runners united: the newly garminified thread for people who love running

[rhetorician]

all welcome: young, old, fast, slow, running for a week or 20 years, on-road, off-road, racing. Add yourself to the list, or just post!

20/08/11 - Frank Duffy 10 mile, Dublin - rhetorician
29/08/11 - Spofforth 10k Trail Race - DrNortherner
03/09/11 - Dingle Half-Marathon - rhetorician
04/09/11 - Great Scottish Run Half-Marathon: EmmaBemma
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon - thetasigmamum
11/09/11 - Bristol Half- Marathon- N4nny
11/09/11 - Addidas 5K: MoshiMoshi
18/09/11 - GNR: Hamster, Run for fun, popsycal, LaLa, SLF, Fannybanjo
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, Quenelle
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
09/10/11 - Herts 10k - WishIwasCherryMenlove
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
30/10/11 - Great South Run: Wheely, squix
30/10/11 - Nairobi Standard Chartered Half Marathon - M&M
05/11/11 - Glendalough Trail Run - rhetorician
19/11/11 - Maasai Mara Half Marathon - M&M
20/11/11 - Leeds Abbey Dash (10k) - DrNortherner
27/11/11 - City of Norwich half marathon: ibbydibby
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely
22/04/12 - VLM: MoshiMoshi, ibbydibby
27/05/12 - London Bupa 10K - Futurity

Sounds great sticky - they say if can run 8 miles easy then you can "finish" a HM so 12 miles perfect. What time you hoping for? I am thinking of full marathon next year so I will up my LSR after I've recovered from GNR hence why I'm going to attempt 14 miles before the race - just to test myself more than training for GNR, I know I can finish it no worries but I'm more kind of wondering if I can push myself past the 13 mile mark. I've done 14 miles before with a friend and that was only cos we got lost!! I'll have to check what zone I've been placed in, what zone are you in?

rhet try not to worry too much about this age, they are testing us but it's to be expected, they don't do it on "purpose". DD3 (2.6) has biting stage atm, as long as they are told NO and are taught right from wrong the rest is just muddling through! DH and I try to make getting dressed etc into a game, that tends to work however DD1 was in a league of her own, I was worn out permanently with her and still am now (she's nearly 9). You'll be surprised when DD2 is born, you'll wonder wtf you were worried about with just one!. You'll also be more laid back.

By the way because I haven't done HM before - how would I know my HMP? . I'm hoping it's going to be around 8m30s....

fanny - you can look at online predictors to see what they suggest your HMP would be based on an actual race time. Obviously the longer/closer to HM distance the more accurate it would be. Bear in mind these online calculators tend to be wildly optimistic for beginner/novice runners and in particular for new longer distances. The longer the distance, the wider the margin for error. Still it is useful to use as a guide and you can see if the suggested training pace work for you initially. If you find they are easy to do (ie you are not killing yourself but the paces do seem to mirror your ability as you progress through a training schedule) then you can start to hope that the suggested HMP is indeed what it should be on race day. The one I use is on the website for the US running coach, MacMillan (or would that be McMillan?) or else Runners World has one I think.

To answer your earlier question, I have run all of my life but have not raced much as I have spent so many years being pregnant, losing pregnancy weight and regaining fitness. I did my first HM last September in 1:33:34 and then my second in March in 1:30:02. My predicted full marathon was sub-3:10 so I was aiming for sub-3:15 but the heat and non-functioning Garmin conspired against me to give me a 3:27:30 first marathon in April. I was aiming to finish comfortably rather than kill myself for a first attempt at a marathon. I am therefore hoping for the sub-3:15 in October and will take it from there....

Here it is Running Calculator

Moshi brilliant - thank you so much. I've just inputted my best time for 3 miles that I did recently - it brought up my times for HM could be 1hr 46m (or thereabouts, can't remember exact time) - my other runs (tempo, LSR) are all spot on time wise however I am running recovery runs 30 secs to a minute too fast HENCE why I'm finding them hard!!! Now ladies, we all
Know you've all told me this however to see it in print just confirms it nicely. I NEED a Garmin - I was looking at 305 last night - they seem to get good reviews although bulky. Any recommendations (anyone not just Moshi) - don't want to spend more than around £120ish.

Moshi - unbelievable times for first HM and Marathon at that pace after 4 kids BLOODY HELL!!!

