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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

just got my official time - 2 hours 2 mins 29 seconds. pretty pleased with that. I was hoping I might do 9 and a half minute miles - in fact did 9m 20. Having spent half the race thinkg what on earth am I doing. I'm now thinking that it would be really nice to do a half in under 2 hours...

hatwoman - thats a fantastic result! Where abouts do you live? Ive just entered the cardiff half marathon in oct - it's a really flat, fast course so perfect for PB's. Bet you could do it in under 2hrs.

Congrats Misdee, pidge and debithescot on the pregnancies - great news! second the advice given by the others to keep the runs gentle and listen to your body. Wish i had kept fit through my pregnancies, i might not have put on 4 stone!

dinny - a 1% gradient is advised for treadmill runs to mimic road running

I;m in SW London so Cardiff's a bit far. we have the Kingston 8m and 16 mile every 6 months - totally flat - but not a half - might have to look around for one

Well done Hatwoman!

I'm getting a bit despondent about how long it's taking me to finish my routes. I did 6.9 miles yesterday - all on roads but some towns roads with pavements and some country lanes (with flooding!) and no pavements, very undulating and some biiig hills. It took me 81 minutes. Which seems so slow. No matter how I try I can't seem to increase my pace. What is a normal speed for that kind of run? I do have to stop from time to time to use my inhalers or(more importantly) fiddles with my MP3 player.

I've also done something to the muscle just above the back of my left knee. But I'm giving it a rest until Thursday as I can't run earlier anyway. Hoping it will go away if I ignore it.

Congratulations misdee

Yes gertie it was basil brush, I can hear him now!
Am off to running shop in newcastle to have a go on their treadmill, hope they're not going to 'rip me off' - I dont mind shelling out as long as it sorts out my knees!

OrmIrian - I get the same about my training runs, no matter what I do (even when not pregnant!) I never seem to finish them any quicker, even if I feel like I'm pushing it. I think the thing is not to worrry about it, and it's all so different if you ever enter any group runs or races anyway. Throw away your watch and just enjoy the run.

I had my 12 week scan on Monday and all seems well. Weirdly I'm now having a bit of a psychological problem about running. Something to do with seeing the little baby on the screen and trying to get my head round bouncing it up and down on my runs!! I know I'm being daft. And I'm still hoping to get out there today for my weekly outing. I've also been battling with tiredness for the last fortnight, am back to going to bed at 8pm every night, and feel shattered all the time. So am going to take it really, really slow and steady and see how I get on. I am chuffed to have got this far, even if I am only running once a week.

Ahh... I found the my scans completely changed my mindset about pregnancy. It was a real person instead of just something that was happening to us.

Well done for keeping it going. The way I felt, especially third time round, I wouldn't have managed it.

Thanks OrmIrian, this is my third too. Though thankfully I've felt less sick than with the other two. I would never have managed to run before. And even this time it's pretty limited.

Anyway, I just about got my head round the idea of poor little baby bouncing up and down in the womb and pottered out for a very slow and steady 4 miles this lunchtime. Mind over matter. And I even quite enjoyed it.

I'm so impressed at you all running whilst pregnant!
Found the most amazing running shop in newcastle called northern runner. i was in there for well over an hour today and had 2 staff examining my feet, legs and knees. tried on loads of different shoes and as well as a tread mill they have a big kind of indoor alley that runs along the back of a few of the shops so they had mee running back & forwards along there! Got lots of advice and it seems i have quite high arches so need shoes with more support than the ones i had, also as i'm no spring chicken have prob run too far too soon! Could not believe the level of service. Came out with some Asics gel shoes which cost £85 & the advice to cut distance down a little til knees feel better. It's my first 10K on Sunday, along the seafront and there is snow forecast!

Hi everyone, I've not been around for a while but have kept running when I can. Now its more spring like I want to step up a gear. I went out with a mate last night and did just over 7 miles which is my record - in 1hr 15 mins and it felt fab! I could have gone further - most odd for me as the furthest I have been in 6.2 miles and its been hell. I don't know what came over me - hope it lasts! I might enter a 6 mile race in a couple of weeks - but its all terrain which will be harder I suppose. Anyone got experience of running off road - any tips?

