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:)

Thank you ALL so much for the donations, I am so very very grateful, as are our patients, a little really does go a long way here.

No running for me since the beginning of the week as my bones are aching. I am denying it the opportunity to turn into something but don't want to push my luck by trying a run.

Goldberry you need to set yourself a loop which is just 1km further than you have been so that you really have to do all of it to get home. Don't use the garmin/nike+ thing either, it can be quite demoralising.

Hattie oh hattie I am SO delighted that you won a prize, you deserve it after feeling rotten earlier in the year. I'd love to hear more about your work sometime, we may have mutual goals acquaintances.

yes master - when I looked at your website I realised we obviously have vaguely similar goals/interests - I think I left my email address on your just giving site - if you drop me a line I'll tell you a bit more about what I do - we don't entirely cross over (and i have no links with Kenya)but there are some similarities.

went for a good run this morning - trying to do some speed work and push myself a bit - quite enjoyed it actually.

Thanks for the advice fishie and Themaster. Just got back from my 35 minute run. I think it was the first time I'd run for more than 30 mins since I did a 5k last year. Onwards and upwards! I actually remembered to take dh's stopwatch for a change. I normally just wear my usual analogue watch, but that makes it all too easy to think 'Oh well, that's pretty much nearly 30 mins, time for the cool down'! I felt great when I heard the 35 minute beep go off. Starting to believe I might actually manage that 10k after all.

Also, I don't know if any of you have tried it, but www.gmap-pedometer.com is really good for tracking and measuring your runs. Of course, you probably don't need it if you have a Garmin .

Hat and TheMaster, I'll be back to donate as soon as I've been paid next week, money is very tight this month after loads of birthdays etc.

Have started running home from work once a week in a bid to get a few more miles in as I'm finding it hard during the week - by the time the kids are in bed it's 8pm and motivation is lacking by that point. It's 5 miles along the canal so could be worse - lots of ducklings, dragon flies and birds today.

Hat, you should be shouting! How fantastic to win a prize, congratulations (and v well deserved!).

Sorry, I mean Twink, I'll be donating next week. It's been a long day, I think I should go to bed!

MrsWeds well done on running home from work! If you are tired at the end of the day could you do it in the morning instead? I used to do this and it was very efficient as I just showered when I arrived instead of getting ready in the morning.

I am back in action. Hurrah! Bootcamp this morning felt sooooo good and hockey tonight. Must try hard not to pull anything....

Happy running all. Hoping to get out for one tomorrow evening and at the weekend!!!

Hoorah Moshi. Now don't overdo it.

Well done Goldberry. There is no stopping you now. Thanks for the link, it really helps me because I need to calibrate my nike+.

I popped out 13.5k today, my last long run before next Saturday. I think I will do 6k on Monday and then leave it be. What do you think?

You're welcome, Themaster. It seems to work really well, although I had to ask dh to map out some routes for me because I'm such a geographical muppet that I can't always work out where my route goes on the map .

The proper stopwatch has made such a difference to my motivation that I am again thinking about whether to ask for a Garmin thingy for my birthday. Dh says it would be a waste of money and that I need to get over my gadget envy . What do you all think? Would it be worthwhile for a mere 10k runner who has no plans for marathon-length running?

hello my running friends

looks like motivation is high and rising, must be the weather

had my exam yesterday (ouch my hand writing for 3hrs hurts) so can dedicate myself to training without feeling guilty for neglecting my studies
will read properly soon

happy running all

OMG, reality is kicking in.. Thanks so much for your support, my sponsorship target has been upped and upped and still needs revising! Twink's Page

My hall looks like a sports shop, how much kit can one person need? I'm taking everything, just in case! Dead nervous, just want to get on with it now. MiniT has been fab, made me a gorgeous card and when I was tucking her in the other night said 'Mummy, stop worrying about your race and just imagine what it will feel like when you cross the finish line' Out of the mouth of babes.. although goodness knows where she got that from!

Hope to be back Sunday evening; all mermaid vibes appreciated as still worried about the swim cut-off time xx

Twink - I knew someone who managed to get knocked out during the scrum that was the start of her first full Ironman. She was not a strong swimmer under normal circumstances but managed to complete the swim within the cut off time and finish the event (although it took her a mighty 16 hours!) Now that is testimony to how far the human spirit can carry you when needed and while I would not suggest you try get knocked unconscious by sticking yourself in the middle front section of the swim start, I do think if you think about what she managed you will realise how you are more than capable of getting that swim done in the allotted time easily!

