Is there a general running thread?

Grafham Water is just off the A1 south of Huntingdon (not far from the A14) if anyone's wondering.

Snowdown, thanks for the tips. I'm meant to be doing my last long run tomorrow. I was planning to do 6 miles but my hamstrings are still a bit achey so I think I'm just going to have a soak in the bath and relax.

My dss had a school trip to grafham water but I think it's quite a way from me.

can I come too?

I find if I start focusing on progress and a race aim I lose the love of running and it becomes a chore. I was tempted by the heart rate monitor but I know after the initial buzz it would make me hate running. Mixing things up can help though.

For the next 6 weeks I'm doing 2 bootcamp sessions and a boxing session every week, I will probably only get 2 runs fitted in and they will feel like a real treat. Lots of running in bootcamp but more intervals and sprinting, there's something very meditative about just running....it's thinking time, I don't even like to run with people very often.

Oh, walkjogrun says it's only 8.5 miles.

Late spring sounds good. I've checked and it's 10 miles all the way around but there are plenty of footpaths so we don't have to do a full circuit if it's too far for some.

Maybe arrange a late spring meet up???

I too could make a run at Grafham Water. A bunch of boys and teachers from DS' s school ran a HM there last year. DS and I were going to do it this year but there isn't one this year

I have booked me and two of my boys on the Northampton Colour 5k. Also 2k with my little ones at Whipsnade.

Like you Eau I have been struggling with the love for running this year. Think it's the weather for me, and worry of slipping in the mud!! Which would not normally bother me but so scared I am going to injure myself before the HM.

If anyone goes to Grafham Waters and wants a running buddy, let me know, I will join you.

I've signed up with some others to do a colour 5K in London. Sounds fun!

*if my eldest can manage 5k.

I need more sleep.

I think I'll do the colour run next year is my eldest can manage 5k by then. I bet she would love it.

Have you guys seen the webchat thread here?

I was going to Fishandjam but I think it's quite pricey for a 5k, was going to do the Norwich one. Plus it's 5x 1k laps which doesn't appeal to me!

I don't do my hm training on the road EauRouge, I still do trail running. I've got the bug at the moment could run every day! I was disappointed that my club mate only wanted to do 9.5 miles Sunday . That's why I was worried about entering races and why I don't want to do a marathon as I don't want running to be a chore, I don't always want to go but I always enjoy my runs!!

The Biscuit Training Plan. I like it. Yes to trails near you - not many near me (not without some Fen farmer shouting "get orf moi land!")

Also, is anyone up for doing a Colour5K? I think my DH and kids would love the chance to chuck powder paint at mummy and each other

So the best course of action would be for me to sit around eating biscuits? Sounds good to me

Yes to Grafham Water! Isn't it about 8 miles the whole way around? Better make it two toasted penises. Parkrun tourism sounds good too. If you fancy doing some trails near me then let me know.

You could be slightly overtrained eau. (Hark at me being an armchair expert here ) My best runs recently have been when I've had quite a big gap of not doing much exercise at all. Maybe your body needs a bit of time to recover its equilibrium?

I can also imagine that the schedule of training needed to get up to HM level can get really monotonous.

I'm aiming to run round Grafton Water sometime soon, when the weather perks up a bit. I doubt I'll manage to run all of it but I'll give it a jolly good try. (Maybe with a stop halfway for a toasted penis at the cafe.) You're welcome to join me if you don't mind going very slooooowwwwwly. Also up for a bit of parkrun tourism?

All three! I bought some new shoes a couple of months ago. I think it's just this horrible bloody weather coupled with the fact that I'm a bit bored with my HM training, especially since I can't listen to music now. I'm going to take a week off after the HM and then do some trail running, can't bloody wait.

Do you mean you haven't enjoyed the run Eau or you haven't made noticeable gains in pace or distance or both?

Think it's normal to have periods where nothing really amazing happens, after the initial buzz of 'I can run so far' and 'I can run faster!' and it all feels a bit humdrum. Maybe it's a sign that you need a break or should go and run somewhere completely new to you, or make your runs much easier, or do some speed work or something? Or buy some new shoes! You could just take some time off, bet you will be desperate to run within about a week.

I think I am getting steadily worse at running. I haven't had a good run for weeks.

Amazing!

sirzy! I often misread things in that way; on a menu yesterday my brain rather Freudianly read "toasted paninis" as "toasted penises".

Sirzy