Runners United: Where we support each other through the good runs, the bad runs and everything in between.

[Themasterandmargaritas]

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
06/11/11 - Bonfire Burn 10K - Futurity
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
27/11/11 - Bicton Blister (10M) - RunningAllDay
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

Hi all ? it?s been a little while, I?ve had a break from running due to some knee problems, with heavy duty anti-inflamatories, and phsyio, so not run in about 6 weeks. I did follow the thread for a while, but found it really frustrating to hear about the running everyone else was getting done! Anyway, been given ok for starting again and seeing how it goes ? managed a short run with no pain which was a relief ? and did a (just) sub 25min 5km, which while it was on a treadmill, and not a real run, still felt pretty happy with that after such a long layoff. Just hope everything holds up ok, if not they are talking about having to have an op ? I?m only 34 I don?t want to start falling to bits just yet!

cherry you'll be fine. I remember before I started training for my first half I wondered how I would run past 7 miles. I just trusted the training plan and stuck to it by the letter and didn't have any problems as the miles increased. Only downside was that the training plan only went to 11 miles...now a days I make sure I do up to 13 as that helps me psychologically. As you said, sorting out the sponsorship will help as well.

Great photos Bumply! THanks for sharing...:)

Sonic great to have you back, though sorry to hear about your knee.

Cherry the running further thing is definitely a case of LFDT. I was explaining to the mums at the school gates why I was looking a little dishevelled (even more than usual!) yesterday and the non-runners did react with "11 miles?!" like I'd just climbed Everest, which I find slightly embarrassing because I'm not at all athletic. All I do is keep plodding along, thinking about ... nothing... sausages... ooh pretty leaves... nothing... and time just goes by. The more you do it, the more you can do it.

So much to catch up on, and it is only 4 days I think since I last posted...

Well done Squix and Wheely on doing GSR...hope you are both now fully recovered. Squix, good luck at running club. Really love the one I go to, have met all kinds of different people.

M&M sorry about your disappointment, what a bummer. Especially after all the training that goes into a HM.

Runnerstipple and others who have got a place in Olympic Park Run - well done. Am still waiting to hear either way about my application, as is DH. Rhet have you heard anything yet?

N4NNY Iceland trip sounds fab, am v envious.

Bunked off running club on Monday evening as had weirdy pain in left groin/top of left leg etc. So bad I had to take myself off to bed for a couple of hours on Monday afternoon/evening. Then went to London for work yesterday. Have gynae appt at hospital this afternoon, for closer look at cervical polyp, and hopefully removal (as if it is not removed today will be referreed for future referral). If it is removed this afternoon, my only question will be whether it is advisable to go running tomorrow evening or not! As it is running club tomorrow evening and don't want to miss another session.

2 of DH's friends doing a 20k this weekend. He originally said he was not interested. Changed his tune though when I looked at website of the event and read out the name in full. Turns out it is sponsored by local brewery, with associated goodies in post-race goody-bag. So this morning he announces he is going to enter. There are cheaper ways of getting a bottle of beer!

Great pics Bumply

Not sure what I think about when I run. Probably what to have for tea tonight.

bumply er, not everyone on here regularly runs 7 or 8 minute miles! I am more at the 10-11 min/mi end for easy runs -it suits me, I like it, I can do lots of miles that way, it means (mostly) that I am running aerobically. So don't worry about it - if you are a lifetime runner (or planning to me) speed on a given run shouldn't trouble you too much!

I could only dream of 7 or 8 mins miles pace! I think I managed 3 miles once at 8 min 50 ish pace and that almost killed me! I'm like Rhet in that I hover in the 10-11 for my LSR/easy runs. Running club has got me into the low 9 mins miles pace for faster runs (intervals and hill work) but can't imagine me sustaining that over a long period. If I can achieve a sub 1 hour 10K on Sunday then I have to run at 9:38....panic!!

at bumply: "Mostly I just enjoy not being in ear shot of DS1 and DS2". lawks how true that is. and how difficult. I had a night in London on monday. over half-term I (with slightly-out-of-character-diligence) washed dd's pe kit, put it back in her bag, put the bag in the cupboard where bags live, and TOLD her it was there. 8 am Tuesday morning I get a phone call....where's my PE kit. aaaaargh. listen in the first place; failing that, look; failing that ask your father who is in the same house as you, not 200 miles away...

running is the only escape.

my thought processes on runs are highly predictable.

