keep on keeping on running

[popsycal]

Our thread has got too big.

Iwill start this one with two things:

Positive vibes for the exciting developments on the MN Marathon Relay thread and

Early ballot for GNR 2010 - you know you want to:)

Hello ladies, may I join you (again)? I popped up on one of these threads a while back, but seriously lost motivation over the winter . I started running about a year ago, did a 5k, and then it all went pear-shaped when the cold and the dark put me off. However, I've just joined a 10 week course with a local running group which I found through the runinengland website and am now feeling super keen again! In fact so keen that I seem to have just signed myself up for my first 10k in September .
May I ask, do any of you use a GPS / pedometer thingy? Are they worth the money? I'm seriously tempted...

Welcomet to all the new folks

I have running to report - painfree running!

After you guys helped me diagnose, I tookthe advice I found on the links: stretched and warmed up carefully before (I am very very guilty of not doing this usuallY). I deliberately did not take my ipod, nike plus whatsit, or any sort of timer or watch and forced myself to not look at the clock before going out. I wanted to do a 'no pressure' run as I am always competitive with myself

Set off on a 1.7 loop near my house so that I could get home easily if my leg started playing up. I took the advice to really think about my gait - bit like a speed walking John Wayne . Tried to reduce the impact and not to overflex my legs. I also have an interesting running technique. According to the fact I have really quite flat feet, I ought to roll in. But I don'.t My shoes always get worn down onthe outer edge. This is through years and years of dancing to quite a high level and having to self correct my rolling in. SO when I run, I extend my leg in in a slightly turned out manner and then it rolls a little inward as it hits the floor. Anyway. I tried to be conscious of stabilising that too. Ialso chose a very flat route.

ANyway. It usually starts hurting after about 5-10 minutes. But it didn't. I did the 1.7 milel loop and not a twinge so I added a little mini loop andf I reckon it was around 2.5 miles. I stretched really well after and put some ice on for good measure

I really hope this is the start of getting back into it

Fantastic Popsy, let's hope that you've turned a corner and can get your miles back up again.

Howdee to all the new Peeps and thanks for the good wishes.

I've had a mixed week, went on a climbing course at the weekend which was fantastic, had planned to run while I was there too but last week was so intense I just went for a walk instead. I'm struggling with sleep issues but trying to work through it (no, I shouldn't be here now!) I ran 4.5m yesterday & had a swimming lesson. Climbed for 3 hours this afternoon then ran a hilly 10k tonight and am planning to ride 40m tomorrow - I ought to swim first but I don't want to - all the more reason for doing it... Now I've told you I'll have to

MiniT has had her first wobble (finally; I'm actually quite relieved in an odd way) unfortunately it was while I was away & she was doubly worried that something would happen to me. I think it's helped her to understand why I get emotional and I've emphasised that it's normal and not to feel silly or weak. I've sorted out the internment this week, he's off to a woodland burial ground as we'd discussed, and I've sorted out a lovely crab-apple tree. I'm taking MiniT to visit tomorrow than we'll do the rest with my close family in a couple of weeks when they're all in the country.

Happy running all, Tx

twink the woodland burial ground sounds lovely. Can understand why MiniT had a wobble and also how you would kind of feel relieved that she had. Hope you have a good ride tomorrow.

well done popsycal on your pain-free run. I shouldn't be here either, will go to bed soon, honest Actually what you said about focussing on your gait made me think about Chi-running - has anyone tried it? A friend of mine teaches it, but she's in a different country so I've never tried it out. As far as I can understand, it uses the principles of Tai Chi and applies them to running, and involves a lot of thinking about your body while you run. It's supposed to minimise lots of problems that usually lead to injury. And I've heard people who used to have to wear orthotics or lots of cushioning, have been able to run with flatter shoes due to Chi-running. This interests me as I have had two long-term episodes of plantar fasciitis and wear orthotics all the time now.

may I say thanks to twink and popsycal for motivating so many mumsnetters to do the Running for Macmillan. By the way, popsycal, you are one of the mumsnetters I remember from way back. I think you recommended a holiday cottage near Morpeth when ds1 was only little and we were going up there for a wedding. I was SamN then.

hello to goldberry and sexbombbikerchick, I've only recently joined this thread too.

I'm not running tomorrow - our household is a bit lurgified too and I've had a headache most of the day - but ds3 is in the creche at the gym so I will go for a bit of a swim.

goodnight all

Hi all - another relative newby (was on the the running threads ages ago but then dropped off again!) - glad to hear about the pain free running popsycal and the woodland burial ground sounds lovely Twink.

