Runners United. C'mon let's be awesome at running in 2012!!

[peachLFDTsmuggler]

Will post the race list later on computer.
Come one, come all. We are a band of maverick posters who run, talk about running, and talk about other stuff, mostly life, large pants, and questionable children's artwork. Come and join us if you dare! Disclaimer: we are actually the friendliest thread on MN. Fact.

Morvern you are mental . The race near me is in Hampshire, sorry! It's called the Caesar's camp endurance run.

My class are doing a test at the moment and I'm bored! Sure there's something useful I could be doing but really can't be bothered. Was going to look on ebay for lego bases but it's blocked, grrr. Didn't used to be.

Need to fit in a run today or tomorrow but not sure when. Was going to do parkrun or a run in afternoon but one of my best friends is coming to see us tomorrow lunchtime and I have to get up at 5am on Sunday to take her to the airport so fancy a lie in tomorrow.

sonic I think your plan sounds good. I would check with the organisers what drinks they will be providing and at what stage, sipping little and often is generally best so I always carry water with me though you might find an energy drink better in the heat so you get some carbs/salt. And yes to a gel or a few sweeties too if you can tolerate them.

morvern those sound great, I don't think you can do London to Brighton alone (I mean it's set up as a team event) but you could check?

bonkers you're going to look fab. I've never been a bridesmaid.

Moshi the house looks beautiful. How are you finding the schools and social stuff?

Hello everyone, can I sneak in and join the thread please?
I'm very in awe of some of the distances some of you run! I'm a bit of a novice runner, I started last year with C25K and did a 5k R4L in June. I've carried on running since and signed up to the Bupa London 10K in May. I've run about 9.5km so far so nearly at race distance (that was before eating my own bodyweight in chocolate over Christmas though ).

My dog comes with me on my shorter 5km runs each week. If I'm doing a longer one I take a route which has no pavement and, as she is a bit unpredictable at times and would happily jump in front of a car just for a bit of fun, it's safer for her to stay at home.

As far as knickers go, I'm an M&S big pant girl for running (although I could be tempted to try others).

Waves to moshi - I'm loving your pics on Facebook - the one of the kids standing on the porch with 2 of them in uniform was the cutest! Glad everything seems to be working out! :)

Hi glitch, welcome to the thread! Good luck keeping up (I know I struggle). I'm a big pants girl, too.

I'm still undecided about this marathon. peach you're right about it being the time to fit the training in that's stopping me. I might start training for it with a view to entering it nearer the time if I think the training is going ok. I need to wait and see what's happening with this job first and it could be 6 weeks before I know anything!

Debi I hate the school intranet, everything I like is blocked. Must admit, I've never MN'd on the school computers though!!

Oh aye, speaking of FB, if you want to add me my initials are DM and the pic is of me on top of a hill in the snow with my snowboarding stuff on. I don't have that many of you on there...

hi, quick question - would any of you know, is it worth getting 5 issues of women's running for £5? I think I remember people talking about that publication in the past...

found you backward. To lots of new FB friends :) - Feel free to ignore my VLM pleadings. Thanks to wonderful friends and family I have just about got to my 80% required target of £2,000 with weeks to spare. Actually feel very moved & quite tearful about that but it is a massive weight off my mind and means I can just focus on the training from now on .

Alma hi! don't you live in the SW? any hints on good places to run? We have some friends in Tiverton, Devon we will catch up with while down there.

very sluggish run this morning - but I've run 3 days in a row on at best 6 hours sleep a night...and any good has been undone by the arrival of a plate of delicious chocolate brownies. Yum.

The sec at running club just sent me this link to a free running mag www.runningfreemag.co.uk/

www.marathontalk.com has a free podcast which is quite entertaining. There is also the Jantastic motivational challenge where you can "rival" people.

Ooh and club have also given me a heads up about this race:what do you think? It fills in 24 hours apparently.

My club also do a beach race themselves but it's in December

Hi ange :)

sticky I have a subscription to that magazine and I really like it.

sonic, I'd check what the organisers are providing as shredme says as is good to be able to top up when you're going round. People are always different in terms of hydration and energy needs but I think generally for HM distance you can get by pretty well on energy/ isotonic drinks which hydrate you, keep your salts up and give you glucose. Think that glycogen depletion starts getting a bit more hectic as you get to 20 miles or so but it absolutely depends on the person. Only thing I'd say is that it's definitely worth having a few test runs with any new drinks or gels first to see how they sit in your stomach...!

