Runner's thread, 3rd time around !

[Twink]

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.

Thanks for the encouragement, Busy - I need it.
I have now done 5Km on the roads and did it in about 37 minutes so I was very pleased, nay ecstatic . I have a tendency to run too fast (I do everything fast) and so get tired quickly. I made myself do it slowly and it was OK. Feel a bit better now

Quangle - don't be put off. At least you're getting out and doing it which is more than most of the population

At my peak (ha!) I was still only doing 8 1/2 or 9 minute miles and now I'm plodding along at about 11. But I am going further - maybe you're built for endurance not speed!

Not sure what I am built for - hows about chockies and champers and being waited on?

quangle - LOL re choccies and champers. I am definitely build for those too! My two passions at the moment are running and baking. Don't be put off by others being speedier - there are always going to be people faster than you. Unless you're Paula of course I go out with a running club once a week and there are every type of runner from the speed machines to the gentle plodders.

I've found that not going out too fast is absolutely key. When I start off I force myself to jog along at what feels like not much more than walking pace. And for the first 10 minutes I just keep saying "go slow, go slow". After that I'm in a better rhythm and I just plod along. I was once advised to run at a pace where you can still hold a converstation (albeit a breathless one) and that's definitely a good tip for long runs.

Have come down with a cold courtesy of my dd2, so not sure my running club night is going to happen tomorrow. Boo. Maybe the next day ...

Busy, well done on your fun run!!!

Quanglemangle - the only solution for me to get myslef to run more slowly is to use a heart rate monitor. I found out I was always running too fast which just burns you out and makes you tired. I hated it at first but now I can't run without it. Its really important not to run too fast. Running at the right pace improves stamina, fat burning, reduces risk of injury, builds muscle.

leogaela - can you recommend a heart rate monitor? I bought one on ebay (Oregon Scientific Vibratrainer) but it isn't very good. The chest band seems to transmit ok as the gym machines pick it up and it agrees with what I would expect. The wrist watch however, is all over the place - tells me my heart rate is ridiculously fast and erratic though the gym machine says otherwise. If I hadn't lost the guarantee I would send it back.

I ran today with my tall lanky friend. It didn't work. I ran faster than I would like, ended up knackered. She barely broke into a jog and I thnk could have walked alongside me. She has long legs, but I didn't think I was all that short.

I've hurt my knee Woke up the morning after my fun run and it felt really sore when I bent it (particularly backwards) As I've got a 14 month old who I spend quite a bit of time on the floor with, this has been a bit problematic. I'm OK walking on it but if I bend it and put pressure on it at he same time (like when I stand up from sitting or when I kneel down and sit back on my legs) it's very, very painful. Any ideas what it's likely to be?

Hi you lot, sorry I didn't come on here sooner to report back about the moonwalk. A brill night, rained a bit from about 4.30 but not too heavy. Bit of flooding along the route which caused a huge bottle neck as people tried to get past without swimming!
Anyway I finished in 6 hours 18 minutes, an hour after the first crossed the line (and 5 hours before the last!). Anyway dead chuffed, 37 minutes off last years time. Now to swap power walking with a bit more serious running starting with RFL on 11th June.

Wow Posey! Well done! Sounds like a brilliant night.

Busywizzy - I'm not going to be much help - but I have slightly dodgy knees, in a way that sounds rather like your problem. In my usual way, I've been ignoring it, and it doesn't seem to get any worse, but both my knees are definitely a bit sore when they are bent with any weight on them (e.g. coming down stairs). They don't hurt at all when I'm running, and the soreness does wear off a few days after a run. I would say get it checked out (though I've been merrily ignoring my own advice here!)

Fab effort Posey ! Was wondering how it had gone.

To all of you reading/adding to this thread, don't ever feel like you are too slow, that you don't go far enough, don't worry about taking walking breaks - it DOESN'T MATTER, the important thing is that you are getting out and taking exercise - if nothing else focus on the example you're setting your family. Over 90% of the British population can't or won't do what you are doing.

Go out with a smile on your face and relish that smug feeling when you get back - just don't reach for the choc-chip muffins !

