Runners United: the one where we talk about running, life, the universe and everything inbetween

[Pawsnclaws]

New thread everyone!

Rest for me today - just six days to go and I've woken with a sore throat .....

Marking m place. No running for me today. Swimming and boxing instead!

Hello new thread! Off for a bike ride

Jumping into the new thread. Back in a bit

Marking place

Moshi sorry to hear things are though at the moment, perhaps careful consideration of the reasons and motivations for a move or resistance to it would help, in such situations there is always some need for compromise, but it just has to be something both parties acknowledge and can live with, best wishes for your discussions and deliberations

Moshi do you think your DH is worried he'll lose face professionally if he turns the offer down? It's a very hard decision but even harder if the whole family isn't on board.

Morning all. I'm still waiting for our official times to be published from yesterday's race. Anyway:

We had friends staying for the weekend and went out to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate one of our friend's birthday on Saturday night. I was very good and didn't touch any alcohol and also avoided the more spicy dishes.

DH dropped me off in the morning. I had plenty of time to pick up my chip and race number and soak up some of the atmosphere. They kicked off at 0900 with an elite mile race with about six local young athletes. Unfortunately I didn't wait to see them finish as I knew I should get in the toilet queue.

Everyone then started to move up to the starting area. Despite talking of timing pens in the race pack, there didn't seem to be any real separation so I shuffled towards the back. I knew it would be hot and didn't want to do something daft like head off too quickly only to collapse in a heap and not finish at all. My main aim was to get round and not worry about times.

Once we were off it was fine for the first 4 miles, off into the lovely surrounding countryside, reasonably hilly and in the full blast of the sun. At mile 4 there was a bigger hill - everyone I saw was walking up it and I slowed down as well. This was a pretty tough section for me as not long after this hill I got a stitch which took a few minutes to shift.

Anyway, kept going, having to walk on and off. It was a bit like tag with a couple of ladies from a local running club, overtaking them, then them catching me up again. There were plenty of water stations (the organisers were making a BIG thing about ensuring people were properly hydrated, given the heat. The locals were great as well, hosing us down as we passed and some people handing out extra water. Round about the 10 mile mark we ran round a park which was quite nice - brass band playing etc. I had a chat with a lady who was on her 200th half marathon. She did marathons as well and just plodded along at her own pace, enjoying the occasion - fantastic. I would have liked to chat more but she was suffering a bit more than me in the heat so my pace was a bit faster.

The last three miles back into the city centre were tough although thankfully mainly downhill. Most people I saw were alternating running and walking at this point. I did feel as if I was right at the end, last, although you know there are still people behind. I did hear some of the marshalls talking about them starting to pick people up now but I knew I'd get in before the cutoff even if I crawled the last bit on my hands and knees!

Once on to the 'lovely' Coventry ring road and the end was close, although there were no markers to count you down. I had missed the 12 mile marker as well, so had no clue as to how far was left. I saw a runner sitting at the side being treated by first aiders and then realised that she had made it to 200 yards shy of the finish - how awful for her. There was a marshall close to here who was asking everyone as they went past if they were okay. I get the idea a few had come a cropper on the last bit. I only saw one other person receiving medical attention round about the 7 mile mark - she was in the recovery position but conscious and a marshall/first aider was trying to console her.

Anyway, I felt okayish enough to do a bit of a sprint finish even though there was no clock so I hadn't the foggiest idea of times. I'm not garminified (yet - might ask Santa for one!) so I use mapmyrun on my iphone. Of course I forgot to switch the blasted thing off for a couple of minutes, so it's showing a 13.64mile run in 2:44:02. I'm hoping that if we ever get our official times it'll be closer to 2:42.

Phewww! Really enjoyed the race though. Hoping the next one will be a lot cooler and I can aim for that 2:30!

Well done fairy and to anyone I've missed (hard to keep track of Super Sunday!)

I've been reading up on aquathlons which I think could be just my thing - swim and run. I can't justify a new bike at the moment, I'm a decent swimmer and I could improve my short run times with some effort, so I'm very interested.

