Mumsnetters Keep On Running

[Saggarmakersbottomknocker]

As requested - a new thread, continuing on from this Marathon effort!

Haven't

we been

running

a long time?

New members always welcome

I'm certainly an advocate of the 'I'd rather look at it than do it' approach - I spend far more time constructing elaborate training schedules than actually doing them...

But Fartlek can actually be quite fun. I like the lamp-post exercise and also occasionally - and for short distances - race bikes, people in boats, small toddlers (although they can be speedy little blighters..) Like a lot of things in running, the secret is not to overdo it: when you get to the point when you think you can't run another step, don't! Just jog a bit.

Wuxian, I remember getting shin splints when I started running, too. I changed shoes and adopted a stretching habit and they haven't come back, but I couldn't tell you which thing was the most effective - sorry.

Sagger, I could try grass running, I guess, but isn't that likely to do more damage as the field are kinda uneven?

I bought my trainers in the US 3 years ago. They sole is pretty slim under toe part, but thicker with air bits in the heel. They are running type trainers.

Wow, this thread seems to have a life of it's own now! Well I tried to run last week after my 1/2M but my hamstrings were complaining too much. Have since done 2x30 mins runs and things seem to be improving. Was supposed to do a 5K fun run tonight but I wimped out , it's been raining non stop (I actually like running in the rain normally), the run is on the other side of the city in the rush hour so driving not sensible & public transport quite a long route..I'm going to stay at home & drink wine
My next target is the Vienna 10K Frauenlauf (womens run) on 3 Jun so I need to get my skates on so to speak.

oh I see I can do fartlek - thought it was something entirely different.

will try that next time I am out

Are you doing anything special to prepare for it, LR?

, good question Gizmo. I know what I should be doing (the aformentioned pyramids et al) however I know it will be all I can do to maintain the momentum and keep running after the 1/2M. I went through 11KM in 60 mins in the 1/2 so quite happy I can turn in a half decent time(for my age, excess body fat,lack of training etc) for the 10K.

Yeah, that's the thing, ain't it? It's fun to run on a 'no strings' basis but I need a goal to keep things from petering out. Otherwise I find myself relying on the fitness from a spring marathon to get me through an autumn one...

So how about a 'lightweight' summer? Just a few runs each week - quality rather than quantity? Might be good for the injured amongst us, too.

I need goals too. Unfortunately, since the boys, I also need time and fitness

Well, I did a bit of a run today, but only 15 mins to break in my new trainers and test out the sandal injury. All I can say is , ouch. So I did some swiss ball stuff too, with 2 small boys sitting on me. I'm feeling disheartened. And I'm on a 4 day break with my Mum from Friday, so wont get much chance to do anything, other than hotel room exercises!

Hi mustrunmore. Hope your injury heals soon. Prob not a bad thing to not do much running on it for a few days, let it heal, otherwise it might linger.

I've done no running at all for months now. Still sick everyday during this pregnancy.
5 more weeeks to go and i'll be back on those roads pounding away

Hi marathonmum I have every confidence that you'll be back up to at least 10kms a week after the baby comes You can run over here so I can meet him/her.

But I dont want to rest, I want to wear my new trainers! Pig ugly, but sooo comfy!
I'm on a major diet kick too. Nothing has worked so far, as I'm sure you could tell when you saw me . Have lost nothing since December, despite exercise, diet, slimming tablets blah blah. So now I'm on a very calorie controlled thing; am adding up cls and fat as I eat during the day; when I reach my limit, I stop, no matter when it is. Its not very sensible re eating a little and often, until I get into the swing of it, and its hard to fit it round training (optimum times to eat and all that). But desperate times call for desperate measures!

5 more weeks to go Marathonmum and then you'll be laid up on the sofa feeding DC No4 while I entertain my goddaughter and I'll be hiding your running shoes at the bottom of my garden if I have to.
Now get off the computer and return my phone call from today so we can make a date please

Sorry Mckenzie. Just got your message. I had gone to watch Apprentice which I am addicted to!!. Then went to bed! Barry's away AGAIN (Work rest/play) but I will call you.But you are never in

Mustrunmore. Good luck with your eating plan and fitness regime. After the baby is born we should meet up in trent park for a little jogette . I know some lovely routes throught the woods. Is about 10 miles ok with you . You could come to Mckenzie

Me and two fit people

Count me in.

