Is there a general running thread?

[Sirzy]

I am pretty new to running (started in Septmember) but have some pretty ambitious targets in 2014 (10k and half marathon) so looking for other runners to advice, kick up the backside and generally chat about all things running.

I have seen a few couch to 5k threads but I didn't get on with that so can't use those threads so thought a thread for all runners whether they are new to it or experienced runners would be good?

[MerryBuddha]

I am over the moon with happiness, also managed to raise over £400 for the NSPCC, so feeling proud of myself!

[Sirzy]

Fantastic Merry!


So what races are you all planning next or have you not thought that far ahead?

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

Great fundraising Merry.

Funny you should ask Sirzy...I am doing a 10K next weekend with a parkrun chum and her daughter. Another MNer is doing the half marathon at the same event, so I am hoping to see her.

And I met a really nice lady today when we were waiting for the bus back to the start - turns out she lives a couple of streets from me - who told me about a local marathon series in the summer - it starts with a 5 mile on the Friday night, an 8.1 mile trail run on the Saturday and a HM on the Sunday, over the midsummer weekend. I'm really tempted.

And there's the Huntingdon Easter run fishandjam posted about, and I want to do some more parkrun tourism...

[Sirzy]

Keeping yourself busy then!

The marathon series sounds fun but knackering!

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

The Great Eastern in Peterborough. Haven't registered yet but don't think it gets full. Ran 11.5km this morning so just starting to believe I can do 20k.

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

Brilliant, Merry!

[Fishandjam]

Well done to all on their excellent times this weekend! Especially in the face of wind and sticky clay.

I'm planning on the Easter Monday thing, and the Wolf Run in Sept (though I'm seriously wobbly about that one!) Maybe a 10k in late summer/Autumn, though no idea which one. Ideally one where nobody takes themselves too seriously, and there's no time limit

[EauRouge]

There's a local 10k in June if that's not too soon for you? It's at an airfield so it'll be nice and flat! DD1 is already asking if I can sign her up for the 1k fun run

I think the bigger races are less serious. The one I did today was full of super-serious runners, I got lapped loads of times (they did tell me that I was 'doing well' as they went by me at twice the speed) and only about 8 people finished after me.

I'm thinking of signing up for the Great Eastern too.

[Sirzy]

If you can do 11.5k now you should be fine for 20 by October. I hope so anyway as I am only at 9k and have a half marathon in September!

I am doing the Manchester 10k in may, but I think my fear is moving away from the race and onto the size of the crowd!

[cinnamongreyhound]

My club have a 10k in may.

I'm doing a 10k through the forest on 16th march and another half 4th may not sure about anything else yet. I'd like to do at least one of the Yarmouth series but I work too late to go at the moment :( I looked at that Huntingdon one too.

[ThursdayLast]

Well done everybody!
The weather here has been dreadful so I didn't go out at all, let alone run a HM!
You are all fantastic, and deserving of an excellent nights sleep!

[cinnamongreyhound]

Anyone with nerves the best thing you can do is meet up with an mn runner! Chatting to OhOneOhTwoOhThree certainly stopped me worrying :)

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

And meeting cinnamon, her DH and gorgeous boys made me feel less of a Billy-no-mates - win-win

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

Oh I'm doing the WOLF run too, and possibly a sprint triathlon in April

[Sirzy]

I have two other friends doing the race with me in May, one is aiming for a similar time so hoping we can at least start together. The other I have informed has to go to the nearest pub and get me a drink in for when I finish when he finishes!

[Sirzy]

whats the wolf run?

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

That sounds like a plan Sirzy

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

It is a hideous wild 10K run, which a bunch of mad MNers are doing as a team. I think we are are up to about a dozen, but it hasn't opened yet, so you can still sign up .

Linky here

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

Is that the Alconbury one, Eau? A friend has recommended that to me, just need to sign up. Thinking about one on 23rd March too.

[Sirzy]

Bit far from me but looks good!

[EATmum]

So impressed, well done everyone. Any tips or thoughts about what you'd do differently/the same next time?

[MerryBuddha]

I would train up to 15 miles so 13 would seem easier!! Lol!!

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

Do differently:

Train more (I have been very lax since running a marathon in November)

Eat a better breakfast (I had breakfast at 8.30, the race started at 11.30 and I had a gel at 45 mins, then every half hour afterwards but I felt really "empty". This also meant I stuffed myself with the chocolate biscuits on offer at the finish, and a banana and a hot cross bun and a bar of chocolate I had in my bag as a "treat" and felt really rubbish when I got home. I usually refuel with protein and should have done today)

Go to the loo right before the start - I needed a wee from about halfway but there was nowhere to stop. That meant I eked out the drink I was carrying as I didn't want any more pressure on my bladder . It wasn't too hot today, but that wouldn't have worked if I'd needed the fluids.

Do the same:

Don't take it too seriously. Because of the points above, especially my lack of training, I knew I wasn't going to be fast today. But I really enjoyed running free, without worrying about my time. I had a target in mind but I thought it had gone out of the window before halfway because we were going through fields and I'd slowed right down, but as it happened I wasn't far off it by the end.

Get there early so as not to be worrying about getting lost/finding parking/picking up my stuff.

Meeting up with a friend/having a loved one there for you (I didn't have that today but DH/DCs usually come to the finish and it does help - meeting up with cinnamon made me feel less lonely).

Chat to other runners. There were some fab people today - e.g. a man doing his 61st marathon and his running partner who was recovering form an injury - we did several miles and the worst of the hills together; a woman on her 45th or 46th marathon (London will be her 50th if all goes to plan) and her friend; the lady I met at the finish who lives round the corner from me...

Thank the volunteers!

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

(sorry for epic post)

[Fishandjam]

Right. You super-ladies have inspired me; tomorrow night's run will be a first for me. Instead of aiming for a 5k distance, I'm going to go out for an hour and see how far I get. Hoping it'll be around 7-8k. It will be boring as all get out because I'll just be circuiting the village, but I'll take the iPod so that'll be an encouragement/distraction. Afterwards I'm hoping I have an idea of how far off a 10k I am (eg how knackered do I feel, how far did I actually go etc). Wish me luck!