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 .....

I have never run up it or even attempted to. I am too scared. I always run the RP loop round the other way so I run down it - I keep thinking a great hill session would be to run the stretch between kingston gate and robin hood gate a few times..... BUt I only think about it.

Loo scheme looks good - wasn't suer if you were Richmond or kingsotn (then remembered the new school thing). Hope foot better....

Right DH out even later than normal tonight so I am going to bed early to read my book (without being nagged to turn off light and hopefully get to sleep early... although that usually means I read until DH gets home and starts nagging me to turn the light off).

LOL at 'good route for pubs'. A bit like the Medoc marathon is it ? Which sounds fun... but hard !

Strangeways kettle thingy always makes me giggle just the name of it but working with weights is quite good, I like the running for a purpose bit.

wheely I am over at the other side yes, although the schools bit does not directly affect me in terms of places for dd, just as a tax payer really.
(not thinking about secondary repeat Xtimes for sanity)

off to watch telly and relax

thanks for the advice and the laughs, good for pubs

paws cheers for the technique, picturing self as an ever so slightly more attractive version of a shuffling hunchback of Notre Dame carrying a heavy sack over the shoulder

slf very funny! it has to be said that apart from the park and city centre, it's not exactly scenic - I don't understand why they couldn't route it along the bay - from Howth to Booterstown and then a loop into the city?

my hill 'technique' is similar to yours paws, feet close to ground, pump arms, lean into hill: curse, sweat.

ok lovelies - indulge me and let me tell you some hill stats. Thanks to the power of GPS and the rather wonderful goodrunguide website I can tell you that the richmond park hill of which you speak (and which I used to hate) has a climb rate of 44 metres over a mile. My steepest mile (which is, admittedly, not one I do often) has a climb of 157 metres.

and to think 3 years ago when I was asked if I wanted to go for a run with the mums at the school gate I said, ok, but I don't do hills. not much choice round here.

I know I am soft Hatwoman I remember looking in admiration as I saw loads of runners everyday on very steep climbs while in Wales, they were just out for their daily run - awesomeness and probably in the genes

On way home on bus, soooo tired. I do remember last gig I went to few weeks ago, saying right, this is the last this pregnancy. Now I remember why. Had fun and my friend was amazing, but just can't do these late nights and standing up for hours at a time.

And well you might feel virtuous strangeways! Apologies if I've asked you this before, but which buggy are you running with? Was investigating some online today for spring!

sfx, could this be the world's thread's first doll clothing related injury? Sounds nasty, hope it heals soon. I think having a go at the route would do wonders for your confidence.

encyclogirl not sure if I will be able to get to lidl tomorrow as working, damn work. I also worry that if I rest I will lose my ability to run. But I have just had a week rest as was feeling run down and crap. I did nothing, no gym which I normally do if injured. Did first run on monday and it was great, felt like the best one in a few weeks. Its helped that phobia a little that I might lose it if I rest.
oh dear Moshi and fanny hope you feeling better soon.
He not too bad today fanny but ticcing alot. They go away for a few weeks but always come back. Had parents evening tonight, besides attention span and biting etc she said he lovely boy and loves helping her do jobs in class. They also have a new foreign girl in class, bulagrian I think. She speaks no english and he has been very kind to her and keeps helping her.
Well done for running to the baby group strangeways thats hardcore.
Hat , you are very brave cows freak me out.
Sorry to hear of all the early deaths. My mum is 66, when she reached 64 she was the oldest anyone in her family and also anyone on my dads side had ever reached. But thats mainly down to cancer. My dad has had cancer but seems to be doing well now. So not good genes I'm afraid.
I went to gym tonight was on crosstrainer and it said my hr was 210 , but I didnt feel I was working that hard so carried on. Machine then stopped and said pausing workout and wouldn't let me carry on. When I stopped I could feel my heart pounding throughout my body but quickly calmed down. I asked the guy how accurate the hr is and he said pretty accurate, so told him it got to 210 then machine switched off. He laughed and said you would be on the floor if you got that high, the machines are not that accurate (even though he just said they were). Pre running I have I always been told I have a high hr, but 210 seems far too high. What do you all think? Is the machine being draft?

Strangeways well done for running to baby group, love it when you can incorporate a run into another part of your life like that.

Orange sounds strange about crosstrainer, maybe need to ask someone else in gym about it? Odd that it can be claimed to be "accurate" one minute and then "not that accurate" the next.

Sfx how is foot today. Look out for those random bits of dolls wear! I stood on the spike of an earring once, and had to pull it out of the heel of my foot which was a bit gross.

moshi and fanny sorry about ailments and hope both feeling a bit better today.

My dad died in 1989 at age of 65, hard to believe that if he were still alive he would now be 87. He never met DH, nor DSs. He loved the idea of the London Marathon, loved the fact that in the first one the 2 blokes joined hands as they crossed the line - and would have loved to have seen me do it.

