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Original poster

anyone like to start a runners' support group thread thingie?

843 replies

fionagib · 08/11/2004 12:14

Inspired by Paula Radcliffe's victory at the new york marathon (but HORRIBLY unfit), I wondered if anyone would like to start running, or keep running, or get even better at running, and support each other here by telling each other how we're getting on, or swap tips, ideas etc?

I did quite a bit of running earlier this year, a few 10k races (and loved it, felt so much better, really proud, with more energy etc) but have let it all go to pot and now have jelly belly & bum, and a running bra that's probably covered with cobwebs somewhere...

Am totally un-athletic, was smoking heavily until 2 weeks ago, and just wanna make a positive change, avoid a winter of blobbiness, and feel really good & fit come spring.

so anyone like to join me....?

OP posts:
Embee · 08/11/2004 12:53

Sounds like an excellent idea. I have run on and off for many years. More off than on. I also have flabby belly since stopping breast feeding! Been thinking about running for 6months now - just never got out there. Smoke the odd ciggie here and there so v unfit. I'm in w7 where are you?

Original poster
fionagib · 08/11/2004 12:58

I live in scotland embee but maybe we could support each other in a virtual way! Am sick of doing nothing to sort my bod out, and feel crap because I'd got to a reasonable level of fitness -not exactly whippet-like but did a 10k in 61 mins a few months back, but could hardly run up our street to the chippie now & clothes feel horribly tight.

how do you want to start? Could you manage to get out for a run this week, even just a quickie, like 15 mins or so? am hoping to get out this eve when dh gets home, just a run round town in the dark, prob wearing a balaclaver so no one sees my puce face

OP posts:
pinkmama · 08/11/2004 13:09

Hi, I'll join in. Been running on and off for a couple of years, but when I say on and off, I really mean off. I run for a couple of weeks then get fed up and stop for months. Don't know why, because when i actually get down to it it really helps my mood (fantastic for my PMT), I feel so much better in every way. My weight is rising at an incredible rate (a stone in 8 months). Decided this morning to do something, so this is very timely. I also thought of going out tonight. Problem is I am so bad at motivating myself I find every justification not to go. support would be good. DH tries but I just get tempted to hit him! . Not sure I could ever manage a 10K, well done to you!

Beetroot · 08/11/2004 13:24

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Embee · 08/11/2004 14:11

Right that's me sorted. I'll defo go out for a run tonight in between feeding DD and putting her to bed. Will let you know how I get on tomorrow. Must go cos am at workat the mo!!!
M

enid · 08/11/2004 14:12

I ran quite a lot from March-July this year. Then did my neck in but want to start again.

Do you go out in the dark? Thats the only time I could get out.

Original poster
fionagib · 08/11/2004 14:23

yes enid, can't really get out during daylight hours at the mo as am either with kids or working... don't mind running in dark as our small town's pretty well lit, I just avoid creepy streets & alleys. When I was running in the summer I'd get right out into the countryside which was lovely, but in this sorry & unfit state I hate the idea of winding up all jelly-legged 2 miles from home...

great embee, I'll def go out tonight as well, just a schelpp around town under cover of darkness. Let us know how you get on!

pinkm, a 10k did seem daunting & unfeasible but managed to work up to it in about 4 months, it just means being able to run for 50 mins or so - the atmosphere on the big day carries you along that extra bit - and was a brillaint feeling (the first time I finished one I cried! what a sap...)

beetroot, is that a reference to the colour of your face when you've been running? how long d'you have to train for the great north run? is it in summer, & where?

ps confession: my dh quit fags a week after I did and is now making rumblings about starting running. can't bear to be a pudgy wreck while he streaks off & shames me.

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Beetroot · 08/11/2004 14:26

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enid · 08/11/2004 14:31

could go out in dark but there are no street lights in the village - not worried about crime but I might run into a big puddle/pile of cow poo. Or a 4x4 might wipe me out.

tell me I can do it otherwise I'll never bother to run.

clary · 08/11/2004 14:40

right fiona i'm up for this.

Have been running every week since was shamed by friends doign Race for Life in May and decided I should do it too...(nxt yr ie)

It's onyl 5km (v impressed with you doign a 10k!) but I need impetus. Was doing quite well tho top time/distance was onyl 20 mins of running, but then I was ill with horrid lurgy a few weeks ago and went out for the 1st time last week and was totally CRAP!

Also was running in the park with a pal but now it's too dark to do that in the evenings so I am back to the streets round my house (good thing about runningat night is that you don't meet anyone you know!)

Won't go out tonight as planning to go to Pilates class (ooeer etc) but aim to run tues or more likely weds this week.
will post again.

Original poster
fionagib · 08/11/2004 14:45

Great, Clary, pls don't feel all despondant due to going out and feeling crap, sometimes it just doesn't happen cos you're just too knackered or whatever... I don't want running to feel like another pressure or stress or something to fret about, I just wanna enjoy it & feel good, & pretend I'm that Japanese girl who won the women's marathon at the olympics (oh well, a bit of creative visualisation, or whatever you call it, must help, surely!)

enid could you get out for a quick run in the day, get someone to watch your child(ren?) Or run at weekends? Or in a big circle with your kid(s) in the middle?? (only joking...) Am worried about you falling over & drowning in cow poo.

will catch up later, after my run, if am still alive.

