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 !

Gorgeous day for running! I did a 6.5 mile recovery run today which means a gentle pace over a short distance to flush the legs out from Sunday's effort. Was mindful not to overcook things as I have a 14 mile run scheduled for tomorrow which I will aim to do around 8m/m or, if feeling good, at 7:xxm/m. Am aiming for consistency now so I can practise pacing by feel as this is my weak point and I often get distracted and go too fast and then slow down throughout a run. Much better for the system to go steadily throughout as this is more likely to leave something left in the tank for a splurge at the end!

Thanks for kind words and advice, much appreciated.

I am at least happy this physio knows what she's talking about, she's found all the painful bits (IT band, foot, achilles, hip, inside knee etc etc) and has given me specific exercises, including lots of glute and calf work. No running for two weeks though, so marathon training will be way behind schedule.

Jealous of everyone running in such beautiful conditions, hope you all enjoy it.

Wheely, is there any chance you can go and see someone, it does sound like you've got something quite odd going on?

Thanks all for the lovely welcome

You should get yourself checked out Wheelybug, if you are getting pain on running.

Moshi your mileage is very impressive, what will you longest run before the marathon be? I've got 2 x 20 milers planned in March, that's my limit Might need to take a picnic, I'll be gone so long

The winds have dropped her on the South Coast, it's lovely to be able to run without being blown about or that feeling of going nowhere.

Oh dear lord - running group nearly killed me last night! Normally, though I'm one of the slower half of the group, there are a few people slower than me. Last night none of those ones came, so I was playing catch-up with the speedy ones. I felt sick and shaky by the end and I swear my heart rate didn't go down for about an hour! Mind you, that might have something to do with the instructor making us stop and do 10 press-ups every 3 minutes throughout the run. Bleurgh.
In awe, as ever, of you long-distance people. And very of anyone who's running by the sea. Here's wishing a quick recovery to the injured amongst you.

Glad you are in good hands, MrsWeds. And agree you should see someone, wheely. The physio I see is used to me turning up with the kids and they watch telly or play with the physio equipment to pass the time. I must get out more !

doyouthink - My long runs will mostly be 20s although I may try a 22 if I am feeling strong one day. I am aiming to do around 6 x 20s, 1 x 18 and a few 16s in total. I haven't done much endurance based running so am working on this.

Just back from a 14 mile medium long slow run (MLSR) as my book calls it! Average pace 8:11m/m. Legs tired from Sunday I think but the aerobic engine felt fine. Have been told to slow down on these training runs which are about building the aerobic base and that speed can be dealt with later on. Time to fuel up now. Something I used to overlook but is vital for recovery apparently.

Happy running everyone!

Press-ups Goldberry I can't do more than 1

Did intervals in lovely weather on Tuesday. My idea of itervals pace is Moshi's idea of LSR pace

Now it's wet and horrid again. 9 slow miles today. I assumed (wrongly) it was going to be nice like yesterday but awoke to rain so had to plod along the seafront rather than my favoured inland route which includes some road running. I came back absolutely drenched!

Hope everyone else manages to stay dry.

Well done for getting your 9 miler in today, doyouthink!

It is very wet here too. It is a rest or cross-training day for me so I went to do some circuit training at Bootcamp which deals with the conditioning side of things for me. I used to be very lazy about core work etc and since joining Bootcamp last year in spring, I have developed such a strong core and arms that I make sure I fit in at least one session a week. I used to struggle doing more than 10 press-ups and now can easily do 50 in a minute. Having a strong core is really important to anchor you when running and I cannot recommend it highly enough. You will find your form and running economy speed improve dramatically!

Does anyone mind if I join you all on here? I'm getting back into my running again since Xmas, after a bit of a lapse when I got injured training for the 2009 Great South Run.

Not entered any races, but just enjoying getting out there again!

Welcome, thecoo and of course nobody minds you joining us. The more the merrier, but be warned, we expect total dedication to the cause of running in the interests of maintaining our sanity and staying fit and healthy (and able to wear out wardrobe from pre-children days obviously) .

What sort of routine do you have at the moment? Anything is good! The idea is to work on that commitment to ensure that we all have some selfish Me Time when out running (unless buggy-running which is obviously less selfish and much harder work). Oh and conquering our goals too .

Welcome aboard TheCoo!

I know you're all right over the physio - I'll see what happens after half term (procrastinates a bit longer....). 5 miles in the gym today which was boring but fine.

Going to go for 8 miles this weekend so I know I can do the distance for the Kingston rn (actually its 8.2 but I reckon if I can do 8 miles I should just be able to manage another .2). Then I have over a month to practise a bit more !

Doyouthink - where do you live (if you don't mind saying). I grew up just outside of Brighton.

I think I am going to aim for the Brighton half next year.

moshi - your bootcamp sounds good (in a strange painful kind of way) - where do you do it ? Its not a BMF one is it ? Asever, iin awe of your running times !!

Hi Moshi

I will endeavour to meet the high stds required of the cause (though I think any chance of wearing pre-preg gear unlikely...)

At the moment I generally aim to do 3 short runs during the week (fitted in at lunchtime) and a longer one both on Friday and either Sat/Sun. It very seldom works out that way though!

I'm still building up distance - last Fri was the furthest I've run since starting up again (11.5km), but I ran it very very slowly. It took me an hour and a half

Would like to get back to running 10 miles, and then see whether I'd like to take it further after that.

