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The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Due to the fact that we have a fair few runners of all abilities here some of us thought that it would be a good idea to start a separate thread for the runners where we can share our experiences, information, links, rant and motivate each other. Hopefully, this should also help keep a lot of information and advice in one place and make it easier to find. If the thread proves to be a success perhaps it could also be made into a sticky. I'll start: How Long?- Since August 2004 Treadmill or Outside? - Much prefer outside but I'm slowly starting to realise that the treadmill has its own uses. If only it wasn't so dull. How often/distance and/or time? - 3-6 times a week/just over 5k when running outside. Treadmill sessions are normally shorter, more intensive and interval based. Favourite links - www.runnersworld.co.uk www.runnersworld.co.uk for information, www.sweatshop.co.uk www.sweatshop.co.uk for shopping and www.map24.com www.map24.com for measuring distance Love- running in the rain Hate- people who don't pick up after their dogs Favourite time of the day/season/location - I have a strong preference for colder evenings. Run mostly in the streets in the area around my flat as I feel quite safe there and it's convenient. Any races? - None so far Share a tip dont even think of starting running until you get fitted for running shoes in a specialized shop with trained staff. I went to a Sweatshop branch in London but the Runners World website has a list of good running shops in your area. Anything else you want to add, share or ask? Over to you! LPx
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
How Long?- On the treadmill, on and off with varying levels of commitment since early 2004. Outside, since September 2005. So an enthusiastic beginner really. Treadmill or Outside? - Outside due to being bored of the treadmill. How often/distance and/or time? - At the moment, 4 times a week outside, building up using a Runners World "intermediate"plan (generally 20 to 40 mins a session). On the treadmill was mainly doing various different types of 30-40 minute interval session. Favourite links - www.lessbounce.com. www.lessbounce.com. Not strictly a running link but a necessity! Love- sense of achievement, de-stressing, good tunes, making it up a hill without stopping Hate- leaden legs, traffic Favourite time of the day/season/location - Evenings, anywhere between 6pm and 9pm. Not tried outdoor running in many seasons. Location wise am having strange success running around some rather hilly suburban streets, more so than in the park. Go figure. Any races? - Signed up for a 10k in November. I don't do anything by halves. Share a tip Too much of a beginner to have any tips. Music makes the experience particularly nice for me. Goals - Running (not walk-running) next month's 10k. I also hike as often as I can and am getting fell-runner envy but who knows if I'll ever be up to that.
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Hello everyone 
How long - about 6 months now Treadmill or outside? Outside preferably. But am probably going to have to go back to the treadmill now it's getting darker. How often/distance and/or time? Have recently been doing 7-8km twice a week (as have just done my first 10k run) but might now go back to 5k three times a week. Favourite links - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ for measuring distances Love - sunny evenings Hate - mud Favourite time of the day/season/location - I like running down by the river here as everyone runs down there, there are no cars, and i can run on the grass. I also am an evening person, i prefer to go out about 6pm, or later if it's still light. Any races? Did my first 10k yesterday :yay: Legs are a bit achey today! Share a tip - drink loads of water (not just before you go out though!) and don't eat before you go out. OJO - There was quite a buzz going round the 10k course, and i definitely found it very encouraging to be running with other people! There weren't that many supporters round the course, but most of the marshalls round the course were cheering us on. The finish was the best bit as that's where the majority of people were watching from. Somehow all those people watching gave me the energy to sprint for the finish line when 5 mins earlier i had been ready to collapse! 
How long - about 6 months now Treadmill or outside? Outside preferably. But am probably going to have to go back to the treadmill now it's getting darker. How often/distance and/or time? Have recently been doing 7-8km twice a week (as have just done my first 10k run) but might now go back to 5k three times a week. Favourite links - http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ for measuring distances Love - sunny evenings Hate - mud Favourite time of the day/season/location - I like running down by the river here as everyone runs down there, there are no cars, and i can run on the grass. I also am an evening person, i prefer to go out about 6pm, or later if it's still light. Any races? Did my first 10k yesterday :yay: Legs are a bit achey today! Share a tip - drink loads of water (not just before you go out though!) and don't eat before you go out. OJO - There was quite a buzz going round the 10k course, and i definitely found it very encouraging to be running with other people! There weren't that many supporters round the course, but most of the marshalls round the course were cheering us on. The finish was the best bit as that's where the majority of people were watching from. Somehow all those people watching gave me the energy to sprint for the finish line when 5 mins earlier i had been ready to collapse!
