runners united (burning up pavement, burning up threads)

Oh god, I've even mapped the distance from my hotel in Edinburgh to the start, I've got lists galore on the go, print outs, photocopies, etc etc - I'm stressing more about the logistics than the run now I think.

Nearly there, nearly there...

Cross posts - MrsWed I probably wouldn't!

Oh no squix I hope you're ok for Sunday! Definitely second the ibuprofen - maybe some kind of muscle rub, too?

Futurity there are no headphones allowed in Edinburgh at the weekend either - punishment being disqualification! I wont be risking it...

I agree, driving, 788 is a lovely number :)

I did a gentle 3.5 miles after work today, which was my last run before Sunday! I felt great throughout so am happier than I was on Tuesday! I've been reading up on the rules and final instructions for race day and am a bit about everything. I'm more worried about being in the right places at the right times than the actual run itself I think. I don't know Edinburgh very well and have decided to go down myself without DH and DS so will have to make sure I get my car parked ok and get the shuttle bus etc... eek!

Just wanted to say thank you again for offering to sponsor me folks, Macmillan is a fantastic charity, close to my heart, and it means a lot to me that you guys are willing to donate to them xx

Oh dear these taper worries are so familiar!

Keep moving squix, I'm sure it will help.

Debi when the bank lady said PIN I think she meant the password protection you get when you try and put the order through, because I only use the PIN for getting cash. Each (attempted) transaction was quite big, a few hundred pounds in each case, so I can only imagine they hope an order or two will get through without needing a password? Funny but you can see from the goods they tried to order it's all stuff that would be easily resellable.

Thanks very much for the sponsorship Cestlavie , everyone has been fantastically generous on here and it is hugely appreciated.

Ouch Squix, how annoying that it's happened so close to the race! A little light jog might reassure you that no lasting damage has been done - can you do any stretching too? I always find that when I travel with work I end up knotted up and twisted, no matter how hard I try to sit properly.

DrNo, you'll be the talk of Harrogate running around the place in a balaclava! Forgot to say, my agency begins with a T - we're based in the city centre.

Moshi, has your mum just started the wild spending since her diagnosis? Very tricky having to be the 'grown-up' when previously it's been the other way round.

Wheely, your mum sounds fab! Hope I'm the same when I'm 67.

Driving, did you go for a run in the end?

I was wondering whether I should go to my usual pilates class on Saturday morning before I travel up to Edinburgh in the afternoon? Any thoughts? I will have time, I think, just not sure whether it's wise.

squix I don't think I'd run but would say keep moving, maybe go for a brisk walk and take ibruprophen. (Not that I'm an expert!)

Oh *squix8 sods law you should fall just before this weekend........I am no expert, but if it was me, I would go for a light jog, and keep moving. I would pop a few ibruprofens for their inflammatory powers as a precaution. Am sure you will be right as rain, just panicking slightly given the closeness to your race which is totally understandable.

As always, what a fast moving thread. I?ve been away for 3 days and seem to have missed loads.

Thanks for all your good luck wishes ? it?s like having a virtual crowd cheering us on.

Backwardpossum - I?m in the blue pen too! I am number 23597. Good luck. Do you have a target time? Driving and MrsWeds - good luck to you guys too.

My tapering WAS going really well. I did 8 good miles on Sunday, 3 ½ on Tuesday then 3 on Wednesday morning. I?ve been away abroad for work and the two 3 milers were in the sunshine along the seafront, early in the morning before meetings. Both were easy paced and I felt great. And I also managed some gentle swims too. Then last night we were out for dinner with some work folk and I slipped and fell (only a tiny bit of alcohol as well ? just one small glass of white ? honest ). I have a beautiful scrape and bruise on my arm but also fell right down on my behind. I am worried that I have done something to my back. It doesn?t hurt but is quite stiff and wasn?t helped by a 4 hour flight on a budget airline in a tiny plastic seat on the way home today.

So, wise runners ? I need your advice. Should I stay flat on my back as much as possible until Sunday to rest everything or should I keep as mobile as possible so that things don?t seize up? Maybe even go for a short 10 minute jog tomorrow? I am off for a hot bath in a bit so that should help. Any advice welcome.

