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

Well Done Iread If I can finish my first half in a time like that I will be a very happy bunny.

sfx definitely. I had spd in both my pregnancies and find that if my weight tips over the 11st mark it really flares up and my running goes to pot.

I am also a bit about Lucozade lite - Presumably it is just slightly salty water with added flavours to make it palatable. I usually have watered down fruit juice with a pinch of salt if I have been sweating loads but I admit I am a cheapskate!

sfx yes, absolutely - there was an article about it in Runner's World at some point. I'm certainly not fat, but am solidly built (i.e. I weigh more than I look like I would weigh IYSWIM), so after this half I've a 7 week break before the next one, so plan (other than on my hols in France) to stop eating sweet stuff - so far this has been tricky as DP's response to being pregnant is to eat lots of biscuits, plus all DD's easter choc -

lucozade - do I need this stuff? (I associate it, I must confess, with the cure for binge drinkers - not me, at least, not any more ) and rely on water and jelly babies for long runs. Not scientific, but seems to work ok for me

Don't think I've said hi to Badger yet so welcome! You sound like a lovely positive person. Sorry to hear about your DH's diagnosis but glad that it will be symptomless for now.

Robino don't be too down about not getting out so much, I think you are doing great to be getting out there at all with a not yet 3 month old DD!!

Lucozade sport makes me feel queasy but haven't tried the Lite. I suspect it is all marketing and them just trying to get hold of non energy drinking part or the energy drink Market! Still I do think whatever works for you is the right thing, be it lucozade lite, or water and jelly babies. Am sure in Born to Run he talks about ultra marathon king Scot Jurek not eating anything scientific.

Sfx I think weight does make a huge difference, it definitely did to me, and Moshi's NASA treadmill would seem to confirm this. In fact I was thinking about when I eventually do a marathon, I am a healthy weight but would think about dropping a few pounds as think it would make the training a lot easier.

Driving, can totally sympathise with your DP. Am shovelling down all manner of crap just to stave off the nausea. I really hope my teeth survive this pregnancy

Congratulations Iread, that's a brilliant time. Really glad your first one went well. Sympathies on the sore bum!

I love Bushy Park Sfx. When is it the stags start having a barney? Guess probably not when a race is on eh, but it's an amazing sight!

iread - well done, that's brilliant, fab time.

The cheweytoffeemum - thanks for that - I might have a look at that a bit more - My posture is not the best and I tend to hunch when I run a long way and I am sure I could be more efficient.

driving at pancakes - we had them today too - I'm not a fan but DD and DH are,and they have gone from being a special occasion treat to a weekend staple. DD has just discovered chocolate spread.

I also use water and jelly babies on a long run but one thing I have found really helps is a small glass of milk when I get home - I read it somewhere - can't remember where but it's something to do with the balance of carbs and protein or something. I can't get over the association of Lucozade with being ill.

Weight wise - I know that I can definiatley run faster when I am lighter but as it takes lots of training for me to run faster and I lose weight when I am training harder I am not sure which direction the cause and effect is in!

Did a good 8 miles today with mile long intervals - 1 mile warm up, 1 mile effort - 1/2 marathon pace ish, 1 mile recovery, 1 mile effort etc . I enjoyed it, wish I'd though of doing that before, gave me some confidence in being able to sustain a pace as well. I think having some recovery really helped - I am wondering if i can build it into my 'timed run with other people' .

driving I can understand the sweets indulgences when pregnant, when I was carrying dd I developed a taste for those Haribo Sours and Licorice allsorts but I did not put on excessive weight on until near then end, when I seem to have panicked and ballooned
I am not even a major sweets person

peach I haven't been to Bushy Park in a while not even to Richmond Park which is nearer to me and frankly a great place to run, wish they banned the cars, they can be annoying

I need to start making a proper effort to lower the weight now that I am running better it helps keep the mood and motivation up

squix I love the sunday pancakes - I make the batter when I get up early to go out for my long run, and then we make them when I get back. I love the fact that it's one of the things that DD will remember from her childhood (she's a maple syrup fan and I am keeping chocolate spread in lockdown...)

