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 !

sorry Wheely that you didn't get your place

Dr, glad you are ok. Hopefully man wasn't up to anything sinister but best to be on safe side. In terms of your half, I took those sports sugar sweets, but lots of people take normal sweets. Have never tried gels but would suggest whatever you decide you should have a practice run with them. The lucozade sports drinks really disagreed with me so I switched to the sweets. As to jacket, when I did the Reading half I bought a hoodie from oxfam for a couple of quid and then left it on the barrier at the start of the race. Loads of people do it and they collected them up for charity. Don't know if they will do that at your half but you could check.

wheely sorry you did not get your place. It's disappointing isn't it? I didn't get a place in GNR last year.

Moshi What type of dog are you getting? I LOVE mine so much, he my absolute buddy.

PMSL at being stalked by Russ Abbott. Was telling my friends last night and we all had a laugh about it, but yes, I will be avoiding that bridge until it gets lighter.

paws Samantha sounds like an amazing lady. So sad her husband died. Bet her running is part of her grief process.

doyouthink Hooray for my dog indeed. He is getting lots of treats! Good idea about cheap charity shop hoodie. Will do that.

So normal sweets that would work would be Jelly babies/Jelly beans etc?.....I love jelly babies.

Am off to visit my Mum tomorrow and the newspaper are sending a photographer for the article, I might be brave and link to it on here when it's printed....

Moshi, good luck for tomorrow!

Have a nice weekend all.

DrN yes any sweets that you can stomach will do, wine gums, jelly babies, in my case I've discovered these little Percy Piglets from M and S that are smaller and so easier to chew than Percy Pigs!

Wheely ballots are such a pain. Wouldn't mind so much except when you find out especially for marathons there's such a high dropout rate. Charity told me yesterday that every year they offer a London place to people who later drop out having clearly done no training and raised no money - I would've killed for one of those places!!

Thought I'd mention on here that I have a pair of trainers I am selling on ebay.

Dh bought them for me but they are slightly too small and make my big toe sore on my right foot. Didn't notice at first, so have worn them so can not take them back.

Asics Virage

Same colour as the link, in a size 5, but they come up small so more a 4.5 I reckon. They are stability shoes, only worn about 4 times.

Will put on ebay but wondered if anyone here interested?

DrNo - we are getting a Vizsla which is a russet coloured Pointer originating from Hungaria. They are smaller than Weimeraners/German pointers but similar in appearance. I chose the breed as I do so much running that I thought it would suit us better than a smaller dog with short legs that can't run for long and a belly low to the ground that would get filthy along the towpaths . Am I right in thinking you have a lab?

The trainers look nice but (a) I wear Kayanos or 2160s and (b) I now am buying 5.5 or 6 as I have accumulated 5 bruised toenails during this marathon campaign. Niiiiiiice.

BTW the cheap throwaway hoodie is what I will be doing tomorrow. I think it is going to be clear but COLD.

Not sure where Hungaria is! I meant, of course, Hungary.

DrN Jelly Babies are the sweet of choice for me, I love them but leave the green ones for the ds's

I've just had to buy new trainers. I wear size 8 so yours wouldn't go near me DrN, just suddenly realised my current ones will be wearing out by the time the marathon comes round. Who said running was cheap

Sorry you missed out on Royal Parks Wheely, I thought of enetering until I realised it was a ballot, it's such a pain.

Good luck with Bath Half Moshi, hope it all goes ok

I did 19.06 miles this morning, felt more comfy than last week which is good. I broke it down into 3 runs of 6,7,6 and just focused on those miles IYSWIM, rather than setting off thinking '19 miles to go'. Weather was pretty good,less windy and cold than Thursday. Knees stiff toward the end but nothing terrible. I am now stretched, rollered with foam thingy, fed and watered and contemplating a nap

Lol at Hungaria Moshi I knew what you meant! I love Vislas, they need so much exercise so such a perfect dog for you. They have very whippy tails when young, if it whips your leg mid wag it bloomin hurts! Yes, I have a 3 year old black lab and he is gorgeous. They make fantastic running partners!

doyouthink I hate green jelly babies too. Love the orange ones. Took your advice and today I purchased a bum bag, will start to use it when out on a run. Will be handy for poo bags and mobile phone.

Also, my Garmin foreruner arrived yesterday so am out now for a just a short few miles to test it. Fingers crossed I don't bump into Russ Abbott

Good luck for your half Moshi

Yes good luck!