Hi all, Fanny I have the Forerunner 110, it's really wee and easy to wear. I love the Garmin Connect functionality and just pour over the data and maps etc. I am a rookie however and really just like shiny new things, so best get some advise from someone who might actually know what they're talking about!

Rhet I would've cheerfully ebayed my dc at that age. They were stupendiously naughty! It does pass though, and to be fair, they are quite funny at that age to compensate.

Struggled through 5 miles last night. I think I was still recovering from my Saturday LSR. I know, so very lame. I'll keep it short and sweet at 3 miles tomorrow.

Dr NO in case I haven't already said it, many many congrats! Great race.

Thanks for all the feedback on my question about mileage yesterday. Good to know I'm there or thereabouts. Lovely, lovely rest day today. I need it, my GOD the aches and pains today are something else!

Ooooooo, love the running calculator. It says I could do a 3 1/2hr marathon.

My PB for marathon is 0 because I haven't done one yet

Haha it's hilarious that calculator as it says what you COULD do but that's the for Moshi's in life.... . However the paces set were great with giving me good idea of what paces I should be doing in each run.

Just going to go out for a 5 mile "steady" - someone please inform me what steady is!!

Thanks encyclo I'll have a look a that one you recommend.

For me "steady" is talking pace. "Easy steady" is a bit slower. Any more steady than that is walking!

Bonkers thanks! On looking on that link Moshi posted, steady means bit slower than tempo but still pushing yourself sooooo I reckon by my pace that's around 8min mile. Hmmm I'll report back in an hour. Mile warm up, 4 miles steady then 1 mile cool down

for those who care.... I'm back and did 10 min warm up then 30 mins steady pace at 8m/m then 10 min cool down at... Wait for it..... RECOVERY PACE!!!! 10.30m/m!!!! I've cracked it kids!! . The 8m/m section was okay, it was through * On The Hill again so big hill at mile 2 which is daunting but i kept pace up and really pleased

Moshi your times are just super speedy. 1 hour 33 for your first half?! WOW.

Well my leg is really stiff today, but with ibroprofen and deep heat I am going to running club for what will be a very wet night. Rest day tomorrow. Still no official times out but I am keen to know where I placed. Will update as soon as I know.

Happy running All.

Oh, re Garmins I have the forerunner 110 and its fab.

Am always stunned by Moshi's times - I know everyone runs at different paces but a 14 mile training run at 7.40 m/m is blindingly quick. Did 4x 2k intervals this morning at 7.30 m/m and can't even conceive of keeping that pace up for that distance! Wonder just how fast you can get...???

Well done on your 10K DrNo, you must be delighted to knock 15 mins off a time in a year! Testament to all your training and hard work. You can SO be under 50 mins for a less tricky 10K.

Things'll get better rhet (said optimistically, having DD 2.10 who is currently going through an, ahem, testing phase, i.e. testing for everyone involved including parents, brother, cat and indeed anyone in her near vicinity sometimes!)

Not sure if it's any help fanny but I think we have similar training styles (i.e. do each run quite hard so there's not much left when you've finished). What that means for me is that my scaling up from training to racing isn't probably as much for other people. So I'd do a 13 mile training run in 1.55/ 2hrs but then only do the race itself at about 1.50.

Got Nottingham HM coming up in 10 days time and should be interesting to see how it all goes. I'm praying for it to be cooler and less hilly than last time - think I've got more chance of the former...

rhet - my dd2 is almost 2.6 and yes, a very trying age. Actually DD1 is probably more trying now at 6 (going on 16) than she was at 2 so I guess they're all different. DD2 is very strong minded and very physical so on holiday when she wasn't stropping she was trying to throw herself in the pool or stick her head through something. But on the flip side, she's very funny and cute. I guess personality is good......

So a swim for me today. A bit dull and I am not really much of a swimmer but at least it kept me in the routine of doing something.

cest I agree re Moshi's times - just doing 3 miles at 7.30m/m was hard, NO way could I sustain that for 14 miles however some people are naturally just faster runners and there'll always be someone slower or faster - what's good about this thread is that we are all different but our goal is the same - to do our damn best!!! I love this thread for that, it's not a bragging thread where the faster ones come on and say "aren't I great", it's about sharing stories and knowledge and damn I've learned more from you ladies than any book or mag has ever given me. I'm grateful for that, I really am as running is my passion

I agree too that we both probably run at race speed majority of the time but I'm yet to learn how all the training works out when race day comes as I'm a race novice. I'm either going to surprise myself and do it fast (for me) or the opposite will happen and I'll fall to pieces with nerves (latter most likely)! I think I've got majority of my paces right except recovery runs, now I can't complain at that really as that's the easiest run to do....

ah yes, the pace calculator. It's not designed to plug in a target race time and then calculate paces accordingly, although I can't imagine that there is anyone who doesn't use it that way! It's just a way of determining threshold pace, isn't it, which you can do other ways - heart rate monitor, or perceived effort (should be about 8/10, where 5/10 would be easy running).

