are sub 140 bpm average these days, regardless of distance; it is something which just happened as I got fitter and 1.5 stones lighter!!.
Hi RW, that's really interesting that you feel the tech held you back for years. I was wondering if I was already beginning to experience something similar.
I'd love to see photos of Aussie blue skies, it was sunny while I was running today but this was a blue sky of the perishing cold variety. I much prefer warmth! 😂
You're doing very well RiceAndPeas There is no way I would have had the confidence or ability to run a marathon after a year of running. It's such an achievement. I will try & work out how to keep spamming everyone with the Western Australian blue skies 🤣
Thanks so much RW, if I'd had even the vaguest idea of just how hard the dreaded 26.2 miles was going to be I wouldn't have turned up. More nativity and plain foolishness than confidence or ability! 😂
Even a photo of Western Australian blue skies would be most welcome. Even dogs were wearing coats today!
IT are on to it. Do you just upload JPEGs RW? What sort of messages do you get when it happens please. Perversely, I tried to upload a photograph tonight just to check out the refusal message…and it uploaded!
Hi IP, I am in contact with IT who are working on it. They are interested to know what type of image (JPEG or other) won’t load and what error messages do we get.🙂
My garmin is a basic forerunner30 and I quite like that it's simple! I 1st had a forerunner10 which you had to plug into the computer, so this one which syncs automatically is enough progress for me til it dies! If I get to club this week, we have a nominated 4.5 mile run , I find it good running by feel and not worrying about the stats!!
Did a little 2km run yesterday morning, in-between everything else,felt good to be out. We have a 10km nainland race on Sunday which were still able to get to, a club outing over 20 of us going!
Still lots of stress here but I've been amazed and comforted by the brilliant way my siblings have rallied round to look after my Dad after his hospital stay. The eldest boy is excellent at practical cooking and cleaning, and my 2nd brother a natural at caring and personal care, I'm so impressed ! My sister is here on the island and both brothers will be gone tonight so more pressure on us but trying to go with the flow and hope my Dad will slowly become more independent again, but it's going to be a long road! Xxx
Thanks Ali. I have faith in my physio; she has never let me down.
I have just moved on to a Forerunner 55 from a 35 which had lasted 6 years. In the end the lugs holding on the strap fell off! I chose the 55 because it was the nearest fit for the 35 and it is still button rather than touch screen operated. I struggled a bit to start with, but I am back to just switching it to run and stopping when I feel like it! It does suggest runs and paces, but I do my own thing as ever…and battery charging is much less frequent than was the case with my 35. So all good.
We (Mrs BC and I) cared for my late mother through lockdown in particular, although she needed lots of help before then. It is good that your family is working together so well; hope your Dad makes a good recovery. 🙂
I loved the early forerunners. I still have the 10 and 15 The battery life on the 15 was no better than the 10 so I felt misled by the blurb ☹️ My current refurbished Forerunner 35 suits me fine but sometimes it goes peculiar but I’ve had it for ages so shouldn’t be surprised.
I still plug my watch into the computer 🙂
I run by feel too Ali, and stats just aren’t my thing either 🙂
I hope your dad will soon be back on his feet Ali. Roll on Spring 😘💐🌱🌿🐥🐣🐑
Sorry to hear about your issue BC. Hopefully your devotion to care will have you back on the road fast.I've reverted to the Hal Higdon HM3 plan this time, and am loving it's simplicity (because I'm something of a rule follower and a slave to my plan 😍). This morning I needed a 4 mile easy run before hightailing it to the airport, balancing time against freezing temperatures. Opened the curtains this morning and all was white and still snowing! Trail shoes and warm running gear all packed for Canada.
But, slave to my plan, I layered up (that should say over layered up) and headed out. Did my run, showered, had breakfast, final packing ... and out the door 30 minutes ahead of schedule! Now, fingers crossed the weather hasn't messed up the airport schedule 🤞
Enjoy Canada Linda. Hope your flight goes well. I can sleep on long flights now..regardless of the time of day….relief at getting on board and away I suspect.
Thanks BC. Big flight done (I usually sleep well but there were so many screaming toddlers it was nigh on impossible, even for me), connection looking delayed. Never mind. A good sleep and tomorrow the journey will be a thing of the past!
Delayed connection is better than missing it because your long distance flight is delayed I guess. Frustrating, but that is air travel for you; trains too really. I like the route to Vancouver which goes further north than the Toronto flight. Doesn’t matter if you are asleep of course …….Soon be there 🙂
I’m pleased you’re enjoying the HHHM3 plan Linda. I started it again on Monday but have just fallen foul of the first cross training as I have been taking down the decorations, etc. Surely that counts? 🤔
Hmm. I will confess to having slipped badly on the cross training. I walk every day, so always use that as my excuse. Once the weather improves, I will get back in my bike. While I'm away, maybe I will do some strength routines or some zumba/indoor walking sessions. Maybe 😍
Sorry to hear you’re not firing on all cylinders BC, and hope you’ll soon be right🤞 Ice and snow underfoot is no help in encouraging exercise of any kind, let alone running. The rest whilst waiting for a break in the weather will do you good though 🙂
I’ve had a few days off but the signs are good. Our bypass is flooded so I suspect I’ll get wet feet again but them’s the breaks.
