Runners thread - runners of all abilities welcome

[Sirzy]

As the first thread ( www.mumsnet.com/Talk/exercise/1948631-Is-there-a-general-running-thread? ) is now pretty much full time for a new one.

Thread for anyone who runs no matter how fast or slow or how long you run for to discuss all things running!

I struggle with nutrition too, not helped that I am also trying to lose weight so getting the balance right is tough.

Ooh yes MrsF, loved Mum on the Run! Might re-read it actually, I too was a non-runner when I read it originally?

I think I need to do some more downloading onto my kindle! Nearly finished running like a girl so need something new

May I join? . I did the C25K programme before Christmas, had a few false starts after Christmas and am finally getting back into it. I've done the C25K+ stamina and speed podcasts a few times and found them useful, and today managed to run for 39 mins and covered a shade less than 5K. I'm really pleased with myself but realise that for some of the runners on this thread it was probably at the pace of their brisk walk! It felt really fast to me, and I was red and sweaty afterwards. I'd like to be able to run 5k in under 30 minutes - any tips gratefully received.

Well I was actually out at about 7.30 to a little after 8 but by the time I stopped off at the shop on the way home and came in put my pasta on (it is hard to eat at about 9) it was 9.30. normally prefer to go out just after 7pm and be back by 7.30/8pm if poss.

Yes I cant say I enjoy hills- but they make you feel so good afterwards. I feel I dont have to run fast I just have to make it to the top

Bollard Just keep running the 5k at a pace that's comfortable fore you. Soon you will find running at your existing pace feels easier and easier and you'll naturally get faster.

Try going further once a week but slower than your usual /natural running speed. Add about a mile a week (too much and you might get injured) and you should find when your endurance goes up so will your speed.

In the future you can try doing intervals to increase speed but maybe do the above for about 6 months before looking at those.

You are doing very well- just to run 5k is something many people can't do

Jeregrette thanks

Just talked my sister into joining me in a parkrun when she visits next month

Bollard I found that doing longer distances and working on my core strength made me faster. It took me maybe 6 months after C25k to get a sub-30 5k. If there's a parkrun near you then try going to that, sometimes they have pacers (if they don't then ask, someone will be sure to volunteer) and that can help make you faster.

I think I'm going to have to go to a chiropodist about my toenail. I can't run today anyway because I've been struck down with the lurgy, but my toe is still really sore.

Hi Bollard! I guess it depends if you want actively or passively increase your pace iyswim. Interval training is definitely the way to go to work hard at in reading pace but as others have said either carrying on with what you're doing or increasing distance slightly each week/fortnight will naturally improve fitness and therefore speed. Before I joined a club and actively trained I just tried to go a bit faster when I felt ok while I was running and I did increase my pace.

I saw one three weeks ago EauRouge and so wish I'd done it earlier!! She got rid of all my hard skin, a corn, thick nail and improved two black toenails and treated my varrucas all for £25! She coming back every 4 weeks at a lower charge to continue with my varrucas and I have to soak them but she was great and it wasn't painful like I expected. She also recommended some cream to stop the hard skin coming back which has been sold out everywhere I've been!

Thanks for the tips. I'm going out tomorrow, have re-set endomondo so I get told when I've completed each KM, got some new music on my playlist, and my challenge is to make it the full 5K. I really liked the structure of C25K and unless I keep challenging myself I'll just drift away from it.

Love the feet talk! I have yellow crusts that only a professional will be able to treat! My new trainers are a half size bigger than my old ones and my toes feel happier.

Have you thought about doing a 10k training plan? Even if you haven't got a race planned, it'll give you the same kind of structure as C25k.

Running for about 30-40 minutes suits my day - hence my goal being eventually to run 5K in 30 mins. Do you reckon a 10k plan would help with that? How long are the training sessions?
What sort of training are you doing?

To get your 10k estimate, you just multiply your 5k time by 2.1 (so I've read, although my 10k time isn't quite that fast!). If you just want to run a longer distance in 30 mins then maybe just try to aim to knock a certain amount of time off each week- has your app got a pace alarm feature?

