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 !

Wheely, LOL at a bike bell for your Kindle, so useful I have bike and kindle, the kindle gets more use at the moment London to Brighton is great fun, so liberating to claim back the roads and ride with so many others. I got a last minute place last year as my mum and dad helped organise a team for the Caravan Club and people dropped out. I loved it so much, I'm doing it again! Definitely go for a place next year!

Moshi I hope your run goes ok tommorrow. 22 miles is a long way!!

I can confirm it is very windy here on the South Coast 11 miles this morning, not very pleasant, legs felt tired from Tuesday and lousy weather. I laced my new shoes too tight aswell so had to stop and sort that out Anyway it's done, rest day tommorrow then 20 miles on saturday

Here is a link to my sponsorship page so you can all laugh admire the horrific delightful picture dh took of me in my running gear...the shame

DoYou have sponsored you. What's wrong with the picture? DH actually bought one of those end of race pictures when I did a half in torrential rain and gale force winds, and had it captioned "Livin' The Dream" - was so embarrassed!

I am so glad I found this thread, you are all so inspiring, and fast, and run a long way

I did just over 8 miles today. Very steady pace, snail like compared to you guys but it was very windy and it was hard going on one long stretch with hail and grit blowing in my face. But now home, I feel amazing. It just seems like such a huge leap to 13 miles, but I will get there.

I am hoping for a sub 2.5 hours for my half. Question, my PB for a 10k is 55 mins (although last race was Sept so hoping to have knocked that down a bit)so as a rule can I double that and add a bit more for my estimated half finish time or is it ridiculous to think I will so the second 10k as quick as the first?

So many questions from us beginners!

Oh, bless you paws, you are very kind. Thankyou. The picture is still horrid though

Moshi have sponsored you.

If your 10k pb is 55 mins, I think you will be a fair way under 2.5 hrs for a half DrNo.

LOL, cestlavie, I think I would need a rocket strapped to my back to get anywhere near GFA Needless to say, London will be a one off for me. I am looking at an off road marathon next where the only spectators will likely be cows

To check your comparable times from know race times, put your details into here

Thank you for the donations paws and doyou. It is really touching and makes it all seem more worthwhile in a cheesy sort of way .

Well done on getting out there on your new route, DrNo. I suspect you may surprise yourself in your first half.

loving that calculator Moshi according to that I can achieve 2.02 half marathon. Wow. That would be amazing.

But, it is just important to me to run it all and finish. Don't want to focus on a time because I know I will be disappointed if I don't achieve it

Sponsored you, doyou! It is good to see the number rising isn't it?

DrNo - those calculators always assume a flat course with perfect conditions so always allow a bit if the course is not a typical PB type course or it is likely to be a really hot day etc.

www.gazettelive.co.uk/gazette-communities/ts10-redcar/ts10-news/2011/03/10/mum-s-racing-in-honour-of-cliff-84229-28308747/ my atricle is in the paper!]]

try again

Ok, Moshi, Doyouthink, and DrNorth have just sponsored you all. Sorry it's not more and am afraid I don't qualify for gift aid but wanted to let you all know that what you are doing is amazing. These charities are lucky to have dedicated folks like yourselves running. You'll all be brilliant.

DrNorth, with a 55 min 10k under your belt, you'll be looking at well under 2.5 hours for a half, though as is it your first the best thing to do is just enjoy it and don't worry abot your time.

Very windy here too! We live in a top floor flat and was listening to it whistling round the roof this morning, talking myself out of running. However the sun came out briefly so made a move and did 5.5 miles.

Do really feel quite unfit at the moment but not too keen on getting back into speed/hill training as ttc. Anyone else been in the same boat before? Don't want to put my life/running on hold, but also don't want to start training program just to cut it short if I do get pregnant. Don't want to book races for the same reason but would like a goal to aim for. Any ideas ladies? Oops, must stop doing that. Apologies Cest lavie and any others here who might be men! Can confirm I am a woman, well obviously given the topic of this paragraph!

Yay us!

Thank you, peach!

Lovely article, DrNo. Made me cry reminding me of when I read the first article about your lovely dad passing away. He was blessed to have you as his daughter.

doyou - sorry to see you have lost two close family members to cancer. It is a frightening group of diseases that terrifies me just thinking about it.

DrN will have a look at your article and page when I get home and on the computer - am stuck in the car at the moment waiting for ds1 to get out of school, then have to pick DH up from the station and come back to school for parents evening (with all 3 ds plus the dog in tow, they'll love us)!

Moshi and Peach, thankyou so much for your donations, I feel completely overwhelmed!

DrNo that is a really moving article, your dad would be so proud. Have sponsored you.

Cancer is horrid Moshi, a few years back it was 'something that happened to others' and then out of the blue MIL got diagnosed with a Brain Tumour, it was such a horrid way to go 2 days after she died I got told I had cancer and within 2 years FIL was diagnosed with prostate cancer which turned out to be an aggressive type and he died last year...

You all probably feel the same as I do though, losing people close to us too soon makes you realise how precious life is and to just make the most of each day

Well done on getting out there peach, 'tis very windy. I'm not the best person to answer about running without a programme, I tend to get a bit lazy if I don't have a structured plan. Doesn't need to be an increasing distances programme though, for a couple of months before Christmas I ran similar distances each week, but I still needed that 'plan' to get me out the door IYSWIM.

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. I will sponsor all you guys too.

