WEEKLY CHAT 24TH FEBRUARY - 2ND MARCH 🫖☕️

[Irishprincess]

The cross-over week from winter to spring! 💐 Or, depending where we live, from summer to autumn? 🍁 Are we looking forward to it? What are you looking forward to and what parts of the new season may be a challenge running-wise?

In case you might have missed it, our HU Event took place yesterday. How did it go? I’m just about to sit down with a pot of tea and start reading all the reports. Keep them coming! We love to read all about your runs and there appear to be a lot of them going on at the minute 😊

If you don’t want to put up a separate post then feel free to give us a little update in the replies here.

Even if you didn’t participate in the event then this is the place for a chat to tell us what’s going on in your running life. By the way, there’s still time to join in with the Main Event on 27 April, details here:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

I did my 10K along with 25,000 others yesterday at the London Winter Run. The run itself was a bit of a mixture for me for reasons I’ll put in a separate post. But the best thing was meeting up with    cheekychipmunks who I’d met before, and her lovely husband, and also meeting for the first time two of our superheroes,    TailChaser and    Katnap . We had a pasta/pizza meal the night before which set us up nicely for the 10K the next day. What a lovely experience and full of good memories 🥰

Now, I’m off to start reading these reports 🫖 and may be a while 😊

We hope you all have a happy, healthy, injury-free week.

From your team,    linda9389 ,    Beachcomber66 and me xxx

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For events in March: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

For a new badge: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Cantstopmenow Half Marathon]

I hope it's a big pot of tea IP! It was a great idea to have a warm up event as it's given me a chance to think about my training habits. More strength work, swimming, stretches and drinking more water are needed in my case. Looking forward to your run report. The photo is lovely. Have a good week everyone 🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cantstopmenow]

I know what you mean. I need to up my strength work and drink more water. I find it a lot more difficult to drink water in the winter.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I did a lot of resting yesterday once I'd done my HU run. It was a big help knowing it wasn't just me out there, so a massive thankyou to everyone who joined in. Like you IP, I love hearing all about the different runs and look forward to your LWR report.I've already written about my adventures this week - and I'm counting that debacle as crosstraining ticked off for last week! The great news for this wek is that this morning - despite 20k yesterday - my legs feel better than for days and days. I really did focus on my stretches yesterday!!!

Not wishing to jinx anything, my hip/quad issue is very quiet, even after the 20k; I'm going to stick with the squash ball massage because I really think it's making a difference. Two weeks now to my race, fingers crossed the next hike doesn't scupper things.

Have a great week everyone xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

That all sounds very positive Linda and such great news about your hip 🤞 The massage and stretching must be making a difference.

I’ve been doing a few new stretches recently as I had been bothered by tightness in my hip flexors and no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of it. But, a sideways stretch across a ball did the trick 😊Easy but effective.

I’m working my way through all the posts so I have yet to read yours about your run yesterday, but it sounds amazing 🍿

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Hi IP! I’m still glowing from the weekend. It was such fun. 🥰 I’m meant to be working, but I can’t help myself coming on here!

My HU virtual event doubled up as the London Winter Run of course, and I can say with a fair amount of smugness (and a whole bunch of “I told you so” from people who already swear by strength and cross training), that it went really well. No aches or pains, and I really could have run on with no problem. Lucky really, as my next race is a HM, so I’ll need to! 😅

Hunger is the name of the game today though. 😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I have yet to read your post Munks but it was fun wasn’t it?

My best HMs have been due to good regular strength exercises so I’m with you on that.

What can we eat next…? 😋

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Just raided the cupboard for Hula Hoops Irishprincess …. They should be banned from my house 😅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I ate my crisps at Swindon station and the chap sitting opposite me gave me weird looks because I think I was making a bit of noise … num yum 😋😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I’m the same. Crisps make me literally stuff my face IP! 🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I am still not out of the house for my hoped for(rather than planned) 10k this morning. All exercises and stretches done, water bottle filled and in place; just my shoes to put on..oh, wait a minute, my phone is at 14% 🤬 ……. Molly is lying on the kitchen floor, pretending to be asleep with her “ I know where you are going (without me!) and I am not speaking ….” look on her face…but there is a slightly smug dimension there too! Nothing that a couple of sausages won’t fix! So; I may be some time …………Looking forward to your report on yesterday🙂.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Haha there’s always something that can hold us back BC. No doubt Molly will keep you on the right path 😍