Oooh, can I join the thread too please! I am relatively new to running, but have done a 10k and 2 HM's. I did the second on Sunday - though not the Reading Marathon as I'm in Toronto. I did the Burlington Chilly Half, so named because it is bloody freezing! We have had the worst winter here in Ontario for over a decade I'm told, and I have had to train through freezing rain, snow blizzards, ice sheets and feet of snow. Race day was -19 degrees with fresh snowfall from the night before!

I am taking the week off because it has been a tough few months and I've had nagging injuries, but Sunday I will join my running group again for an easy run of between 5-10k.

I usually cross train too with kettle bells, but had to drop off because it was a bit brutal and made me too sore for hills and long runs. I'll start that up again next week too though. I am toying with the idea of signing up for the Niagara Falls women's HM in June - fab goody bag which includes a bottle of boutique wine

Hi I managed a nice 4 mile run in the sun yesterday. It was my first since the HM on Sunday as I was quite stiff on Monday and Tuesday. I'm planning to go out again tomorrow and then do 14 and a half miles on Sun eek! Got to get on with it though as not long until London. I'm feeling a mixture of nerves, excitement and fear at the thought of it all!

It's so nice to run in this lovely weather though. Hope it lasts

Hello, runningforme :) Is the Niagara HM the same as this one? That's on my running bucket list. It'll be years until we emigrate though. I don't envy training in the weather you've had recently, my SiL's in Mississauga and I've seen all the photos on FB.

Have you got a VLM place then, orangeflutie? How exciting! Did you get a charity place or a ballot place? That's another on my bucket list!

Just back from a 5k run where I actively tried to go slightly slower in order to last longer. Only stopped 3 times and just for seconds only - also had to in order to not get squashed by cars! And do you know, I do think it was slightly easier. My recovery time has most certainly be quicker.

But the best thing about running? Free therapy. I can get quite anxious about things but my god, running can help clear the head.

Hi EauRouge no it's this one

Yup it's been pretty tough going, but I feel very proud of myself for persevering through it - I'm a true Canadian now it seems lol!

i love how busy this thread is at the moment, struggling to keep up though!

Eau - hope you feet are better soon

Single - thats what I love about running too, I love to solidarity of being out just me and my thoughts - not sure how that will fit in with 40,000 others in Manchester though!

Running for me - I have just got myself some kettlebells in the last few weeks. Keep trying to mix up my exercises to keep myself going!

Rest day for me. I have a slight ache in my knee that comes on quite often when sitting. Do you think this sounds like runners knee. I have previously had a bit of ITB syndrome which used to come on mid run but i think I've got ri of that thanfully. I'm sure ITB never troubles you when you aren't running (i prepare to be corrected)

EauRouge I've got a ballot place this year in the VLM as it was my fifth attempt but I'm raising money for charity too. I did get a golden bond place a few years ago but had to pull out due to injury so really hoping I stay injury free this year. Hope your foot gets better soon

I agree about the headspace when running it's great to have the time to de-stress. I run on my own mostly but it was lovely to run in a crowd on Sunday and good practice for next month.

Runningforme could you tell me about your kettlebells workout please? DH has bought a few but I'm not entirely sure what would be a good workout to do with them.

I ran 5k this morning in 39 minutes. Eaurouge the app tells me when I pass each KM mark, and what my time per KM was. I find that really motivating, but I also love listening to my running playlist. There's a section of faster songs and I'm getting fit enough now to up my pace for them, so I reckon I'll jig the playlist around and find some more higher bpm song to try to help me speed up. I run along the beach, and like orange and sirze I love having that time to myself to let me thoughts and stresses slosh around my head. Beautiful sunny day today, really enjoyed my run

Bollard, you can find some KB workouts on fitnessblender.com. I have a puny 6kg, but it's good enough to mix things up a bit.
Today I got my brand new baby carrier, so my rest day involved lugging my 11mo for an hour around the woods