Happy when we are running!

[MoshiMoshi]

Hear ye! Hear ye! All those who want to liberate themselves from the shackles of their domestic and work lives, join us here in our continued bid to run and be happy and feel free !

Well done on the long run Paws, v impressive.

Thanks for the explanation Moshi, that makes sense. Am trying to think more about form (if only to make it sound like I am a proper runner ) especially when I'm reaching the end of a long run. Have also been conscious of the fact that I'm plodding along rather than trying to keep light on my feet.

Went for a long steady run along the canal this morning so it was a good opportunity to think about all of this, managed 11 miles and felt a lot better after having a rest week.

Enjoy your run Peach. Are you, like Paws, taking your iron tablets? (Sorry, I am the iron police )

Ah, maintaining form .... maybe if I'd managed that yesterday instead of hunching over into the cold wind I wouldn't have an achy shoulder muscle today. I must admit that when I do my speed workout I end up flapping and gasping for the last 30 seconds, not looking relaxed and fresh.

paws I used to worry about ipod but have noticed if I don't have it up to max I can stil hear the birdies so am pretty sure it is safe. Am not running on road much though.

I run so much better when doing some cross training - currently the dreaded Jillian shred dvd - those lunges and high knee thingies are def helping me to shuffle less.

Hello everyone. Hope you are all running strong and feeling well. I have 2 out of 4 kids with colds and am keeping fingers crossed I don't catch them! I am still feeling the tiredness after my 20 miles on Sunday so had a complete day of rest yesterday and did my 7 mile recovery run slowly today at 8:45m/m pace. I am scheduled to do a 12 mile medium-long run tomorrow which will hopefully be at my longer run pace (8:00m/m). I found the 20 miles quite uncomfortable and on checking my running log, think it is probably because it was my highest mileage week (just over 60 miles) on the back of a heavy month of training which comprised:

187.48 miles in 26 hours and 03 minutes making my average monthly pace 8:20 m/m
6 hours of cross-training (eg pilates, ballet, circuit training at bootcamp or horse-riding)
4 days rest

Lessson learnt: to keep a close eye on mileage and activity and listen to my body when it is showing signs of needing rest (eg pace dropping and everything aching!) Cross-training is important but not at the expense of rest if needed.

(apologies for the extra "s")

Hello all. Had a really good running group session yesterday. It was a bit surreal because it was misty and dark and I heard owls hooting - it all felt a bit Hound of the Baskervilles! But I ran the furthest and probably fastest I've managed since my 10k in September and felt really good afterwards. I'm just hoping I can get through the rest of the winter with no more colds or other interruptions so I don't backslide again.
fishie - I've got the dreaded shred too, but haven't managed to do it that much yet. I don't find it THAT hard, but maybe I need to progress beyond level 1 .

Good to hear your running club session went well, Gold!

I am feeling a bit more sprightly after a day's rest and managed a nice 13 mile run this morning at an average pace of 7:58m/m. I always start off slowly and it takes me a good 4 miles or so before I warm up into my pace. This brings my run average right down and it never represents the fact most of the miles were run at less than the average pace (this time they were mostly around the 7:45m/m pace). I am wondering how to factor this into the marathon? Either fit in a 3-4 mile warm up beforehand or factor in a slow start and progressively ramp up the pace to aim towards my goal finishing time? There are pace bands you can download from websites which work on both bases.

What does everyone else think about what works for them?

Moshi same for me in terms of taking time to warm up.

In terms of strategy, for half marathons I make a conscious effort to bring my pace up in the early miles to where the average should be, subject to how I'm feeling - so warm up mileage drops from 3 miles or so to about 1 mile. Kind of on the basis that even if you've slightly misjudged how your body is feeling over a 13 mile distance you're less likely to blow up.

For longer distances like the marathon, I let myself have those 3 - 4 miles to settle in and ramp up the pace going through the race.

Although admittedly not quite to your speeds at any point

cestlavie - I am thinking that with a big city marathon like VLM it is probably better to warm up during those first few miles. It is unlikely I will be able to warm up in advance and then get anywhere near the start line without having to negotiate through masses of other runners! And with a marathon, I have 26.2 miles to find my pace !

I think that's right Moshi. It's hard to hit your pace in the VLM for the first mile or two at least, and trying to negotiate the mass of runners if you started some way at the back would be less than fun!

Hello y'all.

Not much time to post since I have been working full time. It's even tougher trying to find time to run. Now I have to run at the end of the day in even more heat.

I'm going to do the Kilimanjaro Half Marathon (in Moshi!) on the 27th, 11k uphill and 10k down

It's good to see you all running as usual,it's reassuring that you are all still there.

I see the training is coming on a storm Moshi.

Happy running.