Enjoy your run and I look forward to hearing all about it.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Ok, I am back, in one piece and the longer I ran the better I felt. I was greeted at the door by Molly, tail wagging, hopping around happily; nothing to do with the two gravy bones I always give her to sweeten my return! Oh, it was time for her medicine too…administered via a “pig in blanket”! 🐶

I set out to keep the pace down a bit; this was in part a rehab run and just one more step in building up distance after a period affected by niggles and last week’s incident. My time was 1:08:15(Elapsed) which was “satisfactory” given the hill at the end, the wind in my face over chunks of the return leg, a shoe lace coming undone, water bottle holder refusing to fasten on the run, lots of people and dogs as I neared the welcome of the cafe, and a driver who refused to leave me room to continue running!!That may be a record number of excuses 🙂. Actually, I think it was what my legs needed.Now, a cup of decaf with Mrs BC, shower, and then Molly walk…..no rest for the wicked.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

That is a great run BC! You overcame the obstacles and still made a nice number at the end 😊

Talking of “pigs in blankets” has made my tummy grumble 😋

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I still have an idea of running a sub 60 minute 10k “one day” but it maybe doesn’t work within a long distance plan. I would need to be running regular sub 30 5ks first, which means getting up at 7 am on a Saturday to run Park Runs … 🤔

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

That’s a grand plan BC but I don’t fancy getting up so early either 😴

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Maybe when the weather warms up…..maybe 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Flossie gets twice daily “ham sandwiches” Beachcomber66 . A teaspoon of cream cheese with the tablet poked in, wrapped in ham. Works a treat! Thing is, the cats have got wind of this ritual and demand some ham too! Feeding time at the zoo! 🐕 🐈‍⬛ 🐈

Well done on your run, sounds like a win! 👏👏👏

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

They are so clever aren’t they? Master’s Degrees in emotional manipulation 🙂

[RunWillie Marathon]

I'm so looking forward to Autumn. It's my favourite time to run. I was planning to start my marathon plan next week, but it's still so hot here. We've now moved & we are so close to the ocean. Our no.1 son took himself off for an afternoon swim after school. Dogs are very happy to have the beach on our doorstep.Well done on your 10k Irishprincess & what fun to have a meet-up with cheekychipmunks & TailChaser & Katnap

Happy week, everyone! 😍

Today's 10km 🥵

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

I know your summers can get really hot so no wonder you are looking forward to cooler days.

That scene looks gorgeous and the sky looks like it’s from a painting 😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Hello Irishprincess , I posted my virtual 5k report yesterday so I won’t repeat myself on that. It sounds like you had a wonderful time in London meeting up with running buddies. They are a lovely group aren’t they?

Thanks to everyone who sent best wishes to UpTheStanley . He had his eye op this morning and everything went well. There is some discomfort but that is as expected . I am sure he will be going stir crazy with no gym work or running for 3 weeks, but it will definitely be worth it.

it looks like we will be getting a bit of sunshine this week so I hope to get out to enjoy a run or two.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Has UTS noticed a difference straight away? I’ve heard that is the case mostly.

A sunny day here so hopefully you have the same 😎

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

He was wearing an eye patch for 24 hours and now every night for a week, and having 2 sets of eye drops 4 times a day , so it’s difficult to tell straight away. His eyes are very watery too. But the discomfort has gone and we went out for a walk in the lovely sunshine today, which was nice. He has to wear sunglasses as his eyes are still sensitive, but he felt that he could see the Isle of Wight clearer and has no trouble reading car number plates at quite a distance. They say it can take 3 weeks to see the full benefits. He hasn’t said I look older now he can see me properly, so that’s a relief.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

😀😀😀

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

That would be a shortcut to a relapse, aka a shiner!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

😂😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

😂 😍 True love 😍

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Hope he recovers well Dexy5 😘xxx

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to aliboo70]

All good so far aliboo70 thank you.

