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Original poster

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

843 replies

fionagib · 08/11/2004 12:14

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....?

OP posts:
Prettybird · 26/04/2005 08:40

Feeling very proud of myself. Did a 44min 15 second run last night.

Only meant to do 40 minutes, but slightly misjudged the extension to my run. Felt pretty good though - could even have gone further!

It was a lovely evening for a run - glorious sunshine, warm and the wind had dropped. The rhodedendrons and azaleas are just starting to come out in Pollok Park, as are all the bluebells

Potty1 · 26/04/2005 08:54

Sounds lovely.

I'm up to 45 mins myself at the moment and feeling like I could push on further but still nursing my iffy achilles. It's odd though, I find the first 10 minutes really tough (as I know lots of runners do)and I'm still struggling through to 30 but the last 15 feel great. It's maybe because I've lost the feeling in my legs by then though

Gizmo · 26/04/2005 08:59

Maybe you're just slow to warm up Potty1. I'm the same and it's getting a bit ridiculous - I know I have to run slowly for at least 30 minutes before I start to hit a rhythym and can run at pace.

Prettybird · 26/04/2005 09:02

Potty1 - I can usually tell that I've been out for 30 minutes without even looking at my watch as suddenly I feel batter and more relaxed!

I've had achilles tedonitis years ago (lost my London entry as a result as I had already deferred from the previous year due to too many commitments) and could barely walk for weeks, so really sympathise if you are still nursing a problem. It's one of the reasons why I am now much more careful about building up my mileage again.

Prettybird · 26/04/2005 09:03

... better not "batter"!

Gizmo · 26/04/2005 09:07

Mind you sometimes I feel a bit battered after 30 minutes!

Original poster
fionagib · 26/04/2005 10:21

glad to hear it's quite normal to be slow in getting going and feeling it flowing. I always struggle horribly the first 10 mins. Am up to 45 mins too, tho don't feel I could run much further at the mo - had v enjoyable run this a.m in light rain, nice & cooling, also lurched into house & ran up to school with ds's forgotten schoolbag...

Like sound of pollock park run pb, we have some nice country lane type routes around here. It's a good time of year to run i think.

OP posts:
Original poster
fionagib · 27/04/2005 11:44

have managed a 45 min run yesterday and today, struggling to push it up to the 50 mins which I should be able to do 10 days before a 10k!

Can anyone suggest how to push on just that little bit further??? Can't have pretty b flying past me at the glasgow 10k in 2 and a half weeks...

OP posts:
Prettybird · 27/04/2005 12:06

How about making yourself do an "out and back" route" and don't let yourself turn around until you have been going for 27 minutes? More than 25, in case you are fast going home . You could always walk the last couple of minutes if you get to the 50 minutes and really are dying on your feet.

Or alternatively, if you have a "loop" that is 45 minutes, is there any wee twiddle you can put in to it - and which doesn't let you cheat and take a short cut home.

I'm sure I won't be flying past you - didn't go out yesterday and have a Pilates class tonight. Did bring my running stuff in to work, but don't see me going out, as I've got too much work to do.

Yo can do it!

Prettybird · 27/04/2005 12:08

...oh, and if you have done 45 minutes 2 days in a row, I'd either have tomorrow off, or just do a couple of miles really relaxedly.

Then try your 50 minutes!

Gizmo · 27/04/2005 12:09

Hello Fionagib

I find playing tricks with the route can help. If you have a regular there and back or loop route, then you can try adding a five minute loop in the opposite direction before you start the normal route. Make sure it is a really slow and treat it as a warm up for your 'proper' run. Walk briefly between the two sections if it helps. If you're feeling ambitious, you could even do it again after the proper run as a 'warm down'.

Gizmo · 27/04/2005 12:13

Ooops Prettybird, snap!

Prettybird · 27/04/2005 12:23

Gizmo - your suggestion is better - as then she can't cheat because she's already done the extra !

Original poster
fionagib · 27/04/2005 13:42

Thanks very much pb and gizmo. Excellent ideas, there is a twiddle I could add - think I just see my house and everything wilts, and I just skid in through the front door and into the shower. It's a circular route but there's a wee lane near the end which I could run down and back. Thanks v much for your encouragement girls.

Your advice about having an easy day tomorrow makes perfect sense pb but we have friends coming up from devon late tomorrow for a few days so I need to grab the chnance to get out before the wine starts flowing... (my devon friend is a lasped & eager to start again runner but it might be hard for us to steal many opportunities to get out...)