Another factor for me - much as I've loved marathon training I have to accept that once I get nearer/over 40 miles a week I seem to get ill. I eat healthily, have now pretty much binned the alcohol, and try and have a balanced life .... but I don't think it's a coincidence that I'm full of coughs and colds right now. Fingers crossed I don't seem to suffer with injuries, but I'm considering a complete training revision after next weekend.

Just to come back to DrNortherner on the injury. I've no experience at all, but if it hurts then feels good when you press the lump it sounds to me like you're relieving pressure. Could it be some sort of build up of fluid? I think I'd start with the GP and ask whether physio would be good rather than starting with a physio.

rhet when you say your friend's partner was illegal in the US what does that mean? Does a same sex partner not have a right of residence then? Is that usual?

The all important race list. Please check yours has not dropped off accidentally.

09/10/11 - Great Eastern Run, Peterborough - Futurity
09/10/11 - Herts 10k - WishIwasCherryMenlove
09/10/11 - London Chickenshed 10K challenge - June2009
09/10/11 - Eden Project Half-Marathon -RunningAllDay
15/10/11 - Donadea Forest Trail 10k - rhetorician
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
16/10/11 - Aviemore 10K: Piffpaffpoff
16/10/11 - Richmond Castle 10k: Stickylittlefingers
22/10/11 - Shockabsorber 10K Richmond Park - sfx
23/10/11 - Thruxton Mass Attack Duathlon- DebitheScot
23/10/11 - Big Fun Run 5k Edinburgh Holyrood Park - Bumply
23/10/11 - East Coast Run 10k - Ibbydibby
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
13/11/11 - Stebbing 10 Mile - bonkers20
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, MoshiMoshi
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely
10/03/12 - Blackpool Half Marathon - DrNortherner
22/04/12 - VLM: MoshiMoshi, ibbydibby
27/05/12 - London Bupa 10K - Futurity

Paws/sfx - we are stuck between a rock and a hard place, we are damned if we do and damned if we don't, it was the poisoned chalice in looking into the job etc etc (cliches abound). As uncomfortable as I feel leaving my home and schools, family and friends, it really is a case of the family having to make a go of it (and I know we can) as the alternative of staying with DH not being happy or getting promoted etc will always entail What Ifs for the rest of our lives, which will all be my fault. Of course, when we are out there I must always be Optimistic, Sunny, Cheerful, Positive, Upbeat etc. because even if I don't say anything when things are not going smoothly, DH will assume I am blaming him. Appreciated the comments from the previous thread too (fanny, DrNo, peach etc) - you are all fab and I am glad you are coming to SF with me .

Well done on your race fairy! You did so well in the heat. When is your next one?

paws are you or have you cOnsidered supplementing?

08/10/11 - BMF majorseries 10k Kent
09/10/11 - Great Eastern Run, Peterborough - Futurity
09/10/11 - Herts 10k - WishIwasCherryMenlove
09/10/11 - London Chickenshed 10K challenge - June2009
09/10/11 - Eden Project Half-Marathon -RunningAllDay
15/10/11 - Donadea Forest Trail 10k - rhetorician
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
16/10/11 - Aviemore 10K: Piffpaffpoff
16/10/11 - Richmond Castle 10k: Stickylittlefingers
22/10/11 - Shockabsorber 10K Richmond Park - sfx
23/10/11 - Thruxton Mass Attack Duathlon- DebitheScot
23/10/11 - Big Fun Run 5k Edinburgh Holyrood Park - Bumply
23/10/11 - East Coast Run 10k - Ibbydibby
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
13/11/11 - Stebbing 10 Mile - bonkers20
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, MoshiMoshi
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely
10/03/12 - Blackpool Half Marathon - DrNortherner
22/04/12 - VLM: MoshiMoshi, ibbydibby
27/05/12 - London Bupa 10K - Futurity

Ok I've added my race at the top of the list there eak. I've just had two weeks break because of shin splints and so far I have only been on two 20min runs. I can kinnda feel the splints a little after running so I'm going to have to walk/run the event but as its a fun run type thing I am ok with that. I guess I will have to take at least another week off after the event and hope these splints go away

On another note, well done to everyone who ran over the weekend in this heat. Quite scary reading about the ppl who didnt make it to the end, hope they are all ok now.