Also during a run I always feel a tightness in my right leg from the bottom of my calf muscle to my ankle, down the inside of my leg. Does anyone know what this could be? It doesn't hurt but is uncomfortable and no amount of stretching seems to affect it. The tightness is only there when I run and goes as soon as I stop - most peculiar!

That makes me feel a bit better mavis I managed 6.9 miles in 1 hr 21. So not much slower. But I can't say it felt fab

can I join please? have been running walking for a while need inspiration to move on to just running and do a 5K

omg have I scared everyone away

sfxmum - nope, not scared away!!! Just had a chaotic afternoon, and was tucked up in bed by 8.30pm so no mumsnetting for me! Welcome to the running crew. The best inspiration I found was to actually enter an event - nothing like a goal to get you out there. Also, running with other people really helps. I joined a club who I run with once a week (when not pregnant anyway!). But even running with a friend or neighbour takes your mind off things and can make that difference. Good luck.

Mavis - I get something similar sounding in my calves, though in my case it can get very painful. Unfortunately I don't really know what it is. And the weird thing is that if I can keep running I usually run it off in about half an hour or so. Haven't had it for a while, having said that. I guess stretching after running and making sure you warm up nice and slowly and don't set out too fast are the obvious things. Otherwise get it checked out.

many thanks Pidge
I do enjoy being on my own at least for now but will look into running clubs thanks, maybe once a week for pace etc.
as for races I have checked the nearest is in June and I hope to be pregnant by then.
so will be following the ones currently running & pregnant.

these days I have been doing about 3miles run walk every other day not much really

sfxmum - I like running alone too - a nice escape from hectic family and work life. But after a few months I was getting bored and going out with the club has been a brilliant motivator. It's sociable, the miles fly past. Also you get to hear about local running events.

Looking forward to you joining the pregnant runners crew.

I've unfortunately just developed my second bout of folliculitis on my lower legs - a mass of infected boils, which are so painful I am limping horribly. I was on antibiotics for it 6 weeks ago and am on another course as of this morning. Very dull. So no running for me for a few days at least.

just a quick one as I have to go out in a minute - re running alone vs running with a club. I've never joined a club as the extra time involved (ie getting there) puts me off, but what's been a really nice half-way for me is that I run with some mums from school. - totally informal - on Thursday mornings we meet at 9 after drop off and run for about 40 mins together. it's lovely. In my case I joined in with a couple of mums that were already doing it but we gather new people to us all the time.

hatwoman you posted that you are in Kingston? I am in Richmond any recommendations this way?
I usually go by the river but can only do 7am or so.

pidge sorry to hear, hope it clears up soon

I am going to do this in June

I would love to run with someone else. But honestly I don't think I could. I fit my run in in after I get home from work, do lunchboxes, get DC's dinner and feed them, prepare mine and DH's, then fly out the door as soon as he appears. While I'm out he clears their dinner plates and tries to get some of them into the bath . When I get back it's shower, eat and then get on with bedtime/hw routine (while DH goes out to the gym quite often). And as my routes get longer it's taking more time. I don't think anyone is flexible enough to fit in with all that .

pidge - DH has just got some antibiotics for that too. It's horrible isn't it? He has it on his neck (he shaves his head). Being a builder and being out in the sun all the time he was convinced he had skin cancer

OrmIrian - wow, I'd never even heard of it, let alone encountered someone else who has it! It is foul - I look like I've got the plague, though thank heavens it's only on my legs and so it's hidden. The downside is that the infection is obviously very deep - I can walk with a slight hobble, but if I stand still it is excruciating and I have to keep moving about!

Anyway, last time I had it (6 weeks ago) they were worried I might be diabetic and shipped me off for blood tests, but this time they think it's just been caused by me having eczema, plus probably being pregnant is not helping. Not that your dh has that excuse!

Started running in Jan, doing my first 10K tomorrow morning along north east coast, foreacast is for wind/rain/snow have done very few runs in rain (& none in the snow!) - any tips?!

no-one?

Hi Theresa. Good luck tomorrow - I don't envy you the weather. I'm no expert but I'd take a bin bag to wear before the start to keep you dry then you can just chuck it, don't go off too quick and enjoy yourself!