Am also beginning to dabble with minimalist footwear/barefoot running to see if it helps me with my dodgy knee, but will have to work it in slowly as I got very stiff calves after just 2km on Tues (no sore knees though:) )

Note to self: stop using so many smileys and learn to express myself better in words...

LOL thecoo - I have a habit of using too many exclamation marks that I'm working on.

I was also going to ask - does anyone know when the main GNR ballot is ? I thought it was this week. I'll google too. I won't be disappointed if I don't get in as I had no intention of doing it but still curious...

Right, in case anyone else wondered - it is by the end of this week. Am guessing as I've not heard anythingI haven't got a place (feels strangely disappointed but relieved all the same )

Hi wheely

I think emails are going out this evening - got mine earlier - I'm in, gulp, entered on impulse last weekend and have only just started back out running again after asthma flare up....

Got a long way to go, can run for about 5 mins before a walking break at the moment - good job I've got 7 months to be ready....

Hi Hamster - yes I've just got my rejection email (breathes, slightly disappointed, sigh of relief).

So, Brighton half 2012, maybe GNR 2012 if I survive that . MAybe GSR if there's still places after Kingston 8.

Good luck btw - always goodto have something to aim for

Good luck Hamster - will it be the first time you're running the GNR? My friend did it a couple of years ago and said it was an amazing experience.

I'm going to do my "long" run this morning, but a bit peeved that my calves are still stiff from Tuesday's run. Going to use my normal shoes for this one and save the minimalist shoes for short runs until I get used to them.

Luckily looks like a nicer day for running today (was drizzling all day yesterday here).

Welcome thecoo

Good advice about core strenghening Moshi, I know I should do something. After the marathon I may look for a class. Bootcamp sounds too hard intimidating though

Wheely I live between Worthing and Shoreham. Lived in Brighton and Hove for years until DS1 came along, then when our 1 bedroom flat got too small we moved out. It's lovely here because the sea is within half a mile one way and the South Downs within a mile the other.

Raining again! It's supposed to be dry tommorrow and less windy which is good...17 miles to do

Glad I'm not the only one thinking about races for next year. I'm wondering about doing Beachy Head Marathon or the South Downs Marathon if I get through London in one piece. I love running off road, did most of my runs in the Downs until it got too muddy last Autumn. I was only doing up to half marathon distance runs though, 26.2 miles of hills is a bit daunting

Hi guys, can I join in please?

Have signed up for my first half marathon this year (eek) am up to about 7 miles at the moment, am in a running club and have just recovered from a pulled calf muscle after a tough speed and hill session. I feel a bit stuck in a distance rut, how do I get past 7 miles?

Any tips greatly appreciated.

Welcome DrN - I think you've popped in before haven't you ? Good luckw ith the training. I am sure someone with more expertise will advise you better but can you just add a little bit extra to each of your longer runs ? I'm about where you are- had been running 10K quite happily for a while and then signed up for an 8 mile so have added a mile to my weekend run for a few weeks to do 7 miles and now I feel comfortable about that am going to go for 8 miles this w/e. Or how about looking at a half marathon training plan and following that even if you start a few weeks in ?

Doyouthink - I come from the other sideof brighton, between Brighton and Newhaven. Would love to move back to the coast... sigh...

Congrats on getting a place in the GNR, hamster!

And hello again, DrNo. Are you varying your distances and speeds? If you aren't, you must try it to extend your run lengths as it is then easier to go further as you are getting your body accustomed to more time on feet without the exponentially greater effort of maintaining the same pace for a shorter distance (if that makes sense!) And of course don't forget not to increase overall mileage by more than 10% each week to avoid overuse injuries.

Sorry, bit waffley today!

Just a 6 mile recovery run done very slowly today (9m/m).

PS Forgot to say well done on signing up for your HM, DrNo!

Can hamster and DrNo please put their race dates in the list (see previous page I think) so we are up to date. We can all then provide support and good cheer knowing what you are training for and when the date of your race looms!

hello hello hello I am covered in guilt that I've been neglecting my lovely lovely on-line running club (that's you lot ). entirely symptomatic of having been neglecting my running...but easing my way back into it now I'm feeling a bit more spring like. can't hang around now as I'm working and have just had my 30 mins tea and newspaper break so really need to get on. will read all your news and catch up soon. honest.

couldn't resist a quick peak. moshi you are FAST.

I'm not going to add every little fell race but will add two significant ones to the fixtures list. Burbage skyline I've added because I've never done it before and apparently it's awesome. Calver Peak I've added because we've got a bit of a local competition going on: 4 males friends are entering (they don't normally run much) and as you would expect there's a bit of testorone flying around...and I really really really want to beat at least one of them.

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
10/05/11 - Burbage Skyline 5.75 miles Hatwoman
15/05/11 - Oxford Town and Gown 10k: Goldberry
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Marathon: MrsWednesday
08/06/11 - Claver Peak 5 miles: hatwoman
12/06/11 - Bath R4L 5k Dillinger

10/07/11 - British 10K: MoshiMoshi
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug

Hi ladies !

I've just got my confirmation e mail of a place in the GNR so looks like I'll be joining you Hamster.

I kind of wish it was rejected know as I know whats in store for the next few months ...

I actually did it last september in a time of 2 hours 22 so here's hoping there will be an improvement this year.