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

[fionagib]

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....?

STILL haven't been out and have stinking cold!! so blimmin frustrating.
twink or anyone, how would you advise getting the motivation together when you haven't run for weeks - just to get over that initial hurdle?

Beety, have a look at this schedule . It's a Runners World 10 week programme for near beginners.

I expect you are all too aware that the 20th March is 9 weeks on Sunday ;) so if you start with a mix of weeks 1&2, you'll be fine - honest !

Take it gradually, ideally you shouldn't increase any run by more than 10% and the same for your overall weekly mileage but you'll have to push it a bit. Are you going to train on a treadmill, I know you said you have been previously ?

Did you get some decent running shoes ?

There's nothing in the rules about running the whole distance either, so running & walking is fine - I know of people who 'run' races slower than others could walk them.

Good luck !

Fiona, how about

'Get off your ar**e and get out there ?'

Sorry, on a more serious note, what about treating yourself to some new kit (fleece lined knickers perhaps ?!) so you've got to justify the cost by actually using it ??

It is tough to get back into a routine, be it running, gym class, French practice or whatever especially when it's cold, dark & gloomy and sitting at home with a bottle of red is far more appealing..

Try just a quick trip round the block, once you've been out once it won't be so hard the next time; Nike have their slogan for a reason !

Think of the change you're hoping to see in yourself by the time summer comes along, running 2 miles shifts 2 glasses of the aforementioned red wine.

As for your cold, we use the 'below' the neck rule ie if you've any symptoms like aching joints, bad chest/cough don't run but if it's all throat & nose then it's ok.

Finally, re-read your opening post when you started this thread

Must go and make dd's tea in a mo but Gizmo, I suffer periodically with runners knee.

I have some exercises from the physio which I try to do regularly but in reality usually only do when I start getting twinges:

Squats using a wall (& a gym ball if you have one)

One legged bouncing on a mini-trampoline

Standing on the bottom step of the stairs then lowering one leg towards the ground by bending the other knee, making sure you keep the knee directly over the middle toe.

Not very good at explaining things, hope it helps.

Cheers Twink, I'll give them a go and let you know if they work.

I think I'm going to try some glucosamine supplement too - I suspect the root of the niggle is just increasing distance/speed load a bit too quick (Beetroot, watch out for that one) and if I put some preventative measures in place now then it will help me deal with the next month or two of training.

Fionagib: some things that always work for me: put a weekly/twice/three times weekly slot in the diary when you are going to go out for a run, and just do it, without worrying about the quality or the distance. Walk bits if you feel you need to.

Funnily enough, the busier you are, the better that one works, because you know you can't put it off until later in the day - your diary slot is your only opportunity.

I always think about how good I'm going to feel when it's done, and how, just in getting off my bottom, I've done better than many other people (not that I'm competitive or anything).

And of course, another really good one is to arrange a diary date with a mate to go out running and treat it like going out for a cup of coffee or a drink: you wouldn't stand them up for a drink, so why for a run. I know a lot of people like this one, because having someone else run with you makes the whole experience go by much quicker, but I'm a bit sad and actually quite like running on my own, so social running is reserved for Monday night with the Hash House Harriers.

Good luck with Bath, Beetroot: its a very highly recommended event, I'm told, so you should have fun. Do you think it would help if you put your running log up here, then we could all cheer you on?

Oh and Fionagib?

I was exactly how you describe yourself this time last year: some previous running experience, had gone all mushy due to life getting in the way.

But I picked a race in Oct, started training in July and I can't tell you the difference it has made (well I can, two dress sizes and 2 mins faster per mile, but that's not the point).

Scare yourself - go get a race target and then that can be a deadline for you. Doing it just to keep fit somehow never gets high enough up my priority list, so the deadline is very helpful. And you must remember how much fun races are?

Feeling really stressed, had an awful day and just I have been feeling completely exhausted.
Only managed a 15 min run last night!
Both me and DH have been trying to aim for 3 runs a week. Only did x2 20 mins last week . At last nights 15 minutes was my first run of the week.
Everything seems such an effort!
I don't seem to be improving, I manage a mile in about 12 minutes, but I've been doing that since starting up last year. Perhaps if I start to run more often I will at least build up more endurance.

