WEEKLY CHAT 14-20 APRIL ☕️🫖🛋️ Hanging loose 😎

[Irishprincess]

Hello running people. What’s new? Let us know your news in the comments and tell us how it’s all going. How’s the training going for the BIG HU event? On track?Off track? Somewhere in between? Wherever you are in the scheme of things and whatever happens at the end we’re going to have fun, aren’t we?

I’m a bit tired this morning as I stayed up until the wee hours watching the Masters (for non-golfies this is a BIG golf tournament). My fellow countryman, Rory McIlroy, won after trying seventeen times to do so. It was emotional, a rollercoaster of viewing because he played superbly at times and then really badly at other times. It was pure golfing theatre. But, in the end, it showed how persistence, tenacity and self-belief (as well as a lot of talent!) won the day. Something we can all appreciate 😊

Anyway, before I fall asleep, let’s chat about running 🥰

For the first time in a long time I’m not running to a training plan. I’ve got a HM scheduled for the HU event but that distance might not happen. Our social life has been crazily busy recently and so I haven’t been able to run consistently or get many long runs done. Having said that, I did a lovely 18K last week but my knee gave me a bit of grief at 14K so I need to keep an eye on that now. I know it’s the gardening thing again that’s caused it. The weather has been so gorgeous that I just had to get out up close and personal with my plants and chat to them about how beautiful they were and how much I missed them 🥰 It’s a constant balancing act between my gardening and my running but I adore both so will keep the balancing for as long as I can 🤞

Yesterday we got back home at lunch time after a weekend away (this social thing again 😊) and I really needed to run. So I got changed and headed out with no distance in mind and no plan of what route to take. And what a joy that turned out to be! My first decision was to go off-road and onto a forest path. I took off my sunglasses so that I could keep a closer eye on the numerous tree roots and lumps of hard mud. I didn’t fancy falling on that as it would probably hurt! But I had so much fun. I stopped to walk in a few places where the ground was just too uneven; I took photos without stopping my Garmin; I stopped to look more closely at the beautiful Ground Anemones hidden at the foot of a tree; I spied the first Bluebells making their way through the ground. I didn’t care about the time or the distance. My mind was blank and I wasn’t even thinking of my knee. It was glorious! I even stopped to chat to some neighbours on my way back to the village and then carried on with the run.

And get this! I was so chilled that I didn’t round up and stopped the Garmin at 7.87 😂 So unlike me but there you go. I really must do more runs like this.

That’s about it from me. Over to you my friends. Tell us your news and how it’s all going.

We hope, whatever you do, you have a great week and that life will treat you well.

From your team, linda9389 , Beachcomber66 and me xxx

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For Events in April head here: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

For May events: healthunlocked.com/marathon...

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

[RunWillie Marathon]

Hi Irishprincess & other VRB's,

I'm supposed to be on week 6 of a Marathon plan, but week 5 certainly did not go to plan. I only did 3 runs out of 5 & had to cut my long run short by 2 miles. Boys are on school holidays & I'm still not feeling 100% so will probably come off plan for a couple of weeks. I should be ok to run the HM as I've done a couple of 10 mile runs recently. Glad I didn't commit to the metric or an actual marathon else I would be in trouble. This years running in terms of overall distance compared to last year has not been good. Although I was thinking this morning that I never thought I would run 5k so I really should be more grateful for what I can do.

Happy week, everyone! ❤️

Today's run

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Sorry you're still not feeling 100% RW but a good idea to step back a bit and take things easier for a few weeks. Hopefully that will bring some benefit and you’ll be back on track again 😊

I think most of us are hard on ourselves and sometimes we forget just what we have achieved since that first run! It’s good to remind ourselves 😊

Those blues are stunning!

[GTFC Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

You're doing the right thing RunWillie because you'll allow yourself to come back stronger by taking things steadier now 💪

[RiceAndPeas Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Hope you are back to your best soon. It can be so frustrating when plans get derailed. "I never thought I would run 5k so I really should be more grateful for what I can do."

Love this response to it though, I shall remember this pearl of wisdom!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Good morning IP, oh your run sounds idyllic 😍 The best sort. Gosh you must have been relaxed not to pause your Garmin or round the distance up! 🙏 Be careful in that dangerous garden of yours though!

Oh the Masters was epic! I was so rooting for Rory and couldn’t watch lots of the time. Brilliant that he managed it in the end. 😍

I’m very much looking forward to the HU event. Nothing new with my training though, as there hasn’t been any yet again. Just PR since Monsal Trail, oh and a tiny 3k run/walk yesterday. Both were lovely.

