runner united (we talk almost as fast as we run)

[drivingmisscrazy]

a thread for runners to chat, debate, share tips, triumphs (and the occasional disaster!) - new runners particularly welcome, the only thing that's required is enthusiasm (and a pair of running shoes)

29/05/11 - Stirling R4L: squix
29/05/11 - Plymouth Half Marathon: sungirltan
30/05/11 - BUPA 10K: MoshiMoshi
01/06/11 - BHF Canary Wharf 10K jog: june2009
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
06/07/11- Yately 10k (not actually booked yet): DebiTheScot
10/07/11 - RFL 5K, Kingston & Kempton Park: Wheelybug
10/07/11 - Felsted 10K: bonkers20
16/07/11 - Phoenix park 5 miler - drivingmisscrazy
17/07/11 - RFL St Albans - Pawsnclaws
17/07/11 - Dundee Half marathon - TheChewyToffeeMum
17/07/11- Chichester (Sprint) Triathlon: DebiTheScot
20/08/11 - Frank Duffy 10 mile, Dublin - drivingmisscrazy
03/09/11 - Dingle Half-Marathon - drivingmisscrazy
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon - thetasigmamum
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal, LaLa
23/09/11 - Notting Half Marathon: cestlavie
25/09/11 - Edinburgh Urbanathlon: backwardpossom
25/09/11 - Windsor Half Marathon: Doyouthinktheysaurus
02/10/11 - Standalone 10K: Futurity
02/10/11 - Bradford Half Marathon - MrsWednesday
02/10/11 - Baxter's River Ness 10k - backwardpossom
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
30/10/11 - Great South Run: Wheely, squix
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely

Yes June that's what I end up doing too. We are a mad lot I reckon!

Ooooh DrNo, fame beckons, how exciting!!! Is this the kind of thing that can be picked up on digital radio, or the Internet?!? Enjoy your spa day, sounds blissful!

Driving, wow that sounds amazing, and how lovely for your kids!

tea/coffee wise (how did we get onto that???) I love coffee and we have a beloved Gaggia which I have not touched in the last 12 weeks due to massive coffee aversion, until this morning! I has a piss weak latte and it went down rather well, so it must be a sign of first trimester bleuuurrggghhness coming to an end. I like herbal tea (though not right now) but not fruity ones and certainly not normal tea.

Just been to see another house which was expensive and grubby though in a great location for potential school. God, I hate living in London sometimes....

Anyway must be off, am so tired I could weep.

lol june that was a very roundabout way to get to that answer! Top marks for showing your working out though
I told dh yest I'd run at 9.25 miles per minute. Superspeedy me!
I can't do speed or pace in km other than I know I do 5km in less than 30 mins and hopefully 10km in just under 60. I finally entered that 10k in July.
Still don't know what's happening on Sunday with the relay marathon though.

Am I the only person who just runs when I run? I generally have 1 pace and don't do fast and slow runs or any kind of speed work. Should I be?
With fartleks (I'm so mature that makes me snigger) after a sprint do you jog really slowly until you recover and then look for something else to sprint to? Then repeat for how long?

Very exciting DrNo!

Debi I just run sometimes very slow sometimes just slow but it's not planed I just run and see what happens.

How exciting DrNo!!

I'm a normal tea drinker. Definitely NO coffee. DH had never even tasted tea before he met me! He's now a convert, although he's into green tea recently (think he read an article that it could potentially hold off HD symptoms).

I've been out for my run this evening and was 10 seconds faster than Tuesday.

I need to sit down and have a cup of tea but DS (age 3) keeps getting up to go for a wee. And then wants me to come upstairs so he can tell me he loves me. Very sweet, but that boy is up to something! I'm guessing it's cos I bought him the Cbeebies magazine Octonauts special edition and I won't let him have it until we go to Ireland next week. (It will keep him sweet on the plane!)

Driving that sounds great! I have lots of childhood memories of a house like that, and trekking through fields and streams.

Debi I'm only just getting back into running again, and only just running 5k nonstop but I definitely only have one pace. Apart from sprint finishes, and that's only cos I'm super competitive with myself and need to beat my previous time.

debi I used to just run when I ran, but then when I entered a race I started a training program. I knew I'd quite like to get round in a decent time so I researched a program and sort of stuck to it. Now I've got into a rhythm and am just carrying on with it.

DrNorthener - fame beckons

I did 5 miles today - I did some longish intervals and recovery. I did exactly the same route as yesterday which was at a steady pace and today was almost exactly the same time - 5 seconds slower. So average speed about the same. I was surprised at that, I don't know whether I expected it to be faster or slower but I was amazed it was the same.

Just popping in for a breather from work.....not run since Monday and missed running club, much to concern of DCs, who both at various points in the afternoon/evening asked "aren't you going running tonight mum". Arrggghhh.

Good luck Dr No..!

Re running times, I have made myself a spreadsheet........containing all my race times, and distances, and have included a conversion factor for the races that are measured in Ks rather than miles. DH thought it hilarious, but strangely did not object when I offered to do him one as well...

