Dusting off the trainers

[SharingMichelle]

A support thread for anyone trying to get back into running or starting for the first time. Would love to have a bit of company.

I used to run quite a bit, though nothing impressive (managed a 1/2 marathon at my peak). Then I did far too much too soon after having my 3rd baby, and buggered my knees. Have not run for about 3 years.

Am just getting back to it now. Gently does it. Am terrified of hurting myself again. Have been seeing a PT with the goal of getting strong enough in all the right places to run regularly again.

Went for my first run on Friday. Aiming for 10 mins (PT instruction) but really enjoyed it and ran for 20. Didn't get very far though!!

2nd run was yesterday. 15 minutes, pitiful distance, lots of hills.

Looking forward to running again on Tues.

Maplestirrup - I'm not a natural either, and never ran for more than 10 seconds until I was 43. And I'm super-slow too. But we get there, eh?

I put my phone in an armband, a black neoprene one with a velcro fastening. There are hundreds on eBay, for less than a fiver - just type in your phone model. I run my headphone cables down my back, rather than at the front, so once I get going I forget it's all there.

I'm on my second armband now, because my first one, after years of faithful service, gradually lost its "sticky", and if I flexed my arm muscles whilst running it would pop off and drop to the ground. This didn't do much for my mid-run concentration.

Hello everyone!! How are you all doing? Am just catching up on the messages.

Sorry about the fall Blooms.
Great stuff Fraggle and Cointreau!
Maple - I have one pair of running pants that have a pocket big enough for a phone, the rest of the time I either carry it or don't take it. Am wondering about getting on of those arm things too.
Poo - are you still here? Do be careful with your knees. I completely buggered mine by training for a half marathon within 6 months of having a baby.

Question: do you lot carry water when you run?

I've not been running as often as I should have been, but it's going great when I do get out. I feel so strong. I think the strength training between running is really helping a lot.

And another thing - I was recommended to buy a foam roller thing - link - and it has helped enormously. Does anyone else use one?

I went out again this morning, pumped up after yesterday. I managed to run 5k! The last kilometre was gruelling and it took me 35 mins to cover 5k but it was amazing.

I had an armband but it was too roomy on me so I tuck my phone in my shoulder strap of my bra :) I don't take water with me (regretted that today) because I hate carrying g stuff. The slightest distraction ruins my resolve. I'm far from a natural runner, I'm exercise averse!!

Michelle - what do you do with the roller? I've seen so many recommendations recently.

Do you mean you've seen lots of recommendations for the roller in particular? Or for running accessories in general?

Anyway, you massage your muscles pre and post run by using your body weight - it's a bit awkward and not terribly pleasant (especially at first) but it has made a massive difference to my aches and pains. It releases the stronger muscles which can then do the job of supporting you where you need it.

Lots of Youtube vids on how to use it

I do the front of my thighs, side of my thighs, butt, and inner thigh.

Yes I've just stumbled across quite a few blogs and vlogs recently where the person says they use them. I just didn't know what for really!

Thanks Fraggled, Cointreau and Michelle. I think if I had of gone home I wouldn't of got out again - getting out yesterday was hard work to start with - though looking forward to going out again tomorrow evening.

Well done on the 5K Fraggled, that's awesome! and you too Maple on the non stop run!

I had my phone in one bra strap and my ipod in other - was not ideal as they kept slipping down - will maybe need to look for one of those armbands (I have no pockets in what I wear). I didn't carry water yesterday - but you can get these bottles - used to have a similar one from last time I tried C25k and it was ok (though mine I couldn't get on my wrist but was still easier to grip).

I don't carry water - jusr drink before I go. I don't run far enough to need a bottle with me!

Can I join you? I went for my first ever run this evening
I'm not doing a fitness programme or anything, I did download an app first though.. apparently I ran 2.59km in 17mins 32 secs. No idea what to do with that information though. Is that good? Terrible? Average? I thought I'd stick to that route for a while and then try going further.
Anyway I'm planning on going three times a week so it would be good to join you all for a bit of moral support

Hi Rainbow, that's about the same pace as me I think. Well done, that's a good distance for your first outing! Thanks for joining us.