Dr No - I kno you mentioned this threads ago but I read about th addias challenge and asked my DH if he wanted to get a team together and he poo-pooed the whole idea!

Thanks for new thread paws - sorry you're feeling ill again. Hope its just a passing thing.

Great report fairy - sounds like a tough time in the heat but think howmuch easier your next one will be !

Moshi - sounds like a horrid decision being made - damned if you do, damned if you don't. I really hope it works out for you. We'll all come and see you and run the san fran marathon (presumably one exists).

So, having winged and fussed last night about my run today, my bedroom ceiling started leaking about midnight last night so after a rather frantic time trying to get our water off (with handle part of stopcock missing) I then had to be around for a plumber this morning. As it was they phoned about 930 to say they wouldn't be here till the afternoon but I decided by the time I had got running it would be v. hot and I only had 4 hours sleep (thanks to above and dd2) I postponed my 10 miler to thursday but I did go to the gym and do 5 miles (coudln't do it outside as no water for a shower). Actually went really well so given me confidence back. So, alls well that ends well. Especially as leaked fixed and the only damage is to stuff that needed re doing anyway. So, will make us get on and do it.

V. twingy ankle (actually not my ankle but I presume a ligament or tendon running down the front/inside of my ankle) but only twingy so have applied some ibuprofen gel and a couple of days rest now.

Marking my spot.

Sounds very tough moshi, I hope I'm never in that position as I can see how you must worry (and may never know) if you make the right decision.

rhet I don't think upping the intensity is all it's cracked up to be. I've tried it on 2 separate occasions and ended up injured both times. The problem is I've improved from 10+ min/miles when I started running again to 9m/m on a good day but I think that's it. I won't get faster just running normal runs.

brillinat - thanks paws - they were in Berkeley, but US immigration law does not recognise same-sex couples - or didn't back then (this was mid-90s). I worried about this a lot when applying for fellowships in the US (thinking that we could go for a year before DD was in school and while DP was still on career break) - I would have to prove that I could support them, but they would be on tourist visas. I always seem to be bringing up legal tangles and wrangles, don't I? but they are a fact of life for me (e.g. needing letter from DP to travel alone with dd - although this is true for lots of unmarried couples, or even for parents who have a different surname to their children)

I think I have enough base miles to add a bit of intensity tbh - I run about 35-40 miles a week without anything more than aches and pains, so I have about 30 mins for running on a weds morning and am going to target that for upping my aerobic capacity (aka horrible bloody intervals!)

moshi I really feel for you - the horns of a dilemma indeed. But you are right - if you do go, you have to commit to making it work for everyone (including you!)

I can do it can't I, running friends? I just need to focus on the future and not make these direct comparisons with the life I am leaving behind.... And I am sure I will learn to ignore the whininess of a Californian accent

Amended as I will have to defer VLM in 2012 given our move :-(

08/10/11 - BMF majorseries 10k Kent
09/10/11 - Great Eastern Run, Peterborough - Futurity
09/10/11 - Herts 10k - WishIwasCherryMenlove
09/10/11 - London Chickenshed 10K challenge - June2009
09/10/11 - Eden Project Half-Marathon -RunningAllDay
15/10/11 - Donadea Forest Trail 10k - rhetorician
16/10/11 - Abingdon Marathon: MoshiMoshi
16/10/11 - Aviemore 10K: Piffpaffpoff
16/10/11 - Richmond Castle 10k: Stickylittlefingers
22/10/11 - Shockabsorber 10K Richmond Park - sfx
23/10/11 - Thruxton Mass Attack Duathlon- DebitheScot
23/10/11 - Big Fun Run 5k Edinburgh Holyrood Park - Bumply
23/10/11 - East Coast Run 10k - Ibbydibby
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
13/11/11 - Stebbing 10 Mile - bonkers20
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, MoshiMoshi
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely
10/03/12 - Blackpool Half Marathon - DrNortherner
22/04/12 - VLM: ibbydibby
27/05/12 - London Bupa 10K - Futurity

