runners united (burning up pavement, burning up threads)

[drivingmisscrazy]

calling all runners, veterans, newbies, fast, slow, anyone who likes to run to keen sane, keep things in perspective and to get out into the spring sunshine. We are a friendly bunch and all of us have things to learn from each other! Welcome. Please join us

01/05/11 - Great West Run (Half Marathon) Thetasigmamum
02/05/11 - Ashdon 10K: bonkers20
07/05/11 - Forres (Benromach) 10k: backwardpossom
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, squix
10/12/11 - Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon (half): drivingmisscrazy

thanks for the vote of confidence MrsWeds wish I felt the same! but maybe the nerves will be good...

peach I'm amazed that you can even think about running, DP is a wiped out disaster (she's 10 weeks now)...we have nuchal scan in 2 weeks and I am starting to freak out about that now.

herecomesthesciencebint - I don't know what to advise, but I feel for you - I struggled with an eating disorder from about 17-25 (ish) and exercise was a factor in it. I am over it, never weigh myself, rarely think about what I eat - but am wary of deliberately trying to lose weight (bmi is 24ish, I'm hardly a stick!).

I'm not sure - with the greatest of respect - that using a log is the best idea for someone still recovering from restricting food intake. I think you need positive thinking (mush emoticon, sorry!) - think of the carbs as the fuel that will make your body strong, and make you the master of what it can do (rather than being its slave, IYSWIM) - the aim is for the running performance to be more important to you than the food, and for the food to be simply fuel - the old 'eat to live, not live to eat (or not eat)' adage is true, but hard to live up to. SOrry if that's stupid advice.

Yes, have been wondering how Moshi is doing.

Must go to bed - 20k run to be done in the morning, followed by bike ride to work, work etc etc

Can I join your thread? I haven't read it all yet but some people to chat to about running/exercise sounds good. I think my only rl running friend is getting bored of me talking about what I've done as she's way fitter than me!

I've done a few 10Ks (2 about 3 yrs ago & 1 last Nov) then spent the winter training for a sprint triathlon which I did last week. Loved it & planning to do another one in June or July. So I'm not a proper runner & get more of a buzz from cycling but running is what I do most of.

Debi welcome! I think the fact that all the people we know in RL glaze over when we keep talking about times and splits and intervals is why most of us are here. Also that there's huge expertise and support - on all sorts of things as well as running. There was a flurry of bike posts up above there too, so you are not alone in that pursuit...

Apologies if that was really bad advice about the log, I don't have experience of an eating disorder but I thought that if there was a clear deficit of calorie intake shown by it then it may make sciencebit feel more comfortable taking on more fuel for her runs and afterwards then she would perform better, recover better and it would become a more natural thing to do? I meant well.....

Welcome Debi you sound like you will fit right in .

hi all. Moshi - just seen your news - I'm so sorry to hear that. thinking of you and family.

Hi Hat, I see you are running today! Good luck!

Science, I do use running to maintain my weight and can empathise with feelings of not wanting to fuel properly for fear of wiping out calories you have just burned. However I think the key is just as you have said, you have made the association between eating something and improved performance on your long run. If you can do the same with your recovery "meal" and see an improvement there too then that will be another positive association. Actually there was a marathon runner on Supersize versus Superskinny the other night who massively restricted her food intake and one of the things that really helped her was seeing an improvement in her PBs and her recovery times after upping her food intake.

driving, well am not using much energy "thinking" about running, ha ha

thanks for the heads up on the Fairy ad Sleep. If it is anything like the John Lewis one.....(snivelling wreck emotcion)

welcome Deb, there are cyclists here too! Triathletes and such like so am sure we can offer support and encouragement from both angles!

Good luck hat!

Wondering about Moshi too, she's been quiet recently......

sfxmum I have an only too, and I am an only Ds is 9 now, and I used to mourn each phase, only now I embrace it. They have to grow up don't they, or what's the alternative?! Each phase brings it's own magic (and problems!)

Peachy hope all goes well with the scan hun. Thinking of you xx

Much appreciate the kind words. Received time and date for appointment with consultant at Radcliffe's. Friday lunchtime. Staring into the abyss as a friend said is a difficult thing indeed. Keep reminding myself if it feels bad to me, what on earth must it be like for mum.

Hope you're doing okay Moshi. It's just bloody awful waiting for these appointments. Don't forget to make sure you're looked after as well as your mum.

peach that John Lewis ad should carry a warning before screening like warnings before films or news reports - "please look away now if scenes of children growing up disturb you..."

