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

Hello ! I'm back !!

All went well I think and feel much more positive about racing than I did after the last 10K.

Didn't have a great night with DD2 but got DH and I managed to worm our way to the front of the start so we were in a good position for the off which definitely helped. Was a fast start and probably I went off too fast - did the first 5K in 23.5 minutes, slowed myself down after 4 miles and ran most of the rest at a fairly constant just under 5min kilometres. Finished in 1 hr 7 mins (and 7 seconds) so fairly happy with that (was secretly hoping for 1 hr 6 mins). DH did 1 hr 4 mins on no training and health issues so he did very well (and I don't feel too miffed at him beating me as he only just did ).

No retching this time (compared to my last race !) although a few times felt like I was about too - Anyone know what this is about ? I felt physically fine and cardio-vascular-ly fine but just on and off queasy which went as I slowed down.

Very disgruntled by bumping into one of DH's female colleagues who was running the 16 mile who said to me 'oh are you here to support ?'. Patronising old bag (although she was probably younger than me).

On to the next challenge !!

Hope you had a good day Possum

Oh and welcome jennie. Sounds like you have a real incentive!!! How many times a week are you running and how far?

Master! 22 degrees, I am in awe, and I know that's fairly cold for you!!!

Well done on the runs (sounds a bit wrong) MrsWeds and paws. Wonder what the weather will be like in May in Edinburgh?

Yayyy! Well done Wheely, that's a fantastic time! You must be dead chuffed!

Not sure about the feeling sick thing, I had that when I did my half but I think it was lack of food and dehydrarion. Have also had it on long runs after drinking lucozade sport which really didn't agree with me.

Time to put your feet up, congratulations!

I've only gone to 20 aswell MrsWed, like paws I have done that twice. I think general wisdom is no more than 22 max, and unless you are super speedy or very experienced most plans will stop at 20.

drivingmisscrazy the only thing I would say about your plan is that you have 4 running days together. I would say that may affect you ability to do a good session as your legs will be tired. Also give yourdelf time to speed up. I will never be very fast but I havr noticed some improvement with my pace during this marathon program. It's been a long time coming though.

X posts.

Well done Wheely, that's a great time.

Well done Wheely sounds like it was a huge confidence boost! I struggle with nausea too on long runs, I've found that by about 11-12 miles I start to feel quite sick. I've never really found the answer, I've tried more hydration and energy gels but if anything they make it worse. I've just got used now to having a constant slightly sick feeling in the latter part of a long run. I've also learnt through bitter experience not to try and burp to pass the feeling - you don't want to know .....

Lucozade Sport/Lucozade energy gels always give me a slightly fuzzy feeling for about 10 minutes after taking them, and then the effect seems to kick in and I'm fine. DH has said he thinks maybe I leave it too late, so the sickness is maybe down to dehydration rather than the drink/gels themselves?

Well done Wheely! Congrats on a fab time. Feet up on the sofa for you tonight and lots of wine?

Dh and I just signed up for a 10k next week in Arkendale - smack bang in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales, its a trail race. Looking forward to it. Have added to list.

27/03/11 - Kingston Breakfast Run 8.2m wheely
27/03/11 - Elgin 10k: backwardpossom
02/04/11 - Miles for Missing People 10K: MoshiMoshi
03/04/11 - Arkendale 10k, DrNortherner
10/04/11 - Brighton Marathon: Pawsnclaws
17/04/11 - VLM: MoshiMoshi/ Passmyglass/ Doyouthinktheysaurus
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
30/05/11 - BUPA 10K: MoshiMoshi
05/06/11 - Seaford Half Marathon: Doyouthinktheysaurus
05/06/11 - Tilty Hilly 5(mile): bonkers20
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
02/07/11 - Achill Half marathon - drivingmisscrazy
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug
10/07/11 - Felsted 10K: bonkers20
17/07/11 - RFL St Albans - Pawsnclaws
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal
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
10/12/11 - Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon (half): drivingmisscrazy

Thanks everyone !

