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 !

Very sad to hear how many of us have been affected by cancer. It's 9 years ago today that my mum died.

Doyouthink- so great to hear your success story, inspirational stuff lady. btw, am not surprised your knees felt iffy after 18 miles!!!

Wheely sorry about your bad week, onwards and upwards eh?

Moshi glad things seem to be ok, I know you'll do the right thing this weekend, whatever that is.

Dr what a lovely thing about the write up in the paper, am sure your dad would be very proud. Oh and sorry about your typo.

at paws new sparkling white shoes. Mine are currently streaked with chocolate ice cream (DD's fault, not mine honest guvnor!) which makes me look dead classy. Also the inner bit of each(that goes round my ankle) is worn away. Does anyone else get that? Sure I cannot overpronate that much?!?

Thankyou for your kind words, it's not necessary, really. I always feel a bit of a fraud really because I had no idea anything was wrong, just got called in after a colposcopy and told I had cancer. Big op, no more children, get on with life!It was very rough at the time, but feels like a lifetime ago now...in a good way

DrNorth, that's lovely they are doing a story. What a nice way to remember your Dad.

I always feel embarrassed by new trainers I am much happier when I have been through a few puddles and they have turned grey! I'm too lazy to clean them aswell, so normally they really are pretty disgusting! My idea of cleaning them is going for a road run after a muddy run

DrN - How nice about the local paper writing about you and your Dad.

moshi hope the special treadmill does the trick !

right, to lighten the tone of this thread I thought you might all like a laugh at my expense. You know how I said, this week was going to be a good running week - I got to my gym session today (and for once was not wearing my trainers as I was off elsewhere afterwards), got changed, put on one trainer, looked at the other and thought 'I've already put the left one on '. It took me a while to realise I had taken 2 left trainers with me. So, no gym session and the pool was over 50s only so I couldn't even go for a swim. Grrrrrr. Am hoping DH might get home for me to run tonight but not looking likely. Oh, and then I went off to Costa to drown my sorrows in coffee and managed to drop a mini muffin in my coffee. That'll teach me.

Great time M&M - 11k uphill at the start is a tough way to start an HM. And as for the heat, I'd have melted well before the descent started - actually I probably could have been poured down the last 10K!

DrN what a lovely story - it's always inspirational to turn up at a race and running with people who have photos of their friends and family that they're running on behalf of.

Don't know about everyone else but I'm really about done with winter running now. Ran a tough 12k splits session on Monday morning which has brought back my cold with a vengeance - am getting slightly bored about having to worry about pushing yourself vs. depleting your immune system and then being out of action for few days with a cold. Am absolutely ready to feel the sun on my back when I'm running again!

Love your story wheelybug - our gym provides towels but sometimes runs out, so I've had to not infrequently dry myself on a tiny handtowel in my bag! If I forget anything it will be my knickers, so I often end up going home commando!

DrN sorry about your dad. I'm running my marathon for a child bereavement charity in memory of my son who was stillborn - and my oldest son (his twin) will be running the Brighton MiniMile too. It's hugely motivating but I do also feel a huge responsibility! I know I will be an emotional wreck on the day.

A small piece of good news too, I've entered me and me sis-in-law in our local Race for Life! I'll add it to the list when I get a chance.

It makes me smile reading the support on here. I remember reading about your dad DrNo as I think you posted in the bereavement section last year? I also lost my dad at the end of 2009 and miss him so much still. I am running the VLM for him and the British Heart Foundation.

Well the run on the Alter G trainer went well although to take the strain of my sore shins away I had to run at 75% of my weight. I did 8 miles with 6 x 0.5 mile intervals with the paces at 6:00m/m, 6:00m/m, 5:54m/m, 5:54m/m, 5:46m/m and 5:38m/m. It was meant to feel like 5K efforts. Tomorrow I am allowed to try 8 miles easy outdoors and then take a view on whether I can race on Sunday.

wheely - loved your gym story! Some days just are like that aren't they?

paws - well done and get your name added to the list!

cestlavie - hope the cold is short lived! Your legs will feel better for a short rest I am sure though (every cloud having a silver lining etc).

Ha Wheely, that's the trouble with having more than one pair the same isn't it!

