My 4th running life !! (Comments Welcome)

[Herding_Cats]

Tilly is beautiful!! Enjoy your unexpected bonus time with her while you sort everything out in the other parts of your life.

 

[col1]

Hi all

3 runs of 4 planned last week.

Monday - 3 miles

Wednesday- 3 miles

Friday - 3 miles

Sunday - 5 miles

Unfortunately on Sunday I was afflicted by a tummy bug so did not make it. It persisted from first thing until late in the evening.

There is a local Half Marathon in late September I have my eye on but will not
Sign up until end of August if training goes
Steady combined with steady weight loss.

My plan is of the most basic with running alternate days of 3/4 miles with long run once per week.

Will see how it goes.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Stay safe

Col

 

[col1]

Hi folks

2 weeks since I last posted but unfortunately only 1 run completed.

Week 22nd - 28th July

I was due out for a run on Tuesday afternoon but around Lunchtime my knee pain flared again and a few hours later i was in a fair bit of pain. I decided that was it for the week.

Week 29th - 4th August

My knee was feeling a lot better but still with some twinges here and there by mid week.

An incident moving a suitcase aggravated it so I decided to play it safe and waited until the Sunday to see how a run would go.



In the event it went fairly well with only slight discomfort on a couple of hills.



So a total of 3 miles for the 2 weeks.

I am just back from a 3 mile run just now and all is well so I’m very grateful for that.

I did have a half in September I was hoping to register for but given how unpredictable this knee issue is I will pass on it.

We had also looked at making the trip to Anaheim for the Dumbo Double Dare as I had noticed there were registrations still available but it would not make sense to build a Vacation around the race weekend with my knee so unpredictable, too much to lose on the race registration.

However with all that’s been going on we have decided to bring the timing forward and have booked a somewhat last minute trip to WDW this month we fly out on 27th of August for 2 weeks

It is a very rare trip in that it involves no Disney races but we are looking forward to just chilling and enjoying the parks.

Normally we fly from London or Manchester which involve about a 3 hour trip however we are flying from our local airport on 30 mins away

Overall despite the struggles with my knee I am feeling much better about things of late.

I reflected on my run the although I may have to do less and stick to shorter runs etc as of know I am still able to get out there and run.

I am grateful for that and the many other blessings I sometimes take for granted.

On another positive since I last posted 7lbs lost so happy for that.

That’s all for now.

Col

 

[col1]

Hi Folks

A modest total for the week but happy to still be getting out



2 runs of 3 miles which I am continuing at 2.30 run / 30 sec walks for the time being.

I have where possible just been running a loop round my immediate home as it’s flat. Everywhere else is fairly hilliy so trying to baby my knee for now.

The .7 mile run was with my 6 yo grandson who kept asking me to go for a run with me and telling me he was very fast, so we went for a run and he is very fast gave me a workout

He is now away to Disneyland Paris and is on Ratatouille as I write.

I was planning to Run again on Friday and Sunday however woke up during the early hours of Friday with some Knee discomfort which persisted on Saturday. It seemed to have gone by Sunday but I was being overly cautious and decided to wait until Monday (today).

However todays run did not happen a victim of circumstance rather than injury.

We are currently at our little holiday caravan by the sea to which we currently only have one key as the other got lost and we have yet to get another cut.

My wife left to get her hair done for a few hours and I forgot to ask for the key so I got ready to go and then realised I couldn’t secure the place so had to abandon the planned run

Still I did a kettlebell workout instead and will run tomorrow morning so all ok.

Took delivery of a new pair of trail running shoes primarily to wear at WDW next week but I have had them before and will put them in the rotation when I get back as there is a Railhead trail nearby here which is flat and the beach as well so they will be useful for that.


That’s all for now. Have a great week folks.

Col

 

[col1]

NOW HEAR THIS ……..

Entries are currently open right now for Halloween Half at Disneyland.



Due to my lack of fitness and that I will be in WDW I won’t be there but Hope it may help someone …. I have posted in Event thread as well….

It is the main one I am keen to do at some point in the future!!

 

[col1]

Hey all

Not much to update on other than 1 x 3 mile run last week

Currently in Newcastle where we will stay over at the airport tonight prior to flying to Orlando.

