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....

Yes, it will get easier as your body gets used to the routine. If you're finding it very tiring at the moment, try slowing down a little. Once your body is used to the mileage you're doing you can start building up the speed a little bit.

One tip I would give is to try building up one run per week (say, your Sunday run) to be a bit further than the other runs you're doing. (You could even reduce the length of one of your other runs to compensate). Gradually build up by 5 minutes per week until you're getting close to the distance of your race. It's always good psychologically to know you can do the distance of the race comfortably in training. (The one exception to this is marathon training, where you don't run race distance before the race, as it's too stressful on the body).

If you're feeling tired I'm guessing you've just launched straight into running 4-5 miles every other day without a gradual build-up? You could reduce a couple of the runs to 3 miles until you start getting more comfortable with running every other day, then move back up to 4-5 miles. If you are particularly tired, though, don't be afraid to take walking breaks during your runs, or an extra rest day if you need one.

thanks currant bun - I did the same event a year ago and then lapsed into an occassional runner only. Just recently I built up from about 2.5 miles upto 4-5. The last few have been quite tough as i've been staying in the peak district and doing 4-5 miles of hills. Now I've built up to 4-5 I'm planning to do 2 shorter ones (probably 4 miles) then one longer one - going up to about 7 I think (that's what I did last year). Last year I did 2 short and one long a week, but this time I want to do a bit more - so I'm doing 2 shorter and one long, but on the basis of every other day (ie an average of 3 and a half a week - can't bear the idea of doing 4 a week as that would mean consecutive days!). I'm just hoping this exhaustion is going to go!

Ah, the hills will definitely have increased your fatigue! I did a really hilly run in Wales last weekend and it stayed in my legs for several days, making even my usual easier runs feel hard.

I tend to have rest days Mondays and Fridays - Mondays because Sundays are always my long run day (well, they were before I got pregnant and stopped doing long runs!), and Fridays because I like to mark the arrival of the weekend by completely chilling out on a Friday night! So I run consecutive days on Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and again on Saturday and Sunday. I started by running every other day, then gradually added a run to make 4 per week, so I was running consecutively just once. Then before I started training for my second marathon I decided it would really improve my time if I could get up to 5 times per week - again, I added the extra run gradually so I got used to it - and it did improve my times!

I think the key with running is to make any changes very gradually to allow your body time to get used to and absorb the extra you're doing. Trying to do too much too soon is a surefire way to wear yourself out and/or get injured.

CurrantBun - welcome to the gang - and thanks for your words of encouragement. I started off hoping for a 2.10 time for Windsor, then it was 2 hours, and now I'm thinking that 1.50 might just be possible. To be honest it's my first half marathon and I'm not going to go mad, just run it nice and steady. Anyway, am amazed at where I've got to on just 3 runs per week.

thewoman .... I've gone through periods of being really tired ... but now my runs tend to be invigorating. I only do one long run per week, the others are short, in fact my third run is sub 30 minutes.

As for running post baby - I ran a bit pre-kids, and always found an excuse to give up after a few months. So in some ways it's really motivating that time is more pressured now, and that keeps me going. And it's lovely having running as time for me and me alone. Having said that, I find it hard to do more than my 3 weekly runs. Though dp has said he would cover the extra babysitting if I got a marathon place.

I didn't start running again till my second daughter was almost 6 months, but I was still exclusively breastfeeding at that point and didn't find it particularly an issue. I'm pretty tiny, and I just invested in an industrial sports bra! More of an issue than breastfeeding (if you end up choosing that option) is that post birth I was pretty bashed about for the first few months. It took me about 8 weeks to fully recover from tearing (I was fine most of the time, but if I walked too far I would get discomfort). Also the baby (often ) doesn't sleep that much in those early months, so I personally didn't have any reserves for doing much exercise.

Anyway, everyone is different, and it's just like running in pregnancy, you need to listen to what your body is telling you.

I read somewhere that when exercising your boobs can stretch up to 9cm so it's worth buying a sports bra. Whether that's true or not, but I'm glad I invested in one! Much more comfy.

I work FT & run 3 times a week. Well ran .. haven't run since being back from holiday 3 weeks ago & must start again. (In my defence I have stepped instead!)

Welcome CurrantBun, congrats on your bump and seriously impressed by your speed . This is not meant to be a dampner at all, just personal experience.

I was an obsessive runner before ds was born, I also had 3 marathons under my belt (PB 3.35) and never dreamt that 4 years later I would still be finding it difficult to get back in to the grove so to speak. It's as if someone has flicked a switch on my motivation etc, the singleminded determination is just not there anymore. That being said ds will be 4 this month and I am determined to get back to running on a really regular basis between Sep and Dec

I suspect my advancing age (& expanding waistline)is not helping either.....................

Hello CurrantBun and theWomanetc . CurrantBun of your times. Well, not envy really as I don't have the inclination to do marathons, more respect lol!

gosh this thread has got busy all of a sudden! Jones, you haven't replied - where are you?

TheWoman - I have done Kingston a couple of times, the 8 miler once and the 16 miler once also. I really like the event, nice and flat and well organised.