That's lovely paws, what an amazing, if emotional day you are going to have!

Moshi, glad you can keep running, I think at this point in training it's every marathon runners worst nightmare to get an injury, isn't it. Your space age treadmill sounds amazing, I wish I could run at 75% of my weight all the time, I'd be much quicker

Hope you shift the lurgy cestlavie. I agree about needing the warmer weather, I seem to have one day of reasonably nice weather for running, followed by 2-3 wet or cold runs!

Speedy (for me) run last night, I did 5k in just over 26 mins which added in with warm up and plod at the end made 6.7 miles. Nice and dry, if a bit chilly.

paws - what an emotional time that will be for you all. Am sure you and his brother will do your son proud. Have been wondering whether I might get down to brighton to see the marathon as my bro is doing it too and it'll be his first and we've lived and breathed every training mile it seems .

Well, I found my right trainer and went out last night for 5K - was about 9pm so decided to try and do it fast. Managed it in 24 mins which I was very chuffed about. Back to the gym tomorrow - am going to wear my trainers there so I don't make the same mistake again .

just realised its nearly 2 weeks since I posted here.... that'll be the effect of away for half term and another stinking cold too...

Absolutely gobsmacked by Master's HM.... I can't imagine ever being able to run 11k uphill let alone in those temperatures.... I can just about stagger uphill for a mile or 2 walking... DH asked if I could go any faster when walking up Mam Tor ridge last week (half term in the peak district) as he found it painfully slow walking with me....

I am trying to keep going out for 3 very gentle sessions a week (at least one with DS or DD to give me an excuse for walking and running rather than all running ) and have built up to being able to run about 5k in about 32 mins now - so small steady improvement but a long way to go ... and I wish my lungs would get the message that they cope with it too

Good luck for Sunday Moshi ... hope the route avoids the hills....

Have been lurking and reading but not posting because I always feel like a fraud doing so when I'm not running.

Some v emotional and moving stories about who you are running your races for Paws (and minipaws), DrN and Moshi. Extra incentive for fundraising, as well as extra pressure!

Have been given the all clear to restart my training now, have done two 3 mile runs and one 4 mile run with no reaction so I can start upping the distance again. Going to have to build up fairly rapidly though - only 2 1/2 months to go until the marathon! No speed work, just lots of steady plodding for me, and I won't be doing the Spen 20 on 13th March.

TMM, your half marathon sounds unbelievably tough and your time was amazing.

Hope your injury heals quickly Moshi, and that everyone else stays free from aches, pains and lurgies. I shall be attempting a 5 mile run tomorrow - got a long way to go to get my fitness back, eek.

doyouthink and wheely - great fast running from you there!

hamster - keep on keeping on.

Weds - that is good news but keep it steady and slow coming back. Sounds wise missing the Spen 20. I am in two minds about racing on Sunday as, although I have been cleared by the physio, I don't feel 100% strong and that makes me worry a little about putting myself in a race environment where I am likely to push it.

Hope everyone is keeping well. Spent a frantic morning getting DD1 dressed for World Book Day. Ended up getting the eyeliner out and drawing Harry Potter glasses and a scar on her and sending her in clasping a chop stick. I wonder how many Harry Potters there will be in the UK today.

Hi all, nearly blinded the rest of the gym yesterday with my sparkly white trainers - still looking pristine as I haven't run outside in them yet. Got my speed workout over with. I've got a training session with my charity booked tomorrow pm, should be fun. Smear test tomorrow am, mmm always look forward to that one.

I tried some Powerbar Rideshots last week on my long run and liked them so bought some on special offer in Holland and Barratt today. Having said that on a completely non-scientific analysis of the back of the packet they seem remarkably similar to Percy Pigs .

hamster and MrsWeds keep up the good work, you'll get there.

