Runners United: Where we support each other through the good runs, the bad runs and everything in between.

seemingly the whole city is virtually under water (we live on a slight incline hill) so not sure how feasible it will be to run along the canal to work tomorrow. Am dying to get out too.

fanny have decided to shelve it until DD2 is here - I also think that I need to work on base miles for a bit. But will do it early in 2012 - it's actually like an outdoor gym, but the woman specialises in training women, mostly for running. It sounded like a good stepping stone - to see whether I like being told what to do training this way

That sounds frightenng master. Have they upped security?
Now mine were the opposite Fanny ds1 so easy slept through a two weeks old and a very easy baby and pretty good now. But ds2 came out screaming and never stopped, only ever slept in 10 min slots and was such a hard baby.
Had a good day managed to get a good swim in this afternoon. Been to gym this evening an did some intervals on the treadmill and went on summit trainer which was blooming hard work but surely must help with dealing with hills. Did some on the rower and some weights . The intervals seem to go better on the treadmill than outside. So I have decied every second week (other week doing hills as advised) going to just go to gym and do intervals there instead of trying to do them outside,a bit hard as I have no garmin or anything. Not sure why I am telling you this but nevermind I have typed it now.

wench (trust me to use the latter part of your new name ) - I think, when you have 3 DC, you get the hard one (DD1), the easy one (DD2) and a middle of the road one (DD3). 3 x easy would be preferable.. DD1 was hard work from day one. It's how they're born isn't it? No matter what I do for her, it's not enough. She's ace though! I'm an Aries and she's a Scorpio so both fiery. The pair of us baking together before was more like Battle of Hastings. . .

I'm also wondering if this torrential rain might be heading our way - I hate to say it but the ground here is really dry and could do with a soak (famous last words .....).

Rhet good luck with your mum's visit, I have a degree in lipbiting and counting to ten - comes in handy.

master that's worrying. How close is the Somali border? I guess all you can do is take sensible precautions and keep alert. I notice there's been complete media silence over these recent kidnappings, presumably "stuff" is going on behind the scenes. These are such dangerous times .

fanny ds1 is pretty easygoing and ds3 is too young to be trouble yet, but oh my goodness ds2 .....he's 7 going on 13. That boy is just never wrong and will argue black is blue, wind everyone up then sit back as if he can't make out why he's in trouble. He's utterly bloody minded. Not so bad with me, but he clashes with DH as they are so similar - both Aries, like two rams butting heads! Then he can be an absolute sweetheart - today he decided to Hoover the kitchen without being asked, brushed the dog, and cleaned ds3's potty (urgh!) after ds3 had deposited a giant poo there. Honestly I wish I had the answer.

Goodness master - that is a concern. Dear me, I was faffing about where to stay in Newcastle for the GNR, you are having to worry about militia attacks. in general, how do you find it living in Africa? Only place I have been is Jo'burg and that was a disaster as caught an awful flu and had to stay in hotel BUT the staff were absolutely amazing, such nice people. Humbles you when you tip £5 and they are so thankful.

peach I have no words, your poor dad. You being a wonderful daughter will help though, times like these are when you need your family.

rhet have you started running club yet?

Just made some choc chip flapjocks(!) and lemon biscuits and last night made Banana and Pecan loaf. DH is a bit gobsmacked, he thinks Delia has been replaced in the shell of his wife! Kids demolished Bacon and Pea risotto which gobsmacked me, something I haven't made for them before as they can be fussy. Day one of half term been hard though, DD1 VERY tough to deal with, I flipped in the car on our way out before, turned it around and came home and refused to take them out as she was back chatting and generally talking to me like I was a piece of crap. She soon saw her arse! Any tips on how to deal with a 9 year old who is hyperactive and very vocal about EVERYTHING would be greatly appreciated...

Rhet, you are living in Waterworld! Wonder if it's headed this way? Good luck for your mother's visit. Teeth gritting if necessary! Ha ha

Master, that is very worrying. Are race organisers good at taking advice from police/millitary on these things? How long have you been out there?

Spent whole day on sofa with DD which was nice, she seems a bit better. DP on a rare night out so watching repeat of X Factor as didn't see it on Saturday, and eating some very strong cheddar which PILs brought us.

peach that's terrible for them, but I suppose they do at least both know what they are facing. DD's grandad was here at the weekend - his prognosis is quite good, but he is pretty freaked out and scared (which doesn't let him off the hook for his appalling opinions, but what can you do?).