Am so relieved I am back in action. After Bootcamp I managed to play hockey last night without doing myself an injury. Went to pilates this morning and then ran a steady 5K early evening where everything felt fine - hoo-blooming-ray!

Happy running all and stay injury free.

PS gold - of course you need a Garmin! These things are nor just for the marathoners and in getting one you may find it gives you the confidence to push yourself that little bit further.

PPS sfx - hurrah to end of exams! When do your results get sent? Here's to more guilt-free running. I popped into Up And Running on Sheen Road to ogle trainers last week and thought of you - I think you mentioned living nearby?

Good luck Twink! You can do it. Go, go go.

I'll donate I promise, I'm just off to the Masai Mara for a balloon safari.

good luck Twink

Master will donate too funny my field is not far off from yours looks great

moshi thanks results in August, old age and part time degree it is an adventure
I am up in Kew but often walk sown to Sheen for the shops or on my way to Richmond Park

All the very best of luck Twink! Sending super quick swimming vibes and bucket loads of positive thoughts.

Moshi, you sound so fit and strong and energetic at the moment, I'm in awe of how much exercise you manage to fit in.

Sfxmum, hope you are enjoying the freedom from exams and studying. When do you get your results?

Would definitely, definitely recommend a Garmin, I love mine and after 2 years have finally managed to sync mine with the computer so I can look at hill profiles, graphs and nerdy running stuff like that.

Master, I reckon one short run before your race sounds right (obviously no expert here though!).

Planning on a Sunday morning run in the countryside tomorrow - hope the sun is shining for us all

I DID IT!!!!!

I'm delighted to be able to tell you that yesterday I completed the Ironman 70.3 in a time of 7 hours and 36 minutes. I'd like to say a huge thankyou to you all for your support, it really did help me, particularly through the 2nd bike lap, when my back hurt, my shoulders hurt, my knee felt like it was going to turn into a balloon...

I made the swim time with 8 minutes to spare, the puncture gods were smiling on me and the run course was beautiful, in a hilly sort of way.

I found I'm tougher than I thought as I didn't have any real low moments, just worried about the cut-off times for the bike and the swim. I'd not done much run training, I think my longest was 8 miles but I still managed the half marathon in around 2.20 so was pretty chuffed as it's known as the toughest 70.3 in the world.

In true Twink style, I'd set myself 3 targets, the only public one was to finish, but in my heart I wanted to go sub8h and maybe sub7h45 so am well-chuffed, although then I started wondering if I'd pushed harder could I have made sub7h30??...

THANK YOU ALL

Never doubted you could do it

massive WELL DONE TWINK

Well done Twink! I can't even imagine being fit enough to do any of that.
Thanks to all who have kindly justified my desire for a Garmin - now I just have to wait until my birthday, which isn't until the autumn. Impatient emoticon.

Wow Twink ! amazing !! Really really amazing. You must be chuffed.

Next time you can aim for under 2.30 !!

Well done for getting back to it all Moshi !

Ran better here last week so it was a bit of relief.

Gold - I too am hoping for a garmin for my birthday (July so not so long to wait) and I am currently around where you are in terms of running I think. I intend to do more but I think it would still be useful for shorter distances. I went out running with DH at hte weekend athis mothers so down lanes that weren't mappable and round fields so couldn't really tell the distance so it would have been v. useful !!

Twink - well done and congratulations!!!!!!!

Twink, that is AMAZING! I am in awe. Well done you. MrT would have been very very proud.

6 miles ! 6 lovely wonderful miles!

I had to walk some of the way as my lungs are still feeling a bit lazy but I don't care. I managed most of the hills and best of all I was having such a good time. That sudden burst of life and joy that comes on a really good run. Hu-bloody-ray!

Bugger me twink!

Well done iron woman.

very good news Orm I bet that boost your morale no end

here I huffed and puffed my way through 3 miles, I think not running and over indulging on wine cake and chocolate takes its toll

still in total awe of Twink shall tell everyone I know and bask in reflected glow

Obviously, I meant 7.30 Twink !

Well done Orm and well done SFX (you'll soon be sprinting round those 3 miles)