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

I'm here! I'll update the race list when I know when my races are!

Hi what a busy thread!
I have been running on and off for about 8
7 yrs, I get bored now and again, join a gym but always end up coming back to it.
I love being out doors, alone with my music on.

I work shifts so fit my runs in around that, usually in the mornings after school drop off.
Run 3 times a week btn 3-6.5 miles.

have doen a few 10ks just scraped in under an hr.
Am hoping to do the Cardff half in under 2!

Nice to meet you all.
Iam 39 btw!

pipkin welcome! Think you have some good answers there to your questions. When I started running it was to train for a 10k and I just built up from there. Furthest I have run so far is 15 miles but would like to do a marathon some day. I started running longer distances just because these were the runs I enjoy most. I am not very fast and so prefer the endurance runs. For your first race it is a bit disconcerting with all the people but just try to enjoy the atmosphere, it will be fun. I'd say 20 mins is about the same for me too to start feeling comfortable in a run. I quite like running the morning,from a psychological point of view (less going on) but I find physically I am better in the afternoon. Probably a combination of body being more awake and having had time to digest food and get properly hydrated, but whatever time works best for you is fine. A lot of the time it's just fitting it in around family though hey?

Oh and I'm 36 by the way, though not for long. It's my birthday on wednesday!

hat, great to hear from you. Had a little chuckle to myself at your post "Been with a few blokes in the village" Don't worry, I realise you mean running!

thecoo, I am very unscientific, and just measure the distance on goodrunguide.co.uk and then time on my watch, though I can sort of "feel" my pace now. Saying that, as I run just about everywhere at 10 min miles it is not so hard to work out! I would LOVE a garmin so will await everyone's recommendations!

Oh go on DRNorth, join him for a 23 mile loop!!

Goodness it's getting kind of hot in London! Maybe early morning runs ARE the way forward...

try again

I've got [http://gpswatches.org.uk/garmin-forerunner-110-gps-watch-review/ this one]]

I'm not quick - I have the short leg gene too. In fact I think one leg is longer than the other and I've definitely got footballer knees. Do I win?!

I've got a very basic gps garmin, it must be a fairly old model but has done fine for me for the last five or so years? The only thing missing from mine that I like is a feature to show feet climbed. I've got runkeeper on my iPhone but can't seem to get on with that.

Yikes, you're all so quick. I was so proud of myself last week when I finally ran 5k in under 30 mins. Scarily I'll need to run at this pace for 10 miles in June in order not to come last, but it seems most of you are doing marathons at well under this pace... Can I blame my short legs?

Just had a look at Garmins, which a couple of you recommended. I presume I need a GPS enabled one, but there are so many different types, and some are v expensive! I'd be grateful if any of you would let me know which one you have, to help me narrow it down a bit.

Crikey, I can't imagine 8m/m pace! I was about 9:30m/m yesterday (ish) and while it wasn't fast, I certainly wouldn't be able to sustain a faster speed over any kind of distance. I've joined a running club and have definitely improved the speed as I've got fitter. So hopefully keeping at it will help :)

I am 34 btw.

I wish I could share your belief Moshi! I really can't imagine getting down to those sort of times!

Look at you lot comparing ages! I'll admit to early 40s, you'll get no more than that from me . Mind you my brother reminded me the other day that I classed 39 as my mid-30s, so probably best not to be too technical about it?!

Once this marathon is over, I definitely want to crank up the pace a bit more and take on a different challenge. I'd like to aim for a half under 2 hours - in the not too distant past I managed a half in just over 2 hours and I did a 10 mile race in an hour and a half, so I think it's achievable.

Sure Moshi will have a better answer than me DrNo but I think you definitely can improve your times significantly but it means working hard and being very structured. So no "junk" miles or "junk" runs (however lovely and relaxing those can be) but instead proper speed sessions, interval runs, long slow runs, hill sessions, recovery runs etc.

I try to do that a bit but they're definitely not as structured as they could be and I know for sure I don't push myself hard enough on some sessions. Despite that I've managed to get my half time down (over the years!) from about 2 hours to just over 1.45. If I did proper, serious training I can see myself getting maybe another 5 - 10 minutes off that but frankly there is more chance of me going to the moon than running under 1.30!

Meant to add I will be joining him for one 5 mile loop only not 23 miles!

pipkin35 hello and welcome! Running on the beach? I am very My Mum lives at teh coast and I love a run along the beach, its so invigorating. There are loads of runners on here of varying abilities and distances. Personally I started with 5k's, then moved to 10k's and do my first half marathon in June (eek) For your first race just enjoy it, it's your first one so you will get a pb

I am like you though, takes me a good 15/20 mins to find my running groove.

Moshi I reckon you will so achieve your sub 3 hour marathon. How long did it take you to get upto the speeds you run at now? Were you naturally fast to begin with? Is it possible for us all to increase our speed significantly do you think?