I will be indulging in plenty of hills in SF which will be good for the stamina and strength as I think it is one area I am weak in. I can fly on a flatcourse but a course with too many hills eventually gets the better of me.

orange - ignore the HRMs on gym equipment. They are hugely inaccurate!

Not feeling great today after waking at 3am to the sounds of a Barbie we have based on Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz saying "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!" and "There's no place like home!". Once I found the collection of Barbies and identified the culprit, I was left wondering how to shut the thing up as it doesn't have an off switch. I contemplated throwing her out of the window but had visions of hearing her from the street. I eventually shoved her in the airing cupboard between the towels so all I heard was a muffled version of her moaning to Toto.

I then started feeling wheezy and ended up puffing on my inhalers for an hour or so which I haven't done in years. Am in bed now before I see the doc at 11am. I am trying not to think about whether Sunday is going to happen or not. I don't think I can bear the thought of months of training going down the pan (as the Americans say)...

So sad to hear of too many early deaths on this thread.

I'm lucky to have both my parents. My mum drives me crazy though, she's diabetic and completely cavalier about her health. Her attitude seems to be that the worst that will happen is a sudden heart attack, and that "when you go, you go." Apart from the fact that she's dismissing a heart attack as some kind of happy ending, she's completely ignoring the fact that she's just as likely to have a stroke or end up blind or with an amputation (she's already lost a fair amount of feeling in her feet due to nerve damage). It's very hard when you see someone you love failing to look after themselves.

Moshi good luck with the docs. Will be thinking of you at 11. I think if your doc suspects any kind of chest involvement you may have to prepare yourself for not doing it. I ran on Sunday with a niggling sore throat, but I was happy that my chest was (at last) clear. Any temperature? Yes, plenty of hills in SF (I'm seeing you now flying up those steps like Rocky does, although that's in Philadelphia? Boston? Not sure).

How's our poorly fanny this morning?

Sorry again to hear of all the early deaths. I have just been giving DP a mini lecture about nutrition and supplements for Ironman training next year so that he doesn't end up going overboard.

Now then, you lot, you've inspired me into entering .... THE CAMBRIDGE HALF MARATHON!!! I never thought I would be doing anything that had the word "marathon" in it. I can't quite remember at the mo who else has entered it? Perhaps we can all wear t-shirts saying LFDI?

I am a little cautious about the fact it's the first year, but it's organised by the company that does the Outlaw Tri, which has a great reputation for organisation, so fingers crossed.

Adding on the Cambridge half, and also the Blenheim Triathlon for next year, which I entered ages ago, but forgot to add

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
06/11/11 - Lancaster Half Marathon - Fannybanjo
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
22/01/12 - Four Villages Half Marathon (Helsby) - Fannybanjo
19/02/12 - Brighton Half marathon - Wheely
04/03/12 - Milton Keynes Half Marathon - pawsnclaws
11/03/12 - Cambridge Half Marathon - Futurity, Runnerstipple, Cherry (what have I done??)
25/03/12 - Edale Skyline - (21 miles. 4,500 ft climb) Hatwoman
10/03/12 - Blackpool Half Marathon - DrNortherner, Fannybanjo
01/04/12 - Reading Half-Marathon - RunningAllDay
22/04/12 - VLM: ibbydibby
29/04/12 - Shakespeare Half Marathon - FairyBasslet
27/05/12 - London Bupa 10K - Futurity
09/06/12 - Blenheim Sprint Triathlon - Cherry

Moshi good luck at the docs. The chest thing is a worry. All that training though...

orange I was there! Got some good stuff. Dunno bout the top so much, but the leggings were good. And I got some gloves.

I got out last night and did 4 miles up an incline. Ouch. We ran with a lady who trained with Sonya O'Sullivan, she was excellent. My 'injury' feels much better today too. Turns out I was stretching all wrong

Mother in Law arrives this evening for the weekend. Shoot me now

Stretching: I always knew how to stretch, and did so religiously after running, or so I thought until I started one-to-one sessions with my ballet teacher. Those dancers really know their bodies and I have learnt so much more about how to really stretch and address areas I tend to get tension. A session with her also obviates the need to see my chiropractor as I find a session of working on the problem areas releases the muscles so effectively that the skeletal system eases back into alignment without the need for any clickety-clicking.

Wheezing: My peak flow meter suggests my asthma is not the problem (good) but I am thinking my wheeziness must be attributable to something else then (bad)?

Hmmmm. Am hoping I can race on Sunday and release the YLFDT beast within.

Encyclo good luck with the inlaws. I feel your pain after last week's visit from my PILs. Just don't let her near the kettle if she's anything like my FIL!

Go go go cherry! So pleasing to see the race list continue to grow.

Cherry Hello fellow Cambridge half runner :) Whats the furthest you have run so far then? I am tempted by the Blenheim Sprint Triathlon but not exactly local for me and a bit much to get the whole family over there. If I start doing tri's I will start local I think and in swimming pools and build up to scary outside swimming

Stretching - reminds me that I must must must get my yoga mojo back. I haven't done it consistently for a couple of months, but it made such a difference, not just to general muscle flexibility (which you would expect) but also to my breathing. I always feel that doing yoga I'm breathing much more deeply and cleanly than I do generally.

