Hello again from Canada! It's Sunday night here and there's a whole new week ahead 🥰
I say that in hope, having pretty much missed the week that just past. My father and I have been halted in our tracks with a horrible lurgy and we've done nothing for over a week now. I've just started going out for short, gentle walks, but running has been (and still is) out of the question 😢
Coinciding with a ramp up in distances on my plan, I'm really not sure how to get myself back on track but I'm hoping to get out on Tuesday and just see what I can do. Based on how that goes, I'll juggle my plan accordingly. The weather is beautiful - dry and sunny - but very chilly, with windchill down to -15C; it's a real shame to be stuck indoors.
I think this is the first time since taking up running that I have ever had to give in to a cold. And I'm getting grumpier with each day that goes by!!!
How's your week been? I do hope you're faring better and are feeling fit and healthy - and would love to hear all about your running 😊
It was great to read so many positive replies last week about our upcoming HU events on 23rd February and 27th April - the full details are below in case you missed it! We hope to put up a proper sign up post later this week.
In the meantime, we wish you all a great week and would love to hear all your news. Remember I'm stuck here looking for something gentle to pass the time and distract me from my abandoned running shoes, so please do chat away! 🥰
From your team, Irishprincess , Beachcomber66 and me x
⭐ Main event: Sunday 27th April at 9:30am (as always, we realise the date/time might not work for everyone; so in order to give greater flexibility we will accept runs at any time on Sunday 27th April, or at any point during the following week of Monday 28th to Sunday 4th May). This time you will give the option of 10k, 10 miles, HM or Metric Marathon (26.2k). By my calculations, that gives us almost fourteen weeks to train for the main event!!!
⭐This year we will also hold an interim event as you train for the main distance. This will be held on Sunday 23rd February (again, to be flexible, we will accept runs at any time on Sunday 23rd February, or at any point during the following week of Monday 24th to Sunday 2nd Mar). This event will give the option of running 10K or 10 miles. By my calculations, that gives us almost five weeks to prepare for the interim event!!!
⭐This year we will also try to focus on strength training alongside your actual run training. There are of course lots of wonderful resources available on our sister Strength & Flex forum which you can find here healthunlocked.com/strength... , but we hope to provide some gentle nudges, encouragement and motivation (for those who think they could benefit from it) over the next few weeks.
⭐ For anyone who hasn't come across one of our events before:
In short we pick a date and invite our VRBs to cover a given distance, running or walking, wherever they choose! We nominate a date for the event, give you a selection of distances to choose from and look forward to reading your race reports. If you can set off at the nominated date and time, you have the added boost of knowing we are all on the virtual HU start line together - running on our own, but definitely not alone; if you can't make that specific date you will have another week in which to complete your distance.
How does it work?
★ If we receive enough suggestions, we will compile an event playlist based on your submissions 🎶
★ You can use any of our existing ‘HU run experiences’ using RunGo (some people liked them, others were less keen! Think pantomime version of Nike guided runs!) 😊😊😊
★ We will even make race bibs available (so long as you have a printer at home!).
★ Finally, we will of course have a winner! In the past, the winner has been the person who completed their run in the time closest to our randomly generated time (after the event closes). Maybe you have a more creative suggestion, but however we choose, we will ensure there is absolutely no requirement to run fast to win this event! 🐌🏆Do let us know if you have a more creative suggestion!
⭐ As always, this event is of course entirely free to enter and yet again, there are no t-shirts, socks, aid stations or toilet queues! No training plans or routes will be supplied! Instead, a unique HU experience, run your way 😍
If you're currently running around 5k, this may encourage you to push to 10k. If you're running at 10k, perhaps it will give you the boost to get to the magic 10 miles. Maybe it will inspire you to push to Half Marathon or even to give the Metric marathon a go in a couple of months time. If you're running beyond, perhaps you can use it as one of your speed runs! If ... well, you can use your imagination 😍
Instructions for how to enter will follow soon, but feel free to start planning your training now! We hope you’ll be eager to join in (and help make this another fun event)
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linda9389
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So sorry to hear that you and your father are feeling unwell. Hopefully, you’re both on the mend and you’ll be able to run on Tuesday.
A week or so of time off shouldn’t derail your training.
I had forgotten about the HU Event. The interim event is a great idea. I’ll have two reasons to get out there and run or force myself onto the treadmill. They’ll also fit perfectly into my training for an end if May HM.
Take care of yourself! Hope to hear about your full recovery and a run soon.
Thanks L62. Tomorrow is looking a bit doubtful, but we'll see. I daresay you're bathing chilly conditions right now too, so incentives to get out an train become even more valuable. Nice to have a real event in the books to work towards in May too. No excuses 😊
Sorry about your horrible lurgy linda9389 Hope you feel better soon.
I'm so looking forward to getting back on a plan. Running has been very light over the summer. I did run an 8 miler over the weekend & realised how much I had missed long running. Hal Higdons marathon plan( intermediate )week 1 long run starts at 8 miles, so least I know I'm ready when I'm able.
