Runners United. C'mon let's be awesome at running in 2012!!

It doesn't have to be London no. But I fancy doing a big event. I emailed the charity to ask about GSR but they don't have places there either. It's not a big charity but is for an illness that dh's cousin has so I would have no problems raising the money. chief that's what I thought- they might think, just 10k, that's not far! There's nothing to stop me doing Royal Parks for the charity anyway (if I got in) but then I'd obviouly have to pay the entry fee myself.
How would I get into London though? Or do I worry about that nearer the time?

chief, I'm from the not so posh end. A small estate between Mill O' Mains and Trottick (which is nicer than both those areas)

£45? Ouch. Nice hoodie though! I agree with sticky debi, for me its usually about the charity not the effort per se. Plus if its a friend asking for sponsorship I would sponsor them regardless of the distance they are doing, if that makes sense.

if it's me debi I'm more concerned about the charity than what the person's doing for it. I don't very often sponsor people, because I'm a tight git because I think it's better just to set up a standing order to one and make more of a difference, but when it's a friend it makes me feel better if it's a charity I would have like to give money to anyway.

Does it have to be London?

Debi I am about 10 minutes drive inland from Monifieth.

I think I would enter the Royal Parks ballot as it looks like great race. If you are known as "a runner" then people might be a bit funny about sponsoring for a 10k - but if you can raise enough it shouldn't really matter. (Those same people are likely to be armchair athletes anyway!)

Which part of Dundee are you from? I grew up in the west end.

Where do you live littlechief? Is it you who's in Angus? If so I'm jealous too. I come from Dundee (not that I'd want to live there again)

I'm having a dilemma over autumn HMs. Was thinking about entering the ballot for the Royal Parks but the £45 entry fee puts me off. Along with transport costs it could get very expensive.
I enquired to a charity I'd like to run for but they don't have any places in it. They do have places in the London 10k and the Run to the Beat half. So do I go for one of them?
The only issue is that I can't get into London on public transport (have only checked trains) before 8.45am on a Sunday. This makes Run to the Beat impossible to get to on the Sunday. So do I enter royal parks ballot anyway? And do I offer to do the 10k with a charity place? Would people sponsor me to run 10k? Or does it need to be something more impressive?

Managed to get out for 5 miles today - weather very different to earlier in the week - quite dreich - running in the cold and frost off road are probably my favourite conditions.

littlechief - beach run sounds great. I have a few beachy bits if I go along the coastal path.

Super that sounds really good fun. Where did you find out about it?

Well done orange, great time. I know what you mean about 'fun running', sometimes its really nice not to be a slave to speed/distance etc and just to listen to your body. I like to do that occasionally on a cross country route, taking the dog along for the ride. Although, I guiltily admit that I do usually put my Garmin on but refuse to look at it until I have finished, just so that I can see how far I've been. Enjoy your jaunt around Durham tomorrow!

Aah yest sticky running avec plaisir! Has a nice ring to it doesn't it? Did it inspire your "no garmin" fun run! Think it's a good plan for us all now and again! Someone told me the other day that if you are looking at your watch then you're not going fast enough!!

Bonne course!! Happy running!

I like a race whose main objective is "prendre du plaisir"! Sounds great and very achievable, especially with a friend so you can spur each other on. Brilliant! Hope your friend is up for it superspud

Also had a 6 mile outing this morning. Definitely could feel the longer run in my legs, IYSWIM, but not too badly and averaged 9:31m/m which is very reasonable for me!

Planning to do a "fun run" tomorrow - i.e. no garmin, just running for the sheer plaisir of it round lovely Durham for about 5 miles, then try and make a good effort at the park run on Saturday.

Happy running everyone!

Great - thanks for the words of encouragement. I have emailed my potential twin to see if she's up for it... I hope so! Like you say, you have to train a lot once you've signed up for such a huge race!

Runners - a twin race means you have the same bib number and you run together! You have to cross the line together! Sounds great for someone like me who runs better with someone else.... I know quite a few people either doing the twin or the 30k/50k. 50k is just mindblowing isn't it?!

I agree super 10 weeks to get to 18k is really achievable. At the risk of sounding stupid, what is a twin race?

