The Running Thread

hey guys I'm just getting into running but I love it. Total beginner apart from when I used to have to do fitness at school. I'm using the "couch to 5k" podcast, it's great, works you up week by week gradually so that you don't get disheartened. Basically improves on your recovery time by telling you when to run and when to walk, increasing the running time with each week. I find having someone telling me what to do really helpful and motivating so I'd def recommend it to other amateurs! You can get it for free on itunes

Also... http://www.mapmyrun.com is *incredibly* useful.

Can you give me a link to that podcast please. Can't find it anywhere..

Can you give me a link to that podcast please. Can't find it anywhere..

Does anybody else here run/jog?

I love to run! Ok, admittedly I havnt run for about a week... BUT usually I run for an hour every day, 4-5 days a week. I just worked out that my run is about 5 miles.

When I started out I (thankfuly) looked things up on the internet and followed advice. Instead of being overly ambitious and trying to run for a full hour without stopping like I imagined myself being able to do, I started out by running for 30 minutes, stopping to walk between running. It wasnt long before I was able to run for 30 minutes without stopping, from then on its just been a matter of increasing the distance by a few minutes every day. At the moment I run for an hour (or just over) and have been for a while.
The way I do it is that I run along a certain path (its the cycle path going into Bristol city centre) and each time I run a little further before turning back. I sprint back to my house when I reach a certain point also.

I love the feeling afterwards, the endorphin rush... and I love the feeling of achievment when I reach milestones. But, im not really sure anymore what to aim for. I never imagined when I began, ACTUALLY reaching my target of running for an hour a day.. so I havnt really thought about where to go from here. I could either keep extending the time/distance I run or perhaps run the same distance but try and run it faster? I dunno, what do other people do?

How far do you run?
How long do you run for?
Where do you run?
What do you listen to?
Why do you do it?
Do you have any aims?

etc.

I'm just starting to run so don't currently have any set routines. At the moment I just run at the gym but once I can run 5 minutes at a time I want to start running outside. My aim is to be able to do a half marathon next year.

I started with the "couch to 5k" podcast last year (there's alternative music here which I prefered, or if you google there's loads more options) and I recently completed a half marathon.

Congrats Juno. If you have any advise I'd love to hear it.

My advise: choose a half marathon that is flat. The Robin Hood Half has too many hills.

Haha, wish I'd looked into that- I think the BUPA Great North Run is one massive up hill then down... and incredibly crowded. The local one though is flatter (I think) but don't think I'll be ready for that.

Anyone got any advice on how I should build up to September? I'm thinking a 5km and/or 10km in a local event at Easter (definately fast though- need sub 30 to even in sight of the last person, around 18minutes would give me a chance of a medal but ya know), I really want to take part in the Relay at Christmas (end to end of Isle of Man, 30 miles, split unequally between 4 people) just because it's as fun or competitive as you make it. What do you think?

I'm hoping to do the Great North Run next year. I'd love to do the London marathon - I've heard it's lovely and flat.

Oh yay another TSRer :P I'm doing it with my boyfriend who reckons he can finish it just about already whereas I'm training for a time (2hrs30 hopefully)

I know, the London Marathon definitely looks flat but it's just getting in! I couldn't raise the grand minimum sponsership most charities want for a garenteed place definitely an aim though!

What is the minimum sponsership needed?

For the VLM it's around £1,000 for the majority of charities (I've yet to find one that is less but even anything over £100 I think puts too much pressure on raising money) For GNR I know Asthma UK there's no minimum but for most other's it's £100+

I know nothing about entering a marathon. So, do you need to be signed up with a charity to run the marathon?