runners united: the one with the time running with other people

[rhetorician]

all welcome to come and join in - we talk a lot on here, and are always glad of new people to natter with about running (and everything else)

Now fanny - don't be shy... here's me! whatever happened to poor old Tintin...

Rhet that sounds like a great success. Always handy to have an extra bladder... Could you tell us again what sort it was you got - I can't find the right post where you said (sorry!)

Paws get well soon!

debi that looks brilliant! Definitely go if the family are happy. Sure there are plenty of times when you're holding the fort: you've got to take the opportunities as they come.

Moshi hope you DH is going well on hammering this one out. Stressful time for you, but exciting too I hope? I'm sure your DC would get so much out of it, as so rightly said, it's the kind of thing that really makes a character - all that experience. Just the four months we spent in Germany at the beginning of the year made a hell of a difference to our DDs - they're so confident andjust have that extra string to their bow. And they'll be all the more ready for the next thing that turns up :)

d'oh, what I meant to say was - quite right Peach - went for a little run, just 3 miles with no timekeeping whatsoever, and the legs are much better for it :)

And drno we're also having a few logistical probs (had conveniently forgotten that people were coming to stay) but still hoping to do it. May need a little diplomacy (errr....)

sticky brilliant photo - mine is cack in comparison - it's quite blurred as I'm running around a bend. I'll link to it later..... just had an email from GNR saying well done blah blah blah (you'll have had the same) - there's no mention though of signing up for next 3 years - are you sure they are still doing this?

Paws I had this virus a few weeks back - you should be fine by next week - could you do your 20 miler then?

Cest I hope it's achievable - I intend to put "proper" effort into training as I managed a sub 2hr on only 3 runs a week so can imagine with more miles in training I'll manage it....

Och away Sticky, you don't look like Tin Tin! Are you going to get a print, they're really expensive huh? Good work on the recovery run.

Cest, lots of young strapping men and some women. Got the impression there were a lot of marathoners, maybe not so many ultras. He said that he thought that ANYONE could be an ultramarathoner, you just need to want to do it. He is very inclusive about running, which is nice as sometimes reading about elite runners they can be a bit, well, elitist!

Rhet, your run sounds brilliant, and what a great way to fit exercise into the day.

Poor paws, really hope you feel better soon.

C'mon Fanny, show us the photos woman!!!

Encyclo, sometimes I feel guilty about going put running, but then DP has lots of hobbies and gets time to himself, it's just they are not so obvious as they are in the house! You do need a bit of time to yourself or you'll go a bit mad!!!

Debi, that rat race sounds good. Could you combine it with a day out in London with the family?

Wheely, how is your DD2 getting on in her second week? My DD seems ok, though still crying at drop off. She doesn't talk much about it after, but I get fragments through the day. Don't think she loves it yet, but hopefully she settles in soon (guilt emoticon)

Thanks for sharing your pics Sticky - you look really happy in them ! Come on Fanny

peach - dd does 3 mornings (mon, weds, thurs) so we're only 1 day in to this week but she was fine. Wasn't pleased about me leaving but the second one of the ladies picked her up, she forgot about me and I crept out. Am glad your dd is doing ok and I'm sure she'll get there.

rhet - glad the backpack is working out.

cest - I am doing brighton half as its where I'm from and not because its flat. fanny - was it you talking about doing the Birmingham half ? I think sciencebint has done it or is doing it if you want to know more.

Just a swim for me today - tomorrow is a gym run (prob 5 miles) and swim lesson.

paws - hope you're feeling better soon.

debi no, they're too pricey and I don't think I look my best !

fanny a little patience woman! I just looked back over my emails, and I got the priority entry offer in the November after the September. So maybe a little while yet. Can you wait ? How are the little leggies doing?

Thanks Wheely, just been feeling a bit emotional about it. Didn't help that am exhausted today after rubbish night's sleep, and also would have been my parents 50th wedding anniversary today (mum died 9 years ago so at least they got to celebrate their 40th). Called my (now remarried) dad and he had been having a bit of a tough day with it

No playgroup tomorrow, and then she can't go Thursday either as we have 32 week scan at hospital early so will need to bring her with us.

sticky I was flapping - I scanned the email and informed DH that it wasn't so... . He was probably thinking "thank fuck for that...." . Oh you've thrown me a bit of hope! Are you absolutely sure though, you're not having me on like are ya...?! Hey just noticed your fanny pack on your photo - kudos kid, you're in the Club.

peach good luck with scan and glad DD settling. I'm having awful time with DD2(4) going to pre-school at the moment.

rhet are you now running to work every day?

