Runners Rehomed

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Here we are in Sports, I've been so lax about keeping up with anything outside our little thread that I'd no idea it was here - but have just spotted a cycling thread, so will be later to bed than planned....

Pidge and Alp, congratulations to you both!

Pidge, that's a very good time. I think you'll find it much easier next time if you push your longest training run up to 14-16 miles. It really helps mentally with the last few miles to know you've gone further in training, and makes it feel physically easier too as your body has run over the distance you're asking it to race. This is probably the reason why you found the last few miles so hard - just a lack of training distance to give you that extra bit of endurance. If you can do 2-3 14-16 milers between now and your next race, I think you'll find it makes a big difference.

With regard to the stitch, it's always difficult to know the cause of these. Generally they occur when you go slightly too fast and can't get enough air into your lungs. But they can also be brought on by dehydration or hunger so make sure you drink plenty prior to the race and stay hydrated throughout - a good tip is 2-3 good swigs of a sports drink at every 2-mile marker (this is the strategy I use for marathons). Try to eat an easily-digested, high-carb snack (like a banana) a couple of hours before the start of the race - this may also help if you have a tendency to run out of fuel in the final miles. If you do feel a stitch coming on, one way to get rid of it is to exhale hard when you breathe out - blow as though you were blowing out the candles on a cake: short, sharp exhalations. I usually find this works - otherwise, try raising the arm on the side of the stitch above your head while you exhale - this stretches out the diaphragm which can also help.

I don't know what your pacing is like but aim to start out slightly slower than you feel you need to - use the first mile or two to fully warm up and build up to your target race pace. Any seconds you lose at the beginning can usually be made up later as you won't be feeling burned out by the end.

Brilliant result though, especially off only 3 runs per week - I'm very impressed!

I felt like a fraud before, now I feel even more of a comedy runner with all these proper runners!
Even so, I am pleased that I have now upped my distance to 2 miles and it takes me approx. 22 minutes - reeeaaaaallly slow!
I don't feel much fitter but my recovery time is much better now.
I only go 3 or 4 times a week as well - not sure how I could fit any more in!
Hats off to all of you race runners. Don't think that will ever be my thing...

Pidge - just re-read and seen your time! I had no chance of seeing you! I think that without the walks and a bit more training I would get to nearer 2hrs maybe a little under so I am thinking of entering another race in Feb and having a proper proper stab at it - plus it won't be hot in Feb! I am just thrilled I did it in less than 2h 30m as that was my little target to myself

rowlers - the great thing with running is that everyone does it on their own level. That's the magic - you just have your own targets and you go out there and try to achieve them. So you be proud of yourself. And running 3-4 times a week is amazing. That's all I do and I feel that's a lot!

Have got very stiff legs today. But had a therapeutic swim in the women's bathing pond on Hampstead Heath whilst dp's mum looked after the kids. What a fantastic cure for sore legs. Cold water and swimming with the ducks!

Will see if I can get my legs out for a little painful potter with my club tomorrow. Not sure ... if I'll be able to move!

Pidge - I assume you must live in London (Hampstead ponds, brrrr) which club do you run with? Only curious as I used to be a member of Serpentine.

lapsedrunner - I'm actually a south londoner - I run with Dulwich Park Runners. Dp's parents live near Hampstead Heath, so I only get my magical swim there about once a year. Honestly - apart from the first two minutes when you think the water is freezing, it then feels really warm and it is just bliss!

Those Serpentine ladies are FAST! We had a summer league of four races with some other clubs including them and they go like an express train.

A lot of top-end runners swear by ice baths after a hard run or race. Personally I have never been masochistic enough to sit in a bath full of ice (especially as most of my heavy training is during the winter months and sometimes the thought of a hot shower is all that gets me through the final miles!) but Hampstead Ponds probably had much the same effect for you, Pidge.

I am envying all you racers at the moment. I decided that during pregnancy racing would be 'off-limits' for me, as I know what I'm like and I'd never be happy to just plod round keeping to a sensible pace. I have enough trouble keeping to a sensible pace on a normal run! I'm now 18 weeks pregnant and running is definitely feeling harder - although I'm determined to keep on with my 5 runs per week until at least 20 weeks. 20 weeks is the goal I've set myself before making a decision about whether to cut down, so only another two to go!

