Anyone here in to running?

Used to run but not that fast ....

My best time for a 5km was 25m57s

The longest I've done was 14km.

I run quite a lot. It's the only way I can keep the belly down whilst enjoying my lifestyle of too much wine and French food.

Every marathon I run will be the last - I say to myself as I cross the line - but I always enter again. Am running the Palma half-marathon in October (we have an office there so I can combine with a work trip and seeing friends). Nice-Cannes marathon in November and then either London (if I get in) or Monaco (if I don't) which are around the same time next year. Two a year is enough, but I live in a part of the world where training is enjoyable.

Talking books on the ipod, rather than music, is a good tip. Just as distracting from the monotony or pain, but less dangerous from a background noise point of view (if you're road running), and you don't feel as though the time has been wasted if you come back having 'read' something. Richard Dawkins' books are especially good in his own voice.

I'm not very quick though...Last London marathon was 4:58. Rubbish really.

Hi

So there are others

shoot6x7 how come you don't run any more?

rodwsmith, respect on the 26's! I only ever run up to 18 miles and keep telling myself I have no desire to run a Marathon. Although the Lock Ness does look really tempting....

I will try the talking books option on my next long run, great idea.

I have just got back from a 9 miler. Really enjoyed it as the weather was great. Lately every time I leave the house it starts to rain.

I have also just joined a local running club and will go out for the first time on tuesday. It will be great to have some company and learn from others.


Cheers Karl

I started running about two years ago, when I went to the doctor feeling ropey and he discovered that I had high cholesterol levels. He refused to give me statins, but prescribed running and told me to stop eating cheese and cake. I now run between three and five miles, every other day. Nothing serious - just a few routes around Emsworth, down by the sea and up in the country. I did five miles this morning before most people were up - it was a lovely morning and all the other runners are so friendly. I feel so much healthier, though at a rather crusty 48 I'm not very speedy, especially after taking no serious exercise for over 20 years! I can waddle through 4.5km in 21 minutes, but would like to get under 20 mins before I hit 50. I'd quite like to do a 10k - maybe Chichester in the autumn. 10 miles seems too far though, but I guess if I can do 5 miles I can do 10 if I go a bit slower.

Nigel

Lark

I hate running for the sake of running. Never been any good at it. I played football at a decent level and was pretty fit but I always thrived on competition throughout training sessions but despite being capable of running well I just didn't enjoy it. Cycling though I find exhilarating....strange really.

Anyway, running is a moot point for me at the moment having torn a cartilage on a recent climibing trip...surgery looms if I choose to go that route! :-(

Jim

I echo Jim's comments. I absolutely hate running but could run for miles playing football. I have a reasonably high natural level of fitness, but I have committed to running a 10k in October for charity. I suppose I had better start training or I won't make it, but I find it such a chore.

It's funny how running seems to have come back in to fashion after being out of favour for a while.

Mark

In the 90's I ran 30-50 miles a week on average, summer and winter. I trained for marathons twice and got injured a couple of weeks before each one. I ran on the fields and byways at home to keep fit and enjoy the relaxation but steadily it took its toll on my knees. I now run rarely (apart from playing and training for cricket) but cycle lots. I have discovered that I can ride on and off road pretty hard and also long distances with minimal knee problems.

Bruce

I've been back running for the last couple of years now. Luckily I don't find it a chore, I really look forward to getting out there!

I did the London Marathon this year in 3:37 and got ITB syndrome in both legs for my efforts! I'm back on the road now, training up for my next half marathon in September.

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by Lark:
Hi

So there are others

shoot6x7 how come you don't run any more?

rodwsmith, respect on the 26's! I only ever run up to 18 miles and keep telling myself I have no desire to run a Marathon. Although the Lock Ness does look really tempting....

I will try the talking books option on my next long run, great idea.

I have just got back from a 9 miler. Really enjoyed it as the weather was great. Lately every time I leave the house it starts to rain.

I have also just joined a local running club and will go out for the first time on tuesday. It will be great to have some company and learn from others.


Cheers Karl

If you can run 18 miles on your own happily and comfortably then you can easily accomplish a marathon, as the adrenaline and crowd (assuming there is one) will take you the extra over the line.
It will be worth it.

My only other tip is never, ever to skimp on shoes, and don't overuse them. They are expensive for a reason and the price you'll pay for cheap shoes is in your knees and back in later life.

I use a shop called "Run and Become" in Victoria, and they are brilliant. They don't discount - they provide what is best for you. I'm sure there are plenty of other like-minded suppliers.

The double-layer socks ("1000 mile" is one brand) are miraculous in preventing/lessening blisters also.

Good luck

Rod

Absolutely second those comments; good shoes properly fitted are worth every penny and I too swear by the 1000 mile socks'. I still use them in cycling shoes.

Bruce

Check out www.Parkrun.com a free to enter weekly 5km run hopefully somewhere near you. Plan is to expand the format so that a Parkrun event will be within 20 miles of most people in the country by 2012. Runs are low key with no pressure in being the best, Just register, turn up and run. Results on website by next day. These events are being set up on a regular basis to encourage runners and non runners to take on a community spirit and encourage people to increase there basic level of fitness. All events are held in a parkland environment. Personally I'm involved at a Co-director level at the Banstead Woods SW london event each week.
Regards
Don

Hi

Don.E, just looked into Parkrun. What a great idea. I will pop along next Saturday (Bramhall) and give it a go. Thanks for the tip.

I signed up for the Notts half last night, so no going back now.