I have only packed 5 sets of running gear for 14 days if I use them all I would be pleased

I have form for being over ambitious on trips and bringing back lots of unused gear

In the highly unlikely event I run more than 5 times I will launder what I have at the resort.

Looking at the weather my best option is between 6 and 7 when it’s about mid 70s.

Coming from a country with a maritime climate I struggle in the heat but I do like to run at Disney even if just round the resort.

I will probably try and go at 6 am on the mornings when we need to be up to get into the virtual queues

18 months since last at WDW and 1 year since at Disney (Paris) so very excited.

Hope everyone is doing well have a great week

Col

 

[Scootin'By]

H

NOW HEAR THIS ……..

Entries are currently open right now for Halloween Half at Disneyland.

Oooh, that looked so good! If it was in Orlando, I might have signed up. LA is too far.

I have only packed 5 sets of running gear for 14 days if I use them all I would be pleased

My rule is that for every day I run, I get to buy myself something fun. It doesn't help me run, but I do get to buy stuff guilt free LOL

 

[The Expert]

Safe travels!

 

[col1]

Safe travels!

Thank you !

 

[col1]

H

Oooh, that looked so good! If it was in Orlando, I might have signed up. LA is too far.


My rule is that for every day I run, I get to buy myself something fun. It doesn't help me run, but I do get to buy stuff guilt free LOL

Oh I like that idea….. dangerous for my bank balance but hey if it helps me run ?

 

[Naomeri]

Oh I like that idea….. dangerous for my bank balance but hey if it helps me run ?

No one ever said that fun=expensive. Maybe cost=miles, so if you do a 3 mile run, you get to spend $3 on something fun (or put $3 in a jar to save up for something fun)

 

[col1]

Hey all

It’s been a while since I have posted in this training log almost 5 months !!

So first of all the trip to Orlando was great.

Flew direct from our local airport direct to Melbourne airport then a 1hr 20 ish transfer to All Star Sports for 14 nights.

Got Pixie dusted and got a preferred room with King bed and extra space so was happy about that.


Never having been in August/September before weather was interesting .

My DW was quite unwell on our 3rd day and we stayed in room the whole day. A bit
Later in the week I had similar and spent 2 evenings in the room.

Other than that a great trip, we did MNSSHP but it poured ️ the whole night we were soaked despite ponchos but that’s just how it goes.

5 sets of running clothes taken, one used .


It was 70 degrees in the early morning and very humid I enjoyed being out there but not enough to do it again.

Had lots of nice food……….

Ford Garage


Nomad Lounge Loved it here.



Polite Pig


Olive Garden


Also went to Steakhouse 72 for the burger but no photos.

Also lots of stuff from the food festival at Epcot which was good.

Only 2 meals we were disappointed in were the Biergarten buffet and Sebastian’s bistro at Caribbean beach.

In terms of rides we did nearly everything.

We never found a line short enough for Slinky Dog Dash and the days we were soaked despite at HS we prioritised ToT and RnR.

I am glad I did as love RnR coaster and last rode it 10 years ago, in visits to DLP since then it had already been re-themed to flight force and is my opinion awful, and the always short wait times make me think others feel the same.

Our visit to WDW in 2023 for the springtime surprise saw it closed for refurbishment so I was glad I got to ride it for what will be the last time in its current format

I do have hope the Muppets takeover will be better than AFF.



Picked up a souvenir set of Drumsticks and some Plectrums

We were evacuated off Spaceship Earth first time ever in 25 years of visiting parks for this to happen.

We rode Tiana on MNSSHP and to be honest I was not expecting to like it that much but I really enjoyed it

We watched the movie for the first time before leaving home so that maybe helped.

All in all a great trip and had an amazing time and was just what we needed.

Next an update on running matters…….

 

[col1]

Now for a running related update

Although I have not been updating this log I have really enjoyed reading about other’s successes and training and picking up knowledge and ideas.

So I missed doing a year end summary but here is the tale of the tape …….. (spoiler it ain’t pretty )

240 miles in 2024 down from 535 miles in 2023

This has been the lowest for many years but also the 535 in 2024 is certainly the highest for quite a few years so makes it look even worse



This fall off in mileage has been accompanied by an increase in weight.


