Running Thread - anyone got a place in 2009 London Marathon (or any Marathon!)

of course!

no running for me today. but I did an 80 minute v. hilly walk with the dog. can I count dog walking as a form of cross-training?

it's the thought that counts eh?

I managed 3.5 miles in the snow here - it was a bit slippery but not too bad, and the stares I attracted from everyone were well worth it I think there is something of an exhibitionist in me when I run.

well i tried, pavements are too icy and I drove all the way to the gym to find it closed - oh well, guilt free slobbing out this evening!

I'm ski-ing in April - I think it's fine. it's not like a week slobbing out on a sun lounger [note - that is entirely self-interested opinion based on no scientific research whatsoever]

I've just been for a quick walk with the dog and I'm deeply sceptical about my chances of running tomorrow - it's been bucketing down since about 4 (I'm in the Peak District). Although it's possibly less slippy than about 3 weeks ago when it was icy.

hatwoman - im in the same position as you, today was my rest day but I have to run tommorow in order to be able to stand a chance of fitting in the 3 in the week and long run at the weekend. TBH I think it is hopeless as a) we are at the epicentre of the snowfall so far in Surrey (our area has been on sky news all day b) DP couldnt get into work today so if he does make it in the rest of the week I suspect he will need to stay late. You physically could not run out there at the moment - I walked up to the shops a while ago in my snow boots and I was sliding everywhere. I think best case scenario for me is if the roads are ok tommorow night I could go to the gym for an hour at 9. I get panicky too if I dont stick to the schedule.

oh well, at least we had great fun this morning sledging!

On a related note, do you think it would be a bad idea to go skiing for a week in March? We have been invited by friends and, putting asied injury risk, I am wondering whetehr it would be a very bad idea to have a week off at that point (don't think could run anywhere in the resort unless I found a gym I guess) or whetehr I could factor it in to the tapering off?

so ladies - are you going to run in the snow? I'm due a day off today anyway...but my schedule says 5-6 miles tomorrow . on the one hand I'm a bit of a stickler for sticking to schedules (I'm frightened of breaking rules. I don;t do winging it. ie I'm a wuss) but on the other hand there has to be line somewhere...

no treadmill I can access either...

Hi all - feeling quite happy today - I was somewhat dispirited by the fact that my pace has plummeted since moving to a hilly area. Obviously I know it's the hills - but I didn;t expect it to make quite such a huge difference - I suppose the positive way of looking at it is that it must be effective training. I did 12.8 miles this morning (on one of the few flat routes round here) and was pleased to average a 10 minute mile. well. 10 minute 1 second to be precise. But was pleased to have kept that pace over that sort of distance. hope you all had a good weekend. tallbird - I think doing cross training is really good for your running. xfabba - I need some new shoes too - and I want to get them soon - in time to wear them in - but it's a bit of a schlep to a running shop (well, a car journey - before I moved I could walk everywhere) so I keep putting it off.

Hi guys, looks like everyone is perking up a bit. I too am feeling a bit more positive as I managed my first 10m today yay! after a pretty crap week. I've had a persistent cold which has gone to my chest so I am going to get some antibiotics tommorow to finally shake it off as it is pissing me off and really affecting my ability to run - it's like dragging around lead weights. Anyway, I did it so am on track for end of week 4 overall more or less in my schedule so feeling better. Put my new shoes on as well (same ones as old pair) which seemed better on my knees so I think the old ones were knackered - always thought that was a ploy to get you to buy more shoes but maybe not. Anyway, I'm rambling, hope we all have a good week ahead (in the snow!), off for a bath.

Good work on your strong running Hellion - and thanks for your support!

I ran on thursday - but only did 7km. I should have gone further but I thought I would stay short and go fast instead - try and raise my morale a bit - it worked - yay.