I was out tonight running with friends and we have decided to sign up for Maidstone Half Marathon on 22nd Oct. Well, they agreed too and my puffing and panting up the hill was seen as a sign of agreement! Am pleased really as need another challenge to keep me going.

Helllo. Have only skimmed this thread because its so long, but you dont seem too scary... so can I join and try and get inspired?
Basically, i ran 5 times a week without fail pre-children (ds1 is 3 in Nov), gave up whilst pg, and have never had the time to get back into it. now we have a treadmill, so am going to force myself to run between ds2's feeds. i really miss it, but its so hard to begin again from rock bottom. The most I've done lately is a 15 min jog. I did the RFL after ds1 was born, but got very disheartened because it took me 40 mins (pre ds1 I did it in 22 mins). The longest run I 've ever done was the Great North in 2002, which took me 2hrs 5 mins, but I was very proud of that

JoPG - it is a nice event - I live in Kingston so very easy for me - just walk to the start. I run along the river quite a bit anyway - it's nice runing territory. If you're doing a half marathon at the end of Oct you ought to come along and do the 8 miler as part of your training....you know you want to...

Hello mustrunmore - glad you found us

Thanks. Not much of a runner so far today though, as real life has yet again got in the way

Am still here peanut butter, but am embarassed to say I haven't been out running for ages !!!

In my defence we have been away quite a bit, staying with family, and the weather has been cr*p!!!!

Have now borrowed a treadmill from my BIL - don't think it's very good, though!! We shall see!!! Plan to have a go tomorrow - DH and the DC are off to MIL.

Hopefully, we will have more of a routine once the DD goes back to school on Monday.

glad you're back JTS. I haven't been on the treadmill for about 10 days or so as dh is away. will be next thursday before i can go to the gym (creche is open that day only on my non work days), so i'm feeling a bit nervous too. Is it a manual treadmill, or electric? It might be just the thing you need to boost your confidence because you'll have a better measure of how far you're going and whatnot. anyway - just make sure you start off really slow and don't go bombing off like i did at first, nearly giving myself an aneurysm!! let us know how you do.

It's a manual one, I think - no power anyway!!

The idea is that if I stick at it, we save up and buy a better one and let BIL have his back (not that he uses it - it was holding up t-shirts in his bedroom - a bit like our exercise bike!!!!!!!!! )

oh god, yes, we had an exercise bike whose sole function in life was to have our coats hanging from its handle bars. i think half the spare rooms in england have had exercise bikes covered in clothing at one time or another.

Welcome mustrunmore - hoping you find inspiration here. I think it's probably hard if you once ran a lot and were really competent, to then re-start and regain that fitness post kids. I was such a half-hearted runner pre-children I've still got all that buzz about doing a new thing to keep me going! The one brilliant thing I do find about running is that it's the easiest exercise to fit in around children.

Exciting stuff JoPG on the 1/2 marathon. It is so good to have a target to aim for. I'm actually thinking about doing one at the end of October too ... that's as well as Windsor in September! Maybe madness, but it's my club's 1/2 marathon and it might be tempting to join in.

CurrantBun - good grief - just re-read your post and spotted your marathon PB - you must have rocket powered shoes!!!

hello, can I sneak onto this thread? have applied for a FLM place but think I have been a tad ambitious as have never done any races! eek!

can I ask how you all fit your training around kids? my dd is off to school on Tuesday (recepion!) but I have a ds, nearly 2, at home. is it going to have to be early mornings or evenings? and is it safe to run in the dark on your own (in village, so not many pavement/streetlights). tia, Dinny

Well, we have a treadmill. But still only get time in the evening, as dh cant/wont look after both boys at once. And he works shifts, so even that is sporadic. He needs to be here, as the baby is at the stage of being back-patted back to sleep!

Should also say, we've tried to run with the buggy a couple of times, but its sooo hard; your upper body is in such an unnatural position.
So, I usually get a bit of time between 7.30pm and 10pm, as both kids are usually asleep then. But if ds1 falls asleep during the day, its a nightmare, as he's up really late. He actually doesn't know the treadmill moves, as i dont want him fiddling He knows its for running, but thinks you just kind of do it on the spot...
I cant do morning runs, as dh leaves at 5.30am, and the boys are awake by 6am if not before. When dh is on lates, he doesn't leave till 11am, but then I'd either have to miss ds1's playgroup/swimming/whatever, or run really really early... i'm not a morning person. I'd fall asleep before the boys went to bed!

oh, wish I had a treadmill... I get scared going out in the evening on my own. well, now the evenings are drawing in, I do.

maybe early mornings are the answer for me! I can't run with the buggy either - really uncomfy and can't switch off and get into running! need a nanny!

Where abouts are you?
It'd be perfectly safe to run at night here, but i never go out after dark now because of having the boys, so I get a bit nervy even going to get milk when dh is here!
you need a running partner.

Oh, and we got the treadmill because we got an amazing bargain on ebay, and figured that it was worth it as it equated to a years gym fee in the gym we left because of moving house. Thre's no gyms close enough here, plus i'd need a babysitter too!!