Yawn time for the old-timers: 6 years ago I weighed around 4 stone heavier than I do now & joined my local Rosemary Conley club who were gearing up to do our local Race for Life. I could scarcely walk 5k then but vowed that the following year I'd be there, and run all the way. I lost 3 stone & finished the RFL in a tad under 30 mins - motivated by my brother who promised to double my sponsorship if I went sub 30.

I met a neighbour during that race & we've run together ever since. We extended our training to 10k then 1/2 marathons and I carried on to do marathons & triathlons. We both run with informal running groups too and we're healthier & slimmer than ever before.

I've now been running for nearly 5 years & am still getting faster despite my increasing years... 'Mummy, do you know you're nearly 38 ?' Thanks love !

Weather forecast is improving, get out there and enjoy it. At a recent off-road race I ran through bluebell woods to the sound of a cuckoo, bliss :)

Halfterm for many next week, try taking the kids out on bikes while you run along side - if they're not long off stabilisers otherwise they'll leave you in their dust :o

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement about speed, or lack of it. I think I expect too much too soon. I did manage 7Km on the treadmill, so if I can do that I can do 5Km on the day. Almost looking forward to it now.

I love this thread.

I love all the info and support. I love all the race details and I love all the huffing and puffing! I can only aspire.:)

I ran outside today for the first time, home from the gym. I run 20 minutes on the treadmill but could barely manage 10 mins outside into the wind. I have so far to go!

Twink, thanks for that inspirational post. I was feeling a bit fed up yesterday as my knee was hurting and I was still disappointed about my time in the fun run on Sunday. Felt like giving up and just walking the RFL in June. Now I'm determined to get out again this evening and give it my best shot. Thank you so much

Well done Crackle on your road run.

Something that has helped me is to have 3 goals for each major challenge that I've set myself:

1. A 'real world' target for the training I've done

1. A target I've not admitted to anyone else but I think I could just about do if training goes well

1. An absolute best case, if training goes really well, I get sufficient sleep, if the weather goes my way, no one steps out in front of me and trips me up etc etc

For example, with my first marathon my 1st target was finishing (seriously, it's so tough, no-one should assume they'll make it), my 2nd was a sub-4hour time and my ultimate was sub-3.45 which would give me automatic qualification for the next year. I'm happy to say I ticked 1&2 but 3 remains a dream/nightmare by 3mins !

By doing this you'll always have a positive result to build on, and you might pleasantly surprise yourself.

So for 1st time RFL'rs, finishing in, say sub-45 (fast walking pace being 15 mins/mile) for '1', target under 40 mins for '2', sub 35 for '3' or variations along that theme. As I said before, getting some significant sponsorship can help determination - as can a promise of some new (smaller) clothes according to some of my friends !

I'm new to this thread (although have been lurking in awe for a while.)
Managed 8 km today.
Very proud.

I really agree Twink, perhaps I have written about my times/speed etc and that might sound like I am showing off, but I really am not. One thing in my favour is that I was always a distance runner at school - I could never sprint, and I did cross country a lot. I have also sporadically taken up running in my adulthood and I am sure my muscles have 'memories' IYKWIM

This means I find running relitively easy in some ways, and I didn't start this time until I was pretty fit from the gym. Therefore my race is only ever against myself and MY abilities. I did the same 10km race 4 years ago and decided to go for it again since when I am running I am seriously thinner than any other time. In Twinks manner I did set myself 3 goals, first was to finish the race (well it isn't until July, but I have already run the distance needed), second was to do it in under an hour, but preferably under 55 mins. 3rd was to actually beat last time, when I shocked myself doing it in 52 mins IRRC. I may still manage this, I have a month more training, but to do this I HAVE to train as fast as I possibly can. There is a rule that you add on approx 1 min to go from 5km to 10km. So to do sub 52 mins, I HAVE to do 5k at about 25mins to be sure.

I hope I don't sound like I am boasting, as I am not racing anyone, just myself I hope you all understand that. I knwo what I am capable of, and what I have to push.

Crunch,am marvelling at your abilities.
No boasting,sounds fantastic and very inspiring!!

