'Mature' runners.

Thanks Red and Columba. Once I had got it into my mind that I was going to complete the race, nothing was going to stop me. I am just so disappointed that I should get this injury, soon after the hamstring problem had been cured. I had trained so hard for this race, and had intended to race it from the start, with a target time of 80 minutes.

I was feeling quite depressed, until I thought about all the elite athletes who inevitably suffer injuries and bounce back to achieve their goals. Not that in any way I am comparing myself with them, but my goals are as important to me, as theirs are to them.

Thanfully, the calf is nowhere near as painful today as I thought it would be, so I hope it won't be too long before I am back in training again.

Rest and recover well TE, you'll be back on track before you know it

Morning all,

Glorious morning here but rain for this afternoon so I've been our doing outdoorsy things since first light.  Run will be after lunch.

TE, we all have our goals which are just as important as those of the elite athletes.  Hope you recover quickly.

IW, how's the lurgy this morning?

Much better thanks - did a 2000m pre-brekkie easy swim and as usual found the chlorine in the pool cleaned up my breathing. (Our pool opens 2 mornings a week at 06.45 for early birds).

The council made an appointment to change our water meter and the two mechanics were astonished at the low reading. One asked how many people live in the house, I said 2 and 2 dogs, why? He said because the usage is very low. See that big blue water butt in the corner, sez I, that's where the waste water from the washing machine goes, not down the drain. We save water wherever possible, washing-up water etc. goes into buckets which we use to water plants, wash the patio etc. We've saved a lot of dosh on our water bills over the past few years. They were suitably impressed.

Thanks BIW  and Red. Today is bright and sunny and it is frustrating not to be going to the club this evening, but I'm boringly more sensible these days. I will be patient  and take things a day at a time.

Red, you must be feeling better as you intend going out for a run today, and BIW, good that you were able to go swimming.

I had a water meter installed a few months ago, and when I received my first metered bill, was amazed to find that I was £7 in credit.

Got a bit of a sore throat today, so shan't risk going out in the rain with the running club, especially as I'm going away tomorrow and the last thing I want is to develop a proper cold.

I'm going to the Holy Land, - this is an official pilgrimage, busy itinerary, lot of walking expected so unlikely to spend any time on the internet. 5 days based in Bethlehem, then 2 days based in Tiberias. Visits to Jerusalem, boat trip across the Sea of Galilee, visit to the Dead Sea (taking cossie in hopes there will be time allowed to wade in and bob around a bit). Back on 17th

Time to head off into the dark with head torch on in the wind and run, joy!!!

Out for an hour's walk run with the doodle this morning. It was very frosty.

TE
In spite of what the experts say about avoiding injuries it's almost impossible to avoid them from time to time if you train and race hard. This is especially true as we get older. It's nothing to be depressed about. It just has to be managed sensibly.

I ran 1:17 at age 65 so I guess anything near 1:13 at 70+ would be unlikely.

IW
I'm sure you'll bounce back quickly.

Redhead
I haven't forgotten your training schedule.
JJ

Last night at dog club, the new couple who joined us a couple of weeks ago said they know Charly's dad's owner, they had mentioned to her that I have one of Aaron's pups and she is interested to come to the club and see him - she kept another of the pups from that litter. In reply I said I want to see Aaron, I have photos of him from t-internet but it would be nice to meet him.

Morning all,

Beautiful day here; perfect for a pootle later  

JJ, thanks xxx

Columba, how exciting.  Have  a safe journey and wonderful trip.

IW, how lovely.  I wonder if there will be a connection when the 2 of them meet?

JJ, 1.17 at 65 for a 10 miler is very impressive. 1.13 at 70 is certainly not a time I envisage being able to attain at 70.

MCS, hope you enjoyed your run in the dark with a head torch.

Columba, if you read this before your trip, I hope you have a wonderful time.

No running again today, but I am looking forward to Sunday, when I will be doing my first stint as a race Marshall. I'm hoping to go for a jog on Monday, and if it goes ok, will go to Club session on Tuesday. I don't know whether I have already mentioned it, but the Club have organised a 10k handicap race in the forest, in December, and watches and Garmin's will be forbidden. I don't expect there will be any k markers either, so it will make pace judgement very difficult. It will be interesting to see whether race times turn out to be quicker, than when wearing devices that measure pace and distance.

Marshalling sounds fun TE!  I like the idea of running without Garmins or watches.  I always enjoy my xc runs more when I ditch my Garmin and just enjoy running.

Envious of Columba's trip, it sounds wonderful.

Redhead - I doubt it, dogs don't normally recognise their offspring.

A colleague just sent me an article from another State nearby, where some local busybodies from the council have banned all swimmers in their pool from swimming crawl, backstroke or fly, they may only do breaststroke. Seems there has been quite an outcry over the new rules - there are many elderly swimmers who spend most of their time sculling on their backs. Oh how glad I am that our pool has no such silly rules. The two end lanes are reserved for "sport swimmers" - all swim up one lane and return down the other, nobody gets in the way and everyone's happy.

'lo all. Nice dry day today. very unusual.
Run/walk done  for just over 5 miles.

IW
Are you sure you don't live in Switzerland? They like rules and procedures.

TE
Hope it stays dry for the marshalling. Standing in the cold  rain is not fun.
I  reckon it's perfectly possible to race up to 10k without any form of timepiece. It can be done on perceived effort from breathing levels. You need to be a lot out of breath from start to finish and just below lactate threshold. 10 miles and upwards have a large endurance content and keeping to a specific pace is helpful in keeping something back for later use so a timing device has its place.
JJ

JJ - I wouldn't be accepted to live in "der Schweiz", I don't have enough money!

Afternoon peeps,

Lovely day here, too nice to be inside so I've been playing out all day - with a run included.

IW, what a ridiculous rule!

BIW, sounds like health and safety gone mad!

JJ, the forecast for Sunday is bright and sunny, but cold. I will, therefore, ensure that I wrap up warm. A good tip for the 10k thanks.

Red, hope you enjoyed your run.

My calf has been feeling much better today, but I still intend "resting" until Monday. My car is having an MoT on Monday, so I gave it a good clean inside and out this afternoon, and have checked tyre pressures, lights, screen wash etc. They will still find something though.

Did a 4 miler today off road starting from the footpath (Weald Way) that starts opposite my cave in the hillside. That makes it a two day streak.

TE
It won't be anything that money can't cure.

IW
I used to go to Geneva on business from time to time. All the expats that worked there lived over the border in France and commuted each day. France had much less in the way of petty restrictions.

JJ

Morning all,

No running today but it looks as if I shall be getting wet on my run tomorrow.  Don't care 

TE, glad to hear your calf is feeling better.

I'm wondering if I can be bothered to do the Xmas Pudding Dash this year.  Not sure I'm in the mood for it for some reason.  How about you JJ?

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Two mad days out of the office in the cold, glad to be back inside and ready to run home after a very large jacket spud, roll on four oclock please, bring on the weekend. Have fun to any who are venturing out to stave off the cobwebs......