Running

[mjmooney]

Bad luck Si, you have my sympathy. I have the same running withdrawal symptoms at the moment with my sciatica (not running is worse than the actual pain).

[AVFCLaura]

So the pressure got too much, my family run, my boyfriend runs... Now I run!

I went to Nottingham and had a Gait analysis done (The Sweatshop, I cannot recommend them enough) I have to be honest it was kinda daunting - I've never run before. I didn't really know how to run. It's different for girls, I haven't played football since I was young, or run track and field. Simply a complete running novice.

Anyway, Pete in the sweatshop was fantastic, helped me out with the treadmill, had me run for him and looked at my feet, I need a cushioned sports shoe and he helped me find a pair of New Balance ladies running shoes!

Went out for my first run with Trim yesterday (obviously had to purchase an amazing sports bra too - thanks to the girls in the Wonderbra outlet in Gloucester Quays for the fitting and help) with my new running gear on as well and did just over a mile - half jogging, half walking. I didn't think being overweight and so very unfit that I'd manage even a few hundred yards, so I'm quite chuffed.

Out running tomorrow on my own and again with Trim on Friday. I'm lucky to have a canal path behind my house with constant lamp posts, so I can walk 1, jog 1 and track my improvement as I start to run 2 then 3 and stop the walking gradually, etc. I also downloaded the Couch to 5k iPhone app which seems pretty good and I am tracking my weight (starting weight, very scary!) and will keep a blog. Exciting times.

My new best friends:

[Jon]

Time to change the avatar from shoes to trainers Laura? :nod:

[AVFCLaura]

I think not Jon... Not yet anyway.

[mjmooney]

I'm an ASICS man, myself. Although I have just bought my first pair of Sauconys by way of a change.

[Stevo985]

I was an Asics man, but I'm blaming my trainers for my injury, so **** Asics

[AVFCLaura]

I tried Asics, Nike, Adidas, New Balance and a couple of others I'd never heard of. The New Balance won on comfort and support with the Nike Pegasus being a close second. I didn't find out prices until the end so I couldn't be swayed.

[Gabby15]

My new best friends:

Want.

[bromsgrove_avfc]

Laura, I don't know if you still have an iphone but I dloaded the Get Running app last week and started it this week. Seems really good to me and is getting me motivated?

http://splendid-things.co.uk/getrunning/

[AVFCLaura]

Thanks for the recommendation, I downloaded that app yesterday and it does seem really good, can't wait to try it. I like how you can still listen to your music and the voice prompts will just come in and tell you what to do.

[CVByrne]

Lets be honest here, completeing your first 10k run is a great feeling. I took up running last year and was doing quite a few runs a week of varying distance. I have foot problems, fallen arches and suffer bad from shin splints, I got new orthotics last April but they haven't done the trick, I get blisters pretty regularly on my feet.

I hadn't done much running over the winter due to the weather but kept relativly fit by playing 5 a side every week. When I got back from a holiday in Miami last month I decided to do the 10k run in Phoenix Park so started training but then got bad achilles tendonitis, pretty stubborn injury, takes lots of rest to heal.

Anyway I decided to do the run as I'd signed up for it, it is a very tough course, the second half has loads of hill and the final one is about 8k in and is 500m on a pretty steep incline. Suffice to say my achilles took one hell of a pounding, but I still managed to sprint the finish, some feeling crossing the line. I'm totally hooked. I did it in a time of 46m20sec which I thought was rather good considering I was injured.

Physio said I was rather stupid running and I'm gutted that I have to wait 4 weeks before running again. Stupid achilles. Anyway, I had to get new orthotics at a cost of €300 but hopefully the injuries are behind me. Physio also told me my hamstrings and calves were too tight and I must stretch them properly, daily for 3 weeks. Very important apparently.

There is an 8k run in 2 weeks time that I'm hopefully fit for, it's a pretty flat course so hoping to do in 35mins. I just love running. Once you're in the zone you just feel like you can run forever.

[CVByrne]

I'm an ASICS man, myself. Although I have just bought my first pair of Sauconys by way of a change.

