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

Moshi Great report. I hope you are not being too hard on yourself? You got a fab time. It was hot, crowded and loud so give yourself a break I say. Plus 4 kids and a dog?! All of you are seriously amazing.

thecoo I did the nell Mandrew DVD too. Peak energy it's called, and it's the toughest workout DVD I have ever done. She is one fit and gorgeous lady, and down to earth too.

I did 6 miles with running club tonight, we went off road for a bit of fell running and tackled a huge hill dubbed as 'murder mountain' Lots of angry cows about too, that horses and cows I don't like running by....!

Hope all you VLMers are resting and feeling ok.

Pavlov welcome :) we are all types, sizes, speeds, levels of commitment - you sound like you are making great progress. The issue for most of us is about space, time and getting away some time out from the pressures of everyday life. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, that's all running is

Welcome pavlov that sounds like a great start to running again. You will get lots of support and encouragement here.

Welcome, Pavlov! You sound like A Runner to me !

I did my first run since Friday today - had winter vom in the intervening days. Not good when you're on holiday. :(. But today I felt ok again so persuaded DH to drive me into Penzance where I can run without fear of getting run over or breaking my leg. Or worse. Sadly I didn't factor in the possibility of a biblical plague of flies between marazion and Penzance (was planning to run marazion - Newlyn - Marazion which is about 11K, but couldn't face the flies on the way back (it was the most horrific thing ever, like Indiana Jones but WORSE) so rang DH to come get me from the station instead, after 8.5K. Since I'm tapering it shoukdnt be the end of the world on the other hand I still had a target mileage for this week which was always going to be tough what with being away, and Easter, and the Saturday hoohah. And now it will be less likely to be achieved, since I'm not supposed to do anything long. Oh well. Hey ho.

thanks for the welcome ladies last time i ran, a few years ago, i found it an effort to do it, like i had to rather than wanted to, but now, well now I am itching for the afternoon so I can go out! I find the pace difficult to get for the first 10 mins or so, takes a little bit of time to get the breathing/leg rhythm going, but after 10 mins or so, my body seems to get it and it all comes together, it is at that point my body wants to keep going and my muscles stop feeling like they are on fire!

thetasigmamum flies? you had to run through them? for how long? yuck! mind you, i had to twice run through a group of yoofs yesterday, luckily i had music on v loud so did not hear the comments!

Blimey - lots to catch up on, I've had a busy few days with work and DD's birthday (although the party with 15 4year olds is on Saturday) but have managed to fit in a good 6 mile run at just quicker than my target pace for the 1/2 marathon, which I put down to being inspired by all you brave marathoners!

moshi - what a great race report - I love your little quotes

Pavlov - hello, yoofs and over friendly dogs are the things that make my heart sink when out for a run - nothing against them when not running, I just try to and run on.

Butterbur - thanks for the link on park runs, that's great! I've found my nearest one - will have to see when I can fit one in.

thetasigmamum - flies sound a bit urgh, I think a bird flew into me yesterday - either a bird or a bloomin' big butterfly - I'm not hugely keen on flying things so it was a bit off putting.

DrNorthener - I know what you mean about running past horses, cows etc - I am sure that they are watching me as I go past - and they are so big. I saw a deer on my run on sunday - it was on a parallel path - and instead of running in the oposite direction from me - it started racing me! I was 1/2 way through a 12 miler so not really looking for a sprit. Don't think I could ever have kept up anyway.

thetasig - i have address envy - i'm a penzance girl but stuck in grim plymouth. out this afternoon and hoping to get a 2 hour run in and see how i'm doing

well done vlm'ers you rock!

Welcome pavlov.

Great race report Moshi, it must have been really frustrating being held up so early in the race.

We started surprisingly quick TBh and for the first few miles I was amazed how roomy it was. I guess being a slower runner and surrounded by other slower runners, people slowed or stopped altogether from after the halfway point and then it became really annoying dodging walkers and trying to stick to an even pace.

thetasigmamum I am another very envious of where you run. I love Cornwall!

I'm thinking of trying for my first run tomorrow.Only a couple of miles just to loosen everything up and check my legs still work

I went in the sea today for a bit of cold water therapy....it was indeed very cold and I got some odd looks but I do think it has helped. Legs are much less stiff and I can sit on the loo without needing to grip the walls

Running to report having done a 4.5 mile recovery run. All fine although shin slightly more sore so off to see the physio tomorrow morning.

Any sign of hat and how she is faring with her fell race coming up soon?

Hola! Sorry for absence, have come back to shocking work life pandemonium and trying not to bring my VLM grumps to the thread. Luckily my post marathon mode swing is shortlived and indeed I caught myself looking at pictures of the race today and thinking - oooh you look happy there, maybe it would be worth doing it again next year

Haven't been for a run yet: really put my legs through the wringer and one of the toes on my left foot has been pretty badly injured, so I'm going to leave it until the weekend. But I'm beginning to feel like I would like to, which is a big step forwards.