Horrible is the word RW, it really is something else (though seemingly not covid). 8 miles in the heat is a great achievement, no wonder it felt good. There will be plenty of long runs to look forward to too 🤗
So sorry that your Canada visit is being marred by illness linda9389 , but hopefully you are both over the worst of it now.
I am sure that you will be able to tweek your programme, as you have done the distance so many times before.
I manage 3 trots again last week, which of course, included parkrun. It was in Southampton, and although I’ve run there twice before, never with the 1230 people that turned up on Saturday! Going at a pace other than the pace of the herd I was surrounded by was impossible in the first km. thankfully I wasn’t right at the front. I didn’t discover that they also had pacers until after the run.
I’m struggling to run without walking breaks at the moment, maybe due to cold weather, but am not worried about it as the overall times are not as badly affected as you’d think. I’m thinking I may get Jeff Galloway’s book to see whether it might be worth me doing this on a more organised basis, rather than as hoc as it is now.
Thanks Dexy. Yes, I've done the distance before and I should have more faith, thank you for that reminder. It's so easy to lose sight of that - for me at least - to assume that if I don't complete the plan it will be impossible. Just as well, because this is lingering and lingering.Three runs a week again? You can feel quietly smug there 😊 I agree, it's surprising how little run/walking affects the overall pace; the mini rests really pay dividends when you hit the running portions. Worth taking a look at how a more formal approach may work for you. Something new, added variety, food for thought. It all helps keep running fresh.
Hi linda9389 and all VRBs Sorry to hear you and your have the lurgy 😭
I've got a yukky cold but not the flu that a lot of colleagues have had . Still, I have taken the day off work to recuperate, feeling quite sorry for myself, life is just quite overwhelming atm with juggling caring for my dad,step daughters upcoming transplant in 2 weeks, logistics of fitting everything on plus getting to work as and when I can ,it's hard . Dad has a memory test today and I'm kind of scared how it'll go. 😭
No runs at all last week,just didn't work out that way and enthusiasm out the window. Guess time out doesn't hurt. I'm feeling really tired anyway. Went and watched Kenny do a duathlon(run/cycle/run) yesterday ,they were lucky,the heavens opened after they'd finished. Its pouring down again here just now with hailstones!
Sorry for the downer with this post, just read it back and there's not much positivity. But we're amongst friends here so have to say how we feel sometimes .
Oh Ali it’s all a lot to deal with. No wonder you’re feeling under par. Sometimes life just sucks, and it seems we’ll never come out from under. We do though 💪 Once we get a better day life begins to look better. Roll on Spring 🙂🐣🐥🌷💐🌝🏃♀️
No wonder you've succumbed to the bugs Ali, you must be close to running on empty at the moment with all the demands and stress around you. Your mind and body are probably crying out for a break. I do hope you find the time to heal and rebuild your strength. There will be light at the end of the tunnel. There will be time to run and enjoy. In the meantime, look at what you have already come through and what you have already done for those around you. You can get through the next few weeks too, but first you must rest and take a little time for you. Sending hugs and hope 🤗
So sorry to hear this aliboo70 , but not at all surprised when you are being woken up regular intervals during the night and trying to juggle so many things at the same time.
I hope your step daughter’s transplant goes ahead this time as that will take so much stress from your lives.
I really hope you and your father are feeling well again soon. Definitely a time to listen to your body, but I know it won’t keep you away from running for a day longer than necessary!🙂
Thanks Sandra. Tuesday has dawned and I'm going to run something! I am desperate to feel normal again 😆 Windchill is apparently less this morning too so maybe the stars are aligning once again 🙏
Hi Linda. Touch of trouble in paradise by the sound of it. Hope the bug dissipates soon!
A run free zone for me today too ☹️. It wasn’t planned that way, but stuff just got in the way. Hoping to get out tomorrow.
My relationship with my new shoes is developing nicely. I did some intervals on Saturday; 3.95k at 6:15 pace, so getting there. I was hoping for a steady 8 to 10k this morning; just looking for a clue as to where I should pitch my Spring run. A Half would be good, but I am not going to push it.
we’ve got folks running from grizzlies in Canada, and lions at Longleat! Man it’s a jungle out there 😁
I’m falling out with my shoes at the minute. Running on filthy trails most of the time means wearing my grippiest shoes. Trouble is they’re slabs of rubber with uppers that don’t stretch. I feel I’m running flat footed all the time and my ankle is screaming at me. My Ons and Endorphin Speeds are like flippin ice skates, and I’ve been all over the place on recent road runs. Moan moan moan 😁
I’m glad you’re having fun in your new shoes. Have a good week 👍🏃♂️
Thanks misswobble! These shoes seem to be every bit as good as you said; not that I ever doubted you🙂. The soles are pretty solid; they don’t flex at all, but I am still landing forefoot first. I managed 9k this morning, without any problems. The only thing is that my pace seems to hover around 6:35 on an easy run now, which is a bit faster than normal🤷♂️. Like 7 league boots!! At the start of last year, 8k easy running was at about 7:25. Still, it will no doubt slip back a bit as distances increase.
