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

Morning all, sorry to hear some of you are still in the grip of S-G. I feel like I'm on the verge of yet another cold, though that could be because ds3 had me awake from 3.30 until I gave up any hope of sleep and got up at 6.30.

Look away now fanny ...... had a nice gentle 6.5 miles yesterday, calf twinging but much improved. I'll give it another week of gentle running and walking before I start my next programme!

Half term here for two weeks, and DH is in Amsterdam for work. Sigh.

Just saw your posts on t'other thread strangeways, and piff, well done both of you!!! The Aviemore 10k sounds lovely!

Sorry about the sick kids everyone. God paws, that sounds brutal! Have you got anything planned? Maybe, jump on a cheap flight to Amsterdam and give DH a surprise!!

Saying that possum - mine hasn't caused me a problem either! Could it be that the race organisers have it wrong as surely hills etc don't make any difference to length of race?

I've just sent a FB request to someone who seems to be friends with everyone else but I missed out before..so if you get a random person with a medal as a photo messaging you...that's me!

Here?s my race report ?.. After a bit of a last minute decision to run (following on from Shitgate) and trying to juggle DH?s and the children?s activities I whizzed off to Stratford leaving DH in charge of all three cherubs for the second day running! I normally get very nervous before any race and because it was a bit last minute I managed to avoid the usual bout of nerves, which in itself was unnerving IYSWIM.

I got to the leisure centre, registered, went to the loo three times before walking the quarter mile to the start at the bottom of the Welcombe Hills. I mosied around, did a bit of a warm up, checked out that the hills were as steep as I remembered, found a bush for yet another pee and then it was time to line up. The first 500 yards were quite pleasant, across a field, slightly downhill ?. then the up started, quite steep but okay, then a steep down followed by a flippin? steep up which was quicker to walk! Then some more ups and downs and the first mile done. I was next to a woman who, while I admired her determination, was grunting rather alarmingly! I was quite pleased to leave her behind as she was a bit off putting.

The next part was a nice flattish (in that there were no hills but very bumpy underfoot) run along the top of the hill before dropping down to Clopton House. A lovely down, which could only mean one thing, getting back up. This up was a long one and again I had a short walking break. Then another long down back to the start ?. so I could do the whole thing again. I picked up a drink here, but instead of stopping to drink it tried to down it while running and nearly drowned myself. The second lap was less busy than the first as everyone had stretched out so I found myself running alone, and it seemed it was me who was now grunting alarmingly. In fact I reminded myself of giving birth to DS - eeek! I was pushing it as I really wanted to try and beat my 57 minutes I completed in when I ran this 3 years ago. I now know why my arms and shoulders ache so much as up the last hill I started flapping my arms wildly while chanting LFDT in my head over and over in an effort to maintain any forward momentum. The last long down was brilliant, I just let gravity take me and felt like I was flying (so much so a bit of wee came out ) and I tried a bit of a sprint to the line - Fan-bloody-tastic!! Why is it as soon as you finish you want to do it again!!

I checked my watch and it said 51.10, now that was a surprise! The Garmin measured it short as 5.6 miles, but the course was exactly the same as 3 years ago so I know I have a PB over the course . I have measured it using Mapometer and it came out at 6 miles so something?s not right somewhere. I am not sure I dare believe I ran 6 miles over that terrain in that time because that would be a PB and I have run some pretty flat 6 milers/10k?s in the past. Mind you the official results aren?t up yet so I might be completely wrong with the time .

There was no time to stop and bask in my achievement, I whizzed back to meet DH grab the kids, take DD1 to a party and DD2 and DS swimming, which was rather nice once we got in the pool (after DD had a goggle trauma) to swish about and relax.

I now need to find a nice flat 10k to check my pacing and see if I can get a proper PB ....

Strangeways that sounds like a great race, good work over the hills

I have come to the conclusion that we have chanced upon a new breed of cyber bugs because I spent most of the night hunched over the loo with a tummy bug. So no work for me today, and thank god ds is at nursery. Still, nothing like getting into the true spirit of the new thread title, eh?

Oh btw if anyone has seen my period due over a week ago, could they send it my way? Thanks .

strangeays, what s great race report, and a brilliant achievement!

cherry, sympathies on continuing shitgate/pukegate. Now who was the outbreak monkey.....Fanny!!!!!!

paws, any chance you could be...gulp...up the duff?

