The running thread continues into Spring

[sfxmum]

just to house the runners

i don't race either. i like the solitary aspect of running and am not at all competitive, except with myself.

i stretch myself somehow on every run, a bit further, a bit faster or even going at all when i am half asleep.

ds has two evenings a week with slightly later childcare + evening meal, so i have to go no matter how i feel, have paid for it.

have found a new bit of forest to run in so v happy as potentially can add another couple of k without repeating myself (i always go home if i pass it, can't go round twice).

falcon - not yet! I am in theory aiming for a half marathon. But to be honest the simple ability to run that far is enough for me. I might try next spring, I don't know. My motivation is enjoyment and a sense of acheivement.

Did 11 miles today - partly off-road. Was lovely. But I developed a knee twinge that only happens when going downhill. Annoying but I am ignoring it atm.

And what is it with landowners that they seem to relish making it so bloody hard to stick to footpaths? If you don't want people walking where they are supposed to, don't plough over footpaths and try to use signs! Argghhh!

I sign up for races to force me to keep going out running when I don't want to, especially during the winter. Although I'm enjoying my running so much at the moment now the evenings are lighter that I'm not sure I'll bother to sign up for any more after the Leeds Half in May.

Missmap, welcome! I tend to just do one long run on a weekend and go to running club on a Tuesday and that's been enough for me to get up to half marathon distance - I gradually increase the long run, usually by about a mile a week, until I get close to 13 miles.

Sounds like a few people are doing more off-road running - do you still just wear normal running trainers? We did a brilliant cross-country run tonight, was fantastic to get out into the countryside and leave all the traffic behind.

oh that's such a relief - i had the impression that everyone who runs races, so thanks all for reassuring me i don't have to if i don't want to

i do know what you mean about finding what you're capable of and working harder - maybe when i get a bit of confidence up i'll join a club cos i know i work harder in class than at home doing yoga, so i guess the same would apply to running in a group. but then again, as a sahm with small kids, the whole lack of human interaction is one of my favourite bits...

"whole lack of human interaction is one of my favourite bits... "

Exactly! I don't want bloody interaction I want peace.

Try mapping yourself new routes - half a mile further each time. That's how I managed to up my distances. Still working on the speed though....

hi, may i slip it here. i have been running on and off the past couple of years. i can't bear the thought of doing a race. but i would love some podcast recommendations. i can run a flat 5k with relative ease but need to overcome my hill phobia.

slip in i mean

hill phobia is best beaten with an open mind, ie I will get to the top of this hill somehow, even if i have to walk some of it. And then next time you try to run a bit more until you are able to run all of it. I have no shame in walking up very steep hills to start with.

i just find it so discouraging but i will try at the weekend!

Hello Goat. My dh's mantra is 'the hills are your friends' I agree with Orm - set yourself little goals, the next lampost, the next tree. I have a huge hill on my favourite run, followed by 80 steps (it's on a public footpath) and I do a tiny bit more each time, even if it's just an extra 10 metres. I will do it; I have about 100 metres to go to get to the foot of the steps.

I run from one tree to the next, then walk to the next, then run etc. Or lamppost etc.

my ambition is to run merrily round arthur's seat in edinburgh!

hi all

annoying sore throat here decide to give running a miss today as had a bit of a temp early in the morning, but have been restless all day as it is one of my set running days

desirable lack of human interaction oh yes that is the deal, don't mind the slight nod to fellow runners but that is it

I don't really have any hills around here, I run along the river tow-path and hopefully ever longer runs in Richmond park over the Summer weekends

am off to France on the first week of May and am wondering if I will be able to fit in a run or two, maybe along the beach

hope everyone is well

oh where in france? i did some lovely running on the coastal path in brittany

Stella Plage northern France

Can I join? I've recently lost 2.5 stone by diet alone and now really want to add in some exercise - running has always been my fear factor so I'd love to conquer it but don't know where to start!

Do you all run in parks or countryside? Or does anyone just pound the pavements (what I think I'll have to do at first, as otherwise I'll have to drive to the park which is ridiculous!).

What "gear" do I need to get started? Any tips would be gratefully received!

hello Norky welcome, am sure you will be given plenty of advice and support here, I would say what you need is a proper running bra, and proper running shoes from a good running shop that is it and off you go

goat I meant to add we wanted somewhere easy to get to, quiet, cheap and with easy access to Paris for a day trip

Pavements to start with norky. Then as I get more ambitious and get far enough I run along country roads and some footpaths. But I never drive to run. Start off in town and run outwards iyswim.

Hi all,

Just wanted to say THANK YOU ladies. I had a child free day today ( im a teacher so on hols but boys in nursery ) and after getting jobs -huge pile of washing/ironing - done, came to do some mumsnetting and planned to veg on sofa eating easter eggs. then I read this thread and was inspired to go for a run and try 'off roading' Now feel great and can eat choc and veg on sofa tonight instead and feel justified in doing so!!

Mrs Wednesday - thanks, can go for a few more runs now the lighter evenings are her, but a longer run at the weekend seems a good way to build up

Thanks again everyone

Too many messages!

Well done mismapp! i did wondered why you wondering to eat "choc and veg" then I got it

norky - welcome. I live in a small village so never run along pavements. Woods are literally just out my back door and other woods 100 metres form my front door. I sometimes run country roads. I do sometimes drive somewhere for a run for a change of scenery.

Just call me goat - I did the bupa winter 5k and almost died ran merrily up arthurs seat. When I reached the finish line I almost puked was delighted with my achievement.

Meant to say I do enter races (will prob do about 5 this year) but I don't think of them as races more of just an "event". It is nice to have a change of scenery and a free tshirt bit of a challenge.

I do use them as motivation. For example I was struggled to get going at the end of winter just having barely kept going. So I entered a 10k and a half marathon!

I don't do races for the social thing really because i still feel like I am running by myself (music on and I'm in my "zone") and the only person I compete with is myself

I do go to a running club and really enjoy the social element there. Hill-training tonight - Hooray!

well done wallace! ok, i will start training to run round arthurs seat.

I decided to include some hills in my runs sometimes too and went 5 miles yesterday, but was quite difficult as so flippin hot, but didn't avoid the hills as I normally would have. Like the idea of them being my friends...

Welcome Norky. Wow, am very impressed with your weight loss, that's some achievement! Am sure running will be a great way of maintaining this. As above, the only things you really need are a good sports bra and shoes. Good luck!

I run on the pavement mostly as in London. The local park has a joggers path but it has lots of tree-based obstacles and is pretty repetitive!

Hills and I have bonded over the last few months, I can't possibly avoid them around here so I decided to stop fighting them and now we really are friends.

Like Orm suggested I set myself a point to reach each time, then extending it the next time.

The only problem with the hills is that I can't do any kind of interval training because once I have reached the top and then recovered the next hill is upon me!

Welcome Norky

Thanks for all the welcome messages! Yes, a good sports bra (or three) will be required, my oversized chest area was my main excuse for doing no exercise since leaving school many years ago!

As for running shoes, can anyone recommend somewhere in London (Central or SE) to buy them? Could do with good customer service as don't know where to start!