Race For Life

[Twink]

I've just put some stuff on the weight loss thread but this is just as relevant for 'non-dieters'

Any of you who are really wanting to 'up' your exercise, have a look at the site Race For Life . All around the country there are women-only 'races' in aid of CancerResearchUK, it's an amazing day; thousands of women getting together to run/jog/walk (and over half do walk) for 3 miles/ 5 kilometres, many have 'I'm doing this because of X' or 'In memory of Y' labels on their backs.

I did it last year with a group of friends and now run regularly, even entering 'proper' races. It got me hooked and it certainly helps my weight maintenance but I would never have started without it. Have a look at the site and stop making excuses, even to walk 3 miles takes well under an hour - you HAVE got time.

Great idea Twink, I have done the race for life for the past 2 years (since my grandad died of cancer). It is a very fantastic day, raising money for a worthwile cause. I usually jog at the start and then job at the very end and walk round the rest. My dh and DS come and cheer me on.

I've just signed up to do Race for Life in Manchester with my two daughters (7 and 9). We did our first running session together (and my first ever!) in the local woods on Sunday. I could barely walk today. I wanted to find something we could do together and enjoy (aside from walking, which I like but the kids less so) that didn't cost much. The kids are fitter than I am, and they found it fun ... and of course we hope to raise loads of money!

Twink - any tips for us beginners? I forked out for a good sports bra today, need some running trainers next but can't spend much.

Well done, Ange8, signing the kids up is a great idea, you'll have to do it now !

The training plan on the RFL website is really good, a group of friends are following this for the first time and are making really good progress. It follows a walk/run/walk pattern which gradually decreases the walking time and increases the running time over a ten week programme. It also has a cut down version if you've not got that long. Just checked for your date, five weeks on Sunday so I would recommend using the 3 week programme and 'stretching' it. Adrenelin will kick in on the day which will help and you've got a scenic route which will help to take your mind off how your body feels. Another thing which helped me was having a sponsor promise to double his money if I completed in under half an hour.

The most important thing to remember is not to push yourself too hard too soon, if you can't speak (or at least grunt) while you're training then you are going too fast.

Even after a year I still find the first 5-10 minutes a killer, body starts asking brain why are you doing this to me ??? But after that breathing settles down as the increased oxygen demand is eventually met.

Good running shoes are important, I would recommend avoiding the standard high street/retail park big names as IME they are more interested in selling trainers as fashion items.
There's a short thread on Manchester running shops here which might help depending on where you live. Specialist shops are (usually) more interested in finding shoes which actually fit your feet and your running style than selling the latest models. In fact you can often get bargains by going for last year's version of a particular style. Alternatively, you could visit a shop, get their recommendations then shop around on the Net.

Sorry, gone on far too long but HTH.

Good luck !

Twink, Just reading your other post. I replied. Update doing mine on May 11th, I have about £85 in sponsership money, trying hard to get the total up to £100. Good luck twink. When is yours?

Eek, another mumsnet addict (well, if you could see the pile of ironing waiting..)
Mine's not until July 6th but haven't started getting sponsorship yet I suspect most of my friends will be getting compassion-overload by now.

Well, will be thinking of you a week on Sunday, all be well I will be running at that time too.

Thanks Twink.

My DH and DS come along and it is a really good incentive to see their grinning faces as I cross the line. Always get very emotional, but I totally enjoy the day, knowing I am doing something good.

Twink, just wanted to say thanks so much for the Madame Tussaud's vouchers which arrived at the weekend. They really are much appreciated.

Twink - thank you so much - I really appreciate all the help you have given I can get to the shops mentioned in the linked thread - one has a website, which has reassured me that I will not be treated to service by folk who are mostly interested in the street cred of your trainers! (My street cred is unfortunately in a worse state than my fitness!)

I will be out (with the kids) tonight, following the run/walk programme. I hope this will help to ease the stiffness in my legs left over from Sunday!

Breeze, good luck for Sunday, hope you have a good day.

Also remember that running/jogging burns off over 100 cals a mile so you can afford to celebrate after !

Let us know how it goes

Thanks Twink, Will do. Does that mean I can have a chinese in the evening.

Definitely ! Just beware of prawn crackers, diet sabotage at 60 cals a time.

Breeze, how did it go ? Enjoy your Chinese !

Twink, Thank-you for asking, Yes is went very well, beat last years time. Finished in 43 minutes, but more importantly raised about £100 for a very good cause that means a lot to me.

I will enjoy my chinese I have earned it.

A little while to go till yours though, are you doing the training?.

Well done, Breeze And good luck with the rest of your training, Twink

Well done, you must be well chuffed !

I was out training this morning while you were running and wondered how you were doing. I've still got 8 weeks to go before mine and am concentrating on beating last year's results, for both time & money. Like you it's a cause very close to my heart and I want to do the best I can.

Ange8 how are you getting on ? When is your race ?

Thanks Scummy, hey brainwave, must remember to bring sponsorship form to next meet-up !

Mine's on Sunday and I have been challenged to improve last year's time by 5 minutes to get double my sponsorship money.

Mmm.. 5 minutes seems not much but last year I ran 3.1 miles at 9.5 minutes per mile, this time I need to do 8 minutes per mile which is scarey, my lungs are alreay shrieking NO !!!! So please spare a thought for me around 11.25 on Sunday as I sprint(Ha!) for the line

Good luck Twink.I had my race last Sunday it was the first time I have done it and I walked it, I raised about £175 and I will definately be doing it next year and I will run it then.

Hope you get treated to a good lunch afterwards Twink. Good luck

good luck, twink!

Did it !!! Unfortunately didn't make my target (1 minute too slow, I blame the sun coming out halfway round & the really long grass !) but I was 9th (I think) so huge improvement over last year.

All the people I'd 'persuaded' to enter did really well too, all back in under 40 minutes so we're feeling well chuffed.

Guess who's off to the pub !

congratulations! well done!

Hey twink, you must have done the Newbury one today - so did I!! How long was that grass?! and the sun beating down didn't help, but we did it! It was my first time and I'll def. do it again - I've been training for so long I feel a bit flat now - maybe a glass of wine will help! Well done!

Glad it wasn't just me suffering with the sun & the grass ! All was going fine until I got back to the 'end curvey bit' and the sun came out...

I think Brighton were going today too but haven't heard anything back yet.

Mimsmum, well done ! if you've got the bug there's a great 10k race at the end of August at Highclere Castle, I did it last year to give myself another goal after RFL (which was my first race since school). If you fancy having a go, email me cos we have an informal Sunday morning group who chatter & run !

Well done Twink, very impressive!