keep on running

[sfxmum]

new thread

Don't panic about tempo stuff! It's not as scary as it sounds, honestly.

I've got a great book that I've used for a long time (in addition to Runners World etc) called The Runners Handbook by Bob Glover. It's worth searching out via your local library as it gives loads of schedules and morale-boosting info.

I've felt pretty low about my running lately as I've not done much so felt I was getting slower and slower but this week I've done a speed session with 6x800m hill loops, a steady 7 miles with my marathon-training friend, a 10k with one of miniT's friend's Dads as well as some bonkers mountain biking and climbing thrown in alongside gym work & spinning. I've noticed that my 3 weeks of speedwork has definitely started to improve things again and I'd honestly believed that I wouldn't get back to my previous fitness levels now I'm getting on a bit.

I'm going to be eagerly awaiting scared to check the mail soon as London entries will be confirmed.

I'm wondering about doing a 10k at the weekend as an entry on the day - it'd be my first race in ages, I'm a bit nervous that I'll let myself down - does that sound daft?

ooo twink - is that true about London? I went all wobbly when you mentioned it. I put in but never really thought I'd do it...now it suddenly seems tempting (dh might have other opinions...).

I'm trying to up my speed a bit - doing some intervals and fartlek - but I've yet to get particularly scientific about it - it's also hard to get right because there are so many hills round here. there's nothing like turning a corner at the bottom of a ruddy great hill just as your garmin bleeps at you to go faster.

I'm going to try something quite long and hilly on Sunday - 10 miles probably but slightly tempted to go a bit further. will see how I feel - haven't done longer than 10 for yonks. in fact I haven't done 10 for yonks so maybe more would be pushing it.

Hat I was chatting to friends at club on Tuesday and we were all prety sure it was early Oct so I've just checked the RW forum and found this:

'Many of you have been asking exactly when you?ll be hearing whether you?ve got in or not. You should expect to hear something in early October when the ?Accepted? and ?Rejected? magazines will start landing on doorsteps. It is worth noting that a planned postal strike, likely to affect certain parts of the country, may mean that your magazine is delayed a little, so don?t panic.'

David Bedford, Race Director, Virgin London Marathon.

So within about 3 weeks it looks like we'll know what we'll be doing in the new year!

How exciting! If you do it, which charity will you support?

So, I managed 8 miles this morning, but I'm telling you it's HOT! My knee held up just fine, which is great, but my shins are aching, I can handle that.

I love my Nike+ thingy. It really helps to pace me. I'd love to do a 10k on the 24th but my half is on the 25th and I will be at the hot and humid seaside so I can't see it happening somehow.

Twink, I think this is the first time I have ever heard you showing even the slightest hint of negativity. Of course it is natural to worry that you may let yourself down, but frankly set yourself a realistic and not difficult- to- attain target and just go and do it for the fun of it.

I really have problems with intervals and fartleks, like you hattie, because of the hills. It is impossible for me to run on a flat around here. I think I may find a particularly bastard nice hill and do some upping and downing of it.

Thanks for the kick Master, have refocused and WILL do it (assuming it's not full!). It's a lovely run, all off-road so it's not really possible to compare times from previous years so I'll just go and give it my best shot Glad to hear your knee survived.

We can either run along the main A road for an utterly tedious but relatively flat route or head north or south of it for hills. I take the view that if I train on the hills, the race is unlikely to be as bad so in theory it's easier...

If I get in to VLM (seems odd not to type FLM, but Virgin have it now) I'll run in aid of Macmillan. Previously I've raised funds for Cancer Research UK in memory of my Nan but at the moment Macmillan have a big input into the Twink family life and they are truly superb.

Enjoy your weekend running everyone, for the British runners, hope your weather is as gorgeous as it is here, autumnal sunshine, no wind, bliss.

oh, you're all doing well! I've fallen off the wagon rather what with starting new job, sch changes etc etc. Now only doing about 3x a week only 2 or 3 miles and finding it a struggle atm rather than a pleasure . need to find time to get back into it and somehow up my speed/endurance/motivation again. any tips?

