Runners united: I run, I do running, I am a runner

[DebiTheScot]

We've run out of room on the other thread so I hope you don't mind me starting the new one.
This thread is for runners to share running stories and chat about life in general too. Anyone with running shoes welcome!

Our latest race list is below. Feel free to add or remove races from it.

06/07/11- Yately 10k: 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
24/07/11 - Harrogate town centre 10k - DrNortherner
20/08/11 - Frank Duffy 10 mile, Dublin - drivingmisscrazy
03/09/11 - Dingle Half-Marathon - drivingmisscrazy
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon - thetasigmamum
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon- N4nny
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
25/09/11 - London Half Marathon Run to the beat: June2009
25/09/11 - New Forest Half Marathon: MoshiMoshi
02/10/11 - Standalone 10K: Futurity
02/10/11 - Bradford Half Marathon - MrsWednesday
02/10/11 - Baxter's River Ness 10k - backwardpossom
02/10/11 - The Run, Northampton - YeahThatsTheBadger
09/10/11 - Great Eastern Run, Peterborough - Futurity
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
30/10/11 - Great South Run: Wheely, squix
20/11/11 - Leeds Abbey Dash (10k) - DrNortherner
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely
27/05/12 - London Bupa 10K - Futurity

hey DrNo - I've got the 110 and I thought it was the other way around re: current pace/average pace - ie, the pace displayed is your average pace over the current lap, rather than the actual pace you're running at that moment. I didn't think you could see current pace?

stoatie, I believe I've heard of a program called "Bridge to 10K", which is aimed at people who started off with Couch to 5K. But I don't know any more than that, sorry.

EmmaBemma - current pace isn't much use really, as it can only calculate every 15 metres or so and just goes all over the place; it might be I guess if you are doing sprints and already have a very steady cadence

Welcome stoatie - Have a look at the bupa plans. It won't have podcasts but does have a to 10K programme. I can't remember where it starts but you might be able to jump in a few weeks in. I used this the second time I went from 5-10K.

A great 5K DrNo. My aim for Sunday... but I am injured, and it might be hot and it is over grass which I'm not used to.... I can dream.

...and I am sick - aches and shivers. I've already missed a week of training (although at least I had factored this in), and I'm not sure I am going to get through my quota for this week. Then we are away; half is only 9 weeks away...lemsip and bed for me, fingers crossed that I can run some slowish intervals tomorrow.

DD had 24 hours of temperatures and a great big long sleep and is right as rain. Maybe that will work for me.

Just donating some money for the horn of Africa - I hope it helps. It seems so paltry as a response.

Dr No - just out of interest - what do you think has prompted your transformation into an 8mm (and faster) runner? Do share...

Quickie to say good luck to debi, get well soon to driving and pleased to see the training and notably intervals are having a positive effect on your pace DrNo! Everybody take note. The proof of the effectiveness of interval training is there for us to see in our own DrNo!!!!!

Emma you might be right actually, it may be average pace....need to check that out. I notice if I get faster the pace changes and thought it must be current pace because I can make mine read 7m/m and there is no way I can average that over 6 miles or so, so I assumed it was current pace. But, it may be average pace of lap as I do use the lap function.

driving What has made me quicker? Well, the intervals have helped big time, but I can also put a lot of it down to my weekly drill session and the plyometrics. The result of this seems to be a longer stride. When tired I fall back into my old stride but when feeling strong and fresh I really notice a longer stride and a higher knee lift, which in turns makes you cover more ground quicker.

Although after tonights run I feel a twinge in my right calf and am praying to the running Gods it is nothing serious. Don't want to be on the injury bench.

Goodnight all

I would also be interested to hear DrNo...what did your average pace used to be do you think? ...can you give hope and inspiration to us plodders?! (no pressure!)

Oops...x post! Interesting reading...do you do the drills and plyothings off your own back or are they part of a running club?

cor, what's pylometrics? Actually, I should google. I will do that directly.

Total running fail this morning, guys. It is absolutely horsing it down outside, varying from very heavy to torrential, and showing no signs of stopping any time soon. I've been poised to go out since I got up 1 hour ago, but I just can't make myself go out there. I can't.

Plyometrics are done on a Monday by one of the elite runners at the club. We start off with a warm up (jogging/high knees, knees to bottom etc) then do speed ladder work, hopping and jumping over tiny hurdles, then kicking high over high hurdles both forwards and backwards. Takes some getting used to. At first I could not hop over 10 hurdles in 1 go, only about 3 at a a time. We do them all in repetition and it is very tiring, but the aim is to strengthen legs and glutes and hips. The speed work gets us used to hitting the ground and recovering quickly. Then we do a bit of core stuff (plank, side plank, sit ups etc)

Not sure what my average pace used to be, I had no idea then and no garmin But, I did my first 10k in August 2010 in a time of 1 hour and 15 minutes (which is about a 12 m/m). My PB for a 10k is now 56 mins (that was back in April, maybe would beat that now?) and my Half marathon times was 1 hour 58 mins.

My right calf is a bit sore. What's that all about?!

wow Dr No that's a pretty impressive improvement in the course of a year! I am clearly doing something wrong, as I've seen almost no improvement over a 6 month period - like virtually none. I have only just added intervals, but can't see how I would do the pylowotsits - that sounds quite technical.

