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

am very at the wakeful 2 year olds; I think of DD as not the greatest sleeper (no naps, tries to avoid bedtime, not good at settling herself if she does wake); but actually she's usually fairly good. Illness makes her wake up (has nasty cough atm), as does excitement/over-stimulation/upset - so I am so so sorry for you guys.

I like the look of those shorts driving but I need a bit more coverage to spare the world the sight of my thunder thighs. Tempted to try a skort but I think I might look like I'm in fancy dress?!

I've just bought some fab sandals after the dog ate my last pair (literally ate them, sole and all) - a bit like Birkies but without the hump bit under the toes.

Ds3 has had a terrible cough and cold this week, so we've only managed a few hours sleep between us. DH is in Paris overnight and my mum and dad (who are the absolute best) are having him for a sleepover so I'm planning an early night. Sympathies with the poor sleepers, ds1 was a nightmare baby - colicky, never napped during the day, awake half the night - even now aged 8 he would happily stay up half the night if we let him. Ds2 though was much easier - he could fall asleep anywhere - and ds3 is somewhere in the middle of the two.

Managed to grab half an hour on the treadmill today and planning 10 miles LSR tomorrow. Happy running all.

have just looked at finances and think that the Garmin will have to wait - just shelled out money for our week's hols in France (flights x 3 outrageously expensive), plus we have to pay for nuchal fold testing later in the month. I am owed some expenses for a work trip, so will wait until that money shows up - and will buy it then if they still have the offer

just to add to the thread injury tally :( my right leg is painful - sore spots at hip, knee and then the muscle on the outside of the shin. It will probably be ok by tomorrow and I just have a short easy run scheduled...but another long one on Sunday which I really want to complete - my last really long one before half mara - planning on a 10 miler the Sunday before - do you think that's OK, or too close to the race itself? am a bit clueless as I am not following a plan per se - just gradually upping mileage and pushing the long runs out a mile at a time...depending on how it goes I might be more focussed next time (this would porbably mean running fewer miles)

OK I have no excuses not to do my planned 7 mile at weekend as the Blood Donation people don't want my blood! I had forgotten about having an MMR vaccine a few weeks ago and apparently I cannot donate until 8 weeks afterwards. So no free biscuit for me.

driving 1 week is probably a bit close to be doing 10 miles according to some schedules. I suppose it depends what you are aiming for. If you are aiming just to finish and have not done that far before then a 10 miler will be good for confidence. But, if you are aiming for a fast time maybe you should be tapering by now? I dunno - I've never done a half myself

driving - brace yourself, you may be joining the ranks of the seriously sleep deprived yourself pretty soon, it is amazing the difference 2 can make - my 3 seem to have agreed to some kind of evil pact that ensures they take it in turns to wake up during the night and/or 5.30am...a whole undisturbed night that finishes post 6am is an event worthy of celebration in our house .

Thanks for all the body pump encouragement ? I think I?ll swap one of my runs for a class. I?ll try and remember to keep my running diary and see how it impacts my running ? a small project for me over the summer.

bonkers dd is just 4 ? she?s about 15kg , I think ? she does like being carried but is going through the whole ??I?m not a baby mummy, I can do things on my own? stage. The Edi ½ (and full Marathon ? they are run on the same course ish) starts going downhill, and then is mainly flat with a few undulations on the way. Talking to a few folk that have done it, the challenge is not going too fast at the start ? but I guess that?s the same for most races.

Driving - nice shorts.....might check aldi too ? I always forget they do good value running stuff. And you injured too ? oh no! Doyouthink - sorry to hear that you are injured as well ? do you think we have got to that stage in the season - lots of hard training and suffering the side effects?

I have been very lucky with DD ? up to now she sleeps really well and (I?ll whisper this bit) sometimes I struggle to get her up before 7.30 ? I have to try all manner of tickling and singing to wake her up. She?s more like a teenager ?5 more minutes please, mummy?.

driving saucy shorts! Do you wear just a wee crop top (or nothing?) like the model in the pic?

I run in tights just below the knee, a Ronhill pink vest when it's warm or a Ronhill lilac long sleeved top when it's cool.

