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....?

Started new one Beets am getting my life together after horrors of last few months. Did some running without too much trouble this morning and feel really good about it. Will be fine for June according to my new personal trainer JON at the gym! He is overseeing my progress, weighing me and doing new programmes for me every six weeks to increase my fitness.

Zippy - also doing (or at least hoping to do) Great Caledonian Run - did entry online but haven't heard a thing back from them - not even a confirmatory email (nor one in reply to the email I sent asking if it had all gone through ok). What kind of time are you aiming for?

Hey Glitterfairy

Good on ya: it's cold, the days are short and every sane person is tucked up at home, but you've done it - got up and got out!

It's all a slippery slope from here: first a 5k, then the warm long nights kick in, so you do a little more - maybe a 10k later in the summer? and before you know it, you've got the habit!

Good luck - keep posting

Very scarey! Must say I am looking forward to doing this in daylight and the summer!

ok ladies this might be a verboten question as you're all on here for the joys of running....

but when the f*ck do you start losing weight. i started running in nov last year, and seriously (every other day) since the beginning of this one, and now do 1/2 hour every other day come rain or shine.

nothing has budged at all on the scales.

am i not running enough? does it take a long time but stay off (please!)

anyone know...or know of a good programme that does take the weight off.

i'm starting to really enjoy it in and of itself (never thought i'd say that) but i really would also like to slim down....

tia

Muscle is heavier than fat. Keep hold of that thought! I only really lost weight when I was up to serious training - 5/6 times per week up to 40 miles a week and then not loads (6-7 pounds). But - I bet you are a lot more toned than you were. Add in some cross training - rowing or cycling - exercises complimnetary muscles to add to the overall fitness effect and boosts your running too.

that's a bit depressing Hannah's aunt, i thought it would fall off. Alhtough i did read an article in the papaer the other day about a womna who was doing the London marathin and she said her thighs had got huge, I was hoping sh emeant all toned and beautiful maybe she just meant in a rugby player way which is not a look I'm after at all

Bad news Sophable, I think Hannahsaunt is right. I've gone down but only about 7 pounds which was after three months of running 5x week.

But! Although I still weigh enough to bring strong men to their knees (I think I'm now built of pure Kryptonite )I have lost about two dress sizes.

Hi, sorry - didn't mean to sound quite so negative but has sadly been my experience. Everyone told me running would give me thin legs but no - one marathon later and legs really not terribly different from before. However, definitely stronger, much more toned and could tell the difference when I had two months off after cracking a couple of ribs. Back up to 20 miles a week but at a faster pace than last year so hoping for good times in my 2 10k races coming up in the spring - Balmoral 10k and the Great Caledonian Run (Edinburgh) which has just been confirmed - hoorah! NB long runs are good for calorie burning so go for distance rather than speed.

Sophable - I can definitely tell the difference in my legs when I'm running at least 3 times a week - certainly more toned and the cellulite is less apparent. As far as weight loss goes I really think the 'fat-burning' effect only kicks in after about 40 mins running (well for me anyway). If I'm only (huh?!) doing 30 mins at a time as I am at the moment it doesn't affect my weight at all . BUT, just think how much fitter you are cardiovascularly (big word!). Your heart and lungs will love you forever!

Sophable - thought all last night about the weight thing and realised that I lost weight despite eating:

breakfast (porridge, fruit)
morning snack (banana)
lunch (soup, oatcakes, protein, fruit, s/times crisps)
afternoon snack (slice of cake)
snack with boys' tea (toast, their leftovers etc)
dinner with dh (lots)
bedtime snack

and when running esp the long ones I would be taking on board 300-400 calories in isotonic fluid as well. Really rather a large diet! Make sure you do eat enough to sustain the level of activity you are doing (within reason) but to add in sensible weight loss, monitor your calorie intake as well as your calorie output (very roughly 1 mile = 100 calories in effort)

Thanks very much Gizmo, I really appreciate you taking time to type all that in ! Like you I'd always understood that the long runs were supposed to be slow - everything seems so confusing at the moment.

With hindsight, I was very badly dehydrated towards the end as I'd only taken my 'running' bottle with me. Next time I'm going to stash a couple of others out on the course.

I'm doing a 10 mile race at the weekend so hopefully it will seem like a breeze after last week.

Sophable,

I used to find that running offset what I ate at weekends - I'd be 'sensible' during the week and eat whatever I fancied Sat & Sun. My weight stayed stable for a couple of years like that. Are you sure you're not overcompensating for the activity ?

When I introduced cycling & swimming I lost weight without trying - and now I'm marathon training I seem to be doing it again.