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Goals, I knew I forgot something! At the moment I think I'd like to run 5k in 30 mins. Depending on how fit I am it can take me anything from 34 to 40 mins so this should be a nice little challenge for the next few weeks to get me back into running after my summer break. And, continuing the conversation from the other thread, I love those "Nutter!" looks people give form under their umbrellas when they see you run in the rain, especially when you actually look like you are enjoying it 
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
LOL. Yes I like looking like a nutter. Sadly I looked like a miserable nutter as it was definitely too early in the day for me. I draw the line at being soaked by the bus going through the huge puddle though. Somehow it's not quite like the Barry Island log flume....
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Goals - i forgot that one too I would like to do another 10k run, this time perhaps in less than 55 mins. Oh, and does anyone know if there is any way to improve hill running without actually running up any hills? I live in one of the flattest parts of the country which is great most of the time, but it means i get no practice at running up hills!
I would like to do another 10k run, this time perhaps in less than 55 mins. Oh, and does anyone know if there is any way to improve hill running without actually running up any hills? I live in one of the flattest parts of the country which is great most of the time, but it means i get no practice at running up hills!
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Great idea for a thread Loony! How Long? - Started 'properly' in May 2002 - can even remember the run, it was 3 miles and I lagged along behind some friends puffing and panting, but felt great at the end, and having done it decided I'd enter the Great North Run that year!! Treadmill or Outside? - Mostly outside, I don't have long to spend at the gym but last week I forced myself to run 5k on the treadmill reasonably quickly. How often/distance and/or time? - Over the summer I run more, but now I'm doing three times a week outside. One 6 mile run which takes an hour and two three mile runs which take 30 mins. Favourite links - here http://www.greatrun.org/index.asp at the moment - Great Run website. I'm waiting for them to put up full results so I can see where I came among women of my age group! Overall my placing was 18,000 approx. Love - like Loony I love running in the rain, it's a great way of keeping cool. My best ever 10k time (53mins) was when I got soaked to the skin just as the race started! I also love my ipod when I run on my own and my GPS as it tells me how far I've been and at what speed (I always try to get under 10 minute miles). Hate - running in really hot sunshine, cows and dogs that chase runners (have had experience of both)! Favourite time of the day/season/location - first thing in the morning, have gone as early as 6.30 in the summer, it's a great time to run, before you've even had breakfast you've done your exercise for the day! Fave season is probably spring, it's not too hot and you get more daylight. I live in the country so we've got loads of bridleways and footpaths near us, I much prefer being off-road. Any races? - a few 10k races, Race for Life twice and Great North Run in 2002, 2003 and this year. Goals - just to keep fit and healthy, I've had spells of not running (hip bursar last year and overactive thyroid earlier this year) and I do miss it. Have entered a 10k in Leeds in November so I've got to keep fit for that. Share a tip take a drink with you if you're doing any distance it really helps, especially in the summer. As OJO says music helps too, unless you've got buddies to chat to which is even better. I never eat within 2 hours of running, except bananas which seem to be ok! Well done Squirrel on your first 10k and OJO for entering one!!