1-2 miles: (the first mile or two is nearly always uphill): why am I doing this...I'm not actually enjoying this...this sucks

3-4 miles: (usually from the top of a hill) ooooo look at the view; blimey that's awesome; I'm quite lucky actually

5-6 miles: what would happen if I tripped and knocked myself out ... wonder if mountain rescue would come ... wonder if I'd be on Look North

6-10 ?? nothing

11+ that's enough now. I really want a cup of tea. like, really really. A nice warm cup of tea.

LOL Hatwoman ..that is similar to me apart from the hills!

Half marathon:

1-2 miles - Ok..get going..oops...too fast...slow down..too slow..bugger..just get on and relax woman
3-4 miles - that's better..I can do this...I am a runner...look at me how smug I am as I am running like a proper runner.
5-8 miles - nothing much..plod plod...
9 miles - bored bored..can't do this anymore..can I stop now..please...why am I running..what is the point?!
11 miles + - Why the f*ck didn't I train more than 11 miles!? Still another 2 to go..I can run 2 miles..I can do that in my sleep...not now I can't...I may walk..no I won't...they are walking next to me...I WILL NOT WALK...LFDI!

not sure if this will work but I think this is the link to my iceland pictures on facebook

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150437084265189.416819.639465188&type=1&l=f5a3a046e5

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150437084265189.416819.639465188&type=1&l=f5a3a046e5

Great photos! I feel cold just looking at them though....was it as cold as it looks? I could quite easily eat that sweetcorn though :)

futurity it was around 4*c most of the time so not too bad but when we were up at the waterfalls the wind was so strong it was almost knocking me to the floor that felt much colder.

pmsl at "look at me how smug I am as I am running like a proper runner." and
"I can run 2 miles..I can do that in my sleep...not now I can't...I may walk..no I won't...they are walking next to me..." running when all around you are walking is SOOOOO hard.

you have been amusing me when I dip in an attempt to shirk study, loving the mileage thoughts

bumply, like the photos, was it you asking about speed? I am very slow indeed struggle to get 10/11 but aim to improve a bit and would frankly be happy to go 9/10 as average

N4NNY great photos looks amazing, not to bring in sadder thoughts but how is work/ hunt for going? hope you are well

I have friends in Iceland and in Sweden, dh flat out refuses visiting anywhere with a possibility of cold weather said the boy born in Edinburgh and of solid Scottish stock, what would granny Ritchie say?!
I think his childhood in Singapore spoiled him

I am sticking to my new 10K plan to improve and achieve PB and today it said run 3K with fast bursts - ok then done

happy running

ooh sfx what is your aim on the 10k plan (or is it just get faster)? Tell your DH he can always warm up in one of those thermopools. I have Iceland envy now

N4NNY thanks for putting up the pictures, it looked absolutely fab. What a trip! Also I sent you a friend request (in case you were wondering who the ransomer was!). I'm not very good at FB, but I every so often I think I really should get going on it properly - pretty much half the world can't be wrong!

futurity PMSL!!

ransomer? I am not a kidnapper!! That was randomer, which spellcheck clearly doesn't approve of...

V amusing reading as I take a break from the fush pie I am making for my Kiwi dinner guests tonight. Pacing is difficult when starting out but one way to think about it is to focus on breathing and ability to chat. Full sentences is a nice easy pace (most of your runs should be like this), sentences broken with breaths is a bit more effort (tempo ie speed you can hold for an hour max) and then not able to speak is all out 5K effort. Start easy and ease into the higher effort levels with a cool down mile or half mile at the end.

Welcome back Sonic thats a good time after a break. Glad the knee better.
Rhet me too sometimes .
Vicar Im not up to that either but thought it looked like fun. I would love to do something like that but as I don't really like heights and have trouble just climbing to the top of the climbing frame at the park, much to the boys amusement, I don'y think it is likely to happen.
Hope your appointment goes ok ibby.
Great photos Bumply I can only dream of 8 min miles, infact I would be very happy with 9 but hey ho.
N4NNY those pics look amazing, although the room looked small.
Did 6 miles this morning, not my best run right from the start the legs felt they didn't want to work. But plodded on. The weather was a bit werid too, the sun was beating down and blinding me so wished I had my sun glasses and I was regreting putting on my winter runing pants my legs were really hot. Then every now and then a big gust of wind would come and made me feel like I was running backwards not forwards. Strange weather.

