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

rhet I know, you are right. I need a HRM to calm me down don't I? I am a naturally competitive person (with myself) and always want to do the best and I need to stop pushing my body all the time. Typical control freak really. Although my training has worked this time so I must be doing something right! In 6 weeks, I have managed to knock 7.40 mins off my last HM. I do believe we are all different and I kind of am learning along the way BUT I do love getting advice from you all and I have always stored it in my brain and used it. I think my plus point is I only do 4 runs a week, any more and I would burn totally out and any extra runs would have to be easy runs in aerobic state.

Rhet, dinnae panic lassie, it will all be fine when DD2 arrives. Agree a lovely book and naff tshirt sound like s good idea. My DD1 is quite a bit older than yours, at 3 and 8 months so is very into the whole thing and excited etc but your DD will be fine. She is younger so won't be long till she forgets that the universe did indeed once revolve around her!!! Have you got her a present from the baby? I've got a "Mr Bear's new Baby" (featuring older sister bear!), a Tinkerbell DVD (boak) and going to get a My Little Pony (double boak), which she will flipping love!!! I can't get my head round prospect of having baby in house so am not even going to try, will just wait for juggernaught to hit! Feeling a lot more imminent now we have less than two weeks to go. Washed sling today (shouts hallelujah at end of washing marathon) and just need to order spare part for pram which I still can't find. Even sat on yoga ball for a bit today and did the lady gardening.

fanny you probably know what I'm going to say; at a guess I'd reckon that you are doing most of your training in your anaerobic zone and what you need is aerobic conditioning...go figure. Anyway, I'll send you the stuff - your splits for this run were pretty constant, only slowing a little for the hill. But you are a completely different type of runner from me with different goals (and more basic talent) and what works for one doesn't work for all.

orange lol at being id-ed - it's been a while since I was - although it did happen into my mid-30s from time to time.

sticky if you have 3 mins, watch this - answers your question and pretty funny!

Dear me, I am feeling pretty sick at the moment... Think the day is catching up on me, I haven't stopped.

orange g'awn, do it!!

wheely it's on the edge of Manchester (my SIL is from there, she reckons it's the posh bit!)

Fanny now you've said this twice now about the bags. What is it that's in this goody bag? Interest definitely piqued...

lol no I wouldn't be racing it just plodding around.

Orange you'd finish it even if you only did 7/8 miles in training. I'd go for it plus we could meet!!

Yes peach both dh and I did. But not confrontationally enough. Dd says 'i've got curlywurly hair' . I realise its marmite hair (love it or hate it) but ....

Might see how I go upping my miles and see if there are any places last minute.

wheely I'm fucked!! Eyes aren't even focusing!!!

peach thank you, hope all ok with you?

Sorry meant to reply to orange re Stockport 10! orange why don't you do it as part of training? Don't "race" it per se, use it as a good way to learn about racing?

It was orange asking about stockport Fanny. not entirely sure I know where stockport is (southern softie here)

Great race report Fanny. it sounds like you did it completely right, except the virgin powerade trial (naughty fanny, slaps on err, not fanny, erm bum!). Racing for pbs SHOULD be hard and it sounds like you really pushed yourself, well done! Hope you had summat nice for your tea tonight!

Cote, what a shame about the race, sounded pretty dramatic there! Well done on running anyway, hope you're not too soggy!

orange, you young thing!!!!

Wheely, am at your MIL!!! Your DD2 has beautiful hair!!!! Why anyone would not think so is beyond me, and to say it!!! Did you say anything?. I probably wouldn't as am a total weenie who runs a mile from confrontation but maybe ask DH to tell her to zip it! My DD has curlywurlycrazyhair and it rocks!!!

And get her an 'i'm a big sister' t shirt. Highly naff but makes them feel special IMO !

Thanks sticky! Still loved the GNR more though, this race was so different!

wheely at your MIL. Although I can be a gobby cow, I'm learning some things are best not said and that includes sarcastic insults. Not funny at all. Your DD will get a complex. I am intending to do Stockport 10, for the famous goody bag mainly!!! . You defo not up for it?

Oh rhet meant to say - please send me the scan, I'd be so grateful. On your recommendation, I've asked DH to buy me the heart rate monitor for my Garmin for Xmas. You see, you don't realise that although you class yourself as a "plodder", I view you are a better, stronger, more experienced runner than myself and actually look up to you and you are very honest and I love that.

Got awful cramping tonight.

Just thinking (slowly), it does refer to Mommy and Daddy, but presumably that's something you've already got DD1 comfortable with?

rhet if you've not already got it, DD1 loved "I'm a big sister now" www.amazon.co.uk/Im-Big-Sister-Joanna-Cole/dp/0688145094. It's a bit American, but the message is just right, imo. I just "translated" Mommy and diapers (DD1 couldn't read at the time, so it hardly mattered!). They still love it; in fact, I had to read it to them this afternoon. It seems to reassure them in their relationship, which is very sweet.

Thanks Sticky

Yes orange but she's only 2.7 so wouldn't notice at the mo but it won't be long till she does and dd1 was there and is almost 7 so fully aware of what she hears !

Rhet - you'll be fine when dd2 comes along, you'll soon wonder what you did without her. No advice re dd1 - my dd1 was over 4 when dd2 came along and was desperate for a sister by then !

rhet young lady, I never take offence as I've had best advice from you all on here and each of you have helped me enormously. Re speed, I want to get faster, my aim is a sub 1.45 HM but it's going to take a while to
tune my body! I need to manage to finish next 2 HMs at constant pacez I agree re endurance but how's best way to sharpen it? I can do the miles no problemo so can only assume I need to work on getting myself trained to not flunk final stage. Training plans great but they are too general iykwim, we are all so different! Any tips welcomed!

Fanny have you thought anymore about stockport 10? Im in stockport and would love to do it but don't think I am up it, if it was perhaps a month later. Planning on doing first 7 miles on wednesday so could probably build up to 10 just about for then but there is two hills in it might be different if flat.

wheely I hope your DD didnt hear. What a stupid thing for your MIL to say. Do you reckon when our offspring get partnered up, we'll be handed a step-by-step guide on how to piss them off? I can't imagine having so many opinions about things which are none of my business right now...

orange have a from me, my love. Some people just love to have a leetle bit of power to wield, don't they ? Just shows how inadequate they are as people.

wheely dratted MIL - I had that white blonde hair as a kid too (well, till I was in my teens, actually) - you hardly ever see it in Ireland. I don't know how collectively we seem to have accumulated such a bunch of (at best) tactless and (at worst) dysfunctional parents...

great report fanny I'm not sure about the mileage thing - I think you need to build your endurance, not work on your speed, personally. You know you have the speed, it's maintaining it over distance that you find hard - ergo, you need better endurance, no? Will send you the pages from my book tomorrow and see if you think it describes you

cote agree, doing the race anyway is hardcore! my legs have got progressively more sore as the day has gone on, but will probably be better tomorrow - 45 mins of hard downhill running has taken its toll on my quads. I also have a cold :( and stiff shoulders (from the uphill arm pumping?)

getting jumpy about DD2 now as well - less than 4 weeks to go. I can't imagine what it will be like having a baby in the house. Any tips for preparing DD? that's one of the things I'm worried about. Going to put down first year essays and watch Downton Abbey now...

great weekend all round, I'd say

No boasting Sticky I was properly peeved and think I even said to dh something about never shopping in Morrisons again [orangehead having a bit of a tantum].
Wheely . Was that in dd2's earshot?