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....?

Sorry about the eye Fionagib!! Is it OK now? You must have been in absolute agony!
Might try a run tonight rather than wait until tomorrow now.
I record all my details on a spread sheet-I've been doing that since training for the Flora Light 5K. I printed the record sheet out and fill in the stats after each run now. (That too was out in the conservatory collecting dust until a week or so ago!)I fill out time,distance and calories. Not much change in the figures yet (thats the numbers as well as mine-tummy still flabby!)
It has been rather quiet here-is everyone so busy out running??

Thank for the post Fionagib. Inspired me tonight!
Have just done my 1st run of the week, I though "why wait until tomorrow?"
Done 1.5 miles-run for 20 mins. I hope I'm doing OK, I've tried to pace myself more, rather than run at 6MPH for a short spurt then slow down, I kept a constant 4.5 MPH, with a short burst at the end in a attempt to do 1.5 within the 20 mins!
DH wasn't going to run tonight either but he has followed suit and is on the treadmill now!Doesn't want me to be all slim & healthy for xmas & show him up!!(I live in hope emoticom]

I haven't been out all wek either. the weather and a raging toothache put paid to it.

Hope the eye's better Fiona...ouch!

what an excellent idea, my six week check on thursday after that i will join you all. Well done to all those that started !

welcome pedilia!!

Yeah eye's better thanks but rain was belting down last night so didn't get out - MUST get out tonight for 30 mins at least. Am impressed at how you manage to pace yourself dingle. Am pretty ploddy myself, don't even attempt to speed up towards end. Would be so so chuffed if I managed 3 runs this week and could get up to 40 mins by the weekend.

Isn't it so much harder to motivate yourself in winter, does anyone else find that & have ways of forcing yourself out the door???

Go dingle, you're gonna shame your dh!!

I consider myself as a bit of a cheat really! I only have to venture out into the conservatory-mind you it does start off being pretty nippy out there even though we have central heating! Towards the end of the run though I wish it was colder!!! Still so unfit!
I really don't think I would do it if I actually had to go outside!!

fiona you're lying about yr blobby rear end i'm sure, i've seen your picture (in fact i've met you but that's another story...)
I went out on Fri pm and it was so cold that I only did 15 mins. Going to pilates tonight so does that count instead?
runnign tomorrow for deffo as no more governors trainging to forget to go to

why don't those italics work???

where did we meet clary? Am really intrigued!

Managed 30 mins tonight, no branch stabbing eye incident as I ran in road (!). Felt really good esp to be away from dh who is suffering terrible fag withdrawals, didn't wanna come home in fact

Dingle the conservatory is better than nowt!

Will be out on Wed eve... yeah it's getting parky, the eye stabbing night I was running with hands bunched in sweat top sleeves, also a bunch of high school kids were haw-hawing at me....

my body is just a typical had-three-children shape clary!

gonna start a running diary tonight at (I think) twink's suggestion.

Well done guys !

It is tough getting out in the cold & dark but the feeling you get after makes it all worth it, honest !

A piece of advice I got when I started was to dress as if it is 10 degrees warmer than it is to make up for the heat produced when running.

On Sunday I was snuggled under the duvet when I realised a group I run with would be leaving their start in 5 minutes, I leapt out of bed, threw my clothes on & just got there in time to do a hilly 6.5 miles. If I'd thought logically about it, there's no way I'd have gone but felt fab afterwards.

Yes, I keep a diary, so does Azzie. I find it really useful, esp when I'm feeling down becuase I can look back and see my progress.

I write down route, time, av heart rate if I've remembered to put my monitor on, weather, who I was with & how I felt. Father Christmas brought me a runners log from Girls Run Too a couple of years ago. It's an expensive version of a notebook really but I'm on my second & I love it.

