Help to get over the finish line

[Idocrazythings]

Ive started this for all of us crazy enough to sign up for a race and then needing a little support and motivation with ongoing training up to the race. :-)

Hi - this thread is just what I need! Am doing the GNR in September and reality/fear is beginning to dawn on me! Have been running for 14 months now and generally run 3 times a week 5km to 10km - have done three 10km races. I know that I will soon need to up my distances and follow a plan . As I only run what other kind of cross training would be most beneficial? Do have a gym membership but can't remember the last time I went....

Hi Rassey and Golemmings, I'm in the same boat- I did the C25K program last year- and just loved it!, and most of the bridge to 10. I've also done a 5km, 10km and 12km fun run and thats about it. The momentum and excitement of last year got me all signed up for the GNR at the beginning of the year, (so lucky to get a place) but as we have just had a massive move, I really haven't done a lot of exercise this year- LOTS and LOTS of walking though. This thread is great- I'm so glad so many people have written on it so far .

Because of it the thread, I have found out about and registered for park run. I will give it a go, maybe in 3 weeks time. (looking at the results though- poeople run pretty fast at them- so I'm a bit scared!) I think I might just have to get the Shred DVD too, and clear out the boxes in the room which has already become the "junk room", and turn it into my room of exercise torture!

Idocrazythings - I'm not based in the UK, and there aren't parkruns where I live. I did one a few weeks ago when I was visiting my parents and there were some very speedy people, but there were also plenty in the middle/back jogging along. I did C25K last year, but I've never managed 5K in 30 mins. The strangest thing for me was that the organised runs I usually do are of several thousand people, and it takes a few minutes to get to the start line. It felt very odd to be lining up with only a couple of hundred others!

I got new shoes today, looking forward to trying them out tomorrow

Idocrazy-ive been doing parkrun for a few months and i was worried about being last too!,

But-the parkrun resluts are publishedonline so you will be able to see there is quite a range. At our local one there are super fast 16 minuters and 45 mins at the end with most people between 20-30 mins. Lots of people with kids /buggies/dogs and beginners run about 35 mins.

There is always a tailrunner so you will never be last! Anyway The runners/walkers at the end are often fighting the biggest battles eg overcoming health problems, big weight loss etc so deserve the biggest applause IMHO

Remember its not a race, its just a timed run. You are only running against yourself . Pllease let us know how it goes

Yeah - the parkrun is a real mix of abilities.

There are the 'proper' runners - some do it in 15 mins. grr.....

And then the later finishers come in at 40/45 minutes. It is for everyone. I have worked my way up from - iirc 36 minutes down to 31 minutes. So it is good to get your speed up. I go on longer runs alone, but my time is always quite slow - at least doing parkrun makes one concentrate on speedwork.

Ihave volunteered to marshall acouple of times too. they are always in need of helpers. It is a good way to become part of the team too.

This parkrun thing sounds interesting, must have a look and see if there is one by me.

So jealous of all you GNR-ers. I just had the best time doing it, although did find it very emotional seeing all those people running for the causes that meant so much to them. I am like that though... I can't even watch the marathon. I'd love to do it this year but we already had other plans for that weekend.

No running for me today... spin and cx works tonight and either long run or some hill reps tomorrow morning depending how I feel then.

Just got back from shopping for new running shoes.

I got a lovely pair - pink New Balance shoes. V pretty - and more importantly they feel like they will do the job.

Was in the shop ages - and the sales assistant was v helpful. Had to do the running on treadmill thingy - v interesting.

So - am planning a 10k in the local area tomorrow - will test -run my shoes and see if they improve my performance :)

Oooh supernanny what did they tell you about your gait? I'd be fascinated to see if you think the prescribed trainers make a difference. I've ummed and ahhed about going and getting mine done so many times but eventually always balk at the cost and go and get a new pair of asics!

Just got back from a nice 10k, although quite frankly its going to take 100k to burn off the amount of cake I've eaten this week. DH birthday tomorrow and I made a cake for him yesterday, so there was all the bowl licking... then I burnt the cake so had to (a) eat a fair chunk of the non burnt bits and (b) bake another one (more bowl licking). And we haven't even started the celebrations yet...

DrSocks - deffo worth you getting your gait checked out. When I started running a couple of years ago I had some New Balance trainers that gave me awful blisters (they were fine for walking/pottering in). When I got my gait checked I was told that I had high arches and a neutral gait (I apparently don't pronate), and so needed a different kind of shoe. I'm now on my third pair of Sauconys - in fact I got new ones on Sunday because my old ones had begun to lose their bounce and my knees were hurting. I took the new ones for a spin yesterday and they felt fab!

Once you know what sort of trainers suit you, you can look on ebay or Amazon for discounts. The running shop I use is very good at telling you if they have a pair on sale, or if they still have last season's version which is usually cheaper.

