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, good luck with your club handicap tonight.

DH is never very sympathetic when I come back drenched from a run either - he usually just laughs at me as water drips down on to the floor. If he's feeling really kind he might go and grab a towel from the bathroom for me!

I've never done the GNR - never fancied it, to be honest. There are as many entrants as there are for FLM, but unlike FLM there is only one start rather than three. It's also very expensive to enter - around £35 - and not a poential PB course as there are far too many runners. It's also a long way to travel from London to Newcaste-Upon-Tyne. If it was a 'local' race for me I'd probably do it just for the atmosphere and sense of occasion but other than that I haven't been tempted. Not quite sure why it has such a high death rate either??

Mmmm, thanks for reminding me Pidge, the half marathon training is not going well.
DH was away in NY last week and DS1 was ill, so that was written off. Then Sat I had to play netball, had a great time but won't help with half marathon training.
Anyway, am off out for 9 miles tonight and have another run Friday night. Half marathon is weekend of 22 Oct, so with another 3 weeks to go I might just about make it, tho am not going to set a course record

Need to find another one in November that I can concentrate on and hopefully RL won't get in the way this time!

JoPG - you'll be fine. A friend just did a half the same day as my Windsor with very few runs under her belt. Like you she'd done a marathon last year and I'm sure somehow her legs still remembered those miles of training!

CurrantBun - I know what you mean about GNR. I rejected it this year because it's just such a long way to travel, and the crowds are huge. I bet it's an amazing experience though. I'm definitely up for doing it one day, maybe when the kids are bigger and travel is less of a hassle.

The handicap was the usual painful experience! I did exactly the same time as last month - 14.30 over 2 miles, but promisingly it did feel like slightly less hard work than last time.

I'm definitely back down to running 3 times a week having squeezed in 4 for the last few weeks before Windsor, so need to plan some miles for the weekend.

Hello runners - can I join in please?

I always hated running at school but I have run on and off since having children, and stopped running about 3 years ago having had a breakdown, but I've pretty much always walked every day (having to walk the dogs helps!).

Since the kids went back to school, I've been running with them to and from school while they either cycle or take their scooters. The journey is approx 3 miles round trip which I do twice a day. The run with the kids is slower as we end up stopping for someone's shoelaces, or a dropped tamagotchi, or to examine a squished insect etc, but on average each journey is about 15 mins. In the afternoon, I either walk fast, or run if I'm feeling strong.

I wanted to ask for some advice please! I've been stretching religiously after each run, but I've noticed that my knees are very sore - right in the front where the tendon comes out from below the kneecap. The knees tend to hurt like crazy going down the stairs particularly. I've just got some new shoes which I thought might improve things but there's been no change. Does anyone have any advice on what I might do?

Thank you in advance!

hullo paranoid ... lovely to have you in the running crew.

On the knee front ... I guess the sensible thing to say is to check it out with your GP, although in my experience they're not always very clued up about sporting injuries.

My own experience is that for the first 6 months of running I also had trouble with my knees - exactly like you describe, they would be sore after a run and particularly bad going downstairs. I didn't do anything except ease off the distance and speed when they felt worse. And gradually it seems my body has adapted and now I hardly get any problems at all. I just ran my first half marathon and my left knee was sore for about the next 24 hours, but is back to normal now. I notice both knees are slighly sensitive after a run at the moment, so am trying to take it easy.

I would say - any soreness like that is usually an indicator to ease off a bit, take things slow and don't run too far until things improve.

ParanoidAndroid, I would agree with what Pidge has said but would also ask whether you were properly fitted for your new running shoes by a proper running shop? Shoes worn for running need to be specifically for that purpose - not for cross-training or anything else - and if you go to a good running shop they will assess the way you run and select appropriate shoes for you to try.

How do you land when you run? On your heel initially, or on the mid/front of your foot? This will also help assess where you'd most benefit from cushioning. Lots of running shoes are very supportive in the heel area, since many runners are "heel strikers" and this is where most of the initial impact is taken. I am, for example, a midfoot striker so shoes with additional heel support are pointless for me - I need most of my cushioning in the mid and forefoot.

The other possibility is all the stopping and starting you're doing on your runs is affecting your knees because you're not really getting into a proper, regular rhythm as you run. Running more slowly than would normally be comfortable can cause you to be heavier on your feet and knees than you would if running 'naturally' so it's possible that this is having an effect on your knees. As well as stretching, try icing them as well if they are particularly painful.

I ran my usual 5.6 mile route last night, at 9:00 minute mile pace. The run itself felt very comfortable, but the pressure on my bladder from my growing uterus did not! Even though my bladder was completely empty (and I even stopped for a pee to check!) it felt so full that it might explode! I did my best to ignore it but it was quite uncomfotable at times. I'm determined not to let that stop me though - nearly 20 weeks pregnant and still going strong!