We have had torrential (and I mean torrential) rain here all day, pretty much. I have been soaked to the skin twice, and the roof is leaking - all the roads in Dublin have about 3 inches of surface water. Suffice to say I didn't run today - wouldn't have had time today in any case. Desperately hoping it will clear overnight - I'm fairly hardy, but really, you'd be drenched walking to the car.

I am very sorry for those of you with dcs with nut allergies (or other allergies) - it must be very frightening and you must always be contending with other people's complacency...

good grief monkey mad and dangerous

put a link on FB to an article about Saturday, you can see the deer and the runner taking pictures, obviously I was not with the group taking this that seriously

Glad your back peachs, its just awful. Wish there was something better to say. Glad she bearing up ok. Hope dd feelng better soon too.
at your mil Monkey. I just dont get people sometime. I cant imagine how scarey must be for your child to have severe allergy.

Arrrgghhh I mean monkey, of course! [hblush]

Yes monkey, that's right. I think that is why she has decided now she has this dreadful prognosis, she just wants to go, as she and my dad have both been through this before and know how grim it is. I really don't know how my dad's going to manage on his own again, he was pretty lost after mum died . Another reason why I hate living so far away...

Goodness paws, you and strangeways have my sympathy on your DC's allergies, must be so scary. I think you are right, people who haven't experience of it probably don't take it seriously enough. Btw, this doesn't excuse your MIL, monkey, she is plainly mad. One of my friends has it, as far as she is aware it is peanuts, but she avoids all nuts and we all know her epipen is in her bag when we go out.

strangeways how old is your DD and how did you find out?

We found out a few months back when ds3 put a cashew in his mouth, spat it straight out, and collapsed. His lips and mouth blistered up and his face and throat started swelling, and so it was 999 and straight to A and E. By the time we got there his blood pressure was dropping and his heart was going at twice the normal rate. Luckily they stabilised him really quickly with adrenaline and steroids, but it was very scary and not something I ever want to repeat. That was the only plus, that the docs and nurses we dealt with were just amazing - calm, professional, caring, everything you could wish for.

We're not sure yet what other nuts he might have problems with as he needs to see the allergy consultant, but we've just been told at the moment to avoid all nuts and seeds. Oh and if in any doubt epipen first, questions later!

I think even people who know about allergies don't think through the contact issues and/or realise how drastic the consequences can be - hence the bird feeder incident you mentioned. My MIL clearly sees this as some kind of fad - I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. We are so careful but as you know the risks are always there.

Sorry for the waffle, people. Am feeling grumpy and introspective today.

peach so both your dad and stepmum lost their spouses to cancer? (have I got that right, apologies if I haven't)? That's so sad and unfair. I don't know what to say. Bloody bastard cancer . I'm glad she's bearing up ok and has her family around her.

I had lots of BH, scary at first aren't they? We are also House Of Cough And Cold this week, and currently enjoying a pyjama day watching Alice in Wonderland.

Hello all, I'm still here. Just popping in, I'll catch up with the race reports later. First day of half term is a bit hectic and DS is a bit poorly .

Bit tired today as I managed a horrible hill session on Saturday and did 10 miles yesterday, woohoo. Feeling it today though, as well as a certain amount of lack of sleep and I am feeling a bit jaded. Not sure when I will have the opportunity to run again this week, might have to squeeze is a couple of short ones in the evening ...ooh and I get scared of the dark!

monkey I am astounded at you MIL's attitude. Our DD is allergic to nuts, and touch wood has never had anaphylactic shock. Did you know about your DS having an allergy before then? It is my constant fear despite being careful. For DD's birthday a friend gave her a bird feeder complete with a packet of peanuts, and they know about her allergy. It really scared me how easy it is for people to forget, and how we have to monitor everything. You have my sympathy.

peach so sorry to hear about your Dad's wife. Wish there was something more I could say. Thinking of you.

Well done Fairy and bumply, on the Edinburgh fun run, you both did great. That hill doesn't sound like much "fun" to me!!!!

