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Original poster

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

959 replies

MoshiMoshi · 20/03/2011 14:46

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 Grin). 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

OP posts:
Original poster
MoshiMoshi · 03/04/2011 15:57

Well done on a new PB, DrNo! As hard as it is when you feel you could have gone faster and raced smarter, that is not to be overlooked. I think we are all guilty of setting off too fast in races as the crowds and adrenaline really fire you up. It is worth making an extra effort to pace those early miles slightly slower than ideal race pace before easing into race pace. If you are surprised at your friend beating you then it definitely says you could have gone faster. Training paces are a good indication of current capability and I think you hit the nail on the head in saying you probably need more race experience. I think visualisation can be very helpful prior to a race if nerves can hit you hard. That and talking to people who have done the race before! Enjoy the rest of the day and your DS's party!

OP posts:
Rohanda · 03/04/2011 16:23

Can I join the club please? Haven't ran in races for years, but getting kit on in the last week - about to go for a 3 miler - longest I've run for about a year! If I finish it in less than 30 mins I'll be ok.

V. impressive Doctor! Those pesky stitches!!

backwardpossom · 03/04/2011 16:47

Well done DrNo! :)

sfxmum · 03/04/2011 16:57

well done DrN you sound like you are on a highGrin

hope the rest of the day went well

Wheelybug · 03/04/2011 17:58

Well done DrNo ! Congrats on the PB, especially on a hilly course. Grr at your friend.. but you'll get her nex time Grin. I hope DS's party went well too (and happy birthday to him !) .

welcome Rohanda - hope the run went well.

Did you get your breakie in bed Moshi ??

Rohanda · 03/04/2011 18:22

3 miles - 29 mins! Incl. 2 lengthy walks when I was too out of breath. I am a lardy arse slightly over weight, so I was wobbling running sideways as much as forwards.....still, can't complain. ( tho' as a runner I probably will Grin). It still qualifies as a SB!!

DrNortherner · 03/04/2011 18:45

The official results are out and say I did 56.20. My friend came in at 56.06. Bloomin 14 seconds ahead. Grrr. Not so bad if she beat me by a good time but 14 seconds Grin

Feeling knackered now. Ds enjoyed his party thanks for all the good wishes. Am so addicted to this thread now I couldn't wait to get home to post and discuss my results.

Moshi thanks for the advice. I know I went off to fast, then my bloody stitch kicked in.

Anyway, off to chill out now and will make sure I sign up for more races to get more experience.

Original poster
MoshiMoshi · 03/04/2011 18:56

wheely - yes! And a lie in as DH got up at 6.30am with the puppy! And he took DS and his friends to the cinema (DS's party) so I just had the three DDs (and puppy) at home. Then he took over cooking roast pork for dinner and is now bathing the kids while I lounge around. Oh and he took all the kids to the park this afternoon leaving me with strict instructions to not do any tidying or cleaning. I have never (and I mean Never) had a day like this before!

OP posts:
Original poster
MoshiMoshi · 03/04/2011 18:59

DrNo - I find perusing Garmin stats strangely interesting Grin! I think we should all share them to help advise each other and learn from all the races. For example, from your and my recent race everyone can see the perils of setting off too fast. You may well end up with a stitch!

OP posts:
Wheelybug · 03/04/2011 19:07

DrNo - even better, knocked a few seconds off. At least with only 14 seconds between you and your friend you know you could beat her Grin. Glad the party went well.

Well done Rohanda

Sounds lovely Moshi. I've been treated pretty well this weekend but we had a disasterous brunch out today - went to Browns in Kingston (AVOID AT ALL COSTS) and brunch took 45 minutes to arrive adn then was congealed and horrid so we left without eating (or paying) all starving and dd1 in tears.

Did get out for 10K once we got back (after not getting any of the shopping we were after !) which improved my mood Smile.

Rohanda · 03/04/2011 19:14

And second moshi's notes on starting reasonably. There's quite a lot of discussion around causes of stitches and how to drop them. Some say it's diaphragm muscle, some it's the diet. I just know that extending my abs muscles out in the area where the stitches is helps me. No need to stop for it.

This IS a busy thread!!

Original poster
MoshiMoshi · 03/04/2011 19:22

Sorry, forgot to say Welcome to Rohanda! We are friendly and very inclusive here if a bit forgetful of everyone posting as it moves quickly. On the other hand nobody bets uppity if their post doesn't get an immediate response as we all recognise how busy our lives can be.

Goodness, wheely! What a shocking experience. Browns used to be such a good name but seems to have gone downhill of late. Poor DD!

OP posts:
DrNortherner · 03/04/2011 19:25

I ate a banana 55 mins before the race......could that have contributed to my stitch?

Rohanda · 03/04/2011 19:26

and thank you too Moshi. There's a few talented runners round here! Can feel the first stirrings of a running plan........Grin

Rohanda · 03/04/2011 19:32

ah, the banana issue! Some say yes, but it can also be caused by breathing and footfall on your right foot. I am too stupid to follow the footfall thing, esp. as it asks you to regulate your footfalls with your breathing in a particular way. Too complicated!!
Google it and see if any of the causes are prevalent to you DrNo? IT seems to be quite an individual experience. I think you just have to find out what is relevant to your body, and you will only know this my practice and experience.