I did a steady 5 miles yesterday and didn't have long this afternoon so wanted to do a faster 3 miles. Managed to average an 8.43 minute mile which is super fast for me and that was really pushing it, could not sustain that over a longer distance at all.

My BIL is running VLM and this weekend is his last long run. He is running 23 miles in 5 mile loops around the town centre and is inviting folk to join him for as many loops as they like for encouragement and support which I think is a great idea. I am hoping to join him as he says he will be running steadily at about 8 mpm. That is not steady for me, so will push me to my limits but worth a shot. Just ds has a football match so trying to figure out when I can join him.

Happy running everyone

Moshi - sounds like a great arrangement with your cleaner. Think you probably need it with 4 DCs ! Hope physio went well today.

Paws - Hope your cough is better soon. If its much like mine it seems to be dragging on. Hope the taper goes well. My Bro is doing the Brighton Marathon too.

cest - like the idea of the chocolate bars. Problem is, I find, weight loss is one reason for me running so I don't like to have anything too calorific after running which sometimes isn't great after a longer run. Am thinking of trying something before and after sunday's run. Actually after might be a big roast dinner .

Welcome Pipkin - I think those with more knowledge have offered the best advice. I haven't raced much - I did a RFL 5K in 2008, then got pg, then did Run10K in October. My 3rd race will be on sunday. Eek. I haven't really enjoyed either race I've done tbh. I don't think I like the pressure (which is all self inflicted) and probably why I don't usually like running with anyone else. In this respect I'm not looking forward to sunday but want to keep doing longer races to get my distance up so I can eventually do a marathon. I DO like the feeling afterwards though !!

On time of run - I run 2 of my runs a week in the gym because of childcare so I do them first ish thing but after school drop off. At weekends it has to fit in with what else we are doing - I like first thing if I've had enough sleep. I also quie enjoy evening running which I often do in the school holidays -its quite nice after a day with the children as an end of day wind down . I definitely think its worht running whatever the distance so better a short one than not at all - it keeps the regularity .

What beach do you run by ? I grew up by the south coast and miss it terribly living in London (doyouthink - I come from v. near seaford by the way, I see you are doing the seaford half !).

Hello hat - nice to see you !!

Driving - I am 35, I have just over 4 years to meet my goal of running a marathon by the time I'm 40 (am not as ambitious a Moshi - getting to the finish line in one piece will do).

Thecoo - I Have a garmin - one that just measures with a foot pod not a gps. It seems fairly accurate I think (compared to map my run and the treadmill).

Definitely pipkin. Always get out whenever I can. Even if it's just 3 miles or something it gets you running and you just try and make the most of what you can do, e.g. running it as a tempo run or turning it into an interval session or actually even just running for the hell of it!

pipkin I wish! I've come to the conclusion that a short run is better than no run at all - and even little bits do add up. I usually feel better for going than if I don't, IYSWIM

driving - Just PMSL...sorry. Am so bad at maths/ numbers in general. It's a whole new world of figures for me, all this KM that etc...
Still good though. God, I thought 6.30 min miles meant you must be bloody Superhuman.

Those of you that have limited time - would you still go for a run even if it wasn't as far/long as you would normaly like to do, just to get out there?

6.30 per kilometre!!! trying to work out how to get a run in before Friday - doing an institutional review thingy which is pretty much 8.30-6.30...

Thanks - wow, loads of experience and help on here. Ace thread.
Moshi - I will try to check out that runners world site, I've never looked at it before, assuming it was for 'professionals' - but from what you've said they'll also have loads of advice for 'newbies' so come Weds lunch break, I'll have a look.
Regards a race then - it's at 9.30am.....any advice on what to eat beforehand?! Usually in the evenings I don't have to think about stuff like that...

Drivingmiss - 6.30, blimey, that's fast, ain't it?! When I started in Oct, I got excited by my 16 min miles! , though now I'm averaging 9-10 min which is such an encouragement.

I'm 35, no history of any running or fitness - except when I was a teen I used to sprint 100m and was quite nippy - til I got huge boobs and discovered fags !

I treated myself to one of those nike wristbands attached to the thingymajig in your trainer this weekend and am already stupidly addicted to it. Tells me pace, distance, cals and time...though I can't work out how to calibrate it yet.

Can't wait for my run tonight - didn't manage anyhting at the weekend cos I was busy packing, but the weather here is sunny so a seafront run will be just the ticket!

thecoo tell me about it! I've got the Runmeter iPhone app which is great in many ways but the GPS functionality could definitely work better. So annoying when you think you're running faster than usual and you get to the end and realise it's because the app thinks you've run further than usual and you were actually slower!

I still use it all the time but I tend to support it with walkjogrun.net which you can map your runs on and you can remember where say the 2, 5, 10 mile points are and aim to hit those within a certain time. I think over time you do develop a better sense of pace overall though.

drivingmisscrazy as Moshi says there's quite a range of ages on here - I'm 38 (and a guy just to save any confusion again!)