Have just seen the official results and I was 311/1215 but 12th (female 35-39) in category so feeling pretty chuffed.

Thanks for advice on nausea - think it might be dehydration based. Something to sort out as I increase my distance. Have been feeling somewhat odd all afternoon which seem to have improved by a few pints of water. Although now hitting the wine (good tip DrN !) .. so it might all go horribly wrong .

Well done Wheely.

Another 10k for me today at a cooler 19 degrees.

I've never felt really sick whilst running but always take a packet of rehydration salts on my return if over 15k. I do take on water though whenever it is available during a race. I find the energy gels leave me feeling quite sick.

Well done wheely sounds great! :)

Well, I shaved another minute off my PB today (unofficially - I timed it at 56:42, but I don't have my official time yet). So that's almost 5 mins off my time 3 weeks ago. I'm really chuffed! The course today was hilly again and the weather conditions were pretty awful - rain, wind etc. Some bloody steep hills, including a massive humpback bridge! Still, it was a great run, and I'm really pleased with myself. Once I get this half out the way, I'm definitely going to concentrate on 10k races and try to get my times down.

My cousin came up for the race and beat his PB with a time of 37-odd minutes. Crazy!!!

Well done possum - sounds like a great run especially given hills/weather.

M&M - I didn't take on much during the run - there was water at 3.5 miles which was in a cup so difficult to drink on the move but I took a few sips Then at 5 and a bit miles there was lucozade sport which I took but thought it was going to come back so ditched it at 6 miles. Something to work on !

Brilliant time Wheely, and 12th female is amazing! Have you got another race in mind or are you just going to enjoy the wine rest?

Well done Possom, you must be really chuffed with that, a great time in difficult conditions.

Thanks ladies, increasing my long run by 9 miles to get to 20 miles sounds much more manageable. Have bought some gels ready for my next run (moving up from winegums in a bid to seem more like a professional athlete ).

I have to stop at water stations in races - can't drink and run at the same time, I feel like I'm drowning.

A brief post to say well done to wheely and possum on your races! You should be pleased with those results and your placing in your age group is fantastic, wheely!

Too many runs to mention and I am exhausted after our first night with New Puppy but wanted to say well done to doyou on your 20 miler. They are tough at first but good to build the endurance and you will benefit from having done it on the day.

Welcome, Jennie! Add your race to the list and I hope you find support and good cheer here.

That's all I can manage now after my interrupted night of sleep. Annoyingly my sore throat has got worse and my chest is rattling now. Fingers crossed it goes away soon as the marathon is less than three week's away. My 20 miler done in the very hilly Devon hills may have not been the best idea but it felt really comfortable and my shin pain was minimal which was a real welcome surprise having run in pain for so long now.

Well done wheely, that's a great time. And well done to your DH too - that's a pretty impressive time on no training (I'm guessing he's naturally/ normally very fit).

Not sure about the specific cause of the nausea, but I get that as well when I push myself very hard (e.g. intervals) and it's not uncommon generally I think. I remember at pre-season football training when doing tough cardio like shuttle runs, there'd always be a few people throwing up afterwards. For me it's just a question of trying to ignore it until the end of that activity burst or if it's really bad slowing down a little.

Well done as well possum - that sounds like brutal conditions to get a PB in. Those races are as much pyschological as they are physical.

Glad to hear the 20 mile run felt okay Moshi - have you been the doctors about your chest? Might it need antibiotics?

Good 12k interval session this morning - shorter recoveries (500m) vs. the speed intervals (1k) although overall the time was same as with the longer recovery sessions. Without checking detailed splits, my guess that the recoveries were slower and the last couple of speed intervals were slower than usual as well. Hey ho.

Happy injury free running all of you!

Well done possum that's a really good time!

Glad your 20 miler went ok Moshi. We spent a week in Devon, not far from Bude a couple fo years back and it is very hilly!! I hope you feel better soon, just take it easy... A new puppy aswell You have alot going on right now Moshi! Give your new pup a cuddle from me, I love dogs....except the little yappy ones that chase me when I'm running

19 degrees is still too warm for me Masters. I think it was not far off that the tail end of last week down here and I did feel it. I love the summer but not looking forward to running in the heat again.