(I've found since taking up running 6 month ago that I don't wake with the aches and pains I used to.That alone makes it worth it.)

hi guys sounds like you are all doing fab!! Keep up the good work!
I've not run much at all since the FLM :( Tried a few times but after about 15 mins get pain in my knees. It's not going away so I will have to see a physio I think. It's OK on a bike though so I have been doing cycling instead. Bit depressed about the running but still proud to have done the marathon, now I look back and think 'did I really do that?'
Everyone should be proud of what they're achieving!
Now if only my knees would improve I could think about beating my time :)

Gosh this has been a busy thread recently!

Anyone really cheesed off with the weather at the moment? I went out on Sunday all intent on a long one, though the bucketing rain had stopped, but within 5 minutes it was back and once I'd got out of the woods I run in (trails currently resembling a quagmire) I was drenched. To add more misery a car drove past me just by a deep puddle (will Thames water please unblock the grids?) so I gave up in the end and just did 3 miles. Would have done less if I could but there was only one way home!

Lat night was OK - managed 5 miles, but very slowly. Worrying now that I haven;t done a long one (8+) for about 2 or 3 weeks, so I'm gonna have to build up again. Also now worrying about fitting in long runs with short fast ones so I can do a reasonable 10k time. Away this weekend so no running,and if it's raining again next week I'm doomed.

Well, I haven't been able to run all week as the pain in my knee has got worse and I now think I'll have to take Pidge's advice and see my GP. I tried to run yesterday but within a few minutes, I couldn't bear it and had to stop. Today, even walking has been painful.

There's no swelling (I don't think) but my knees aren't my skinniest part so it's a bit difficult to tell

Just as I was getting into the swing of this as well

Twink - WOW at your times. And what a great inspirational story. I've only run one 'race' but definitely identify with your 'secret goal', my offical story was sub-60 mins for the 10k, my secret was to go sub 55 mins, and I shocked myself by doing sub52. I still have a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't perhaps a full 10k (it was a very informal event!), or that maybe my watch was on the blink. Anyway, hoping to run another 10k in the next couple of months, so then I'll find out!

My latest thing is to try to squeeze 3 runs into the week (rather than my previous 2). So this morning I was out at 7am, in the pouring rain, just doing a quick one - 3m, 1m flat warm-up, 1m up and then down a sizeable hill and 1m doing some intervals. Made a nice change from my usual 5-6m flat run.

Busywizzy - get that knee checked NOW!

Sounds like a lot of sore knees out there... The obvious things to try are Rest Ice Compression (strapping) & Elevation with ibuprofen gel or tablets if you can take them. Runners Knee is a common complaint but can often be alleviated with good physo, see your Gp's sooner rather than later to get a referral as the waiting lists are awful. CAT me if you want as I've suffered with knee problems in the past. My GP is fab, as a fellow runner his usual advice is to keep running until an injury stops me, then see him. He reckons running prevents far more medical problems than it causes.

Crunchie, I so understand where you are at ! You probably know all the training sessions which will increase the chances of you meeting target 3, but I'll post a few ideas anyway :)

Hills ! Find a local hill, doesn't have to be long or steep - in fact long & gentle can be perfect. Your goal is to run hard up the hill, using your arms to help power your legs, jog/walk down, turn straight around and head back up, ideally 4+ times, building up to 8 or 10 over subsequent weeks (only do this 1x per week). Aim to keep consistent times - ie don't go all out on the 1st and plod through the rest, pace yourself but work hard. It's a really hard session to do alone so try to find someone to work with.

Intervals: can be as simple as jogging to a lamppost then sprinting (hard) to the next and repeating for a session. In an ideal world, you'll be on a track and can do a structured workout - unfortunately not an option for most of us..

Running over-distance. In a 10k race if you know you can comfortably run for 12k at your 10k pace then you'll feel confident in the race & be able to run faster than you anticipated on the day - if you push.

Don't forget to keep focussed, keep an eye on your km split times & concentrate, especially through 6-8km (my weakest point, more than half way but not yet kicking for home)

Pidge how did you know what I was suggesting and test it out in advance ?? :o !!!

Twink - must have been a psychic moment! Though not sure anyone is going to believe my 'official' targets anymore, after my real time was so much quicker.

Just off to bargain with dp over when I can fit in my 1 1/2 hour run tomorrow, in between entertaining the kids and having friends for lunch!