Excited new runner

Hey everyone! Apologies for my lack of posting, an iPhone isn't the easiest way of viewing/posting but I don't get on the PC much either.

It's the same here Booey & Silvertop, most people look at me like I'm mental when I explain how much I love running.... My husband and my Mum are so supportive though, thankfully, and they're the ones that matter most My daughters kind of support me too in their own way, but they're only 6 & 3 so I've no doubt they'll be my loudest cheerers at the Great South!

Well done Booey on entering the Silverstone HM - do you live in Northants? I grew up in Milton Keynes & most of my family still live there, so, depending how the Great South goes, I'll be signing up for the MK HM (a week before Silverstone). V excited at the prospect, & it's 2 weeks before we fly off to Oz on hols so I'll probably need a break, haha!

Silvertop, really glad you enjoyed the parkrun! The nearest one to me is in Eastleigh, about half hour away, which really surprises me as Portsmouth seems to have such a large running community. I might contact them, see if anything is in the pipeline. I've been out with Portsmouth Joggers a couple if times too, which is great, but last week the slow Joggers were anything but & I really struggled, bit demotivating :-/ I'll keep it up though, I need to get me speed up somehow! I see you've signed up for a HM too, maybe we should all be virtual training buddies God knows I'm gonna need the support!

I had 2 other good runs last week, one was a 5k at 32mins, PB for me (10m30s/mile) & the other was 13km (8 miles) in 1hr 30 (11.05mins/mile) which although is slower, was non-stop with a couple of hills. I want to do the Great South in under 2 hrs, should be achievable at that pace. I'm going to be doing 9 miles this weekend, the following weekend I'm attending a huge charity Zumbathon in London, so no long run, and the weekend after will be 9.5 miles. I want the GS to be the first time I do 10 miles!

Suzie

I'm still impressed with your progress. I seem to have stuck at 5k and I'm a bit too nervous to go further just in case I mess up my legs. I had a week of pains just after starting the running and while I felt fitter I just couldn't keep up with my 7 year old playing football which was one of the reasons for getting fit in the first place. It's not a problem now but I worry that I'll injure something if I overdo it.

I enjoyed the Parkrun so much I have contacted my local athletics club Chiltern Harriers to see if I can join. I'm worried they will be streets ahead of me (literally!) in terms of speed and distance but Im going to give it a try next Tuesday.

As for the HM I'm up for the virtual running buddies. It would be good to compare experiences along the way. The training schedules I have seen so far are quite intense so I'd be interested to see how you get on.

As for partner support I just wish my wife would show some. When I mentioned that I did the Parkrun on Saturday while she was away she just laughed and said I hope you didn't finish last!! What I'd give for a bit of moral support!

I had exactly the same thing ST, I knew 5k was fine, I was nervous of going further as I didn't know how/if my body would cope. However I went for a run with a friend who pushed my usual route a bit & we ended up doing 7k! This is the huge key for me though, having someone to run with who is of a similar or slightly higher ability, had I been alone, it would never have happened. Do you have any friends you can run with? Your work colleague?

I just had a look at the Chiltern Harriers site, looks great, & v similar to Portsmouth Joggers, in that everyone turns up of an eve, and I would imagine everyone will get split down into groups, dependent on ability. Might be wise for you ST, while you find your feet and gain confidence, to go with a group that does 5k, or runs at a similar pace to you. I went too high the first time & nearly killed myself trying to keep up with them all! I did it, but I suffered for it!

How often are you running? And are you doing proper warm-up/cool-down & stretching? I wonder if that's what the pain was after your first run? And that's really sad your wife doesn't fully support you or encourage you - do you think that would still be the case after you've done a HM? Do you think she would ever take up running? I've seen a huge improvement in my figure in such a short space of time & whilst eating what I want (within reason of course!)

Suzie - yeah I live in Northants, hoping to do a couple of 10k's in MK before Xmas

13th Nov - The Mo Run 10K and 11th Dec - Up & Running 10K

Well tonight is defo the night I am out for the first time with the running club, its all arranged.  I am nervous  but they know my ability etc and said I will be fine and will run about 5miles so I will let you know tomorrow how I get on

Did the Northampton 11 5K on sunday in 30.58, wanted a sub 30 but it was so so hot I cant complain

ST - maybe a mention to your wife 'it would be nice if you supported me' and an evil look might work

Like the evil look Booey but I've tried it before and it doesn't help! Don't want to discuss relationships here but it's enough to say she's a cup half empty person and I'm a cup half full.

I also lost a lot of weight quickly Suzie in fact I'm now 2.5 stones lighter than I was when I started in April and I pretty much eat what I want still. Not meaning to go on about it again but I think this is a big part of my good lady wife's problem.