For the record I am a tea drinker. To the point that I gave it up this year for Lent - and after only 2 days of no tea, DH was begging me to have a cup. I felt awful, really tearful. Perhaps too drastic a move? After 2 days I felt better, but nothing could quench my thirst like a cuppa....gave in after 2 weeks, but felt pleased I had lasted that long. I am obviosuly addicted though. On the other hand have not had alcohol since March 2010, had found that on several occasions after just one glass of white wine was feeling pretty lousy next morning so just stoppped. No cravings either!

We did intervals tonight at the club. Ugh, it hurt! But was so good and I know I need to do more of this type of thing to improve times. It was 3 mins at 7:30min/mile then 2 mins rest x 6, mostly uphill! Eurgh!

DrNo that's great! Plug the just giving page! I need to sponsor you, that'll be my job for the weekend :)

Debi Well done signing up for the 10k! You'll smoke it :)

I drink tea mostly, but will have a coffee if I'm knackered. Can see me needing a coffee tomorrow...

Popping in to wish our racers Good Luck! Go for it, DrNo, futurity and Dillinger (not seen Dillinger recently?)! With the HMers, save something for the end so try very hard not to get caught up in the excitement of the race and whizz off faster than you can sustain. Steady paced running is best. There will be lots of nutters sprinting off who you will overtake later on which will give you a huge lift in the latter stages of the race when you most need it. When you cross the finish line, if you want a good photo, try to bleep your watch after you have crossed the line and try to muster your best smile for when you triumphantly cross that line with your shoulders back (you may have race slump by now) and a strong stride and, if you fancy it, arms triumphantly held out (may be a bloke thing though?)

Oh, a green tea for me please .

peachy - pleased all's well with bubba and you!

Oh and can vouch for tabata being effective when doing cardio and/or conditioning work. It is surprisingly quick and can be done eg on holiday to keep in shape. Investigate it if you are curious!

Have never gone for fartleks myself preferring the structure of intervals instead although I think fartleks are good for newbies to speed training as it keeps it more fun.

Mum much better after just two days! Sat up yesterday for ab hour and colour has returned to her face.

Dtill coughing myself but hoping to ease into my marathon schedule on Monday, especially as our new housekeeper started on Monday and is lovely and better than I expected! And the kids like her too! Hurrah!

Finally am finishing the best running book I have read so far called From Last To First by Charlie Spedding. It is autobiographical but has superb tips in there on training with plenty of wisdom on race and training psychology which I find spot on. Plus he is very funny. Reads a bit like Nigel Slater at times. Highly recommended!

hello all apologies for the short post

moshi glad to hear your mum is rallying, best wishes

DrN good luck and yes you can of course you can

we are doing our jog/walk Race for kids GOSH this Sunday, it nearly slipped my mind with all that has been going on, I put a link on FB should anyone like to contribute but no pressure of course

Happy running all

Just popping in between a surprisingly comfortable 12 mile run into work this morning (comfortable but slow...) and a frantic day at work.

Best of luck to our racers this weekend.

DrNo - will we be hearing from you on primetime TV anytime soon? Have a great race, you've got great reasons for running so hope you enjoy it. Look forward to the race report afterwards!

Good luck also futurity and sfx.

Moshi great to hear your mum sounds like she's rallying already. That's very positive. May have a look at tabata. Sounds like something you can fit in around the kids rather well.

Everyone else, have a fantastic weekend!

hi can I join you.

Just got into running (in the last month). Used to think I 'wasn't made for running'.

So a month ago I arrive at the gym & all the other cardio machines were taken bar the treadmills. I decided that I would see if I could run longer than I had done previously (in a PT) session. Previous best 5 minutes.
That day I managed 6 minutes non-stop.
Forward to last night & I managed to run for 30 minutes non-stop @ 8.6 on the treadmill - 4.5KM!
I am amazed at myself. I even got some chafing on the inside of my arm - making me feel like a 'proper' runner!

I know it's not as much as the rest of you do tho.

FYI - Tea wise - only drink herbal (not fruit) teas. And I like the occasional cappuchino.

Sorry for the long post.

joby welcome, and that's great and very rapid progress! we come in all flavours, fast, slow, serious, less serious. Once you've got to 30 mins continuous running, you can start to build on that. Do you have a goal in mind? are you running for fitness, weight loss?

I did a decent enough run this morning, but I've very tight calves (possibly because of notching up the speed a bit) which then makes my foot go dead, so it's like running with a bag of potatoes where you're foot should be. Not nice. Day off tomorrow. I think I am on target, more or less, to do my 5 miler in just under 50 minutes which is my target for now. Would like to get close to 2 hours for half in September, but this might be beyond me and I might need another 6 months running...

oh, and in other news, we are having another little girl! we can recycle C's clothes, and won't need to worry about bedrooms for some time to come. Thrilled, of course.

Hi Joby !

Just back from a 10 miler. Contemplated my half marathon route again but after a couple of days hard circuit training my legs didn't feel up to it. Found a new route instead, which was fun - very rural and I stopped to admire the view several times...hence the time being nearer 1 hr 20 than the 1 hr 15 I was hoping for - frankly I just wasn't trying that hard

Hi Joby, welcome to the thread.

