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....?

fionagib did you do the Glasgow 10k in September?

My god, I failed on the first night. Conveniently forgot all about it when it came too it! Will try tomorrow, in fact I commit to tomorrow - you saw it here, hold me to it!

LOL at your name and mine pinkmama

I noticeed that Mink and thought youdd changed to Pink for this thread

I went out with my 'walking' mate not my 'running' mate so did 5km power walk. Actually a nice evening for it last night.

well i was rubbish as DH had to go out to a meeting and then asda so i didn't get to Pilates...then failed to go out once he got home (it was late tho). Tonight I have governors' training (heck) till 9pm, so I WIL go out after that even if it's just 20 mins.
As you say, Fiona, you could while that away just doing nothing very much (standing around watching the dinner cook eg).
That's the great thing about running isn't it, you just put yr shoes on and off you go!
will post later. keep it up girls!

Well unfortunately I managed not to make it out last night - just too much to do after picking dd up from childminder... Felt really bad SO managed to get up 15min earlier this morning to go out. DH nearly had a heart attack when he saw me kitted out. Was less than 10min but no stopping. would love to do a run some time. That could be it - we can all train for a money raiser in the spring. That'll motivate us!!! Pref not the London Marathon!

I've been running since May but had to give up because my new au-pair is not as co-operative as the old one and doesn't want to babysit while I'm doing it. I'm a lone parent so don't have anyone to babysit them for an hour while I run, and can't afford to pay someone each time. I did try running with DD in the buggy, but found it quite difficult (although I guess I'd get quite fit with very strong arms!)

Has anyone been running with kids? Is it possible?

Embee - the Race for Life (Cancer Research)is a great motivator. Its only (?) 5k and they take place all over the country during the spring and summer.

Caligula - no experience of running with children I'm afraid. Do you know anyone who'll sit and then you do the favour back?

luckymum - yes race for life i forgot about that. I put my name down for 2 west london ones last year but couldn't get into either as they were both oversubscribed. Will have to get in there earlier this time. Will look into it.

Where do you live Caligula?

What a pain, caligula! Why won't she do it? Seems pretty unreasonable, you're only talking an hour after all, not even a night out...

running with kids... I've tried this, and it DID work in the summer when evenings were light, at least with the boys (twins aged 7) - we live in v rural area so I went running on quiet country lanes and they cycled with me - got a teeny bit hairy when we had to go on busier road for a few mins, but was fun - they loved seeing my running route & doing something without their 4 yr old sister (BUT this wouldn't have worked with her being there, so needed another adult at home obviously, and no good on winter evenings - too dark). Also I love the solutude of running, the thinking time, and wouldn't wanna sacrifice this every time I run (tho sometimes the kids' company is nice as running can get a bit ho-hum can't it??)

Jasper I did the glasgow women's 10k in may, I think it was, which I loved, also the edinburgh 10k in sept, I think, also lovely route - paisley one in aug not so good!). Stopped after edinburgh, just became unmotivated.

so impressed with embee's early morning run!!! Was thinking how I'd manage tomorrow (as I wanna run every second day if poss) and think am gonna copy embee and get out before dh goes to work...

hope you get out tonight clary!! My next one will (hopefully) be Wed early a.m.....

Just think how lovely we're gonna look by Christmas

sorry to rant on folks....

Embee, I'm near Rochester in Kent.

I might try running with both kids, although my 5 yr old is a terrible whinger, and I know that after about half a mile, he'll have had enough! I suppose I could set up a star chart or something, to motivate him - or push him in the buggy instead of his sister! (Have visions of myself with Arnold Schwarzenegger arms!)

It's difficult with au-pairs, you can't encroach too much on their time, and the one I've got is very inflexible. She'll be going at Christmas and after that DD starts playgroup, but I work from home as well, so can't really go in the daytime as I need those hours to work. Unless I decide to give up Corrie and Trinny and Susannah and mumsnet and try and fit in some work in the evenings instead!

anyone manage to get out tonight??? I am resting my poor aching limbs which feel liek they ran 25 miles, not 25 mins last night, and am gonna squeeze in a quickie tomorrow before dh goes to work... horrible thought actually, esp as am enjoying big glass of wine, but tomorrow even impossible...

am thinking of little black dress, around christmas time, and less lardy butt.

