The running thread continues into Spring

[sfxmum]

just to house the runners

thanks fran. [dubious]

anyhoo, i've posted this on the couchies' thread as well, but i thought you Proper Runners might know more than that lot of lardarses. [lardarse]

okay ladies... did i cheat today?

was doing the bupa week 3 run 2, which is 3mins run 3 mins walk. after the first two my leg started to hurt so i climbed through a fence () into some communal gardens cos i thought the ground would be softer on the old pins. it was, my leg didn't get worse, and i did the next two runs. was that cheating? is it easier to run on grass and pathway?

(PS to assuage my guilt i ran for 5 mins on the last run).

Couch 2 5k lard-arse in agreement that we need encouragement that it's going to get easier sometime soon

good morning all

I can sincerely say I could not do without it, running just improves my mood partly I guess because it gives me headspace and releases tension
it is just so worth it

I often see a couple in their late 60's running together and they are well faster than I am
mind you like I said before I was overtaken by a man with no legs

did rubbish time today for 3miles, but the point is I did it

hope everyone is well

aitch - it's much better for your joints. And I think it's better exercise as you are always adjusting your gait and balance to account for the less even terrain. And try running through long grass over a mile for hard work

hello.i am joosey, and i am an addict.

i'd really like to join your thread.
i've been running for about 4 months now, and am completely obsessed. I followed a 5k program that was in a fitness guide that came with the guardian.

i've just finished the program and did my first 5k WITHOUT STOPPING on tuesday.did it in 31.27, i think that's an o.k time but would like to improve.

i want to continue with the program and get up to 10k.

i'm so obsessed, that i bought a jogging pram off e-bay, so i can drag my 15 month old ds along too. he seems to enjoy it!

I was rubbish today. I just couldn't face the last mountain at 14k and had to stop and walk, that was it for me then, I ran-walked the last 2k. Also i felt a little dizzy, do you think it could be because the atmosphere is so stormy just now?

I much prefer the verge off the road too, no way is it cheating and you managed a straigt 5min run, bravo! Here, have a Malteser.

How do I avoid adding an extra kilo in clinging mud whilst I'm running on the path?

you ran HOW far and thought you did badly??! i'm going to be frickin' deeeelighted if i can run 5k a few times a week.

oh and yes, absolutely re the storms. an oncoming storm affects me really badly, i get crashing headaches and am generally low. same with my mum and sis.

I downloaded some music from AudioFuel last night. 155bpm apparently. So we'll see. It's quite good but I suspect might get a bit tedious after a while. Just need to get some more earphones as mine only work on one ear atn. What earphones do you all use? I've got through loads and I don't get on with the ordinary ones - they just fall out all the time.

I have some Phillips earphones that loop over the ear but are not the all jazzy sports ones, they are fine and stay in place

about the weather, humidity is the killer I think

OrmIraian - my earphones are also just working in one ear and I need some new ones. I also have in the ear ones, Sony I think and I didn't have them for long. Not cheap either. Had another pair which are the older version of these www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDR-EX300SLB-Headphones-13-5mm-Driver/dp/B001FWXELE/ref=sr_ob_1?ie=UTF8 &s=gateway&qid=1239621655&sr=8-1

they were great but I lost them Might order them again.

Hi joosey, welcome Sounds like you are doing splendidly. That is a pretty decent time for a first 5k

Headphones - I got some from Aldi for £3.59 and they are perfect for me.

Just popping back in
I ran on Monday - timed my first 2 miles (17:34 ) then had a 1 minute walk and ran up to 4 miles.

I am supposed to be following a 10k plan

hello all

meant to say jooseyfruit you are doing great and welcome

I hope to go out both days this weekend and hopefully start increasing my distance and improving my time, can't quite remember last time I managed 5K in under 30min

my excuse now is that I still have an annoying cough and cold
happy running all

i find am much better at running in the mornings, not so much physically but more willing to try harder.

i got overtaken today by a chap in a pair of those adidas slipper things. i was chastened. did manage 13k though.

i have ipod earphones, superglued a bit (not to my head). i tried others but none fit as well.

thanks for the welcomes!
wow all this talk of 13-14k has inspired me to get going on my 10k program which is here.

what would be a good time for a 5k? i want to go quicker but not sure what to aim for.
what would i have to do training wise to improve my speed?

so many questions!