Thanks Pidge and CurrantBun for your advice.

CB - I got my shoes from a specialist shoe shop, he examined my old pair for wear, watched me run in them, then fitted me with a pair of neutral shoes. I wear the heel pads inside for support. These are a new model to me - I was using my beloved Asics Gel 2070's, but these are Mizuno Waves (?). They don't feel as supportive as my old ones bizarrely (I expected new shoes to be a tighter fit I guess) but they definitely seem to be the right size for me. TBH, I didn't like the guy in the shop - he spoke far too fast and I constantly had to ask him to explain his decision making.

Having said all of that, though, I was having the sore knees before the change in shoes so I suspect it's more to do with increasing the mileage rather too quickly (ie from 2 or so a day to 6)! But I take your point about the stopping and starting. I had a good run this morning, took it fairly easy on the way back and my knees aren't too bad now. But I'll just walk to/from school this afternoon rather than running.

Thanks for your advice!

ParanoidAndroid, hadn't spotted that you'd increased the mileage so quickly. I'd say that's your answer rather than the other things. It's hopefully not the case that your new shoes don't suit you - I have had that happen once and it's a pain omce you've worn them, especially as running shoes are not cheap!

Ease off a little bit for a few days and then try to build up more gradually. Good luck!

Humbug - I have my second cold in as many weeks, courtesy of my germ magnet children! Guess it's that time of year again. But am really frustrated, as I'll miss my Friday run again this week. Still hoping to be back on form enough to squeeze in 12 miles at the weekend though.

How's everyone else getting on now the evening light has faded and the cold weather is setting in?

I'm actually really enjoying running in the dark, and it really doesn't bother me at all how cold it gets. There's no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong kit, and as long as you're dressed appropriately for the conditions there's no problem at all.

I'm probably some kind of masochist but I actually find running in the rain (as long is it's not absolutely torrential) strangely refreshing: the only weather I really dislike is strong wind as it's just exhausting.

As a pregnant runner I'm rather welcoming the dark evenings, as I can 'hide' in the dwindling light and hopefully incur less comments from 'concerned' members of the public as to whether running is an appropriate activity for a woman 'in my condition'.

Only downside is, my running tights are a bit uncomfortable around the waist and I don't think there are any ranges made especially for pregnant women, although I will investigate ...

Blimey I haven't been on this thread for a while .

have got the forms for next years London Marathon ..thinking shall I shan't I not sure what to do.

Seems a good idea and then the memories of all the training comes flooding back... anyone esle put in for The London Marathin next year ?

hello again everyone. It would seem I'm all ready for Kingston - 8 miles on Sunday - though I have only done 2 runs this week. I was meant to go today but felt really crappy and just couldn;t face it - I hope I'll be ok. I've knocked up 95 miles in the last 46 days so I should be. Mummydear - I too am wondering whether to take the plunge. dh thinks I'm nuts but I think I'd really like to do it. I'm definitely going to do Kingston 16 in spring.

The Kingston one in Spring is a good pre marathon one to do .

Pidge - I wish our clubhanicaps were just 2 miles - ours are a 5 mile 2-lap with a MASSIVE STEEP LONG HILL on it that means you run it twice - I've ran on a normal club night the hill and whilst I got to the top I don't know whether I could carry on and then do it again!

hello girls and thanks for the encouragement. I ran 3 miles last wednesday and then 3.5 today - really feels like 5 miles is not too far away.

My face is still very red up to a couple of hours after a run although i feel perfectly fine - do others experience this? I remember Leogaela suggesting i run slower because of this but i'm running pretty slow as it is. I do get the odd look from fellow gym-goers when i'm on the treadmill (dh said to worry if i see them get their mobiles out and start typing in 999)
but i honestly feel fine - just very hot & sweaty...is this okay or should i try to run even slower?

good luck for today thehatwoman!

well I survived 8.2 miles - I beat the target I'd set myself and beat last year's time. Offical times aren't out yet but I reckon it was 78-79 minutes - last year I did it in 86. I'm again staggered by how much difference being in a race makes - just the other day I slogged my guts out going as fast as I thought I could on my 4.5 mile run and still failed to average 10 mins a mile - the fastest I can do it in is 46 - I was hoping I might be able to manage a 10 min mile today - but wasn't all that confident. The 6-7 mile bit was grim but you feel so good when you've finished

Well done hatwoman, hope you are treating yourself to a nice glass of wine tonight!

hatwoman - CONGRATULATIONS - that is brilliant. Isn't it incredible how much quicker you can go in a race. Was it a well organised event? I am quite tempted by the Kingston 16 in Spring.