Following my longish run on Sunday, I did 3 1/2 miles on Tuesday morning (only had 25 minutes after my mothers help arrived to do it in, before I had to jump in the shower and head to work - good for motivating you time wise!)On Monday I did manage one of the 20 minute 'Shred' workouts (level 3) from the '30 Day Shred' DVD - a hardcore workout that is great exercise. Did 15 minutes on the crosstrainer afterwards.

Did another 3 1/2 miles on the treadmill at the gym yesterday - again time was a major issue as I was fitting it in between meetings. DH in the military and is away at the moment, so really have to make the time for exercise. He is back on Friday for a few days so I should be able to do some circuits and a long run at the weekend.

happy running all!

Happy to report that I did swim today, and have vowed I'll do it every day until my next lesson on Tuesday - I can't expect miracles unless I try too...

I also did 55k on the bike, including the biggest hill around here - managed to stay in the saddle all the way and got a bit of banter from a construction worker at the top who was gobsmacked I'd rode all the way

Racing at the weekend - only 5k, part of a team duathlon effort so it'll hurt as I'll have to go flat out, yikes..

Meanwhile we're going to sort out miniT's bedroom, wish me luck, it'll be far harder than all the other stuff put together!

Twink in awe as ever, woodland sounds lovely and comforting, bes wishes with miniT
I lost my mum when I turned 15 and in under difficult family circumstances, it took me a while to mourn properly and feel like I could 'indulge' my feeling
hugs to you both

hi all not sure be running today as been up all night and need some sleep now, almost as if I am a student again, oh wait I am

Welcome newberry and good luck with your training.

Glad to hear you are keeping busy, twink.

And hurray for no pain, popsy. I too continue to run John Wayne style and the ITB is behaving itself.

After a day off I went for a 5k tempo run rather than hockey training in case my hamstring got worse. The run did me good and the hamstring seems stable although still sore. My pace seemed to vary between 8.30 min/mile and 7.30 min/mile so it is going to rake some time to adjust to the new running style (arms swinging, legs straddling a central line and smaller strides).

I also applied for a British Heart Foundation place in the London Marathon 2011. Just in case...

Happy running everyone.

i am going to try my 1.7 mile loop tomorrow and if totally free at the end, I will try for 5k, stopping immediately if any pain.

Again, no timing, etc

totally pain freeeven

Morning all! Thaks for the welcomes. The instructor at my running group gave us a handout about crosstraining, listing a few other activities to help strengthen your core and help with running - exercise classes, yoga, swimming etc. I was wondering what, if anything, you more experienced runners do, and if you notice it helping your running.

poppingin very quickly

5k run, well plod, to report. No pain in my leg but forthe last 5 minutes I was aware of it if that makes any sense. No pain, not even a twinge or ache.

Anyway. It was very slow but it was good

Have a very short term plan. 5k every 2nd or 3rd day for a few weeks then a 5k park run on a Saturday morning in around 4 weeks....then it will be timeto start building up the mileage again and starting a half marathon plan in early July (must check the calendar)

Hope my leg agreres

Hello all
Highfibrediet do you wear orthotics in all shoes/running shoes? Do you get via GP? I think I have prob got plantar fasciitis but havent yet been to Dr, am trying to do some exercise to see if they help. Do the insoles fit in all kinds of shoes? Chi running does sound interesting, will be interested to see if anyone has info.

Only ran about 2 miles today but did manage to keep a better pace than usual for the second, thinking about my stride as mentioned by Popsycal further up this thread, so I think that was OK. Will try to do 10k tomorrow. I think that bigger strides should def help me to speed up a little. Certainly I felt tireder than usual which I reckon is a good thing!

Twink that cycling sounds incredible. I often feel I am on the wrong thread when i read about everyone's amazing speeds and distances. Good luck with the bedroom sortig out...have just rearranged ds2's, giving him my desk in preparation for secondary school in Sept and moving his drumkit so it doesnt back directly on to neighbour's wall... they should be happy. What a lot of cr*p a 10 year old can accumulate in a small room.

Happy weekend/running to all!

just popping in for a minute. Did my 5k today in 26 mins and 11 sec. The clock said 25 mins but had my watch on and that was definitely right! Bit dissapointing as wanted to do 25 mins but nevermind. Makes we want to do more races though!

anothe 2 miles today

Just had my time by e-mail and it was 25 mins 3 secs. Don't really understand it as am sure my watch was 26, but other people's times seem to tally. It felt more like 25 than 26...but hey we'll never know.

What to do next though.... Anyone got any races coming up?

Great time peach. Did a 5 miler yesterday (41 minutes.) Hoping to do a 7 or 8 miler tomorrow as long as back and kness hold up!

Hi All

Twink - good to see you again. Hope MiniT is . Good luck with the arrangements for the internment - it sounds a beautiful location. As always, in awe of all your exercise !

Great time Peach ! There's run10K coming up in the autumn or have a look on the runners world website - they list runs by area/date/distance etc.