Thought I'd repost the list as its a long way down and I was trying to find it -

20/02/11 - Eton half marathon: Passmyglass (DNS due to illness)
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
10/04/11 - Brighton Marathon: Pawsnclaws
17/04/11 - VLM: MoshiMoshi/ Passmyglass/ Doyouthinktheysaurus
10/05/11 - Burbage Skyline 5.75 miles: Hatwoman
14/05/11 - Chester Half Marathon: IreadthereforeIam
15/05/11 - Oxford Town and Gown 10k: Goldberry
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Marathon: MrsWednesday
30/05/11 - BUPA 10K: MoshiMoshi
08/06/11 - Claver Peak 5 miles: hatwoman
11/06/11 - Clumber Park R4L 10k Hamster
12/06/11 - Bath R4L 5k Dillinger
12/06/11 - Redcar half marathon - DrNortherner
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal

Moshi - for the sake of our list I think you should do the Bath half otherwise, with MrsW not doing Spen 20 (understandably) we'll have had 3/4 DNS. Only joking - you must of course do what you feel is best for you and your training. Actually didn't realise you're down for another half in a couple of weeks.

MrsW - glad you're back to training. Hope it goes well !

Paws - LOL at blinding everyone at the gym. You need a good muddy run to sort those out (although I remember posting when I bought my first pair of proper runnign shoes that I was running round the puddles so as not to get them muddy )

I find out tomorrow if I've made the ballot for the Parks Half. I find myself actually really hoping for the first time I get a place. Someone asked me in the gym changing rooms today what I was training for. MOst people in my gym are on GP referals in the mornings so its unusual to see anyone running on a treadmill, let alone for more than 10 mins (hte comments I get are great for confidence boosting even though I would be left standing in a proper gym ). The person I was talking to did the royal parks half last year and was saying how good the atmosphere was etc.

So, I have been thinking about the logistics of training over the summer with the dds off school/creche. I reckon I'd have to get up to the half marathon distance before the holidays to stand a chance (dd2 won't start pre-school until 12 Sept and the race is 9 Oct). But, probably won't get in anyway But, one way or another I will have a race to add to the list tomorrow as I am going to sign up for Great South if I don't get in.

Right, I am going to look out the software for my garmin so I can start downloading my runs. Have been getting into looking at splits on the watch (now I've realised I can ).

Hurray got MrsWeds, glad you are getting back on yhd horse, so to speak.

Moshi, I almost choked on my coffee this morning Reading about your DD's Harry Potter costume, particularly chopstick. Hope she had fun.

Good stuff Hamster, keep it up lady, you'll get there!

Paws, Percy Pigs are surely the cornerstone of any athletes diet, no?

good luck for the Parks Half ballot, Wheely.

Running here is woefully infrequent. Got busy next few days with DD's birthday on Saturday and have the outlaws here, but forecast looking sunny and cold, perfect for running. If I don't run this weekend I would like a Chinese burn from each of you!

Lots of Harry Potters in DS2's class today! He went as a footballer (i.e. no effort required from me at all). I am just pleased I remembered - school is like some horrible ongoing memory test for mummies I think.

Moshi, did you say 10% increase on weekly mileage? Not 10% on longest run? Was pondering what's going to be possible in 10 weeks!

Sorry, good luck in the ballot, and thanks for encouraging words and warm welcome back!

Wine gums are my fuel of choice, but the fake Percy Pigs sound fab

Hi All, great to read all your posts and catch up on the news.

Moshi it's the Bath half this Sunday! Best of luck with it all, hope you enjoy.

In fact, all you seasoned runner can probably answer my questions. I will be travelling 80 miles to run my half, it's in June (could be hot?) will run in a vest, but will need a jacket whilst hanging around waiting for it to start - where do I put my jacket? Plus, will I need fuel (gels etc) on the way round? These things are going through my mind in bet at night

I did a tough interval session with my club this week, to the point where I was very close to throwing up. Not good! But then went for a run last night and felt like I was flying, have no garmin so can not check if my flat speed is improving but I think it is. Also, I think my dog saved me last night I was running with my dog, set off at 6.00pm, accross the Stray and came to a railway bridge that has been known for flashers, normally avoid it but last night seemed slightly lighter so stupidly I ran up it (steep gradient to the top, then down the other side) As I recahed the brow of the hill I noticed a strange looking guy looking over the bridge at the tracks, he turned to face me and I noticed he was wearing an orange wig and a kilt he appeared to make a step towards to me then ,my dog appeared at my side (he has been sniffing stuff at the bottom of the bridge)and the strange man turned away, but stayed at the top of the bridge. I felt hugely uncomfortable and sprinted away with a quick glance over my shoulder to check he really was wearing an orange wig and a kilt...............I took a detour past the police station to mention it. Hope they don't think I was being over dramatic.

