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 !

EEk ! At being next but one !! Especially as one of the people I am doing it with emailed me this morning to point out that its the weekend the clocks go forward so, the 8 am start will feel more like 7 am - aaaarrgh. And given I'm getting 5-6 hours broken sleep a night at the mo it didn't make me feel very positive. This friend is probably not going to run it as she hasn't done enough training and gets back from a ski hol late the night before. DH was also supposed to be doing it but hasn't done much training (although would probably still beat me, even though he also has health ishoos) and has now just got a new deal in with work and probably won't be around during march.

So it could be a very lonely start !

Wheely don't fret about the sleep thing as it is unlikely you will sleep well the night before most races. I focus on the days running up to the event so the night before doesn't matter so much.

Right, I have amended my sponsorship page and am now posting the link to see if anyone would be kind enough to sponsor me for the VLM. Any little bit helps and I, and the BHF, would be really grateful for your support!

uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WendyRoberts

Moshi I will definitely sponsor you when I have more time. My dad too died very suddenly of a heart attack in April 2009. I am running my half in his memory, but for Diabetes UK as he also was an insulin dependent diabetic. Have been feeling very emotional about it all today, then saw your dad on your link and shed a few more tears.

Moshi I can't find your site? Have searched virgin money giving and the name - am I doing it wrong?

DrN we have a fairly scary family history of diabetes - my mum, her mum, and now my brother has developed Type 2. I had gestational diabetes - one of the reasons I run is to keep it at bay! Horrible disease, it has such an impact.

Moshi have found your site - I'm an idiot and was searching just giving. You have your first donation . Your dad would be very proud of you.

Well there you go, you're mostly a similar age to me

I hope the niggles stay at bay Moshi. I shall have a look at your page and sponsor you when I get a chance. Sorry about the loss of your Dad

DrNo sorry to hear about your Dad too, it must be very hard

Not long now paws. I can't believe how quickly the weeks are passing. No sooner have I got one long run out the way, the next one is upon me

You'll be ok Wheely, just imagine how chuffed you will feel when you cross the finish line

7 miles for me yesterday, with 4 miles preogressively quicker 9.26mm, 9.10mm, 8.45mm and 8.25 with 400m recovery between them. The last one nearly killed me

I have 11 miles to do tommorrow, slow pace so should be ok. I'm already feeling a bit nervous about Saturday's 20 though, I did 19 quite comfortably last week so I know I will be fine, it's just the thought of it....

I will add my Half Marathon in June on to the list tommorrow. I'm also doing the London to Brighton Bike Ride but that's more of a fun day out for a good charity than anything else.

Thank you so much, paws. It has made me all teary thinking about dad and how kind people can be (we haven't even met!) Bless you, both for the sponsorship and the kind words .

moshi - I will add to your pot too when I have a mo. DH lost his father to a sudden heart attack 7 years ago so I understand a little of what you've gone and going through, through DH.

Doyou - I really want to do the London to Brighton bike ride, living in London as I do now and hailing from Brighton. I don't have a bike though. I was supposed to be getting one ofr christmas but DH got me a kindle instead. my Mum bought me a bell for the bike though . I have a friend who's done it a couple of times who has said he'll do it with me - Next year for me I think.

I have another pre race panic (pathetic I know amongst all you marathon-ers). I have just read that Ipods are prohibited. I always run with music. Does anyone always run with music and has done races where you can't ? Will I get away with secreting it in my pocket in case I need it ? Should I practise without it in the 3 weeks left or will I just get taken along with the event and not notice ? I hate hearing my breathing...

Wheelybug I think it's pretty standard to say no iPods, but not necessarily enforced that I've seen. I plan to take mine just for a section of the marathon where I know there will be little support or nice scenery. It's a tiny shuffle so not going to bother anyone. As long as you're sensible and aware of your surroundings I doubt it would be a problem.

Thanks Paws - the 5 and 10K I did, you were allowed them but both were completely off road so I suppose that helps. I was thinking it was mainly to cover their backs in case anything happens because they are not paying attention. I too have a shuffle so easy to put in my pocket and conceal (although not my pink headphones...)