Debi, am in awe, that sounds really tough!!! It also sounds quite "professional", am sure I would have been Intimidated, but sounds like you were brilliant!!!

ibby, congratulations, and that is fantastic about your prizes, how lovely!!! So glad you went back for prize giving. Poor DH, he mustbe feeling very sheepish!

cherry, my Runner's World Complete book f Running describes Tempo runs as those which "start easy, build up to a steady speed, and then finish at an easy pace", so the way I understand it if you were say, training for a sub 25 min 5k, you would want to be running 8 min miles to get that. If your steady pace for longer runs was 9.30 min miles and you were going for a 5 mile tempo run you would do the first couple of miles at 9.30 min miles then run an 8.30 min mile then another 2 9.30 min miles. Then you build up to doing 2x 8.30 mins miles in the middle, then 3. Once this was comfortable you might do the middle miles at 8 min mile pace. Hope I haven't made that sound more complicated than it is!!! That is the way I do tempo runs anyway!

monkey (love the name btw!), your MIL is unbelievable! I mean snide/nasty/racist comments are one thing but playing fast and loose with your son's health is quite another. You did very well not to stick an epipen in her head!!!

Was shattered after jouney back yesterday and didn't get best nights sleep as DD had a cough and temp so was up with her for a bit. DP had been up with her on Saturday night too. Decided to lay low today while she, and I, recover. In fact she is still in her PJs and lying next to me on sofa.

sfx, yes dad's wife seems more concerned about making sure everyone else is ok, than worrying about herself. She has two children (and 3 grandchildren). Feel really bad for them as they have already lost their dad to cancer and now this is happening to their mum. Just awful.

Had lots of Braxton Hicks yesterday. Didn't have them with DD, god they are really uncomfortable! As a result of which have got finger out and packed (most of) my hospital bag. My DSIS is hopefully coming down the day after my due date for 4 days then we'll have two days on our own before MIL arrives (they are on holiday on due date), which makes me feel a little easier as worried how DD will react being turfed out house to a chum's at short notice. Hmmm, must pack bag for her too!!

Anyway, apologies for gargantuan post!!!!

Hmm, a lot of lipbiting and eyerolling goes on with the MIL. My BIL/SIL and family were also there, she finds it very stressful too (BIL once overheard his mother whispering to herself that SIL was a "dirty bitch" after MIL had found some dust on a shelf at their house!) so it's all pretty tense.

Ds3 just has pretty basic food, we buy everything from Sainsburys which is good for labelling, and avoid all sauces, gravies, chocolate items, cereals, biscuits and cakes, and anything from the deli counter or bakery in addition to anything obviously nutty. Lots of home baking for biscuits and cakes, which is no bad thing. It's all straightforward and the only fly in the ointment is eating out, which we no longer do with ds3 - except for yesterday.

What about Edinburgh, fanny? Meant to be a good one and fairly flat. I know what you mean about the time, but you're doing really well. One of the mums at school did her first half in 1.49 and the VLM a few months later in 3.49 (the cow ), so I think your target is do-able.

futurity we are on week 2 of half term - oh yes, deep joy ....

Ohh a wench in our thread.... . Bloody hell, I thought my MIL was bad but good God, that is abominable behaviour monkey. How you kept from exploding I don't know. Of course they had allergies in "her day", they just weren't aware of them and food was very basic. Do you have to make everything from scratch for DS? Well done on the 10 miler, you've done well to get back out and do the distance so soon. I take on board your comments re pace for marathon training but at the mo, I'm totally undecided whether to do one. I want to do at least 18/19 miles before I decide, crazy I know but marathons aren't for everyone and I don't want to spend £60 entering one then realise there's no way of me of me finishing it in the time I want to. I know people say just aim to complete it but I'm not one of those people who are happy with that! I'd want to do it in 4 hours. Hmmm, no pressure then....

Hi monkey
My word ..MIL's comments are unbelievable ..."in my day...!" Must be very frustrating for you.

Have been reading the thread but no time to add anything as in the middle of kitchen hell combined with trying to work and kids being on half term! Joy !

Afternoon all, it's me . I'll give you the secret password OK? YLFDT!

Sounds like a fabulous weekend of racing/running, debi I'm amazed you can get your legs to work running/cycling/running (is that right?) in succession like that. And as for ibby ..... amazing. I don't think I can see myself ever winning a prize for anything athletic. Maybe for being really elderly and being the only one to turn up?

bumply and fairy well done, is it an annual race? Sounds fun.

orange I'm glad you're getting some support.

