Runners Rehomed

[Twink]

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....

Congratulations leogaela

(I look stupid running as well - that's why I go out at 6.45 am )

Congrats Leo Just take it easy

I am well chuffed I have just done my weekend long(ish) run of 45 mins, and it felt great

I have decided I am going to try to keep to approx 2hrs of running a week. that's 3 x 25 mins during the week and a 45 mins at the weekend. or 2 30 mins and an hour at the weekend, whatever.

Looking back on this thread I remeber the first time I did 42 mins and it hurt !!!

Another of my infrequent posts!

Leo - many congrats, I mananged to keep running until I was 5 months pregnant. Here is your chance to embrace Nordic Walking .

Pleased to report I competed in (& completed)the World Masters Orienteering Championships last week. There were 2 qualification races on consecutive days, then a rest day followed by the finals. I made it to the B finals (in my age/sex category) and finished 8th out of 71 which meant I was 83rd out of 146 overall (in my category). Pretty pleased really as I am very unfit and it was 30'C .

lapsedrunner - congratulations - that sounds great - and not very 'lapsed'!! Does that mean you have to bomb about trying to follow a map as well as keeping running? Very impressive. How far do you have to run?

I did another long run for me today - about 11 miles - I averaged getting on for 10 minute miles (well over 9 1/2 anyway) and it's amazing to think I did that 5 mile run in just over 7 1/2 minute miles. Can't belive it now. Anyway, feeling pretty pleased with my run - I really enjoyed it till the last couple of miles. I'm trying to get myself in good shape before we go off on summer holidays when I know it'll be hard to fit longer runs in.

Hi everyone, I've only just discovered this thread so I'm going to join in too if that's ok!

Congrats to everyone who have done races.

I started running with my housemate at Uni & never thought I'd do a race! I gave up running for a while & started when I decided to do our local Race for Life this year with my potential SIL. We managed to run the whole way in just under 35 minutes (which we were very pleased about for relative beginners). Now I really like the idea of a 10km race & am interested in doing the cancer research one next year!

Do people run the same route of different ones? I do, mainly because it is the one route out of the village with enough pavement to run along.

Is anyone a member of a running club?

Oh at the mo I try to do 3 runs a week for about 30-45 minutes a time. Although this entirely depends on when I get home from work!

It's amazing how much easier it seems after doing it for several months. OH was really suprised as one time he went with me I was stopping & walking every few seconds & the next I ran almost non stop

I do a mix of routes. If I have teh dog it is usually a combination of teh local woods, depends on how many times we go round and in what direction and which way we come home for a bit of variety. Without teh dog I have a measured 3 mile and a measured 6.5 mile that are mainly on the roads. I tend to do these if it has been raining as the woods get slippery

Pidge - yes it's using a map & compass to follow a route round a series of checkpoints against the clock, virtually all off tracks and through the undergrowth . Last week my courses were 5km with about 150m of climb and they were taking me 70mins, so as you can see plently of walking up steep hills etc (winning time was about 40-50 mins).

hello everyone, could i join your thread please? I started running on a treadmill 3 weeks ago, inspired by my 60+year old mum who ran the race for life this year in memory of my mil who died of cancer last year. i've never been able to run (my anatomy kind of didn't support it ), but have managed to reach 0.7mile without stopping just by setting tiny but achievable goals and increasing each run by a point of a mile (i can get to the gym 2-3times per week). i'm feeling great about being able to run that distance and really really enthused about reaching the 1 mile mark.

Welcome blondilocks and peanutbutter.