[RunByTheSea64]

For the HU event I've just done my 5km which was actually 5.3km (just to be a nuisance) which took 40.49. Do I need to do a calculation to submit correctly?! 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunByTheSea64]

Well done 👍ooh that’s a good question. It’s so little over the 5K and the winning time is selected at random…. linda9389 what do you think?

[RunByTheSea64 in reply to Irishprincess]

For the record, I'm easy either way 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunByTheSea64]

I'll pro rata it, or thereabouts 😍

I get 38:30 but if you want to change that, just say 😊

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to RunByTheSea64]

If you used a tracker you shoul be able to see your time for each km, so you can check what 5k would have been.

[RunByTheSea64 in reply to Dexy5]

Of course! That makes it 38.18 but I'm not too concerned 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

🕵️ Excellent work Holmes !

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Well, that is me discharged by my physio as “fit for action”! Yet another daily exercise to keep things flexible, but otherwise I can run with the brakes off! She is such a star. QL muscle and glute knots can be quite painful when pressed; she did have to remind me to breathe once or twice in this session! All in a good cause though. Next job; build up to 10 miles 🤞

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Sounds like you are a very obedient patient Beachcomber66 . I’m glad your are fit to go again, just as the brighter weather returns.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Hi Dexy; thanks. I think the timing is immaculate. She does all the hard work; doing as I am told is pretty easy ( not my strongest suit in other spheres! 🙂). My following up with home exercises ,as instructed, just makes sense; I have been through this process with her with different injuries on numerous occasions, and I know that if I follow instructions the outcome will be good. So lucky to have found her six years ago. 🌟

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

That's good news! 😊xxx

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks aliboo; I hope you have good news soon too.🙂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

That’s great news BC 👍 I’m sure you're much relieved. Breathing is good I’m told 😊

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

🙂 It is the same with yoga; always reminding me to breathe! I must try it (breathing) more often👍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

The weather was so bright and clear this morning that I decided to bring forward my Saturday morning speed run. This was a Speed-Durance Run with Sally McRae, plus a bit added in for luck! It comprised a warm up 1k, then 2 minute Intervals with a 10 minute tempo run sandwiched in between. I made 6.00k at 6.10 pace which felt pretty good. If I can make 13k on Monday, I will feel as though I am well on my way back to normal and ready to build up distance. One step at a time though!🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

It was so great to see blue sky and sun today 😎

That all sounds promising, enjoy your run on Monday 🏃‍♂️

[TailChaser Marathon]

Sorry IP, I had a ridiculously busy week and the weekend really caught up with me on Wednesday when I got home from work and just slept for about 10 hours! Not been able to do much HUing this week 😭 The joys of full time work and marathon training in your late 50s 😅

It was sooooooo nice to meet you at last! I hope you had a wonderful run! As you can see from the photo, we met up with loads of people on Sunday! That was the first of two group photos and then there was another one in the pub afterwards. I love this running lark, I’ve got to meet so many lovely people, and to meet up with you, cheekychipmunks , Mr cheeky, Time_Lord and her friend, and then all this lot, was absolutely amazing!! Whatever race I do now, I nearly always know or recognise someone.

Now to hunt down yours and everyone’s run reports! Hope you’ve all had a lovely week!

Fordy Running Club group photo before the London Winter 10k

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

It was so lovely to meet you and Katnap after all this time on the forum “chatting.”

No wonder you slept for 10 hours! You are like a Duracell bunny and even they need a little rest now and again, if only to change the batteries 🐇😂😍

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

😂😂😂

[Joster Half Marathon]

Hello Princess! I did my interim event on Thursday, in the end (Wednesday was a total washout here!). I've not done a separate report, so just checking in here.

Was just about getting the distance done, took my fella 🐾🐾🐾 with me for moral support and we trotted nicely round our route. Longest run for me since the HU event last May, so those double digits felt good!

Has motivated me to press on with the my training plan - aiming to get under the hour, if I can, but if I can't then no matter. Just great to have a target!

Well done to everyone else, and all the Winter Runners!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Joster]

Excellent! Do you have a time for us please Joster ?

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Sorry 1:01:49

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Joster]

Many thanks 😊

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

Great stuff! Well done. And how lovely to have some company too 😍

What time did you do it in so we can add it to our spreadsheet?

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

1:01:49. Sorry, forgot in all the excitement of getting round! 🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Joster]

😂😂