Runners thread - runners of all abilities welcome

Thanks Mitchy

am so looking forward to your race report flutie :) a triumph of will over a grumpy gastroc (or surly soleus in my case) you give us all hope!

Mitchy I crossposted sorry. I posted on your calf thread. It's great you're running again and your Garmin is being out to good useMine's too old now and the GPS is unreliable.

Problems are in 'running with poor pelvic floor' thread below. Please don't make me repeat them here, it was bad enough typing them the first time!

Hello again

I seem to have more time to post at the moment. Must be a mixture of Easter hols, me being off work and pre-marathon nerves

I'm now very pro-stretching since a niggling overuse calf injury earlier this year. It got tighter and tighter until I had to see my physio. I was stretching but not my calves! I'm now a stretching bore as it really helped. Not stretching I believe would've meant kissing goodbye to any chance of running the VLM.

Sirzy I would probably get new trainers before your half in September but give yourself time to run them in. Which half are you doing?

I went for a 3 mile run early this morning and it's strange doing less. Not sure I like this taper lark as everything seems to be aching this week. I've been googling and this is apparently normal; just want Sunday to be here now though.

Trainers should be changed 300-500 miles but that could just be a marketing ploy . I love my brooks, had saucony progrid 4's (probably a 5 or 6 out now) and then Nike (can't remember the model) when I over pronated. I apparently don't know and have brooks adrenaline as something I think! Brooks are so light and have plenty of room for my longer second toe I don't think I'll have anything else now. Try runners world for suggestions of trainers to suit.

Dh is a power lifter and used to be super flexible and stretch loads and get injured loads. He massively reduced his stretching and eventually stopped and rarely gets injured now. It may be the nature of his sport but I haven't stretch because he knows a lot about anatomy and I was guided by him. I have had one injury since I started running which was when I avoided an idiot someone opening their car door right in front of me on the path and I have otherwise been injury free. I know one person doesn't prove anything but it has worked for me for over two years so I don't plan to change. I do have very tight calves and hamstrings but they don't cause me problems other than I can't touch my toes without bending my knees so I'm happy!

Had a lovely run with the dogs this morning. Looks like I won't be parkrunning Saturday due to an inlaw visit so I decided to get an extra run in then dh was up being sick most of the night but I went anyway!

I thought I stretched quite well and often but apparently my 'overuse' injuries could have been prevented with more stretching and better recovery between runs

I'm getting SO FAT by the way, in case anyone was wondering (I know nobody was)

my watch is doing the london marathon as friend's watch is on the fritz, I won't even be able to pass it off as my own work because they are planning a silly pace like 8:00 or something I can't usually achieve over a tiny fraction of the distance

we were supposed to be running the Edinburgh marathon together a few weeks later though (me and my watch AND friend) :( gloomy

Good luck, orangeflutie!

I always stretch after a run, I find it does make a difference to achiness and recovery.

Here are some ideas for post-run stretches. I use a stretchy band and lie on the floor for my hamstrings, I find I can get more stretch that way, but you don't have to do it like that. There is some debate about the ITB stretch, some people say you can only do it with a foam roller but I stretch the same way as in the photo and it works just fine for me.

I was running in primark cheapies buty dad told me off these were only £38 but luckily the only foot thing I have is high arches so didn't need anything particularly special.

I never stretch either should I?!

BTW is anyone doing the VMLM this weekend? Good luck if you are! And is anyone else going to enter the ballot for next year?

I was told 500 miles or a year, whichever comes first. If you're running every day then you're meant to have 2 pairs to give one the chance to dry out. Sounds like an excuse to buy more running shoes

Mine get changed when I can afford it.
Which currently is annually. On my birthday

Tess I now have trainer envy . I do love my Brooks ones though.

How often do you need to change running trainers? Mine are a few years old but have maybe had 6 months light use. The lady at Sweaty Betty said every 6 to 8 months.

Had a not so good run yesterday but still made it to nearly 4 miles. Am really sore today but did a challenging (well its always challenging) HIIT class on Monday and pilates yesterday.

I never stretch before and after running. Maybe I should be... I do stretch in the classes I go to. Pilates also seems like one long stretch some weeks.

Morning everybody!
I dragged my sis out again last night, didn't tell her how far we were going til we turned around at 2.5k (cheeky) but she was v pleased to do our 5k quicker than she did parkrun on Sat!

Thanks for all your kind words and wishes. They all help

Theonlyoneiknow My left foot pronates and I wear Brooks Adrenaline. They are as they say like running on air. I got them after a gait analysis a few years ago and have never looked back.I buy men's ones so I can get a big enough size for my big feet lol. You can often get them discounted online too. Re tanks I've just bought a Ronhill one. It's bright pink which wouldn't have been my first choice but it fits really well.

cinnamon - I'm interested that you don't stretch - I thought it was absolutely de rigeur! Everyone I talk to, including personal trainer and sports massage therapist, goes on and on about stretching.

orangeflutie I am sorry to read that you lost a DS - my heart goes out to you. I hope that running for the Lullaby Trust brings you some little grains of comfort.