No chance peach, sadly, I think it's more likely I'm getting to the end of my reproductive days .

Goodness Paws, er... what Peach said.... any chance?!

Oh Cherry not you now? What on earth is going on with this cyber bug?! Hope you feel better soon.

Super race report strangeways and a great time on a hilly course. I loved the image of you flapping arms like a bird to get up hill. I too used the LFDT mantra during the last 10K of my marathon. And anything else I could think of I was hurting so much...

Great report strangeways and well done on great time on what seemed a tough course. My Garmin had GNR at 13.25 miles and even someone on BBC mentioned that everyone else's did too. Not sure who to believe, Garmin or Race organisers!

Yes, I know, I know, you'll all blame me for fannying you all. Hope you're better soon paws and peach have you got over yesterday's little rendezvous with Le Bog?

Moshi . Race report please. We are all waiting for MoshiFarah to speak of this marathon were, in her words, the wheels stopped turning, but she managed it in a wheels stopped turning time of 3hr 15. Come on, you must be cockahoop today! .

strangeways - great report and well done - mucho respect on what sounds like tricky hills.

5 miles on the teadmill for me today - ages since I've run indoors, did intervals and the main difference seemed to be that it seemed to take ages. Although I can see how much easier it is to run at a particular pace.

Sorry sorry guys. I am frantically doing admin as we leave for San Fran on Wednesday and I am delivering The Dog to my sister tomorrow which means today is the day I have to sort things out for the next week or so including letting the house and other boring ancillary things. How about I post my splits so you can laugh at how the wheels fell off at 21 miles? Then you can discuss at your leisure....

Let's see your splits then...I bet your wheels coming off speeds are probably way faster than my normal speed :)

Here you go. It is a terrible reminder of how you can't assume anything with a marathon. I did 6x20M, 1x23.5M and 1x24M in training but still suffered at the end. I think I might do more MRP runs next time to accustom myself to running on tired legs and also pushing myself when in fat burning mode (ie unfueled LSRs).

3:15:25 (7:25m/m). Split Summary

1. • 1m - 7:29(7:29/m) - 86cal
2. • 1m - 7:03(7:03/m) - 87cal
3. • 1m - 7:16(7:16/m) - 87cal
4. • 1m - 7:18(7:18/m) - 87cal
5. • 1m - 7:10(7:10/m) - 87cal
6. • 1m - 7:08(7:08/m) - 87cal
7. • 1m - 7:19(7:19/m) - 87cal
8. • 1m - 7:08(7:08/m) - 87cal
9. • 1m - 7:09(7:09/m) - 87cal
10. • 1m - 7:14(7:14/m) - 87cal
11. • 1m - 7:15(7:15/m) - 87cal
12. • 1m - 7:17(7:17/m) - 88cal
13. • 1m - 7:12(7:12/m) - 87cal
14. • 1m - 7:12(7:12/m) - 86cal
15. • 1m - 7:17(7:17/m) - 88cal
16. • 1m - 7:18(7:18/m) - 87cal
17. • 1m - 7:14(7:14/m) - 88cal
18. • 1m - 7:15(7:15/m) - 86cal
19. • 1m - 7:21(7:21/m) - 88cal
20. • 1m - 7:23(7:23/m) - 88cal
21. • 1m - 7:34(7:34/m) - 88cal
22. • 1m - 7:44(7:44/m) - 88cal
23. • 1m - 7:51(7:51/m) - 88cal
24. • 1m - 8:05(8:05/m) - 88cal
25. • 1m - 8:19(8:19/m) - 88cal
26. • 1m - 8:13(8:13/m) - 88cal
27. • 0.35m - 2:41(7:42/m) - 30cal

Wow! Just Wow! You are amazing!

But yes...I can see how your times slowed (by a teeny tiny amount) in the last few miles which has obviously bothered you...still flipping amazing though!

Moshi, awesome splits. Can obviously see the difference after 20 miles, but still in awe of your speed even then, well done ma'am!

Youre not leaving permanently on Wednesday ate you???

squix, how's the arm now?

paws and an unmumsnetty hug to boot!

Fanny, I have recovered, Le Bog will never becthe same I fear...

Goodness me, well done Moshi! if that's the wheels coming off just imagine Moshi Full Throttle!