mummydear - my form for FLM went in last week! Gulp. Never done more than 13.1 miles yet. Go on you and hatwoman, you know you want to .

alp - that sounds horrible! I kind of have a love hate relationship with our handicap. I know it's good to do some speed over a short distance, but at the same time it is very miserable doing it! At least it's all over relatively quickly. Unfortunately I've now won it twice so I am starting right at the back of the pack - last time I just had 3 beefy blokes behind me. So I have no hope of ever coming near the front again!

peanutbutter - WOW - how impressive is that. It's only a short time since you were setting yourself 2.5 as your target! I would say listen to how you feel during and after the run, if you heart is pounding and you are gasping for breath you are going too fast, aim for a speed where you could hold at least an out of breath conversation with someone! Don't know about being red in the face. I guess people just differ in how flushed they look after exercise.

I was a bit annoyed at the end of last week, as I got yet another cold and couldn't run. But on Saturday I managed to squeeze in my 12 miler as planned. I took it nice and slow because I was worried that the cold might still be hanging about, but I felt really easy until about 11 miles, and not too bad even after that. It was a very exciting run, because I went across London to some friends we were visiting for lunch, and I ran across Tower Bridge and had my little London Marathon fantasy!

pidge - it's the only event I've ever done so not sure what counts as well organised - but it seems it to me. I live 5 mins walk from teh start so didn;t have to worry about toilets. (but queues looked ok) Other than that I got the info in good time - which seemed quite comprehensive - they negotiate cheap parking in a multi-storey that's not usually open at that time in teh morning - whihc is less than 5 mins from the start; it has markers every mile, wardens at most, but not all road junctions, 3 water stations (= 6 for the 16 mile as tis 2laps), results on the web beforethe end of the day and a FREE MUG - can't really see what else you need. the finish is in the market square whihc they pretty much take over -so no traffic and quite a nice atmosphere.

I'm contemplating the 16 in the spring too.

now, I have had it with my trainers - they need to go in the bin (I have a 2 pence piece size blister from today) And I feel I ought to visit one of these proper running shops where they actually know what they're talking about. does anyone know of one anywhere near to Kingston? or in central London - preferably near my work in Clerkenwell/Islington/Holborn type area?

hat - congratulations!

peanut - I'm bright red for a loooong time after I've run.And when I go to a class everyone else looks like they've hardly broken sweat whilst I'm purple faced and more than damp!

I've not been out all week. Had a cold, feel a bit depressed and need motivating.

Paula Radcliffe just ran a 10km in 43 mins....6 months pregnant. I think my PB many years ago was about 44 mins unhindered by a bump!

Perhaps we should all try for the Kingston 16 in the Spring? It's a great event, and a very flat route along both sides of the river. I've done the 8 and the 16 miler in the past and really enjoyed it.

Wow, Paula did well. We should remember though that her 10K PB is somewhere around the 30-minute mark so she's probably a little disappointed with 43 ... which is about my 10K PB, set at last year's Nike Run London. Haven't done a 10K since - I tend to prefer the longer distances.

Hatwoman, well done on the Kingston race.

I ran 5.6 miles on Saturday and 5.2 yesterday. Am nearly 6 months pregnant so quite pleased with that. Was really stupid yesterday though. About a mile into my run I sensed another runner behind me - turned round and there was another woman about a block behind me. At nearly 6 months pregnant I should have just slowed down and let her pass me, but no - my competitive nature kicked in and I decided to try to hold her off for as long as I could. It took her the next two miles to catch me, by which point I was running at about 8:10 minute miles (it was quite flat but I've been sticking to 8:45-9:00 on all my runs). Eventually she went past me and I felt really cross with myself - firstly for even thinking about being competitive as a pregnant runner, and secondly that I'd ruined the rest of my run as I found the last couple of miles hard work (it didn't help that they were uphill).

The other problem I'm having at the moment is that every run triggers the need for at least one No. 2 - occasionally two! I have had to be quite creative about finding places to 'go' on some of my runs! I used to get this a bit on long runs (and used to take Imodium just in case) but pregnancy seems to trigger the need to empty my bowels every time I go for a run. Really annoying, not to mention potentially embarrassing!

Wow at Paula! I'm thinking of a 10k in December, and hoping to go under my PB of 46.30 - she could pace make me round at a leisurely jog even at 8 months pregnant by the sounds of it! The thing that pleases me most though is that it may get the message out there that it's ok to exercise when pregnant - I had people who were stunned that I still cycled to work at 8 months, let alone running (I never managed that!).

I could definitely be persuaded on the Kingston 16 Jo. And there's always the option of the 8 if people were feeling less crazy!