Dh was very cross I took that route, and my fab loyal dog got extra treats when we got back!

DrN last time I did a half they had a clubhouse (the start was at a cricket club) to leave things at. I'm going to have my supporters (DH and the boys!) strategically placed during the marathon to hand out my gels, but I guess you could also take a bumbag (never got on with them myself, I find they twist round the whole time) - how many do you think you need?

Glad your dog frightened off the weirdo - sounds like you were stalked by Russ Abbott . I got followed on a narrow path once by a man on a bike, I kept stopping and asking if he wanted to pass and he kept saying no - was really creepy. In the end I brazened it out and said "well I'm stopping for a breather so you WILL pass me like it or not."

Happy running all.

I know its not a laughing matter but I did laugh at 'being stalked by Russ Abbott' - what a thought ! Seriously, DrNo - glad you're ok and don't do that route again (stern look !).

peach - hope you manage to get out at the weekend..will get practising my chinese burns just n case.

No news on the ballot yet... taps fingers impatiently ... although longer it goes on, am thinking its not positive !

Hooray for your dog DrNorthener, and don't run that way again! I run with a bumbag on all my runs, a camelbak aswell on my long runs I don't find a bumbag a problem, I am used to it now. I use both on my long runs so I don't have to stop to get gels out, I wear the bumbag at the front for easy access

I will be wearing the bumbag for the marathon too.

Moshi I hope Bath Half goes ok if you decide to run, and if you don't, not to worry. Have to do what's best and all that!

Glad you are on the mend MrsWednesday, long may injury free running last

I'm planning on doing 19 miles tommorrow, to make next weeks 20 less daunting. Not looking forward to it TBH, yesterday I did 10 miles which just felt hard, even though my HRM showed that my pulse was lower than ever, my legs felt heavy and it was freezing and windy. I'm hoping for less wind and more sun tommorrow.

On the positive side, I saw lovely little Lambs in the field!

Hope running goes well for everyone this weekend.

Goodness, DrNo! be careful running there won't you? That is the reason I started thinking about getting a dog. Ours will be coming in a few weeks although it will be a year from now until she can accompany me running. I can't wait!

MrsWeds - yes 10% on weekly mileage and long runs should roughly equate to a third of your total weekly mileage no more. Or is that half? No, that seems too much. I think a third sounds more reasonable? Would Google but internet down and don't want to lose this reply!

peach am practising my chinese burn as we speak .......

Well my charity session today was fantastic - met a lady called Samantha Amend who is running London and who is a GB/Olympic hopeful. Loads of helpful advice from her and a speed session. To those of you (and that includes me at times) who say you're too busy to run - she runs 130 miles a week, works full-time, travels with her job and is a single parent to two young children (her husband died unexpectedly two years ago hence her involvement with the charity). A complete inspiration.

Not planning a mega-run this weekend, I think I'm due to do 10 on Sunday. Beautiful day for a run today though.

Moshi any decision on Bath?

Wow Paws - that is inspirational - how does she fit it in though ? She presumably has helpful family ? Nanny ? (which she must need anyway without the running !!). She must do v. early mornings or v. late nights too (or both).

I did not get a place in the Royal Parks Half ('nobody loves me, everybody hates me think I'll go and eat worms' etc). So, probably Great South Run although part of me is wondering about a charity place for Royal Parks but will probably stick to original plan and do GSR and Brighton Half next feb (who here has done Brighton half ? Whassit like ? Is the route mainly seafront from what I remember ?)

Wheelybug she gets up at 4.30-5 for her morning run - then a full day at work - then running in the evening. Her mum looks after her children. Was just amazing.

I met someone today who did the Brighton half, they said it was OK but a bit of a challenge along the seafront for miles as the wind was whipping off the shore - that's the last 15 miles of the marathon for me!

That is amazing dedication !!

Yes the problem with the Brighton half is that its in Feb so the weather is not going to be good. Maybe I'll rethink for a sort of March/April one. Just fancied Brighton as its home town.