I have the Aldi headphones too Wallace

Hello joosey - I think any time sub 30 minutes is a good 5k target

I've just had one of those fab 'flying ' runs . You know the ones; when you feel great from the start and just want to run and run. It's typical I was pushed for time though and could only fit in 40 minutes.

Aitch - can I just say - I think you're doing really well, don't be bothered by the fact that you feel you'll never do 5 minutes in one go. You will honestly. And TBH I think you'll find that even those of us who've run for a long time find the first 5 to 10 minutes of any run are tough. I certainly do (usually anyway) - then I get to 10 minutes and I'm in my rhythm and all is well. I think the Couch to 5 is a good way to get into running but it doesn't suit everyone. Listen to your body and if it's telling you that in the middle of the run you can keep going then keep going and vice versa. Push yourself but don't be too ruled by the clock. Once you can run 10 minutes in one go, there'll be no stopping you because the next 10 are a walk in the park (so to speak)

Can you tell I feel motivated today lol?!

Hi all,

well I ran using my new earphones and the 155bpm track. Was exhausting! Showed how slowly I usually run However was a bit disappointed to find I was still over an hour for just under 6 miles. Might have been hunting for a ploughed out footpath of course and running uphill through slippery mud I suppose. But my inability to up my pace is really getting me down

I got some JVC ear-loopy ones in the end. 7.99 for Sainsbos. Seems good.

Just wondered how many of you listen to music/any other kind of soundtrack whilst out running? Do you find it helpful? So far I haven't followed any kind of structured programme either, I have just increased distance slowly when I've felt ready. Any opinions around this? Should I look at interval training, fartlek (what is that exactly? ) etc. Thanks

fran - It depends on what you want to achieve. I did a runners 6 week class to get to 10k then followed a training plan to get to half-marathon. Am just about to start a new plan to train for a 10k but this time working on speed. Increasing your distance slowly seems like a good plan. I think you are supposed to increase the distance by noe more than 10% each time, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

fartlek is when you run fast and then more slowly between various points and is less structured than interval training. So, if you are running in the park for example, run fast to that next bench, then back to jogging till that tree, then fast again to the ice cream van (don't stop there ), then slow till that next bench. you make it up as you go along so can make it as challenging/easy as you want. Has the same sort of effect as intervals, i.e. gets you fitter.

I make up and listen to lots of playlists, most of which contain things like Beyonce and the theme from Fame . I've tried listening to podcasts, but I think I really need the music to get me motivated.

fran I make my own playlists as mostly can't stand podcasts except one where a guy talks while he runs, can be entertaining sometimes
otherwise I like fast beat rock/indie

I have found some free downloads of exercise music that I am going to put on my ipod i think
there is also a site called 'jogtunes' I think which lists loads of playlists in different music genres and different BPM so you can go out and choose

Thanks for the replies.

I guess that I'm currently considering what new goals I'd like to set. I started running to lose the baby weight as I don't do diets. I quickly found the 'time out' it gave me sanity restoring. My initial objective was simply to get round whatever route I'd mapped for myself & to do that 3-4 times a week.

Now that I've lost the weight I find that I want to do more than simply do a few short runs each week as maintenance. I want to run further. I like the feeling that comes a couple of miles in (hopefully) where it gets easier & enjoyable. I like the high afterwards. When I pass other runners going at a fairly quick pace with relative ease I think to myself "I want to be able to do that". I think that I'm getting interested in what time over what distance. I think that I might want to try a race later this year, something shortish (!) just for the experience. I think beyond that I might want to work towards a half marathon. Is this how it began for some of you? & what did it lead to?

P.S. Thanks for the fartlek explanation peachsmuggler

Now this is another naive question from me. Does that mean that you use use the music to help regulate your pace?

you sound at the same place i am fran.

i just want to know more, and talk to people about running. dh glazes over when i rattle on about times etc.

i was thinking about doing maintenance 5k runs for a few weeks, a month maybe, but now i just want to get on and do more. so i'm going to start 10 program on monday!!