I'm aching this morning, my poor hips weren't expecting 5k yesterday, so I'm going to rest until Wednesday now.

Hi fraggled! Oh that's good to know I'm running about the same as someone else, I really have no idea what I'm doing
How would you say you know when to go a bit further? Is it just whenever you're finding it easier and doing it quicker?
5k sounds impossible so big well done to you too!

Well I am not anything like an expert but, personally speaking, I just run until I feel I have no reserves left. That might be unhealthy? If I feel like stopping I ask myself if I'm totally spent, and if the answer is no - I carry on.

That's on a good day. On a bad day I stop for all kinds of silly reasons.

Went out yesterday, managed 22 mins, slowly, but I am sticking at it. Keeping my 5k dream alive😁. Probably go out again tomorrow, possibly Thursday and one day at the weekend. What is everyone else planning this week?

I don't carry water, I don't think I'm out long enough.

I am def going to get an armband thing. EBay here I come.

Could whoever said that they had running pants with a large pocket let me know what brand they were? Thanks.

Daughter-I could not go out and not know how far I'd gone, or how long it took. I need to log it, so it is real! I also suspect I would run for 5 mins and my head would tell me I have done 15! I need those app logs to give me a push.

Cointreau-I think I will adopt slow and steady as my motto now! I just try and plod along in my own little way.

Fraggled-well done on your non stop 5k. I do wonder if I will ever get to run that far without stopping!

Coming back to running after the birth of my son - I stopped at 25 weeks back in early December because it was just too uncomfortable, started back last week when he was 5 weeks old. I've been out 3 times so far, have gotten as far as a mile. It'll be a slow buildup, particularly because my core feels like a wet noodle after pregnancy.

I bought myself a running belt last night from groupon. It's slim and just roomy enough to hold your keys and a phone, perfect for me.

I am hoping to go for a run today while my car is being looked at, then again Friday. Not sure I'll go for 5k again today, probably just a gentle jog to pass the time while I wait for my car.

I'm planning to go again tomorrow.

"Slow and steady" is definitely my mantra! A friend of mine, who also started out as a non-runner, managed to get herself round the London Marathon a couple of years ago. She said the best tip for keeping going when you are about to die on your feet is to slow right down until you are barely at walking pace (but still jogging - don't actually walk) and eventually things start to feel easier.

It's definitely all in the head how far I can run. Strangely enough, the more tired/grotty I feel the further I end up running. If I go out for a run in the sunshine with a spring in my step chances are I won't get as far. Weird!

Managed 5.5K at lunch time in the pouring rain. Didn't intend to run that far but really got into the zone and decided to go as slowly as I possibly could. So my average pace was 7 minutes 30 but it was amazing, I feel I really could have carried on for at least another kilometre if time had allowed!

I love running in the rain, it's so cool.

Daughter, you mention your muscles feeling great. Do you mean they ache? Because mine ache like crazy, especially my glutes and the sides of my hips. I feel better when I'm moving, when I sit down for a while it really hurts to begin with when I get up.

It feels like 'good pain' if that makes sense. I'm just aware that I've upped my exercise very suddenly this week, but I feel so good I don't want to reel it in unless I have to.

Count me in. I've just started running again after having my son. Had 6 months on crutches with spd and it's taken 10 months of osteopathy to fix me. I also have mortons neuroma but getting a steroid injection tomorrow, fingers crossed that fixes it or I'll need an operation which will put pay to running for a good 6-12 months! I couldn't run hugely far or fast as my neuroma kept playing up. Was doing 10k in about 52 mins at my best. Hoping to better that once it's sorted and I'm fit again.

I had SO many excuses not to run this evening but I popped into the thread and was inspired by you lot, so I've been. It wasn't the longest run, but it was fast, and I LOVE how strong my legs feel.

Good work Michelle. I'm loving having this thread to share experiences too. Keeps me motivated :)

Fraggled - you're on fire! I love a rainy run too (but not so much in the depths of winter, along a road getting splashed by cars going through puddles).

I agree, Sharing - threads like this are so motivating. I remember when I first did C25K, and I was about to give up on a run - all I could think about was "what will I say on the thread??" So I kept going!

Yay, Helen - hope you get back into it again.