I have a Shock Absorber running bra but I can't wear it for long at the moment as I'm still breastfeeding my 2 year old. I gave myself a blocked duct when I left it on most of the day I did the Race for Life last year. No way am I getting a bigger one just for while I'm BF as they're so expensive. Hmmm, did you all want to know that? Also, I can't stand trainer socks so I wear proper ankle socks. I bet they show my age - comfort over style!

thecoo My DS STOLE one of the chocs. Luckily my DH bought me a bar of Dairy Milk so I've had my fix.

squix Ah, I bet you're not carrying your DD around much these days.
Best you do some upper body exercises then!

The 1/2 sounds lovely. I have lovely memories of the Heidelberg 1/2 I did many years ago which ended on a long down cobbly hill. It was ace! Being lighter than many I was able to just freewheel down, passing loads and loads of people with bad knees.

Driving my 2 week taper plan is as follows:

2 weeks to go - 5 K park run on Saturday, 8-10 ish slow miles Sunday, 4 slowish miles Tuesday or Wednesday, 4ish miles Thursday (probably easy ish intervals).

1 week to go ? 3 - 4ish easy miles Saturday, 6 steady miles Sunday, 3ish v.easy miles Wednesday/Thursday then feet up till Sunday.

I am calling it the ?ish? plan .

I read somewhere that for a 1/2 taper you should maintain the frequency of your runs but reduce the length and intensity - this should do it for me but I have a hectic couple of weeks with work and I expect that life will get in the way of my well thought through plans. If any one has any wise words for 1/2 tapering they will be very well received!

bonkers - socks - I've given up on trainer socks too - can't stand sock slippage.

Sorry, catching up...

The only difference between a Garmin 205 and 305 is that the 305 has a heart monitor (and it's red, rather than blue). It's one of the chest strap ones though and I knew it would just annoy me, so I went for the 205. I used it tonight for the first time and am already obsessed with the data I got back. Fantastic!

The Edinburgh 1/2 is very flat, with only a slight downhill across the 13 miles. Thank goodness!

My left calf is really tight - noticed it biting a bit on Tuesday and and after tonight's run it's a bit worse. That said, I really really enjoyed the (almost) 5 miles we did tonight. Was a lovely run :)

backwardpossum - I am getting data obsessed too!

Have you done the Edinburgh 1/2 before? I know the route - sort of, but was wondering if the finish at the race course was on grass?

No, this is my first half ever - so not sure if it's on grass, squix - I've asked my cousin though, he does the marathon every year (going for sub 3 hours this year, the crazy guy!)

Squix To get proper benefit from Pump you need to do two classes a week. And watch out for the lunges - if you have any doubts about your knees, sub squats for that track. The main thing to avoid is pushing your weights up too heavy if you are in a class where that is the culture. At my current gym we have one excellent instructor who I have been taking classes with for more than 10 years, optwo good ones and two dire ones. Ask around at your gym before you decide whose classes to take - all pump instructors are not equal.

I did 5 miles yesterday and I did my first ever bit of speed training - ran all out for the last K. If I'm going to do another half - and I haven't finally decided but I think I am - then I need to start doing some proper speed training not just mixing long runs and 5 or 6 milers all at the same pace.

No running for me today - been in London all day ( very unsatisfactory meetings) and then went to the theatre in the evening (superb). I didn't bring my gear so I will be giving the embankment a miss in the morning, just heading to the office for an early start. But hopefully I'll do 10K on Saturday before orchestra practice. Still feeling a little bit hurty after my race but nothing terrible. No long run on Sunday though, spending the day with the kids. Next week I am mainly sur le continent (Brussels and Holland) but I should get runs in on Monday, maybe Tuesday and definitely Friday ankd Saturday. Then I head off for the states where I am determined to run every day - Chicago and NY have some great running opportunities but I'll not be able to do anything more than half an hour each day due to packed conference (and shopping ;) ) schedules. I'm not complaining though. :)

thetasigmamum What job do you do that sends you all over the place?!
I'm with you on the speed training. It's easy to get into a schedule of two shorter runs in the week and a longer one at the weekend, but it's the interval training which really sorts the men from the boys when it comes to race time.