Great though, as it shows you have even more potential notwithstanding an amazing performance yesterday. What position did you come in - there can't have been many women in front of you?

I think you're right too about the extra stress of a marathon. There's no denying that no matter how much you've trained those last few miles really really hurt. It takes a lot of mental strength to push on past that pain. Don't mess with The Moshi!

moshi great splits - I really admire the consistency of your pace over 20 miles - I find it hard to keep my running steady even over short distances. Great achievement, especially with everything else going on in your life.

I am having a shit day (but not in the same sense as most of you); spent most of the morning with DP at the hospital as she hadn't felt much movement (and this girl is normally super active), but all is well - she clearly had just moved a bit. Good heartbeat and movements kicked off once we got there. Then buses were all fucked up (this is why I normally cycle), then bought coffee and dropped it, then tripped over my own chair in the office; now it is howling winds and driving rain (so leaving bike behind a blessing in disguise). I'm tired...and really not enjoying my job at the moment.

I take it that stickylittlefingers didn't get to her race :( as we haven't heard.
strangeways great report, great time, well done.

I am very excited about my improvers class - I think that clearly my training isn't doing much for me (I've seen little pace change in 10 months, despite lots of miles) and that I need a kick up the bum. The class also provides training plans, so I'm aiming for 5k and 10k into the spring, working up to a couple of halfs in the summer. I think I might want to do the Dublin marathon in October...

gotta go, students waiting

moshi great splits and an amazing time. And you have so much going on at the moment. You are amazing!

Oh Rhet poor DP. Thank goodness all is well. These babies do like to scare us don't they. Have a virtual homemade scone with jam and cream (just out of the oven, how bad am I?)

Seriously considering Dublin too, it's the right time of year and greyness/drizzle is very attractive to me. DH is all for it, though he regards the running element as an unnecessary complication.

Wow, ShitGate really is the gift that keeps on giving isn't it? Truly grim.

hello all

very sorry for assorted ailments and funny tummies
healing vibes heading your way

paws I hope the blasted things shows up soon

strangeways fab report and your attitude to hills is so chilled I am sure the PB on flat will be great
piff well done to you too

moshi I am sorry you were slightly disappointed, but you seem to have learnt something, while the rest if us can only stand in awe, Farah indeed was reading that he does a 5K under 16min and will try his hand at Marathons after 2012
should be interesting

I am sure I missed people, so sorry for that

I went out for a walk this morning around Richmond park which included some running, some deer spotting and a lot of thinking, it was quite a nice way to start the week

happy running alll

and btw moshi is that for good? feel oddly bereft this online community thing is very odd

Great splits Moshi - Wow !! Getting a full race report from my bro this evening.... But he did ask how if I knew how you were this morning when I text him to see how he was . Good luck sorting.

Strangeways - great race report. Well done - sounds hilly - urgh It is disconcerting when you measure a race shorter. My last.. in fact onkly 10K ... race I've done I measured short (can't remembernow as it was a year ago but 9. something) I wasn't v. experienced and was hoping for 55 mins. Did it in 50 mins something but even now am not sure if that's a true 10K PB because I measured it short !! And don't want to do another in case I don't do so well even though I am now more experienced .

rhet - sorry you've not had a good day but pleased all turned out ok. V. worrying when that happens. Not long now.

Sorry to hear people are still ill... hoping all improves soon and you get your ironing done fanny

Now fanny look away - I had a lovely run this morning. Blue sky etc. Planned 10K, had a bit too much red wine last night so didn't expect too much. I ended up doing about 7 miles, not particularly fast, but just because it was enjoyable. So, to go along with a Help me jesus run and a LFDT run I think we should have 'That's Why I Do It' run. They don't happen enough sometimes... and its been a couple of weeks for me since the last one.

Wow Moshi, and I admit to a little ironic chortle that you were disappointed, it's all relative eh? I know you are busy, but please tell us your position.

Paws, come find me the 'I think I may be peri menopausal' thread from yesterday, misery loves company.

Excellent report strangeways, flying down the hill is so satisfying isn't it?

Here Rhet have a large . Tomorrow will be better.

I have done 7km this evening with my 13mile tired legs from yesterday and was pleased to see i was a bit faster than last time, just a tiny bit, but every little bit counts doesn't it??