Hi Deb and welcome to the thread!

Moshi I hope all goes OK on Friday and you get a better idea of what your mum is facing - will be thinking of you. Keep us posted.

Welcome Debi - we try and support ourselves and others through life's bigger and smaller traumas, as well as finding a bit of escape through running.

My little trauma of the day - someone hit the side of my car on the school run. Thankfully not too much damage (I think), we were very lucky as it was a huge recovery vehicle - he pulled out of a side road on my left to turn right without looking right, and hit the back passenger door (right where ds2 was sitting)/wheel arch, but luckily I was going very slowly and he was pulling out from a junction so hadn't had the chance to gather much speed. It was a massive bang though and the car was pushed onto the other side of the road. The main thing is we are all safe and sound - a lucky escape I think.

No run for me today, I haven't had a break in a week or so and so am having a full day off. Happy running all.

second all the good wishes for Moshi and her mum...

paws that sounds pretty scary - I was once hit by a runaway pony which was pretty frightening - only in Dublin, eh? but glad everyone is ok

well, I ran this morning, 11k - and it just felt like torment - I woke up feeling weary so decided not to do the long run I'd planned. I think I am having a crisis of confidence - just scared that I can't do the HM, or that I can only do it really slowly. This is so disappointing after all the hours of slog I have put in. Am hoping that something magical will happen on the day, but I don't think I have ever felt so despondent about my running :(

On a brighter note, the scan report came in the post today - very reassuring to see the words 'normal' in all the right boxes :o another fortnight and we can start telling people (Dr No I think I remember you from my brief foray onto the one-child families threads - I'm an only, so is my mum, and we were fairly sure DD would be too...whether doubling the numbers or not is a good idea I think DP and i are reserving judgment on that)

right must pack bag and get on bike, literally and metaphorically

Glad to hear all are okay paws and hopefully not too shaken by it. Enjoy the break from running today... combination of the accident and no running suggests an early afternoon evening glass of wine perhaps?

Good to hear about the scan drivingmiss. You've got to love 'normal' although it would be nice if they could use words like 'exceptional' or 'amazing' perhaps? Would be very positive (okay, albeit a little random). Try not to worry about the running - ran 4.5 miles intervals this morning and I also feel like I'm still struggling to make any progress and, like you, my legs are feeling heavy every time I set out.

I don't know what the right advice is, but given the timing to your HM, maybe winding down the mileage and giving your legs a 'rest' would help - doing shorter runs. I think sometimes people (like, um, me) try to push yourself further than you should to try and recapture your performance by running harder and further when all you end up doing is driving yourself into the ground and making yourself more knackered for the race itself.

cestlavie wise words, wise words. As I was beating myself up about cutting my run short today (I never ever do that!) I did try and tell myself to save it for the 21st. I have a headache too, and had drunk all my water by about the 4k mark. Poorly prepared...oh well, it'll be better next time.

Are you preparing for a race? I can only see a half for you at the end of June? I'm wondering if my ambitions are running ahead (ha ha) of my ability at this point...

Hello all. Hope you are doing ok, Moshi, and all best wishes to your mum. I'm missing running group tonight as I have to go to a PTA meeting. Yawn... But, I feel like I'm definitely back in the swing of things. No foot twinges at all, although I'm finding the changed gait tougher on my calves and achilles. I think I'll be up for a 5k soonish, and then might do a 10k in September. The 10k I've pulled out of is this weekend, but am cheering myself up with a family trip and picnic at Blenheim Palace. Hope it doesn't pour with rain...

drivingmiss it's much easier to try to give the right advice rather than listen to it yourself!

My next HM isn't til end of June but that's just because there wasn't anything sooner near London that I and a friend could both make. I've been up past 13 miles in training already so it's not the distance I'm worried about, just the time - in fact I'm cutting back my long runs to seem if I feel less knackered on the other runs. PB is 1.49 for HM and was definitely hoping to beat that but given how training is going at the moment plus the fact it's probably going to be hot on the day, it doesn't feel like it's going to happen at the moment.

I hope the appointment goes ok on Friday Moshi. I think the 'not knowing' is the worst bit. You are in my thoughts.

Driving you sound like you have prepared really well for your Half, you have lots of long runs ion your legs, you will be fine. Before my Marathon I went from feeling fairly confident over 18 -20 miles to doubting my ability to run 4-5 miles in the week before, it's just what tapering does to you I think!