Cheers

Lark,
Don't forget to register on line (www.parkrun.com) in advance if your going to Bramhall next Saturday. It makes it a lot easier for the organisers if you are registered before the event. Once registered you can then attend any of the events in the Parkrun family.
Regards
Don

Will do


Cheers Don

I run a couple of times a week just to keep in shape. This is going to be my next read:

Another good running book is
'Feet In The Clouds: A Story of Fell Running and Obsession' by Richard Askwith. Worth a read.

Bruce

I do quite a bit of running but not up to the marathon standards here, although I do fancy doing a half marathon to test myself out. Any good ones in the London/South East area coming up?

KR, Dev

I’m also a regular runner. I started 11 years ago to get fit and lose a bit of weight, both of which I achieved fairly rapidly. I then joined a local running club and have been an active member for a number of years.

I don’t race now, since I found it took up too much time at the weekends, but I used to race practically every weekend. Fastest half 1.31 and I did London in 2000 in 3.40.

Now I have developed other interests, including climbing, trekking and mountaineering and treat the running as a means of keeping fit for these other activities. We’ve just returned from a fortnight in the Austrian Alps where my son and I did some huge walks and loads of climbing & via ferrata, none of which would have been possible without being extremely fit.

PS. 1000 mile socks suck! I’ve never been able to get on with them and they actually give me blisters rather than prevent them. I use Falke which are superb.

Gary

PD

Love to run. But I describe myself as a dog - throw/kick a ball and I will chase until I am dead. I can still run for three hours in a casual game of soccer in the park at 48 years young. Straight running is pretty painful but I love taking off with a topo map and a plan for two hours of exploring the parks near me. But I enjoy swimming for fitness maintenance for the sake of my joints and for the trance like state it takes me too. My favorite is open ocean swimming. Just got done with a mile and a half in 56 degree water in Maine (on vacation) and I have felt pretty fantastic all day! It took me an hour of direct sun and a warm shower to shake off the chills though.

I'm currently recovering from a knee operation to repair a torn cartilage and also to smooth out the back surface of my patella which has got in a poor state from many years of running.

The latter problem, coupled with a chronic back complaint, made me give up running about six years ago. Up until then, running was a vital part of my life, and I still miss it.

Although I only ran one marathon, (the London, 1989, 3:56) it was one of the most wonderful things I've ever done. I also used to run lots and lots of half-marathons, a nice way to spend the odd Sunday morning amongst the similarly afflicted!

My favourite was the Faversham Half-Marathon in Kent which was sponsored by the local brewery, Shepherd-Neame, and there were one pint beer tokens awarded to the first fifty home.

The race was always started by local celebrities of whom Bob Geldof was the best. He would wander amongst us, very hung-over, mumbling that we were all completely f*cking mad!

I agree how important running shoes are, and I would add how important it is to try them before buying. For some reason I only liked Asics and couldn't get on at all with New Balance which were the flavour-of-the-month brand when I was running.

Funnily enough, after putting my best pair in the washing machine at too high a temperature I ended up doing "The London" in a cheapo pair of "HiTech" trainers and didn't have a single blister at the end!

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
I agree how important running shoes are, and I would add how important it is to try them before buying. For some reason I only liked Asics and couldn't get on at all with New Balance which were the flavour-of-the-month brand when I was running.

Tony

Running shoes are even worse to choose than Hifi! I can't get on with Asics, I've tried two pairs over the years and they just give me blisters on the inside of my arches, whereas New Balance fit me like slippers.

A funny story... I used to keep a pair of the Asics for knocking around in and wearing to & from races and then I would change into my New Balances half an hour before the race, ready for a warm-up. One day, I got distracted whilst changing my shoes and only changed one of them. I only noticed this about half way round a 10 miler, when my left foot started rubbing and when I glanced down I realised I was running in odd shoes! By the time I finished the race, I had a huge blister across the bottom of my foot and couldn't run for a couple of weeks after.

Gary

I have been running for 27 years. I am 55 years old as of last month and my knees don't like to run much anymore. I mostly cycle and lift weights these days. The key is to do something, just don't be sedentary.
Started running a local 10k called the Peachtree Road Race in 1984. It is held on July 4. This year was my 26th in a row.
Along the way I took up Triathlons, but because of knees have not done one in a couple of years.
Always hoping to come back to running/triathlons someday. Cycling is here to stay though.

I have enjoyed running for years on an occasional basis - nothing competitive, just chugging round local lanes and parks.
A couple of years ago I pulled a cartilage in my knee. Doctor sent me to a physio - exercises, not much improvement. Probably caused by not doing stretching before jogging.

And gave up jogging reluctantly. Nearly 60 now.

In January this year I bought a cross trainer. So now I go charging along for half an hour most days, listening to old comedy tapes.
Three good results:
1) I still get the exhilarating buzz that goes with running.
2) My leg and back muscle has built up - my private physio was amazed.
3) My doctor wanted me to start taking the dreaded statins because my chloesterol was up to 6.2. Recent 6 monthly check showed it had gone down to 4.7 - not other changes in my life.
4) I could answer quiz questions on Hancock's Half Hour and Round the Horne.

So my message for anyone in doubt, whatever your age - go for it.

I am sort of comforted to find on this thread that knees seem to be a general weakness for the aspiring elderly. The cross trainer is actually improving my knee, by developing supporting muscle, I am told. I certainly does not jar it.

HTH

Don, sunny downtown York.

"Just looked into Parkrun. What a great idea. I will pop along next Saturday (Bramhall) and give it a go. Thanks for the tip."

Lark
Did you go to "parkrun" at Bramhall last Saturday? If so how did it go?

Regards
Don