So with that said it’s little surprise that my Vo2 Max dropped from 42 and good with a fitness age of 48 to 35 and poor with a fitness age of 62. (Actual age 54 )






However I do feel at this point I have to say I feel my Garmin actually hates me and is out to get me.

At one stage when I was only getting out once a week after each of those weekly runs my Vo2 would decrease and age would increase.

The my Garmin started to really irritate my skin bring me out in a painful rash and if I changed wrists just did the same to that one.

Am looking to change out the strap so if anyone has any suggestions on alternatives or indeed if you have suffered the same and solved it they would be most welcome.

Some had posted their running highlights for the year and I thought about that quite a bit but initially felt the year was a wash, however there were still a few and here they are.

1. Ran with my Grandson. He is 6 and had been asking for about a year if he could come with me so we went for a run of 0.6 miles and we had a fun time. He has yet ask again
2. Whilst not strictly running it is health related, I cut out all caffeine in drinks, Coffee and Soda in March and I am pleased I did that. I was having around 12 per day total and that is now zero and I don’t miss it.
3. The other one I feel is worth acknowledging is that despite how I felt in July when being told my role had gone after 37 years I kept going out to run. I had a period of around 6 months at a very low ebb and felt a lot of feelings…… but whilst the miles were low runs infrequent every month there was activity, I kept going slow and infrequent so I could continue to be a runner, I guess I am not ready not to be one yet.

So far January has been decent for running and my total so far is my highest for 7 months, modest at 29.3 over 10 runs but I’m pleased with it, the comeback has to start somewhere right ?

I have joined the same gym as my DS as it has just been refurbished and was only £5 for the first month. It helps me as I am a fair weather runner so being able to run indoors whilst spending a bit of quality time with my son is great.

It’s a mile walk there and back so extra cardio from the walk.

I have unfortunately had some health issues other than my knees over the Christmas and New year period. I developed a painful swollen lump on my shoulder and went to the doctors after it failed to respond to rest, ibuprofen gel etc. Whilst there they took some bloods as I had not had them done for some time.

The results were high BP and raised cholesterol the latter of which runs in the family. Both of these exacerbated by poor diet and being obese.

So I am now on medications for both of these and more bloods in next couple of days to see how I’m responding.

I have implemented changes to my diet in both types of foods I now eat and don’t and have began again my weight loss efforts but now with added importance, I have managed to to lose 11lbs in the weeks since medication started.

The lump turned out to be a fatty lymphoma of no concern but as it is causing pain I am scheduled to have that removed in a couple of months.

What has began to interest me is as
am on Gardening leave until I retire I literally have so much time to do anything that I am interested at the moment and have a lot of time/opportunity in terms of running.

I had felt that perhaps my Marathon days were gone due to an inability to get all the longer runs done without significant ITB flare ups.

However when reading @WillRunForPizza reviewing the year and discussing the Hanson method it got me thinking that it may provide an opportunity.

I had heard of it and the 16 mile long run but had not really understood the concept fully until I read it in that post so have researched it further and think it may provide a chance to get back to Marathon distance.

I would really like to do the WDW marathon again but there is no rush for that as I think we won’t be doing any long haul travel for a couple of years at least.

For this year the goals are:

1. Get to running shape

2. Follow proper training plans and do the mileage

3.Get Sub 25 5k

4.Break 2hrs for the half.

I will be looking at goal races and training plans in the coming weeks.

And finally our Disney Vacation this year is a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy around Europe in September.

Our Kids and Grandkids are coming too so super excited about that.

We cruised on Magic and Wonder 4 times but not since 2014 as they were becoming so expensive but this was a great deal.

It’s the first time my kids will have been on a Disney ship since they were kids

Also looking forward to a run on the jogging track.

Take Care

Col

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I had felt that perhaps my Marathon days were gone due to an inability to get all the longer runs done without significant ITB flare ups.

However when reading @WillRunForPizza reviewing the year and discussing the Hanson method it got me thinking that it may provide an opportunity.

I had heard of it and the 16 mile long run but had not really understood the concept fully until I read it in that post so have researched it further and think it may provide a chance to get back to Marathon distance.

