Runner's thread, 3rd time around !

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Hopefully you'll have found your way here.

Here's a new race list list, feel free to add to it:

Playtex Moonwalk: 20 May, JoPG, Posey
British 10K: 2nd July, Crunchie, Titchy
RFL Newbury: 2nd July, Twink, Mini Twink, Twink's mum
RFL July: Dingle

Too late for me tonight but I'll post some 5k & 10k training ideas here soon.

If I get a stitch then I try to stamp with the leg on that side of the body as I'm running along. I don't know why this works but it does!:) I first read it on the coolrunnings website so I'm not a random nutter.

Busy - how's the training for the big day going? It's this weekend isn't it ...?

I missed my running night this week because dp had a concert, and then the next night his parents were over, plus I had come down with some virus thing which involved having a splitting headache. And I can't run tonight because dp is out again. Bah, ... am longing to stick my trainers on ... hopefully tomorrow.

Pidge, I haven't run for more than a week either! Although I did do some biking and inline skating at the weekend. will try to go for a run tonight though.

Turns out flipping dp is out tonight, and tomorrow night, so yours truly excelled herself and went out runnning at 7am - only for half an hour, but better than nothing. Very hard work it was too. Something about running before breakfast doesn't suit me. Anyway, I feel very pleased with myself for doing it.

The long hill was uphill at the end of my run, hence it was hard.

I think my problem is that I run too fast. Might sound a bit crazy but last week I did what I thought was a perfectly measured 3 mile route in 28 mins, I was convinced it was a bit less than 3 miles actually. Then I measured it again and found out it was more like 3.2/3.3 miles. So I did another crawl around in my car to check a different route and measured one that was 2.9 miles and I ran it in 24 mins. I am seriously not trying to run fast, I am trying to keep a steady pace (and I am not showing off ontheis thread). But I think this is why longer runs are so painful, only I don't fell quite so comfortable going slower IYKWIM.

Should I try going out this weekend and jog, rather than run? Would this help build up the stamina, or shoudl I just sod it and go for a 45 - 50 mins run and hope I don't die at teh end? I have found a way to add about 7 mins to last weeks 42 minute run so hopefully I have a good route planned, provided it doesn't rain.

Is it just better to go for it, and mean that I have about 1 month to get to the 60 mins running I want to be able to do comfortabley. How long will it take to get comfortable to do this length of run. I am now OK ish on most of my 25 - 30 mins runs.

My own view is listen to your body. If you've run for 3 miles flat out don't knacker yourself continuing at the same pace, slow down to what feels comfortable. Even if only for 5-10 minutes. You'll be able to up your length of running time mich easier that way. If you make a concerted effort to say run at your natural fast pace for 30 mins, then force yourself to do 10 mins slow, then 10 mins back at your faster pace, then next time or the time after do say 35 at your fast pace, then 10 slow etc.

Am very envious at your sub 8.5 minute miles though - I can only dream of sub 10 over that distance! and will probably do the 10k in 11 minute pace!

Did you get your stuff through last week? worn your t-shirt yet???? Long old walk to the start isn't it? Good for warming up though I guess.

But Tichy I need to build up my stamina, I thought I was running about 10 min miles, that would be better. At least you have kind of given me permission to slow down! I will see how far I can get on saturday and if I need to slow down I will.

I usually try to breathe through those points when i want to stop. I promise myself 100 slow breaths and then I will see how I feel, I usually feel a lot better as it forces me to concentrate on my deep breathing, the panting and puffing makes it worse IYKWIM.

Hello everyone, thanks for the advice on coping with a stich. Will give some of those tips a try next time.

If this doesn't sound like a stupid question, how should you breathe when running. I tend to puff and pant most of the way, which I'm sure isn't good. Should I be trying to take deep breaths - might pass out but I'll try if that's what I'm supposed to do

Fun-run this weekend with DD - 2.5 miles and I'm hoping to do it in under 25 minutes. I've then got about 6 weeks to try and build up to 3.5 miles which I want to do in under 30 minutes. Reach for the sky and all that

Pidge, I went running this week at 7.30am and found I ran further than I have done before but once I stopped, I found it hard to start again. Usually, I walk for a minute or two and then feel fit enough to run again. Might have had something to do with the amount of alcohol I'd consumed the night before and the 2am bedtime, rather than a morning run though

Ooo it got busy here

Busy - I can't do any of this 'in through the nose out through the mouth' lark. I just let my mouth hang open and my lungs do their own thing. I don't suppose it looks very pretty but I get along. If I'm struggling I tend to concentrate on matching my breathing to my steps - in for 4 and out for 4. That can help with stitch too.

crunchie - I'd be pleased to be doing 10 minutes miles too. Try starting off a bit slower, force yourself to do that 10 minute mile and then pick up - I find it hard to slow down once I'm in my rhythm IYKWIM - mind you if I slowed down any more I think I'd stop.

Yeah sagger that's how I do the breathing thing. I don't breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth, but I do them in for 4, out for 4 and count them up to 100. I usually find that is about 2 mins of concentration and then instead of puffing/panting I am more able to run without struggling.

Disaster ........ went to my RFL training session this evening and missed the first 5 minutes of warming up as DD couldn't find her fleece I ran a lap of the track to warm up then joined in the warm-up exercises and then we started doing some jogging followed by sprint runs. As soon as I upped my speed, I pulled a muscle in my thigh (absolute agony) and I'm supposed to be doing a 2.5 mile fun run tomorrow in preparation for the RFL in June.