PR was a fun mini meetup at Eastville with   SueAppleRun and   Mudita11 and my 3k yesterday was joyous as I visited the common with Flossie for the first time since her injury in October. Took it super carefully, walking to let her catch me up (don’t want to encourage too much doggie running), and whenever we encountered dogs I popped her on the lead. So whilst it was slow as they come, it was fantastic and we both had fun. A nice change of scenery for her after months of using the fields behind our house. I’m sure she recognised some smells (dogs can recall past smells for ages by all accounts 🥰)

I’m hoping to run at the gym tomorrow, do circuits on Wednesday and run on Thursday morning too as I don’t have my guitar lesson or choir. I’m clutching at training straws I know, but I’ll get the MM job done somehow. 😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I know! I watched some shots between my fingers 🙈 I said to MR IP that it was like watching Game of Thrones but obviously for different reasons 😂

I just don’tknow how you manage these long runs with no or little training Munks. I know I couldn’t manage it and my body would fall apart. But I also know how much the lure of the bling motivates you so I look forward to reading all about your epic MM! 🍿

Such good news about Flossie. I’m sure she was as excited as you about it all 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I was an absolute nervous wreck! Much as I like Justin Rose and if it had been against anyone else I’d have wanted him to win, Rory has been through the wringer and absolutely deserved that victory. He did it! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Oh I don’t know either IP, but you’ve seen me mince and I really don’t exert myself much! 😅 As it is, my running style is so low key, I’m able to Duracell Bunny it out! 🐇 Not very orthodox eh? 🫣 The bling is non negotiable though! Without it I’d be back on that couch with intravenous crisps! 😂

Flossie loved her old route on the common. It’s bluebell season in the next few weeks up there (mid-late May) so we can go up there more 🥰

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

And we’ve got the Ryder Cup this year 🍿talking of which, I love the idea of intravenous crisps! Munch munch 😋

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Love the Ryder Cup! Love how raucous it is! 📣🎉😅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I know! I usually don't move from the sofa for the four days 🍿so I’d better have the training for Cardiff more or less done by then 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

😂😂😂

[GTFC Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You certainly will cheekychipmunks because you've got that grit, determination and magic in you. Keep on keeping on 😁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thanks GTFC , that I can do! 😀

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Hi    Irishprincess , we were also watching the last few holes of the Masters , going to bed well after 01:30. We’ve had a good lie-in this morning. We don’t have a regular subscription to sky sports, but I’d bought a month subscription to watch the tennis at Indian Wells. It occurred to me that the golf might be on there while UTS was watching the comments on the BBC app. So from 10.00 we were gripped. Thank goodness we didn’t realise earlier, the whole weekend would have been a write off. 😂. We’d already watched the Billy Jean King Cup. So glad to see Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy in the top two, and so pleased that Rory got the green jacket. So very emotional. Augusta is such a beautiful course too, with lots of birds singing.

Back to running. 😂. Following an epic cycle ride the day after our race last week, I then managed a short recovery run with wooden legs during the week. Then it was parkrun on Saturday, which was head on breeze one way and hot on the way back. Vest and shorts would have been preferable. A lot of jeffing was involved but not a bad time.

My plan this week is for a short run today and a longer 10-11k on Thursday. 🤞

Happy running everyone.

PS Beautiful pictures 😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Mr IP watches lots of sport having played so much when he was younger so we have all the sports channels. I couldn’t believe we had to go to a playoff! By that stage my nerves were shredded 😳 But such great viewing. And we have the Ryder Cup to look forward to. Can’t wait for that as I’m sure we’ll have a great team 🍿

An epic cycle ride will work wonders for your running legs so, no doubt, you’ll have a great longer run this week. Have fun 🏃‍♀️

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to Irishprincess]

I had to hit the Baileys to will Rory on. 🤪 and calm my nerves.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

The hard stuff 🤣

[GTFC Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Good luck for your upcoming long run Dexy5 we'll be rooting for you.

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to GTFC]

That’s what keeps me going GFTC!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Hi IP. My watch told me that I hadn’t had enough sleep but I was ok for some exercise! That didn’t fill me with confidence; today is long run day. I set off with something more than ten miles in mind, maybe a HM, but I was on high alert for my slightly bashed up right knee complaining. In the end my knee/ leg let me know that they had had enough, so I called it a day at 18k. I have missed one long run on my programme and my daily exercises were limited last week; this week I will get those stretches and strength sessions underway again. I think I will aim for a HM next Monday, then leave the 26.2k for the 27th. I am far from confident that I will make it; but maybe the strengthening will help.