It could be, of course, that asics are right for you (I tried a pair on Sunday but they didn't feel quite as comfy as the Sauconys).

Glad you had a good run today, and to cake.

I would definitely recommend getting your gait checked. They make you run on a treadmill in 'neutral' shoes - and film theway your feet hit the surface. My ankles kind of go in wards as I run. I wouldn't have thought that as I tend to walk a bit like a duck, feet out. But anyway - it can cause all kinds of issues. I have been suffering abit of a hip prob recently, which I put down to genetics and age -but the guy in the shop said it very well could be due to my shoes not being up to the task any more.

I had my gait checked when I bought the first pair of proper running shoes, but I learnt a lot more this time around.

I have a 6 miler planned for this afternoon with a running buddy - so I will swee how the new shoes fare. :)

Oh, I got them from Sweatshop - v helpful. Ifyou donate your old pair - they send them to some charity (forgot who) and you get £5 off your new pair. i kept mine though -just in case I get blisters or whatever from the new shoes. I only have 3/4 weeks to get some serious mileage in.

New shoe report:

They were great. I don't think they made it any easier - I was still huffing and puffing - but no rubbing or anything.

And even after 6 miles around the country lanes they look brand new on the soles - no dirt!! That makes me happy

You've inspired me. Today I made a start on the 5to10k programme.

I had a major technology fail so rundouble which. has the programme on it failed to record any stats and I forgot to start mapmyrun until the second interval so I estimate I did 5k or a little over in about 40 mins but it was pretty hilly. Coming off the trail and onto the flat roads felt astonishingly good, and fast too.

Mostly it just felt good to be back running again after a pathetic few weeks of going out about every 10 days.

Ive just got back from boot camp and I plucked up the courage to tell the instructor my GNR aspirations (mainly because of this thread!) he's going to look at the half marathon app I've downloaded and help me tailor it. I definitely have to get regular runs in now though .

Nice to hear about all the new shoes! I'd love some new ones but my husband is still in a bit of shock from the last pair I bought so might hold on a few more months!- I've just upgraded my sports back pack though from a spare Dora back pack to a lovely adult looking one!!

Ran 6 miles yesterday afternoon then
6 miles this morning (in pouring rain...)

I am a bit tired now

Will have a rest day tomorrow. But the new trainers are great!!

But are the soles still clean?

< wonders what kind of country lanes they have where you live >

kristina

Soles are still pretty clean - they must like resist dirt or something?

Anyway - I have just been compiling my Just Giving page for my Half. Once sponsors have committed ££ then I willhave to complete the race won't I :)

Having a rest day today - as Tues and Weds - 10K each time. I think I need a day off. Have lots of cleaning to do though le sigh...

HOw is everyone else doing with running? Grim weather in the UK - it doesn't make one want to bounce out of the door in the pouring rain...

ive just seen this page and thought id say hi. Im doing the Virgin London Marathon this sunday and im getting a bit nervous!! ive got a torn ligament which will slow me down, and although my doc has said its fine to run if i can suffer the pain, lots of people have told me i shouldn't... but ive decided to go for it anyway!

very excited though and have been getting my sponsorship. Anyone else doing Sunday??

Ooh juicychops that is exciting. I am v jealous of all those running this Sunday. I applied and (luckily) was rejected. ;) I don't know if I will ever have it in me to run so far. Am signed up for a half in a few weeks- and that is going to be achallenge.

Be careful though - wrt your injury.

I will be watching on the tellybox.
x

im not sure if i have it in me either! but ive trained hard and am determined to get to the finish line even if i have to crawl there! good luck with your half marathon - you can do anything you put your mind to. the mental challenge is a big part of it as well as the physical side

Good luck juicy

Best of luck Juicy!. We are hoping to go down (weather permitting) and cheer runners on, so I'll put in some extra cheers for you

Oooh good luck Juicy for Sunday!

Oh wow Juicy - super good luck, what an amazing thing to do. Will you come back afterwards and give us a full breakdown of how it went?

Had a bit of a slacker week this week, and am on holiday next week so not sure that will be much better! 6 miles on Tuesday morning, then a quick 3 miles and spin class tonight. Was meant to do body pump as well but spin was with one of those teachers who likes to go round turning up the resistance so I was completely cream-crackered. Plan is for 10 mile plus (see how I feel) tomorrow morning and then body pump. Hope the rain stays off this week!

thanks guys Il defo come back here Monday and let u know how Sunday goes. Got my number and timing chip today so its getting exciting now!

I've managed 3 x 4 milers this week, and have a 4 mile race on Sunday. DS2 is running the kiddy race and has his own tee shirt and bib . I'll be thinking of you juicy!