Getting back into running - anyone with me?

[SweetestThing]

Watching the London Marathon today prompted me to think seriously about how to get back into running. I used to run several times a week and have run London several times but in recent years, my exercise has been sporadic, with runs of only a few miles and lots of hiatuses.

I've now entered the ballot for next year's London (confidently predicting my eleventy billionth rejection) but have decided I need to have something to aim for before then, so have booked in for a half-marathon in September. So I need to get a training plan in place, sort out my diet and weight (currently carrying about two stone over my running weight) and cross-train.

Anyone fancy joining me in a virtual support and training plan?

My little heart is glowing - thank you for your kind words, Frida. I need all of you on this thread to make me keep going, to be honest! I feel I now have people to be accountable to and to encourage/receive encouragement from. That makes me be honest about what I am and am not doing and also makes me want to keep trying to get back into running!

My mileage was never as high as some others, but at my best I would be doing 25 - 30 miles a week and felt so much better for it. I need to crack on with shedding a few pounds and keep doing other exercise too. Already I can fit into a couple of things that didn't fit a month or so ago, so that's encouraging. I need to avoid the temptation to think that, if it isn't happening quickly enough, I might as well give up. That's where you lovely lot all help!

Life gets in the way but I want to get back to the point where running was an integral part of my life and didn't feel like something I had to fit in around other stuff. Does that make sense?

Welcome also to chesney. Great to have you with us all on this journey to plodland.

Impressive posts here! Well done everyone.

I've always been a fair-weathered runner, dipping in and out, and don't see that changing. As long as I can plod round a 5k, I'm happy.

I've not run since Monday either, but did a 5k stomp with a friend Tuesday, and got a circuits class tonight. PT session tomorrow, and then a charity walk on Sunday, so don't foresee any running for the rest of this week!

Morning all, how is it going? It's my rest day from running and I am off work so I am taking good care of myself going for a long swim and meeting a friend for a (healthy) lunch. Slightly apprehensive about running 8/10km tomorrow as it's the longest I will do since my return to running last week! I will keep you posted on how it goes!! [insert worried face emoji here].

carrie74 0.5, 5, 50 or 500km we are all runners :)

I haven’t run since Mon either Weather has been crap and I’ve been hoping for a better day “tomorrow “. Still rubbish out there but I’m going to go anyway this evening.

Trying to attack my diet (again) too. Lots of veggies and cutting back on sugary stuff, of which I eat far too much. I’m getting lots of motivation from this thread too!

I've managed to run 12k this week (not all in one go) and I use the term run loosely 🤣 I've run two 5k and one 3k all indoors I did do 3k outside at the weekend it was Baltic and not enjoyable! Sticking to the treadmill for a little while longer unless the weather improves well done to you all you've done brilliant x

I meant 13k not 12oops!

I know I'm late to the thread but could I join please? I used to be able to run 11 miles- struggling with 1 at the moment! I need to lose 2 stone, I do spin, zumba and step at the gym but I miss running! I need to hunt out my running shoes and get my arse out of bed early doors to fit it in.

I meant to go again today but was up at 3.30 for work and felt so tired after!

Tomorrow I'm going for sure. Another 4 miles I think. Build it up gradually

Hello all & welcome Clarke45! Well done obvioulymarvellous and did you manage to get out Calixtine?

I... drum roll... did 10km today!! Slow pace, fairly hilly, a bit of walking in the last bloody incline, waiting at a couple of traffic lights... 1 hour and 09 minutes... came home with purple face and with my hair completely soaked with sweat (I am so unfit!) but DELIGHTED that I am doing it!!

Hope everyone is doing well?

10k is ace Viva and yes thanks Sweetest, all motivation helps.

So we are all still runners apart from rowing me😂 I just did 10k though and have done just under 50k since starting whilst working mega hours so am pleased. Still so much to improve with diet but it’s better than it was and my liver must be putting up bunting and enjoying the rest. A night out tonight will challenge that but still happy.

Wow, Viva 10k! Well done

I got out this morning instead. I really did want to go yesterday but it was absolutely torrential. I don’t feel any fitter yet!

