This is the New Running Thread

[Wallace]

I can't find the old one in Health, and we deserve to be in brand new shiny Sport and exercise anyway

HarrogateMum, I'm doing the Abbey Dash on Sunday too!

Well that's the intention, but rather embarrassingly have piles an injury so I'm feeling a bit nervous about how much it will hurt!

Nappyaddict - In terms of time per mile I suppose everyone is different, and it also depends very much on how far you run. I know I can do 5 miles in 40 minutes (on a good day!), so 8 minutes per mile sounds like a reasonable pace for me....I just need to get that pace slightly speeded up and I will be able to get under the elusive 50 minute barrier for a 10k!

Just got back from a quick one (3 1/2 miles/24 minutes). I should have gone for longer but am now short of time due to faffing round on the computer internet shopping for Xmas pressies in Lakeland when I should have been working....

sfx - knee support, good trainers such as asics?
I dread to think how long i take to do a mile, probsbly 12 mins, am still slow but it is mainly cross=country. Did 40mins again, my longest for about 10 days so feel quite pleased.

Allthough I go out most days, I only time myself occassionally and push myself a couple of times a week. Running for me is a bit like some folk pour a glass of wine and put a film on, so timing isn't that important. But I do like a challenge and am trying to do 13 miles(ish) once a fortnight, and my cycling/running challenge on the alternate weeks.

I have various joints bound as a precaution, and use a tens machine if I feel a weak joint coming on. I want some nice road trainers for christmas though.

do you mean like those knee braces type of thing? will pop to running shop tomorrow if I can manage the time otherwise on Saturday
thanks all for suggestions

and before I forget good luck for those racing at the weekend

Nappyaddict - I suppose ATM my aim is for a 10-minute mile, so I'd be able to do a 5k in 30 mins. It's still early days for me, though, I only started running in September really, after a false start in July which had to be abandoned due to a horrendous cough. In fact whenever I type "couch-to-5k" I always accidentally type "cough-to-5k" which is how it really was for me!!

BTM - that's what i am aiming for too at the moment but would eventually like to aim for about 8 minutes/mile.

sfxmum, whereabouts does your knee hurt? I've got loads of exercises to help poorly joints so if you can describe where it hurts I might be able to help.

cheers twink not sure how to describe really as it seems to be more just behind the knee going up to tigh bit and also dull pain on side of knee if that makes any sense I can bea

cheers twink not sure how to describe really as it seems to be more just behind the knee going up to thigh bit and also dull pain on side of knee if that makes any sense I can bear weight can also do normal stretches without pain
hurts when I stop but then goes away leaving dull ache for a while

(I am mou, ds has picked a new name for me)
Hope things improve soon sfxmum, take it easy.
I am doing my reservoir run today, so get a bike ride in as well. Not too worried about timing, but really wish it would snow.

why do you want it to snow?

Didn't go out today cos it was really windy but then wished i had afterwards.

I don't know Nappyaddict. I feel like a little girl waiting for it to snow. Especially when it falls in the night and everything is so quiet because there are no natural acoustics, and for me there is an overwhelming peacefulness to snowfall. I am dying to run in fresh snow.

I didn't get out on my bike as the gears are playing up, so am going out for a run in about an hour.

Good running over the weekend to all, especially those new to running or participating in races.....

sfxmum - you did make me laugh out loud saying you had been overtaken by a man with no legs! Mrs Wednesday - what kind of time do you think you will be doing the Dash in? I realistically hope to get in in under an hour adn 5 mins although would love to break the hour.....

Nappyaddict - I average about 10 minute miles but I live in a village in a dip and you have to run out up a hill whichever way you go so when I'm going up that my pace ismore like 11.5 minute miles and then when I'm on the flat and downhill its more like 9.30 per mile so it evens out at about 10. I would love to get faster but cant ever see it happening really!

Oooh know i don't fancy running in snow. Your feet would get all wet! (wimp)

I managed to get caught in a flurry on high grond , if about 20 flakes count as a flurry!

Whole day want to pot( in a good way), so I just ran randomly and enjoyed being out. I got up on some local moors and it is such a peaceful place...just me and thoughts (contented emoticon). No weekend plans but will sneak a run in somewhere(and mend my bike).

I have to admit defeat on some of the big hills around here, are there any hill champs on here that can give me any tips?

sfxmum,I'm not a physio or a medic but have suffered knee problems myself.

For me, the best advice I had was to strengthen my quads (front of thigh) muscles as they stabilise the knee so the kneecap 'tracks' properly, if it doesn't, that's a definite source of pain as it aggravates the tissues within the knee.

Try standing on the bottom step of your stairs on your bad leg, facing downstairs. Extend your good leg, straight, at an angle of about 15 degrees from vertical, just enough so it'll not catch on the step. Then bend your bad leg so the knee stays in line with the 2nd toe and the good leg drops below the step. Repeat 10 times and do it regularly (3 times a day if poss). As you get stronger, dip deeper then move up to the 2nd step.

If you have a trampoline or mini trampoline, try bouncing on your bad leg, again being careful to keep good alignment.

Make sure you stretch really well after running, (quads, hamstrings, calves) hold stretches for 1+ minutes, and search for ITB (ilio-tibial band) ones online as that can cause knee probs and is hard to stretch.

HTH, and leads to more comfortable running.

Is running outside a lot harder than running on a treadmill?

Loving the new name Smiles

The only way of tackling hills is by running them...

Give yourself half an hour for a session, warm up and choose your hill. Start by taking it slow, then jog down and hit it again. If you start by taking it at a speed you can maintain to the top (might be not far off walking pace, that's fine)and build on it, aim to complete 3 reps, then next time you do a hill session 5 etc. Later you can do various things with speed but give yourself a good base and you will become a hill GODDESS!!

Trust me, I [heart] hills now; in races, I pass people on the ups and blitz even more people on the downs. Downhill running is an artform that I'm still working on but I'm getting better with practice.

I find hill reps a good thing to do with others as we get competitive but if you're doing it on your own, why not post your intentions here then let us know you got on?

I'm new to running. Is it OK to ask a question here?

Hi Bubble, lots of people reckon it is tougher but I find the opposite is true.

Gym staff will often recommend putting a 1-2% incline on a treadmill to simulate ground and wind resistance.

I find running outside far easier as I'm just 'doing it' as the ad goes whereas if I'm running in the gym, the temptation to make excuses and get off is really tough to ignore. I've only ever run 10k twice on a treadmill yet hardly a week goes by when I don't run at least that far outside 3 times.

What do you do at the moment ?

Hey, and don't worry about asking questions, that's what the point of Mumsnet is!!

thanks Twink really must work on it, off for run tomorrow morning

hi bubble I much rather run outside I find it easier to keep motivated and distracted by scenery on harder runs also love the elements and feeling the seasons change is that enough incentive?

can't help with hill too much of a wuss atm

happy running all

I can do 25 mins at 8.5 KM/hr on 0% incline. I find it easier to run at that speed than a slower speed (8KM) Do you find you have a 'comfortable' speed?

I am planning to try a run outside tomorrow, but don't want to put myself off by overdoing it!

Just have a go and see what happens - when I first started I had to do alternate lamposts run/walk/run. Now I can run for a very, very long way, it's taken a long time (years) to build up to that though.

If you like, I can give you some suggestions for routines to do on a treadmill to improve your speed & stamina - not that I'm suggesting 25 mins isn't good, it is great to be doing that much cardiovascular activity regularly.

Let us know how you get on tomorrow!