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....?

Gizmo, sorry to hear you couldn't get an entry for the Bury 20, it is a good race. Like Prettybird I have also run it (96 and 97) as pre London training and the time predictions they gave me for London were spot on both years. Perhaps you could aim for it next year . My efforts to get back into regular running have been hampered by snow this week (not very good excuse as have seen others running, should add I don't live in UK), went out Sat and aim to get out tomorrow (Tue). Keep on running everyone.

Ooops!

Thread nearly dropped off the radar there. Thanks Prettybird/lapsedrunner, I shall 'bookmark' the Bury 20 for next year (who knows, I might even get a place for London then...). In the meantime there are a couple of races the week after which might be good - a 20 miler in Margate (!) and a half marathon in West Sussex (Steyning, I think) which has the benefit of a couple of godawful big hills in it. Nice.

So Prettybird, your life sounds a bit like mine (except for the living in Glasgow bit) - do you have a chance to run at work? This time of year I often find it's my only chance to get a bit of daylight and it does give my colleagues a chance for a cheap laugh at my expense.

It has its risks though: I went out yesterday in my lunchbreak and I came back lacking only a carrot on the nose to complete my Frosty the Snowman impersonation. Then discovered no hot water for our work shower. Not impressed, and nor was the colleague who sits next to me, although since she is in charge of facilities management, the solution is in her hands

And where is everyone else? This is the time of year, so I'm told, when the New Years resolutions can wear a bit thin....

Gizmo - you are putting me to shame. I could run at work (there are showers), but somehow I always have something else to do - like do a forced march up to M&S (15 minutes each way) at lunchtime.

But if I do seriously want to start running again, I'm going to have to think about it, as even running in the evening is difficult if I want ds to eat with us. I'm getting home too late at the moment to go for a run before supper. Plus it is difficult to get motivated when I've got to change out of my cycling gear and into my running gear.

Anyway, it's not even an option at the moment as I seem finally to succumbed to the lurgy that both ds and dh have suffered from - so am miserable and sniffling in the office and should really be tucked up in bed at home

Oh, poor old you. I was listening to something on Womans Hour over the weekend (now I sound v. middle aged!) about the difference between men and women with colds.

Men: get a cold, lock themselves in the bedroom with all heaters on max, groaning gently and demanding hot drinks/drugs on regular basis.

Women: get a cold, go to work, do full supermarket shop, cook dinner party for inlaws and organise birthday parties. While sniffling.

To which the response of all the men involved in the survey was, 'but that's silly, you're ill, you should rest more'. How you do that while husband reclines on his own sick bed was not explained.

Anyway, hope you get better soon - one less reason to put off the running

I have to say that dh was lovely last night. Looked after me, let me languish and feel sorry for myself on the sofa, brough me my supper (home made - by him - soup) and then brought down the wee TV so we could watch "Lige Begins" in bed.

Still feeling bunged up today - but not as bad as yesterday.

'Lige Begins'

You are bunged up

Oops

But your husband does sound lovely.

Home-made soup, yummmmmmm. Have you ever read 'Get well soon, Little Tiger'? In which our hero falls ill (one of his stripes has slipped) and his friend bear makes him 'soup, made from vegetables from the garden, with just a few little beads of fat on the top of it'. It's a lovely book - and he doesn't have to go to work and sniffle over his colleagues, either!

I've not got that book - though I do have "Go to bed Little Tiger".

Dh is the "soup specialist" at home - he loves making it. And we have loads of ham stock in the freezer, the by product of the glazed hams that I bake at Christmas.

Oooh, you've inspired me now: there are some random vegetables at home (not to mention a block of frozen stock) that aren't going to know what's hit them tonight.

And of course, about half a loaf of bread....got to keep the carbohydrates up after all.....

Hello, all. Been avoiding this thread because I've not been able to get out running at all due to afore mentioned shopping injury. However, knee is finally better so can read everyone's news once more without feeling bitter and twisted .

Gizmo - thanks for the advice re old ladies, they were over taking me at a fairly steady rate before the injury and I think will continue to do so for some time yet ...

Kibby - missed your Edinburgh marathon post. I wont be running it but I'll be there cheering you on.

Hi all, glad you're recovering Zippy. Isn't it cold !!

Managed to run Tues & Wed evenings but this morning persuaded myself that the cross trainer in the gym was a perfect substitute for the 5 miler I should have been doing, I did do a few sprints on the treadmill at the end which scared a few of the walkers !

Got a bit of a conflict between my schedule (which has been stuck to almost religiously) and my common sense at the moment. Schedule says 20 miles on Saturday, common sense says 15 max as I'm racing a half a week on Sunday - advice please !!

