Weekly Chat February 10th to 16th: let's celebrate our achievements 🎉😎☕🍪🍰

[linda9389]

Ahh, it's Monday again! Another week begins ... 😎

Facebook popped up with a memory for me yesterday - 6 years ago it seems I posted 'Today I ran my first half marathon distance - yay! .... well, when I say ran ... I have to confess to walking a few times - mud, wind and a migraine all conspired to make it hard work (and very slow). But I did the full 13.1 miles.' Funnily enough (although it wasn't all that funny), I had a migraine after my four mile run yesterday too! I was training and fundraising for LLHM, my very first HM event. Not a date or milestone I would have remembered, so thank you FB 😍

Last week I ran 10 miles for the first time in a while - I had forgotten how far and how tough 10 miles is!!! It's easy to keep seeing these distances and forget that they are significant. We should remember to take the time to acknowledge and celebrate our achievements, whatever they may; and on a regular basis too 🎉

In an attempt to make these hard runs a little easier, strength training is on my mind (if not always on my agenda). After BC's reminder last week, I committed to the NTC four week Runners Strength Programme. I have done two of the three sessions in week 1, and will finish the third today. They're short, but I'm framing this as 'small changes' being the best route to a big change. Now to publicly commit to week two 🙋‍♀️

Did you spot yesterday's sign up post for our event in two weeks? 10k or 10 miles, and now we've added a 5k option too to try to motivate anyone who has been struck by winter lurgies or bad weather, and is finding themselves behind where they hoped to be. Whatever your chosen distance, just head here to sign up: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

So, now it's over to you - what have you been up to this week? what lies ahead? We really do love to hear how it's going for you so pull up a chair, maybe grab a cuppa and a biccie or a big slab of cake, and tell us all about it 🥰

From your team:       Irishprincess ,  Beachcomber66  and me 🙂🙂🙂

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🎽Let us know about your February races here: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

🌟For a shiny new badge, let us know here: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[RunWillie Marathon]

Hi linda9389 & other VRB's,

I'm in the middle of packing up our house so I'm running but still not my usual miles. Garmin has me on recovery so least I'm not de training yet 🤣

I'll do the 10k for the event. Thank you to you and the team for organising .

Happy week everyone ❤️

Today's run

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Packing up a house is a major job!We will deem that to be constructive cross training.

Note to self; major declutter needed! Oh, you have clouds sometimes!! Good day for a run?🙂

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I'm ready to chuck out everything. 5 kiddos & 2 dogs 🤣I've already decided on no gym this week. Packing boxes is enough of a workout. I will run, though, to keep me sane. It's been really humid, so it was still hot 🥵

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

That sounds like very hard work. At least you have retained your sense of humour! Getting in a run is exactly what you need. How long before removal day?

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

11 sleeps 😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Exciting and exhausting!! Only one more weekly chat to go …..🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

... or no-sleeps !!! 🤗

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

🤣

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Oh goodness, that must be a massive job with five children in tow too! I can't imagine the stress involved in that! Wishing all the very best.The photo makes it look a little cooler RW - those runs will be very pleasant when you can squeeze them in.

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks linda9389 I'm so looking forward to getting back to long runs once we're settled. 😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

New ones too! Exciting!!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Morning pals! My achievements? The fact I run at all. More often than not I’m trundling away happily by myself, either because I’m doing a solo run, or I’m towards the back of the pack at PR or a race, but know what? I love it! I watch the fast ones in total awe, no envy, just admiration.

For me it’s joyous, it’s therapeutic, it’s the bling, it’s meeting up with the wonderful friends I’ve made on HU. It’s the laughs, the pride, the incredulity that I can run a HM without stopping.

My miles have been curtailed this winter too. Oooohh the weather has been hideous, but I feel spring in the air (let’s forget about the fact we’ll be grumbling about the heat and humidity soon), but still I trundle on.

