Runners united (come join us if you are addicted to running!)

Well done paws, what an amazing achievement on an incredibly hot day, I hope you feel very proud of yourself today

Peach I hope the next few weeks pass quickly for you. It is natural for you to feel anxious, just make sure you look after yourself and be kind to yourself.

I think that's how you are meant to run up hills squix, shift your weight forward a bit and run more on your forefoot. Lots of swinging arms too....that's how I run up them anyway

Welcome thetasigmamum, nerves before a race are normal. Try and keep reminding yourself of all the good training you have done and avoid thinking about the actual race if you can. That is what I'm trying to do anyway
Hopefully you will enjoy the race.

Hello. I just found this thread. I have a real love/hate relationship with running, mainly because I'm doing the Great West Run (a half marathon) on 1 May and I'm worried sick about it.....not exactly sure why, because I've run 19-20K 4 times now in the last 5 weeks, so I know I can do the distance. Yet still I'm terrified. I haven't run the route, which probably has something to do with it (it goes right through Exeter city centre and is very trafficky(they stop cars on the day) so I don't feel it's safe to run on a normal day - I do all my running by the river Exe on dedicated running/cycling/footpaths.

I worry a lot about whether I have done enough training - my job involves lots of travel which can be disruptive, it can be difficult running outside in the winter in a strange place and I hate treadmills. Still, I've run 661.5K since December which should be enough, I hope.....But I'm still terrified, I feel sick every time I think about the race. :( My biggest fear, silly though it may be, is needing the loo while running. Or, after Saturday's long run, catching the sun!

I will be so glad when this race is over. I will never ever enter another - or, maybe I will but I won't get sponsors, I just feel such a weight of responsibility. It will be nice to just go back to regular 10K runs for fun and runkeeper stats, without having to worry about long runs or the consequence of missing a few while away.

paws fantastic effort, well done :) Sorry it was so hot

paws - well done! What an acheivement. I am in awe of all of you guys that manage a marathon. Here's to you. It was very warm up here in this bit of Scotland this morning and I did think it would be even warmer down south - well done again.

I wear two bras too thecoo, I always have done - either two sports bras or a sports bra and a cropped running top. My current favorite is a shock absorber which has an extra fastening half way up the back to make it a racer back. It like it but found it comes up a wee bit small, so I have gone up an extra back size.

sungirltan - hello! I have downloaded '101 running songs' - I find some of it is a bit cheesey, but I suppose it depends what you like. I go through phases of listening to music, I find I listen more in the winter when I want to take my mind off the rain.

I have really enjoyed my running this weekend - a 4 1/2 mile run quicker than my target 1/2 marathon pace then 13 1/2 miles at 10.8 min miles today in lovely weather. I really felt yesterday's run in my legs today at about 8 miles, though.

I notice up the thread that someone mentioned hills and I was wondering if any of you change your running style on hills? I tend to run more on the balls of my feet / toes going up hills but I suspect that is a bit of a cop out and I should just keep my normal style.

Well done paws! X

Have messaged you DrNo !

Great bra advice ! I have been thinking of going Shock Absorber but been wanting to get measured again before investing. Since I settled after stopping bf-ing 18 months ago, I have lost 2 stone but, at least at last measure, haven't changed size .

Look forward to hearing the gory details when you're rested and refreshed paws.

Well done paws for finishing in that heat - you must feel v proud of yourself. Give us the gory details once you've recovered a bit...

I haven't yet found a sports bra that works well on it's own (am 32DD) so I always wear two together. Even the old stretched ones can do their bit then and it seems to effectively stop all movement...

sfxmum that looks like a great mix - much more my type of music than the usual running suggestions!

Did just over 7 miles today as my long run and managed to keep to 11:15 minutes/mile pace, which is what I was supposed to do. The small amount of "speed" training seems to have made a difference already after just 2.5 weeks as before my long runs were at about 12-12.30 m/m and yet this felt really comfortable. May just be psychological but I'm happy either way :)

thanks sfxmum - actually i dont like rihanna that much but i find my motivation is so much affected by what i'm listening to. ergo i listen to eric prydz and i run really well - listen to fountains of wayne then i slow to a stroll and enjoy the views over devonport - emjoyable but not so productive!

sungirl re music perhaps not your thing but I love indie soup runner mostly because I don't like stuff like Rihana

peachy sorry missed the scan news, so pleased, it is indeed hellish and a wonderful moment of relief and joy, basket case allowed, wishing you all the best

Brilliant!!! Well done Paws. How fantastic - you have run a marathon! You'll be able to do a Kenyan one with TheMaster after running for 26 miles in that heat. Hope you are enjoying well-deserved mountains of food whilst lying on the sofa with your feet up.