In retrospect I've realised that I enjoy the preparation and the aftermath of a marathon a great deal more than the actual event. Which is good, because they make up 99% of the entire enterprise. But is also bad, because I've got to run the damn thing to actually get the benefit. Hmmmm.

I have to say I did laugh at your race report Moshi particularly the bit about the crowd being too noisy. I think that's when I realised what a spectacularly bad mood I was in, when I found myself thinking: 'oh for God's sake just shut up already and leave me to suffer in peace!'. Sounds like your judgement was spot on, though and I'm envious you're able to get out for a leg stretch so soon.

Pavlov I loved your post about reaching a level where you can just run and not think about anything else. How addictive that is. Very true: that's an important thing to hang onto, more than any race or split time, I think.

Must go to bed now...rest legs. Hope everyone is dreaming up exciting new things to do over the summer

Great to hear your report moshi. Sorry to hear about your Garmin - did it recover once dry?

Welcome pavlov - sounds like you're off to a great start.

thetasigma - flies, yuck!!! Even worse than butterbur's yoofs, though it's a close call

My leg is still sore. I did my easy run on Tues eve and then iced it afterwards, but no improvement. Although it's not terrible I've decided to cancel a few runs until it goes away, as I really don't want to get injured at this stage! Luckily I still have plenty of time before my race, so if I let it get better now it shouldn't be a problem.

Oh, and I can't sleep - been awake since 4am...

Hello all! Rather excitingly I recdently joined my local running club and will now be able to focus on some speed work with a 10K race coming up at the end of May (and within my first triathlon 4 weeks' away). Exciting stuff, having run alone up to now, to see whether the club may help.

thecoo - take care of that leg and do consider seeing a physio if you see no improvement from resting and icing it.

gizmo - I am looking forward to my autumn marathon which will be a smaller event with fewer crowds to see whether I prefer that atmosphere. I will definitely do London again in 2012 but those people do so get in the way don't they? I was definitely not one of the runners high-fiving the kids at the side of the road as I ran by. After trying hard not to catch any illnesses in the run up to the race, the last thing I wanted to do was to clap a grubby sticky alien hand [grumpy emoticon] .

God I could never do a triathalon. One looks like one is having an epileptic fit when swimming. I am a seriously shit swimmer. Dh loves triathlons , and they are great to watch.

Moshi bet you love the running club, I love mine, the chance to run with lots of other running geeks enthusiasts and the benefit of a coach, and so cheap too, only £40 a year here!

I am at work today, after work I am planning a LSR woth my dog. Its 2 years today since my Dad died, last year I was a mess, but this year I seem to be holding up, but think a run on my own will do me good.

Hope you all are enjoying this wonderful weather

Ah, the anniversary of The Day. Feel for you, DrNo. A good idea to get out with the dog for some running therapy with canine company. Animals are very therapeutic too. Hope it goes smoothly (run and day).

I hate flies too. Am I the only one who keeps finding them in my mouth? I'm fed up of hawking and spitting up flies that have landed straight in my throat. Am I the only mouth breather?

I think all you post marathoners are running more than I am this week! Although I finally broke the 10k barrier(which I've been trying to do since Xmas) on Monday, by just setting off and running, without checking how far I was going. When I got back, I'd done 13k. It was a lovely run too. The bluebells are out, and at one point I was running through a storm of blackthorn blossom.

good for you Dr No - I have one of those days coming up too, except it's 37 years since my dad died...one of the reasons I run, actually.

very very warm here, and air full of alarming looking insects (I am allergic to horseflies so tend to leap about yelping if I see anything large and black with 6 legs and wings); but I seem to be running well - 5 miles today in just under 50 minutes. Legs feeling my 4 day running streak (!) and the 3 units of alcohol I had last night...but all good.

just thought I would update list - some of you have new races to add!

02/05/11 - Ashdon 10K: bonkers20
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
21/05/11 - Clare Burren Marathon Challenge - drivingmisscrazy
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Marathon: MrsWednesday
22/05/11 - Merchant Taylors' Triathlon: MoshiMoshi
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Half Marathon: backwardpossom, squix
29/05/11 - Stirling R4L: squix
29/05/11 - Plymouth Half Marathon: sungirltan
30/05/11 - BUPA 10K: MoshiMoshi
05/06/11 - Seaford Half Marathon: Doyouthinktheysaurus
05/06/11 - Tilty Hilly 5(mile): bonkers20
05/06/11 - RFL 10k: LaLa
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
19/06/11 - Dash for Dads - Pawsnclaws
19/06/11 - Half Ironman UK 70.3 - Twink, MoshiMoshi
25/06/11 - Lewa half marathon Kenya - Masterandmargaritas
26/06/11 - Stortford 10 miles - thecoo
26/06/11 - Colworth half marathon - cestlavie
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug
10/07/11 - Felsted 10K: bonkers20
17/07/11 - RFL St Albans - Pawsnclaws
17/07/11 - Dublin Mountain Plod (HM) - drivingmisscrazy
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal, LaLa
23/09/11 - Notting Half Marathon: cestlavie
24/09/11 - mooathon, donegal: drivingmisscrazy
25/09/11 - Edinburgh Urbanathlon: backwardpossom
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
30/10/11 - Great South Run: Wheely
10/12/11 - Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon (half): drivingmisscrazy

A quiet, peaceful run sounds like a lovely way to gain some headspace to think about your Dad DrNo.