My late night? Watching the golf of course! I was both pleased and relieved for Rory; another near miss would have been hard for him ( and everyone watching) to take, but Justin Rose had a brilliant last round and will be disappointed to have missed out. A great final day, but not the best prelude to a long run morning!

[GTFC Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Awesome distance Beachcomber66 and you are absolutely doing the right thing by managing and maintaining. Right behind you buddy

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thanks GTFC! I made 23.2k a couple of weeks ago, then crash! Just have to get up and get on with it. I think the chance of a 26.2k on 27th April is about 50/50 . Stupid tree roots!!

[RiceAndPeas Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I'd call missing only one long run on your programme a big win. I'll be confident on your behalf that you'll manage the metric marathon. 😃

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RiceAndPeas]

Thanks R&P ; roles reversed this time 🙂. Today’s run showed me that the knee I injured was distinctly unhappy once I hit 18k. I will work on it and run 10 k or so midweek. Saturday will be a sub 30 minute Park Run, and then I will set off slowly on Monday to find out how far my legs want to carry me. Just made a really nice steak with mushroom and Dijon mustard sauce plus greens and potatoes. Should replace a few lost calories.😋

[RiceAndPeas Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Haha, yes a bit of a role reversal. 😃 With top quality food like steak and mushrooms with veg, spuds and Dijon mustard you're knee will be fully reinvigorated when you call on it to carry out your wishes. I'm cheering for you!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RiceAndPeas]

🙂 much appreciated.👍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

You set out with more than than 10 miles in mind and you got to 18K. Well, that’s a pretty good result BC 👍

Do you think you need the HM next week? Maybe another 10 miles or so and then you’ll have a good rest.

I did something in the garden yesterday that my back doesn’t like so it’s grumbling a bit this morning. No gardening for a while now to let things settle.

Justin Rose played a brilliant game and I felt for him when, yet again, he didn't win. But I’m sure his time will come.

Let’s take care of our bodies BC and hopefully the next week will settle things down for us 🤞

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Backs are really complicated things. I had real problems after Christmas; just simple things, like bending over to wash Molly’s paws after a walk, were really painful, and I couldn’t get anywhere near touching my toes from a standing position. Enter my physio with her magic wand; worked some trigger points on my right QL muscle and a touch of piriformis trouble; bish bash bosh….all gone! I really thought I was going to be like that for life.

My thinking around trying a HM next Monday is trying to build up 26.2 in stages. I did 23.2k a couple of weeks back, but it seems like a really long time ago! I will see how things go this week. A more sensible assessment is that yesterday’s problem was more likely the effects of the fall rather than reduced fitness. 🤞

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

You do have a magician in your physio BC! Will she travel? 🤣

My back issues come from a very inflexible tailbone. Apparently our tailbones are supposed to be mobile and mine is rigid.

You are a sensible runner so you will make the right decision 😊

[GTFC Marathon]

Love the 7.87...it's the way to go!! Well on Wednesday my lovely new wife Tasha99 and I head to Slovenia for our honeymoon. We look forward to running out there as well as doing lots of other activities that take our fancy 😀 We can't wait to get there and hopefully...mark Tasha's 250th Parkrun in neighbouring Austria on the Saturday. It'd be a wonderful thing to do and we're both going to try and make it happen ❤️

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Oh wow, yes of course, your honeymoon GTFC and Tasha99 ! You are sure to have the best time, and to celebrate the big 250 whilst away will make it even more memorable! Exciting. 🥰🥰🥰

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Have a wonderful break, both of you 🙂.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Oh, have a wonderful time away both of you ❤️ Enjoy your running and making memories.

[Sax64]

My training has fallen off a cliff! My foot is still causing problems (probably a plantar plate tear) and I've reduced my running considerably to no more than 30 minutes 3× week, sometimes less. So it's looking less and less likely that I'll be joining in with HU25. On the upside, I'm cycling more again and I'm doing more strength work, so hopefully I'll be in a good place to make a comeback when everything is resolved. So good luck to everyone taking part whilst I take a wee break. Hopefully you'll all still be around when I make a comeback.

[RiceAndPeas Marathon in reply to Sax64]

I'm having a lot of similar problems but probably much less severely. I've been looking at my old race bike and scratching my chin but haven't gone out for a ride yet.