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 )
10/04/11 - Brighton Marathon Pawsnclaws
17/04/11 - VLM: MoshiMoshi/ Passmyglass/ Doyouthinktheysaurus
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
12/06/11 - Redcar half marathon - DrNortherner
19/06/11 - Dash for Dads, Wycombe Park Pawsnclaws
10/07/11 - British 10K: MoshiMoshi
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug
17/07/11 - Race for Life St Albans
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal

Ok ignore the above - trying to cut and paste on my phone was never a good idea. Was trying to add the Child Bereavement Charity's Dash for Dads on Fathers day - a great way to remember those much-loved dads no longer with us.

Morning all. I have a day off work today, using up annual leave and was planning a run, but after walking ds to school this morning it is so windy here. Might wait an hour or so to see if it calms down.

How are we all?

DrNo - I am having a proper rest day today. I usually go to Bootcamp to do some conditioning when I am not running but I want to try and do 22 miles tomorrow and my legs are a bit shot still so I am hoping if I am good and have a complete rest they may be OK (please?)

It is windy here too! I think you should just go for it or else you could be waiting all day. What run do you have planned today?

There is a new route I want to try out, not sure how long it is, want to put on the Garmin and see. I estimate it will be about 8 miles ish. But not many roads so the dog can come and be off lead.

Tomorrow I have another day off and am doing a 12 mile walk with 2 friends and their dogs along the river to the next town and back.

Enjoy your rest Moshi, you deserve it.

Chickened out of my run this morning as it was far too windy, combined with sleet and showeres !

moshi - will add to your pot as well. Sorry to hear about your dad (and yours of course DrNo) but good on you both for running for them. Sure they'd be very proud of you both.

On the same chirpy note, my dad died of heart failure three years ago so it's something I can relate to and a very worthwhile cause (and something of a spur to stay fit and keep running myself...)

On a rather more chirpy note, am now registered for the Nottingham half marathon on 23 September so please stick that on the list! Great course if anyone is looking for something in September, if a little hilly.

13 mile slower run planned for tomorrow morning. Definitely looking forward to it. Had one 8 mile interval run and one 5 mile tempo run this week so glad those are behind me!

Still very jealous of all those with places in the VLM. Next year for sure...

Ta da! cestlavie - have you thought about trying to qualify for VLM with a GFA place? How old are you? The male times are much harder than the female times to attain! I am hoping to go sub-3:15 which would qualify me for a championship entry place but if I don't manage that I can still get a GFA place next year as long as I come in under something like 3:45.

20/02/11 - Eton half marathon: Passmyglass (DNS due to illness)
27/02/11 - Kilimanjaro half marathon: themasterandmargaritas - a fabulous 2h15m on a mountainous route!
06/03/11 - Bath Half Marathon: MoshiMoshi - a horrible 1h30m02s run with a stitch from halfway
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
23/09/11 - Notting Half Marathon: cestlavie

I am seriously on the verge of binning this phone. Have asked for the above to be deleted.

paws - oooh, and there was I getting all excited at our thread turning controversial ! I suspect our thread could qualify as the least controversial on the whole of mumsnet !

Just checked and GFA for us laydees is 3:15-3:50 for a marathon. Simple, eh?

cestlavie - you just need to run a sub-3:10 marathon. Think you could squeeze one in between now and next VLM?!! Otherwise there are half marathon qualifying times. Women's are sub-90 (ARRRGGGGH!) and men's are... um, less.

Blimey. Championship qualifying half time for blokes is 1:15! That is MUCH harder than a sub-1:30 for women .

Haha moshi, I think a GFA place may be slightly beyond me.

My aim for my next half is under 1.45 which should be achievable. Admittedly, PB is 1.49 but that's always been on hilly courses so a bit more training should get it there (although a nice downhill slope to the course would help). To get under 3.10 for the marathon would require a very steeply downhill course and a pair of roller skates...!

Good news, guys! I qualify for a GFA place! Bad news .... I have to maintain my current pace and might get the place in 20 something years' time ....

So cestlavie tell me honestly which was worst - training or the marathon itself?