hello all

Marathon hopefuls go for it be lovely to know you are doing it and we will of course be supporting you

about shoes I seem to do well with Brooks and Saucony, gave up on Acsis as always ended up with toe hole after a few weeks

here doing 3-4 miles regularly but need plan to do speed work and train for longer distances which I think I am more suited for

hope everyone is well
happy running

on the shoes thing - I've had a pair of Mizuno - which were ok - but I always felt that one of them was slightly too big. last time I bought some I went to Runners Need and they videoed me (apparently I have a near perfect style - don't over or under pronate and place my feet very nicely with everything all in line!)but my feet are quite an odd shape - the guy in the shop persuaded me that the best fit was a pair of Nikes. I was quite horrified (what will all the other runners think, I (shallowly) thought.) but I have to say they're great. I did get blisters after the marathon but I don;t really think I can blame that on the shoes. and they're posibly wearing out a bit quicker than you'd expect - but they are lovely and comfy and a great fit. so I can;t really complain - I'm prepared to sacrifice a wee bit of longevity for comfort and fit.

Hi I ran 5 miles this morning - first run since GNR. My legs had ached all week, but it was self inflicted cos I didnt stretch after GNR - how naughty - but I just keeled the floor!

But my legs were fine today so I ran through the woods. But I was shattered!

I know you are supposed to rest after a run - but I dont know how long?

I'm normally a New Balance girl as they do wide fittings in their womens range but I'm currently in Saucony after a video gait analysis - they're really comfortable but I get a blister on one toe every run, grr!

With regards to resting, I've a vague recollection that one day per mile of tough race is recommended but I wouldn't swear to it. After my last marathon, I started very gentle running after a week but concentrated on swimming and cycling for the best part of a month.

Just had my customary pre-race pasta bol so am definitely commited now, favourite kit is drying on the airer - just hope it's not full when I get there!

Good luck tomorrow, Twink, I hope it isn't full

I am waiting to see if I have a FLM place too. Not sure if I want it yet...

New batteries in keyboard so hoping it is better.

Been itching to run since Thursday when I felt fine. Finally managedt to get out for a 5k this afternoon. Decided I ought to take it really easy and not look at my nikeplus whatsit too much. But much to my surpise, I ran my quickest ever recorded mile time. haha! Ithink my pace has got quicker without doing much about it - my first mile was 8:32 pace and when I felt tired and going up hill it was still under 10 min mile pace.

And I think Imay have sorted a running club. The one I have had my eye onis a Tuesday night - when the boys have sprt til 6. However,DH is being made redundant in a few weeks so no more silly rotas and has said that it is fine that I go out straight after theboys get backfromgym. Wed is also no work for me which makes life easier.

I amnow quite excited. The club has 8 groups based on 10k times.....think I will be in group 8

good luck twink

Twink, good luck and have FUN

I'm home and smiling!! Set myself a target of 50 minutes and my watch time was 49:58! New course this year so impossible to compare with past efforts (although they did say that it was a true 10k this year rather than a 'there or thereabouts') but still had the same hills, loose flints, mole hills and rabbit holes to contend with. Legs were tired as my week hadn't been ideal preparation for racing at all but really chuffed, thank you for your support and encouragement

Well done Twink

well done twink! brill!

well done twink - glad you enjoyed it. I went for 9 miles this morning up on the moors - nearly bottled it because it was foggy and grim and I'd never done the particular route and I was worried that I might get lost. but then I saw another runner so I, somewhat blatantly, followed him. ended up chatting a bit and he reassured me the route I wanted to do was completely impossible to mess up. he ran off and then in a mile or so I came across a bit of a junction and it wasn't all that clear which way I should go. then I heard a shout "this way" - when he'd got there he'd realised it wasn't as obvious as he'd said so he'd waited for me!

and I fell again - another bloodied knee. not nearly as painful this time - I fell on uneven ground and my hands took a lot of the fall - last time I kind of landed on my knees on a flat slab of rock and blimey it hurt. there were more loose stones this time - so more blood (and therefore more sympathy from the family, despite me saying it didn;t hurt )

well done twink

ouch hatwoman

I do like the casual camaraderie you find amongst runners

especially when out early in the morning or in heavy rain, everyone seems to acknowledge each other insanity efforts

hwelpme to formuklate aplan

is that a plan to improve your running or to sort out your keyboard, popsy?

both ha ha

Thanks to your keyboard, I always have this vision of you Popsy as a slightly drunk, slightly bonkers, running mother of three

Bravo Twink, that is a great result. I bet dh is delighted for you.

Sorry about the fall Hattie.

forget the kyborad - that is spot on