I hope you recover soon and can resume running. Hopefully the cycling doesn't aggravate things and keeps you fit until you are ready to lace up the running shoes again.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sax64]

Sorry to read that about your foot. But at least you can do some running which is good 👍 I know physios today recommend moving when we can rather than rest but it all depends on the injury of course. But they are always saying that movement is good.

There’s a few of us with various niggles so you're not alone! I did something in the garden yesterday that my back doesn't like so I’m not even sure if I can run today. But hey ho, as you say, we will recover and get back on track again.

Don’t forget you can always walk for all, or part of, the distance for the HU event.

[Sax64 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks for your kind words and the reminder that I can walk it too. My foot is in the process of being investigated and I'm awaiting an appointment for a scan. In the meantime I've been advised to reduce the frequency and duration of my runs. However I believe you're right about keeping moving to recover. I was listening to 'What's up Docs' on BBC Sounds with the Van Tullekan brothers and they have an episode on kneesbbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m002...

It's all very illuminating about doing the strength exercises to keep everything moving as we age.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sax64]

Thanks for that link. I’ll take a listen.

Once you have the scan and the results then you’ll know what you're dealing with. Fingers crossed it won’t take long 🤞In the meantime, let’s keep moving!

[RiceAndPeas Marathon]

I've been having a bit of a struggle after twisting my ankle and feeling rather less than motivated. This morning, for the first time, I called upon the services of coach Bennet. I chose a 60 minute easy run, put on my headphones and set off. Within no time I was enjoying running again and with my gigantic Brooks Glycerin Max shoes to soak up the impact even my grumbling plantar fascia quietened down. I will definitely be using the NRC app a lot more in future!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RiceAndPeas]

The NRC app is popular around here. I haven't used it myself because I just know that CB’s voice in my ear is not what I want 🤣 But hey, it worked for you which is great.

I’ve sprained my ankle a few times so I know what it’s like. Self massage is good as it gets the blood flowing in that area and, if you can, gentle stretching of the calves because an injured ankle tightens up the calves. I do the stair stretch every day as it’s a nice stretch 😊

I do hope your ankle settles down soon but in the meantime, enjoy CB and your Brooks shoes 🏃‍♂️

[RiceAndPeas Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP, yes I've been doing the stairs stretch and massaging the area. You're so right about it causing calf tightness! I'm sure it will settle down soon.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Hi Irishprincess and all VRBs! Have had a decent week here, Kenny's still away but I stayed 2 nights over in the hospital accomdation with them,excellent place! Back over there next Saturday! His daughter is recovering really well from her operation 🥰

My brother been staying the last week so some extra respite from helping with Dad too !

Running wise not too much in last week, but tonight I did the 2nd in a new club 5k series up the forest . Nominated times so watches must not be worn but put in pocket! Which made for a very random strava map for me as kept losing reception I think!

Good news is I'm currently top of the ladies(only 5 or so of us!) , with only 14 seconds out over 2 races! 3rd and final race in 2 weeks! 😁 and it's lovely up in the forest! The route is one I used to do with my dear departed Mum and Ruffdog years ago! 🥰 xxx

Have a lovely week everyone !

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Pretty Parkhurst forest

The forest trails 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Just beautiful 😍

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Been up there tonight too with my sister and her 3 dogs! We walked part of my route from last night, we were coming down the hill I went up yesterday ,her words were "S*d that!" She's not keen on any running! 🤣xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Great news about Kenny’s daughter Ali. I hope she continues to recover well and she can be out of hospital at the earliest opportunity.

It’s great that you can get some help with your dad, giving you some time to run and do other things for you ❤️ It’s so important.

And talking of which, well done on your placing! That sounds so much fun 🤗 Keep going and good luck for the final race 🍀

Running through a forest is one of my favourite things to do. I find it so soothing xxx

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks for you kind wishes for Kenny's daughter 😊 Its a lovely forest I've been going to for many years . Your Sunday run sounds really lovely 🥰,have a great week xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

We watched the golf too! First time ever for me, but my father is a definite fan. As an English born Canadian citizen he was very happy to see McIlroy and Rose right up there, dominating the results table on a US course 🙈 Of course being 8 hours behind the UK just now, it didn't interrupt our sleep, but dinner was rather late!!!

Take care of that knee and back IP.

I ran 16k Sunday and 10k Monday as a final long run for my MM attempt on 27th. Runs were good. But by the afternoon my right knee was pulling and tender. And it's no better today. This is a new niggle for me. Going up and down stairs is uncomfortable. So, I'll hold off running for a few days and see how it goes. This one has come from nowhere!!! Grrr 🤬