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....?

This has been great -- you have all really motivated me into getting back out there tonight.. felt quite down hearted about it last night but hearing your stories is really inspirational... I really want to get into this as want to get fitter and lose weight but have no time for gyms etc.. I love seeing elegant women running around where I live and aspire to be like that ... but last night was more like Waynetta Slob ... still it can only get better!!

Ooo it got busy here.

Hello mancmum, nice to have another older runner here.

I am the oldest runner in south manchester, my first race will be veterans over 60s.... and I will still lose!!

never thought I would say this after how bad last night was but am looking forward to getting home and trying again... this support is exactly what I needed...

Message withdrawn

For me the key to my breathing is staying relaxed around the shoulders and jaw - just letting my mouth hang open (sounds lovely!) and just breathing as naturally as possible. This in through the nose out through the mouth lark doesn't work for me - I can't get enough in! You just need to be getting as much oxygen as you can however you can. If I'm really struggling then I concentrate on my breathing, trying to breathe in over 4 paces and out over 4 til I feel a bit better.

Message withdrawn

Remember to move the legs Cod

That's it cod, just don't forget to move your feet else you won't go anywhere

Snap Gizmo!

Message withdrawn

What, again????

Goin' to have to stop doing this...

Thanks guys, I know really that I should be being sensible, it just doesn't come naturally

Our gym is doing a triathlon challenge at the moment and I've promised one of the organisers that I'll give the Olympic distance a try, just in case no-one else does so I'm itching to get going (although the idea of doing 10k on a treadmill is terrifying - how will I cope mentally ???)

Hello to Mancmum & Cod, can't add to advice given, they're spot on as usual - good luck ! Cod maybe you've got mega determination and can keep going anyway but it might help to enter a race just to give yourself a reason to keep going out.

Fiona, if you mean did I used to smoke 40+ prior to dd then pile on 4+ stone after having her, then yes it was me you're thinking of

I feel like I've been on Mumsnet for ever so everyone must know by now ! I'll stick a summary up tomorrow with a 'skip this ' note at the beginning...

10k on a treadmill - yuck!!!! Hate the things - too much like hard work!

Managed to get out again last night, and did my original 34 minute loop - in........ 36 minutes 17s I'm getting a minute slower each tome

Dh tried to reassure me, saying the important thing was that I was getting out and it will come.

Hopefully we can get out together over the weekend, and running with him will help drag my pace up. (he wasn't up to running yesterday as he had some root canal treatment on Tuesday which is still bothering him quite badly).

Fionagib - on present form, I think you'll be the one disappearing off ahead of me!

Message withdrawn

To be fair - only a few weeks - I am a lapsed runner trying to restart, hence the pressure on myself. Did a couple fo 15 minute runs, then jumped to 25 and then to 34 - which as now become a 306 for the same distance.

But I do cycle 6 miles a day - so do have a base level of fitness.

I don't listen to music - too busy chatting to my running mate - can always tell if we've been working hard as it goes quiet for a bit. I'm rubbish running by myself as I've got zilch willpower!

I need your help girls please.

I've just come back from my second run since giving birth to No 2 7 weeks ago. It was sooooo hard! I ran comfortably (albeit slowly) until I was about 37 weeks but this felt harder than running when i was pregnant. Has anyone else found this? I've been back in the gym the last few weeks doing cardio and light weights but that doesn't seem to be quite so hard going as running tonight.

What did you start off with when you came back after pregnancy? Short fast runs or longer slow runs to get the mileage back in your legs?

Hi all

Did 5 miles today (have I typed that right 5 miles). Still have that 'didn't I do well feeling'........although the bottle of Chardonnay I've just necked might have something to do with it. Not run that far in......well......ages........and no achilles pain either so double joy!!

Lovely weekend forecast so get out there!

Also feeling proud of myself.

Did 46 mins 21 sec yesterday - hope it was about 5 miles, but need to get out on my bike to check the distance (now that my dad has fixed the bike computer).

Think I went much further that my previous longest run - bascially the same route, but with another section added (went out the park by a further away exit - so did two sides of a triangle as opposed to one), but for not much longer in time, so hopefully I am finally picking up some speed in my legs.

Als went out on Friday for half an hour before going out for dinner with the girls. Killed two birds with one stone - was delivering leaflets (well overdue) - so although I didn't cover much distance, it was prbably good for my legs as it was stop/start running.

Will finish off the leaflet delivering tinght - that can be my relaxed run after my hard wrok yesterday.

I will break an hour in the Glasgow 10k.

How did everyone else do over the weekend?

Mckenzie - can't really help you as I think ds was about 6 months old by the time I went out for a run (the singular is important there as my ruins were definitely rare events!). Definitely not as dedicated as you!

course you will pb!!!

have been slugging wine with devon pals but also my friend and I have been out for two runs - managed 45 mins today and 1 hour on sat - don't know how, just kept going (so feel MUCH better & less nervy about edin on sun, and glasgow the following week - am slow as a tortoise tho, prettybird!)

ps yeah I;d like to break 1 hour too but am not too fussed, just wanna feel I've run it well & not weed myselfBut would be THRILLED to achieve a pb!

het pretty bird - your name abbreviated also stands for personal best...

Glad you managed to get out for a couple of runs fionagib - I was thinking of you over the weekend, swilling wine with your friends!

Maybe I'll be able to help you get a pb - but it certianly won't be a pb for me - think my best 10k was something like 42 minutes, but that was a looooooong time ago!

Yo've certainly put the miles in, so you should do well.

I've just found out that one of the steep parts of the course is a hill I run up at the end of every run - so at least it won't be a shock to me! Haven't even looked at the route, although I know it's all around where I live. (Last time I ran the 10k, it was on the north side, starting at Kelvingrove).

Well done guys !

Potty, great news re achilles, it's so nice to run without injury worries isn't it. Went out early (considering I'd been at a party the night before) yesterday & did just over 5 miles which felt good - apart from the flies - what are those things which are about 1" long which seem to fly vertically ??? They drove me mad esp on the canal, as I had to stop talking so I didn't get a gob full !

Fiona, you certainly seem to be well on track, excellent - just don't overdo things this week (which doesn't mean do nothing but drink red wine )

McKenzie, I kept looking back here over the w/e, hoping someone who knows about these things would give you some ideas - I didn't start running until dd was 2 so haven't a clue.

However, it does sound like you're doing really well to be out at all, I know I felt knackered for ages after giving birth & getting used to feeding etc. Why not just try running at a pace that feels comfortable for a while & give yourself a couple of months before you start doing 'fast' stuff. Hopefully someone will see this tomorrow & be able to help.

Hi everyone, I've been pretty good the past few weeks - even went 3 miles yesterday on treadmill, but have somehow managed to gain 3 pounds despite the exercise. So sad and frustrating. Don't understand how this has happened. . .

McKenzie, I'm no expert, but I'm sure that most would advise that you start with long slow runs, rather than short fast ones. Better to ease yourself back into it - less trauma on your joints, and also more difficult to overdo it.