My Forum

Hey Christie

Thank you sooooooooooo much for your plea for motivation. I logged on just now in order to find some motivation for my own early-morning run tomorrow!!!

Whilst I don't quite get how forums work (is it just me or are they quite user-unfriendly?) I am finding them increasingly useful as I attempt to build a new, healthier relationship with running. My new agenda "agenda for change", if you will ;-> is about running because I want to, not because I'm scared that if I don't I will  get fat, out of shape and no one will love me any more.

However, I guess I've not quite managed it yet because I've also put my name down for a half marathon in September. I do not know if my 3 times a week schedule will get me to the right level of fitness to compete, but I'm using Smart Coach and being realistic. And, at the end of the day Smart Coach says I need to do a run tomorrow morning. Only three miles with a fartlek section. I am well slept, well fed and in the best frame of mind to do it. The only thing that will get between me and the sense of achievement tomorrow is exactly that thought: "is there anyone else in the WORLD getting up earlier than necessary to get hot, sweaty and tired before the day even starts?"

So, if anyone else is running tomorrow morning then I look forward to sharing the experience. In the meantime I will click forward to the end of the thread and see if five other people have already told their identical story!!

With thanks to you all!

Ros

Hey all. I'm sure there's a wealth of info already posted about last-minute training plans and I will investigate them too, but I thought I'd post my specific query and see if anyone has a top tip or sound suggestion:

I'm due to run a half marathon on 26 September; 10 weeks away. Beginning with all good intentions I followed the first 3 weeks of a 5k training plan in order to re-establish a sound running foundation before beginning a half marathon training programme. I really felt the benefit of putting in the ground work and feeling my body getting stronger without pushing it too hard. My longest run was 50 minutes and it felt comfortable and manageable and I felt strong and confident.

That was 3 weeks ago now and I've barely managed a run since. The idea of repeating the first three weeks of the same 5k schedule bores me and I really don't want to lose my motivation. If I factor in a two week taper period I've got 8 weeks left for serious training.

Realistically I can't do more than three runs per week. How do I start again from where I'm at today and train effectively without giving myself an overtraining injury or getting demoralised with the task I've set myself?

I'd love to know what others think.

Hi all. Thanks for the info on Vit D AJ14. Very interesting. I tried to get my presecription yesterday but Boots don't stock the brand I've been prescribed. Wouldn't think it was so hard to just get hold of some vitamins!!

I did my first interval session yesterday morning - wonderful!! Did 4 x 1min fast with 2min recoveries. It's been ages since I've varied my training and I loved feeling the fronts of my thighs working!! I really feel like I'm in this for the long-run (so to speak) now and am not pushing myself to reach a goal other than 'keep on running!'

I have a 20 min easy run tomorrow and 30 mins on Sunday.

Regarding the calories. I think I eat more like 1,800 personally, and I'm only 5 foot and 'slim', so I'm surprised to hear you both say you consume fewer - considering you're both regular exercisers. Quality of calories is also important, ie keep it low-fat. Sorry if that's obvious. I am by no means an expert, and I think in many ways we are all such individuals with different genes/ histories/ lifestyles/ tastes, etc. So ultimately I guess it's whatever works for each of us.

I do think that it's a genuine phenomenon though, that if you take in too few calories your body holds onto those you give it because it starts trying to conserve supplies. Definitely something to discuss with a qualified nutritionist, but thought I'd mention it.

Hi all.... I'm afraid I haven't had time to read through all of this forum; but I get the gist by now. Thanks to Angela and RadMatt for pointing me to it.

As of yesterday I am following an 'intermediate' 5k schedule. Yesterday was my first run: 20-25 mins. I did the 25 and my ego says GO FURTHER - YOU KNOW YOU CAN!!! Truthfully, today my legs hurt and I really have to accept my body as it is today. Interested to read that you're taking vitamin D AJ14. I have just been prescribed some vitamin D pills by the doc as I have had prolonged bouts of a lack of energy and actually dizzy spells - which I don't believe are down to vitamin deficiencies. I haven't begun taking them yet, but I will be intersted to konw if they have any effect on my stamina.

It's good to feel I'm using a schedule and not just deciding what I think I should do. After so many years of running it's interesting to go back to basics and reestablish firm foundations. Really looking forward to a tempo session (I think that's the right term!) as I haven't done anything except 'run for xx minutes' for years. Finally, some variety!!! And  a realistic goal to aim for! So the plan is to follow a 6 week 5k schedule, and perhaps do a 5k race. From there I guess progress to a 10k plan. I'm less concerened now about doing a 15 mile run before my half. I'd rather arrive on the day feeling my fitness is not just superficial but well established.

How are you all faring?