Sounds like a good session cestlavie.

I am so pleased it's Taper time. The last week felt really tough! I am ridiculously excited that my mid-week long run is dropping from 11 miles to 8, that means I miss out 2 hills!!

Happy running everyone.

well done possum and wheely fantastic results, confidence building too, another positive outcome of this little habit of ours

Wow Wheelybug what a great time! And 12th in your category is fantastic, well done.

Possum well done on running so well despite the tough conditions.

Hope you shake your cold soon Moshi - at least you can legitimately relax now to get better before the marathon.

Tesco delivery just arrived - got to go...

Hi. I have been lurking on your thread on and off for ages now. I don't race, but I run 20k a week in three sessions most weeks (5, 9 and 7, ish). Well I was, prior to a hamstring injury that's being a nuisance.

Now that the weather is warmer, I've realised that I'm going to need to take drinks. What do you all do about this? I couldn't bear to run holding a bottle, and I'm a bit dubious about a litre of liquid sloshing about in a waist belt.

Grrr. Got a client meeting at 8.30am on Friday which is long run day. If I'd known that this morning, I could have made it today - now I'm not going to get one in this week . Very annoying. It is weird how stressed you get about runs getting missed.

Hi Butterbur. I always run with a Lucozade sport bottle - I hate hate hate getting thirsty when running so I always need to have liquid with me even on a short run on a cold day. I used to have a sports flask on a shoulder strap before that which was okay but banged around a bit. Now I just carry the bottle cos I don't really want to feel unbalanced by having a load of liquid on one hip. You actually get used to carrying stuff in your hand really quickly and now I don't even notice it.

Hi butterbur I run with a camelbak, you do get used to the sloshing. I do listen to music which helps drown out the noise though!

I hate holding anything when running and find the rucksack style camelbak very comfy. I have a waist one as well but the strap works loose.

I only take drinks if I know I'll be running more than an hour. Otherwise I just ensure I am well hydrated before I go.

THx Cestlavie & Doyou. Does the camelbak have a tube you can drink from without taking it off?

Well done too possum, a great run.

Welcome butterbur and jennie.

I use a handheld running bottle (the type that looks hollow in the middle), I'm just so used to it now I don't even notice it. Funny enough DH and I were talking about the camelbak the other day when we were watching The Hurt Locker (very confusing bit where they are trying to clean some ammo in the desert and the character is saying to someone "use your camel". DH was scanning the horizon for an invisible camel before we realised what he meant!)

cestlavie it's typical isn't it, the endless rearranging and trying to second guess where you need to be and what you need to do to fit in a run. I hate missing a long run. In fact I'm definitely finding this tapering much harder than I expected - only 8 miles yesterday and it just felt wrong.

Thanks again everyone.

MrsW - It was actually 12th in my category which was females aged 35-39. There were 122 in my category so not quite so good as 12th female . As for the next race - I set myself the goal of doing a longer race each six months until I get to the marathon (at an unset date !). So, I plan to do the Great South Run in October (10 miles), I just need to sort the logistics (babysitting) before I sign up as DH wants to do it too. I am down for a Race For Life with family in July - I am hoping to really work on my 5K time for that, which I will be back asking for advice on for after easter I thinK !

Great tip about the cup Sciencebint must remember that next time !

Hope you're feeling better really soon Moshi and that the puppy starts sleeping !

Cestlavie - DH does seem to have a good residual fitness even though he doesn't get the chance to do much. Its particularly good as he was v. seriously ill 2.5 years ago with a rare auto-immune problem which attacked his brain and he has a lot of ongoing issues relating to that with stamina/balance/co-ordination (nothing you'd notice day to day but I do)so I think it was a real boost for him.

Hope you manage to fit your long run in - annoying when something gets in teh way of a plan.

Welcome butterbur - I've only used one of the handheld running bottles like paws. Although I've never run that far and only use it when its hot.

LOL paws about the camel mistake.