general running thread

Oh I really like races! I'm slow, so I'm just happy to cross the finish line! But I like the atmosphere and I start nice and far back so that I can at least overtake a few people. I was looking forward to the half marathon, sort of. It's good to do something a bit scary sometimes!

Ooh a running thread - lovely. And great to see some names from the C25K and half marathon threads I've been on.

I'm an evangelical C25K'er - I started with C25K a couple of years ago (with the help of a MN thread) and have just (Sunday) done my fifth half marathon. I'm doing BUPA 10K in May as part of the MN Woolly Hugs Team, and have a place in the New York marathon in November .

I just had a 2 mile trot around the block today.

Holmes you must be really frustrated. I guess rest and wait and see. I don't know how I feel about doing races full stop. I'm not sure I will like the whole running in a crowd thing or the sensation of a heap of people trying to get past me. Eek.

Applejelly - I don't actually know what injury precisely! It's my foot. Could be a minor stress fracture. I've had it before, and for the same reason - over-training by increasing my distance too much in one go. I should have learnt my lesson last time, but I was getting twitchy about not making the distance, and race day was fast approaching. Idiot. Now I don't know whether to give up on the whole idea of a half or not. It's so annoying, especially as it's my own silly fault for neglecting the 10% rule.

Blimeydoyouthinktheysaurus you are a running machine! Your runs are what i would call 'bloody long!' at my stage in the game! Peggy O, I'll see how I go on saturday and take it from there. I just feel like I find running 10k challenge enough distance wise but I guess if I increase the distance SUPER slowly maybe I'll get to half marathon possibilities. We'll see. For the minute I'm having fun and also beating some mental demons whilst I'm at it. I always used to have a 'fight or flight' response to running - ie I associate it with running FROM something and as a means of staving off panic by running off the adrenaline. Now I'm finally beginning to see it as something more -dare I say it - enjoyable! My favourite runs this year have surprised me in that they were the ones when I was running through the snow or in the torrential rain. There is something exhilirating and satisfying about being and not being beaten by the elements.

@snowgirl, no I'm not. I don't even know what they are. I'm no pro at this running malarkey :-)

Hello runners

I've been running for about 3 years I think, might be 4 by now I've done a marathon but have no more races on the cards at the moment. Racing stresses me and running stops being fun for me!

I do have hopes of another marathon in the future but since the last one my hours have increased at work and I just don't have the time or energy to commit to the long runs. I want to put right all the mistakes I made last time but it will wait. I now have a plan to do another in about 5 years.

I run normally 4 times a week, long run of about 12 miles, shorter one of 9 and a 6 and 5 miler. Longer runs in the hills, shorter on the flat. I'm slow, slow, slow but I don't care. I like to run off road but I'm sick of the mud at the moment! And we had snow last week

You sound just like me Allbie

My understanding Peggy is that fartlek should be very unstructured, just go with the flow ensuring you do varied pace and give yourself recover time.

Well done everyone, sounds like there is some brilliant running action going on! It's great to hear so many of you are Parkrunners, I am pretty evangelical about mine.

Pleaseputyourshoeson, you still have plenty of time to get to half marathon distance in time for the autumn I reckon - I did a 10k race last Sunday and this week have started a half marathon training plan for my race in June. You'll probably find that as your distance increases your 5k times get a bit faster too. So I think that if a part of you feels like you want to give it a go, you should just go for it! The body is pretty amazing at getting stronger once you start upping your distance. Good luck in your race!

Can anyone offer any tips about fartlek training? The plan I am following suggests one fartlek session a week. I went out this morning and did 35 minutes (including a warm-up and cool-down jog) but I felt like it was extremely unstructured, I just mixed in some 30 second sprints and 60-90 second long intervals at a faster pace than usual, and then went back to jogging in between until I felt like I had got my breath back. I'm not really sure if I should have more of a plan or a structure to next week's fartlek session!

I would say that you need nothing other than water, assuming you're trained, until the 2 hour point. Most serious marathon runners drink a bit of the water but use most of it to throw over their heads and thighs, where it is more useful.