Hey Dingle, don't beat yourself up ! Try to use running as a stress reliever not something that adds to it. If you can't make it don't worry, just accept it and write the next one in big letters on the calender.

When you go for your run are you trying too hard staight away & wearing yourself out & so forcing yourself to slow down, or are you sticking to a pace you know you can do ?

Some of us find that it takes a good 15 mins + to get our breathing sorted, so at least a mile before things start to settle down.

Do you run outside ? Have you got lamp posts in your roads ? When I first started I'd jog to the 2nd streetlight & pick up the pace to the next 1, and repeat over & over, eventually you swap so you run for 2, jog for 1 then finally you realise you can keep going at the faster pace.

It's hard to push yourself out of your comfort zone (I'm still trying !) but if you could occasionally run with a slightly faster friend for a short distance, tell yourself that it might be hell on earth for 20 mins but you CAN cope because you know it will end soon, that will help too.

Be patient, improvements are slow to see initially, it might take months but it's a bit like weight loss/gain; with running, slow progress is better as you are more likely to avoid injurys which cause frustrating setbacks.

Hello my runner friends, I still haven't started as haven't been able to go to a specialist running shop to buy shoes... I hope to be able to join you soon though!

Oh Dingle, please don't feel bad: Twink's right, if your running becomes a chore rather than stress release it won't stick as a habit.

But you did go out last night, you did 15 minutes which is more exercise (I promise you) than 90% of the population did. And even twice a week you will have got benefit out of it.

When you have to stop, is it a legs, lungs or a head thing? Things got much easier for my legs and lungs when I realised that I should start each run at a real geriatric hobble and only gently increase the pace after 10 minutes. That way I didn't build up the lactic acid that makes your lungs burn and your legs ache. Also, speed is the wrong thing to worry about to start with, IMHO: adding time and distance (slowly) can give you a real sense of satisfaction and progress and before you know it, you'll be up to 10K.

Although I'm a fine one to talk: I'm crying off tonight's run on the grounds that I have a slight sniffle (definitely above the neck symptoms, Twink!) and didn't get enough sleep last night. Awwww, poor little me!!!!!

Dingle - keep going girl, you're doing just fine! Do you always run in the evenings? I find the evenings more difficult physically, I'm so much 'better' (its all relative ) in the mornings.

Did some speedwork on Monday, Twink - felt sick as a dog and the next day couldn't take a deep breath in without getting a pain between my shoulderblades - oh joy!

Thanks for the encouragement ladies!
No-I don't run outside, 'm not that brave!We have a treadmill and to be honest it isn't that I can't carrry on! If anything I get too hot, running in the consevatory and I always have the nagging thought that I should be doing something else instead (dd's speech & lang program,or making cards,or tidying up.....)
I always tend to run in the evening simply because it's the only time I get-when the kiddies are in bed!
I was thinking about doing something like yoga during the morning while dd is at nursery, that way I wouldn't get so hot and need to shower before rushing to pick her up. At least that way I would be doing another form of exercise.
I don't even know if I actually enjoy the running! I do enjoy the challenge though!

Yeah, I know what you mean, Dingle, for every five runs I do I get one really good one (endorphines blasting, feeling I could leap tall buildings with a single bound etc), one sh1te one and three kinda OK.

Yoga on the other hand is definitely blissed out territory for me - once it's finished!

Truthfully: if you can, I think you should go out and get the wind in your hair sometimes. It gives you a lot more distractions (even if it's only avoiding getting run over), get you out for a bit longer and makes sure you don't worry about what you 'should' be doing at home.

The mental barriers are definitely the most difficult ones and I think once you've worked out why you think other things are more important than you'll have cracked it. Says I, snug on my sofa which I have no intention of leaving

Dingle - I can't run on a treadmill - I find it really hard, my legs ache after about 100 metres and I'm bored to tears. If you can do 20 mins on the treadmill, you'd do more on the road I'm sure. You can vary your pace better, ease off when it's tough and speed up a bit when its not.

That said, i didn't go out today as planned, too windy....again. Don't mind the rain but the wind just does me in ...