Yes, meant to say Drnorth, lovely article. You must be very proud of your dad and am sure he would be equally proud of you

Paws, training for the marathon was far worse than the event itself. The marathon, admittedly VLM, was absolutely fantastic. Apart from the massive 'big event' buzz and the streets lined with bands, lovely support people, music blasting out from pubs, kids handing out sweets etc the things that marked it out for me were:

• sense of community amongst all the runners, little words of encouragement and the feeling that you're all in it together

• people cheering your name cos you've got it on your t-shirt... I mean seriously, unless you're a professional athlete how often do you get people cheering your name when you run past?!

• satisfaction afterwards of having really pushed yourself (plus the cold beer with friends after in the pub tastes soooooooo good!)

Can't wait to do it again!

Moshi, Doyou, Dr No, it's very emotional and inspiring. I promise to do some donating (if I can from here).

Makes me think about Twink, if you are ready this Twink then I hope you are both well and just very busy with life.

I'm finding it difficult to get out there whilst working full time. It's just so hot at 5.30! I'm doing shorter runs and trying to go faster, I plan to do some intervals on Monday on the school playing field (as long as everyone has gone home )

I'm terribly of you VLM-ers. Perhaps I shall have a better chance of a place next year being 40+.

I shall add in my next excruciatingly difficult half to the list.

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
25/06/11 - Lewa half marathon Kenya - Masterandmargaritas
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

this is a nicer article I think, and a photo!

DrN have sponsored you. Lovely articles.

Hi All - Great article & pic DRNorth.

I will sponsor you all when I have dug out DH's card details so I can do gift aid. All such great causes and inspiration.

Peach - I was running when I was struggling to get (and stay) pregnant with dd2. I was only doing about 10K and no particular speed or hill training. I think if you take it steady it can be beneficial. It certainly helped me sort my head out at the time. Perhaps you should sign up for the New York marathon or something - then it'll be bound to happen . Good luck !

Only made 7K in the gym today - we lost dd2's precious puppy on the way so were retracing our steps so got there late, she is off colour and shattered from not sleeping so I was feeling a bit guilty leaving her in the creche (esp. without puppy) and I felt dreadful due to her not sleeping so all in all had to abandon the treadmill at 7K. But better than nothing.

Thanks for the racetime predictor - interesting stuff.

Am planning an 8 miler at the w/e but not sure when - its dd2's birthday on Saturday so presuming she is well enough we have a day out planned saturday and a party on sunday and DH is up to his ears. It may have to be sunday evening as my mum is staying on for a couple of days.

Right need to go and eat before DD2 wakes up again (its like having a newborn all over again !!).

Lovely photos and stories on the sponsorship pages, have sponsored you all.

Amazing time Moshi (belated, sorry!), particularly considering you were suffering for quite a bit of it.

Ran home from work in unbelievable wind today - felt more than a bit disturbed by the fact that a pedestrian was killed by a blown-over lorry along my route, five minutes before I got there. Sorry, v gloomy.

Will definitely not be doing the Spen 20 (sorry Wheely - sure you'll be fine though!), as I can only manage 5 miles at the moment! Will see how I get on doing 7 at the weekend but reading of the amount of running you marathoners are doing makes me realise I'm a million miles (ok 26!) from where you are.

TMM, I'm also 40 this year (no national holiday for me but at least it's near the August bank holiday so I'll claim that for myself instead).

We are all very impressive and sprightly ladies (and gentlemen), long may it continue! The older people in my running club are amazing, they are such a good advert for running. And also a reminder that it can weather the skin a bit too

Hi everyone, DH promises he hasn't put any really really embarrassing photos on this, so you can feast your eyes on me in my holiday snaps!

www.justgiving.com/SUSAN-GARDNER0

Doyou I think for me 20 miles felt like the make or break - it was a big confidence boost to get round. Just visualise how you'll feel when it's over .

peach I pretty much stopped running when I was pregnant and walked/did other gym stuff instead. But was quite happy to carry on while ttc. Running has always helped me keep a clear mind and stay positive, so for me the mental and emotional benefits outweigh the physical. I'm actually wondering how I'll cope cutting back over the next four weeks .

cestlavie thank you that's a great comfort - the training has been a slog for me, am NOT athletic, so am counting on the atmosphere to get me round.

I'm pretty sure someone here will be able to help me!

Firstly, wow! You lot sure do run, lol! I'd admire all that you do, especially for charity, that's amazing. We are in the process of setting up a charity to support children with brain tumours as my ds, 7, was diagnosed with one in Sept '10.

At the end of this month we are walking 14 miles for the Royal marsden Hospital where he receives all his treatment but there is a 10k run coming up at the end of May.

My questions are, how likely is it, that if I start training now I will be able to do this? I've never run before so how do I start and what's a good training plan for a busy mum of 3?!

Maybe I could call on some of you at some point in the future to run and raise money for us?

MrsWednesday, thankyou so much, that is very generous of you You will get there, it's tough when you have been injured, just have to build up again slowly. Don't push too hard to make up for lost time.

Paws you have the most gorgeous boys...have sponsored you. I will be so glad once this 20 miler is done, like you say it will give me the confidence I need to go all the way. My legs are tired from the previous 2 weeks 18 and 19 milers so I keep telling myself this will be the toughest run. My next 20 miler is sandwiched between shorter runs so should feel a bit easier

Welcome playthedayaway and sorry to hear about your ds, I hope he is doing ok...

Training wise, you should look at Couch 2 5K or I think Bupa do a couch 2 10 k programme. The key is to start slowly with a run/walk strategy and slowly build up the time spent running.