Unfortunately she shows noninterest in running or exercise so I'm on my own in that respect!

Definitely need a running partner and hope the club will allow me to find someone suitable. I do know a Dad who runs at my boys football but he did the London marathon in 2h 45min so I think I'd hold him back somewhat!!

As for warming up I struggle with this and tend to use my first km as a warm up rather than stretching. I'm over the aches and pains now and feel comfortable at 5k. I have to say buying proper running insoles for my trainers mDe a huge improvement on my knees and ankles.

Forgot to say good luck with the club running tonight Booey. Can't wait to hear how you get on. I'm going to run this evening after the kids are in bed and may push the distance up to 7/8k.

I've been on the road all day so looking forward to some exercise and fresh air!

Best not leave it too late though as I didn't get to sleep until 2am last time I did a late run!

Well I went for the club run, was ok I only ended up doing 5K.  There was only 5 of us there, the guy who runs the club stayed with me the other 3 ran ahead, faster much more experienced runners.

I am going again on Thurs as I have been told another lady who runs about my speed will defo be there.  I will see how that goes

Whilst I was there I got to meet alot of other runners from different clubs, one guy lives in my village and said to give him a call as his wife also runs.  Maybe this could be a good lead and I may have someone to run with or maybe even possible running club set up in the village, who knows we will see.

Did you get your run in last night Silver?

That's a really good time Booey, 30.58, esp considering is was SO hot! I'm off for a wee 5k on my lonesome tonight so hoping to better last weeks time.... Might go for a seafront run actually, as we hit it at the 7/8mile (and toughest) part of the GS course & apparently the wind is a biatch!

Well done for doing the club run, I don't know about you but I was ridiculously nervous before going, but I'm glad I did Shame there weren't more people at your level, hopefully the other lady will be there tomorrow night. So do different clubs meet at the same time/place?

My friend that I went with last week isn't going this week so I might go with the same group anyway, in the hope it gets my speed up....

Blimey Silver, 2.5 stone is fantastic! Hope last night's run went well & you got to sleep earlier! Might be worth finding yourself some 5/10k races before the HM to prepare yourself, I wish I had as although I'm not far off the 10miles now, I'm going to be nervous about not knowing where to go, what happens, what to expect, y'know....

Well done on the 5K Booey – I’m v. impressed you’ve made the leap to run with a club and hopefully you’ll have find a similar level runner on your next time out.  My biggest fear is getting there next week to meet a load of blokes 20 years younger than me who can run like the wind!  Still nothing ventured, nothing gained and I’m quite pleased with my 25min 5K time so I’ll give it a go.  Having said that the first place guy at this weekends Parkrun finished in 16min 50!!  Now that’s going some!

I didn’t get out last night as by the time I’d got the boys down and eaten it was after 9 and I didn’t fancy running on a full stomach and staying awake til the early hours afterwards.  I do though have a route planned for lunchtime today near the office which is around 7K rather than my normal 5 ½K.  Weather looks good with a coolish temp and nice overcast sky but no rain so I’m itching to get out there, come 1pm I’ll be on running through the farmers fields of Oxfordshire.  JOY!  Can’t wait to escape my desk!

The 2.5 stone surprised me too Suzie.  I obviously had it to lose but I did get a bit concerned at how quickly I shed the pounds!  I changed my diet quite a bit and cut out the saturated fats, chocs etc. but I still ate well.  It has completely changed my body shape though – the rapidly expanding middle age spread and moobs are now a distant memory!  

If all goes well today will be the first time in ages in have gone past my comfort distance of 5K so I’ll let you know the outcome – hoping to keep to my 5min/km so should be back in the office in 35/40mins or so.

I’ll post later to let you know how it goes.

Well that was great and I feel so much better for it. (I also found the smiley button at last!)

7k cross country with a little bit of road running in a cooling breeze.  I did it in 37mins which is not great but I didn't feel tired or out of breath at all, in fact I could have plodded on for another couple of k's if I hadn't arrived back at the office.  I took your advice Suzie and cooled down with a few stretches too so hopefully no aches later today.

I don't know why running so addictive (adrenaline rush? personal achievement? being in the great outdoors? solitude?) but I absolutely love it.

I'm going to make it a 10K next time out, although that will probably take more than my lunch hour so I'll have to find a good time to fit it in.

Back to the deskjob and the joys that come with being an architect now!

Just 48 hours to go til the next run!  (love these smiley things!)