Congratulations to you and your dp driving, that's lovely news!

moshi glad your mum is doing well.

Can feel my legs hurting today but I suppose that's to be expected if I'm going to push myself and improve on my time. I'm hoping to get out tomorrow and Sunday but DH has lots of gigs and work this weekend so will have to work around him. Well, he keeps me in the extravagant lifestyle that I've become accustomed to, like....erm...running shoes so I don't mind.

Good luck this weekends racers. Looking forward to the reports!

notyummy 10 miles in 1h20! I'd be delirious with joy with a time like for not trying hard!!

meant to say moshi that it sounds like your mum is doing really well. Great to hear.

Argh just lost a long message !

I think I said -

glad your mum is doing well moshi

congrats on 2 girls driving - join the club ! I love having 2 girls (although I very much suspect I'd say the same if I had 2 boys, 1 of each, less, more). But teenage years might not be great...

Welcome joby

How are this weekend's racers feeling ? Good luck DrNo, futurity dillinger. I hope it goes well and you enjoy it ! I look forward to reading race reports.

MIL about to arrive for the weekend so hoping I might pop out for 5K this evening (not to get out of the house you understand... hee hee). Although it might be too wet even if that will give me some puddles to jump in.

Have a good weekend everyone !

10 miles in 1.20!!! Blimey that's fast!
Welcome Joby that's a pretty good pace and distance you've got up to in a month.

Good luck to all the racers this weekend. I am doing the marathon relay but don't know how many legs. I realised I don't have to do them consecutively so will have to decide how many people to have in between my 2 legs (2.6 miles each)

(if it is 2 I'm doing)

hi joby!

notyummy 10 miles in 1 hour 20...I could only dream about that speed!

Am feeling ok at the moment...got a slight sniffle but I am ignoring it! Had jacket potato for lunch and will be having pasta for tea in a while :) Weather for Sunday is now....wet! Not sure what time the wet appears though as weatherman being vague. Don't mind wet too much apart from can't see (glasses get steamed up as well!)...at least it won't be hot which is what I was more worried about.

My friend has given me some safety pins after I couldn't find any and I have already written my details on the back of the number. I am so anal about preparing for these things and will spend the whole day tomorrow fussing. Thankfully it is just me to get out of the house on Sunday as I would turn into horrible grumpy person if I was trying to get the family out at 7.45 on a Sunday morning!

I hope my post didn't sound bigheaded, because it wasn't what I intended. It's just that I usually run 8 minute miles, so I thought a 10 miler should be around 1 hr 16, and I thought if I tried just a leetle bit I could bring it down by a minute or so. Instead I stoped a couple of times to look at the view and stretch my hamstrings (aching after a squat and lunge fest for the two previous days...) So I guess for me it felt like I wasn't trying very hard IFYSWIM.

Good luck to the weekend racers, and pleased to see that Moshi's mum is doing ok.

Deb i'm afraid I had to chortle at 'will have to decide how many people to have in between my 2 legs'

Congrats Driving at your lovely news and I'm delighted peachy that you are now starting to feel more human. I've only got one girl and that's plenty for me. My boys are generally much less bother, once I've got the full measure of Star Wars and intricacies of conducting a sword fight, that is.

DrNo I can't believe how famous you are now. Your dad would be so proud of you both. I bet you will do brilliantly on Sunday and I hope you get the chance to enjoy every single minute.

Good luck to you too futurity. We will wait for full post-run debrief.

Moshi that is great news that your mum is recovering so well. A great relief for you I'm sure.

I've finally got round to reading Born to Run and I'm loving it, especially since we are heading down Mexico (ish) way this summer. Just call me the Caballo Blanco .

5 miles for me on Wednesday, then a last long run tomorrow at 19km. A lot of our teams are coming down with injuries so I am keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't affect me too. I think its an age thing.

it just so happened that I was sitting talking with a very good friend of mine who is having a nightmare of a time with his eldest teenage daughter...but DP tells me that having had 4 sisters she knows pretty much every depravity that a teenage girl can sink to...

Moshi, that's fantastic news about your mum, she is clearly made of strong stuff!

Driving, lovely news!! We'll find out at scan next month.

notyummy, you don't sound big headed at all, but in fact you should be!! That's a great time!

Welcome joby (can we assume you are not Scottish with a name like that!!) Sounds like you've made great progress. Have you any races in mind?

Master, you should do that race if you are in Mexico anyway, you know, just a little sprint in the jungle You could certainly handle the heat!!

Tons and tons of luck to DrNo and Futurity this weekend. And Dillinger and Hamster if you're about. Really looking forward to the race reports. Hope you are mainling crunchy peanut butter as we speak DrNo!!!

Am off to Scotland tomorrow (sans DP ) for a week or so. Getting hideously early train in hopes that it will be quiet and therefore won't have DD on my lap. Current bump situation would this pretty uncomfortable!!