Hi glitch and welcome to the thread. You're almost at 10K distance already then... should be in great shape come May for the Bupa 10K (which I've heard is a great race)

morvern I think there's a separate London to Brighton ultra in September time still? You can definitely do that as an individual. You can also do the one in May as an individual but think you need to run with their support team pacers when it's dark. Sounds like you've got a ton of experience! 50 miles, bloody hell!

Good work getting out for 3 runs rhet, especially on 6 hours sleep... I think you DESERVE the chocolate brownies... all of them!

Did anyone else get out running this morning? Was absolutely stunning. Managed to find a new route into work without getting lost, though admittedly I had (geekily) written down main directions on a piece of paper to avoid getting lost. Managed to fit in 10 miles at about 8.15m/m on new route and still be in work at a sensible time! Hoorah. Good start to the day!

Happy running y'all

Angechica - I am in the South West! I just run round town although there are quite a few cycle paths near me that I'm looking forward to trying in better weather (Tarka Trail, Granite Way) and lots of people use various routes on the moor. There's a Park Run at Killerton House (National Trust) which is reasonably close to Tiverton - I haven't run it yet but Killerton's lovely and the grounds are gorgeous. I imagine there's a good few runs in Exeter (the river has some good spots, we used to do cross country there at school!) and Tiverton has a canal that I imagine would have some good running routes.

I was really hoping to go out today but I still have quite a high fever Getting very fed up now.

It's my birthday next week and I'm wondering what to ask for - does anyone think it's worth asking for a subscription to Runner's World magazine or something? I was toying with asking for one but not sure if it's relevant to a novice or if all info is on the web anyway now. Or are there any other good running gifts people can think of? I think I have most things but not sure.

cheers ange. Gel wise - moshi ages ago recommended these. I found a place doing an offer on them and now I'm on my second box. They're great, don't have a weird consistency like some do and don't require water to go with them. I really like them, I think I just misunderestimated how far 17 miles was! I did a 14 miler before Christmas and felt fine. It's all learning to see how your body copes I guess. How is your training going - sounds like you're on a tough schedule? That race looks wonderful - have you seen the reviews on RW? I only read the first few, everyone was very gushing!

Alma I used to live very near the Tarka Trail! Have you explored the Two Moors way? That's runnable as an ultra. I did it as a sponsored walk around a million years ago, but some of the lads ran it. I only dip into my brother's RW when he brings it (cheapskate), the articles are very interesting I think.

cest that was a great run in a great time - and all before you started working for the day - phew!

Thanks possom, seemed like a bit of a deal, so am tempted!

rhet I love the way chocolate brownies just "arrived" with you... you helped them achieve their chocolate brownie destiny. On brownies, wonder how Fanny's doing. Keeping it all in I hope!

oh meant to say alma hope you get well soon. Sounds very nasty, whatever you have :(

T'was lovely this morning Cest. I did 6.6 miles along the seafront with my new best friend smartphone and endomondo app. Most excited to get home and review my stats online [geek emoticon].

Welcome to all newbies! Sorry I'm on phone so can't name check and I need to get on laptop tonight and catch up properly on thread - I've neglected it since back on Facebook...

cest getting your mojo back I see! Well done - good run.

For those not on FB - did my 22 miles. Fine until mile 20 then my legs just struggled hugely. Not sure whether it's just the distance or nutrition during run. Did it in 3hr 23 mins - average pace 9.14m/m. Last mile was horrendous - real test of endurance for me but I'm chuffed I've done it.

Shred have sent you FB request - I'm SS. I have also received one from AJ - is that you Ange?

Ange love the look of that run you posted a link for. Was up there in August.

Alma get well soon.

No running for me today, but like cest, weather is gorgeous here. Did several 800m & 1k runs last night with running club. notched up 5.5 miles so was pleased with that, as was hard going in wind.

Has anyone read parkrun newsletter this week? There was one from the person who instigated our local one, she had run in her first 10k on NYD and was saying how nice it was that lots of other runners & spectators had supported her along the route, calling out her name etc. Felt quite chuffed as I was one of those cheering her on.

sticky I have a sub to Women's Running too and really like it - I find it pretty motivating although sometimes the articles don't feel they've gone into quite enough depth. But at 5 for a fiver you can't go wrong.

