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What's your aim for 2008?

Mine is to enjoy running for the whole of 10k rather than just the middle 20 minutes - and it would be great to do the distance in under an hour but I'm not overly hopeful in that respect

The hills round where I live are the bane of my life, especially on long runs. I spend ages planning routes on MapMyRun and when finished I always view the elevation - sometimes I run a planned route in the reverse direction to the one I'd originally planned as I discover that it's slightly less uphill that way!

Have been really rubbish over the past week. I felt too poorly to run by the end of last week so binned my short Friday night run. Was supposed to do 12 miles on Sunday but after 3 I was coughing so much I was sick, so I canned it and went home, totalling 6 miles.

Finally forced myself out for 5 miles yesterday which was actually OK, so hopefully I can get back on course over the next few days.

Well done for even managing that currantbun! I think that sorts out the men from the boys (so to speak ) - the ability to run even when feeling cack! Not managed it yet but getting better.

CurrantBun - you are amazing! Hope you're feeling better.

I think I'm grinding to a halt, haven't run for 10 days. Mostly it's a logistical problem. My morning sickness is just about manageable during the day, but then I've got the kids and dp is only around weekends, when we're often really busy. And come 6pm I'm so sick I can barely move, so I'm in bed lying really still by 8pm trying not to throw up, and that kind of rules out evening running!

Anyway, might be able to fit in a lunchtime run when I'm back at work next week.

Can anyone advise me on shoes? Have orthotic inserts, the type shaped by hear using machine. Very good but am using with saucony hurricane shoes, which I think are 'motion control'? Should I be buying neutral shoes when I replace these when wearing orthotics?i AM FLAT FOOTED AND REALLY DO NEED THEM.

Woo Hooo, just back from the Hearts First Jog at Knebworth, - 10k did it in 1hr 5mins, really hilly course, did the first 5k in 31mins which is 6 mins fasater than my previous time. Roll on the tri in May!!!

deegward - well done - what an improvement! Don't envy you hills mind you, I'm a fan of the flat!! Where's the tri?

I'm really proud of myself as I'd shuffled to a halt, but got myself out for 40 minutes yesterday lunchtime. My first run for two weeks. Morning sickness is wearing off during the day, so only the evenings still a problem. Maybe I can try to get out twice a week again soon.

hi everyone, hope you're all ok. sounds like you're doing great pidge. and cb - twenty miles! I've just got back this morning from doing 10. and I came on here to ask if it gets easier? I did 10 a couple of weeks ago, was meant to do one last weekend but didn't manage it, then did one today (with various 4-6 milers in between) and blimey it was hard work. although I've done 16 before I just felt like I'd never be able to do that again. I started wondering if being a year older matters?! or do I just need to keep up the training and it'll be ok? I'm meant to be doing a half marathon in 2 weeks and although it'll be ok and I'll get round etc I was hoping I might be feeling a bit more full of oomph about it. right now I have no oomph at all.

I forgot to tell you - I saw a green woodpecker and a kestrel (sitting in a low tree looking right at me) on my run. lovely

That sounds lovely hatwoman! I've see the odd kestrel and buzzard, but not a green woddpecker. Plenty of starling and the odd sparrer too.

Wow - hatwoman. All I ever get round here is a manky fox!

I'm afraid I'm looking for some more help please. Since I hurt my hip (nothing serious according to Gp and I've been taking high strenghth ibuprofen) I've carried on running and although the hip has been OK - bit sore but bearable - I've been so tired. It's like running through treacle. I was flying a few weeks ago - what has happened? It's so disheartening. Could it be related to an injury?

It could be, OrmIrian, or it could just be that you've overdone things a bit with the training and your bosy is telling you to back off a bit. Not sure what level you've been training at but sometimes after a period of feeling great and doing really well, you hit a bit of a low and every run is a major effort. Could also be the ibuprofen you've been taking.

I'm afraid I'm not such an inspiration any more as I have decided not to do the marathon. The heavy cold I had a couple of weeks ago turned into a nasty, chesty cough and I was forced to abandon running for over a week, as I felt so awful. I then attempted to get back into the schedule with a 20-miler, but by halfway I was utterly exhausted and had to turn for home early, completing 16 out of the planned 20 miles. Then I got a minor stomach bug, and came to the realisation that I've just been pushing myself too hard and was completely run down.

I had a long, hard think about things and reached the decision that my priorities are different than they were when I ran my marathon PB in 2006. I have a baby son and he's my number one priority. I also work part time (three days a week) which involves an hour plus travelling each way, plus I need to give some time to my hubby and have some for myself. I had stopped enjoying running, finding it just another chore to be crammed into an already hectic schedule. there's no point doing something you're supposed to enjoy if it's making you miserable (not to mention unwell) so I decided to can the marathon. I felt so relieved once I'd made the decision, and now I can run for enjoyment rather than because the schedule says so.

For the time being I'm cutting down to 3x a week as hubby is very busy at work and is having to stay late quite often, which means I can't get out. He's happy to commit to leaving on time once a week though, so I can get out, as well as his Wednesdays at home when I also run because I don't have to wait for him to get home. So I'll probably do a run of 10-12 miles at the weekend, and then two of between 5 and 7 miles during the week. Hopefully this will be enough to maintain my current fitness and speed. I'm actually looking forward to freeing up a little more time in the evenings, especially now we're heading into better weather (hopefully) and lighter days. So, onwards and upwards!

I quite agree that it's not much point if it becomes a chore. I've done so many things in the past that I enjoyed to start with that did become a chore - step classes, circuit training, gym, karate. Especially karate - I had felt so much pressure with that. It was like having a burden lifted off my shoulders when I suddenly realised that no-one could make me do it! Your free time is precious so why waste it doing something that you don't want to.