CurrantBun - are you sure your real name is not Paula? Mind you by all accounts she just loves an ice bath

Pidge, thanks for the encouragement - that's why I keep coming back to this thread. It really is a boost.
Can I ask for some advice from you knowledgeable ladies?
I stretch well before and after I run, but I do get achey shins a lot.
Is this to be expected or do I need better running shoes?
I am overweight so wondering if that contributes.

Rowlers - it might be the beginning of shin splints.

Worth investing in a decent pair of running shoes but do go to a "real" running shop i.e. not JJB Sports etc.

Always take your old trainers with you, if they know their stuff they can judge your gait and advise on shoe type accordingly. Where do you live?...for London, Edinburgh or Cardiff go to www.runandbecome.com or have a look at www.sweatshop.co.uk and see if they have a shop near you.

rowlers - yup - definitely get some good shoes. I had lots of twinges and stiffness for the first 6 months of running and my strategy was always to take it easy and not increase my distance or speed until I felt better.

Now - another question for you experienced folk. You may remember in a moment of madness I entered myself for another half marathon on October 29th, having only just done my first half on Sept 25th. I'm trying to decide what to do about training. I do my long runs on a Sunday and there 4 Sundays before the race itself. What distances do you reckon I should be aiming for on those runs? In between I'll try to do another 2-3 runs per week with at least one hill or speed session per week.

Pidge, you may have missed it but I think I pretty much answered this in my earlier post to you when you asked about stitches etc.

I would think about doing your long runs for the next four Sundays as follows:

01/10 - 10 miles (taken very easy as you are likely to still need some recovery time after last Sunday's race)
08/10 - 12 miles
15/10 - 14-15 miles
22/10 - 10 miles (tapering for race)
29/10 - Race

If I've got the dates wrong let me know and I'll adjust it for you. Refer also to my previous post about running slightly over race distance to enable you to feel more comfortable in those final miles.

CurrantBun - you are a star. In my brain-addled state post Windsor I had forgotten your previous post. That looks brilliant. I hadn't been planning to do quite so much this weekend, but I'll give it a whirl. I'm definitely going to be happier going over the distance so I can improve my stamina for the next one.

I've been told that the course for the next one is flattish. Plus it's a morning start, and surely it can't be hot at the end of October. Anyway, hopefully it will be a bit less gruelling. Also I'll be able to run with some of the more experienced women from my club, so I'm hoping they'll pace me round and not let me go mad in the early miles!

You are doing brilliantly still running at 18weeks, by the way. I am thinking about going for baby number 3 late next year and I can't see me keeping up my current efforts once I see that blue line .

Pidge, if you think 10 miles is a bit too much for this weekend, I'd suggest cutting it to 8. But take it very easy, see how you feel - if you're up to 10 then go for it. I only suggested as much as 10 because otherwise it would be a big jump up the following week from 8 to 12 - small increments are best.

I think you'll find you'll do even better in the next half marathon. You'll have the confidence of knowing you can do the distance, and the weather should be more conducive to a quicker time. If the course is flatter that will of course also help! I ran Windsor as my very first half and it's pretty undulating.

I'm pretty pleased that I've managed to keep to my 5 sessions a week at 18 weeks. It's definitely feeling harder though. Although I know there's a reason for it, it's also quite hard to see yourself getting slower and slower! I've gone from around 8:15 minute miles for a relatively easy run to the 9:00 I'm managing at the moment! And I'll probably get even slower as I get bigger and heavier . My uterus now seems to be bouncing on my bladder when I run, making me feel as though I constantly need to pee, even when I know my bladder is empty. On some days when my boobs have been sore I've had to wear both my sports bras at the same time too, just to make sure they're firmly clamped to my chest!

I'm looking forward to the day when I can go for a comfortable, fairly fast run again!

currantbun - yup that makes sense. It would feel a bit much to jump from 8 - 12. I have a nice easy 10miler through 4 local parks, with the option of a shortcut home if I'm pooped. So I'll give it a go and just run really slow.

Maybe you need to think about your running in a new way - e.g. I'm going slower, but I'm having to work harder to pump all that extra blood around, not to mention carry the growing bump. So in fact you're doing even better than before you were pregnant!

I posted my FLM application this morning .... hmmmmm .... we will see

Pidge, that sounds sensible - having the option of a short cut if you find it too much is a good plan. I'm sure you'll find the 10 miles is fine if you take it really easy though.