Still sick, no running, time ticking away to 5 miler (10 days) and half (9 weeks). I assume I will manage to make up the lost ground?

driving - plyometrics just a term for a particular type of exercise (strengthening the muscle through jumping/stretching/using own body weight. Things like jumping squats and jumping lunges plus walking lunges, bunny hops etc are all plyometric. I haven't looked, but I am sure if you looked on you tube there would be a some plyometric home workout suggestions. It has 2 benefits, as it strengthens your legs (sore thighs afterwards...) but also if you do a series non-stop you get quite a intensive cardio blast, so similar to interval training in revving your body up and down.

Morning all. Sorry to hear you have an actual illness driving hope it's just a 24hr thing.

I've remembered my PE kit today so definitely plodding at lunchtime, I'm aiming for 22 whole minutes today, a 10% increase on last week.

stoatie my aim is the same as you, to do 10ks again for pleasure.

When I reach that point I will join a running club (my local one is Ms Radcliffe's club, do you think she still goes every Monday and Wednesday?). Dr No I'm so impressed at your rate of improvement, running with a club is clearly very beneficial. I hope your calf is ok, would be a shame to get injured when you're on such a current running high.

Yes driving there will be videos on youtube you could use and do some at home. Yes to the sore thighs - after some sessions the plan is intense over the next 48 hours! Don't worry about your 5 miler, I am certain you will be fine.

Imagine running at the same club as Paula R! Wow. Which club is that Quenelle?

Blimey, it's been said before but you lot talk a lot! And I'm trying to let all your professionalrunnertypetalk inspire me rather than scare me....

DH still home so I'm getting out a bit more. The only problem is that my body appears to be a bit shot after having three children in 4 years! Actually I think it's just recovering from DD3 (who is now 4 months) - my mum is a massage therapist and thinks I'm all a bit wonky since I had her, unfortunately mum's too busy to sort me out at the mo.

I had two dreadful runs about a week ago. I think I'm pronating a bit (which I didn't used to do) and my right leg went from tight calf to wonky knee to groin and hamstring issues. So I made sure I stretched really well (used the series in the Women's guide to Running) after dreadful run number 2, didn't manage to get out for 6 days and had a really great run last night. Ok, so it was only just over 2 miles and it was slow but I ran the whole thing and felt good. And managed a sprint at the end. I am now feeling more positive and will make sure I stretch well post-run, I really think it made the difference.

Stoatie - I'm aiming to get up to 5k (comfortably) in the next week or so and have a 10k in mind for September (or rather, a friend has one in mind for me!) so I might join you on the 10k build up, if you'd like company.

It's Bedford Harriers DrNo, although I imagine she's more of a regular with the Monaco Whatevers these days. Bedford might be the arse end of the universe but it actually does quite well for this type of thing. The Harriers are based at the town's International Athletics Stadium. Yes, International, don't you know.

robino you and I are at a similar stage, I'm doing 2 mile plods atm, aiming for a 10k in early October. I've only had the one DS but I can feel the effect it's had on my pelvic floor body.

Wow DrNo at that sort of improvement ! Not as much as you and I haven't tested it properly but I can definitely feel an improvement in my speed since doing intervals which I started after Easter I think.

Mind you, I don't think I will run in the gym tomorrow due to dodgy ankle although I am sure it is better today and I ran yesterday. But think I might swim tomorrow just to be sure.

When I was a kid I ran at the same club as Liz McColgan and her husband Peter who was also very good. She did come to club nights sometimes. The pressure on her poor daughter when she started was unreal!

Didn't do anything yesterday, annoyingly you can only swim on a Mon, Wed, Fri evening at my pool and it was raining which was a good enough excuse not to cycle. I'll prob swim this afternoon while ds1 is at his lesson but will take it easy. Next week I have to swim, cycle and then run so maybe I should cycle to the 10k race for some practice.
Not very optimistic about a good time tonight (haven't quite psyced myself up for it being a real race either a it's a Wed night!) but I'll be gutted if it's over an hour- unless my shins hurt. Before the injury I was hoping for 54 minutes but that won't happen. My last one was 1hr 1min.

Good luck tonight!

Good luck tonight Debi

Well I managed 25 whole minutes this lunchtime, 2.49 miles according to the Good Run Guide. I'm pleased that I have increased it a little from last week. I just need to double this distance and I'm ready to start my 10k schedule.

I am only an occasional visitor to Mumsnet but can I join? I havent got any imminent races but I've just entered the greater manchester Marathon for next year (my first marathon, scared!)

Just reading Dr No's comments about plyometrics, I got quite good at doing a few sets of squat jumps each week, and including some sprint training and my running improved drastically, then i got out of the habit. I need to get them back in to my routine! The plyometrics work by training the fast twitch muscles and you can literally feel the spring in your step when you run after doing them for a few weeks!

Good luck tonight Debi and well done Quenelle

robino... you are doing brilliantly getting out running with such a young baby! I had 3 in 4 years too, and I only started running seriously when DD2 was 2. i think runnign can help strengthen a lot of the things that pregnancy weakens, like core and pelvic floor, but its best to take things easy and listen to your body.

Perfectly respectable pace there Quenelle!

Thanks both, and welcome Peakrunner. (Very impressive name!) I'm new too.