Is there a general running thread?

Eau.

Fortunately there is a swimming pool/sports centre at our parkrun, which we run past three times, so anyone who gets caught short can duck in there no, I haven't, not me, not ever. I think I know the location of every loo on my regular running routes. My pelvic floor isn't as good as it was

I am looking forward to next week, mostly because I will be meeting cinnamon, but also because I hope it will kick-start my motivation.

9k in 54mins this morning. Not too shabby as until a month ago I never even ran for a bus! Gives me hope for a sub-60 10k at end of May.

I was marshalling at a parkrun once where a bloke came out of the bushes having been for a sneaky poo- doubt he got a PB that week!

I'm not risking a change in diet. I don't want to end up really backed up and too uncomfortable to run (or worse, the opposite! Can you imagine... ). I just need to make sure I'm hydrated enough. Making cups of tea and then forgetting about them is not going to help.

I'm hoping that I get taken out for a nice big Sunday roast at the nearest pub afterwards. Will probably eat my own weight in roast beef.

How are you feeling, OhOne, are you nervous?

On eating, I don't change my diet to carbo-loading the week before or anything like that - my diet is quite carby anyway. I might just have an extra slice of toast, or a small bowl of cereal for breakfast on the day. I do find that I need some protein afterwards - I'm not a huge meat eater, but can usually demolish a steak after a HM

I do use gels on long runs, and sometimes have something sugary (sports beans or a gel) at the start if it's been a long time since breakfast.

I'm just in awe of you lot saying that a 41 minute 5k is "very gentle" and that a 5m run is "short".

I guess you just have to find what suits you. I can't imagine not running at all in the week before. Apart from worrying about not being fit enough I'd go mad! Also read lots of different things about eating, that is probably my worst thing, I don't even think about adjusting my diet.

It's funny how all the training plans are different

My training plan says 6 miles the week before and then one very short run a couple of days before. My legs are still achey from the other day so I think I'm going to just see how I feel. I'm not running today though, I've got some muscle soak so I'm going to have a nice long bath.

I'm not worried any more about doing the distance within the time limit, I'm more worried about just not enjoying it. I might head out for a short one, maybe 4 or 5 miles, tomorrow or the next day.

9-11 were the hardest last time and then that .1 at the end!!

I remember someone telling me a couple of years ago that if I could run 10 miles a couple of weeks before a HM I'd be fine on the day - after all it's just 10 mile run with a 5K tagged on the end .

The best advice I've had, and it's generally been true, is that you notice the first 2 or 3 miles as you get into your pace/find your place in the pack; miles 4-9 or so go by pretty quickly without you noticing; you notice mile 10 because it's a bit of a milestone, and the last 2 or 3 feel like hard work.

I am tail running parkrun Saturday and our slowest is usually 41mins so should be very gentle. Most of the plans I've read say don't do a long run the Sunday before as your fitness won't improve and then a short run mon, intervals wed and then walking the rest of the week.

My Runners' World HM plan (which I have not been following this time) says:

10 miles the Sunday before
Rest on Monday
2 miles on Tuesday + 4 x 1 minute "aerobic intervals"
Rest on Wednesday
2 miles on Thursday + 4 x "gentle pick ups"
REst on Friday
2 miles on Saturday
HM on Sunday

I shall probably do 10K or so tomorrow, something on Wednesday because I'm off work, possibly my regular lunchtime run on Thursday, mainly so that I keep in the habit, and parkrun next Saturday.

I trained obsessively for my marathon last November and hardly missed a run other than illness. I loved it and hardly ever got bored. I hoped to stay in the groove afterwards, but apart from parkrun, and a HM in December I haven't run that much since. It's been a combination of dark nights, new job and quite a lot of "can't be bothered"

I went out for 5k today, stopped after 4k as was not feeling the love (had to much to do at home, so my head wasn't in the right place) so decided too do a long run tomorrow instead.

What is your plan for the rest of the week Eau?

I am think 5k Tuesday and Thursday, cross train Monday and Wednesday. Then 2 days rest before Sunday HM. Is this a good plan, or does anyone think i can improve this plan?

Thanks! I did parkrun in 28m 02 and then the rest was 1hr34mins. We stopped a few times but not for me so hopeful for next week! My hips were a bit achy straight after but fine now.

cinnamon you will ROCK next week!

Wow cinnamon that's serious milage - you hurting much? How long were you out there?

I did 12 miles today and will do doggy run Monday but not sure whether to go on my normal Thursday morning run or not.

Sounds like a good plan rouge cramming doesn't work with fitness! Rested legs are a joy to run with - you feel a bit like tigger, I think it's hard to get the balance right, get the motivation right.
Speed isn't always important and neither is distance - just getting out there with no pressure, no expectations can feel very liberating and often you surprise yourself.

I live much further SOUTH sirzy!

I have no idea where you are all talking about!
So isolated

Today I did 3.5 miles in 35 mins feeling v self conscious around centre parcs