I went to NY on business a few years ago and did a fabulous morning run (like 5am due to jet lag!) in Central Park. Also around Cold Spring Harbour.
I'm off to UCLA in June and will be taking my kit with me then. Having time to run is one of the best things about conferences.

Thanks for all good wishes for recovery from sprained ankle. Had bad news last night that my mum has liver cancer. Think I may not do these triathlons as think I want to be there supporting her at appointments etc. Feeling a bit . Oh help.

Oh no Moshi - awful news.

My mum was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer some years ago, and I'll never forget the shock of the news. We were incredibly lucky though - by some fluke she had been misdiagnosed and was treated by a fantastic doctor at Kings College. If we hadn't got a second opinion she would have died through lack of treatment.

Yes, be there for your mum's appointments - she will need you even if (like mine!) she claims to be fine. Will be thinking of you.

Moshi Horrible news. I'm so sorry. You should be there for your mum, definitely.

Bonkers I love running in central park. I love that the apple store is right there by the exit too. ;) I work for an international accountancy firm. So I have to do a lot of travel but when I'm not traveling I work from home so I do get a lot of flexibility at times (eg taking my lunch break 9-10 so I can run before it gets too hot and too busy down the Quayside in summer).

moshi I am so sorry to hear this - it puts all of our worries about niggles and crappy times into perspective - I hope that treatment goes well we will all be thinking of you

squix that sounds good actually - I might do the long run this sunday, but I've done the distance more than once and I've done 750k+ this year, so I should be ok. Like thetasigmamum I think I will need to be more systematic from now on - I'm not getting the best out of my miles,

Crop-top - lol - so not a good look for the over 40s...

NewYork running - the loop round the east river is fab; it's also full of runners who are even slower than I am :)

taking the day off - leg sore, sore spot by knee (ITB), drank beers last night; I might do an easy 5k later when I pick up DD

moshi I am so sorry, of course your mum will be the priority, it is one of those time when you have to take it day by day and try to centre yourself and keep yourself strong, making a conscious effort to take care of your needs
x

Poor you Moshi so sorry to hear that. As drivingmiss says, puts worries about niggles and 10K times into perspective. Hope you can manage to find the time to run and train as much as you need whilst looking after your mum. Exercise is a pretty useful way of helping deal with things in my experience.

Lucky you running in Central Park theta - haven't been over there with work for ages now and when I was spending lots of time over there I wasn't running... Bit of a missed opportunity though I think I made up for it by going out instead! Would be an amazing place to run. One of the few perks of work travel is exploring new places while running. As bonkers says, interval training is definitely worth it for getting some speed in - not always much fun but worth it

Had my first longer run for a couple of weeks today. Just over 11 miles and tried to keep it deliberately slow rather than pushing myself but average 8.22 min/mile so clearly failed at that!

Getting so busy on the nicer running areas now by the canals and marshes - bikes and other people milling around. At the really busy bits , I'll admit there is a little bit of me that wants to shout "where were you when it was dark, cold and icy huh?!" Is that wrong? Well, yes, I know it is technically...

moshi sorry to hear about your mum. Probably a good time to use your training time for clearing your head and staying sane, without the pressure of any races. I hope your mum is ok.

Oh Moshi, am so sorry to hear that. Do you have any idea yet about the sort of treatment lined up? How is she feeling?

I would echo what the others have said, you are probably right to shelve the races for now as you will have a lot on your plate and you will am sure want to run to get a little headspace but without any pressure.

We are all here if you need a place to vent, and my absolute best wishes to your mum and your family.

running can be a really good way to keep your head in a good place - many's the person who has run through anger, grief, fear.

cestlavie I feel like that about summer cyclists - I do my bike commute rain, snow, shine, wind, hail, and then the floaty types come out and clutter up the road (they mostly have no idea how to ride bikes, either). It's probably the marathon effect too - when I was a kid for about 3 weeks after Wimbledon every year the tennis courts would be jammed...

Thanks for the kind words everyone. This is a great place for the right sort of support during difficult times. Reinforces my belief that runners are a very wise and strong group of people.