Handy advice about the bras, I am suffering from some chafing today after my long run (17 miles! Got lost ).

I am a twit; came on and totally forgot to congratulate paws on a super effort; I once ran a 10k in heat like that and full sun and that was tough enough! lots of hydration for you! well done, you should be so totally proud of yourself

Oh and mean to say thanks Wheely and Mrsweds re. scan advice! Managed to relax very briefly before normal anxiety resumed. Might just have to accept it will be like this for a while, and be at one with my inner basket case

Hurrah! Well done paws, am so proud of you!!! That heat would have killed me, am so glad you made it in one piece. Hope you have a great relaxing evening, basking in the glow of your achievement. Can't wait to hear all the gory details!

Penguin, sorry about your back, look after yourself, but stick around here. It is very fast moving but very inspiring. Am hardly running at all at the moment, but getting a lot of the motivation to get out there from everyone here.

Shock absorber all the way here, and am pretty small on top but it is so comfy and no movement whatsovever. I got it when I was still breastfeeding DD and I have shrunk somewhat but still find it does the job!

Welcome sungirl!

Master do you have anwhere without hills or are you just hardcore?

i wear a shock absorber too - got it in the slae in debenhams though they do sell them in tkmaxx too. mine is a bit big now since i have stopped bf but its still doing a fine job.

meanwhile i need to download some new running music - any recommendations? im kind of sick of rihanna and a load of random house music i've got but anything that isnt super up tempo makes me give up!

Think I'll sit out that advice as you say drivingmiss!

Well done you paws. Just been swapping texts with a friend who ran it today. He was targeting 3.45 and ended up absolutely shattered finishing in 4.11 - sounds like the heat was shocking and there were a lot of people really struggling out there. Enjoy a well earned dinner and the early night!

I love my shock absorbers. I have 2. Then I have a reebok one which is not as supportive and is no good at certain times of the month. Think I paid about £30 for my last shock absorber one, but worth it.

Hurrah for Paws! Congratulations on your achievement go rest and treat yourself

Bra I have about 3 Shock absorber different types, the one specifically for running is quite good, a bugger to put but no real wobble (34F)

does anyone have any good bra recommendations (I guess cestlavie can hold back on the advice for now )? I had some Adidas ones that I loved, but they are nearing the end of their natural life now and I need replacements. I am about a 36B, so moderate of bust :o

Paws CONGRATULATIONS!!! Well done, you did it! I can not beleive it was 25.5, Bloody hell. That sounds like torture. Hope the sunburn is not too bad. Hope you enjoy a much deserved huge dinner and early night.

Wheely PM me your address and I'll post the trainers to you. Then if they don't fit just pass them on

Penguin bad news about your back. Hope nothing too serious?

I spent the day at Redcar beach with ds, dh, my Mum and the dog. Had a ball. Showed dh some of the route we will be running and we saw loads of runners out training. Made me feel very

No run planned tomorrow, running club on Tues and Weds I am trying out a drill session that is coached by one of the elite runners from our club, am intrigued by what he will do.......oh, I have the week off work too. Yippee!!

Yeah ! Very well done Paws !!! You did it . Enjoy your meal and your early night.

Hooray well done, what an achievement in that heat.

Well I'm alive - just! The heat was just awful - no shade at all other than the bit through Hove miles 15 to 19, so just baking heat and little in the way of a breeze. Very bad sunburnt arms despite lots of cream. Got back to the car at 4 and the temp was showing as 25.5!

Anyway - time a lot slower than I had hoped - 5.54 I think - but glad to be alive and get round. Huge thanks to the lovely people of Brighton and especially Hove who turned their garden hoses on us and kept us going!

Will post again when less pooped - off for an early dinner and bed.

my baggy shorts, not me baggy shorts. Not sure where that came from