This is the start of bling collecting season. Bring it on! 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I love this cheeky! And agree with so much of it too. Not sure about the 'spring is in the air bit though' - not a lot of evidence of that here, weather wise at least!But, let bling collecting begin !!!! 🥰

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Last year it didn’t stop raining up here until June! 🤞🤞🤞

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I'm not going to like this!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Oops, was that a bit down beat? 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You have always been a joyful runner cheeky! You found your happy pace early on, and 🤞🤞🤞🤞 you are the most niggle proof runner I know. Long may that continue

Emoji

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you Beachcomber66 ! I’ve been uber fortunate with my nigglelessness (touch wood!) Pure luck as I’m a serial zero stretches pre and post run kind of person, and I only do a 5 minute warmup walk if that. 3 minutes sometimes (zero has happened too!) 😂😂

But I don’t over exert myself, as you’re well aware. If I cared about PBs and the like, no doubt I’d have visited the IC too!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Too sensible for that 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Where did that giant emoji come from!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Love it!!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

🤷‍♂️

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Whaaaat? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

oops 🫢

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Good morning Linda. Migraines are the pits; you have my deepest sympathy. It’s a while since I had one; they happen to me rarely, but when they do, I get extreme photosensitivity, and sometimes I have those scary hemiplegic ones. Retirement largely put paid to them, but emotional upset can still provoke an episode! We sensitive types 🙄.

I only have a bad cold today(not covid; I have checked) and lower back pain. Not the best start to the week!

On the positive side, well done on your exercises. I have been good too; The10 minute HIT Stability blast and 20 minute restorative yoga are regulars with the 30 minute yoga evening wind down occasionally appearing and, before every run, the 10 minute runners warm up. They have all had a positive impact on my running since I started them 6 months ago.

It should be my long run day today, but I am helping out a friend who is trying to get a ceiling leak at church fixed. The engineer supposedly fixed it last week, but it has reappeared and is worse if anything…..so my 10k+ may have to be tomorrow! I know nothing about plumbing, but I am strong on moral support!

Enjoy your week everyone! 🧘🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I have so many triggers for migraine. Stress is a major one, but hormones, light, lack of sleep and cold play a big part. The worst thing though is that running also seems to be a trigger - a high proportion of my migraines these days are after a run. Running itself is not enough, but throw in one or more triggers and running will tip it over the edge. I hate them!My daughter had a dreadful incident which they eventually decided was probably a severe hemiplegic migraine - it took weeks and weeks before the feeling in her leg, arm and face fully returned.

I'm sorry about the cold and back - neither are friends you want to take on a long run, so maybe a bit of plumbing support is a better option. Hopefully tomorrow you will feel a bit better and enjoy it more.

I've done the 6 min runners warm up several times this week - will look out for the 10 minute one 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Just checked; the one I do is supposed to be 7 minutes!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I'll look out for it, thanks

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Stress, lack of sleep, emotional upset, flickering sunlight through trees or paling fence, theatre lights….when I have a migraine, my eyes pick up tiny sources of light shining off jewellery…rings or necklaces and it makes me flinch. I remember watching the musical Chess in a theatre with my head buried in the programme ! We sensitive souls 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Indeed!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Hi linda9389 and all VRBs ! The start of a new week!

Still lots of stress here and I was keeping an eye out on Dad quite a lot of the weekend in between Kenny packing for his daughters operation this week🤞(they headed off last night) thought I'd do something positive yesterday so took my run gear to Dad's and headed out once he was busy having his dinner! Said I'd be around an hr, had route in my head ,mostly quiet pretty countryside lanes. And I made it round ,ran the whole thing including the hills so came back feeling accomplished. This was only my 2nd run in nearly 3 weeks so has made me feel more positive ,though I'm a bit achy today!

I guess while they're away I'll maybe have time for a few more runs. Feeling lucky that my sister (who is much more organised and unflappable than me) is really good with my Dad , glad to have her sorting lots of practical stuff and realising that I get pretty emotionally drained,I've always been a sensitive soul and the past few months are taking their toll 😭.