Hope its going well Moshi !

hello all

good luck to those running this weekend

I am hitching to get back out there but also worried I would start pushing too much and become frustrated/injured
got a couch to 10K app to keep me on the slow and easy route, I hope it works, start tomorrow

happy running

I'd wish you luck Moshi but you've probably finished now and have your feet up .

Moshi, did you run?

Sorry about your ballot Wheely.

You are all so dedicated, it's very impressive. My next challenge is the annual super tough, one of the 'world's toughest races', at altitude, super strong sun, rough terrain blah de blah (have I hyped it up enough yet?) www.lewa.org/support-lewa/safaricom-marathon/ Would anyone like to join me?

I am going to stick religiously to a training plan including intervals and hill sessions. Do you all stick to a plan or are you more random? If so which website/plan do you use?

Thanks for the good luck wishes everyone. I managed a PB by 3.5 minutes but had a stitch halfway through and failed (I think) to get a sub-90 which is really annoying. Distance: 13.22 miles (either I took a poor racing line or my Garmin is out by quite a bit). Garmin time: 1h30m04s.

After getting up at 5:45am and driving for nearly two hours, I arrived at the racecourse in plenty of time to use the loo and check everything was fine at home. I boarded the bus which took me into the City centre with loads of time to spare so I ambled around the Runners' Village and then decided to have a pre-race massage to treat my dodgy (a) calfs (or should that be calves?) and (b) solus (soluses?) (sp?). After being told by the masseuse to also watch out for my tight IT bands and piriformis (what is that and where is it and what does it do?), I left the massage tent quite simply filled with confidence...

After a little warm-up spent weaving around ALL THOSE PEOPLE (where did they all come from?), I joined the queue for the green pen and managed to squirm to the front so I was as close to the white pen as possible. I tried not to be distracted by a man in red swimming trunks wearing nothing else but a HRM, sunnies and trainers. The good news in getting to the front of the green pen was that when they took down the dividing tape, I was able to join the back of the white pen (full of elites and GFA groupers)! And suddenly, the starting hooter went off and so did I... after a bit of shuffling.

THE TECHNICAL NUMBERS BIT:

1. • 1m - 6:34(6:34/m) - 85cal
2. • 1m - 6:33(6:33/m) - 86cal
3. • 1m - 6:41(6:41/m) - 87cal
4. • 1m - 6:34(6:34/m) - 86cal
5. • 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) - 87cal
6. • 1m - 6:42(6:42/m) - 87cal
7. • 1m - 6:45(6:45/m) - 87cal
8. • 1m - 6:57(6:57/m) - 86cal
9. • 1m - 6:59(6:59/m) - 87cal
10. • 1m - 6:54(6:54/m) - 87cal
11. • 1m - 7:09(7:09/m) - 87cal
12. • 1m - 7:03(7:03/m) - 87cal
13. • 1m - 7:08(7:08/m) - 86cal
14. • 0.22m - 1:24(6:21/m) - 19cal

As can be deduced, something went horribly wrong at mile 8 onwards although mile 7 was indicating that all was not well. I weaved a bit (afterthought: probably not a good idea) at the start to get to clear space and quickly homed in on a Purple Lady who seemed to be going at a nice pace for me (sort of tempo). She was very useful as she seemed to be quite consistent in her pacing.

However, when my stitch appeared I then struggled to keep with her and had to switch my homing device onto Old Lady (age: suspect it was 70 something) whom I had previously passed but was now proving useful in stopping me from giving up and stopping altogether. She went like the clappers and was obviously a local legend as loads of people seemed to know her name (well, that was what I thought at the time, but now I am having that moment of clarity and realising I am such a newbie to racing that I probably didn't see her NAME on her vest). I hope I can run like that some day and continue to as well as her into my 70s.

After that, Green Lady (laden with gels) caught up with me. I had also passed her some time ago. She and I did the swappingwhoisinfront thing for a bit before I told her about my stitch and she kindly egged me on for the final few miles. I could see that my sub-90 was slipping away, despite hitting the 10K point in around 41 minutes, and was cross with myself. I gave it one final pathetic push and managed to convince my legs to turn over a little faster right at the end, but I think I have failed.

Good things from today: 1. I have a new PB. 2. It was obtained in the middle of marathon training (no taper for the race today) and not specifically training for a half.

Um, why do we get stitches?