OP posts:
almost40 · 27/04/2005 13:50

Hi all, the weather's been rainy here on and off, and I missed this morning and Monday, but have managed to go all other days. Trying to work up more running in the 35 minutes - it's still mostly a walk. I go in the morning, and was wondering whether it is advised to go on an empty stomach or to have a little bit of water or something before heading out? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Prettybird · 27/04/2005 13:59

Everyone is different, but if I were running in the early morning (a rare occurence - I am like Gizmo in that respect), I would have a glass of water or maybe orange juice. I might even have some fruit - a satsuma or something - or some nuts.

The imprtant thing is not to have anything too heavy - and in your case you are not yet exactly sprinting, so a wee bit of sustenance might help.

puddle · 27/04/2005 14:09

hello everyone - just popped in to say I went out again last night and after 10 days running/ walking every other day can see a slight but definite improvement! I ran about a third of my ruote last night and eadded in a bit of extra distance. I am in awe of you 45 minute runners though.....
Almost40 there is no way I could go out for a run first thing with nothing to eat. Maybe a smoothie or something to give you a bit of energy?

almost40 · 27/04/2005 14:14

Thanks, Puddle and PB. I've been going out on an empty stomach, but I also don't have a lot of energy to run much, so maybe a little bit would help.

Prettybird · 27/04/2005 14:56

Congratulations Puddle - keep it up. You'll be doing 45 minutes in no time! You shoud read Gizom's story - it's really inspiring.

Almost40 - I forgot to say congratluations to you too!

Next thing you know, you'll both be applying for the Flora London Marathon! !

puddle · 27/04/2005 14:59

Thank you prettybird - I have actually begun to belive I might get better at this! Can't imagine EVER managing a marathon though, that's on a par with saying 'one day I'll flap my arms and fly round my house'.

Prettybird · 27/04/2005 15:09

Actually, it was twink I was thinking aobut (although I am sure Gizmos' story is also very inspirational !)

The funny thing about running is that once each target is acieved, the next one seems even more achievable! Sounds obviouos - but it really is true.

So, once you can go fro 10 minutes without stopping, a 5k race seems possible. Once you've doen that and either enjoyed it or got over the initial shock (depneding on how good your taining was), then a 10k become a possible traget... and then a half marathon.... and then another one..... and before you know it, a full marathon becomes "well, maybe I could give it a go......".

It does depend on how much time you have - and not even really how fit you are. A marathon means you really need to get the hours out pounding the streets. You can't just run it on base fitness.

Gizmo · 27/04/2005 15:34

I'm much more perspiration than inspiration

Gizmo · 27/04/2005 15:36

And Prettybird is right. Everyone who's got up and got out and keeps going out, has already got over the most difficult hurdle.

Each stage after this - your first RFL, your first 50 minute run, your first 10k race, whatever - is a relatively small step compared to the motivation needed to get yourself off the sofa that first time....

Potty1 · 27/04/2005 19:41

Been out for a quick 30 min dash tonight - ended up going too far too fast. We caught up with three chaps on the canal and passed a couple of them but the lead guy obviously didn't like the idea of being passed by 3 ladies. He pushed on bit and so did we til we were so knackered we had to leave them to it .......they had another 5 miles to go.

Twink · 27/04/2005 21:40

I've only missed 3 days and there's stacks here ! Well done everyone, some great efforts going on

Thanks for the comments it's now sunk in and I AM chuffed to bits.

I've tried to catch up but apologies if I've missed anyone/thing.

Prettybird & Gizmo are spot on with the get out of the door thing, once you're into the habit, the distance/time extension is almost automatic, the important thing is to make the time to get out there regularly & the rest will follow, honest.

3 years ago I was training for my first RFL (run 1 lamp-post walk 2 etc) and [pinches self] have just completed my first (but def not last ) marathon, I'd never have believed it even 6 months ago.

Almost, do you like bananas ? I find them a great pre-run snack on early run days when I've not got up in time to have a proper breakfast - I need at least an hour to digest my usual porridge, which frankly when I run with a group starting at 8.30 on Sundays won't happen !

Fiona, you are doing fab girl ! Get out there before your mates arrive, even 'just' half an hour; the wine will taste better plus you'll have the super smug feeling of knowing you've already been there, done that. If your friend wants to go out while she's with you then it's a bonus

Gizmo, Prettybird, how do you recemmend getting back to 'normal', a kind of reverse taper ? Mind and lungs are willing but legs not convinced at the moment - did 8.5 hilly miles with the gang on Sunday, pride kicked in - and by the end all the bits which had been hurting started aching again so obviously obviously I need to grow a brain...