Recovery run ticked off - 3 miles - groin felt tiny bit sore.

Just realised peach that your DD still not too keen - I got mixed up with wheely!! sorry about your mum - hope your day ends bit easier.

peach - you're bound to feel emotional , even without everything else going on. Is the nursery clued up to the fact you need help getting her settled. I am working on identifying someone I can pass dd yover to each morning as I think once she has a distraction she's ok but its needed me to make that known.

Obviously a v.emotional day for you otherwise with your parent's anniversary. Take care and raise a glass of something (non alcoholic) to them tonight.

Oh peach that's so sad. I hope today passes as best it can.

Just did a mile or so jog round the block, it didn't feel great but I was worried my legs would atrophy if I sat on the sofa any longer. Will see if I can manage a longer jog tomorrow. fanny I'm up against it now timing wise for my 20 miler, the marathon is 9/10 so I'm already going to be having a 2 week taper instead of 3. The timing of this cough stinks!

cest how exciting, how far along the process are you? My boys are at school out the other side of Harpenden so I drive through there four times a day, and lots of their friends live there. Lots of lovely country runs and great pubs, always nice to combine the two!

Great photo sticky, you dont look like tin tin.
Sorry about your mum peachs, hope you feeling a little less exhausted after a good night sleep. Hope the scan goes ok. Is it a rountine one?
Have been watching videos on youtube of trains today. All at dn request. Can't believe how many videos there is of just trains going past, but it kept him happy.
Planning 6 miles tomorrow night if all goes to plan, foot seems fine now how it stays that way

hello everyone - not a chance of catching up (story of my running life), but backpack is Inov8 elite, 15l (or is it 20) - would be perfect on a taller or slightly more flat chested woman than me - but it's good.

fanny not every day - probably only once a week - I have 3 full days in work Mon, Tues, Wed, but Mon and Wed I have to get back to pick up DD and on both days there's about 45 minutes to get home - I am not yet at the point where I can run 7 miles (the shortest route) in 45 minutes. Thurs and Fri I work and run from home. But it does mean that I can get a run of a decent length in on Tuesdays and Fridays (when I am at home, but DD is at nursery in the morning), and as others have said it's a run i don't have to feel guilty about as it would take me 35 minutes by the fastest method. Sorry burbling on.

But the main thing for me is that my running suddenly feels so much easier.

7 miles in 45 minutes in my dreams!! (6.30 m/m ha ha ha)

Evening all. peach know how you feel re your parents anniversary. 50 would have been a big one. Tough for all of you.

Rhet 6.30 m/m for 7 miles is in most of our dreams I think, except Moshi....

I did a monster hill sesh at running club tonight and loved loved loved it. We are lucky to have hills all over this God damn town of varying lengths and gradients and tonight the coach took us to the worst 3.....we did 12 mins per hill, sprint up, recovery jog down. It's amazing how slowly 12 minutes goes when you are dying

Oh and whilst wondering, I was pondering, as I do, does menstruation affect your form at all? Reason I asked is I was feeling good, period arrived yesterday, but for a couple of days before it arrived I felt very sluggish and think I always do IIRC. Anyone else?

Yes DrN definitely. I always feel sluggish just before - maybe water retention is a factor for me I think.

for peachy.

Peach big hug

DrN re periods just before it is alll starts is the worst time, for most people it also affects digestion and can bring on constipation, once it starts it all gets loose, so to speak and you also get a little boost, this in my experience and from what I have read on the subject

I am also looking around for the effects/impact of the menopause which for me is likely to be earlier than the norm
There was an article on RW a few issues back talking of the different ages of women as it relates to running, interesting but basically keep on moving and revise your expectations

peach sending a big hug x

DrNo yes, my cycle definitely affects my running. There are often articles about it in Women's Running magazine - I'm sure there are supplements you can take to help counteract it - I'll try and dig out my old issues and have a scan through for you.

cest Edinburgh half is a really flat course if you were willing to travel a bit?

My car passed its MOT, thank goodness but it needs the timing belt replaced. There's almost £300 gone, which means I'll have spent £500 on the car this week! sigh

My running club leader has loaned me her tri suit for Saturday and gave me a book to read - a kind of beginners guide to triathlons type thing. Am off to bed in a sec to have a scan through it but have already read the section about transitions and am not feeling quite so scared now!

bumply - welcome - I'm doing the 10k in Edinburgh on the 2nd - got my number yesterday. I am sure the 5k will be fine. I love running round Holyrood Park - my first 2 flats in Edinburgh were on the edge of the park and it's were I really started running and got bitten by the bug the first time round. I think it's an incredible place and I always felt so lucky to live in the city but have the park and Authur's seat to run around.