Same here, I aint blaming them for my injuries, I'm certain my orthotics were at fault. Had full hour gait assesment with specialist physio and should have my new orthotics in about 10days. I will probably buy a new pair of Asics Gel in a few weeks. Ready for all the summer runs.

[emma_villan1]

I've started having a go at running, got myself a decent pair of trainers and like Laura started slowly running and walking. Last couple of times I've been able to run at a decent pace for about half a mile and I am slowly noticing I am able to run for longer without getting too out of breathe etc.. I'm sure there are hundreds of tips on here already anyone got any particular advice for me?

I am actually really enjoying the running now which I guess is one of the most important things, hoping to get fit from it too.

[leviramsey]

Saucony and New Balance: two proud remnants of the Massachusetts shoe industry

[mjmooney]

For those of you who don't think you're capable of running. I know this lady well, and admire her more than I can say.

Rawdon woman to tackle Bradford Millennium Way

10:12am Saturday 22nd May 2010

By Claire Lomax »

A 68-year-old marathon runner is attempting to become the first woman to complete the full 48 and a quarter miles and 6,171 feet ascent of the Bradford Millennium Way in one day.

Hilary Wharam, a veteran of 20 marathons, including 11 London Marathons, despite only having taking up running in her 50s, is taken on the challenge to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Hilary, of Rawdon, will set off from Beckfoot Lane in Bingley at 3am on June 13 and will finish, she anticipates, about 15 hours later, at Bingley Rugby Club, Wagon Lane, having taken in much of the idyllic countryside that surrounds Bradford.

She will be accompanied by different friends on stages of the route.

She has chosen June 13 for her event because it coincides with the Bradford Millennium Way Five Stage Relay Race, organised by St Bedes AC, where teams of ten runners race in pairs round the route, starting and finishing at Bingley Rugby Club.

The Horsforth Harrier is not daunted by her solo challenge, however. In 2004 she completed 64 miles in one day doing the Leeds Country Way, which was mere preparation for the East Hull Harriers 24-hour Track Race, which saw her run 95 and a half miles in 24 hours.

“I have a bad back now and I will be running on medication,” she said. “This is probably the last year I will be able to take on such a challenge, so it is now or never.”

Prior to her retirement, Hilary worked with disabled people, advising them of services available to them.

In the course of this employment she met many MS sufferers and witnessed at first hand the devastating effects of the illness on the patients and their loved ones, which is why she has chosen to support the MS Society which offers support to patients who suffer from MS and their families and carers.

“If I can make an improvement in someone’s life by helping the MS Society, then the effort will have been worthwhile,” she said.

To sponsor Hilary visit beatms.mssociety.org.uk/net community/HilarysfullBradford MillenniumWay.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus

I've run the first leg of the BMW, and believe me, it's tough. All five legs, though.... :notworthy:

[cheltenham_villa]

anyone got any decent warm up and warm down tips. Ive been running for a few weeks now trying to get 2/3 runs in a week but for the days after my legs feel terrible. Very tight arund the groin area and very tight calves as well.

[Villaninireland]

I have just entered the All Ireland Santa Dash. Going to be running 5k on December the 5th in a Santa Suit. Should be great craic.

[PauloBarnesi]

Did a Parkrun yesterday in Richmond Park (probably one of the best parks in the world). Really really enjoyed it, ran with my daughter, so we were happy with our 29 minute time. Since this was first reported two have popped up nearer than Coventry; I am surprised one hasn’t started in Sutton Park or on Cannock Chase.

[Designer1]

I've been back out running with Mr.Trim again the last couple of weeks after months out with my hernia. I really hadn't appreciated how much I'd missed it, and It was quite encouraging to bang through 4 and a half miles first time out. Not bad after nearly six months out.

[mjmooney]

Good stuff Si. Did you join the Stourbridge club, along with the Trimster?

I was making good progress after an injury-ravaged year, but had to drop out of training on Tuesday with a recurrence of the sciatica. Rested it the rest of the week and took a chance and did the Abbey Dash 10K on Sunday. Under the circs, satisfied with a 45:37.