I meant tomorrow EVENING impossible. And actually, it's not. Thought I was going out but am not. Brain has withered and died.

Pledge to run for 30 mins tomorrow. (that's meant to be a fearful face)

Have only just seen this thread, and it is great inspiration. I have been thinking about starting running for months, but can't seem to get my head around what time of the day to fit it in (or is that an excuse?). I am unfit, and have hardly any running experience, but I prefer a "low tech" approach to exercise than the gym. I have got a skipping rope and a hula hoop and two (very light) dumbells - surely with that lot I could achieve something???? So I am going to do my first run tomorrow night (have drunk too much wine tonight), even if it is only for 10 minutes. Thanks a lot for starting the thread Fiona. I will check in tomorrow.

I'd love to be a supported runner! I started about 2 months ago and am up to about 4.5 miles. I feel so good (when I get home) and actually don't feel that bad doing it either. I have lost weight and look better. I'm doing a 10K at Christmas, I think you have to try plan some races in for impetus. I do struggle to keep it up, so any tips would be appreciated.

No running tonight,,but I am going to alternate evenings and have just done 100 sit ups. Must keep it up,,,must keep it up.
DH is going to do the same which helps,,he also did half hours swimming before work this morning!!! BBBRRRR....I hate swimming! Sticking to the running machine me thinks!

Yeeha !

Someone else has started a running thread, thanks Fiona. (Not been around much lately but well done on the 'other' thread, you're all doing so well I've kept out of it cos you don't seem to need me, excellent stuff !)

Race for Life is a good starting point for new runners. Their website goes 'live' around March but you can register & be notified nearer the time. I started running for that 2.5 years ago and have got a bit carried away since.

Their training programmes are here and are especially good for new runners because they phase you in gradually.

I know having made the decision to run you want to get out there and do it but please, please be careful; that way you'll avoid injury.

Next year surely must be the year we get a Mumsnet team at a RFL !

Another site with loads of advice & info is Runners World

PS for those that don't know me, I was a 40 a day smoker until getting pregnant and now am a very ex-smoker who has taken up running to lose & keep weight off (4 stone so far).

can i join this thread? by complete fluke, me and dh started running last week...ran everyday, no up to 20 mins...and have hurt my ankle (doh!) so am resting today and tomorrow and then back on...

Well yeehah! I was so determined to post something positive on here this morning that even though I had been at a training course until 9pm I went out last night (at 11pm, after doing the ironing!).
This thread is great, thanks Fiona! Did it work this well on yr non-smoking threads? (sorry, haven't looekd lately).
Just did a 15-min round the block circuit but went much better than last week's effort and felt really good afterwards.
twink thanks for those links, will look later.
everyone else keep at it!

Hey there Twink - wondered where you'd got to

New runners - get some decent running shoes - its well worth it, and don't forget that its important to rest too (just not every day!!)

Well done everyone.

Just looking in (prompted by Fiona) to enquire shyly about running, how you start, does it knacker feet, etc. Also to say that honestly, getting into whatever sort of exercise fries your onion is bloody fab - I'm back swimming 60 lengths (four lengths short of a mile) three times a week and BOY has it made a difference.

Hi MI. I started by trying to run a measured mile circular route. Initially run a couple of minutes, walking a couple - until I could run the whole way. It took a few weeks, 2/3 times a week til I got there!

There a couple of good beginner's training plans online which I'll find for you later (Should already have gone to work!), which are similar but will get you up to about 30 mins running sooner than the method I used. At the time I only had 15 minutes to spare at any one time so it suited me.

The main thing is don't go off to fast - a slow jog is fine to start with - and if you are going to stick at it, get some proper running shoes to avoid injury.