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

Hi everyone,
Lots of posts and sounds like lots of running has been done recently, well done.

I was planning to go for a run this morning, then baby slept till 9am (as did I, toddler at nursery today) and 'stuff' got in the way (breakfast in bed!).
I was planning to go for a run Sunday in Sherwood Pines (dh is doing a trailquest there) but the forecast looks so cold it's not fair on the kids so will go to a softplay instead probably.

Excuses, Excuses [hangs head in shame emoticon]

On the plus side I have signed up for a 'get back into climbing' course, 2 hr session on a weekly basis end of Jan, so that will make me do something each week. And I have just bought a new jacket suitable for running in so I don't get so cold / wet. Kick me please?!

Sacha - consider yourself kicked! I went out in minus 2 last night and got thoroughly "out-run" by most of the group. (Having said that, I only went out because I got kicked.......) Still, it's another 3.something miles on the clock...

Belated congratulations to mrsmike, that is a fantastic achievement! Sounds like it was full of serious hardcore runners, as is your running club...

My DH gave me a boot up the arse tonight and made me go out for a run and I'm v grateful as it was just what I needed. My left knee is still a bit sore though so I might need to put some strapping on it.

Runforlove, all the very best of luck in your training, you are doing a great thing. Nearer the time we'll be able to sponsor you.

OK.

I need some help.

Not making an New Years resolutions. Too depressing. But I intend to keep up the running and I need to speed up. So far i have slowly increased my distances and enjoyed that as it means I get to find new routes. But it takes me too long. My 8 miler takes me just over 80 mins - so 10 mins a mile How do you go about training to increase pace? Should I start with shorter faster runs?

Orm - I think 10 minute miles are a very respectable pace arent they? I am about the same pace and would also love to speed up a bit but not sure how to achieve it and how much faster is achievable!

Well I think many on here do better.

It's mainly because I can't go further without speeding up. I haven't got that much time. Sunday Mornings is my special long run but I would like to get home in time to do something with the morning. By the time I've jumped in the shower it's getting on for lunch time. And I can't get out of bed earlier. I just caaaaan't

I've just started to run and am a complete novice. Literally just in the first week of the Bupa beginner programme. I've bought myself a stopwatch now as I was using my phone to log my times!

But how do I log my distance?

mapmyrun website pinkjenny.

www.mapmyrun.com/

A bit fiddly to start with but helpful. You can find the map for your route and measure the distance.

That's brilliant, all done, thanks OrmIrian.

orm i do 6 minute kilometres. how does that relate to your 10 min miles (cannot do that sort of maths in head). i have similar problem re time / speed but i really feel it afterwards when i try to go faster.

Ouch! Maths

3 mile is approx 5k I think. Nope can't work it out.....

6 minute kms means you do 10km in an hour and 10km is 6.2 miles so I reckon 6 minute kms would equate to about 9.30 min miles?

Hello again all,
Have just gone along to a club meet and really enjoyed it! Was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was too fast for the "slow" group (I opted to start easy!) so can move up a level next week. Met a couple of very interesting people and did 5 miles without even really noticing. Would definitely recommend to others thinking about it (and I say this as someone who has never belonged to a sporting group or team in my 35 years of life!)

Harrogatemum isn't running in the lunch break fab! Mostly for the pervading sense of smugness that you feel for the rest of the day and the ability to wolf a giant sandwich afterwards.....

Hello again runners.
Ormirian we do specific speed sessions to improve speed every week, usually alternating faster running with slower, so e.g. slow for 0.5 mile, fast for 0.5 mile, slow for 1 mile, fast for 1 mile, slow for 1 mile, fast for 0.5 mile (they call that pyramid training I think). Another thing we do is a 5k time trial every 4 weeks across the same stretch of road, and aim to get a faster time every month. And tonight we did a 4 mile ordinary run incorporating 3 bursts of faster running - up 2 hills and down 1 hill, with normal pace in between. They SAY that these short bursts of faster running help improve your overall speed. Have yet to find out! Sorry that turned in to a bit of a long rant didn't it ... so just try and incorporate a few short bursts of faster running in to your normal runs would have been the easy thing to say!