Yes of course, its just the same as being in a car isn't it? Hadn't thought of it like that!

Yes, balaclava for winter runs, stocking for summer. Think I'll get any funny looks? Dh just poured olive oil in my ear to flush it out. Nothing came out. But if it's in there the buggar is dead.

driving loving the thought of you running with a newborn! Are they OK to eb whizzed along when so tine? I ahve no idea........

Just been for a run, 5 miles. Ate 3 flies and I am certain one went in my ear. It feels all weird and I can't stop prodding it. Can it lay eggs in their or eat my brain?..... Am going to devise something that covers my whole head so I can run in the country without inhaling bloody flies. Grrr. Would a balacava do?

paws I'm confused by your card thing! Surely the card can't be used in a shop with no pin but you don't need to know the pin for internet shopping so have they bought stuff online? How did they get your card?

driving I'm liking the thought of you going buggy running with a tiny newborn baby, you'd get some astonished looks!

thanks for your responses about the whole headphone thing. I think as it says "requested" rather then "not allowed" I shall judge on the day what others are doing and decide then. It is a local race so I know the roads and I always have it on very low anyway but if no one else has them on I will be a good girl and not wear mine (honest!)

Possum please pm me your details too. I ran VLM for Macmillan, an excellent charity.

Moshi I hope your mum manages to enjoy her new acquisitions.

I've been out on my bike, nearly killed me 26.5 miles with 2200ft of ascent, mostly off-road...that'll be why it hurt then I'd forgotten how tough the trails are, I'm atrocious at going downhill so am nearly as slow on the downs as the ups! Lovely weather for it and the most amazing views from the top of the 2 peaks but really tough.

I may have to run on Saturday instead of cycle again, not sure my bum will co-operate with getting back on a bike

BTW mum has gone and splurged on a Chanel handbag and a LV handbg with money she doesn't have. Am not sure what is more stressful, her cancer treatment or her profligate spending habits.

possum - +1 for PMing me your details please!

Bootcamp today. Feeling quite lazy on this light schedule but reminding myself that it is time for my body to rest before the next 18 week campaign begins in June!

Probably won't run tomorrow as have no form of childcare (daily cleaner has moved house). House getting muckier and muckier and I am getting twitchier by the minute. She was only here a couple of hours each morning but it was certainly useful to squeeze in my daily run. I used to buggy run everywhere but am loath to take it up again in case it affects my gait again having worked so hard on getting it back. Mind you, needs must so maybe just tomorrow may be fine if I only go for a short 5 or 6 miles or so? What does everyone think about buggy running? I spent 7 years doing most of my running with a buggy and it seemed fine at the time but I definitely prefer to be on my own now they are heavier!

futurity - I think it was Thetastigma who had the same problem recently - The last race I did said no MP3 etc . As I only have a shuffle I put it in my pocket and when I was waiting at teh start saw loads of people with them so used it all the way round. I noticed on the organiser's website they now say 'we recommend...' rather than 'not allowed'. I'm guessing its so they're not liable if you get run over or something.

Good luck, all you racers. I'm having trouble finding races which fit in my calendar - I seem to be busy every weekend for ages. Ah well, tbh I'm enjoying just getting out there and running at the moment, so maybe I don't need the extra motivation of a race. I really pushed myself at running group on Tues, so went for a nice easy run this morning in the sunshine - lovely!
Moshi, glad to hear things are looking up a bit for your mum. Wheely - I hope I'll still be running at your mum's age. I always find it impressive when I see older people out running - gives me hope that I haven't taken it up too late in life!
In the absence of a race to aim for, my target for the moment is to vary my running routes and maybe drive to somewhere nice where I could run. I looked longingly at listings for races on the coast, but some nice Oxfordshire countryside will have to do for now! Looking forward to fitting a couple of runs in when we go camping in the New Forest in the summer though.

futurity the half DH did a couple of weeks ago had the same directive, but I would say about 60% of people ignored it the route was mostly roads and towpaths