My actual weight has only dropped about 2.5kg since Christmas but my hip measurement has reduced by nearly 3cm

There are a whole stack of articles here which may help too.

You might be, but the run will be fine

Make sure you don't start too quickly & ideally you dictate the pace, you can always speed up at the end if you still feel full of energy.

Don't think about it being further than you're used to, just try to relax and enjoy the scenery.

This is an interesting question, though. Is there a good reason (either for running or more generally) why lower weight=better?

I am, and always have been, heavy for my height (like I said, pure Kryptonite). So I avoid 'watching my weight' - don't even own a set of scales - but I do watch other factors (dress size and flabbyness of stomach being principal ones). These have both seen quite dramatic improvements since I started regular distance running.

However, my BMI is still at the high end of normal and I've no doubt the weight thing doesn't help my knees much. Is high weight (but regular body shape) linked to any other diseases/disorders?

And, irrespective of weight, what other body 'targets' would you guys like to get out of running?

Gizmo - the number one thing that running has done for me is improve my PMT and painful,heavy periods. I have hardly any mood swings at all when previously I could be the woman from hell for a few days each month, and I'm virtually pain free

Physically my legs are more toned, as is my stomach and I suffer less back pain. I used to have a very painful knee too, a legacy of playing netball before decent trainers were available (old person alert!) yet it never troubles me now.

Welcome aboard glitterfairy!

Gizmo, I'm, er, solid for my height but I now am on the size 10 side of size 10-12 although many of the 'slimming' magazines suggest I should be around a stone lighter than I am. Hah, not a cat in hell's chance !

I'm hoping that running will help to offset the probable damage of a major smoking habit in my past...

Like Potty, I find it helps to smooth out moods - but only when I can get out, otherwise the converse is that I'm UNBEARABLE !

Did a swift 6 miles tonight following a painfully slow 6.5m yesterday (running with friends, but it was so slow it hurt !), got monthly time trials tomorrow then I think a couple of days rest are in order before getting ready for Sunday's race.

How's this for sod's law. I am carefully following a VERY conservative running programme so I can avoid any kind of injury and then yesterday I bloody did in my knee during a quick sprint to the corner shop (albeit in a pair of Uggs) to get some milk for DD before closing time. My knee just 'pinged' and it is really flippin' sore even just walking on it.

Hannahsaunt - I haven't had anything back from them either though i think the website said I had been accepted... Must check it out. I'm just aiming to get round to be honest - anything under an hour and a half would be a major achievement!

Glitterfairy - sorry meant to say hello in my last post. Please don't think that everyone is advanced - I am a verrry slow runner (even without corner shop related knee injury) and I'm following a run/walk programme too. Stick with it - you'll amaze yourself!

Ouch Zippy ! Hope it's quick to heal, did you manage to get the milk ?

Another update for the list, just heard I've got into the Great North Run via the ballot. I've never done it before so am quite excited.

Samaritan have you heard yet ?

Twink, Bramley 10m, Feb 20th
Twink, Reading Half Marathon, 6th March
Beetroot, Bath half marathon, 20th March
Wondermum, Wilmslow half marathon, end March
Gizmo, Paris Marathon, April 10th
Twink, London Marathon, April 17th
Clary, RFL 8th May
Zippy, Great Caledonian Run/Stroll 10k 8th May
Fionagib, 10k May 15th
Prettybird, 10k May 15th
MumToTwink, MiniTwink, Twink RFL 2nd July
Twink, RFL 10th July
Twink, GNR 18th Sept

Add me to the list please chicks, as I have got into Great North Run through a charity I support. Twink, very impressed with all the races you are doing! Now I have my goal I am planning to get up to a decent level and then start on shorter races to build up for GNR.

Gizmo, I too am heavy for my size (although after DD two months ago I have had quite a bit of flab left over!). I have noticed that my tummy has toned up a HUGE amount since I started back running, even though I am taking it really easy. I think it is due to having to have a good posture when you run. Also helps my mood alot. I have tackled mild depression a few times that way.

UPDATED LIST

Twink, Bramley 10m, Feb 20th
Twink, Reading Half Marathon, 6th March
Beetroot, Bath half marathon, 20th March
Wondermum, Wilmslow half marathon, end March
Gizmo, Paris Marathon, April 10th
Twink, London Marathon, April 17th
Clary, RFL 8th May
Zippy, Great Caledonian Run/Stroll 10k 8th May
Fionagib, 10k May 15th
Prettybird, 10k May 15th
MumToTwink, MiniTwink, Twink RFL 2nd July
Twink, RFL 10th July
Twink, Potpourri, GNR 18th Sept