Hello master! Lovely to hear from you again and that you are continuing to run despite the heat and full time work. I have added your race to the list. I bet it is going to be a hard one! How has the training been?

27/01/11 - Kilimanjaro half marathon: masterandmargarita
13/02/11 - Liversedge half marathon: Mrs Wednesday
20/02/11 - Eton half marathon: Passmyglass
06/03/11 - Bath Half Marathon: MoshiMoshi
13/03/11 - Spen 20: Mrs Wednesday
19/03/11 - Dorney Lake Half Marathon MoshiMoshi
27/03/11 - Kingston Breakfast Run 8.2m wheely
02/04/11 - Miles for Missing People 10K: MoshiMoshi (may ditch this race if we are collecting our NEW PUPPY that weekend )
17/04/11 - VLM: MoshiMoshi/ Passmyglass
15/05/11 - Oxford Town and Gown 10k: Goldberry
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Marathon: MrsWednesday (is that right? anybody else?)
12/06/11 - Bath R4L 5k Dillinger
10/07/11 - British 10K: MoshiMoshi
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug

I managed a nice tempo run today, 10 miles with 6@ half marathon pace. I did my warm up miles on the way to the Alter G Treadmill and then did the 6 faster ones on the treadmill in case any of my injuries felt like they were about to give me any problems. I needn't have worried and it went well with me managing my 6 miles at 6:22m/m pace. They felt reasonably hard but comfortable, as if I could have done a few more, so I am happy with that for this stage of the marathon training programme (week 8 of 18).

Happy running one and all and have a good weekend.

Oops. Amended list below.

13/02/11 - Liversedge half marathon: MrsWednesday
20/02/11 - Eton half marathon: Passmyglass
27/02/11 -Kilimanjaro half marathon: themasterandmargaritas
06/03/11 - Bath Half Marathon: MoshiMoshi
13/03/11 - Spen 20: Mrs Wednesday
19/03/11 - Dorney Lake Half Marathon MoshiMoshi
27/03/11 - Kingston Breakfast Run 8.2m wheely
02/04/11 - Miles for Missing People 10K: MoshiMoshi (may ditch this race if we are collecting our NEW PUPPY that weekend )
17/04/11 - VLM: MoshiMoshi/ Passmyglass
15/05/11 - Oxford Town and Gown 10k: Goldberry
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Marathon: MrsWednesday
12/06/11 - Bath R4L 5k Dillinger
10/07/11 - British 10K: MoshiMoshi
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug

I'm thinking I probably won't be doing my half marathon next weekend, having seen a physio yesterday about my sore left leg.

Turns out I'm very bow-legged on my left side, probably due to a broken knee years ago, and that has put stresses and strains on other parts of my leg. Various muscles not working or over-compensating etc etc. She said it wasn't a surprise that I was in pain and that it's likely I probably always will be to some degree, she just isn't sure how much. Have also got achilles tendonitis for good measure and the pilates I've been doing has made bugger all difference to anything (not to mention the thousands of pounds spent at the chiropractor).

I am doing stretches and various exercises and will be going back to see her next week. Sigh. She hasn't said to stop running but I have to massively scale it back. And my (new) trainers for over-pronation are probably not helping either.

Sorry for the me, me, me post. Hope everyone is doing ok, good to see you TMM. Happy running all.x

MrsWeds - sorry to hear about your woes (but not sorry to hear them, which is partly why we are all here). If it is any consolation, I am a bandy legged runner which is why I am an overpronater but I have done an awful lot of core and glute work (single leg squats and lunges are an integral part of my routine) and that has helped a huge amount. I used to see a physio who told me to lay off and only start running again for 20 minutes at a time and I really liked him but it didn't exactly help me get going again. Then I discovered another clinic where they are ALL runners. This time I get told what the problem is and am given a course of remedial action (including use of the Alter G Treadmill) which is more in keeping with with my lifestyle. Do make sure your physio is one of the latter sort otherwise I do hear of people who are so put off by their physio's advice they give up running altogether. I am wondering whether a small orthotic insert in the affected leg might help more than the trainers as the issue is confined to your left side?

List amended:

20/02/11 - Eton half marathon: Passmyglass
27/02/11 -Kilimanjaro half marathon: themasterandmargaritas
06/03/11 - Bath Half Marathon: MoshiMoshi
13/03/11 - Spen 20: Mrs Wednesday
19/03/11 - Dorney Lake Half Marathon MoshiMoshi
27/03/11 - Kingston Breakfast Run 8.2m wheely
02/04/11 - Miles for Missing People 10K: MoshiMoshi (may ditch this race if we are collecting our NEW PUPPY that weekend )
17/04/11 - VLM: MoshiMoshi/ Passmyglass
15/05/11 - Oxford Town and Gown 10k: Goldberry
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Marathon: MrsWednesday
12/06/11 - Bath R4L 5k Dillinger
10/07/11 - British 10K: MoshiMoshi
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug

I wonder how passmyglass is coming along with the training? Not long to go now and the bulk of the training will have been done with a steady taper happening at some stage soon.