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Beetroot · 08/11/2004 14:52

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enid · 08/11/2004 15:05

am going to try in the dark, tonight if not raining. If I manage 2x 10 mins will be overjoyed.

PotPourri · 08/11/2004 15:16

Oooooh. I would love to join this, but am currently about to pop (37 weeks pregnant) and so have not been running for about 6 months. I can't wait to get back into it as like everyone is saying, it is really liberating and helps my mood. I will need to juggle my time better now though with a little one to contend with, but I just love the time it gives you to think - as well as the challenge of being able to do a race.

I was registered for the Great North Run this year but gave up my place due to my whale-like status. I'm not fast, but was getting built up to quite a good level before I got pregnant (did an 8.2 mile run in April, and funnily enough, a 10k in February in 61 minutes like you Fiona!).

Pleeeeeeeese start a support group for this as I can then join in and it will spur me on to get started once my post natal body has recovered a bit.

luckymum · 08/11/2004 17:19

Count me in.......I do 5km 2 or 3 times a week but really struggling at the moment to get motivated - especially with the dark nights and cold weather.

Original poster
fionagib · 08/11/2004 20:21

Please join us when you're ready and able potpourri! God luckymum am v impressed tho know what you mean about stinking horrible weather.... SO hard to haul yourself out of the door. Was thinking that if we can get up & running now, at start of winter, it'll be sheer pleasure when spring comes (ha!)

Anyway girls, have been out tonight for first time in weeks - was fine, felt tight in throat and chest due to vile fags, but managed 25 mins which felt really good. Am gonna try and build up distance over the weeks, and run 3 times a week if poss...

How about everyone else?????
(gonna have some wine now! )

OP posts:
Original poster
fionagib · 08/11/2004 20:23

Did you go out Enid?
And why d'you have to get up to 2 miles beetroot?

OP posts:
enid · 08/11/2004 20:30

err no.

I plead madly stressful bonfire party (see earlier thread) and also I have to finish some work for tomorrow (which is why I am on mumsnet . But I am going to go out tomorrow. honest.

Dingle · 08/11/2004 20:33

Talk about timing!! DH and me have been talking about starting a fitter lifestyle starting today. I'm sat here exercising my fingers on the keyboard and he is exercising his eyes, while watching TV!
Did my first run (more of a walk really)flora Light 5K, in September raising money for Downs Syndrome (my dd has DS) but since then have had no motivation. I have my running machine under a layer of dust in the conservatory.
No excuses-I'll start with 15 minute tonight.
Thanks for the inspiration-I'll drag Dh from the settee too.

Dingle · 08/11/2004 20:40

Talk about timing!! DH and me have been talking about starting a fitter lifestyle starting today. I'm sat here exercising my fingers on the keyboard and he is exercising his eyes, while watching TV!
Did my first run (more of a walk really)flora Light 5K, in September raising money for Downs Syndrome (my dd has DS) but since then have had no motivation. I have my running machine under a layer of dust in the conservatory.
No excuses-I'll start with 15 minute tonight.
Thanks for the inspiration-I'll drag Dh from the settee too.

Dingle · 08/11/2004 20:40

Talk about timing!! DH and me have been talking about starting a fitter lifestyle starting today. I'm sat here exercising my fingers on the keyboard and he is exercising his eyes, while watching TV!
Did my first run (more of a walk really)flora Light 5K, in September raising money for Downs Syndrome (my dd has DS) but since then have had no motivation. I have my running machine under a layer of dust in the conservatory.
No excuses-I'll start with 15 minute tonight.
Thanks for the inspiration-I'll drag Dh from the settee too.

Dingle · 08/11/2004 21:20

Just done 15 minutes, only managed just over a mile though. Burnt 145 calories!Must keep this up- want to feel & look better before Xmas...help me...

Original poster
fionagib · 08/11/2004 21:28

Blimey dingle you don't hang about do you... one post thinking about it, then you've gone & done it...

when I was out this eve I was thinking, all the procrastinating I do, all the moaning and peering out at the faint drizzle... and what you're really talking about in the early days is 15 or 20 mins which is the kind of period of time you can easily while about sitting on the loo. tbh I only went out tonight cos I wanted to come back on here & say I'd done it! Is that pathetic???

OP posts:
Dingle · 08/11/2004 21:45

I've been thinking about starting up again for so long, and this gave me the final push!
...and no it's not pathetic, I thought that was the whole idea, by encouraging each other, hopefully the motivation will keep going!
It's so easy to say that you've been too busy and to be honest I am always busy. I need to fit this in some how and if I don't prioritise it, it will never happen.
I have been feeling really cr*p, everything getting on top of me and I wondered if training again would help-I haven't even got to face the cold, wet, darkness- I have no excuses.

Dingle · 08/11/2004 21:47

oooh just seen the multiple posts sorry, don't know what happened there!