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

thecoo Sorry - hope I didn't offend Of course 10mm is not ambling, it is how I do most of my steady runs, I just meant if I suddenly have a burst mt Garmin detects this immediately and reduces my pace accordingly.

Moshi gutted you feel rough. Hope you dosed up and got an early night?

It is a nightmare waiting for dh'd/dp's to come in and let you go out for a run isn't it? My dh runs and cycles so we have to coordinate diaries and are often like passing ships in the night. We only have 1 ds and he is 9 next month so I am kind of wondering if he will OK on his own for 40 mins soon when I can escape....if he was on his xbox he wouldn't even notice I had gone

Had a tough sesh at the running club last night. Did what the coach called a trident session. Run fast for 4.5 mins, jog in place for 2 mins, run fast back to where we started from and had to be back in place in 4.5 mins. Then 2 mins recovery, then 4 mins, then 3.5, then 3 mins. I legged it on my first 4.5mins and didn't get back on time! Dropped it back next time after learning my lesson. There were about 40 of us, a huge group. We annoyed a few grumpy car drivers!

Another sunny day - enjoy!

beautiful day here - no chance of a run as in work from 8 until 6...bah. Another one impressed by the speedy ladies (and a bit too), but if I want to get any kind of distance I just have to keep my pace down. But it's dull, sometimes, running slowly. My meetings yesterday morning were overlooking the running track - I'm not a fan of track running, but just wanted to be out there so badly. It's going to be Friday before I get out - 3 days rest won't do any harm, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

happy running today, ladies
xxx

This is such a busy thread!

What a lovely day it looks like its going to be....! Did my 5 miles Mon eve and hoping to do the same tonight...noticed my pace has slowed a lot, I was doing 9min miles over 3 miles, but 5 miles was more like 12 min miles - guess that's to be expected?
Any idea of a 'good' first PB to aim for for my 1st race, the 10K in about 2 weeks?!

Peachsmuggler - Happy Birthday!! Hope you get spolit rotten...

Moshi - Sorry to hear you feel poorly. Yuck. Hope you're recovering well!

What is it with us runners all being shorties?! Seems more than a coincidence....am 5'2...

Couple of questions - how do you all warm up/warm down?

Also, those of you that run on your own, do you listen to music, and what do you like to run to? I don't have an ipod, currently run with a small radio and listen to radio 1, but lately its been dire, just loads of talking which doesn't help me at all!

Morning all

Happy Birthday peach, hope you have a good one

Sorry to hear you have the lurgy Moshi, get plenty of rest and hope you feel better soon.

It's absolutely beautiful down here on the South Coast, warm too!!

I was meant to do intervals last night but 2 tough night shifts took their toll and rather than scrap the run completely I went out for a steady 7 miles. Ran along the promenade and saw the most beautiful sunset. My knee is a bit niggly and had shin pain from time to time so I think missing intervals was the right decision.

I am in awe of all you runners who have pre-schoolers. Mine are both at school and I work part-time nights so it's fairly easy to fit the runs in. Not sure I could have found the motivation when they were younger.

I'm thinking of going out on my bike today. It's such a gorgeous day, seems a waste not to, but I don't want to ruin my legs for my run tommorrow Will probably go and take it very easy!

Re: Garmins, I have a very big and clunky 305, I like it because I have an attachment which means I can put it on my bike handlebars and it's easy to use, but it is huge!!

pipkin

I would go with a pace that feels fairly comfortable to start your 10k and up the pace toward the end if you feel you have anything left. Don't go of too quick and leave yourself struggling toward the end.

My idea of a warm up is trying to set off slowly, a cool down is normally slumped on the sofa I know I should do a slow bit at the end of my run for a cool down but do struggle, I tend to pick up the pace instead

I have an ipod but I like listening to talking, especially on my long runs so I download Marathon Talk podcast and listen to that. For shorter runs I just listen to whatever music comes on when I click shuffle.

Busy thread indeed!

Sorry to hear you're feeling rough Moshi - hope you've dosed yourself up enough last night and are feeling a bit better now. If not, do try to fight the temptation to get back out there too soon. I'm terrible for doing that after I've been under the weather and just end up setting myself back a couple of days....

I'm going to have a look a Garmins thecoo - maybe on Ebay. I'll let you know how I get on. Looks like the Forerunner 110 is about £100 on Amazon but to be honest I don't really care if I get a second hand one as I tend to lose/ trash/ irreparably damage anything valuable!