Well done on the lunchtime 7K

I think the running addiction is summed up nicely in those 4 points -

Adrenaline rush for me is when I have completed the run (sometimes when I am doing it and fighting for breath up a hill, I think why am I doing this haha)

Personal achievement - knowing that you are keeping fitter and healthier, seeing a slight improvement in your runs and of course losing weight (nearly a stone for me) oh and I have more or less given up drinking which is a major achievement if you could see how much wine I use to sink   haha

Being in the great outdoors - when I was just tready running I used an ipod all the time.  Outdoors on the country lanes I love to be quiet and listen to all the lovely country sounds and admire the beautiful scenery.  I quite often say to myself 'you cant get much better than this and how lucky I am'  That quote could change when I am running in the dark and freezing cold

Solitude -  now thats a good one, escape everyone and everything just for while, time to think........Heaven

You are so right Booey on all those points.  I felt really anxious this morning but I feel great this afternoon and its all down to me getting out at lunchtime.

Agree with you on the Ipod too - I used mine for the first few months but now I just listen to everything around me as I run.  In my case its birds, tractors, wind, trees etc.

As the running has become easier I also find myself looking around more and taking in the scenery and feeling lucky to experience it.

Every new route is a bit of an adventure too (like today) but some are more memorable than others. The one that sticks in my mind is running around the seafront at Swanage at sunrise while we were away this year.  Running by the sea (sound, smell, sights) just fills up the senses.

Blimey - I was getting all carried away then - just wait til my legs start aching then it won't seem so wonderful!!

Thats wierd you saying about the running by the sea cuz I can honestly say thats the one thing since I started a few months ago I am desperate to do  not on the beach but on a path/trail next to it so I can look at it and take it all in

Am off to Newquay for a few days for my b/day end of Oct so will be my first sea run  cant wait also my folks have a place in North Wales by the sea so I know I can there also, just never seem to have the time to get there thats the problem

I can honestly say that everywhere I am going now I have to make sure I can run and my kit is always with me

Evening All just wondered if anyone has made it out today.

I felt so good after yesterdays 7k that I'm planning a 10k tomorrow lunchtime (spent a while working out a route near the office). Need to try and do it my lunch hour so hope to make sub 60 mins. The problem is it's a big old loop away from and back to the office so if I run out of steam half way round it could be a long lonely walk back.

Definately giving it a go though so let's see what happens!

Went out for club run again last night, only 4 of us.  Lady came along and I stayed with her prob the first half, struggled in the middle (didnt stop running thou) the chap who runs the club stayed with me the rest of the way and we did 4.5 miles.  I was pushed hard last night but maybe thats a good thing  I am still undecided and I hate having to sit around at home waiting to go out at 7

I gotta be honest I feel shattered today, just tired not achey.  Finishing work at 1.30 and going for a 10K run on my own round the ressy

Silver - let me know how you go with the lunchtime 10k

Suzie - where are you hehe

Hey Boo,

Sounds like it was tough last night.  Do you think you’d be better having a day off so your body can recover a little? 10K is a long way with aches and pains.

I worry that the pace will be too fast for me when I go to the club next week.  Running alone I can plod on at my own pace without any worries but feeling like I have to keep up with the others may be hard work.  I have to say though that running with other people in the Parkrun at the weekend really improved my PB so its probably the way to go.

I’m looking forward to my lunchtime run again today.  If I can get round without stopping I’ll be happy, if its sub 60mins I’ll be really happy but I’m not going to push it too hard.

Enjoy your run later.  Out of interest – what’s the ressy?

lol sorry Silver its the local Reservoir.  The local sailing club is based there, my hubby is a member as he windsurfs, so meeting him there after work

I just feel tired I will be fine, I can go at my own pace and I feel like I need to up my game a tad so don't want to not go.  Tomorrow I will rest although maybe a quick treadmill run haha

Ahhh! Reservoir! I even googled it to see if it was some trendy running phrase I'd never heard of lol!

You got more energy than me if you can run everyday. Although I may feel like it my body won't let me go without a rest. I hate getting older. If only Id started running 10 years ago I could be doing marathons now!

Well that was almost a disaster!

I ran a new route on tracks between the farmers fields that I‘d planned in advance on Google Earth.  All well and good but after 3.5k the track stopped and it was either climb through a hedge and dash 500m across a ploughed field in sight of the farmhouse or admit defeat and turn around.  I went for the second option and felt pretty peeved that I had to retrace my steps back to the office.  Not a bad run at 7k but not quite the 10k I was going for.  It’s more miles under the belt though and I felt fit and strong again with no aches and pains so the move up to 10k seems more achievable every time I run.

I’ll see how I feel on Sunday and if all’s well I’ll ear mark an hour or so to get out early morning.  Got a busy weekend with the family but I’m determined to crack the 10k this weekend!

Ahhh! Reservoir! I even googled it to see if it was some trendy running phrase I'd never heard of lol!

You got more energy than me if you can run everyday. Although I may feel like it my body won't let me go without a rest. I hate getting older. If only Id started running 10 years ago I could be doing marathons now!