Speaking of 👣 I got some snazzy HIIT shoes from 🎅🏻 so no excuse not to get cracking 💪😀
Tenosynovitis is the problem apparently! It affects the sheath covering the Achilles tendon. It swells when I am active(so icing needed; even if I have only been walking) but heat is also required to generate more synovial fluid( natural WD40) to reduce the inflammation. Physio says no running for a week, but I see her again on Monday anyway. I am heat treating first thing, icing when I come back from a walk/shopping, and then warming again later….whatever it takes 🤷🏻♂️
Mine is quite good today and no swelling on my ankle. I’ve walked two hours with the dog and it’s good . Ffffreezing out there as he’s so slow bless him 🐕🥶
Mrs BCs car wouldn’t start this morning, and it was blocking my car in! I rang our accident people, but they hours worth on today. So I said a little prayer, tried again… vroooooom!! 🙂
Hope the Achilles flare up clears soon BC. I think physios see a lot of runners each week with Achilles problems so are very good at treating them. You'll be firing on all cylinders again soon.
Hope so RAP; I just need to get on top of the swelling. She seemed optimistic about running next week; maybe just avoiding further damage to my bottom lip as it scraped along the ground 😉
Good luck with your new physio regime Beachcomber66 ! It’s always nice to have a diagnosis when things aren’t right, and a running rest does you good every now and then. My physio continues to work on my shoulder, which wasn’t helped by a fall last month. Ironic that we had cancelled parkrun for safety reasons in a storm and then I tripped while walking instead!
I’m still very pleased to stick with my old faithful FR 35, which doesn’t make any ‘helpful’ suggestions.
Went out for a run yesterday afternoon in the cold sunshine, which confirmed that I much prefer a morning run. I felt heavy legged, probably not hydrated enough, so I turned it into a 6k Jeff.
We have a snow warning today, but I doubt if it will be anything like that experienced oop north in the last week.
Very sensible(would it be anything else?) change of plan there Dexy5. Injuries ? We don’t need them!
That snow warning looked pretty serious, but you coastal area dwellers often escape the worst. I hope it isn’t too bad for people. Famous last words, but we woolly backs don’t see the depth of snow we used to up here and it appears less frequently 🤞🤞🤞.
This injury is different to my usual type. It was like a tyre blow out as opposed to the usual slow puncture. I managed to walk home but the swelling and loss of strength was pretty much immediate. Still; I have a plan and I will do as I am told, as usual😇. Hope the white stuff stays away for you 🙂.
Morning BC. Sorry I’m so late to the chat but, as you know, I’ve had a bit of a drama with my travel. But I’m back home now and guess what? I’ve got a cold! I haven't had a cold for years so I’ve just done a Covid test just in case, as my symptoms are similar, but I’m negative, thank goodness.
I needed to do a 5K run today as per my plan but with the cold and the snow I’m not sure. I’ll see how I feel later on. I might just carry on and start the clearing up job around the house that I promised myself I’d do. I wonder what will be in those cupboards? 🤔🔦🕵️
Talking about tech, I do need to replace my Garmin. It’s coming up to 11 years old but is on its last legs. It doesn't hold battery life for long and it tells me every other run that I have a new record, which is very nice but not accurate 🤣 I’ll probably go for another Garmin but I’ll do a little investigation first.
I do hope your latest niggle gets sorted quickly and that you are back to your running routine again. You are a pro at this now so I’m sure the time will go fairly quickly.
Your weather conditions must be much worse than ours so, looking at things logically, if you’re going to be off with an injury, then perhaps this is the right time 😊
The snow has largely gone up here; but it is literally freezing. A walk with Molly to our favourite cafe might be the limit of my exercise I think. I have to apply a hot water bottle in my achilles area regularly, unless I have walked any distance, in which case I have to apply an ice pack! 🤞 it will work. I get what I need from my new Garmin, and ignore the other bits. So long as I have buttons to press and no touch screen I am happy.
Just got back from the 5K 👍 Still quite icy in places so I took it very slowly and kept to the edges. I do hope we don't have any more snow as I have a 10K to do at the weekend 🤞
Well done on remaining vertical IP. As you know, I don’t do ice after a fairly catastrophic fall 7 years ago.
Molly loves her walk. Today was a two sausage day as yesterday was so hectic that she missed out! She can count🙂. Hours playing about with legal documents have just ended with putting a large parcel in the post, followed by a giant cappuccino 🙂. That is I drank it; I didn’t post it 👍.
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