Runners united (come join us if you are addicted to running!)

[MoshiMoshi]

This is a continuation of the thread "Happy When We Are Running" for those of us who are committed to running in order to preserve a sense of ourselves and maintain a degree of sanity in our lives which are otherwise taken over by family and work-related matters.

All runners are welcome, experienced and newbies, if you are a keen runner. We promise to support you in your efforts and have a running (excuse the pun!) list of races (see below) which various of us have entered in order to provide advice and support along the way.

So what are you waiting for? Spring is here and there is no better time to enter those races you have been wondering about entering and lose those winter pounds, and all for free (well, as long as you have a decent pair of trainers suitable for your running gait ). Alternatively, if you don't want to race you can just join us to enjoy the racing vicariously and learn about training and what (not) to do along the way.

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

youmakeme - join! not everyone on here is banging out fast times; us slowcoaches need company down here at the back...

youmakeme hello! Where about's do you live then? Will wave to any horses I see just incase they are yours Please join the thread, it's a very friendly place. Lol at this coming up when you search for Arkendale 10k!

I did a very slow, steady 4 miles yesterday and am doing nothing today other than walking my dog. Feel OK about tomorrow, but normally, on race day I get super nervous. Why is that?! Am still quite new to races, and when I get there and see all the runners limbering up looking very serious I always feel like an imposter!

Moshi I have no race plan If I am honest I would love to beat 55 mins, then I will have a new PB, but don't like putting any pressure on as don't ant to feel like a failure if I don't manage it. I am running it with dh, plus a friend and her dh. My friend and I get quite competitive and sometimes she is stronger, sometimes me, so we will no doubt push each other on with our friendly competitiveness! Are you feeling any better?

BTW, what is a good pre race brekkie please? Porridge......wholemeal toast.....cereal?....

Happy running this weekend everyone.

doing my first interval run today: it's 8.6k so I was thinking about 2k of warm-up; 1k@5k pace; 300m recovery x 4, then easy home. Does that sound like a plan?

Sounds like a decent plan to me (a novice at plans and intervals in general )

My and DS1 have our 'breakfast of champions' on weekend mornings when we have running (me) and football (him) - porridge with fruit such as blueberries or summer fruits and golden syrup. I always have a few cups of green tea too.

Good luck tomorrow DrNo and YouMakeMe (and welcome).

Moshi, hope everything keeps healing and that your cold goes away (ditto for you sfxmum). The tapering sounds tough for you all. Wise words from Cestlavie which I will be re-reading when/if I get that far!

I'm planning to do 13 miles tomorrow, having done two 5 milers this week with no bother or injury. I'm also going out to buy another pair of trainers, as I had to stop wearing my Asics because they just didn't suit me at all (and may have contributed to my injury problems). So does anyone want a pair of size 5 Asics 2150s? I've done exactly 92 miles in them and they are muddy!

Happy weekend running everyone.

DrNo We're one of the farms just off the route, the horses will probably be leaning over the fence trying to distract you! I don't think I can do the race but might be helping out with the bbq (or come out with cheerleadering pom poms for everyone!). Good luck, it's a nice route. Oh, and keep an eye out for Red Kites!

Well I'm not a very experienced runner and a lot of the technical language you use terrifies confuses me, but I'm trying to improve. I try to run 4 times a week; two long and slow, two short and fast, but I find the short and fast ones a lot harder than the long ones

I'm doing the RFL in June and the GNR in sept. I'll keep lurking for tips and inspiration!

Thanks for the nice welcome

MrsWeds I would buy the Asics off you, they are my size but I need stability shoes. I love ASICS. Dh bought me some Adidas Supernovas and I just don't love them as much as my Asics, funny isn't it? I think we must stay loyal to what feels best.

youmakeme am very jealous of where you live, beautiful running routes on your doorstep!

DrNortherner - Lots of luck for tomorrow. I reckon you'll be great !! In my limited race experience, I've found porridge (raisin and cinnamon for me) for breakfast and then a banana half an hour or so before the start seems to do wonders. I hope you enjoy it and don't get chased by any sheep .

Welcome Youmakeme and good luck tomorrow too ! Stick around here - everyone's welcome.

Thanks for the advice on accomodation booking Doyouthink (bummer re the pre-race injury) and paws. I've just booked the Ibis. I was worrying about how far things were away/ parking etc etc. But just thought I'd better just go for it. It seems to be in walking distance of the start. Hope the taper heebie-jeebies are being kept in check. My bro (brighton) is suffering the same I think.

Glad you're getting out there Hamster ! and great run possum.

moshi - glad the taking it easy has sorted the shins at least.

No running here today - am going to spend the afternoon in the hairdresser with a book. Then probably 10K tomorrow.

Have a nice weekend everyone.

mrsweds - is that model of ascics neutral? If so, I'll take them off you - I run in nimbus, but could try another model, perhaps? I tend to just keep buying the same model, because of injury paranoia...this is silly, isn't it?

