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....?

yeah I agree potty1!!!

Have not run for weeks - feel flabby and lazy and unfit and am desp to get into shape - have a 10k coming up which have paid for on may 15 in glasgow.

Plenty of time but NEED to get started! Will be away first half of next week, at my mother's - am gonna start running there, cos will need to get out for 20 mins or so before I go arrgghh... (actually at the mo I don't think I could run 20 mins)
also sorry to abandon this thread - xmas and wine...

main aim for 2005 is to improve at running - ie, do the 10k without keeling over... (did it last year and it was a fantastic experience - anyone else live near enough to do this glasgow run?)

Hi there! I'm back again, in spirit, if not in body-YET!
Have been so busy on the run up to xmas, making my cards at the last minute as I suspected!the running maching has been moved out the way and the xmas tree is in it's place!!
DH hasn't been running either, the Dr has changed his BP tablets (again)after having a constant cough, then a puffer which made him worse-not making running very enjoyable for him.
Anyway, well done to all of you who have kept going over the festive season!
After too much turkey and alchohol we are starting our running program again.

very impressed with christmas day run!!
I was out on Christmas eve, then again last week one night, then had a really good 20-min run on New Year's Eve, somehow managed to go out earlier than usual, 7pm or so. But not been out since, ie this yr.
Will definitley be out tonight!!
Get into it Fiona!

Mckenzie, I'm in awe !

Think I'm the class swot as did Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, 27th, 29th, 31st, 2nd and will be out tonight - only 9 weeks until my half marathon, can't you tell ! I'm also trying to catch up after 2 weeks with lurgy.

Come on girls, get out there, running in the rain becomes addictive in the end, honest

Twink - your definitely the swot. i was supposed to go out today but it's just so windy here........one step forward two back.

I've just printed off a 10 week training schedule for a half for my dh (from runners world) It's pinned to the fridge and I'm hopeful he'll get back into it.

Potty1, what time is your dh hoping for if he gets his act together ?

I'd just pined my half programme up in the kitchen but found out tonight I've got a club place for London - PANIC!!!!!!

I think he's just hoping to get round Twink. He's got to lose at least a stone, but although he is heavy he's carried on with his running and can do about 50 mins at maybe 7-8 min mile pace at a push.

He did London about 8 years ago in 3.45 and was still going strong at the end so could have gone a bit quicker if not for the crowds at the beginning.

What time are you aiming for in London?

He sounds a bit like me both in both time & weight(although in my case it's half a stone )

My first aim is to finish (!) which as I've only ever done 15 miles before isn't assured at all.

Second is to be under 4 hours and my cloud cuckoo land goal (real one) is to be under 3.45 and therefore 'good for age'

I must admit, I'm now petrified & reading everything I can find about training schedules etc so any advice would be gratefully received !

Oh, also, any advice on energy drinks/gels etc as previous experience hasn't been good, all I've tried so far have disagreed with me & I've been relieved to get home

Twink, the furthest dh ran before the London was 20 miles. On the day the start was just so slow he slow-jogged the first mile and ended up running the second half way faster than the first - you'll do great!

I've never been able to get along with energy drinks, not that I often run far enough to use them! Some just make my mouth really sore. i'd rather have good old water and a handful of raisins before I start. Dh doesn't have them either.

Good luck with the training.

BTW I'm Luckymum as was, New Year, new name

Twink - (or anyone else for that matter) do you ever do any work on the track?

Ds2's footie team have our local athletics stadium for an hour a week and I thought I might go along and do some work on the track. I don't know what to do to make the best of the time.......just jogging around is pretty boring and I wouldn't keep going for the full hour...........any ideas?

Potty1, but in this instance I think your previous one is more apt ! I'd LOVE to have the chance to do track work.

I don't do it because we don't have one near us - our local clubs have to travel around 30 miles to get to their 'home' matches BUT I do do speedwork, which if there were a track here would be done there IYSWIM !

At the time I hate it but afterwards I'm always glad to have done it, and it certainly has improved my speed - I've reduced my 10k time by over 10 mins and my 5k time by 7.5 mins.

We do loads of different sessions eg 400m intervals which are interspersed with jog/rest breaks. I'll happily list some if you like - as long as the rest of you won't be scared off

Have you got any races planned ? If not, what sort of distance is your preferred long run ? Intervals can vary from short say 100m to 1km or more depending on what you're training for.

That's so brilliant you got a place twink!! Inspired by you & despite horrific weather up here in scotland I am gonna get out tonight if it's only for 20 mins at a snail's pace. Have not run since early dec

Fionagib - you are going to shame me into going out!

I'm in Glasgow - so maybe you can be the motivation for me to get off my back side and apply for the 10K. I did it 7 years ago - and have kep ton meaning to do it again.

I haven't run for ages though - I did a few runs last summer (2-3 miles), but just haven't got myself organised to get out.

We're also planning to go skiing at the ned of the month (although haven't got anything booked yet), so really need to do something to get myself fit (.... although at least I do cycle 3.1 miles into work every day )

Got someone coming around for supper tonight though and tomorrow I've got my Pilates class out in Balfron (so a rush to get home and then out again in time), so the earleiest I could even think of going out for a run would be Thursday

Twink, thanks.