I think mentally I've finally managed to make the adjustment from being a runner to being a pregnant runner. I took last night's 5.6 mile run very easy - averaging 9:04 min/mile for the whole run - and although it was pouring with rain by the end of the run, I enjoyed every minute. Taking it a bit easier meant I arrived home feeling recharged rather than trashed, and it was much more pleasant getting to the top of a hill breathing hard but not gasping for air! I am also hopeful that by reducing the pace I'll be able to keep on with the 5 runs per week for longer, and may even be able to manage a slightly longer run at the weekend (I'm not going further than 6 miles at a time at the moment).

It's strange but when I was training for this year's FLM, I was really fed up with long runs in the end. Now I can't do them any more, I miss them!

CurrantBun - have you seen this thread on the runners world about pregnancy and running? You might find some good company there too. Though no deserting us here - your running suggestions are invaluable!

I was a bit feeble this morning - Friday 7am is my slot for squeezing in a 30minute run whilst dp feeds the girls breakfast. And I'm afraid I just stayed in bed. Jolly nice it was too . Figured I'm owed a break after last weekend and will dig out the old running shoes again on Sunday.

well done everyone, particularly pidge & alp - Big Respect

I'm now running 2.5 miles (rowlers i think we're running about the same pace) and working towards 3 . can't believe i'm now a person who can say she runs 2.5miles! having always been rubbish at being physical - nicking off games whenever possible; trailing round cross-country and always being last; can't play tennis etc because of zero hand-to-eye coordination (eg. pracically garotte myself on people's washing lines because i can't judge exactly where they are). Now i'm running 2.5miles and will soon be doing 3!

Any Great North Runners? Good luck everyone!

I wish!
Ah Saggars,finally got round to running outside.First time it was hell (ran too fast I thnik) and had to stop 3 or 4 times doing 7 km,but yesterday took it slow and did 7.5 km all the way home from town without stopping.(My mum dropped me off)

It was lovely-far nicer than the gym.

Well done Moondog. There will be no stopping you now, running outside is so much nicer than running on a treadmill.

Well done too to Peanut butter, you'll be up to 5 miles by Xmas, no trouble.

moondog - agree with JoPG - running outside is half the joy of running for me. Can't imagine being motivated to run on a machine.

peanutbutter - it's only a year since I started and was running for 10-15 minutes to start with - so I remember well the excitement of getting past those early mile targets. How about entering a 5k run to give yourself an exciting target?!

I managed my 10 miles suggested by CurrantBun. I felt shattered for the first 25 minutes but then was fine, and took it nice and slow, averaged 9.40 miles. It rained on and off throughout, which was fine - just the usual British rainy day. But then 2 miles from home there was what can only be described as a monsoon. I've never run in anything like it. I had to run with my eyes shut - fortunately I was in a park at the time! And after about a minute I could feel the water sloshing around in my trainers. Unbelievable. Certainly made me get a spurt on for home!

JoPG - your half marathon is only a few weeks away is it not? How's it going?

Peanut butter well done . I'd recommend entering a 5k also to have something to aim for. Around December I've seen quite a few charity runs where everyone dresses up as Santa! I did one last year and it was good fun

Pidge, I actually love running in weather like that - makes me feel glad to be alive! Beats the heat of the summer any day! I got soaked during my run last Thursday - had to take most of my kit off just inside the front door to avoid dripping all over the house!

I'm still managing my 5 runs per week, of around 5-6 miles each. I finally had to accept the fact that I need to slow down though - reduced my pace by about 30 seconds per mile last week (now around 9 min/miles) and it feels much more comfortable. I am finishing a run feeling refreshed and rejuvenated rather than trashed! I am waiting for the comments to start from the general public when I'm out running, about how I shouldn't be exercising "in my condition" - no-one has said anything yet, probably because you still can't really tell I'm pregnant, especially in a loose running top and shorts.

Pidge - thanks for the link. I am actually a very regular poster on that thread and on the Runner's World site generally - but I post under a different name (I'd have used the same name on this site but it had already been taken).

I normally quite like a bit of rain - but not being able to see where I was going was a bit of a hazard!! I thought dp would be really sympathetic when I got home, but in fact he just said "Oh, since you're already soaked can you go out in the garden to cut some rosemary for the roast lamb"!!

Day off for me today - then tomorrow is my club's monthly handicap - a two mile dash. So might run over there and back to put in 3-4 extra miles.

Did we have any GNRers? A friend of mine did it - her first ever big run. Sounds like quite an experience.