I suppose I'd better devise some kind of strategy for the timed run with other people - other than getting round in one piece. I think I will need to find a way to do about a mile or so of warm-up - today I was running sub 6 min/k by the end, but started at about 7.30 min/km...toast and banana early, plus tea, then about a litre of water. Unless it's hot, I'll get round with another 500mls (didn't even take a sip today until 11 km, but it was cool, wet and windy...)

Well, we'll see what Saturday holds. What runs are you doing this week squix? I'm going to do an easy 5 miles on Tuesday, and an even easier 3 on Weds and that will be that...

the stags go frisky around September actually afaik, incentive to run faster

I also run with deer - huge park here that I run in all the time; these ones go crazy with testosterone about Oct/Nov; the little fawns will be showing up in the next few weeks (aaawww!)

squix I don't drink dairy but I get soya milk berries and a scoop of protein powder, find it filling and refreshing at the same time while still being light

I'm currently trying to eat the easter eggs up reasonably quickly as I noticed the other day that I'd put on a bit of weight and my fat % had gone up. So I figured if I can get the chocolate out of the way quickly then I can get rid of the weight and fat again.

I've entered the Chichester try a tri- 400m swim, 30km cycle, 5km run. It's on Sunday 17th July.

I WILL go for a run tomorrow.

Oops, also meant to say well done iread, an impressive time.

Very well done Iread ! Have a rest/ cake/ bottle of wine (delete as appropriate or have all 3 !).

Well done Debi on entering another tri. Do you have a posho road bike ? My birthday is coming up in a couple of months and I am getting a bike - Really I am, this time. For those who don't remember I was supposed to be getting one for Christmas .... and then DH got me a Kindle (which is also a fab present but the bell my Mum bought to go on the bike didn't quite fit the kindle....). So, I need to start researching and thinking about what I want. I am planning on doing a tri next year but a novice one and don't know if I'd do anymore so need to consider this in choosing a bike. I also really want to do London to Brighton as I live in one and am from the other but from what I hear, any bike is fine for this because its not a race.

Next week is a busy weekend for, ahem, racing. Hope your last taper week goes well MrsW, Driving, backwardpossum, Squix.

Driving - it sort of depends on work - I hope to do two easy 3 milers no intervals, no pushing myself just enjoying it. I'm away Tuesday - Thursday and hotel I'll be in has a pool so will do some easy swiming too.

Hi everyone, mrsweds please pm me link too and I will sponsor you.

moshi I'm so pleased you have some brighter news about your mum.

driving glad to hear you are feeling better about everything today, sure you will be fine in your race!

I am feeling shattered after having friends to stay for the weekend, also with 3 young DC's, it was lots of fun but manic. The lovely crazy parents are expecting 4th dc in November, to give them 4 under 6 . rather them than me.....anyway, this is my excuse for not managing to run at all over the weekend-and I really should have as I made drivingmisscrazy's salty caramel chocolate torte, which was, as promised, amazing. Hey ho, back to the gym tomorrow.

Iread congrats on a fab time!!! How did you feel when you finished? How did you manage to pace yourself at the early stages? I am terrified I will go off too fast.......

Anyway, nice to catch up wit this thread. I am off to bed now

Oh me, I'm terrible at keeping up on here! Not been out since Tuesday, although I was leading a sport event at school on Thursday and was so tired I couldn't get off the sofa that evening, never mind go to running club! Been a mega-busy weekend so not had the chance to get out at all. Was hoping to do a wee 5 miles, nevermind. Maybe tomorrow...

Will try and catch up during the wee man's nap tomorrow, hope you're all well! x

Iread congrats on a great time, enjoy the rest now.

Moshi so pleased to hear the news was positive. I hope you don't have to wait long before your mum has her surgery. Generally, I think the NHS are pretty good at dealing with serious ops like that. I had less than 5 weeks between cancer diagnosis and surgery, I was really quite impressed. Thinking of you.

I managed 8 miles on Saturday, knee uncomfortable but better. Then I did 3 today and my knee was really painful toward the end. I think I need to lay off the running for a week or 2 and get on my bike.

We went camping this weekend and found ourselves at the stopover campsite of the South Downs Way Mountain Bike Challenge. It was a complete inspiration watching all these riders come in having cycled 50 odd miles over the Downs and pitch their tents. They left again by 8.30 this morning for the next 50 miles!!