I would be cautious about using Hansons to mitigate injury risk - that plan has pretty high intensity. Just because the long run is shorter does not mean that the plan as a whole is easier! It's probably one of the harder generic plans out there.

It's still definitely possible to run a marathon without doing any super long runs. (I myself have never gone farther than 19 miles in training for three marathons, and that only once. Looked at another way, my longest runs in marathon training have all been just about three hours.) It just sounds like a different approach might suit you better.

However, if you're having issues with your knees/ITB, make sure you are strength training! Particularly your hips/glutes and calves. Most likely there's nothing actually wrong with your knees or your IT band; they're just breaking down because you have weaknesses/imbalances in other areas that are putting more strain on them than they're designed for. If you can see a physio, that's the best way to find out what those underlying issues are.

The other one I feel is worth acknowledging is that despite how I felt in July when being told my role had gone after 37 years I kept going out to run. I had a period of around 6 months at a very low ebb and felt a lot of feelings…… but whilst the miles were low runs infrequent every month there was activity, I kept going slow and infrequent so I could continue to be a runner, I guess I am not ready not to be one yet.

Good for you! Just getting out there takes takes a lot of dedication some days.

I also wouldn't worry too much about what your watch says your VO2max is - it's not a particularly useful or accurate metric for most runners. (Of course, I say this as someone who looks at her VO2max all the time, so...you know...do as I say, not as I do )

 

[col1]

I would be cautious about using Hansons to mitigate injury risk - that plan has pretty high intensity. Just because the long run is shorter does not mean that the plan as a whole is easier! It's probably one of the harder generic plans out there.

It's still definitely possible to run a marathon without doing any super long runs. (I myself have never gone farther than 19 miles in training for three marathons, and that only once. Looked at another way, my longest runs in marathon training have all been just about three hours.) It just sounds like a different approach might suit you better.

However, if you're having issues with your knees/ITB, make sure you are strength training! Particularly your hips/glutes and calves. Most likely there's nothing actually wrong with your knees or your IT band; they're just breaking down because you have weaknesses/imbalances in other areas that are putting more strain on them than they're designed for. If you can see a physio, that's the best way to find out what those underlying issues are.


Good for you! Just getting out there takes takes a lot of dedication some days.

I also wouldn't worry too much about what your watch says your VO2max is - it's not a particularly useful or accurate metric for most runners. (Of course, I say this as someone who looks at her VO2max all the time, so...you know...do as I say, not as I do )

Thanks for the good advice

You are right in that it looks like a tough plan and I think probably too much for a marathon without a solid foundation.

I like the suggestion of ITB strengthening, I did that back around 20 years back but since I have only done up to half distance since then the ITB never bothered me as much. When I tried Marathon training a couple of years back it started becoming an issue around 15 miles in training runs.

I will start a strengthening regime now as this year will be trying to get 1.59 half with maybe a Marathon attempt fall 2026

And I will try and not take the Garmin data to heart but I still think it hates me

Thanks again

Col

 

[col1]

Goals for the week

Eat healthy

Average 10k steps

Run 4 x per week (1 “long run”)

Strength training for ITB

Monday 2.5 miles treadmill

2.5 miles average pace 13.16

Average Heart Rate 154bpm

Tuesday Rest

Wednesday 3 miles treadmill Calibrated

Average pace 14.59

Average heart rate 159

Thursday ITB strength training

Step ups 3 x 10each side
Calf Raises 3 x 10
Weighted Squats 3 x 10
Clamshells 3 x 10 each side
Leg lifts 2 x 10 each side

Those leg lifts are hard !!

Friday 2.9 miles treadmill

Average Pace 16.31

Average heart rate 146 bpm

Saturday ITB strength training

Step ups 3 x 10each side
Calf Raises 3 x 10
Weighted Squats 3 x 10
Clamshells 3 x 10 each side
Leg lifts 3 x 10 each side

Leg lifts still hard but I managed an extra set

Sunday 5 miles Long run outside

Average Pace 12.32 per mile

Average heart rate 170 bpm

Legs felt tired but that was to be expected.



The treadmills at the gym had me all over the place and are making my head hurt. bI always struggle with pace on treadmills and find them quite difficult to run on, maintaining my normal outside pace is usually not possible.

