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

Emma - you'll be so pleased when you do the HM and you don't have to do a Krypton Factor test, it'll seem easy!!

Interesting about the cod liver oil and stuff.... does anyone else have (occasional) problems with pins and needles? I was doing a 45 min tempo run this morning (can you tell I'm doing the BUPA training rather religiously?? ) and the last 20 mins I could hardly feel my right foot. This doesn't happen all the time, but I'm not sure what's triggering when it does. Weird.

Anyway, hope you're all having a good day today. It's warm and sunny in the NE, which is very cheering after all that rain :)

Congratulations on your new pad, peachsmuggler. Sounds lovely. Well done on rour run yesterday Peakrunner - 12 miles at any pace is not to be sniffed at.

Hip feels fine today, but I think I will splash out on some glucosamine and cod liver oil just in case they help.

I had an anxiety dream last night about my half marathon. I'd forgotten my running gear, and had to do the race in what I was wearing: jeans, my converse, and a button-down shirt. As if that wasn't bad enough, the race organisers had decided to mix it up a little with a Krypton Factor style dexterity test at every mile marker - you weren't allowed to pass until you got it right.

Fantastic day for racing! glad everyone did well

I ran a wonderful 12 Peak District miles this morning, ok it took nearly 3 hours but that was at chatting pace, I'm concentrating on time on my feet rather than speed at the moment. A few club members have done this 56 mile race in September and I might do it this year. But I might chicken out. lets see how training goes!

Regarding supplements I take Glucosamine and cod liver oil for joints (I stock up when they are on offer ); 1000mg vitamin C adn zinc for immunity because nothing knocks training out like getting a cold! I dont knwo what works but I'll let you know if I'm still running when I'm 80

I need to stock up on insect repellant, apparantly Avon Skin so Soft works against midges. I was bitten by a a horsefly

I tend to train in the fells but prefer road racing so I understand what you are saying bonkers about liking to get in to your stride.

Hooray for all the racers!

Excellent work master, am sure it laid some ghosts to rest, and loving the cheapness!

Wheely, 25 mins is a great time, and wow to coming 7th. Your mum sounds pretty inspirational too!

Bonkers. Am speechless. 46 minutes! Amazing, well done you!

N4NNY, please don't be embarassed about posting your time, we are all running at different speeds and lengths! It's fantastic you got a pb, that's all any of us can hope for, so well done!

Driving, I think you are right about refocussing and concentrating on the many positive things that running brings you. Also, like you were saying, once DD2 arrives, you ain't gonna have time to scratch yer arse!

DrNo, you do your insects don't you? Think of them as small, protein-based refuelling snacks.

Have spent the weekend removing limescale from bathroom taps and cleaning oven job extractor fan (the glamour!) as we are moving in 4 weeks. Hurrah! Found lovely house just up the road from here with big garden which DD will love. Loving the thought of not dragging pram, DD, and shopping up 2 flights of stairs before getting to front door.

Ahhhh, just poured my self a lovely glass of Blossom Hill.

So, DH and DS2 came with me to the race (DS1 stayed at home). We got the with plenty of time to spare which was lovely. I'd had porridge a banana for breakfast and had drunk enough. Off to the loo at 10.30 which I'm glad I did because there was (as usual) a long queue. Then just time for a warm up and off to the start line at 11am. I wasn't even sure which way the race went (even though I've done this race a couple of times). I started about 1/2 way in the pack of 336 runners, which is a good place for me. It usually means I only overtake. I felt good. By 3K I had settled into a good pace and started my usual style of aiming for who I would pass next. I didn't stop for water at just past 5K as I was in a really good pace. At 6K I felt heavy in my legs though my breathing was fine. I gave myself a little motivational talk and then felt better. By 8K the pack was pretty spread out and I was thinking I wouldn't be able to pass anyone else. It was getting quite tough by then to keep up my pace. At 9.5K I saw DH and DS2 which spurred me on. Not much left for a sprint finish, but it was a downhill finish which was good. I'm really pleased with my time. I was the 12th FV35 woman and 15th woman overall (fast older ladies...yay!). 98th out of 336 in total.
This was my sort of race. Road and only mildy undulating. I run best when I can keep my pace going rather than tripping and stumbling over tracks and wet fields.

Hi running people,

46 mins for a 10k - what I can only dream of ... my Race for Life is next Sunday. I did a 4k run yesterday quite comfortably in around 25 minutes, so I am feeling quite confident for next week. I am aiming to go under 30 minutes as have never managed that in previous 5k races.

I see in fact there is another person doing the same RFL in St albans as me - pawsnclaws are you out there?

I definitely find doing lots of cross training, so not just running, is the way to go for me. Have just invested in a child bike seat, so whilst DP was at work this afternoon, DS and I went for a bike ride. not quite sure how impressed he was by it all, everytime I looked round, I could just see a big bottom lip sticking out underneath the slightly too big cycle helmet!

We are off to the lake district this week, so taking running stuff, bikes oh and wetsuits for a bit of open water swimming fingers crossed!

wheelybug meant to say well done that's a fab time and one I can only dream of.