N4NNY - brilliant pictures of iceland and great photo's too Bumply.

Was planning on a recovery jog today but I have a cold and sore throat - first one of the year so not doing too badly so I think I'll have another rest day.

Hi all, not been on for a while so just trying to catch up... well a little bit from the last few pages rather than the 1,000+ posts I've missed!

Just had staggeringly long hours at work, plus moving house, plus sick kids (nothing serious) so have had little time to twitch let alone post. Plus, post HM in September have been struggling with running due to post race come-down/ nothing else in diary. Did 9 miles on Monday at my slowest pace per mile for the last year!

How's everyone doing? Peaches, you must be due sometime soon? Ditto your DP rhet? Moshi off to San Fran now it sounds? Lots going on, so much to catch up on.

Love the last posts about thoughts whilst running. Can absolutely relate to those.

Oh, and paws am now moving to north end of Harpenden later this month so will be almost neighbours! Might run into St Albans a couple of mornings a week as well to catch train into London from there and get early morning run in

Love the pictures N4NNY, thanks for sharing. Would really love to go to Iceland. Were they a nice crowd? Ie the parkrun people you went with?

Moshi is fush pie a Kiwi dish?

Now back from gynae appt, minus 4 polyps. One was "large" and needed "a lot of twisting". Was just a bit ungainly & uncomfortable, rather than painful. Feel a bit weak & wobbly, bit like post dental treatment (but at the other end obviously). Lovely nurse put me at ease. Signposting in hospital not good though, and did end up in urology at one stage.

Love all your running thoughts, and I'm hoping that I'm somewhere near you Futurity in Cambridge when you hit the LFDI moment. I'm hoping not to hit it before 10.5 miles, but I hereby faithfully promise I will say it out loud to see if I get an answering call from you or Cherry, or just a load of looks from anyone around me.

I just did a short 3.5 miler this morning (first one for nearly 2 weeks) and my thoughts were:

0 - 0.5 miles, phew got everyone to the right place at the right time with the right kit. Well done me. Garmin on, iPod sorted, sunglasses comfy. LFDI.
0.5 - 1 miles. Hmm, hip not too sore, this is good. Nice sunshine, am enjoying myself.
1 - 1.5 miles. I can run forever. God, I love running. Now, what speed would I need to run at to get a HM in less than 2.15? Can I lose half a stone before Christmas, and how much would that improve my speed?
1.5 miles. Bugger, where did that wind come from, I'm going backwards.
2 miles. Come on buggery traffic, hurry up and get out of the way so I can cross the road.
2.5 - 3 miles. I'm sure this hill wasn't that steep last time I went up it. Ouch, that hurts. I hate running, why am I putting myself through this? why didn't I just take the dog out for a walk.
3 - 3.5 miles. Oh, nearly there now, actually I feel okay. God, I love running, when can I next get out?

Glad your appointment went okay Ibby, hope you get a chance to put your feet up.

sniggers at running thoughts

N4NNY, I loved the photos! Iceland really reminds me of Scotland. Very rugged and wild. Any my, what a spacious room you had I love that church. When I went for New Year, that's where everyone went for the bells. Lots of very friendly people sharing champagne with us and letting off fireworks from empty bottles. They were whizzing past our ears and I was thinking "But what about Health and Safety!!!!"

Loved your photos too bumply!

Nice to see you mr Cest, sounds like you have a lot going on! Best of luck for the move. Yes, am due in er... 2 weeks and 2 days!

ibby, glad all went well today , you are very brave. Have a nice restfull evening. Did they advise anything on when you can run again?

sfx, I think you should tell DH to man up and get himself a massive parka! When we went to Stockholm, DP complained about the cold all the time, but then, he was inappropriately attired!

Haven't been out the house today except when taking suppurating pumpkin to the compost bin (nice) as very tired and conserving energy for last night out (probably ever!!) with book club tonight. Am going to be knackered and whinging tomorrow am sure. Just ignore me!