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

I'm freaking out a bit! Haven't run since Tues, then decided to try today but rather than do my long run just see how it went. I only managed a mile at an easy pace before I decided to stop because my achilles/calf was hurting again.

Don't know what to do. Do I carry on resting it? Do I run through it? Do I chop my leg off?

Really grumpy now .

Are you able to do any stretches thecoo? Icing too? Standing on some steps and dropping the heels is a good stretch for that bit.

Fingers crossed it is nothing serious.

thecoo sympathies - been there, done that. In my case it was an overuse issue and I learned the (very) hard way that slowly building is the only way. I still have problems with stiffness in my calves (took me about 3 miles this morning to run the soreness out). I am not a stretcher generally speaking (although I should probably make more effort) but I do stretch my calves after about 10 minutes of gentle running. Two types - the first one is leaning against something, leg more or less straight; the second with knee bent (and this stretches the muscle I have trouble with, the smaller one on the inside - the soleus, I think). A woman in the US also suggested doing these stretches but moving your foot position (so say toes at 11 o'clock, then 12 o'clock and then 1 o'clock) so that you stretch the muscles thoroughly. It's not a perfect solution, but I haven't had any significant achilles issues since starting with it.

nice 11 miler this morning, cool sunshine, and negative split...that's 60k for me this week [bushock]

happy easter running bunnies!

Happy Easter!

I'm enjoying easing back into the running, I've done 2 x 3 miles and 1 x 4 miles this week following my 7 miles last Sunday and am feeling OK, so I'll do another 7 later today and then I need to start reviewing where I go from here in terms of preparing for the next marathon in October. I had a lovely run last night at about 9.30 when we got back from our couple of days away, it was just cooling down and there was the odd rumble of thunder and flash of lightning. In fairness it was partly a guilt run, since my diet for the last two days included: 1 x wagamamas meal, 1 x pizza express meal, 1 x giant ice cream, 1 x candy floss, and x glasses of white wine. Good to see the sights of Brighton without running them though!

thecoo if the pain is worse when running then definitely more rest. Most of my aches and pains get better after the first couple of miles.

MrsWeds I just bought some very medicinal looking sandals from a shop in Brighton - because the dog ate my only other pair on Thursday. Go comfort!

driving - that's a lot of miles!

gizmo its this one here: grafhamwatermarathon.tumblr.com/ on Sunday 18th September. I've been there for walks and bike rides a few times so roughly know the area and don't think I will need trail shoes for it (thanks for explanation of what they are drivingmisscrazy)...like you say I don't think I would do it for a certain time ..rather for the experience and scenery as well as something to keep me running over the summer holidays.

I then have the www.standalone10k.org.uk/ in mind for October and the Cambridge Cancer Research 10K which will also be sometime in October (date not released yet).

Got a aching back at the moment due to picking up a crate wrong (silly me!) so trying to take it easy before my next long run tomorrow or Tuesday.

Hi all and Happy Easter ! [busmile]

Glad all the marathon-ers are recovering (and considering doing it again !). Great race reports all round !

Welcome pavlov

Back from hols - Had a lovely week in Wales although not great in running terms. 2 x 5 and a bit K because where we staying was rural and coastals with rugged coast lines so, to run round the coast was lovely but you got to a sheer cliff edge each way and couldn't go any further and I am too much a townie (I am embarrassed to say) to be able to cope with running through fields etc when I don't know where I'm going. Ah well. Did 5 miles tonight, when I was hoping for 6-7 but got out late due to DH's bbq angst. I did run the last 1 km holding a vienetta so that must count for something.

Anyway, back to routine next week !

Hi, could I join please?

I have been running since January and still struggle to think of myself as a runner, it has never been my thing, but I appear to be getting addicted I think the weather has helped get me out more, also I haven't been able to get to the gym or pool so easily the last few weeks so it has been the obvious choice as part of my mission to lose weight after finally stopping breastfeeding DC3.

In January I could only manage about 10 mins continuous jogging but am now managing up to 50, which I am so proud of! I still spend most of the run fighting the urge to walk however. Will that pass?! I went out with DH for a run today and did 5 miles in 36mins, definitely a faster pace than I do on my own but felt great afterwards. We discussed maybe entering a half marathon (scared/disbelieving emoticon)

I have a question, after a run my knees often hurt, particularly going up or down stairs. Trainers are good. I stretch well and do plenty of strength training in the gym (squats/lunges). The pain passes after maybe 12 hours. Does anyone else have this, should I be concerned or doing anything to prevent it?

sleepwhenidie welcome! You are most certainly a runner! And 5 miles in 36 mins thats a 7.2 minute mile pace and what I consider very speedy.....regarding the knee pain I would say when you start running seriously and upping the mileage and the speed almost always something hurts...it is the body getting used to what you are putting it through. Do you take any supplements? Glucosomine Sulphate is good for runners. Also, make sure you are not doing too much, too soon.

Hope everyone on here is having a great Easter weekend. I toppled off my wedges yesterday and my right ankle is throbbing a bit today. Did a 5 mile run at 7.30am this morning with my SIL but I was running on empty, 3 G&T's last night and a glass of wine, then out for a run without any brekkie. Not good. I had to dig deep to do 5 miles!

cestlavie you were so right about Paula Radcliffe's book. I finished it but God was it dull

sleepwhenidie that's a serious bit of speed in my book! fighting the urge to walk - yes, sometimes, but a lot of that is about mental attitude I find - learning to push through discomfort/perception of your limitations. I'm much slower than you, but fairly happily running 11+ miles.

resting today - well, gardening actually. Enjoy the bank hol, everyone

Eek, that is seriously fast! You're not a runner, you're a sprinter

Driving, some impressive mileage completed recently.