MrsWeds no good for my great clod-hopping feet - I'm a 6 in normal shoes and a 7 in running shoes. I always have Brooks as they seem to be great for my wide feet.

Hi youmakeme, do join us please. This is a fun and fast-moving thread!

Lazy day for me today - the boys are out washing the car for me and the only activity I'm planning is walking the dog later. Touch wood I feel completely injury free, even my feet feel abnormally good. Chest still a little wheezy, but nothing too dreadful.

Good luck for tomorrow DrNo, I always have porridge before my run - bananas are good too. No wheat for me otherwise I'd choose a bagel.

that was more of a fartlek run than an interval run - wasn't sure of my paces and kept going too fast - but managed to keep up a decent pace between bursts, even the speed bursts were short (about 2 mins). But clocked 5:34/km over almost 9k, so really pleased with that :)

Welcome, youmakeme! Please do join us if you like the sound of us! We are very friendly and all running addicts. I also have a horse! But he is on livery down in Devon so I only escape to ride once every month.

Well done, misscrazy on the speed training. Keep it up once a week and you should see a change in your pace in a month or so. The noticeable effects of speed work happen more quickly than general running apparently.

DrNo - 2150s are stability shoes in the Asics range and are the model down from the Kayanos which is what I wear. They offer excellent support with decent cushioning but not as much as the Kayanos.

Well I did my 16 miles in unspectacular fashion today. Puppy slept through until 6.45am so I wasn't out as early as I has anticipated but I did appreciate the good night's sleep. Average pace was 8:40m/m. Legs felt heavy but then everything does during this taper. Fat and heavy. Asthma is troubling me and may have flared up as a result of the cold I have had. Time to up the meds.

Soooooooo, mother's day tomorrow! DH has said he will bring me breakfast in bed and make, and tidy up, a roast for dinner. I think a friend might have had a word with him as it certainly is out of character to be so generous with his help. Am lucky to get a dishwasher unloaded at the weekend !

drivingmiss I can't think in kms which is pathetic - but that sounds like a good pace.

Moshi I hate that heavy legged feeling. But I was reading last night that your legs should feel heavy due to the tapering - your body is not being depleted of carbs, which also has the effect of you holding more water - hence the heavy legs. I feel very breathless at the moment as well, especially running outside - a couple of years ago I saw a doctor and he said it's a combination of allergies/exercise induced asthma. In typical pawsnclaws fashion I did nothing about it, and am now wondering if I should have. Did I tell you as well that I've been taking iron syrup too, as that seems to help with the breathlessness?

if you can only think in miles, about 8:50 per mile. That's pretty good for me!

That would be very good for me too - my 5k pace I should think now.

unlike moshi for whom that pace is a slow run

hello all

lots of useful titbits here thank you

hopefully tomorrow I will restart but will also call the clinic on Monday, that knee is really bothersome
somehow it seems if one stops training for a while it all goes to pot maybe it is the advancing years

moshi dd is in love with horses and goes riding and to pony club at Stag Lodge, this came out of the blue for us

happy running

And I only dream of that :)

Good luck for tomorrow dr no and hello you make me

paws - I had heard that about iron and breathlessness - if Ot works go for it, but if not join me and others with the harder stuff :)

Am going to get out for a longer run tomorrow - even if I end up welling some of it.... Just trying to decide on early before the rain gets here or later after it's gone....

Good luck tomorrow DrNo, and I vote for porridge!

Morning All! Just had porridge for my brekkie. Yum. I made it for everyone, even thought it's Mothers Day Got a box of chocs, a plant and a gorgeous home made card from ds that says 'Mum I love you more than great TV and Xbox'

Leaving at 9.30am, race starts at 11.00am. Beautiful day here. Didn't have a great night sleep though, nerves kcicking in!

Happy Mothers Day to you all.

Good luck Dr No

Good luck Dr No! x

I'm back. Got a new PB but didn't beat 55 mins. Did it in 56.35. I started off too quick and got a bad stitch at around 2.5 miles. It's a gorgeous course, stunning views but very undulating with some steep climbs. My friend beet me my 20 seconds. Grrr. Delighted for her but secretly miffed she beat me

I think I need more race experience. I get so nervous and tense my breathing is all over the place, and today I never really settled in and just enjoyed it IYKWIM.

Dh did really well, he got 43.50

Off to get ready for ds's party now. Hope you are all having a nice Sunday.

Btw my garmin said 6.27 miles, so I think I ran a poor race line......

Oh maybe not. Just checked and 10k is 6.2 miles so not too bad.

1 00:08:25 1.00 08:25
2 00:08:44 1.00 08:44
3 00:09:24 1.00 09:24
4 00:09:01 1.00 09:01
5 00:09:08 1.00 09:08
6 00:09:25 1.00 09:25
7 00:02:17 0.27 08:25

Here are my mile splits. As you can see, the stitch at mile 3 slowed me down, and my last mile was nearly my slowest......