Moshi your time is amazing, well done!! I have no idea how you can possibly run that fast

A pb is a pb, and as you say, with no taper, in the middle of very heavy mileage, you should be really pleased!! Good preparation for London....is it 7 weeks or 6I'm at work, my brain cell has died a temporary death

Stitches are horrid. I'm fortunate, I rarely get them but they can be very painful, you have my sympathies, having to race with pain.

I finally set up my sponsorship page today, I'm running London for Macmillan and emailed it to my family tonight. My mum and dad have donated £100!! I shed a tear....at work

Wow, well done Moshi - what an amazing time!

DoYou well done for setting up your sponsorship page, I finally set mine up a couple of weeks ago but have yet to send it out which is pathetic. I'll link it on here when I get a chance so you can all see my photos but then will delete the message after a few days (don't really like the idea of being TOO outed in RL).

Only did a gentle 8 miles yesterday as my hip was very very painful after Friday's session and I didn't want to push it. Think it was the right thing to do as it feels much better this morning.

peachsmuggler did you make it out?

Chip time: 1h30m02s. ARRRGGGGHHHHH!

Well done on setting up your sponsorship pages. I must finish mine and then circulate as it is getting closer to the day!

I have another half in two weeks but will treat it as a 20 miler with 13 at marathon race pace to practice drinking and eating on the run. I suspect my gel at 7 miles was too much for me. I assumed because I use them in training it would be fine but I think taking a whole one mid-pegging it in a race is a bit different to pootling along on a training run.

paws - do you have issues with your hip flexors? Do you do lunges to stretch them out?

That is an amazing time. Well done.

Am a bit in awe of you ladies on here, very impressive.

In the lakes at weekend so went for a run yesterday with my son Probably about 4 miles or so. Not much chatting went on but lovely all the same..

am in awe of some of the runners on here.

Moshi I've had a really intense pain in my right side, well sort of top of leg really - almost just below buttock. Funny you mention lunges, it started after my charity training session on Friday, we did lots of drills including lunges, and I think I've just strained an under-used part of my body!

It was very painful yesterday morning - went for a 6 mile walk with family - but seemed better after my gentle run last night, just 8 miles, and is barely there today.

That would be one thing I take out of training for this marathon - due to lack of time (I have ds3 with me all day every day) I've had to concentrate on running rather than all-over body conditioning. If I do this again, that would be a lesson learnt for next time.

Moshi, awesome stuff, well done! I know you really wanted under 1 and a half but really it's just part of your marathon training and you've learned something about the gels so well worthwhile. Am speechless at your time. Brilliant!!!

Well I never made it out at weekend do Chinese burns for me ladies, bit did go for 5 miles this morning in beautiful sun. It's a fantastic day in London today and we are going into town for lunch and toy shopping with DD and ghe grandparents.

moshi awesomeness you will do great in the marathon

re started my 'running' with day1 of c2-10k well at least I am out there and being sensible with recovery, weeks will fly by and I will be where I was before

happy running all

Well done Moshi that's an amazing time - sorry you didn't do 3 seconds faster but next time....

Peach - I think you've saved yourself a chinese burn by getting out this morning . Well done and happy shopping (I agree it is lovely in London today).

8.2 miles here yesterday - felt like it was hard going but did 1 hr 10 mins which I was actually quite pleased with which actually included stopping to talk to someone briefly. Sore knees this morning though but better now I've been moving around more.

Paws - when do you fit in marathon type training runs with ds3 around ? I am waiting until DD2 is in preschool (Sept) to fit in more sessions (and will ditch the gym treadmill sessions too).

Well done SFX on starting back out there - it will go quickly and you'll be back to it in no time (just in time for the good better weather too).

Well done too on everyone setting up their sponsorship pages - good luck !

Wheelybug I've found that the most difficult aspect - not so much the longest runs as they're at weekends so DH is around (though I feel bad just throwing ds x 3 at him for 4 hour long runs plus resting time), but during the week.

I either put ds3 in the creche at the gym (but only allowed for an hour so I tend to do my speed sessions on the treadmill) or wait for DH to get home in the evenings (but he works late/has to do a lot of social stuff, so it's unreliable). If desperate I take ds3 out in the pushchair but it kills my arms! I think I would benefit from one more session a week, but I just don't have the time!

Wow Paws - well done for fitting in marathon training into that. I was hoping you'd say your DH was around a lot in the evenings and that was when you got out. That's the excuse I use for not running further at the mo . I tried running with dd2 when she was a baby and really struggled and have never tried since. DD doesn't like the buggy either so wouldn't stay in it long enough. Excuses excuses... well I'll run out of them in Sept .