Rohanda · 03/04/2011 19:32

FROM practice and experience!!

backwardpossom · 03/04/2011 20:23

(what's footfall?)

Hi Rohanda

Wheelybug · 03/04/2011 20:34

Yes Moshi - I think its new in Kingston and we went there because we've always liked it elsewhere... guess its all down to the individual manager/chef etc. There were other people walking out and complaining so at least we know it wasn't just us being awkward buggers (never done it before either).

Sorry if it was the banana that caused your issues DrNo, I think that was my advice.

The whole nutrition thing is a minefield. I just had a wierd half hour of feeling like I was going to throw up and really shivery - DH told me to go and eat and drink so I had some water and a couple of biscuits and it seems to have sorted me out. I don't think I ate enough today before my run even though I didn't run as far as I usually do and I didn't push the speed. NOw, if I'd had that brunch..... Grin.

peachsmuggler · 03/04/2011 20:50

Congrats on your PB DrNo, great time. Agree it is all down to experience. I am rubbish at races and seem to lose my mind as I cross the start line! Happy Birthday to your DS!

Poor you Wheely that restaurant sounds vile!

Moshi your day sounds lovely, glad you enjoyed it! I got a liie in and a card which was nice. Have spent most of the day shovelling down crackers to stave off nausea.

Have another question for those of you who ran whilst pregnant. Did you feel awful but ran anyway (and did it help?) or did you feel ok and so were able to run? I had planned to run today bit just felt to yuck and tired. Haven't been out since last Saturday but would like to keep it up.

Welcome Rohanda, that was a great time for your first in a year!!

Agree with everyone posting their splits, it is really useful.

sfxmum · 03/04/2011 20:51

speaking of nutrition I need to follow a sort of low carb diet not Atkins but be careful about glycemic index due to high risk of developing diabetes
question is, do any of you follow a similar plan? and what do you eat before running? I a happy to stay on the porridge for breakfast when I can run in the morning but when it is cold but coming Summer I need option, and also for later in the day running TIA if anyone has suggestions

and welcome Rohanda sorry about missing your initial post

peachsmuggler · 03/04/2011 21:01

possum footfall is just how your foot meets the ground. Apparently you are supposed to regulate your breathing so you your right and left foot falls alternately on the ground with each out breath. This is to kee everything in balance as your footfalls ate harder on the out breath and it should help with stitches etc. I tried doing it but found it felt quite complicated and unnatural. However I think with practice it could become second nature.

Sfx I tend to stick to porridge, bananas, bagels. Bagels would be high GI though eh? Someone here avoids here wheat, can't remember off the top of my head so they might have good ideas about low GI foods.

backwardpossom · 03/04/2011 21:05

I don't really understand that - I can do three/four steps in the time it takes to breathe out?

thecoo · 03/04/2011 21:10

Have just spent a good 45 mins on here trying to catch up with you lot as haven't been around since Thurs...

Well done DrNortherner - that sounds like a fab time to me, and at least now you know that you only have a measly 14 secs to beat your friend next time.

Welcome Rohanda and any other newcomers I've missed. This is the friendliest thread not just on Mumsnet but anywhere I've come across - everyone is so encouraging and lovely, regardless of ability/speed.

I only managed a quick run this morning, warmup then 3 miles then cool down, but did run faster over the 3 miles than I have before, so felt pleased. Hoping it's my intervals/speed training that is reminding my muscles they can go faster, so by June I'll be flying round the 10 mile race!

Wheelybug I think it was the Ibis that DH and I stayed at when he ran GSR a couple of years ago. It was expensive for what it was (though I think that was due to the race and demand) but otherwise fine and really convenient for getting to the start.

cestlavie · 03/04/2011 21:37

Wow, the thread has been busy this weekend.

Well done on the PB DrNo.With a stitch and a tough course that's a great achievement. Agree with peaches and Rohanda (welcome by the way!) - I think stitches are meant to come down to diaphragm issues. Usual advice is as they said, to match footfall with breathing. That said, I imagine the practicality is harder than the theory.

Sounds like some mums have had good mother's days! Sounds like you had a great afternoon Moshi! DW went properly riding this morning for the first time in a while and is now lying whimpering on the sofa with a large glass of wine. DS had his first riding lesson as well and loved it and DD took the disappointment at being too tired to ride with surprising equanimity (well, comparative equaniminity anyway sit - she got to sit on a horse at least). Friends over this afternoon as well so all good here.

I like the idea about comparing race stats and thoughts on where races have gone wrong (um, got lots of personal experience in that regard... Confused. Means I now get a little obsessed about splits and things. Am definitely going to get a decent Garmin over the next couple of weeks as am thinking about have a big old rework of my running regime.

Enjoy what's left of Mothers Day all of you!

drivingmisscrazy · 03/04/2011 22:34

some good running been going on! time and opportunity conspired against a long run for me today (had to make cake...) but managed about 8k at a 6:08 pace which was pretty easy. So pleased with that - would like to get easy runs down to under 6 min/km as a rule. This week has been a washout in terms of mileage (not my fault), and next week may not be much better...but I should manage a longish run on Tuesday morning (well, a 9 miler at any rate), and then a proper long run on Sunday (11+). It's just really frustrating me now!