Runners united: I run, I do running, I am a runner

wheely I haven't worn contacts since my dissolute twenties, and I managed to keel over fall asleep wearing them which was horribly painful. However, I have been thinking about it as I am starting to notice that I can't see close up as well as I used to and I refuse to submit to bi-focals...

Have you tried contacts at all futurity / driving - even ifyou just had some dailies for such things - I've worn CL since I was 13 and dailies for a very long time. Great for swimming as its not a disaster if you lose one (apart from the fact I can't see passed the end of my nose without them !).

The Dorney Tri is run by Human Race which is the same company that do the Kingston run I did in March - Ithink that was quite expensive for what it was. At least, the sprint is better value than the novice...

So that's why I am so slow!

futurity I wear glasses too; maybe we should ditch them and slice 30 secs off our mile times!!

Even though Blenheim looks very cool, the times and location of the lakes suits me better as wouldn't have to stay over and could drive over in just over an hour. Why are they so expensive? Suppose they need lots of organisation/insurance?
I am tempted...I have running stuff, I have a (basic) road bike...just don't have any decent swim stuff let alone tri suits or wet suits...oh and I wear glasses so how on earth would that work?!

Just lost a long post - grr

Summary

• Great run this morning - sun shining, steady paced, deer in back garden when I got home
• V. busy with work, less time to run, shorter runs but going quicker - even at 6am
• Alternating LSR (10-13) with a 7-8 mile tempo on a sunday working well too
• Entered Edinburgh 10k in October but not sure I'll be able to do it because I need to go down to London later that afternoon
• Tri talk v. interesting - not for me but interesting all the same
• Hills - short and steep or long and steady?
• Good news on scans etc, and hope racers are enjoying post race glow

Actually I ahdn't realised the novice/supersprint swim distance was so short actually (as well as the others). Yes I reckon I could try the sprint too.

I kind of love that Sonia O'Sullivan does fun runs...I once saw her running in the Phoenix Park and it was pretty amazing to watch at close quarters (she was long retired by that point)

no, but there was a lady saying 'it's all flat from now on', and they had a good sign with the speed limits for 30kph and 50kph and a runner, and the slogan 'no speed limit'. I liked that one :)

bonkers maybe you are actually secretly a world-class athlete, a Paula or a Sonia

bonkers - that is cheating. You need to issue magnifying glasses with that one.

Great pic driving - you look happy. Was it one of those big signs saying 'smile zone' like i have had at some races (well one actually)?

Well futurity - I am verbally committed to the Dorney Lakes one with a friend (also never done one and not a swimmer) so would definitely be up for it. Although I would be able to persuade her to another probably but this suits me best timewise/location etc. Although haven't looked at the cost ..... And of course if I bought my friend along you'd all have to pretend we met down the local pub or something .

bonkers you are a mere dot!

bugger

[[http://www.flickr.com/photos/gfdr/5925704366/in/set-72157627167722874/
try again]]

Nope, I look too rough and I'm too vain to let you see it. My GNR pic was much better. Anyway, there is another one of me in this 10K [http://www.flickr.com/photos/gfdr/5925704366/in/set-72157627167722874/ here]. If you look very, very carefully at the pack after the first 15 runners of so, I am the tiny pink person next to a man in a blue top.

ps do you think you get a free bra in your goody bag? that would be amusing, watching all the women lining up at the 36B distribution point - and how would they decide how big to go?? sorry, am going a bit mental after a full day of a 2.5 year old's company - she's not bad company for her age, but I've barely spoken to an adult, other than to get all snitty with the bus driver who stopped a full foot and a half away from the kerb - too near for me just to put the buggy in the road, too far for me to reach the pavement ...

futurity I could so do that, I reckon! but my goodness it's expensive, isn't it?

Wheelybug - just looked at the Dorney Lake one you mentioned...I could definitely be interest in that as is easier for me to get to and the sprint distance as has 400m swim but the higher bike and run distance:

www.humanrace.co.uk/events/triathlon/womenonly-triathlon-2011

yes, futurity I think I am; and I look like I am walking too, don't I? hardly an action shot :)

good picture driving...are you smiling!?

I always...without fail...look like I am walking in these types of pictures..I never look bold and confident...always look like I am out for a stroll.

Wheely That super sprint distance does seem very accessible ...400m swim is 20 lengths of my local pool (can probably do 3 at the moment!).

well, here I am - on the far left as you look at it, toiling up the hill with a big grin (the others are vile and make me think I need to lose a stone, get a haircut and stop frowning :) )

Just had a peek at the Blenheim website - does look beautiful and at least does have a super sprint which is the same distances I was looking at for the Women's tri at Dorney Lakes in July.

I watched the Blenheim Tri on tv the other day and was very much taken by the scenery and if I was to do one it would be that one! It is not exactly local for me though ....don't they start very early in the morning?...would have to stay over which isn't really viable for me. If it was closer I would definitely be interested...will ponder some more! (goes to look at the event website...)

Can I say that if you are mildly curious that Blenheim is a lovely one to do (especially if you only do the one)? Granted it is very pricey but it is the most beautiful setting with a stunning lake and bike / run course. With great marshalling and camraderie as there are lots of nervous people who are doing their first. These big events attract a lot of first timers so you will not be too intimidated by the scarily fast looking people who are also there. How many are interested? If we all committed now it would be rather nice, no, to all put it in the race diary for next year...

Thanks for that yummy - I'll have a nosey at that one - see if I can get it on eBay! I'm not motivated enough to a DVD though...

fannybanjo - I use Kristian MacGee's MTV POwer Yoga, which sounds really dodgy, but I actually find really good. Enough variety and movement to keep you interested, and a couple of really quite challenging bits. First 20/25 minutes are fairly quick moving through different poses, and the second half more focused on stretching - working up to a full crab at the end!! 5 minute additional pilates 'core' workout as a separate bit if wished.