How Long? - Started 'properly' in May 2002 - can even remember the run, it was 3 miles and I lagged along behind some friends puffing and panting, but felt great at the end, and having done it decided I'd enter the Great North Run that year!! Treadmill or Outside? - Mostly outside, I don't have long to spend at the gym but last week I forced myself to run 5k on the treadmill reasonably quickly. How often/distance and/or time? - Over the summer I run more, but now I'm doing three times a week outside. One 6 mile run which takes an hour and two three mile runs which take 30 mins. Favourite links - here http://www.greatrun.org/index.asp at the moment - Great Run website. I'm waiting for them to put up full results so I can see where I came among women of my age group! Overall my placing was 18,000 approx. Love - like Loony I love running in the rain, it's a great way of keeping cool. My best ever 10k time (53mins) was when I got soaked to the skin just as the race started! I also love my ipod when I run on my own and my GPS as it tells me how far I've been and at what speed (I always try to get under 10 minute miles). Hate - running in really hot sunshine, cows and dogs that chase runners (have had experience of both)! Favourite time of the day/season/location - first thing in the morning, have gone as early as 6.30 in the summer, it's a great time to run, before you've even had breakfast you've done your exercise for the day! Fave season is probably spring, it's not too hot and you get more daylight. I live in the country so we've got loads of bridleways and footpaths near us, I much prefer being off-road. Any races? - a few 10k races, Race for Life twice and Great North Run in 2002, 2003 and this year. Goals - just to keep fit and healthy, I've had spells of not running (hip bursar last year and overactive thyroid earlier this year) and I do miss it. Have entered a 10k in Leeds in November so I've got to keep fit for that. Share a tip take a drink with you if you're doing any distance it really helps, especially in the summer. As OJO says music helps too, unless you've got buddies to chat to which is even better. I never eat within 2 hours of running, except bananas which seem to be ok! Well done Squirrel on your first 10k and OJO for entering one!!
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Velvet Brown, the Leeds 10K in November wouldn't be this one http://www.helptheaged.org.uk/SupportUs/Events/RunningEvents/Leeds_Abbey_Dash_2005.htm would it? That's the one I'm doing....
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
How Long? - on and off since I was 18 Treadmill or Outside? - Outside unless the weather is really bad or it's too dark, then I'll use the treadmill at the gym. How often/distance and/or time? - More in the summer but at the moment 3 or 4 times a week. Usually do about 6 or 7 miles Favourite links - are all on my computer at home, it's the runners world one and girls run too. Love - cold crispy mornings when the sun is just coming up, running through the woods at the back of my house. Hate - wind and rain together, icy conditions as I once pulled a muscles slipping on black ice. Also when it's too hot (doesn't happen much up here though). Favourite time of the day/season/location - Early morning when it's quiet and the air is fresh, and in the spring or autumn when it's not too hot or cold. I live in a great place for running, there's loads of woodland, a lake and a Country Park right on my doorstep which means I can vary my route every day if I want, and there's no roads I have to cross. There's also plenty of hills. Any races? - Most recent was Race For Life in the summer and I used to do a lot of cross country races when I lived in Germany. Goals - to keep it up especially through the winter and to shed a few pounds. My main goal is to improve my 5K time from just over 25 minutes to around 21 minutes. Hopefully with more training and shedding some weight will help get me there. Share a tip as loony says a good pair of running shoes is a must, as is a good sports bra for high impact activities. If you get sore shins rest them until they get better (go swimming) don't try and run through it they'll only get worse. Also get your breathing into a rhythm I usually breath out for three steps and breath in for three. Running up hills try and shorten your stride a bit and kind of 'lean into' the hill try and focus on a spot about 50 feet in front of you and concentrate on getting to that point, once there repeat until you get to the top, then try and get your breathing even again before picking up speed once more gradually. Also use your arms more for hills but keep them parallel to the floor and don't swing them across your body.
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Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
Subject: The Big Running Thread - info, advice, tips, support, motivation and general banter.
I haven't started running yet really so can't really answer the questions but i'd like to join in. I have done a bit of running in the past but not much. Have done the race for life 3 times and my time has improved each time which is good but i want to 'up it' now. I spin 6 times a week but want to beef it up with 3 runs a week too. Have printed off the Runner's World beginners plan so will give that a crack i think. I got assessed for trainers last night so i need to invest soon and get going! Same with a sports bra - in fact i might order one now.... Any sports bra recommendations?
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