Hello, mind if I join you ladies. I'm another training for the London Marathon. Although no where near as speedy... I expect Moshi and passmyglass (and most others) will be home and putting your feet up by the time I finish

I'm up to 16 miles in training, horrid weather today, many a mile spent wondering why I'm doing it today and my Garmin played up so I had to reset it at mile 5 and I ended up running 16.5 miles instead.

Generally, I love running though, I'm a bit of a plodder but I like the 'me' time and the sense of achievement I get when I run a bit further or faster than before.

Happy running

Hi Doyouthinktheysaurus. I don't think you need worry - I seem to be allowed on the thread in spite of the fact that many of these folks' warm-ups are the length of my whole run .

LOL Goldberry.

I have resigned myself to being more of a plodder, it seems whatever I do my pace doesn't increase much.

My sprinting is slower than some people's marathon pace

Mrs Wed that's annoying to hear. I think with injuries we all want a simple straightforward answer to why they happen and what we can do (easily) to resolve them. One physio will say one thing, a chiropractor another. I suppose the only solution is to try a number of different suggestions til you find one that works (ish) for you. It's very frustrating.

Says the woman with a constantly sore hip pain in the bone area to the left, after running. Any suggestions?

Welcome Doyou, another plodder here. I did 13.5k this morning, post 2am party and in about 22 degrees and blazing sun. It took 1hr 18 - that's quite slow really isn't it?

Moshi I've not really done any specific training for this half, I am just keeping up with a 6k hilly run, 13k long and hilly and a 'fast' 10k a week. Next weekend I shall do 16k then stick to my same three 6/10/13 for the week after. It doesn't make me speedier but gets me through.

Hello Doyou I'm a plodder too. Am training for the Brighton marathon the week before yours. I did 16 miles last week and it took me (whispers) - nearly 3.5 hours! My pace has dropped massively from when I did 10ks and half-ms. But I did it and I don't really care!

I read something by an elite runner once (can't remember who) who said he takes his hat off to people that can plod through a marathon and stay on their feet for 5+ hours - he said he can only do a marathon on the basis of all the pain being over in a couple of hours. Respect to the plodders!

I admire you running in that heat Master, I found it a nightmare last summer on the odd hot day we had, couldn't cope with it at all.

pawsandclaws, I live not too far from Brighton and had a place in the marathon when I found out I'd got into London. It's a nice route, mostly along the seafront and only the one hill...I think! Well done on your 16 miler, it's a long way isn't it!

I am very much in awe of speedy runners, it just amazes me how fast some people can go! I know I won't ever get much quicker so am happy just to plod along, enjoying the scenery and talking to cows

Welcome, doyouthinktheysauraus! Of course plodders are welcome. All regular runners are welcome as we all share the same issues of of juggling kids, work with running. And of course running related woes such as overuse injuries and post-pregnancy (ahem, read pelvic floor ) related matters!

My second 20 miler of the marathon campaign which I ran yesterday went much better than last week. Average pace of 8:31m/m taking me 2h50m. These long 'uns are not to be underestimated and I made sure I was well rested and well fueled during the run which made the world of difference. It is funny how easy 16 miles seems in comparison and yet it is only a few miles shorter.

Happy running everyone!

Well done Moshi.

Not doing 20 miles at the moment as I don't have a marathon to aim for but I know there is a big difference between 16-18 miles and 20-22 miles. I guess that's because it's around 20 miles that you're beginning to have depleted your glycogen stores and that point everything becomes a lot harder work. Good work though!

Don't know if anyone else was out this morning, but down in London it was a stunning morning for running. Clear summer skies, no wind and crisp air. Doesn't get any better than that! Makes me wonder why I was a bit slower than usual though

Hello!

Welcome doyouthink.

Nice to see you M&M !

Well done on the 20 miler Moshi - as always, in awe of your speed. One can dream...

Did a 7 miler on Sunday and then was due in the gym today when DD2 spewed up her breakfast so no creche for her and no gym for me. DH probably not in, in time for me to go out tonight either. Boooo.

Can't remember if I've moaned said that my feet started hurting again last week and can now add my right hip and lower back which ache a bit the day after. Oh and a bit of a pain in my knee when I was running but that went after a bit. All down my right side so must be something I'm not doing quite right. Ho hum, am sure its worth it..... BUt still seems to be better when I run outside rather than in the gym.

C'estlavie - Today is a lovely running day down here I agree !