Webchat with Alexandra 'Hemmo' Heminsley, author of Running Like a Girl, Thursday 27 February, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Following the success of the recent blog and book giveaway we're delighted that author of Running Like a Girl Alexandra Heminsley will be joining us for a webchat on Thursday 27 February between 1 and 2pm.

When Alex first tried running, she could barely make it the to end of the road. Five years later, she's completed five marathons. In her book she explains how running has transformed her relationship with her body, and helped her to find reserves of determination that her pre-running self could never have imagined.

Whether you're a runner or spend time thinking about running, come and chat to Alex on Thursday 27th at 1pm or post a question in advance to this thread.

[AlexandraHeminsley1803]

@smellsofsick

Hi Alex, just on the top tips section of your book, which I've loved, so sorry if you've covered this already! My question is race snacks:

Got my first half in May and am bricking it. The only thing that is keeping me going is planning stuff to take my mind off the actual running. Do you have a top tip on what to eat on the course and when? Or even at all. I'm hoping you're going to say a family size pack of Haribo...

Not far off! I use Jelly Beans - you can get specific ones in sports shops, made by Jelly Belly, and you can get Lucozade ones. Personally I struggle to get Lucozade or Powerade down me at all, and I find the gloopy gels make my hands so sticky, especially when they're hot from being carried in my sticky paws for however many miles. So I decant two packs of the jelly beans and half a clothes peg (don't ask, it's a good luck thing, the same half a peg, not for eating) into a tiny freezer bag and have a few every time I'm struggling.

Good luck with the half ! xx

[HypodeemicNerdle]

Thank you! Off to google some much less expensive shoes and some hip strengthening exercises so I can get a bit faster and run for a lot longer. Really appreciate the tips, and answers to other peoples questions too

[alikat724]

Thank you Alex, as you say - treadmill is always better than no run! :)

[AlexandraHeminsley1803]

@CogitoErgoMum

I've got big boobs and small feet. This has led me to believe that running is not for me. It hurts so much that it cannot be good for me. But I have such limited time, it is the only exercise I think I can realistically fit in to a day. If I start doing something, how long before I can go 30 minutes without actually wanting to die? I try to run and remember child birth, but then I am just reliving the pain of child birth and experience the pain of running - which is just worse.
So, I guess my question is, if I buy your book will it help me over come these mental and physical obstacles (the pain - not the small feet and big boobs - I don't expect miracles.
Please say it will!

Speaking as someone with size 4.5 feet (my brother says my trainers look 'like they should be on a key ring') and size 32FF boobs, I feel your pain. I haven't had a baby but I HAVE run a marathon with someone who has had a baby and she did compare the pain..

However, I think if you WANT to run, you'll stick it out. Go easy on yourself. The Getrunning app is really really good. They talk you though the whole thing while you're running - breaking it up into walk/run rather than just making you run and then go home.

I can't speak for the MYSTICAL powers of my book sorting your head out, but it might make you laugh about the ridiculous levels of pain and woe I have gone through along the way. I figure being reassured and having a laugh must at least have a mild painkilling effect.. GOOD LUCK! xxx

[AlexandraHeminsley1803]

@hairylittlegoblin

Am not around for the webchat but wanted to thank you for the book,I loved it and credit you with getting me back into running after a 5 year/2 kids hiatus.

I wondered if you had any tips for keeping motivated? I love running when I actually get out there but can always find a reason NOT to go out unless I'm in training for a race. Is there any way I can stay on track without the threat of public humiliation to motivate me?

Okay you are my final answer before my fingers fall off!

Basically, I sympathise entirely. I stopped running for actual years after I did my first marathon. It was 'done'. Running in itself wasn't a fun thing, just achieving the goal was.

The thing that I always cling on to is that the balance of joy vs grimness is SO MASSIVELY tipped in your favour. Say you go and run for 20-30 minutes a couple of times a week. Sure, you might not be getting a PB or a new distance, but you'll feel better for sooo much longer than you were faffing with the running bit for. Seriously, all evening you'll feel warmer, you'll eat better, you'll like yourself a bit more. You'll be getting around faster, with less effort in your day to day life, and you'll be clearing your head - even the simple act of seeing your neighbourhood and not looking at another screen is a treat for your eyeballs.

But mostly - don't be too hard on yourself. Take a month off and do something else. It doesn't have to be for you. Maybe you are an undiscovered lacrosse player or boxer or mountain climber and running is just a way to get the cardiovascular superpowers to get you going! xxx

[AlexandraHeminsley1803]

Thank you very much for all your questions! Oh my GOODNESS it is always such a relief to find that other people have wondered and worried about the same things I did - there really were moments when I was writing Running Like a Girl that I thought the world might shrug and say "WHY is she fretting about THAT?" when it was published.

I hope I've answered most - and some questions overlapped so do read through them all. I'm sorry I skipped a couple of knee ones, I was a bit too scared to answer with no medical qualifications! All I can say is that VERY OFTEN knee pain can be eased by looking after your ITB. There is a whole section on it in the book. I can't rewrite now as I am worried I'm already 12 minutes over time and the internet might break.

GOOD TO CHAT LADIES! xxxx

[RachelMumsnet]

That was great. Mumsnet runners' club have been lapping up all the running tips. Thanks SO much Alex for getting through so many Qs. There's still time to nip over to @mumsnetbookclub, follow and RT to enter a comp to win a SIGNED copy of Running Like a Girl.

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

Thank you Hemmo! Good luck with your running this year. No go shoo those lazy bints and MNHQ out for a jog....

[hairylittlegoblin]

Thank you!!! Great webchat.

[CogitoErgoMum]

Your boob to feet ratio beats mine hands down, so there goes my excuse. A book with laughs in it sounds great to me. I am going to check out the app. Many thanks