Pleaseputyourshoeson are you using any carb gels when you run out of energy? Although anoldbloke might say say that's the commercial side of things

Hi all! Does anyone run just for themselves? I love to run alone listening to my radio. I have tried running in marathons but simply love to run on my own with no targets and no personal bests! I have had some fab runs lately in this wild and wacky weather...what I call 'movie moments'. Running through thick snow flakes being one of them! Brilliant fun.

I've been running since the '70s and am more than happy to give advice. It's a wonderful, fulfilling and very cheap activity so long as you don't buy into the commercial side of it.

Wow ,pleaseputyourhoeson, 2 stone in 6 months? That's impressive and definitely a good motivator! I bet you really enjoy your 10k race and there's loads of time to train up gradually for the half marathon in autumn.

What injury homessweetholmes? I am a bit obsessed with injury at the moment having had 2 spoil my running in the last 2 years! On the plus side my knees feel back to normal only 5 days after a v painful run so I'm hopeful that the exercises I'm doing are working & I'll be running again sooner than I thought.

I'd like to join this thread. I've taken up running in the last six months or so. I'm running my first 10k on saturday. Kind of dreading it! I signed up to run a half marathon in the autumn in a bid to force myself to keep going all year but I'm not sure if that's a distance too far and if I wouldn't prefer to just keep trying to get faster at a 5 and 10 k. Time will tell I guess. At the minute it seems a tall order as by 11k I feel I've used up ALL my energy and I begin to feel my hips ache and my butt, knees etc! - Makes me feel old! I am trying to do a longer run on the weekends, a swim once a week, two interval training sessions and a short run session a week. I'm a lot fitter than when I started but could still be a lot fitter than I am if you know what I mean! I'm hoping to do the 10k in an hour but have no ideas as to date the only 10k's I've run have been with lots of hilly bits and this is flat. I'm terrified of doing a race but I'm thinking that by entering I am committed to train which means I can't slob any more. I've lost two stone in the process and don't want it back so that's motivation enough!

Ooh - a general running thread is a good idea! I've been running for a few years now but have just had to pull out of doing my first half marathon,for the second time ,due to a minor injury. Just managed a short run today though, so onwards and upwards! Can't decide whether half marathons are just not for me, and to stick to 5 and 10k or to grit my teeth and try one more time...
Anyway, I love my running usually, and love doing Parkrun.

Oooh, a running thread. Excellent, just what I need to motivate me to get back into training. I really haven't got back into it properly since having DD (and that was 14 months ago!) and I want to! I'm toying with the idea of signing up for the Berlin marathon in early autumn...

Lovely thread. I'm recovering from a bad muscle tear so I'm taking it slowly. I did it on 1 Jan and then again in February, as I think I went back to running too quickly. Nth is time I've had weekly physio and am back to running 2 miles. Aiming for 3 miles this weekend and up to 10K by May.

I've only been running a year but love it.

Hi! Can I join please, did my first proper run yesterday for the first time in ages as I'm training for this:- Eek! I'm just doing the half mucker though.

I 'only' did 7 miles, and my quads are hurting today!

Runnng home from work twice a week about 5 miles. Few smaller ones in the week 2-3 miles plus same at weekend. Been at it since just before Xmas with a 3 week break for illness in Jan. I have never run in my life, I am in my 40's and can't believe I can do it! 5 miles takes about an hour so I am not super fast though. Thinking of a 10 k in the summer. Keep it up girls :)

Hooray, lots of runners!

Lilleth, 5 10ks and a 10 miler?! Wow, you will be busy!

Victoria, what kind of stuff do you do with your trainer? Sounds painful whatever it is!

Congrats on the half kilomathon theorginial! I'm not fast either and still always feel a little bit elated not to be at the very back of every race.

Good job Hedgepig, sounds like you are pretty much ready for your race already.

I now have every run and cross training session between now and my half marathon in June in my diary - it's a little bit scary looking at it all! Still, one step at a time...

Hedgepig if you can do 6 miles now then you are more than ready for a 10k in April, well done.

Hi there! Just done my first couple of 5k runs after 3 injuries in 2012. Target is 10k in under 60 min. Frustrated by muddiness of off-road running at present - really can't be doing with another injury from slipping over.

10k is slightly over 6.2 miles. 6 and a quarter is good enough for doing mental arithmetic for your splits.