Hi, can you tell I only have sporadic access to a pc!? Well done on everyone out at the weekend. Plans to get restarted last week took a nosedive so today was first day out (or at least into the gym) for a 30min cycle and some weights. Feels so good! Shame about the level of sweating though! Does anyone else find that increasing or decreasing their activity level significantly completely throws their hormones out of kilter? Main symtom for me is night sweats (of the change pjs and sheets level) and I ended up with weird thyroid activity over the summer until my body adjusted to the new intensity. Have realised that I really need goals for this to work so looking for a nice 10k/ 1/2 marathon for next spring.

hey beety, second those shoes, i never thought it would be so easy on my knees and ankles to run after experiences years ago but expensive shoes have made such a difference.
Well girls went out tonight (top tip re clothes Twink - just wore a T-shirt (and joggign bottoms, shoes, underwear etc of course ) and it was much better).
Did 19 mins and felt really good. Let's all keep it up! Pilates last night was good too.
Fiona...many moons ago when you were editing a magazine down in London you interviewed me for a job - i didn't get it!

Beety, good shoes make such a difference. I've had knee issues in the past (pre-running days) and so good shoes are of number one importance to me. Make sure you go to a 'proper' running shop who know what they're doing - I'm lucky enough to be able to go to one where they do a gait analysis - they video your feet as you run on a treadmill, so that they can see exactly how you run, and so get exactly the right pair of shoes for you.

Clary - we've got one of those indoor/outdoor electronic weather station things (Xmas present for geeky DH some years ago!) and I always check the temp before I go out to run. Over 5 degrees C I wear short sleeves, under 5 I put on long sleeves and gloves. Works about right for me. And if you haven't got one, I'd recommend buying a wicking running shirt - it really makes a difference from a cotton T-shirt, much less sweaty.

I'm feeling really frustrated this week. Rested up last week because my knee was a bit achey after St Neots, then just as I was ready to get back into my running routine this week I've come down with a nasty head cold and sore throat . My body is producing all these niggly little aches and stiffnesses, and I know it's because I can't run (from 30 miles/week down to 0 miles - not good). Oh well, it can't last much longer - it had better not, I'm going stir crazy here!

I managed 25 mins last night (12 + 1 + 12) and felt quite good afterwards, still dont like running in the dark though.

I have Saucony shoes they are brill

Hannah's aunt, yes have been madly sweaty too - niice! - but prob cos am off fags... nearly 5 weeks now...

Poor azzie, must be so FRUSTRATIING, HOPE U FEEL BETTER SOON... (pls excuse accidental caps there!)

Have something wrong with I think the tendon on sole of foot between toes and heel, maybe from wearing high boots ALL THE TIME - even around house - they make me feel clompy & in control of the kids (!)

Anyway at least enid's been out, well done lady!!

Clary am embarrassed...

Foot realy hurts, a friend has advised a foot bandage &/or ibuprofen gel any tips? Can't run anyhow, genuine excuse

foot still too blimmin' sore to run, am hobbling. Blimmin high heels!! Hopefully can get out next week as have running diary started (with ONE entry) and wanna get out there...

Experienced running folks - do you think it's poss to train for a half marathon between now & May?

Hey Fiona, don't be embarrassed, you're just one in a logn and (ig)noble line of folks who've not given me jobs
sorry, I should have realised that that would be embarrassing but that was not my intention. I reckon you just thought I was too qualified lol
Anyway, have run in to work tonight (!) it's just 5k ie Race for Life distance. I ran 20mins, walked 3, ran 7, walked 3, ran 4, took 37 mins so that's not bad considering I have not been out so much in the last month.
Now i have to do some work (supposed to be why i'm here...)

Not got into London, only entered thinking 'oh I'll never get in' but now it's definite I feel quite glum...

On the plus side, I did a 10k race yesterday & got a new PB, I finally seem to have got my head round the 7&8 km demons who usually slow me down.

Fiona how's the foot ? Congrats on the smoking, you're doing soooo well

Plenty of time to train for a spring half so don't panic, I'll give you some ideas once you're fit, there's no point yet as you'll just worry !

How are the rest of you getting on ?

poor twink, really sorry to hear that... gonna do another, like dublin or as beet said new york? Amsterdam? Stockholm?!

foot just about okay, friend thinks it was tendon between toes & heel under the foot, gonna get out at some point this week just for 30 mins or so, mising it but don't wanna make it worse again.

Great to hear (from twink) that half marathon is poss in spring, from my piddly 30 mins runs at the mo... gotta think greyhound, whippet, er, corgi????

Where IS everyone?????????

btw clary am not really embarrassed as office life feels like a long time ago,ie pre babies, and is all hazy anyhow! (cos my memory is shot) xxx