Oops make that a .

rhet would that depend on which state you go to? would not advise bible belt lunacy

moshi I find that I deal better with big life changing decisions when I see more short term goals and work to achieve them, it is hard to fathom what will change and how it will change at this point in time when your feelings and your heart are not best inclined to see the possible positives (hardly surprising given the suddenness and radical upheaval)

Try not to think of it as any kind of forever if it offers any kind of consolation

do you really have to defer the marathon? maybe it can fit on a week's break?

yummy food, great scenery (go running in Yosemite!), fabulous wine; I am sure you can find excellent education for your children too - although I suspect it will cost a lot, an American city that you can negotiate on foot/public transport. Great bookshops. Lots of alternative stuff happening (I remember how brilliant the cartoon museum was!)

hey and look here's the san fran marathon festival - www.thesfmarathon.com/the-race/ - it has a marathon/ two halves/ 5K, there's something for everyone and its in the school holidays . Shall we charter a plane ??

Ohh - new thread, will post more later, but just wanted to say to Moshi - I am sure you will make the right moves for you and your family - agree that short term goals are the way to go.

Just think when we start running we have a vague idea what a marathon/ half/ 10k / 5k will be like and we break down our training and gradually increase our miles / speed, have some rubbish runs, have some great runs, have some injuries, make new mates and some days go out and just feel brilliant to be alive. And before we know it - we look back - fitter, stronger - and get our pb's or run further than we ever thought we would and then enter the next race to stretch us further.

Can't wait for running tales from San Fran

Yeay for plane charter

Marking my place - on phone...

Marking my place.

fairy great race report well done on your half

pinkglow why did dh poo poo the adidas thunder run idea? What is he a man or a mouse? My dh is up for it should we need a mixed team.

paws I don't think it's fluid, more like a knotty mass. Some days its more painful than others, and sometimes an easy 3 miles makes it hurt more than a tough interval session

squix what a lovely post about the joys of running Too true.

Rhet I am going to give you the thread award for the one who puts themselves down the most You do more miles on here than most so quit with the talking about how slow you are, you rock!

moshi it's a huge move indeed, and I am sure you are worried about family, esp your Mum but if anyone can make it work you can. You sound like a very motivated and optimistic person. It will be a huge adventure for all the family, and we all get to come with you! I am just gutted you won't be in our team for thunder run, you were our secret weapon

Moshi, ive been thinking about you a great deal. Being an expat I've perhaps got a different take on it from many. If we hadn't moved out here dh would have been desperately unhappy and not been able to move on. I'm not saying that in this day and age we must kow tow and follow our breadwinning husbands to the other side of the world, however I do say give it a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised and find your life is different in ways you would never have considered had you stayed in the UK. Why not make a deal with him whereby you say you will do it for x amounts of years and after that you will both need to reassess and if you are still wanting to go home after that time then he must respect your wishes.

Your dc are still small so a top class education whilst important is not critical and they will have so many other experiences from living overseas that will benefit them and besides the top schools like dc who have lived overseas, at least that is what they are always telling us here! Think of all the fantastic sports they will be able to do in a wonderful climate.

Finally, don't base your impressions on one short visit with a rubbish relocation agent. Ask people on here how they find living in SF. It will be tough at first, so please dont pretend to be all optimistic just for dh, just dont blame him. Remember you will always be able to come home.

Apologies for the lecture .

Now back to the running: no VLM place for me either I suspect I may not be the fastest applicant from Kenya . but I did do a fast 55min 10k this evening. It was about to get dark so I had to go fast and get home before I got scared.

Wise words from master

I am off to a drill session tonight, dh just taken ds to the skate park so I have to run to my sesh instead of drive, only about 2 miles. He will pick me up at 8pm.

It is getting rather windy oop North.