Hope you all have a good week xxx

Elevation chart

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

I’m liking this post, not because of what you are going through at the moment, but because you managed to get out for a run. You have so much on your plate at the moment and it so important that you get some time for you, and that run was it.

All the best for K’s daughter’s op. I hope this will be one thing that takes some of the burden away, and she gets to live a more normal life without regular trips to hospital.

Sending big hugs across the Solent.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thankyou for your good wishes Dexy5 , keep your fingers crossed, she has a bit of a cold , hoping that doesn't effect whether it can go ahead 🤞hope you feel better soon xxx

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

It's been cancelled 😭xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

Oh no, I am so sorry for you all. The anticipation, and then the let down you must all experience. Fingers crossed for third time lucky. Thinking of you and sending hugs. 🤗

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thankyou Dexy5 and linda9389 , it's really gutting 😭xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Do you know yet how long she will have to wait?

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

April now! 😪

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Oh goodness. That's must feel like such a long time away. I feel so much for you all xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Oh no, Ali. What a terrible roller coaster you're on. I can't imagine the disappointment xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Ohh, that was a tough run Ali! I bet it was nice though to get out of your head a bit and concentrate on your legs. You're having a really tough gig right now; it's good to hear you're benefitting from a bit of family support though as it's so easy to get sucked in and dragged down when you are as close to everything as you are. Being sensitive magnifies everything too.

Good to hear that Kenny's daughter's op looks to be going ahead. Hopefully, after a period of healing, that will alleviate some of the pressure on you all - a little light at the end of what has been a very long, dark tunnel. Hang in their Ali, there will be brighter days ahead. Keep running when you can ❤️

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thankyou linda9389 , fingers crossed all goes ahead! Thanks for your good wishes xxx and well done on your 10 miles too!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It's been cancelled 😭xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

💙

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

You and your family are really going through the mill Aliboo. You are all managing things superbly, and having a release valve through bit of run time is very important. Hope the op goes really well. 🤗

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It's been cancelled 😭xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

NO!!!!!!!! That is nothing less than cruel Ali. I am so sorry. If this is about hospital resources (as opposed to a valid medical reason) they have to tell Kenny what they are going to do prioritise a new appointment and make sure they stick to it. I don’t do angry, but they need to feel how upset everyone is. 🤗🤗🤗

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It's cos she has picked up a cold before she came to us sadly and they can't risk it 😭she has no immunity so catches everything really easily 😔 xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

So stressful for you all. Just hoping for an early appointment for her.

[Cmoi Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Really sorry that's the way it turned out aliboo70 xx

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Congratulations on your HM anniversary Linda, and how many have you done since that first one? Loads! I think my most emotional running moment was crossing the line at my first Great South Run. I cried because of the enormity of it. I really did not think I was capable of running a parkrun, let alone 10 miles before I started c25k!

It has to be said, the last 3 days have been particularly awful with high and low temperatures and a Kleenex constantly in my hand ready for the next sneeze or blowing my nose. It was so exhausting. But I have woken up this morning, after a good nights sleep, feeling so much better. Although I am still in bed at 10.00 drinking a cup of tea UTS brought me, so anything could happen once I’m vertical again.

So last week I managed just an easy 4k run along the prom on Wednesday, before my cold descended. I think it will be a few days before I get out again, but I will try and get some exercises done in the warmth of home.

Keep healthy everyone.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Oh I do feel for you Dexy. All I can say is, this too will pass!I remember my first GSR finish line - it was a whole lot less positive than yours, but happily the last two have been much happier! I have my entry for the next one, and a hotel, but whether I'll actually make it will depend on my daughter's wedding plan progress and just when more distant family begin to descend on us!

I hope you feel much better soon and are back pounding the promenade as you should be. Take care 🥰

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda, I know you also had a horrible cold in Canada.