Blondilocks - I'm a bit pathetic about doing the same routes over and over, I like to know how far I'm going, and I've got a few measured out that I tend to stick to. Getting to know new routes, and not having to think about where I'm going is one of the brilliant things about running with a club. I joined one in March after about 6 months of running on my own and I love it. They meet three times a week, but I only go once. I like the fact that that evening is 'mine', dp knows he has to babysit and nothing interferes with my time. I thought I might resent the fact that it eats up a whole evening - by the time I get over to the club and back, but actually I rather like not rushing back for supper knowing dp is waiting, as I do on nights when I run on my own. I love the sociability of it. And it's pushed me into doing new things. On my own I just used to do 40 minute runs, now, given confidence by the club I do a much longer run at the weekend (on my own) and on club nights sometimes I do really short faster runs (e.g. 1-2 mile races) which is good for my speed. Plus they organise a series of 10ks in the summer and you get to hear of other runs going on. I totally recommend it.

Peanutbutter - it is sooooo exciting when you set yourself a target and hit it isn't it? I just get the biggest kick out of that. And I'm not your conventional sporty person - I was last in everything in school sports. But now I love my running and cycling and feel brilliant for doing it.

lapsedrunner - that sounds amazing - I would be lost in the bushes personally - I am renowned for my lack of a sense of direction. On the last 10k I did I managed to go the wrong way, despite it being clearly marshalled! Fortunately one of my club mates was just behind me and started yelling at me so I didn't disappear into the suburbs of Ealing.

You all sound so fit!! Can't imagine running for any longer than two mins at the mo lol.....so I'm in awe of you all.
Can I join to? I used to be very sporty but after having the kids the only thing I'm sporting is a paunch and wings...I managed to start training again last year as both children were at school one nursery the other year one (yeahhhh) but started a course and it has all gone out the window agin with a big heave ho.

I'm on my holidays at the mo and going to the make the most of getting into a routine that will fit in with life. Yesterday and today I went for a walk/run...half an hour out and half an hour back home. I'm aiming at the end of three weeks to get further in the same time frame over the three weeks but am only going to walk/run two days then I'm going to swim two mornings.

As I have always ran on treadmills rather than outside...how on earth do you carry things? bizarre question but after holding onto my phone and keys as they kept jumping out of pockets there was no room for a little bottle of water.

ooo hello new peoples.

Upsadaisy - I jusr run with a bottle of water. Keys get hidden in the garden and no phone, this is my time you know

Hey Leogaela, you're in good company - have you heard, Paula Radcliffe is pregnant!

Fantastic to see the new people joining the thread!

I'm pleased to say that I ran 50mins on Saturday with ds in the buggy, slept most of sunday and swam 1Km yesterday. I definitely felt more sick when I was pregnant last time so I'm guessing keeping active is helping. I'm going to do my best to keep it up as long as possible.

Upsadaisy - phone is stuffed down my cleavage , key (I only need one) is fixed onto my shoe lace and tucked down underneath them so it doesn't flap around and water bottle is in my hand. You can get running bottoms with zip pockets on the back that will fit all your bits and pieces.

Running the same routes depends on my mood, how much time I have and how I am feeling. When I am feeling good and have time to get lost I will see a path go off to explore.

I sometimes run with my phone, but I have baggy cropped trs with deep pkts. Keys again, never take them (leave back door unlocked!!) I often have an MP3 player, again deep pockets and I carry water sometimes. I often have teh dogs lead as well!!

1 hour run/walk is a lot, it is more than some of us do. I have built up over 2 months to be able to run an hour, but I was already pretty fit from the gym. Others are building slowly run for a minute, walk for 2 mins. Building up to running for 90 secs, walking for 90 secs. Then it will go to more running than walking and build up minute by minute as you get fitter to 5 mins run, then 10 mins run etc. It takes time, but doing one extra a minute a day adds up quick

I just brought a arm band holder thingy for my phone which I also use as MP3 player...will let you know how I get on with that. Never take keys and will soon be going out with water that I will hold.

Welcome upsadaisy. I try to run with nothing - hate holding things. I don't even take a key, as dp is always home. The only time I took my mobile was on a 9 mile run across London when I was terrified I might get lost, then I stuck it in my little inner pocket in my shorts. Water I carry in a little bottle on longer runs (6miles +) and am going to invest in a proper running bottle - one of those round things with a hole in the middle. Still hate carrying it though and try to plan routes where I can dump my bottle behind a tree and then retrieve it later!