And you are still running a hell of a long way I'm managing 4-5 miles twice a week in the evenings and about 7 on a sunday morning. But that's a big improvement on a few months back.

You're right, OrmIrian - it was like having a weight lifted from my shoulders. And the irony was that I was putting myself under that pressure - no-one was forcing me to train for a marathon!

Am still struggling with the idea of only running three times a week though. Even when I very first started, I managed four sessions (although I was pretty inconsistent then and quite often skipped the weekend runs). I usually see my mum one afternoon a week so I might get her to look after DS for me for half an hour so I can squeeze in an extra run - but will see how I go on three runs for a few weeks.

Currantbun - sounds like a very very wise decision. YOu know in your heard when you've done the right thing. And your feeling of relief says it all. Here's to lots of fun runs without those 18-20 mile slogs!

OrmIrian - I would ease off training and see how it goes. I go through phases of feeling shattered, and when the running is a slog. A break or a rest usually does wonders.

I'm still down to one run a week, can't do evenings as am just too sick. But managed my lunchtime 4.5 miler from work yesterday. And I have plans to try to squeeze in a gentle 3 miler one morning this weekend, if I can find time and motivation.

Pidge, you're getting out there when you can. It's all good. Just do what you feel up to and what you can fit in.

I spent a lot of time when I was pregnant stressing about how much of my hard-earned fitness I would lose, and if I'd known then that running would be less of a priority in my life once DS was born, I'd have saved myself a lot of angst. As I've mentioned before, I managed to run until 32 weeks pregnant, gradually cutting down from 5 runs a week to two or three in the end. I didn't run at all for the final 8 weeks of my pregnancy, but did a lot of walking, then had a C-section so wasn't able to get back to my running until 7 weeks post-birth. I was really shocked at how much fitness and muscle tone I'd lost just in that short space of time.

However, it came back relatively quickly. If I have another baby I think I'll be a lot more relaxed about the running, knowing that even if it takes time and effort, fitness CAN be regained after the baby's born.

CurrantBun - thanks for that. Given I didn't even start running until after baby number 2 I've always had to squeeze it in around other priorities. So it's no great hardship to wind down a bit. I'm pretty amazed with myself that I've got this far to be honest, if I can come through the first trimester still running I will be very chuffed! And my fitness is helped by the 35 minute each way bike ride on my 3 working days (would be a great commute if I didn't then have to add in 30 minutes on a train etc!!).

Thanks for the advice.

I seem to have come through it. I ran 5 miles last night and Tuesday with no problem. I think I am just going to have to accept that sometimes it gets harder for no accountable reason.

You both did better than me. Each time I got pregnant (3) I vowed to keep on with whatever it was I was doing to keep fit...and each time it lasted about 2 months before I gave up . I wasted 6 months of gym membership with DS#2. But I have no intentions of having more babies so no more interruptions.

Hi you lot

CB & OrmIrian hope you both feel more motivated soon. I think you've both done the right thing though - I can't imagine doing longer distances if you're heart's not really in it.

I've not been around much here. I've been struggling myself and not getting out much. I think we need the Spring to arrive. My running partner has been a bit hit and miss too and I'm a waste of space if I go on my own. I have been going to a couple of classes though so I haven't turned into a complete couch potato.

Hi everyone. OrmIrian - good that the problem seems to have gone. but like all these things it is sometimes best to take it a bit easy for a while. and CB - you've obviously made the right decision. I'm not sure how many marathons you;ve done (the fact that you have a pb means it must be more than 1!) and I would guess that adds a layer of pressure. If I ever get round to doing one I'll just be happy to get round.

I'm feeling quite bright and springy today. Finally got myself new trainers and splashed out on some new kit (I am the original Mrs Kitless - I run in any old shite)and went for my longer run today - last week it was a real slog and this week I really enjoyed it. I did all but 13 miles (12.8 - set off to do 12 but got v. slightly lost!) I decided not to worry about time and just keep it steady - so was really delighted to find that I'd come in at just under a 10 minute mile - never done that before for longer runs - well I have but only in a race. So next week I'm going to keep it quite light - and Fleet Half on Sunday. after a once-a-year night out with my school friends . gawd.

I have just disuaded myself from doing the nice little round route I had managed to plot on mapmyrun for Sunday. 10.92 miles. I think that might be a mistake considering that I've only managed about 7 so far. It's easy to get carried away - I live in the middle of a town so it takes up quite a few miles just getting to the nice bits. I've plotted a shorter route instead - not so nice though. After the first mile it feels I could go on forever. But I regret when I'm a mass of aches the next day.

I've just been buying clothes and it was a toss-up between a 10 and a 12!. I'm a size 11 Considering that I was a 16 a few years ago and that I've shrunk more, and more quickly, since I've been running than I ever did in all those years of dieting and gym work and exercise classes when I was really trying to lose weight. Extraordinary. It wasn't the reason I started running but it's a very welcome side-effect.

Sorry. I know it's probably not exciting to anyone else but I am still in shock.

that's great ormIrian . I never manage to shed anything when I'm running - my apetite is huge and instead of filling up on carbs I constantly justify chocolate/cheese and, my big weakness, breakfast from Starbucks .

size wise I'm kind of like you - I'm basically a 9. for my height (I'm only 5 foot) it would be nice to be an 8. but I can't complain. I think I'd rather be a size 9 and carry on with my croissants and pain au chocolate. well, in fact, I know I'd rather be a 9, cos that's what I do...

and, btw, put aside any pride you might have and get the 12s. they'll definitely look better. and no-one but you knows what it says on the label

Oh I did hatwoman. I'm still reeling from reaching a 12 . I'm 5'11 and large-framed so I'm OK with a size 11.