Treadmill again this am, hips much better, did some hip abductor stretches straight after the run and before the aerobics so hopefully won't be so creaky this weekend. Thinking about braving a 'proper' run next week.

Hi fellow runners. Did 4 miles yesterday with my lovley new ipod n. Could have gone forever but had to collect ds2 from nursery!
Hope to go out again tomorrow.

Are any of you in running clubs?
Looking to join a new one next week. Any views?

What do you do with your running club that you don't do by yourself? Is there a trainer? What's the format?

Running clubs are ok, but I fell out with mine coz of all the bitching and clique-i-ness. At least you can pace yourself against better runners and aim to keep up with faster people for, say, 15 mins.

Am gonna join another one soon... as soon as I can run for an hour and 10 mins at a decent pace.

And, if you are in a club, you get discount at local runners shop and reduced entry fees for races.

Hi all,

I run on a treadmill a few times a week. I started last July. At first I could only do the 2 minute walk/run. I had some weeks where I wasn't able to run at all (childcare). I now walk 10 minutes for warm-up. I then run for 40 minutes at 8.5K/hour but vary the incline to make it more challenging. I then walk for roughly 6 minutes to cool-down and then do stretches. What sort of distance do you guys cover in a 40 minute run? I have gotten sore knees in the past and so don't want to risk losing my running by increaseing my speed. Do you think the higher incline is the way to go to make it more challenging? However, I would like to know if I am AWFULLY slow.

hi westerngirl and welcome. I''m no expert but I think perhaps you could try to do some short busts at a faster pace during your 40 mins if you wish to increase your speed.
What are you running for though? Why do you want to run faster? It's always best to run with at least a 0.5% incline (so says my friend who is an eminent podiattrist) and increasing the incline will make you work harder but it might affect your knees - I dont know.

could you seaspned runners have a look here if you could advise about knee supports?
thanks

Running clubs ... I'm a huge fan. I'd been running for about 6 months when I joined mine, and frankly I think I would have given up running without them. I was getting bored, it was hard to motivate myself to go out on my own, and I was just plodding round the same old routes. So, the good stuff is, you run in company, and the miles whizz by when you're chatting, they have fun events like 5ks, 10ks longer runs, relays, they do speedwork (though I can't make those sessions), you find out about local runs and you get brilliant advice from experienced runners. I was scared by the term 'running club', thinking it was going to be full of elite athletes, but mine is very very inclusive - makes a real point of being for all standards from the speed merchants to the 14 minute milers. I can't praise it enough.

Still no running for me though - foot better but aching. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. But more of an issue now - I've had a cold, and being asthmatic it has gone on my chest. So, taking it easy for a while. Still contemplating turning up for the 10k next weekend and just jogging round with a friend who has recently taken up running. Will have to see if my foot can take it though.

I looked at your other message Popsycal but i can't help you i'm afraid. i've had my fair share of injuries but not really involving my knees. sorry

Hey everyone! i signed up for the british 10k AGES ago, and just looking through my calander and realised that i dont have much time left!!! its on july 1st! I was up to about 4miles (6 1/2ish?? km) but i had a bit of a break and tried my usual 4 mile route yesterday and i walked about 50% any tips to get back in my running shoes?
Pidge, i tried to find a running club, and i havent done a very good job of finding one! google didnt show me anything. any tips to find one? or does anyone know one on london/essex boarder?

Well I have had a really rubbish week. I ran 10.9k last Sunday adn then literally ran out of energy the rest of the week.

Went running yesterday up a very very steep hill with a friend who is a trainer and he said go back to basics. So today did my 4.5 miles run and actually it was really good and I ran almost all of it in just under 50 minutes. I ran much much slower than I have been running and lo and behold I could run further. I think on reflection I have been running too fast and then got depressed as I couldnt keep going.

I also think I have been working so hard that I was bound to have an off week and still I managed an hour at the gym, a four mile run and a five miles one before today so didnt do too badly.