I was at school near the Tarka Trail and we used to have cross country runs across Exmoor. My parents are still that way and I managed to find the only flat bit of Exmoor to run on when I was down there at Christmas. You literally run with one foot in Somerset and one foot in Devon along the county border with a fantastic view across to the sea.

bonkers great dress. Have a fantastic time.

Debi what was the schedule you found, I've got about 9 weeks to go until Cambridge and haven't done more than 4.5 miles for months as I've been trying to rest my hip. Its feeling pretty ok now so its time to step it up.

No running today, but managed a slow 3.4 miles yesterday with a friend who hasn't run for a few weeks. Am planning a five miler for the weekend.

Hello mind if I join you too. I have been lurking for a while now and my this hilarious thread moves quick!

I have been running for a year now and started only been able to run 5 minutes before walking. I gradually improved and ran 2 races last year a 10k and 10mile and am currently training for a half. This thread has hugely helped motivate me and has some great tips as instead of what I was doing i.e trying to run faster and further on every run (and killing myself) I now have a training plan.......and an old garmin! Will add my races to the list later (DS2 has awoken from his nap!)

Hi all, welcome newbies and lurkers!

No run for me today, well maybe a brief trot with the dog tonight. Did my double shred earlier. Knackered by lack of carbs but have lost 3.5 lbs since Tuesday.

Planning a longer run tomorrow, haven't done more than 8 for weeks. It's amazing how quickly a longer distance seems intimidating, less than three months after a marathon and 10 sounds a lot . Gotta give myself a good ole boot up the proverbial!

Oh and who was asking about iron? I suffer very badly from anaemia - I've found Feroglobin the best (syrup).

fannybanjo - it was tough, your 22-miler, but you were tougher, brilliantly well done.

the northumberland coastal race looks fabulous - i know a few folk who have done it, well worth entering ...

cestlavie - i'm off to check out london to brighton in september, thanks for the tip.

time for a run before it gets dark ... ps alma you could perhaps ask for a few race entry fees for your birthday - much more fun and more motivating, perhaps, than a magazine subscription?

Yes, cest gorgeous day here too - 5 lovely muddy miles in the sun this morning, then went for a stroll with my jetlagged DH this afternon which turned into 8 miles. Got the sore bum thing again this evening.

Morvern do you run the whole way in those superlong runs or do you walk bits? And how far is your longest training run? Am thinking about making the move from just walking to walk/running for WF50, but am seriosuly worried about shoes! Do you wear trainers, trail shoes, or hiking shoes, or a hybrid thing? And if you run/walk, what is your balance of running to walking? Sorry, am v nosey curious.

Shred it was me. Hate anaemia. And hate iron. Shall try the syrup as the tablets result in black rabbit pellets have undesired bowel effects. Have started Bassets 'Daily Energiser' tablets and even if it only placebo, I feel better already!

Well done fanny on the 22 miler. And great pace, as always! Hoping to build back up to 18 miles in the next fortnight, so I have time to fit in some 20 and 22 milers before my marathon. I seriously wish I had more time - Xmas was so badly timed this year.

Alma we love the Granite Way, especially with the kids. Bout an hours drive for us (we're near Ottery, towards Honiton), but worth it to get some flat! The walking in your part of Devon truly wonderful. sticky love th idea of the Two Moors as a run. Actually, love the idea as a walk - with nice pub inns at night Did the Killerton parkrun as a cycle with the kids and it was pretty hard - part of it is across a grassy field and a lot is on tracks.

beautiful dress possum; you have a very kind bride!

Finally sonic I used to run in the tropics and REALLY struggle with hydrating. Definitely take fluids with you, and I think someone suggested gels - they seem to do the job with me and don't result in needing a wee!

runnerstipple we must have been at school quite close to one another! Very of you running on Exmoor. Some random old rocker was on the telly the other night, but behind him you could see he had a house overlooking Woody Bay. It's so very gorgeous down there.

ibby you were appreciated, clearly! Our local park run office sent a link to some idiot person who had called on running clubs to boycott park runs lsat year, did you see that? The comments after it were overwhelmingly in favour of park run. I do think it's a wonderful thing, I'm always telling more people to come down and have a go. Should be meeting up with a newbie tomorrow morning, so hope she enjoys it.

fanny well done! Interesting jaffa cake/percy pig discussion there on FB. I'm partial to a jaffa cake myself - perhaps I should get a running backpack and fill it with tesco value jaffa cakes. I'm sure I'd enjoy it if nothing else!

Hello justoneminute sounds like you've made great progress in a year!