The half is 'important' as it was my first major challenge and this will be my third time doing it plus it's an important milestone for my running partner so we'd like to do well but not at the expense of FLM

Morning ladies - and it's a lovely one down here in Cambridge, although we never got that much promised snow!

Hey Zippy - great to hear you're back on the road and that's a good quick recovery. I think your knees are younger than mine (elderly emoticon). Did you ever get a diagnosis on your knee problem?

I wonder how Beetys 3/4/5 milers are going: does anyone know her in RL? Beety, where are you?

I'm clinging to my schedule which is alledgedly going to reach peak mileage in the next 4 weeks, but my speed is definitely not what it could be (when is it ever? to Twink and your sub 8 minute miles). I have, however, decided to do the Margate 20 miler so at least I should have some nice slow miles under my belt by Paris. Race list now:

Twink, Reading Half Marathon, 6th March
Gizmo, Thanet 20, 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
Beetroot,Potpourri,Twink GNR 18th Sept

Twink, from what you've been saying it sounds as if your mileage has been pretty high up to now, so in your position I'd be inclined to put in a 15/16 miler this weekend. It should still leave you with three long runs to reach peak mileage before you start your 'taper'. Bet you you put in a scarily fast half at Reading, though - what is your PB at the moment?

Thanks Gizmo, that's what I needed to hear, I've just worked out a 15 mile route which hopefully will give my mate the confidence she needs to really go for the race next week (I know she can do it, she needs convincing !)

I'll probably be back here during the week, but just in case I'm not, good luck with Thanet, let us know how it goes.

Thanks Twink and Gizmo.

Twink - it's completely artic here. I got caught in a masive hale storm when I was out for a run yesterday. Deeply painful but I felt very virtuous by the time I got home.

Gizmo - no I didn't get a diagnosis but TBH I think I think I had been overdoing it a bit in the run up to the milk buying incident and it was pay back time. I wouldn't bet that your knees are older than mine - mine have a combined age of 76..

Mine have a combined age of 82 Zippy and that's why I haven't been out this past week glad yours is feeling better though.

Good to hear all your success stories though (especially yours Twink - you're doing so well!!)

See most of us are forecast more snow !! It's rained continually here today, and is due to freeze tonight, joy !

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to drag myself out in the cold, despite feeling great once I do. I managed the 15 on Saturday, and I'm going out with the club tonight for 7 - fortunately I'm getting a lift there so I've got to go !

I've decided to do what some other Mners have done and set up a Just Giving page. I do all my races in aid of Cancer Research UK, and would really appreciate any support, no matter how small. You should be able to find it here if I've done it right !

Hope everything is going well for the rest of you, take care out there

After some consideration, I have now christened my knees. My left knee is a Dot: it has the attitude of an 80 year old, creaks like a piece of wood, but is actually tough as old boots. My right knee is a Naomi: talented, temperamental and has a tendancy to buckle under the strain .

Just giving is great, Twink - I used it when I did Trailwalker a few years back and it made life so much simpler. Is that your DD? I bet she's proud of her medal (although presumably that's not for doing a half!)

Distinct possibility (if the organiser gods allow) that I might be joining you for the Reading half. I know someone who knows someone who probably isn't able to run, so I've emailed the organisers to see if they will allow a swap. It's an easier race for me logistically than Thanet, so I'm keen, but I am rather regretting Sunday's 19 miler!

We have no snow, because that would be too much like enjoyable weather. Instead we've got a charming combination of rising damp and an icy wind which manages to be in your face all the way through a circular run. For some reason, I'm not feeling that motivated right now, either....

Hmmm, first thought - ebay? Tons of earphones and assorted bits on there.

If you google earphone fixers or earphone accessories there seem to be loads of US sites devoted to selling little bits of foam to wedge your earphones more firmly. Nothing in the UK, though

Mind you, if you Google 'F**kwit' you get a link to John Prescott's website, so what do they know???

Ah ha, here I'm on firmer ground. I like sweatshop and they have a sale on right now . Much cheaper than your local high street, although no nice chaps to touch your feet. My feet are in the process of turning into hooves, though, so I daren't expose them to any nice chaps or they would call out a farrier!

Oh and other people also recommend wiggle but I've not got any personal experience with them

Beety, would an ear band thing help ? I've just bought one from a ski shop, it's fleece and can be best described as an over grown hairband. Mine's just to keep my ears warm but it would stop things falling out too I think.

Hey Gizmo, if you do decide to come over, we're meeting near the info point at 9.40, be nice to see you - I think I'm 4014 or something similar.

Yes, that's dd - her choice to do RFL last year, personally I felt it was a bit much for a 4 year old, but she's a stubborn bird (now where does she get that from ??) and she's in again this year - she sees it as helping to get her Grandma round whereas Grandma has the opposite view