Gizmo, thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated as it's all new to me. Glad you are able to relax and enjoy just running again, will be looking forward to doing the same.

Not sure what I should do for my last big run before I start tapering. Am away on a hen do this weekend (will be taking it v easy on the alcohol front). I'll be in Derbyshire and need to map out a run - marathoners, how far should I be doing with 3 weeks to go until the big day? Will 18 be enough or should I be aiming for another 20+? Help!!!

I am loving my fit flops, may never take them off as my legs and feet are happy again Dr No, hope your ankle is ok now. Futurity, how is your back?

Wheely, you must have been running fast to complete a km without the Vienetta melting!

I don't think I could ever run at 7.2 per mile pace! That is very impressive!

My back is slowly on the mend thankfully..can bend down now without going "ouch!" Did a lovely 8 mile plod this morning on a new route through a local village..makes a big difference running somewhere new..I love nosing at all the houses and it takes my mind off the distance. The gorgeous weather made it most enjoyable :)

Hello sleepwhenidie, this is a lovely, friendly thread. You run fast!! I can keep going for a long time but not very fast.

MrsWed 3 weeks out from London I did my last 20. I had a cut back week of 15 between my 20's though, it may be too much to do 20 miles 2 weeks on the trot

That's a hell of a talent there Wheely running whilst holding and not eating a viennetta

We had a lovely weekend camping. The best weather we could have wished for. I did a slow 3 miles on Friday and then went out for an hours run on Sunday. Apparently we were camping in the highest town in Sussex and every way out was down My legs don't like hills at the moment!

With my quads still a bit sore and stiff, Sunday's run ending up being laps of the park next door. It was horrid, I hate laps and it still had a hill which did me in every time! Definitely feeling looser in the legs now though so planning for 4 runs this week.

mrsW and doyou - funnily enough, looking at my splits, the last KM (whilst carrying vienetta) was one of my fastest of the run ! I think it was incentive !!!

Welcome sleepwhenidie - that's not running, that's almost Moshi-pace !!

Can someone in the know, give me some advice on how to structure my training going forward ?

My 2 goals are to run my 5K RFL as fast as poss in July, but I need to maintain (and increase) distance for the GSR. I also have the added problem (like all of us) of not being able to rely on decent running over the summer hols.

I will have 2x gym sessions and 1-2 x outside runs (the second not reliable).

My thoughts were -

1x speed gym session
1x 5-6 mile gym run (most I can do in the time)
1x long run outside increasing mileage to 10miles hopefully before the summer hols
if able 1 x 5K to practice.

So really I need tips on the speed session in the gym - I currently can run 5K in about 24 mins (managed the first 5K of the kingston run in 23.5 mins) so I reckon I can aim for 23 mins.

Normally in the gym I do a sort of pyramid run, increasing my speed every 0.5 km but I don't get that fast. Should I stick to 5K in these runs and do shorter, faster bursts ??? HELP !!

wheely I'm no expert, but I'd probably use that 5k as a rising interval run, but you really need to push yourself on speed - so under 4 min/km (your kingston time about 4:36min/km) at the peak of the run. The whole point (I think) of intervals is that you go faster than you are planning for short periods. The macmillan calculator is useful to give you an idea of rough pace for speed workouts. More mileage always helps...(allegedly, although I seem to run more miles than most on this thread and am way slower - but I am waiting for the effects to make themselves felt!)

Wheely, assuming you can only rely on the first 3 runs I wonder iif you should be running the second 5-6 mile run as a tempo run, including a couple of miles at your hoped for 5k race pace and then when you do your speed session do some superfast bursts, so say 200m as fast as you can go followed by 400m recovery. As you will then have two tough sessions, you'll need to make sure your long run is nice and sloooooow! If you mange a fourth run then see that as a bonus. I agree with Driving that the speed session needs to be loads faster than race pace and faster than you really think you can go but as long as you start with short bursts you will be ok.

Welcome Sleepwhen, gosh you are fast lady!

Can't remember if I said welcome to Pavlov so welcome, your enthusiasm is infectious!!!

I think the only way I could run with a Vienetta without eating it would be to throw it ling, like an American football, and then run after it

I did one of my runs last week holding a 4 pint pack of milk for the last half mile - I must have looked completely mad as it was surprisingly heavy and cold so I had to keep shifting hands! Maybe people thought it was some kind of weird strength training exercise.

The last time I ran a 7 minute mile let alone 5 of them was in 2007 .

the last time I ran a 7 minute mile was in my other life :o

I ran one once, just one mile...once....

Ok, who can beat 4 pints of milk?

Peach you've got a baby on board - that pretty much tops it. A whole other person!

I can't beat the 4 pints of milk, but hey, it's a thread challenge

I don't think I've ever run a 7 minute mile!!

Ha ha, true enough paws! although have been reading that this whole other person is about the size of a grape right now!

Now if anyone can run a 7 minute mile with 4 pints of milk and/or a Vienetta, I will be impressed!

I might be able to manage something close to a 7 minute mile carrying a grape...

I could run a 7 minute mile carrying a grape pip if there was a fair wind behind me and I was running down hill.

PS Peach, forgot to say congrats on your recent scan, slowly but surely you are ticking off the weeks

MrsWeds especially if there was a viennetta waiting at the bottom of the hill!