I have days like that too runners. Its strange.
Def do-able super. Having a race booked will spur you on too.
Did 6 miles today despite being very tired this morning, my own fault late night. It only started raining for the last 10 mins but could of done with it a bit sooner to refresh me [daydreams about being able to control weather with a remote control].
Planning 7 miles next week.

absolutely do-able super - 10 weeks is a good training window.

Hello again everyone! Great running going on out there... Did my first run in a week with a friend last night, have had a cold (almost at death's door obviously!) and busy diary so not managed much. Came to the conclusion with my friend that I NEED a race to sign up to! Can do a 10K I know it and there's a few around before the end of feb...
My other question is can I manage an 18K trail run...? It's not till the end of March and it's a twin race and I know of someone looking for a twin.... is it feasible when the furthest I have run is 9k? But it is 10 weeks away! What do you expert ladies think? This is it.... Obviously need to buy some trail shoes and hydration pack....
Trail race

Trying not to be too jealous LittleChief (but failing).

No running for me today - did some squats, lunges, crunches etc though in a bid to complete a fitocracy.com "quest"

The landscape is certainly a major reason why DH and I have chosen to stay in this area. We can be at Sainsbury's within 10 mins but still have mountains, lochs and beaches within easy reach for spur-of-the-moment outings.

Well done shred. I struggled to do 4.25 miles at 10.12 this morning in the rain. But I did it.

I never quite get how some days a run feels easy and other days it feels like I have lead weights on my legs. Think I'll take a day off tomorrow and then fit in a LSR of 7 ish miles on Friday as I can't run over the weekend as DH and I are away without the DCs!

Morning all, just about.

Lovely run last night in the cold crisp air. 3.1 miles at 10.14 average pace, that's good for me. Hoping to run tonight but it's dreary and wet so it won't be so much fun.

I would so love to run on a beach - I dream of being near the sea.

Also jeaslous of you running on a beach.

Thanks Tipple was lovely! There was a beautiful red sunrise this morning and the sea was flat calm - we did 6 miles in 1hr 3 mins which is faster than I probably would have gone on my own. It gives a great feeling of satisfaction to have 6 miles under your belt before 10.30am. (9.45min/miles is fairly fast to me)

Well done squix on your hill repeats. I've tried then once and am still building up the courage to do them again. They hurt!

Just done 3.5 miles in the frost, which went really well. After the first mile I felt really strong so picked up the pace and got faster over each mile, bringing my overall time down to a respectable 9.45m/m. I know that's jogging for some of you, but I felt like I was flying!

chief I'm jealous of you running on the beach, it sounds gorgeous. Hoe you enjoyed it.

Well Done Sticky on your 20 miles - it's not just finding the time though, it's the motivation too (sorely lacking here).

I did a short run with the newbies at my club last night (3.6 very frosty miles). I am meeting another club runner this morning for a slow run along the beach - it will be nice to have company for a change as I am usually a lone runner.

Re: HRM straps - I think I found it a little annoying the first time I wore it but now I don't notice it at all.

Fishie those motorbikes are horrible. There is stretch of cycle path near me that would be lovely if not for the teenagers with scanty facial hair and their noisy machines.

sticky - fantastic - well done, hope you get a good sleep tonight.

My park run is v flat, on a footpath so no mud and is a lollipop loop so no corners. However, it is down by the water so can get v windy.

Lovely run today, all off road, very cold and the paths were beautiful and frosty. 30 mins running along the paths and 18 mins of hill repeats in the middle - I was exhausted after the last one.

eyes taking notes - interesting. My writing style is well up the swannee.

maybe it is the iron rhet, it certainly has the opposite effect if it's not there IYSWIM. I also wonder is it because you're feeling under such pressure to pack it all in, you're running faster. Well done on the ad libbing - I'd hate that, with all those eyes upon me (and them taking notes!), nightmare! I guess you're very used to it tho.

fishie what a horrible accident, hope there weren't serious casualties. Bikes are so vulnerable, I wish we would have proper provision on the roads to keep people safe.

Thank you for your kind words about my little run . I can assure you it wasn't done fast, just kept plodding along. In other words, wasn't beyond anybody in terms of capability, just do need the time to do it, which is the big issue for most people I know.

cest fine, of course (just try not to post up all your details on the thread like I did. D'oh! Obviously running makes me stupid(er)). And to anyone else who's on FB, the little community over there is great, supportive and very often hilarious...