So first day at gym (which was the previous week) went on very end treadmill in row of about 20. (I'm not anti social just introverted ) and it went how I expected. Did a couple of miles at 14.08 pace felt tough but as I had anticipated. Had first go at Calibrating my Garmin to the treadmill, Outcome =Fail. (because it does not like me)

Second visit it was busy so I had to take another treadmill and this time it felt easy, managed to run 3.5 miles and 12.24 something was up ? I didn't try calibration as I felt something was odd.

3rd visit back on original treadmill 2.5 miles @ 13.16 pace felt really hard. Decided this treadmill was correct and calibrated with it. I worked this time.

On Friday I ran with my Garmin calibrated to the more challenging treadmill on a different one again and the difference between the 2 was huge in terms of pace and distance. Out by almost a 1/3 on both. So at this point is suspect some are Kph and some Mph but the machines are quite complicated to me as I don't use them often. Prior to this its generally been just when in hotels so not quite sure how to check and change to my preference and there is no indication on the machine.

For now I plan to try and snag the end treadmill and try and find a member of staff to enquire about it and see how to adjust the calibration. I don't mind it terms of pace as its irrelevant right now and I am happy to just run for time on the treadmills, but data geek in me does need it to be accurate y'know

So I managed my goal 3 runs and 1 long run this week and long run of 5 miles is first run of over 3 miles since May last year so pleased with that.
January finished with 35.2 miles. Not a massive amount but the most since May 24 so pleased with that and hopefully will gradually improve month by month.

Weight loss heading in right direction with a 2lb loss.

My resting heart rate averaged 56 last week it has been steadily improving from the 62/65 range so I’m happy with that, Goal for this year was to get it down to 55 then maintain it there so pleased it has got there so early just need to keep it in that range.

Got 11300 average steps for the week including my runs, Goal for year is to average 10,000 so just need to keep the effort up.

So all in all a decent Month/Week just need to be consistent. My running goals for the year centre around Half Marathon and 5k. Been looking around for suitable goal races and there is a HM on 21st of September that am looking to target as Goal race. I may look at doing a HM around April/May time depending on progress.

For 5ks I will utilise the many Parkrun's as they are free and plentiful so they can be used whenever it suits.

That's all for now.

Have a good week all.

Col

 

[LSUlakes]

The my Garmin started to really irritate my skin bring me out in a painful rash and if I changed wrists just did the same to that one.

Am looking to change out the strap so if anyone has any suggestions on alternatives or indeed if you have suffered the same and solved it they would be most welcome.

I have the same problem and it was not as bad with my apple watch I had that had a fabric type band on it. I just ignore it and it gets a little better but looks awful when I take the watch off. Thats usually just one night every 10 -15 days to let it charge.

The lump turned out to be a fatty lymphoma of no concern but as it is causing pain I am scheduled to have that removed in a couple of months.

Good to hear it is not something worse! Hope the procedure goes well.

For this year the goals are:

1. Get to running shape

2. Follow proper training plans and do the mileage

3.Get Sub 25 5k

4.Break 2hrs for the half.

These are good goals, and I'm sure you know they will take some time to achieve so do not get frustrated. Reading over your post I noticed you mentioned of getting on some meds. I imagine once you start losing some weight, along with diet and exercise these medications will hopefully become unnecessary. Also, I think I read you have a issue with your knee? The weight loss will help lesson that pain, but its probably a good idea to talk with your Dr about to see what the issue is.

I hate running on the TM. I always just go by the speed / TM distance because I think thats more accurate than my watch. I also rarely us the TM these days. I just rather run in whatever terrible weather is out there on a given day lol. The good news you are out there getting it done so keep it up! Look forward to future updates!

 

[col1]

I have the same problem and it was not as bad with my apple watch I had that had a fabric type band on it. I just ignore it and it gets a little better but looks awful when I take the watch off. Thats usually just one night every 10 -15 days to let it charge.

Good to hear it is not something worse! Hope the procedure goes well.


These are good goals, and I'm sure you know they will take some time to achieve so do not get frustrated. Reading over your post I noticed you mentioned of getting on some meds. I imagine once you start losing some weight, along with diet and exercise these medications will hopefully become unnecessary. Also, I think I read you have a issue with your knee? The weight loss will help lesson that pain, but its probably a good idea to talk with your Dr about to see what the issue is.