I've got the day off work today (yippee!) so have made the most of it and been out for a leisurely 5 miles along the river in the sunshine.

Will be glad when 'serious' training is over - looking forward to not having to have my brain in my legs all the time (does this hurt, what's that twinge, is that serious...blah blah), I'm starting to send myself a bit mad now.

oops..my event has been missed off..have added it again:

02/05/11 - Ashdon 10K: bonkers20
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
21/05/11 - Clare Burren Marathon Challenge - drivingmisscrazy
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Marathon: MrsWednesday
22/05/11 - Merchant Taylors' Triathlon: MoshiMoshi
22/05/11 - Edinburgh Half Marathon: backwardpossom, squix
29/05/11 - Stirling R4L: squix
29/05/11 - Plymouth Half Marathon: sungirltan
30/05/11 - BUPA 10K: MoshiMoshi
05/06/11 - Seaford Half Marathon: Doyouthinktheysaurus
05/06/11 - Tilty Hilly 5(mile): bonkers20
05/06/11 - RFL 10k: LaLa
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
12/06/11 - The Heroes half marathon - Futurity
19/06/11 - Dash for Dads - Pawsnclaws
19/06/11 - Half Ironman UK 70.3 - Twink, MoshiMoshi
25/06/11 - Lewa half marathon Kenya - Masterandmargaritas
26/06/11 - Stortford 10 miles - thecoo
26/06/11 - Colworth half marathon - cestlavie
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug
10/07/11 - Felsted 10K: bonkers20
17/07/11 - RFL St Albans - Pawsnclaws
17/07/11 - Dublin Mountain Plod (HM) - drivingmisscrazy
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal, LaLa
23/09/11 - Notting Half Marathon: cestlavie
24/09/11 - mooathon, donegal: drivingmisscrazy
25/09/11 - Edinburgh Urbanathlon: backwardpossom
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
30/10/11 - Great South Run: Wheely
10/12/11 - Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon (half): drivingmisscrazy

sorry futurity!

helo runners! Haven't posted for a few days, been quietly driving myself mad with anxiety but much better now as scan this morning revealed pregnancy is continuing nicely and am now 9+1. Phew!

Haven't run since last friday due to combination of hot weather/feeling crappy/being busy but hope to get out sometime this weekend.

Really enjoyed all the race reports. Agree that it gives a really good flavour of what it is like out there. While watching VLM on Sunday I was getting a bit carried away thinking if/when I do a marathon that is definitely the one to do in terms of atmosphere occasion but all your reports have made me revert to my previous thinking that maybe a quieter Autumn one is best to do first and then if that goes well do the VLM one day.

Am so surprised at everyone's Garmins freaking out at a slosh of water! I thought waterproofness would be a given on one of those. Crazy!

Drno, these anniversaries are always hard, but hope you found some comfort in your run today.

thecoo, hope the leg heals soon. I think you are very wise to cancel some runs and see how it goes.

Still having a little giggle at Doyou gripping the toilet walls

peachy delighted things are progressing well. I have everything crossed for you.

drivingmisscrazy 37 years for you? That's such a long time to be without someone you love isn't it? Sorry. It's so hard, but like you I only started running properly after dad died. It became my therapy. Strange really as dad could not run for toffee! I remember challenging him to a sprint around the block when I was about 13 and I won by a long way

Thanks everyone else for your kind messages and my thoughts are with all of you who have also lost a parent, funny how we end up on a running thread

Had a steady 6.5 miler with my dog and now have a glass of wine whilst dh is pan frying seabass for dinner, he has made a special effort! Tonight we will raise a glass to my Dad

yes Dr No, it is a very long time; I wish I had been running properly for 37 years! It's more that I run because I don't want to end up like him - dead at 45 leaving behind a young family (and yes, I am angry with him about that).

Running, it's a funny old game. And sometimes I think you just have to revel in the fact that you are tripping around your local park (or whatever) in the spring sunshine and that you are completely and joyously alive (soppy..) even if you are running slower than you would ideally like, or more inefficiently than the Paula Radcliffe that you are in your head.

enjoy your yummy dinner - roast chicken, potatoes, salad and choc cake here (my mum's 77th birthday today)