I seem to be on a roll with doing good runs at the moment. Last night was my club's annual 1 mile championship race and unbelievably I won the women's race. I have never won anything sporting in my life before, I was the one picked last for every team at school, so crap at high jump I was punished by the teacher for 'deliberately not trying' and when I did javelin I hit myself on the head with it . So I cannot believe I actually crossed the line first (6 minutes 31secs). There were 35 of us running, though I should stress that my club is very very much a social club and not a keen runner's club. Anyway, what a hoot.

Well done Pidge, a star in the making. Although i love running on my own I am thinking of joining a clucb also. I think that I have got as far as I can without some kind of support and ideas for improving. Trouble is I already have netball training once a week, play on Sats and so running kind of fits in - will be difficult to commit to another club thing, but we'll see.

I hate to carry anything when running too. Can survive without water for quite a while and when I was training for the marathon I used to go round the route beforehand and hide water bottles. When getting tired the next water stop was a good thing to focus on.

Am looking for a half marathon in October time, anyone got any ideas of a good one? South East England would be preferred. Cheers!

Pidge, that's another cracking result - well done !

But, STOP TALKING YOURSELF DOWN !!!!

You've done extremely well and you keep making excuses - don't (tic) You don't need to be in a 'proper' running club to still get a good boost & lots of great tips, although the official clubs are great for lots of people. My main group describe themselves as people who love to party who happen to go running...

Your times have been fabulous, and would put you in the top 30% of many races although that's irrelevant really. It's more important to look at how much you've improved, and in such a short time too.

It's suggested that you can continue to improve for up to 7 years after you start a structured running programme - you'll be covering Paula Radcliffe's maternity leave at this rate !!

morning everyone. i'm off to the gym this morning, after doing 0.7mile on saturday and being thrilled with that. i'm going to try for a mile but will still be happy getting to 0.8.

Does anyone at this level find that they fret a lot beforehand? i worry that i won't even make it to my previous distance, and that i'll then be disappointed and let down with myself. it's a bit stupid, i know, but i think it's because it's still such a slog to achieve each goal, and i so desperately want to keep this up and not let myself down...oh i'm blathering. i'll let you know how i get on.

Twink - will endeavour not to be so sheepish in future ! Am not used to being anything other than last in any sporting event! Had a good chuckle at covering Paula's maternity leave. I'll set that as my next target. I love the fact that my club welcomes everyone - I wouldn't want to be in a club with just super speedy people. And you are so right about it giving you a boost and helping you improve, I'm amazed by how motivating it is to run with other people and to try out different distances.

peanutbutter - I get those doubts too - though am resolving to obey Twink and get more confident! It is all about trusting your body and knowing you can get out there and do it. At whatever pace or distance you're at.

you're right Pidge. i re-read my message and it sounded so defeatist, like i was setting myself up for failure. i'm going to try to be more confident. will report back later on

well, i'm back & bit disappointed. I ran for 0.5 and had to stop. did some weights and stuff while cooling down a little, went back on and did 0.75. i suppose it's an improvement, if minuscule, but i'd set my heart on getting to a mile. i think that i need to run a bit slower, that might help me run for longer - what does anyone else think? did you all struggle like this when you first sarted?

peanutbutter - the key for me is to go really slow to start with - I still find I have to do this - when I first started I forced myself to go at barely above walking pace for the first few minutes. That will mean you'll be able to keep going longer. Oh and stopping and walking and then re-starting is a good technique to start with too.

The other thing is - you have good days and bad days - sometimes even now that I'm very fit, I go out and my legs feel heavy, and tired and I can't always shake off that feeling.

So don't get down on yourself. You'll get to your mile!

it's nice of you to be so encouraging Pidge, thanks. think i've probably been going too fast, so i'm going to do the next one much slower, get Abba on my iPod and see what happens!