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....?

Have a look here for a list of 10k's in Scotland, there are loads so there are bound to be a couple near you.

Well done to you and pb. What time are you going out today ? It's raining here so looks like I'll be having my first wet run in ages later.

Hi girls - a 'wet' run for me too last night. A bit gusty too! I'm struggling with my achilles again - its driving me mad. I'm doing all my warm ups and stretches, and its fine when I'm running but its agony for the next few hours, seems to be worse after flat runs and not so bad after the up and down ones - any ideas?

poor potty - no suggestions I'm afraid. Hope you feel better very soon. Am managing quickie runs before work on my childcare days, the shower in an empty house is bliss! Don't even feel guilty about eating into work time... (as I feel good all day after a run).

Most I can manage is 30 mins tho and then go wibbly. Thanks very much for that link twink

xx

just run 30 mins with very gungo-ho friend, my face looks like this
Anyone else managed to pound those streets this week?

didn't get out last night as had to go to Asda instead (sigh). But did pilates on Mon pm plus a lunchtime swim. Ran on Sunday, only 15 mins, not good enough.
Going out tonight for a good 20-25 mins you heard it here!!!!

LOL Fionagib. Hopefully your friends face was a similar state?

Spring has sprung round here so going out is no chore right now. Although muggins here managed to find the only wet bit of yesterday to run in. Feeling pretty chipper, having done the longest run of my training plan (22 miles) on Sunday morning. It's all downhill from here: some serious 'tapering' to be done. I started with a bottle of red wine last night .

Potty, sorry about your achilles: sounds like hell. Where is it hurting? At the connection with your heel? I presume you've tried different shoes/lifts etc? Of course, I guess you could spend the next few months doing hill work until it dies down, but that sounds a bit

Twink, you out there? How's your stuff going?

Fionagib - I'd be happy to be your running buddy. ;)

Although at the moment I'm struggling to get out Somehow didn't manage to find the time to go out at the weekend and dh is away this week so I am a single mum. Plus I've not been feeling very well.

Might manage to get out on Friday and then keep some momentum going over the weekend (forgive the pun).

Must actually enter the 10k by Friday, to get the Early Birds discount. maybe that will help

Hope you managed to get out Clary. Gizmo - 22 miles (!!!!) I misread and thought you meant 22 minutes at first! Blimey, cannot imagine ever running anyhting like that distance. My aim really is a half marathon this year and prob for evermore!

Great prettybird, would be nice to have a chat at least for part of the 10k! Hope you feel better soon...

Am meant to be going out tomorrow first thing with another gung ho pal but have been out last 2 mornings and am starting to feel a bit pooped, so we'll see....

Hope you managed to get out Clary. Gizmo - 22 miles (!!!!) I misread and thought you meant 22 minutes at first! Blimey, cannot imagine ever running anyhting like that distance. My aim really is a half marathon this year and prob for evermore!

Great prettybird, would be nice to have a chat at least for part of the 10k! Hope you feel better soon...

Am meant to be going out tomorrow first thing with another gung ho pal but have been out last 2 mornings and am starting to feel a bit pooped, so we'll see....

Fiona, remember that rest days are important too, as long as they're not being used as excuses

Listen to your body - says she sitting here absolutely knackered, wondering when this London stuff will ever feel normal...

Potty, if you can give us more info I'll check with my running injuries book, big sympathy to you and PB.

Gizmo, you're awesome, I'm aiming to do another 20 miler on Friday then start this 'taper' thing.

I'm starting to feel very scared now. People keep telling me that I'll fly round & do well but they don't realise what's going on in my head, not to mention how tired my legs feel !

Some days, like today, I've run well & I just want to get on with it but others I go out feeling a complete fraud who has no chance of running 26.2 miles, please tell me this is normal ??!!

Am sure you can do it twink. Am awestruck! But am sure we all feel fraudsterish (?) about lots of things.

Having a 'rest' day today, gawd knows when I'll manage to get out over easter w'end. But feel pleased with this week's running, can manage only a piddly 30 mins but am actually enjoying it a weird self punishing kinda way...

happy 'tapering' girls!

So Clary, how did things go last night? Hope you?re not feeling too stiff/tired today. I think Twink has hit a great truth with the rest days thing ? I fully intend to take several (perhaps 365?), in a row, as soon as I?ve finished Paris.

I?m at you all: I promise you folks, all 22 miles requires is a few weeks training, a very high boredom threshold and a husband who will babysit for 3.5 hours.

Twink, I think what you?re describing is totally normal for this stage of marathon training. I?m guessing you?ve been doing high mileage for weeks now and it just gets knackering. Like having a small baby in the house again. And because the runs are longer, if you have a bad outing it goes on foreveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer, which really does your head in. As usual for me, this is the stage where the wheels fall off a bit ? I start missing sessions ?cos I?m too tired and usually end up only doing about 75% of what I should ? but even that is more than enough.

Everyone worries at this stage (I?ve resigned myself to not hitting my targets, which is my version of worrying) but honestly, you have done plenty, and the atmosphere on the day will make it all worth while.

Also, once you get into the taper, the energy starts to comes back (you may not feel it immediately, but you will when you go out for a run) and hopefully that will give you a bit more confidence.