And pendulum glad I didn't put you off going to a club. They sound good. I wish I was too fast for the slow group. What a morale booster. Wish we even had a slow group!

hi all goodness what a lot of running
well done all
unfortunately this week as not turned out as planned but at least should manage to go out at the weekend, quite desperate to actually

about running clubs I have been going on about joining our local but keep leaving it aside it is on my to do list I promise, I expect it will be the only way I will improve

mrsmike - thanks for the advice. I tried that this evening. Wow did that make a difference! I had got used to running at a certain pace and not really getting out of breath unless I went up a hill. I had 3 periods of 'fast' running (one because there were 2 runners behind me and I was buggered if they were going to catch me! I will try to stick to that general idea.

Glad it worked. Am great at dishing out advice, not so great at implementing it myself

hi all

finally managed to go out today only 3 miles but respectable time considering. It was cold and light snow falling, only runners and rowers about pretty gorgeous

hope everyone is well

also have an essay to finish this weekend but hopefully afterwards will get to grips with fancy watch thingy to help my training in good old gadgety fashion

Hello, can I join your running thread?

I am aiming to do the Great Eastern 10k in May with my sister-in-law (who is a runner). I could probably run a 5k at the moment (I have done a couple, one last May) but am trying to up my distances. Currently trying to add about 0.5k a week. Oh yeah... (embarrassingly) have been running on a treadmill so am realising I need to get a life and get out!

Sooo, does anyone know of a running club in south-east london (SE3, SE12, SE13)? I know of one in Dulwich, but wondered if there are any more?

Haven't been on for a bit, but still running. Nothing to report. Life keeps throwing up obstacles...it is more like a hurdle race!

Does anyone ever run with a weighted pack on there back and what are it's apparent advantages?
I am stuck in a rut speedwise at the moment but want a bit of a challenge. I sometimes run with shopping in a rucksack which does not impede me and wondered if it was worth a try.

I can't wait for the spring evenings to start....

Thanks for the link to mapmyrun orm. I may start looking at that when I have the time.

It is inspiring to see so much enthusiasm on here...

Spillage, even though it's cold I think it's much more enjoyable running outside, if only because of the change of scenery. A couple of people on this thread have mentioned the Women's Running Network, not sure if there are any in your area:

here

TWF, I don't run with a weighted pack - I feel like my runner's watch and water bottle are heavy enough! How are your shin splints, are they any better?

OrmIrian, and any other people doing speed intervals - do you have any tips to help keep the breathing going ok when running faster? Whenever I try to increase speed significantly (ha, listen to me, I'm only talking a steady jog here!) I completely lose my rhythm and forget how to breathe.

Managed a steady 10 miles yesterday, had to stick to main roads because it was so cold and slippy so not the most scenic route in the world. Going away with work today for 4 days (eek, longest time away from my kids) so will be doing nothing until next weekend now.

Shin splints are 'ok'. I'm not doing a great deal of uphill running so as not to aggrevate them, but haven't got it in me to take a break . Allthough I am cycling a litle bit more to take the pressure off.
The tight bandage thing really helped though.

Breathing when attempting to run faster I breathe and count with my steps....so in 2, 3, 4, out 2, 3, 4,

My speed running often coincides with the speed of the music I am listening to! Proabably look like a bit of a loon...lol

Hope you are OK with working away from home. Do you find it a mixed blessing? Missing them but enjoying the time for your own headspace?

My brain frazzles when I try to do mile/kilometer conversions!

It's definitely a mixed blessing - can't complain about being away from the chores, the early starts and broken sleep caused by middle of the night visits to our bed, but this feels like such a long time to be away. Will be missing four nights of stories, bath times and good night kisses which will be hard - neither of my boys are very good at talking on the phone either!

Happy running, catch up with you all when I get back.

hi spillage welcome

mrsW have a good trip I expect the boys will be fine but inwym

all those working on speed interval good luck apparently my new watch as measures pace as well as distance if using the foot pod thingy I badly need to take this more seriously

went out today but the sunshine brought out the punters to the scenic route and it was more like an obstacle course, usually go earlier but dh needed and deserved a lie in today