I then did Body Combat that night, and I've been to Spinning this evening! It's the first time in AGES that I've been to a class (and I've never done spinning!) and I really enjoyed both of them, although my shoulders & back are really, really starting to feel last nights activities - am thinking getting out of bed might be hard tomorrow

Was just curious about children's ages hatwoman - nosey if you like

Am hoping to get out and do a long run on Sunday afternoon / evening - am going to try and run more slowly and not with the babyjogger. Am also going to reassess my training programme......

hi again. tallbird - I just noticed your q re children - mine are 6 and 8 - so both at school. also - if the q was with the issue of time in your mind - I'm self-employed and work from home - so I can work evenings and have managed to keep my work load quite low for spring - otherwise this marathon thing just wouldn;t be feasible. I do 2 or 3 week day runs when dds are at school and 1 or 2 weekend ones (totalling 4 runs a week) - so it's just about do-able.

Ah yes, stupid thing is that I own at least 2 different types of anti-chafe lotion, but didn't even think to put any on - I haven't had thigh chafe in ages. It's still pretty hideous, so silly!

Felt totally battered yesterday - think a lot of it was from pushing the buggy though as my right arm (my pushing arm) was really sore. Thought about running again today then decided against it.

Am having serious doubts about whether I am up to this now - it is very disappointing as mentally I certainly am, but my body is a bit weaker than it has been (unsuprisingly).

anyway, enough of my whining - how you all getting on?

someone on mn once recommended this stuff.

ouch! poor thing!

someone told me to put vaseline on to stop chafing but that sounds too sticky and gooet to me. I have started to put talc on before I get dressed in my running gear as I was getting a touch of chafing in the under-boob area! would that help?

god i need to get going - still havent done mroe than 8m!

Well I went out for my run today, had 20k in mind but didn't quite manage it.

Hubby came too which meant we had to take DS in his Jogger. Hubby isn't really a runner so I had to push the pram - we did a lap of 10k then I ditched the boys and went on to do a second lap.

Once I was free of the pram (it is a good one, but it's still hard work) I thought I would be flying - but actually I realised I was knackered.

Struggled on to 15km, then had a little walk, decided to cut the second lap short and limped home (with a bit more walking) to do a total of 18km in 1hr 45min.

Felt a bit but I know that these things happen sometimes, I had a hard weekend of drinking / not getting much sleep and I did still do 18km - so it's not all bad.

Worst thing was that I was home and just down on the floor saying hello to DS (who was incredibly smiley which was lovely) when I realised my inner thighs were all bloody!! serious thigh chafe!! No idea how I didn't feel that happening and a bit depressed at the idea that my thighs are chubby enough for that to happen!

I am trying nappy rash cream on it........hehe

xfabba - I use www.goodrunguide.co.uk - I love it - you can measure and save your routes and you can keep a log. It works out your pace and does graphs for you. much time-wasting potential

Hi everyone, lagging behind here but did at least run this weekend. Did a 10K race as my long run. Time to up the pace now! Going to try for 10m at the weekend.

How do you guys work out distance? walkjogrun?

Hi again - I did 12 today. I'm quite pleased at the moment - I've done a total of 28 miles this week, same last week, 24 the week before. I've done 95 miles so far this year. The slight worry is that work has been quite lax (I'm self-employed) but is going to get hectic in feb and march

Well you both put me to shame. I had all good intentions - but after a weekend of birthday fun (including too much alcohol!) and a house full of people who didn't leave till gone 5, I didn't get around to doing my run

I'll have to go tomorrow now.

Good work on your 10 hellion - loving your chants

How far did you run today Hatwoman?

hi hellion, I had quite nice weather today, but my madness came in the form of getting up at 7 on a Sunday...it's the only way I can fit in longer runs whilst being fair to dh. so far I've been going at about 8 or half past - but now I'm into double figures I really feel I have to go earlier. It was actually quite nice but I did notice that, despite my best efforts, by the time I'd recovered, drank a gallon of water, eaten breakfast, showered and got dressed it seemed to be nearly lunchtime...