It got me thinking that maybe I could have a go in the summer I only live about 15 mins ride from the South Downs Way at about mile 60 of the 100 mile route so I could sleep in my own bed The only thing is, it's really hilly I shall have to mull it over for a few days. I plan to get out in the Downs for a few rides in the nest couple of weeks so I'll see how it goes. I don't think my knee is going to improve very quickly for running so I need a new challenge I think

I hope all of next weekends racers are preparing well

Hi everyone, no running for me this weekend - we were away at a christening in Derbyshire. Had a lovely time, but ate way too much and spent lots of time shuttling about in the car and therefore sat on my backside, so I've booked the gym this afternoon.

MrsWeds I can't find your sponsorship page, can you pm me?

I've got to drop my car at the repair place 6 miles away tomorrow and was mulling over whether I could run back home .... then realised not only would I have ds3 in the pushchair, but would also have to manage his car seat. Not feasible sadly!

Well done Iread, that's a really good time.You sound deservedly pleased with that! Can we quote on the "definitely not doing a marathon" in the future

Hope the tapers are going well drivingmiss, squix and mrswed (mental note, must remember to sponsor you!). Weather is looking quite good I think... not too hot anyway. I think your race strategy makes a lot of sense drivingmiss - the sensible advice is always to start off comfortably and pick up towards the end to deliver the best time, plus of course the mental boosts of passing people in the second half of the race and knowing you?ve got plenty left in the tank at halfway. This is far better than my usual race strategy of racing off like startled rabbit and making steadily louder whimpering noises from about mile three onwards.

If you?re thinking about doing stuff on the South Downs doyou, there?s also the Oxfam 100K Trailwalk from London to Brighton... am thinking of doing that next year! Sounds brilliant.

Hope you had a less stressful weekend moshi - are you still aiming for the triathlon next weekend?

Very good run for me this morning after a weekend of a little too much alcohol (including a Eurovision evening with themed drinks). Haven?t done a longer tempo run for a while (been focusing on intervals and long slow runs) and did just 8 miles in 60 mins, average 7.40 min/ mile at a fairly steady basis, albeit with a few quick pauses for London traffic. Key lesson: mental discipline is so important for holding a higher tempo for a longer distance. By mile two, I was already thinking that I definitely couldn?t hold the pace for much longer but as soon as you start drifting like that, and thinking about how far left you?ve got/ difficult sections to come, you?re screwed. Spent most of the run just trying to stay focused on technique, timing and milestones and absolutely not thinking about how far left there was and whether I could make it. Sometimes I forget just how important the mental side. Actually quite a good article about this is this month?s edition of Runners World by Ms Radcliffe.

Happy running all. Hope you all find time to do so!

oh come on Paws - just think how that would trump a vienetta !!

paws love that slight obsession about trying to fit running in around normal life!

I know, it's ridiculous isn't it?! I'm constantly trying to multi-task and combine my run with doing something hideously practical, but even I had to admit that 6 miles with a 2.5 year old in a pushchair and balancing an enormous car seat on my back might be pushing my luck ..... DH was chuckling when I told him and said "um you could always do what normal people do - and get a taxi?"

Iread I don't think I've congratulated you yet - well done. A great time. Out of interest, do you know if it's the same route as the marathon?

I went to have my gait assessed yesterday at Sweatshop. I'm an overpronator apparently (and my left foot is worse, which might account for my pesky knee). However, they didn't have the right size of the trainers they recommended but gave me the name and code. They were really helpful and showed me some different stretches to do which might help.

I went back down to 3 miles yesterday as my knee is going from uncomfortable to painful but can definitely see a difference in my fitness. Might go out again today in the lull of nursery and sleep as I won't get out tomorrow. Hmm...I can see running becoming a bit of an addiction.

As another sign of being perhaps too focused on running, am off to a gig on Thursday night with a friend from university who I've not seen for ages and who lives out of town. She's asked to stay over and tragically my immediate thought was not "hooray, not seen said friend for ages, that would be brilliant" but rather "but I have to leave early for my long run on Friday, how will that work then..." (didn't say this obviously!)