Now, I?m off for another rest day?.

god I'm in awe of you all. I did a mere 20 mins but qwa squite pleased, had to do a little walk in the middle but in my defence I was running home from a governors meeting and had a big wad of paperwork to carry!
May go out again tonight for a better go.
all of you keep it up!

Go Clary!

It's got to be easier without all the paperwork. Tonight looks like it's going to be nice too.

Enjoy

Fionagib - I have now comitted myself and entered the Woemn's 10k. So you definitely now have a running buddy.

But I chickened out of doing the joint application for the 10k and the Great Scottish Run. I'll see how I get on with getting out to train for the 10k first.

I must, I must, I must get out for a run over the weekend - after my failure to do so for the last 10 days.

Twink - it's about an inch up from my achilles 'proper'/very bottom of my calf IYKWIM.

I've been out this morning and run 5km on a flat course. It's actually OK this afternoon but I think it helped because I've put on my heeled boots and been to Sainsbury's so the tendon was shortened if that makes sense. Also as I was running today I realised that I'm quite flat footed with that leg. My left foot goes down properly, heel then toe, but my right seems to go down flat...I tried to concentrate on putting it down properly but then seemed to favour my left.

Clary - can just picture you

brilliant prettybird! I didn't go out yesterday, and wanted to go out tonight but dh's gone to buy load of curry ingredients, won't be back till 8ish and my resolve has wilted... it's gonna be v tricky next few days with trips out with kids, kids coming to sleep over, egg hunt, mum arriving for coupla days next week... all nice stuff but but but...

oh hell, maybe I WILL do a quick dash tonight! Will enjoy my friday night wine even more and feel less bad about getting mildly piddled...

btw prettybird I entered & paid for gt scottish run last year but chickened out & didn't run it, couldn't bear the shame of doing that again...

well ladies, went out on Thursday night as well, walked over to a friend's house with a presnt and ran back, a bit over half my 5km run, did it in just under 20 mins so I was quite pleased...
If I can get round the 5k all running I shall be amazed, any time of 35 mins or below will be fab.
Should've gone out tonight but after late-finishing children's party and dd up twice screaming with earache I don't have the energy. Will run tomorrow to work off all the chocolate! (Lent has officially finished).
Not going to try that paperwork run again! I can't even bear to carry a bottle of water tbh.
Fiona, did you go out? Do find that even a 20-min burst brings a halo of good feelings to everything else I do that evening!

Yeah I did clary, managed 35 mins and felt quite high after it, am not pushing myself too hard as I don't wanna fall over & get gravel embedded in knees, as once happened. The halo effect - exactly!!!

Not been out since fri tho, aiming for mon eve when dh home from work. Like early am runs but think I prefer eves under cover of darkness - less embarrassing....

when is your five k? A 5k was my first race (last april I think) & the atmosphere of the race really pulled me along.

I often feel too knackered to go out for a run, don't you? But usually feels loads better after it...

I got out this morning - didn't think I would as last night I took a painkiller for my foot (and my back if truth be told), an iron tablet for my anaemia, a multi-vit and a cod liver oil capsule. Washed them down with a glass of red (I know ) and thought mmmmmmm this running lark supposed to make me feel good not crap!

But I'm addicted!!

have just entered edinburgh 10 k on may 8, a week before the women's 10k in glasgow, must be experiencing rush of enthusiasm... anyone else doing the edin race?

Excellent Fiona & Clary !

Def find that at times when I least feel like going out I get a much bigger smug b**tard feeling when I get back

Potty, I've checked my 'injury' book and can't find anything which mirrors your symptoms so I'm afraid I can't give you any suggestions apart from the obvious stretches that you're doing. Most of the stuff on calf/Achilles problems suggest calf strengthening exercises and to make sure your hamstrings aren't overtight.

Guess we'll have to name it Potty Syndrome...

My mum commented on my drug intake over the weekend: multi-vit, starflower oil (PMT), glucosamine (joints), echinacea (insurance) but so far I'm keeping relatively healthy so I'm not stopping now !

Did 21 miles on Friday, 2/3 off road. It felt really tough towards the end but realised afterwards I'd been doing 8.5 min/miles for the last 7 !!

Fiona, I?m doing race for life on may 8 so it?s only just over a month away (eek!). Went out for a good run on Sunday night, did 20 mins plus and felt good until DH, quizzing me on my route, said he could walk it in that time! (but he does walk very fast).
Skipped my exercise class last night on the basis that it probably wasn?t on anyway (bank hol) so plan to go for a swim tonight and maybe a bit of a run as well.

DHs seem to delight in pouring scorn on our achievements!! Mine v encouraging on race days but does tend to say, 'No, that route you do is only a mile - at the most...' when I KNOW it's more like 3.... think he's jealous

managed 35 mins last night & really must get distance up (mustn't I twink!! Why can't I get my distance up?)

Amazed by your speed & endurance twink!

I'd forgotten about race for life clary, d'you feel ready for it?! And - eek - hadn't realised may 8 is only a month away! Have paid my money now for edin so too late to back out....

Gonna get out first thing tomorrow ith 2 friends -must must run 40 mins (and not drink too much in pub with mum tonight)....

fiona, no, not ready at all, tho several people have told me that the whole race thing just spurs you on once you are there so maybe I?ll do better than I expect.
Need to buy some new running gear like a pair of shorts (run in joggers atm but last yr?s race was on a VERY hot day). Go-faster stripes may help hopefully.