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

here it is - she also gave useful conversions (400, 800, 1200 and 1600m, I think). Do you think it will make us all as fast as Moshi [cgrin]

W/up 1-2 miles
0.25 miles fast
60 sec recovery jog
0.5 miles fast
90 sec recovery jog
0.75 miles fast
2 min recovery jog
1 mile fast
3 min recovery jog
0.75 miles fast
2 min recovery jog
0.5 miles fast
90 sec recovery jog
0.25 miles fast
60 sec recovery jog
W/down

Blimey ? I am away from the thread for 48 hrs and miss loads!

Driving - yay ? big congratulations! That?s great news.

westernwaydomesticgoddess - welcome and you?ve given me a blast from the past ? I lived in Netley for a couple of years when I started my first job in Portsmouth ? I lived there in my first proper flat with my first long term partner ? I felt very grown up!

DrNo I?m not as flexible as I used to be - and I am making a real effort to stretch after a run as I am very aware of running making an impact on flexibility. I can touch my toes standing up and but (and this is going to sound dreadful) I can?t open my legs as widely as I used to be able to Also interested in Moshi?s views with regards to ballet.

I am finally noticing my speed increasing ? I?ve started to be strict about keeping a training diary and have noticed my pace increasing slightly. My fast run earlier in the week helped, running with a faster runner really helped - even to give me a benchmark fast pace for my intervals.And I am noticing how things like time of day and what I?ve eaten are effecting me and I am getting stupidly excited about the arrival of my early birthday present Garmin. Oh and new running shoes today so hoping for some extra bounce!

Thanks for reposting the speed session, driving ? might give that a go next week ? 3 weeks until ½ Marathon and 2 big projects at work ramping up so need a real focus on quality as quantity is going to be a struggle for a bit. I foresee lots of early morning runs ? I am sooo not a morning person.

squix think we are both running halfs the same weekend - mine is on Sat, and - oh did I mention, off road and up a bloody great mountain. Does the Edinburgh half go up Arthur's seat? lovely city. I might try and sling in a couple of speed sessions.

When you say 'finally noticing my speed increasing' what timescale are you talking about? I've certainly dropped about a minute per km since Jan, but from an admittedly low base...I think I need to stop eating DD's easter eggs and lose a couple of kgs - that would help :)

Driving - i think we are - Edinburgh is on Sunday 22nd - from what I can tell from the route it's supposed to be good - was chatting to the woman in the running shop today who did the full marathon (which is sort of the same route) last year. She said the first 4 miles is down hill ish so it's a real temptation to start too fast. The rest is flatish and along the coast - we pass Arthur's seat but don't go up it - thank goodness! It finishes at a Racecourse - not looking forward to a possible sprint finish on grass. Are you managing to train on hills and off road?

To be honest I've only really been keeping a traing diary for the last 6 weeks and have noticed the increase this week - whether that will be sustained over the next few weeks is another matter

squix It's a lovely flat/slightly downhill route, you'll enjoy it I'm sure! :) I'm starting to get a bit nervous about it now... going to do 12 miles on Sat and that will be my last long run before the 22nd.

OK, the list shows we have two racers this weekend! Good luck to thetasigmamum and bonkers20 in your half and 10K respectively. Get lots of rest the day before the day before so that if you don't sleep well the day before it doesn't matter (hope that makes sense!)

DrNo - recovery runs are just that so don't worry too much about pace, but use it as a guide to how tired you are instead. I agree that the speed session probably took a lot out of you. Lack of sleep and tiredness can also make it slower. Look forwards to the next one instead!

On the topic of stretching and ballet, I have always suffered from tight calves and hip flexors which I think is down to running. Too much of the same repetitive movement. Stretching and flexibility is really important so as not to compromise your range of movements and therefore biodynamics when running. Otherwise you may find your pace dropping over the years despite getting fitter and lighter! I have dabbled with yoga but honestly couldn't continue as I couldn't keep a straight face with the teacher telling me to relax my genitals and anus. I have done pilates for a couple of years now and cannot recommend it enough in keeping a strong core. I prefer the reformer bed pilates as it is a dynamic session. More recently I have added ballet to the mix (although I didn't do it as a child) and think this is more useful than anything I have done so far on the stretching and flexibility side of things. The reason is it addresses directly tight areas and DYNAMICALLY reverses any problem areas. Ballet is all about strengthening and stretching and reinforcing the belief that for anything we do, there is an opposite that needs working on. I really relate to this Yin and Yang type of thinking - has anyone else thought as we get older that there are always two sides to everything in life? I find this system of moving stretches really useful in improving my understanding of the series of movements required and it translates well when I am running as I go through a mental checklist of what actions should follow on when running to ensure I am working my glutes and inner thighs enough which, usually, are lazy and my quads do all the work. Finally, it has definitely improved my proprioception.

Sorry for essay! Now, it is more than likely our thread will need rebirthing this weekend. I am away in the New Forest so wondered if somebody would like to take responsibility for pasting the latest list in the first post (v useful I find) and putting out the clarion call that will attract new blood and remind us oldies where to go? Planning more cycling as my first race is 3 weeks away now.

[Forgot to insert excited about Royal Wedding emoticon!]

Yes, I'll do it

new thread