I am currently doing a lot of easy running, and since starting Freak of the Streak, I've taken about 40 seconds off my easy running pace. I have been experimenting a bit with form, too, just leaning into my running a bit, lifting knees, using arms back and forth, open palms (as opposed to arms swinging across the body); it makes an amazing difference to pace for relatively little increase in effort - 5.30min/km as opposed to about 6.15min/km easy pace. I really have to concentrate though, and then when I return to my usual plod/shuffle it feels very rough and ready. Will keep working on it - at the moment am doing it for stretches of a slow count to 100 (3-4 mins??) because I worry that changing form will land me on the injury bench.

Speaking of which, wheely, you sound a bit miserable, love - is there something you can do which you like better than swimming? or try something new?

thanks for toddler reassurance - I know she is utterly normal, and completely herself, and all is well. Just, well, some days, you still just want her to put her bleeding trousers on...she's been great today (well, at nursery for most of it :o)

I agree rhet that a calculator can't predict what your capable - obviously only hood old training can prove that and you sound like you've reaped the rewards of your Streak! It's majority of the time mind over matter - either you put 100% in and you're rewarded or you put 50% in and plod along. I feel great this week so praying I keep this form up. I'm looking forward to my LSR on Sunday as last proper one before D Day.

wheely is the ankle any better? Keep swimming - great rehabilitation for any injury.

fanny I just wish that plugging the numbers into the calculator Made It So...well I am reaping rewards, but still miles off your pace :) (although I did pass a soldier running today [there's a barracks in the park]. He was carrying a 60lb pack though, so that took the edge off it a bit)

I hate swimming, personally - not the actual activity, but all the faffing about - changing rooms and lockers and drying hair - it takes forever! I think the fact that I wear glasses and therefore cannot see when I swim also takes any potential pleasure out of it for me

Thanks rhet/fanny - it is improving every day and I walked to the swimming pool and back today (about 20 mins each way) so it can't be too bad really (she says hopefully !). I can't get any time to do anything now until the weekend so I will swim at least - but hoping I'll be up to cycling and then hopefully next week start running gently (or at least get in the gym so I can use the cross trainer). Have ordered some tape on my bro's instruction - just have to work out how to use it next.

I think my main concern is losing ground for the GSR when I felt I was in a good position but at least I did the distance before hols so have that comfort.

Anyway, keep reminding myself worse things happen at sea so will stop moaning forthwith . Onwards and upwards, etc.

Agreed Rhet with the swiming - I quite like being in the water but it is the faff and the fact i still stink of chlorine even after a shower /

DrNorthener - just to add my congratulations well done. I did 10k a year ago too - in about the same time 1.10 ish - they are not doing the same event this year but I have found another one a few weeks before the GSR so I might give that a go - you've inspired me to try

wheely fingers crossed for your GSR training - hope you recover in time.

Moshi - wow, mrs - super times! I occasionally reach that pace at the end of my runs - when running down hill, with the wind behind me and the thought of the cup of tea waiting for me - it used to be a glass of wine but not at 7 am.

Emmabemma - are you still around? Still on target for Sunday?

4 miles this morning - street lights on when I left the house at 6, 2 layers on - summer is definitely on the way out.

I love outdoor swimming - change, run in, swim, run out, go home...

wheely - like we've said, rest it as much as you can and leave it until it's not sore at all - no race is worth causing yourself a serious injury. Sorry I'm on my iPhone so can't scroll down to races - when is the GSR? You'll be fine, the rest may refresh you.

Ladies I have an impotent announcement......

I'VE ORDERED A GARMIN 110!!!!! It's coming on Thursday and I'm nervous thinking it may throw all my pace out as its more precise but hell to that - I'm now an official member of the Garminites!!

An IMPORTANT announcement NOT impotent..... Bet you were all worried I was about to divulge in erection chat...