I always run with music pipkin (iPhone in backpack). Good question about the music. On longer runs I always listen to albums from when I was younger (e.g. Suede, St Etienne, James, Primal Scream, Moby) - sort of comfort music that just sits happily in the background. On shorter runs, I tend to listen to more recent, uptempo albums (e.g. Vampire Weekend, Black Kids, Mystery Jets, Go Team, Broken Bells).

Gorgeous sunny day down in London today. Had a 5 mile tempo run into work this morning and, feeling inspired by Moshi's "can-do" attitude managed to push myself that little bit harder and got my average pace down to 7.26m/m which I'm unreasonably thrilled about. This did include a couple of long waits at traffic lights to be fair and I did feel like I was about to throw up from mile 4 onwards but hey!

Interesting by the way how many people have DP who also run/ cycle. DW goes to the gym and am trying to persuade her to do a 5K run in the summer with me and her sis (which hopefully she might do if only to shut me up!)

Happy running all and hope you make it out there today if you can!

I use an ipod shuffle, but am getting a bit bored of the same tunes now. When I first bought it I couldn't work out how to make it shuffle and DH had loaded all his own stuff onto it - so I ended up listening to three ACDC albums followed by Metallica for three hours!

Hope you're feeling better today moshi

I didn't get out at all yesterday and was supposed to do 4 miles according to my training schedule... whoops! Maybe I'll manage it today when DH gets home from work.

I wondered if any of you do anything 'beyond running'? I'm thinking duathlons, triathlons etc? I was reading about sprint triathlons earlier and I quite fancy it. No idea how I'd find out if any were happening up here (I live in NE Scotland).

Thanks for the get well vibes. I have taken the day off activity and it feels very strange not to be in my sports kit . Seeing the sports masseuse later which will help.

Garmin - mine is a 405CX bought for me by my lovely DH after much research (by him!) as to which one would suit me best. I love it!

Music - I don't plug in when running as I find it too much of a distraction and enjoy the thinking time when running. It is the only time I haven't got DCs constantly asking me for things!

possom - definitely try to look beyond and book something in. I think this is the trick to keeping it all going. I started doing triathlons as a way to force myself to cross train as I am injury prone if I run as much as I like to. Now I am doing my first Half Ironman in June. Duathlons are fun too if you are not keen on swimming and very good for running endurance. Check out www.tritalk.co.uk for more information on what to do and where to do it. Watch out though, it is full of lycra clad tri-bores who I find a lot more serious than runners. They are friendly on there but scarily focused (as you can imagine you need to be when combining three disciplines).

I have cycled, now my legs are all jelly like

I am quite chuffed with myself because I managed to change the tyre before I went. First time I have changed a tyre! I am the biggest bike numpty out there, can oil the change and chain brake pads, nothing more! I have been dreading a puncture so at least now I know I can do it!

I would love to have a go at triathlon but I can't swim very well! Can't cyle very fast either for that matter

Crikey, this thread is busy!! Sorry I didn't answer Moshi, I tend to post and dash!! No, no injuries, thank goodness. I'm religious, no, positively evangelical about stretching after I run, so I'm hoping that's helping for now.

Went out for 5 miles with some friends last night, and took another 30 secs off our time (that's about 4 1/2 mins in total since we started that particular distance!!), and was all fired up for hills this morning. Then I spent half the night up with ds2 - temperature, vomiting (lovely!). So he has had to stay at home, and I'm here with him. He's never ill!! So I'm going to have to wait until I get to my Mum's. Never mind! At least I'll get to run by the sea!!

Garmins sound fab - I run with a friend who has one - I think that'll be the closest I'll get to owning one for now!!
Hope you're feeling better soon Moshi - echinacea is the thing, apparently!

Oh, and I hate to break the rule, but I'm not really a shorty at 5 foot 7 - although some of my running partners are. So perhaps I'm the odd one out??!

Doyouthink - dh is a member of a local Triathlon club - something like £20 membership a year, and they have coached sessions in all 3 disciplines for something like £2-£3 an hour/ however long it lasts!). Would something like that be worth your while to look about for (if you're really after doing a Triathlon, that is)

That sounds like a good deal Iread!

I would love to improve my swimming but it seems so expensive, even just going to a pool for a swim, never mind lessons! One of the things I like about running is that the week on week it's not expensive. I know new trainers, kit and all the gadgetry add up but at least you don't have to pay out all the time.