I did my 10 miles nice and easy on Saturday, think I was still feeling the effect of the marathon in my legs as they got tired towards the end, but I managed 11 minute miles which is not bad for me on a medium run.

No running yesterday as we were down in Kent for MIL's birthday. Quite stressful as she kept trying to give ds3 food from her plate, and just won't accept he can't have food out unless we're guaranteed it's nut free, which is never going to happen. He's perfectly happy with his little packed lunch which we cleared in advance with the pub and they were great about it.

DH ended up phoning her last night and explaining again that having had ds3 in full blown anaphylactic shock and in A and E with them trying to prevent him having a heart attack, we are understandably very careful. Her response was just to say that "in my day" people never had these problems, and that we had epipens with us, so so what?

I just found it all really depressing and it's left me and DH feeling ever so flat today. I feel I have to make so many allowances for her behaviour and it wears me down. I know it's not much in the scheme of things, but after 20 years .... sigh. Sorry for the rant.

Quick hello to everyone else, I seem to have filled my post with a bit of a me me me moment .....

Well done bumply and fairy - that 5k route round holyrood is about as hilly as you can get without going ?off piste?. Bumply - I often find downhill tough too ? partly I find it hard on my quads but for me there is also a voice in my head going ? I?m going down hill, I should be going faster, I?m not going fast enough?? .

Fairy - enjoy the Zoo !

Debi - well done too, great race ? as always, bringing something else into the mix looks like a real challenge and is inspiring

ibby - brilliant stuff ? well done!

wheely - I think I?ve missed you?. Hope you have a great week and sort out your Garmin . I haven?t managed to get transport advice yet from sis but if I do I?ll post on here and fb just in case you managed to get on. And yes ? we have the same name (in fact my surname used to be ?H? too!). I am tall ish and will probably be with a bald man and another lady who looks remarkably like me! Good luck!

orange - hope this is the start of a good phase for DS

Peach hope everything went well on your travels this weekend.

June - ? hope you are feeling better

Easy paced 4 miles for me this morning in the wind ? really enjoyed it. Just going to get a couple in this week ? taking it easy before Sunday.

Half term here too. Taking the boys swimming today. Then going to try and do some intervals on treadmill at the gym this evening

hello first day of half term so getting ready to keep dd busy

debi well done, great report, love the bursts of motivation the clocks gave you, and the competitive spirit overtaking you (felt like running him over LOL)

fairly & bumply well done on the hilly but scenic route

Ibby well done with all the prizes how chuffed you and yours must have been

peach glad the journey went well, I expect your stepmum is one of those people who keep others needs ahead of hers, give her a big hug, I hope she finds some peace, does she have children?

paws so does MIL have wisdom to share?
about hill I did not really feel it most of it was gradual and I was only freaked out by a step short descent near the start when I was worried I would topple over

wheely hope you have a nice break yeah for new gadget

june hope your tummy is better today

orange good to hear you feel your ds is starting to get the help he needs

runners enjoy your holiday, do some lunges, walking and pilates or something to keep you moving

cherry sorry can't help with tempo threshold I am keeping things simple with burst of speed or splitting 200/400x4 with rests
I think I need to build up more running time otherwise I fear I will get injured

Well done fairy and bumbly too!! Posting from phone is a nightmare. However half term equals no chance of computer being free.

Well done ibby on a great time and how lovely to receive a prize too - bet you were chuffed!!

Debi bloody hell, that sounds hard work - you do like to make it hard for yourself doing these dualathons! Respect!

Peach glad weekend went well and your step-mum seems in good spirits. I know a couple of people who have had terminal cancer and they have planned their own funerals, extremely sad.

wheely I have the unisex 110, it is so easy to set up, set your laps up to what distance you want (I have mine to lap every mile) and then press button to start! Road test it on your last jog before GSR do you know what you're dealing with. I tell ya, you'll wonder how you managed to run without it. I forgot mine a few weeks ago and felt like I couldn't run properly!

Legs were fine after 16 miler. Recovered Saturday then did 4 miles "steady" yesterday at 7.49m/m. I'm getting quicker so something is working. . These LSR on very hill course are, I assume, working.