I think it is because there is a lot less of me this January! Add to that my 5k stride length becoming embedded in longer runs instead of dropping off by 7cms or so; all thanks to CB and friends. I will have to be careful not to push too hard though.
I think the grizzlies will all be tucked up in their caves if they have any sense! Life does sometimes just get in the way doesn't it? Hope you made it out today. Your patience with the new shoes is paying off; hopefully there's a long and happy future ahead for you 😊 Aiming for a half would be a nice challenge, bearing in mind the option to go for 10 miles if it doesn't feel right. As you say, there's no need to push it. The main thing is to enjoy getting to wherever you end up 😊
Hi Linda; of course Grizzlies should be hibernating 🙄….but maybe they wake up for a mid winter snack occasionally!
I managed a 9k easy run today; a bit quick for me at 6:35 pace, but everything feels ok so 🤞🤞🤞. Two weeks ago I was thinking 10k. Now; maybe 10 miles …..I will see how it goes. 🙂
Oh Linda, that lurgy sounds awful, hopefully you'll be out enjoying the beautiful scenery again soon and if not running far at least walking. Sending a healing hug.The 10k in April sounds doable, I might have to walk some of it though, maybe a run walk for me. I'm really comfortable at 5k now
Yesterday I had pretty much written off running today, but this morning I have woken and recognise the familiar itch to run. I am taking that as a positive sign and am planning my start time and destination. It likely won't be far, but I will be glad to at least start! It's great to hear you're comfortably back at 5k, and that you have your eyes set on 10k again is just wonderful, real heartwarming news Sue. I'm so, so pleased for you 🥰
Sorry you're still suffering Linda. There’s loads around everywhere at the minute and it’s a lottery as to who will catch it 🤞 Hope you start to feel a little better as soon as.
I’m about to start week 4 of my HM plan, but I had a bit of a disaster on Sunday with my long run. My Garmin didn't get a signal (could be the Garmin or the weather or a combination) so I had to run 11.3K according to time. I stopped at one point to check out previous runs at that distance and see how long it took me, so in the end I have no idea what distance I ran! It was there or thereabouts.
One special moment though. While I stopped a little robin came up really close to me and kept hovering. I wish I had some crumbs to give him as he was clearly looking for something but it was a lovely sight on such a grim day 😊
I’m giving my Garmin a final outing tomorrow to see how it behaves as I have been able to give it a software update so that might make a difference. If it doesn't behave then I’m ordering another one as soon as I’m home!
I never bought a ticket for this lottery!!! I'm just glad my father got it first and passed it to me, rather than the other way around! This morning I have the first inkling of an itch to run. That is so, so welcome.Oooh, a naked run sounds a real challenge. I bet you ran further in the.end ... maybe your next one will be easy 😆
How did the watch go? I'd say the signs are telling you it's time to bite the bullet and replace it. The fear will soon be too much. Indeed, maybe the robin wasn't hungry after all, maybe he was there to urge you to shop 🥰
.. and yes it was AI again. I see what my son means about them all looking the same. Still, we had fun creating it. Just kept adding more to the list ... sick bunny, shoes hanging on the wall, tissue, pinks heels, with canadian maple leaves ... When sick, you have to find ways of passing the time that don't use much energy 😆
Hello Linda, I'm sorry that you have been poorly but pleased that you have had an itch to run; it sounds like you are feeling a bit better.
I had, what I only imagine was, an arthritis flare up in my left knee on 23rd December about 9pm time. Oh dear! On the morning of Christmas Eve I could not walk! I am still incredulous. It reminded me of when I broke my right knee, only for that I had a clear reason, a fall. This new experience, still causes me to shake my head in astonishment. By the end of the day I could put weight through it and gradually it has improved. I stopped running altogether for 2 weeks and now it is only run/walk for me. The amount of running before walking has increased, but still disappointing. Boo! An x-ray a while back revealed arthritis and the physiotherapist who I saw was adamant that I should continue running, saying motion is lotion. Also carry on with physio exercises. So currently I run, then change to a walk when my knee hurts. And I am being regular with the physio exercises. 3 week so far of run/walk and I have no idea how long this will continue.
I look forward to hearing that you have been able to run again. Here are some get well flowers 🌹🌸🌺🌼🌻🌷💐
Oh goodness O61, how disappointing and frustrating for you. You are doing really well pushing yourself to keep moving as you are. Have you managed to see anyone to check that it really is an arthritis flare up, and if so how long it may continue to bother you? I do hope it continues to ease and you manage to het back to the runs you enjoy.I have definturned a corner and did indeed manage a run yesterday. It set me back a little on the coughing front, but I do believe it was worth it all the same!!!
That is really bad luck >61. I have been having trouble with the sheath around my achilles. Ice after runs to reduce swelling and hot water bottle later in the day to encourage flow of synovial fluid seems to have it under control. Always something needing attention ; hope your knee sorts itself out pdq.🙂
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