I hate running on the TM. I always just go by the speed / TM distance because I think thats more accurate than my watch. I also rarely us the TM these days. I just rather run in whatever terrible weather is out there on a given day lol. The good news you are out there getting it done so keep it up! Look forward to future updates!

Thanks Yes I am expecting a long haul to get to where I need to be consistency for me will be key as it’s where I have fell short before.

I think I am going to try a fabric strap and see how that goes.

And yes I am hoping that eventually the meds may not be required,

 

[col1]

So mystery of the treadmills is solved. Went to the office today when at the gym and asked are the treadmills in Km or miles.

Response is yeah they are all in Km except for that one at the very end ( the introvert treadmill) it is in miles

 

[col1]

Hi all

Week Commencing 3rd of February

Average 10k steps 9056

Run 4 x per week (1 “long run”) *

Strength training for ITB

Monday

3 miles on Treadmill @ 14.53 pace 44.40

Stopped into the petrol station on the way to the gym. They have an American candy section and sell a range of Gatorade . It’s not stocked in regular supermarkets here only through these stores which are high cost due to the import costs. So 1 bottle here is around $3.40. Being so pricey I reserve them only for post long run days. Really just a nostalgia thing from the 2 years we spent in the USA

Well today some were discounted to $1.24 !!



If I hadn’t been walking to gym I would have bought them all as it was I got 4 although I would lose one to my son for his gym session.

Tuesday

Rest Day

Wednesday

4 miles Outside @ 12.27 pace 49:48.

It would seem that’s my prayers to the Garmin gods were answered with some slight positive movement.

No change on the V02 but my fitness age improved by 1 year



Now if I can just get it to the actual decade I’m in we will be motoring

Thursday

Rest day/Bought treadmill

Like others on here have said the winters are a challenge to motivation and getting out there in the cold is hard. Before Christmas I had considered getting a walking pad to get steps in and was still kind of thinking about it.

However as usual scope creep took over and I was starting to look at walking pads that could support a run or a full spec treadmill but that increases the cost which was hard to justify.

But some good fortune came my way. Apparently as I am officially classed as retiring as I am taking my work retirement benefits at the same time as my severance and have been with company for 37

Years I got $310 dollars in vouchers to spend as a “retirement” gift.

A few of the stores I could spend them at had treadmills so it was an easy decision to put the money towards that.

I checked the store where I had bought my previous treadmill around 2010 and they had this one still on sale reduced from $620 to $418. It is their own brand cheapest full sized treadmill and the one I bought from them previously was different but was their lowest price at that time and lasted me for 6 years with no issues and was still going strong when I had to get rid of it when I moved abroad.

The reviews on line were all positive so I went for it.



The models I could consider were also restricted as I required one the could fold flat for storage. This one does, it actually folds more than in the picture and goes completely flat.


I am excited.






it arrives Wednesday. I could have had it Tuesday but I came out of the browser and went back in and all the Tuesday delivery slots had disappeared

So all told it only cost me $120 including delivery so happy with that.

Now I need clear out the closet that it will be stored in when not in use

Friday

3 miles on treadmill @ 15.00 pace 45:00 est

Saturday

Rest Day

Sunday

3miles outside.

This was due to be a longer run but switched to a 3 mile as I have decided to move my long runs to Mondays.

We look after our 2 Grandkids regularly and due to their parents shift patterns no to weeks are the same.

When they work nights they stay over and on day shifts we have them from 0600 to 1900.

During the week we have the time they are at School (6hrs) free, whereas on weekends they are with us all day. So to avoid leaving DW with all the work while i disappear for 90 minutes or so changing to Weekday makes sense as I now have nothing stopping me from doing so

Also hopefully it starts my weeks on a positive note.

Total for this week





Things to work on this week:

Adjustment to diet required after a small gain this week.

Need to keep an eye on steps to get above 10k daily. Home treadmill should help with this.

ITB strength - No workouts this week. Need to incorporate better into my weekly routine.

That’s all for now I’m away for my Long Run

Hope everyone has a great week

Col