MrsWed it would be worth listening to the recent Marathon Talk podcasts from before the VLM. There was a great one about tapering and what to do in race week and then race day. Really helped me, lots of great advice.

Hope you are all ok paws, must have been a very scary experience for you!

I still have a dodgy knee. Am planning to try a run tonight but not very long. I have a physio appt tommorrow so will just take it easy and see what they say. I am going to test ride a new mountain bike on Thursday, really keen to get off-road in the Downs for some cycling this summer and if I can't run for a while, I will need to do something to burn off my chocolate habit

I'd forgotten that I'd put Burbage on the race list. As you may have guessed from my considerable absence from this thread I've been incredibly lazy recently. Nearly got out of Burbage as dh was meant to be away but he rearranged things for me. doing it with 2, possibly 3, friends. all are LOADS faster than me, at the best of times, let alone when I've barely been training.

I did a race a few weeks ago - took a southern pavement runner with me and he beat me . he was impressed though and really enjoyed it.

Other news - we moved house 2 weeks ago. some of you may be vaguely aware that we moved north just over 2 years ago and were in a rented house - kind of suck it and see. anyway we decided to stay and sold our house down south and bought a really rather nice farmhouse up here. am loving it.

hill profile for tonight's race and the reason it's worth it

A quick pop in from me - off to the docs in a mo as I'm fairly certain my lurgy is in fact tonisilitis (quite prone to it so quite good at spotting it !). So feeling a bit yuck and missed my gym session today (but guiltily put DD2 in the creche anyway and sat in Costa reading my book.).

Oh paws that sounds scarey - am glad you are ok !

moshi - glad appointment has come through, am, and will be, thinking of you.

Hello hat - nice to see you and glad you are settling... good luck with the run/scramble (says another southern pavement runner ).

Glad scan news is good driving and peach best of luck with your scan - a nerve racking time... hope it comes quickly for you.

Welcome Debi !

sleep I haven't forgotten to PM you, will do so when brain less fuzzy...

Hope all those with injuries are bearing up. Let us know how the physio appointment goes Doyou.

Good luck hatwoman it sounds lots of fun. I definitely need a bit more variety other than pavement pounding.

Driving I was always a nervous mess before scans, but the sense of relief when it's all OK is amazing. I had a CVS with ds3 (due to my advancing years ) - now that was horrible! But he's sat in the kitchen with me stuffing chicken and carrots in his mouth, so all was well. Thinking of you peach for your scan.

MrsWeds sorry I meant to come back to your question about things to take .... the only thing I wished I'd had was my sun visor. I don't like wearing a cap, but the sun was brutal and I wish I'd had the visor to keep the sun from my eyes. That and maybe some extra vaseline?!

cestlavie you know me too well - I am in fact having an early drink with DH while the boys eat their tea - I've done homework and cello practice so I think I deserve it (despite saying on Saturday I would never ever drink again ..... ).

Quick post as on my phone..where can I get a sun visor from as like you say it is hard on the eyes at the moment even with sunglasses on?

I got one from amazon, if you just type in sports visor in the sports section you should get a good selection - otherwise you get all sorts of industrial/welding stuff. It was only 2.99 plus postage. I like it because the front bit is padded and acts as a bit of a sweat band but it doesn't get as hot as wearing a hat.

I also saw some today in our local sports shop but they were Nike and more expensive. You could also try a golf shop?

I have scared myself by doing some research into treatment options for liver cancer and outcome to read that the usual outcome is poor. If what I have read is right, only a small number (10 - 20%?) of liver cancers are extricated completely by surgery and if the cancer cannot be completely removed, the disease is usually fatal within 3 ? 6 months. Oh help. [insert scared sh1tless emoticon]

Moshi - it's scary. But remember the ONLY thing that matters is your mum's situation - you can't get sidetracked by what happens to other people or by statistics.

After ds1's twin died we were told that actually there was a 1 in 400 chance of twin to twin transfusion in his case (at that late stage of the pregnancy), but that this was regarded as statistically insignificant and therefore we weren't warned. The odds fell against us and he died. Yet ds1's chances of surviving the pregnancy after it happened were put at 50% - not only did he survive, but he survived without any sign of the serious brain damage we had been told was almost inevitable.

Of course you're scared **less, anyone would be. I found it unbearable to think of my mum suffering not just physically but mentally and emotionally. I just kept thinking how scared she must be. You can only go with the cliche of taking one day at a time, and remember of course that we're all thinking of you.