I carried on with the jogging really slowly in my training session as I found that if I ran slowly, it helped and when I stopped, it started hurting again. I've been doing lots of stretching exercises since I got home and I've had a very hot bath and it doesn't feel too bad at the minute. I'm just worried that when I wake up, it's going to be really tight

I was doing so well too. Went for a run with DD yesterday evening and for the first time ever, I did the whole 2.5 miles without stopping, in 24 minutes. Will just have to see how I'm doing tomorrow now so fingers crossed.

Jo, good luck tonight with the Moonwalk

Good luck Moonwalkers

Busy - ouch, sounds painful! Can you take some ibuprofen to help any inflammation & maybe walk tomorrow rather than run if it's sore. Good luck.

I DID IT Ran a 4K fun run with DD this morning, despite pulling a muscle in my thigh yesterday and then dropping a box on my foot in the evening. I took it really slowly as a result so didn't do as fast a time as I hoped (just under 25 minutes) but I'm really pleased I completed it.

DD on the other hand was a superstar and came in amongst the early finishers, despite only being 8. I'm waiting for the official timings to see where she was placed overall. I was very proud of her.

I've now got 5 weeks until my RFL to build up to 5K and improve my time. Will think about that tomorrow, today I'm going to have a nice rest and let my aching muscles recover

Thanks for the advice about breathing - it really helped.

Well done busy - the thing about breathing is......

just remember to keep doing it

Blimey, I've only missed a few days but had loads to catch up on !

Hope the Moonwalk went well, did it stay dry ?

It looked like it had here but the rain kicked in quickly this morning & I felt like I needed a canoe during my 10k today. Still, had a good result and was 3rd in my class, 11th lady overall so having a celebratory, carbo-replacing beer :)

Should have a quieter week so will try to post some useful stuff.

Sounds like we all had a good w/e. I went out yesterday and thought I would go for it and try to run the 10K training run I used to do. I was stunned, firstly I finished it, despite the pissing down of rain :( I did want to give up every few minutes, but I had my fave music to keep me going, and every time I wanted to stop another good track would come on!! Secondly I manged 56:26, which is a great time :o How I did that I don't know tbh. So I thought I must have the length wrong, so I went out in my car and measured it. 6.5 miles, so about 10.4km!! I thought it must be too short!

I was determined to run slowly, so I went really steady, and didn't go off too fast, I think this was the key.

So now I have about 6 weeks to get my speed up and get comfortable doing that run. If I can train that distance in about 55 mins or so, I should managed 52 mins on the day (same as last time) All I was hoping for was 60 mins, so this would be amazing and will spur me on to look for a running club locally.

Well done Busy and Twink. And looking forward to hearing about moonwalking exploits.

I'm indulging in a restorative homemade chocolate caramel square this evening, having done my 8 mile long run this morning. Mangaged to keep up just over 9 minute mile pace all the way round. Actually probably ran much slower than that, but in a fit of madness decided to virtually sprint the last mile home. Not sure what got into me! Anyway, have rather stiff knees right now, but definitely feeling invigorated.

Hi everybody,
I've been on MN for about a year now but only just found this thread. I'm a mother of 3 young children but still manage to get a run in once a week.
I'm looking for a bit of advice. About 2 months ago I started feeling a pain in the sole of my foot. It starts at the bottom of my middle toe and sometimes spreads up to my toe(s).
I know I should go to my dr, but you know what it's like with a young family.
I'm worried it's athritis. My father suffers from athritis in both feet and had to take early retirement from the P.O.
Any suggestions what may be causing this.
The pain is present most of the time, not just when I run. I even felt it today when swimming.

Triomum, ouch!

If you have ruled out the silly niggles like verruccas or new shoes then I would be tempted to take iboprofen for a couple of days. If that knocks the pain on the head then you might think about seeing a Dr.if the pain resumes. I get arthritis in one hand and it hurts like a mofo if I'm not on anti-inflams.

I thought that it might be polite to introduce myself.:)

I started this year 4stone overweight. So far I have lost 2 stone and I have been going to the gym at least 4x per week. I started off doing walking slowly up-hill or gentle cross-training. I never, ever, ever thought that I would be able to run.

Four months later and things have improved.:) I waited until the gym was empty one day and I had a go at jogging. I felt like each buttock had a brick in it! Today I ran for 20 minutes with very regular breathing and enough puff left for a fast last minute.

I feel unbelievably proud of my staggery, sweaty 11.59min miles. I often feel like puking after my workouts but I'd be smiling whilst I did it.

I think that I've caught the running disease.

Crackle and it will feel even better when you sum up the courage to go outside :)

TBH I go through stages with teh gym, but running outside is fr better than inside, and more interesting!!

I have a stupid worry about falling over outdoors. Also, I totally worry about not wearing my ipod.

The great outdoors will have to wait until the gym gets too hot. I give it at least another 4 weeks.

I prefer the gym myself, it's mindless and I like the feedback - heart-rate etc.
I'd rather be walking than running outside, especially in the countryside.
I thought this thread might spur me on but you all seem so fast - it takes me 35 minutes to do 5Km. Am doing the Race for Life soon with a friend and she does it in lots less than 30 mins but then she had very long legs and covers more ground for the same speed iyswim. I think we'll part company after a few paces.

Quangle, I'm doing RFL in June and if I complete it in 35 minutes, I'll be happy. I'm hoping to do 30 as I can do 4K in 25 (on a good day ). I've never actually run 5K before so that's next on my list of things to achieve.

I was a bit intimidated by how good everyone is here when I joined but that's just meant there have been lots of people who have given me advice which has been really helpful.

Got the official results for my fun run yesterday. My time was 26.08 minutes (so a bit slower than I thought which I was disappointed about) but DD ran it in 20.14 minutes and came 23rd out of 220. I'm so very proud of her