Ooh a wedding sounds exciting Mother of the Bride. GSRs will be here every year (except in a named storm) but your daughter’s wedding will be oh so special.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

That's very true Dexy, but I'm greedy and if I can have both I will 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I am struggling to think of a stand out running moment! There are lots of things that I have really enjoyed, particularly meeting up with people, but in terms of achieving new distances or pbs, the build up is so structured that the first or fastest 10k or 10 mile or HM run has an inevitability about it. I am just grateful for the past nearly 7 years of running which seemed an impossibility when I started, and for everyone I have met, actually or virtually along the way.

Now, your daughter’s wedding….that is a really big deal 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It's certainly something lovely to look forward to. Thankfully it's after Cardiff half so shouldn't interfere with any training plan 😍I have a few special memories - if I had to pick one, it would probably be completing my first HM race, LLHM, with my son. But there are lots of contenders for second place 🤔

In general I am inordinately glad I found running for the huge number of positives it has brought to my life 🥰

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I think that says it all Linda 🙂

[Sax64]

Yay, back running, albeit gently. On our one sunny day, we decided to drive to a fab park not too far away, and ran / walked some paths and tracks. The tiny fluorescent blob in the distance is MrSax64. It was good for the soul 😎. My cold is gone, my knee feels so much better and I may try to return to my regular running and exercise routine now. Happy Running 🏃‍♀️ 🏃

Sunny run

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Sax64]

That's really good news! Runs like that are the best!!! But how did you let him get so far ahead ? 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sax64]

Welcome back to the piste Sax64! Struggling with a bit of a niggle myself at the moment; physio booked and I am not planning to run far! Exploratory run planned for today, so 🤞🤞. How quickly the picture can change, everything is ok 🙂 then suddenly ☹️ with sometimes a bit of 🤧 and finally, hopefully it’s 🥳 time again. We just have to learn to be sensible.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oh no, again? Something new or a recurrence?

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I have had some intermittent lower back pain for a while(before Christmas); it mainly showed when leaning forward to clean up Molly’s paws after long muddy walks. Physio found a trigger point in my QL muscle, gave it the treatment😳 and I hoped that it was fixed! It had never troubled me when running …..until Tuesday when 10k became 3k. Off for another trot today to see if it was a one off. I felt pain every time I put my right foot down. 5k target today …and lots of coffee to follow!!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It ended up at 8.15k at 6:38 pace so not too shabby. A garmin timed run. I was flagging a bit towards the end, but my AHR was fine which is good considering I have had a rotten cold! 🤞 this means there is no issue with my hip. You know how annoying they can be! 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

That's more promising BC. Phew!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I was surprised and relieved. That still leaves the back issue to deal with but if I can run,I can put up with a lot.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

So many of my injuries are like that (with the notable exception of the stress fracture) - they'd not be a problem in normal life ... except normal life these days is running!!!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yep! In a nutshell…..

[Sax64 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Sorry to hear you're struggling again. It's so annoying and really difficult to be sensible. I tried a pilates session this morning, knee friendly it said. I did do 4 pelvic curls before I decided I needed to stop before I undid all the recovery achieved so far. At least it is improving, which is great. Sensible it is then...

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sax64]

Pre rehab exercises next 🙄! You are on the right track.👏👏👏👏👏

[Sax64]

Ha, trying to keep up is definitely a recipe for injury. I learned that the hard way before I signed up to C25K!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Sax64]

😍😍😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Sax64]

Yes, same with me and UptheStanley. 😂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sax64]

I find yin yoga a good gentle starter when I am protecting an injury. It offers flexibility minus much of the force of other forms; supposed to be targeted at softening off connective tissues.

[Sax64 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks for the recommendation. I've not done yoga, although it seems a popular activity here on HU. Do you go to a class or perhaps follow a session online?

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sax64]

I use the Nike Training Club app, but there are lots of them out there. I think quite a few runners do yoga with Adriene on you-tube.