Hello all, do you mind if I join in?

In a moment of madness (largely inspired by lurking on this thread )I have entered a 10k at the beginning of May. I'm absolutely terrified because I'm a VERY rubbish runner and pretty certain to be last which would be okay if the race wasn't happening in front of a home crowd (so when I fall over/poo my pants half way round I'm bound to do it in front of friends, family, work collegues etc).

I'm trying to get out three times a week at the moment but I'm still only half way through a run/walk programme designed to get me running 30mins in about three weeks time. OMG. What have I done. I'm holding you all responsible.

zippy - welcome - we all have our moments of madness. You'll be fine for your 10k (says me who's only run that far about 5 times ever!!)- once the blimmin weather starts to improve it'll get easier to get out and to go further.

Not sure where everyone is at the moment though.........Beety, enid, clary, pinkmama and all you others - are you hiding under the duvet?!

Welcome Zippy, and Wondermom (hope you've found us !)

Zippy, walk/run programmes are great, and really work so don't panic, just try to stick with your schedule and you'll be amazed how much progress you make.

You're HIGHLY unlikely to be last either, but if you are so what ? The majority of people couldn't do 1km let alone 10 !

Got to read story now but I'll pop back later for half marathon bits.

Hi. I'm a newey to the thread Started training in October and am doing a half Marathon in Wilmslow at the end of March. NO WHERE NEAR ready!!! Can only do about 4 miles non-stop but carry on jogging/walking. Applied for this far too soon I think. Got a schedule off the internet - 'From Couch Potato to Marathon runner' and got a bit carried away...Still, it'll be an experience. Down for the Manchester 10k, which should be a doddle but the BIGGEY, which is why I started training, is The Great North Run. I should be ready for that in September...Surely???

Haven't posted for ages, but it is satisfying to look back to see that my first post was on 9th November - and that I've managed to run fairly consistently since then, and last night ran for 25 minutes. I've subscribed to Runners World as I find it motivating to read about other peoples' experiences. And I bought some proper shoes (and socks - what a surprise to find that they make them for left and right feet! And that they cost £10....). This thread has been very helpful, thanks for all the tips.

Back again. Wondermom, hopefully this link will work.

It shows that you're well on your way to achieving your goal.
Wilmslow has a good reputation, so hopefully you'll find some people to natter to on your way round. As you say, Manchester 10k will hopefully be a breeze and by GNR time you'll be looking to beat target times rather than just get round.

I did my first half about 10 months after starting running (I began with run/walk 30 secs each) and it was fine and I beat my 2 hour target but it was physically demanding & I slept in the afternoon afterwards.

No consolation to you but having done 13 miles at the weekend, and knowing how tough the last 3 miles felt, I truly can't comprehend how I'm going to get through 26.2 miles in another 10 weeks - but the schedule says if I can do a decent 10k and follow the training plan then I can do it but I'm not at all convinced...

I guess we each have a goal which is a major challenge to us as individuals, they're all tough but if they weren't what's the point ?

To echo Potty1, where are the rest of you hiding ? Beety you've got 7 weeks until Bath !

Good to hear about your track stuff P1, it is hard isn't it ?! It works though, honest !

Merrygoround, I've found RW to be a great help esp the subscriber bits of their web site & the forums - although they can get almost as adictive as MN so be warned !

I LOVE those socks, our running group met up for coffee & mince pies after a long run just before Christmas, and we politely left our trainers by the door - almost everyone had L & R socks but a significant number had them on the wrong feet...

i ran for 30 mins for the first time on sunday! was a bit of a struggle but i'm really pleased (have been running since beg. nov, and did nothing before then but eat loads!)

i have no idea of my distance...i do circuits around the estate where i live...it takes me five or six circuits to do half an hour...and my pace varies ;)

can anyone help me to find out approx how far i'm running?

Do you have a pedometer sophable? Its not really accurate but will give you an idea. Or can you get someone to drop you a measured distance from home (if you're running for 30 mins maybe 3 miles) and time your run back. I know I run a mile in about 9 minutes comfy pace so if I run for 30 mins I've done a bit over 3 miles IYSWIM.