Wow viva well done!!!! I did a few miles yesterday but have hurt my knee/thigh I can't bend it much at all this morning and am supposed to be doing a double les mills class in an hour debating whether it's DOMS and to try and get moving or to have a rest day.

Morning! Well done al who are getting out! It's lovely with this gorgeous weather! I did another 10k today, 10.58 to be exact, slower than yesterday, but pleased to have gone out! Then after breakfast went to the pool and did 1,200 m (60 lengths) to recover. I have done over 25,000 steps today including walking to/from the pool! Rest from running tomorrow and then another 6-10 km on Tuesday. Feels amazing to be back running!

I did my 4 miles! However am off to Spain tomorrow so no running til I'm back.

Years ago I used to take my running stuff on holiday with me and go every morning. Not reached that level of dedication yet 😂

Hahaha Chesneyhawkes1, I am going away for work and I am bringing my running stuff with me so i can have a run on Tuesday morning!

How long are you away for? Have a wonderful time!!

Well done Viva and Chesney! I always take running stuff with me when away - there's usually some time available, and I love the sense of freedom exploring a city by myself jogging around. Particularly fond memories of jogging through Barcelona and NYC!

No running, but I did walk 11k today on a charity walk to raise money for Lymphoma Action (lymphoma took a friend at far too young an age, so we walked in his memory). With the walking either end to get there and back, we managed 19k, and 25k steps!

I'm only away for 5 days. Was a last minute thing and my Mum could only dog sit for that long.

Still 5 days in the sun is better than nothing 😀

2 miles done this morning- set my alarm for 5.30am..... loved it!

Morning, all. Some great running going on - love it!

I've had several carb-heavy days. I had another funeral on Friday (two in three days is more than enough, thank you!) and I couldn't resist a piece of cake afterwards. Then I had friends round on Saturday for a bbq but it poured with rain so we ate indoors and that involved a lot of fizz and food. Back to exercise today, though - 3 miles done this morning and planning on going to a class at the gym later today. It's my non-working day for this week and the weather is lovely.

In non-exercise-related news, despite having a cat, we have a mouse in the kitchen. Son let out an enormous shriek last night when he opened the cereal cupboard and saw this little whiskered thing staring out at him. Off to the pet shop to get some humane mouse traps later today to capture the little beast. Honestly, what's the use in having a cat if it just lets mice wander around the house??!!

Have great Mondays, everyone. I'm going to boil myself an egg and try and get back into a healthier eating pattern...

Morning, I must report my longest run so far in my return to running incarnation: 12 km, 7.5 miles. very slowly, just inside 1 hour and 20 minutes but felt really strong and felt I could have done more!! Happy days!!

Well done, viva - that's a great distance! Bet you feel amazing.

No running for me today but off to total body conditioning at the gym at 6, then on airport watch to collect DH from his cycling weekend in Majorca. Tomorrow's plan is to get off the train a stop early and walk the last few miles home. Back on low carb today after a blip yesterday so today I have had two boiled eggs and some mushroom/courgette/leek fried in olive oil and with some pecorino and creme fraiche stirred in. Steak with salad tonight after my class. Feeling peckish so have put an egg on to boil. Apparently I can eat as many as I want, but I need to drink litres and litres of water. So far today I've drunk at least two litres and I have worn a path between the table (working from home today) and the loo!

Morning 8.5km for me (5 something miles) early (6.20 out of doors) - fairly hilly - pleased as managed to run up the hill (well, most of it!). How is everyone doing?

Not run since last Monday , life has got in the way a bit this week, with a slightly ill child Monday evening, a slightly hormonal child Tuesday evening, and a DH working late every night. Managed to sneak out to a yoga class last night, and circuits tonight. Thought I may run in the morning, but got absolutely hammered in circuits, and legs are like jelly 😂. Might have to see how I feel...

Well I have been awful riotously in drink over the weekend complete with junk food recovery day. Have then worked ten hour days with two to three hours driving on top all every day too. Made my one row count and beat my BP . Am back an hour early tonight so will try to do some later after food - still haven’t run though... I will eventually!