The park run that someone mentioned up the thread is on a saturday morning, and the Edinburgh one is down in crammond along the front - I've done it once and really enjoyed it - really well organised. I'd do it more often but it clashes with other saturday morning stuff.

peach - a hug

sfx I was trying to find out about that too, as at 45 I must at least be peri-menopausal? honestly the whole hassle of it seems utterly and completely pointless at the stage where children aren't an option. What's the point of what seems to be about a 10 year wind-down?

peach yes, big hug, these kinds of occasions are somehow harder, aren't they?

32 week scan, eh? I think we are all done with scans now. Will be exciting for your dd to see the baby though

Yikes, I've not contibuted for so long the thread dropped off my "I'm on" list. So here I am marking my spot.

LOADS of messages to catch up on, particularly the GNR ones. I need to find time to read them all so I can give more than a "well done" comment.

Went for a run at lunch time with someone I've not run before. OMG, he put me through my paces. Turns out he's one of those ultra runners (longest is 46 miles so far). He had a Garmin and will send me the details tomorrow. I'm not a Garmin owner but I'm curious. I think we ran nearly 5 miles in 39 mins while talking all the way.

[scab and sex news coming up]
My knee scab is at the peak picking off stage, but I know it will be sore if I do so I bet DS1 a fiver that I wouldn't pick it. I didn't bank on nearly losing it when getting down to it with DH this evening! Imagine...I'd have to lie to DS1 (who would drop down dead on the spot if I told him "oh it fell off while me and your father were having a shag") AND lose a fiver!
I thought you'd all like to know that.

re: periods. I'm pretty irregular anyway, but hindsight usually tells me that, yes, my performance is affected just before it starts. Running during it is great for relieving cramps.

Time for bed I think.

rhet Sam Murphy talks about it and running seems to be a good for of exercise for peri and menopausal women, it has an impact on bone density, particularly when the hormones drop. and it also has a huge impact of general physical and emotional wellbeing I would agree
I must say that at 42 I have noticed some changes although not on regularity just small changes that 'normal' people would probably notice but I have PCOS and have spent years analysing all the ins and out of fertility so I do notice the oddities in the charts, and yes I keep charts, it is an habit even if children will no longer be coming

Sorry about your mum, peach

Debi have you decided if to do the rat race? Looks fun.....but not sure about cycling down steps at St Pauls. Would your DH bring boys to London as well or stay at home with them? Our 2 used to love a day out in London, back in the days when we lived in Essex (still missing my old city life....) Particular favourites were HMS Belfast (for clambering around on all the different decks) and the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.

DrNo, not sure about impact of hormones on running...have not noticed a difference.

Sticky, like the picture, Fanny still waiting to see you in all your glory!

Sorry about those of you with DCs struggling to get used to pre-school or school. Hopefully will be better soon. DS1 (now 14) is often reminded of one time at school nursery, when a new teacher started working there. The first day she was there she was introdiucing herself to each child as they arrived, so when she introduced herself to DS1, I said "This is ". At which point DS1 shouted back "I'm not - I'm Superman!"

Finally got to grips with downloading data from Garmin to PC (not sure if I will make a haabit of this though an interesting exercise). Was briefly highly delighted to discover that on the final quarter mile of my club training session last night, I had been running 2.6 minute miles. Woohoo I thought, that's speedy. Really speedy...impossibly speedy...then remembered that I had not clicked stop until I had started out on the car journey home.

DH left for work at 4.50am this morning, unusual for him, and I have been awake since then. As he was home at 3pm, I asked if he could go and collect DS2 from school. Off he went, and did not return for about 30 minutes (normally 10 minute walk there and back). Asked him where he had been - he had been talking to another Dad at school gates, who he knows only vaguely, and showing him his "Wigglers" catalogue (gardenish company selling all sorts of composters, compost worms etc). I was a bit shocked that a) he had taken catalogue with him and b) shown it to someone....he claimed he took it because he didn't want to be "bored" at the school gates....

On the plus side, DH made tasty blueberry muffins yesterday evening, in time for me to scoff one on return from running club, and also sewed 2 buttons onto DS1's new blazer that I had to cut off because they were dangling by long threads...