My long run is really 10km, I'm comfortable (when fit) somewhere around 7km really. I'd like to improve my 5k time to maybe under 25 mins and also improve my stamina. I don't have any races coming up so no real target at the moment which is part of my problem re motivation . Thought this track work might help me out of my rut.

I've been idly watching this thread for the past couple of months, wondering if I should post. Very impressed by how motivated you all are - really puts me to shame. Dh did the London Marathon a few years back, and I would love to do it before I'm 40 (right, next year, or the year after then - eek!), but would struggle with 10K right now. I've been running for a few years, but generally don't enter races (did the Great South a few years back), but in a bid to get back in shape after having dd (3 mo), I've entered a 10K in February. Am I mad? I started running again when dd was about five weeks old, and was really enjoying it, but pulled a muscle before Christmas and have only been out once since then. I've got a baby jogger from when ds was little, but dd's head control isn't great so can't go in it yet, so I'm limited to running in the evenings which is hard as dd is still a bit unsettled and wakes at odd times for top-up feeds. Have any of you managed to do a 10K without much training? Also wondering about chucking in my gym membership. Not very expensive, but I'm stonybroke on SMP at the mo, and not making enough use of the gym to make it worthwhile. Considering buying a gym ball and handweights instead. Does anyone else work out with these at home? Do you use the equipment, or does it just sit in a corner gathering dust? I'm quite motivated and feel I would do situps/weights at home... or am I just kidding myself?

Hello runners, and hello Fio, didn't realise you were a runner!
I'm determined to start running as part of my "new me" programme, but have not run since, well pretty much ever! I did run in my teens but they're loooong gone. I'm thinking of taking part in the race for life, to give myself something to aim for. Would any of you care to advise me on a sensible beginner's running programme? I'm really really unfit and really really overweight as well as a struggling ex-smoker.

Beety - I can't do the treadmill purely for that reason. I find it so boring - also running with a mate and trying to chat actually helps me control my breathing.

mammya and stringbean - hello!!!!!!

Have a look at the Runners World website (I don't work for them, honest!) for some good 10 km and beginners running programmes. The Race for Life programme on their website is great for getting you up to 5k in about 6 weeks if you stick at it.

One thing get decent shoes.

can i just ask: when does it get easier? have been running since beg nov and still kills me! and i only do 15-20 mins!

Sophable - I find the first 15 mins the hardest - if you can push on past that point you might find that you feel better again - well for a few minutes anyway

Sophable - I'll second Potty1. I hate the first 20-30 minutes of any run - which makes it difficult when I decide to start running again (I'm a non-addicted runner, so often have long lay-offs) and want to to get back into it sensibly - ie build up gradually, as I am only running the distance I hate!

It's only after about 3 miles that I start to relax and get into a rhythm. (I won't go as far as to say enjoy it - although I always enjoy having done it).

Like Potty1, I can't be doing with treadmills. I find them far too tiring(!) and can go much further and faster out in the open air.

Stringbean - woould it cost you to rejoin the gum? If there isn't a joining fee - or it is less tha acouple of month's membership, why not give it up and see how it goes. It might be easeir with a wee one - you could "schedule" in some exercise when your wee one is asleep, and then go out for a run in the evening.

Twink - I ran the London Marathon in sub 4 hours 12 years ago (I'd have been 31). I did it with a groin starin too (which I had go when running the Bury St Edmonds 20 as part of the preparation - so I was really pleased with the time (3:56). I roughly followed a Runners World schedule, adapting it my own circumstances at the time(I was living in 2 different places at the time, plus doing a lot with Junior Chamber, so had a very full diary). I trained for it in about 3 months.

One thing I found really useful was to use a diary, put down the planned runs (how far, whether it was intervals, fast or just relaxed etc) in a diary and then what I actually did - the time it took, how I felt, the weather. Because I was running in some many places, I also notes which "loop" I had done - so I could compare progress. It helped me see even when I had a bad week that I was making progress.

Wow, hello everyone, and thanks for the advice/encouragement - I thought this had just become me & Potty1 talking to ourselves !

Here's a list of venues for this year's Race For Life. Suggestions welcome for a good one to designate as a Mumsnet meet-up.

In a tearing hurry (off to running club, no really I am !) but will post properly later tonight or tomorrow.

Whew, I'm back, tought session tonight (will log it at the end Potty1)

So, Fiona, did you get out ?

Prettybird, look on the bright side, getting out on Thursday is better than Friday or June - stick it in your diary and do it !

Stringbean, I've got stuff at home but have to be REALLY disciplined to use it as there's always something I feel I 'ought' to be doing whereas if I schedule going to the gym in my diary (and I do, otherwise other things overtake it) I'm far more likely to fit it in.

Mammya, good decision ! I occasionally post on CC's ex-smokers threads as it's dear to my heart, and lungs

One of the many reasons I have for maintaining my ex-smoker thing is that I can't face becoming less fit.

Potty1's advice is good, would def recommend the Race For Life beginners schedules. Hopefully they should be here in .pdf format. The offical Race for Life site is due to go live at the beginning of Feb.

I'm sure I met you at a meet-up in London so pick a London RFL, and I'll get you round - promise !