I'm also prone to panicking a bit when I get short of breath while I'm running, and yoga helps calm that down.

Hi futurity, this race will be the furthest I have ever run - only done up to 10k now. I decided after my race last weekend that one of my life ambitions would be to do a marathon, preferably the London one, and so I think I need to do a few halfs to build up to it. According to the macmillan running calculator i would do a half marathon in 2 hrs 31 mins, but in reality I think my main aim will be to finish by hook or by crook.

Blenheim is a really good first time triathlon. I did the supersprint last year which is even shorter if you wanted a gentle introduction. As an event it's worth the trek, it's not really close to us to be honest. Kids would probably enjoy it as a big day out and there is even a kids triathlon for running/biking

As to outside swimming, I went to a couple of outdoor swimming lakes beforehand, and got myself used to face in the water. I think it's the cold that gets me more, it makes me feel like my lungs are shrivelling up!

Futurity a few friends here are entering next year's Blenheim event I think and we are further east than you...just trying to be gently encouraging! Admittedly they don't have young children though.

Am a bit that local-ish gal Chrissie Wellington received very little coverage over World Ironman win - her 4th - at the weekend. Her time for the marathon was 2hr 52m 41s - and that is after 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile cycle ride. Eye-watering stuff.

Paws, think there may be few eyebrows raised with YLFDT at Yoga (either that or they'd join in).

Managed a 6 mile LSR yesterday, though was sooo slow. Although my calf felt ok (touch wood) rest of that leg felt weird and stiff etc. So wondering if I have been walking on it differently. Hoping to make it to running club tonight, though DH will be out at work until 9pm at least so it depends on what sort of mood boys are in.

ibby that's amazing! What a woman Chrissie Wellington is.

Paws I love the idea of LFDT yoga! When yoga got scary...

Moshi fingers crossed for you getting well soon. We had a similar occurrence with a dentist Barbie. She was in a load of Barbies that a friend dumped kindly gave to us, so I didn't even know that any of them could talk (let alone make noises like a dentist drill ) I was well freaked out!

So I was at Lidl this morning and I bought a long sleeve top and a running hat. They are, as the lady at the till said, dead canny! So I'm going to have an early lunch and see how long a run I can fit in before going to get the girls. :) Happy Days!!

Morning!

Sitting on sofa catching up on the thread via phone while DD2 watches Diego.

I'm very mindful of health issues (awful to hear of so many early deaths here). My dad, despite having been an extremely fit young man (he was a para), is now 73, obese, diabetic and on a cocktail of drugs for all sorts - high blood pressure etc - I don't even know everything he has. Having had gestational diabetes, I'm mindful of that looming possibility and therefore must get my diet and weight in check. I also really need to start nagging DH to find time to exercise more. He plays badminton and goes for a stroll round the golf course (though I dont count that as exercise particularly) but could do with slimming down a bit. He also has a fairly stressful worklife and there is history of heart disease in his family. Freaked me out a bit hearing of some of your loved ones in their 30s and 40s having heart attacks

June, it was me who confessed to becoming a 'raceaholic', - I can see where the name faucet might have come from!

I seem to be struggling with enthusiasm this week a bit. Did 30 mins on treadmill on Monday as didn't have time for more in the end, then Tuesday I went out aiming for a 5 miler, just nice and relaxed. I use imapmyrun and for the first time the thing started talking to me (I must have changed some settings when I was messing) and telling me I had done my first mile in 11:22 minutes. Well, my inner competitiveness couldn't handle that, so I pushed on faster (a bit too fast for me really), resulting in me being done by 3 miles and not even that good a time. Walked home after that! Very disappointing.

Should have been out for a long one yesterday but just couldn't fit it in. I think I need to structure my training a bit more, and learn how to use my phone app to aid me better ie switch off the voice unless I have a specific desire to work on speed on a particular run. I think I have to be careful in not becoming too despondent about not improving as fast as I would like. Must get my head in order.

Moshi and Fanny - hope you're both feeling better and that Moshi gets to run at the weekend.

Oh and what's this ironing thing you're all on about? Sounds familiar but I just can't quite place it

Think I had better stop lurking and sign in here. Should have done it a few weeks ago as I did the Herts 10k on Sunday and kept wondering who Cherry was
It was my first 10k and I was reasonably pleased with my time (once the difference between gun and chip times had been explained)
Inexplicably though, according to the photos, I seem to run with my eyes shut - 10 out of 14 pics can't lie can they?

Now need to get my act together as I have signed up for the Silverstone Half Marathon in March - sadly the same day as Cambridge which I didn't know about. However I really want to run that circuit, no chance of doing it in an F1 car so this will have to do.

Off to Lidl now to see what I can find.