Maybe a club is something I should consider if I want to improve and give triathlon a go. Clubs scare me a bit though...I always picture myself as the slow one at the back, a mile behind everyone else

Yeah, I'm a bit scared of tri clubs, too! I was the same with running clubs too though and I've loved that since joining! :)

A tri is something I have on my list of things to do before I turn 40 but I don't have a bike and my swimming definitely needs improvement in style. Hoping to sort the bike out this year and then aim for some swimming lessons when I have 5 free mornings (not for a while !). I saw there is a women's only novice one at Dorney Lake run by the same people who run the run I'm doing on sunday. Will find a link - it looked like just the thing to do first...

www.humanrace.co.uk/events/triathlon/womenonly-triathlon-2011

Thanks by the way MrsW !!

paws - DH and I are sharing an ipod shuffle at the moment because mine broke and I haven't got round to replacing it and I keep getting the Monkees and Bob Dylan (Bob Dylan for running to ? What is he thinking ?).

Yes I can imagine Bob Dylan wouldn't get those feet pounding ..... I also once mistakenly took out ds1's ipod shuffle and was treated to all his recorded bedtime books - mostly Horrid Henry and The Night Pirates .

Is it sad to admit that I've never even heard of most of cestlavie's modern groups? Are they in the hit parade as my dad would say? I'm basically stuck in the 90s/00s if I'm honest, I love the Foo Fighters and the Chili Peppers, though am also partial to a bit of cheesy 80s stuff too.

possom I'd love to do a triathlon, swimming is definitely my best sport - but isn't all the cycling equipment expensive? And all the triathletes I know are scarily serious. Must be brilliant for all round fitness though?

I imagine it would be, er, interesting, running to Horrid Henry !! I have 'no one's lazy in lazytown' on my ipod selection - makes me laugh and its quite apt really.

possum - sorry I'd missed your location so me posting about novice women' triathlons in Windsor probably isn't much help. Dur - sorry !

What a gorgeous day! Had a little birthday run which was lovely, but man it felt hot. Have spent the rest of the day in the park which was great.

Going to to keep running but take it easy as found out yesterday that I am pregnant again. Am very happy but full of trepidation, due to previous miscarriages. Am sure a lot of you can relate. Anyway am going to try to remain positive!

Your run last night sounds lovely Doyouthink. Well done on the tyre change. The first time I did one I though "Oh is that it?". Ha ha, I think I had been building it up in my mind as something impossible!

pipkin, I normally start fairly steadily but don't really warm down either . A good time for your first 10k is whatever you can do it in tbh, sometimes best not to have too much of a figure in mind on your first one, but like the others say try not to go off too fast at the start. It is very easily done in all the excitement. There's a bit of an art to racing (which I am rubbish at!) I think and it only really comes with experience. I used to use an ipod for ALL my runs and couldn't imagine running without it but then stopped last year as thought it maybe wasnt such a good idea running in the evening with one and have never looked back. When I did use one I liked a lot of up tempo guitar stuff like The Pixies and The Smiths (am sooooo old) but also was a bit partial to Madonna/Beyonce/Kylie.

Wow cestlavie you should be thrilled at that pace, well done!

No triathalons here Possum as I can swim, but only just to save my life, I thrash about but move very slowly so would be utterly humiliated in a triathalon, but I have heard they are fun and addictive!

Hope you are feeling ok this evening Moshi and are feeling the benefits of a rest day and the massage.

Sorry you missed your run Iread or should I say, Mighty Giantess! Hope your DS is feeling better.

How big is your list Wheely? So many cool things you have lined up! The Monkees are a good idea for running music. Bob Dylan? Ehh, not so much

Wow peaches double congratulations! Sounds like you've had a great couple of days... Enjoy the rest of the birthday!

Happy Birthday Peach and quiet congrats (hope the next few weeks go quickly).

Yes my list of things to do pre-40 is getting longer but I have 4 and a bit years to do it (and its currently GNR, London Marathon, London-brighton bike ride and a triathlon... which are all sort of inter-related). I think it should be rephrased as a list of things to do to mean I don't get bored and feel the need to get a job once DD2 starts pre-school/school !

Congratulations Peach, keeping everything crossed for you over the next few weeks Enjoy your Birthday night.

I am stuck in the 80's and 90's music wise with a little bit of 70's cheese thrown in....

DH loves his music and would probably know who cestlavie is talking about but me...not a chance

I've congratulated you on the other thread Peach but never hurts to do it more than once! Fingers crossed for baby Peachlet. Hope you're enjoying your birthday evening with a glass or two of something suitable!

I've decided that maybe going straight into a 5 mile run having had a break at 10 weeks pg was not the best idea. Woke up rather sore this morning.

Happy Birthday Peach

I could never do a triathlon, the swimming would be too much