Well done on the PB N4NNY - That's what counts at the end of the day ! And it wasn't nice - v. humid.

BTW, thanks for the links SFX to Ham and other open water info everyone. I am getting massively ahead of myself but will remember these in the future !

After wheelybug fantastic 25 mins I'm ashamed to post my time :-( but it was a Pb for me so I guess I should be happy :-). It was very hot, it was my first run after being I'll last weekend and I struggled a little and had to walk I'm now very worried about my half marathon hoping it's was just a blip post illness

Well done master, bonkers and wheely! You all did fantastically!

I haven't run for the last 4 or 5 days as my calf muscles are really, really tight and sore. Not sure what caused it but hoping to get out tomorrow. I did spend most of last night on a bouncy castle/climbing wall/slide with ds at a wedding so still got plenty of exercise!

Crikey, I wouldn't be disappointed with 25 minutes! Shame about the SIL though. Still, 7th place is v creditable indeed, so far my only race result was 2,103th place or something, so 7th sounds as good as 1st to me!

Well done to your mum too.

DrNo, I don't wear insect repellant but I think I would if I were running later in the day - so far I seem to get up before most of the flies and midges. Tesco do a decent cheap one that I wear when I'm hillwalking in the summer months.

Hi All

Really pleased for you M&M that it went so much better ! Fab time. Well done.

And fantastic time Bonkers !!

Just popping in to report in - RFL was ok, hot and humid and I felt really dehydrated ! A rather disappointing 25 mins but came 7th (not at all miffed that I didn't notice that the person who passed me and came 6th was my SIL.. no not miffed at all ).

Most importantly though I am v. proud of my Mum. She did 40 mins although was disappointed in herself that she had to walk a couple of times, But y'know she's 67 and is vowing to do another to prove she can run it all . Go Girl !!

Bonkers Wow! That is a speedy time. You must be chuffed. And master so glad you got the time you wanted and no cramps!

I did 8 miles today and found it hard going tbh. Finding it hard to believe I ran a HM only a month ago, couldn't have managed 10 today let alone 13. It is true what they say - if you don't use it you lose it! Need to gat back on track with my weekly 10 milers, but as SIL is in Spain for teh summer hols I have no running bud....

DRiving maybe some time off from races and fretting about times will do you good? You do seem to be quite hard on yourself and the times you get and teh pace you run at. You are a great runner, and cover distances 90% of the population can only dream about so go easy on yourself, it is meant to be fun

Does anyone wear insect repellent when running? If I eat another god damn fly I will sprout wings I'm sure. Today I was getting attacked by the blighters. I do run in a wood, by a river, and the paths are often very narrow with overgrown grass/trees/shrubs/nettles/green things that flies like.

Regarding supplements I take Glucosamine Sulphate and Cod LIver Oil, have done for a while now ever since someone suggested it when I had Shin Splints. I think they do something positive......

Off to MIL's tonight for Raost beef and Yorkshire puds

Wow - well done both of you! Brilliant achievements - can't wait to read your reports.

Back from my 10K. 46:29. I'm really chuffed. Race report later, must feed the children and other things.

Well done themaster

I survived and got a PB of 2.04. It was great fun, back after a roast lunch with a full report.

Morning runners! had a couple of days off this week, visiting a friend up north, then 4 miles yesterday and my long run today: 9.25 miles, in 1:25. Felt harder than last week, though I suppose it is the longest I've ever run, and my hip was giving me some trouble. Stupid hip. I don't know what its problem is, sometimes it plays up on shorter runs, sometimes not, and last week on my long run over the same route it didn't bother me at all - I don't know what that's all about.

Does anyone here take supplements for joints? Would you recommend them? I can never work out how reliable the evidence is for glucosamine & chonditroin etc, and they are very expensive. Omega 3 and cod liver oil are cheaper, but I haven't really done much research into those either.

Good luck to those running today.

Good luck master

Driving I run for very similar reasons I have to be careful not to obsess and not to become too dependent on it. Running is great but it has to be one of the things that keep me together rather than 'the one'
Keep it pleasurable and challenging

Happy running

good luck m&m! I am rapidly revising my plans - we're away, DD keeps waking up at 6am, and well, it's just not working out. I also realise that I run to keep fit and to keep my weight down, and for my mental health, and obsessing about times and paces is standing in the way of achieving these objectives. So next year I am going to keep it simple, and not do very many races - it's not what I'm at, really.

In any case, we are going to have 2 tiny children, so I need to be realistic (and no real childcare beyond 3 mornings a week).

Just about to pop off for my half. It cost me £1.50 to register . Good luck everyone else.

Good luck to all race for lifers and anyone else racing this weekend!

I'm looking forward to a long club run tomorrow because I've been stuck in all week with poorly DCs including a night in hospital with DD who couldnt shake off the sicky bug and needed rehydrating (all back to normal now, phew). I need to get some fresh air in to my lungs.

I've ordered Shred dvd, summer holiday entertainment for the kids... watch mummy exercise!