Happy with running here this week. 1 5K, and 2 6K and last night's 6K I felt I could have carried on but it was 8pm on a sunday night (excuses excuses). My calves seem to be holding up fine too so fingers crossed by cutting my distances it might be sorting it out. Although I dreamt last night my knees were agony such that when I woke up I thought they must be and they're not !

Thanks notyummy ans wheely, will have a look on Runners world.

at your dream wheely, glad that you are, in fact, not in agony!

hello all. woodland burial will be perfect twink.

goldberry i am doing pilates and it has helped enormously, i did 10miles yesterday with NO PAIN AT ALL, well apart from the agonies inflicted on my stomach muscles at the sat pilates class. am still a bit wary of doing consecutive days.

I also do pilates and it has made a huge difference to my running, I feel much more 'balanced' and get hardly any pain from my dodgy hip. My chiropractor recommended it for core strength.

Happy running here too, my sister and I did the Leeds half marathon yesterday and finished in 1 hour 52 minutes, so we were delighted as our target was under 2 hours. Doubly pleased really as I beat one of the (25 year old) blokes at work, only by thirty seconds but he was unimpressed

Glad there has been some pain-free running Popsy, hope it continues.

Peach, am v impressed at 25 minute 5k!

Twink, am in awe of everything you do but particularly the swimming - am hopeless and hate it, so am impressed you are sticking with it and going for lessons. Hope the internment goes well, sounds beautiful.

Happy painfree running everyone, am off to sign up for something (anything!) to keep me ticking along over the summer.

Hurrah for pain free running fishie MrsWed - Well done on your half, that's an awesome time, you must be chuffed!

Probably do little run tomorrow, as gave blood today, so won't push it!

Some fantastic news here.

Popsy hope you're turning the pain corner. SFX hope you've caught up on some sleep...

Good luck to all you marathon entrants (for the first time in years, I've not applied!)

Peachy, great time and Mrs W, stunning effort, well done.

Wishing Wheely pleasant dreams in future, try floating weightless up hill and down dale instead of suffering agonising knee pain

Fishie, dodgy toenails go with being a 'proper' runner methinks, even with good socks and proper trainers. I've resorted to painting the skin when I've lost a nail - it's easier to hide that than a black one!

Goldberry core training essential imho. I'm a total convert to x-training and do core, cycling, swimming(!),weights and climbing.

Finally, delighted to announce that miniT's bedroom floor is now visible!!! Oh, and I ran a pretty good final leg yesterday to get us 29th out of 84 teams. Negative split, got us sub-2 hours and 2 blokes congratulated me at the end on my lunatic fell-runner-style descent to the finish

Happy running all, I'm off to cycle the Half Ironman route at the end of the week to see if I've a hope of making the cut-off time, catch up with you all at the w/e

Tx

hi all - managed a 7 miler today in 56/57 minutes, so happy with that.

I also do Pilates and think it helps with the core, plus circuit training with plenty of squats and lunges for the back of the thigh (apparently one of the problems for runners is developing the front of the leg and neglecting the back so that it gets unbalanced.) Yoga too, and cross trainer as low impact cardio alternative.

well done everyone, especially peachy with that 25min 5k and am in awe of Twink for everything she does.

Had a good 35 min run with my sister on Sunday, chatted all the way round so a nice easy effort level. Was supposed to be swimming on Monday eve but felt really tired - not aching anywhere just exhausted. Think I shouldn't try to do too much as still less than 3 weeks since my operation. Did some Pilates last night before bed and will try to keep that up regularly, doing an easy swim tomorrow.

Notyummy I have always been awful at squats and I know my leg muscles were definitely unbalanced, that's why I used to have lots of knee pain in my twenties. I wish the GP had sent me to a physio right then instead of just prescribing painkillers. Took me over 15 yrs to realise I should just take myself off to a physio without needing approval or referral from a GP. (I didn't have bad knees for the whole of that time but then my activity levels varied a lot too.)

Soyabean I didn't go to the GP about plantar fasciitis as I am fed up with them not taking me seriously (on other matters) so I went to see a podiatrist and a physio privately - neither were very expensive. I used to wear orthotics in all my shoes, normal ones were Gaitway, bought from a Scholl shop (since rebranded but I can't remember what they are called now) and I had Sorbothane insoles in my running shoes. Have stopped using them now and just wear orthotics in my normal shoes. All the exercises my physio tells me to do have made a difference so I may be able to do without the everyday ones soon, as long as I don't wear any silly shoes.

Also I'm nowhere near the speed of most of the women posting here. I reckon I usually run about 9 or 10 minute miles, but I measure my training runs in time rather than distance. The 5k I did as part of Running for Macmillan took 29 mins. But it's great inspiration to read what everyone else has been achieving.