The Running Thread 🏃‍♀️

[sugarhoneyicedtea]

Sounds like me, used to run loads but hadn't in years, loved gym classes much more. Started running again over lock down, 36min 5k which feels rubbish my other half is sub 19min , I can get up to 6.5k but now I'm stuck again as I would be too scared to go out in the dark evenings! Anyone else feel like this!?

I know what you mean! The furthest I have run is about 6.4km and I feel like that is my absolute limit. I really want to aim to do 10k before the end of the year but same as you I don't like running in the dark at night and the motivation to get up early before work has totally gone. I don't like running when there are loads of people around which is why the 1st lockdown was ideal, now I feel too exposed but I know that's all in my head and I shouldn't care what I look like or who sees me!

 

[Tippingpoint23]

I need to do day 1 of week 4 of couch to 10K today but the jump up in running is giving me the fear!

 

[lllwllms33]

this is great well done! What were the suggestions if you don’t mind me asking?

Sounds so basic but I never used to warm up or stretch before a run - so made sure I walked at a fast pace for five mins first and followed emmakirkyo’s 4 min running warm up (she has lots of helpful running tips on her Instagram - I followed the warm up she posted 20th Nov )
Also had a black coffee an hour before... think that gave me some energy haha

 

[hereforthememe]

Has anyone else had the experience of getting really low blood sugar when building up how long you are running?

I'm aware of the need to fuel when doing 'endurance' level stuff, but I'm coming to the end of a C25K programme and I'm on 2x15 minute runs with a 2 minute walk break so I should be managing what I'm doing now. I run at a sensible pace (11min/mile) with a group, who all seem to be fine even though some of them are definitely less fit than me.

When we're getting to the end, I'm often getting numbness in my face, tingly hands, and feeling really dizzy. I'm not overly out of breath, it's not a case of overexerting myself like that but tonight the world properly started spinning and I had to cut and walk earlier than I would have liked (managed the 15, was gonna do another 5 to get back but couldn't) to avoid fainting. We got back to the cars and luckily there were some fruit pastilles I could down to bring myself back up.

I'm a nurse and fairly confident it was a hypo, but I don't understand why; I'm not diabetic, and I had eaten a reasonable time before my run so shouldn't have been hitting the wall. It was a bit warm but not insanely hot. It was quite scary though. I've literally gone and bought some glucose tablets to have in my pocket because I don't know how to avoid it happening again and if I was on my own further away from base I could genuinely have ended up blacking out.

I'm not sure anyone got back to you - have a look at electrolyte tablets. I drink half a tablet every day (they dissolve in water) and this stopped the above happening to me.

 

[Saddlesoap]

I did a 5km trail run tomorrow and currently soaking in the bath cos will need to go out tomorrow as well. I normally do Sat/Mon/Wed, but didn't go out yesterday. Cos of the weather.

Can anyone recommend me a jacket? I don't want to spend a fortune, but needs something lightweight, shower proof and won't just build up condensation cos I'm a hot runner...

 

[Mulholland Drive]

You guys motivated me to go for a run this morning too! Had a banana before and can confirm it was good fuel. Aren’t they good for muscle recovery in general?

This link might prove useful if you're thinking of long distance running and what you need to achieve that.

https://www.verywellfit.com/half-marathon-training-schedule-for-beginners-2911618

 

[eye_rolling_always]

Hope ye are all doing well and if a poster here hadn't mentioned going on Christmas day last week - it never would have even occurred to me. Cheers for being a nice wee running community

Hey! I mentioned it. Well done you!
Someone mentioned taking my son with me and I asked and he wanted to (after at least some presents lol) and there were other families out. We all said Merry Christmas, most were wearing Santa hats. It was lovely

 

[Gym&Tonic]

Regarding calf pain, it could be that your trainers need replacing. I find that I know when its time replace mine when my knees and hips start aching.

 

[Steph’s]

I am also doing the couch to 5k and changing my trainers after week 1 was a godsend. I have very tight calves anyway so I am making sure I stretch before and after which has also helped. Week 4 run 2 tomorrow!

 

[SpiceWeasel]

Do it. I’m still not a huge fan of running but drag myself out and feel good when I finish. It’s worth the effort

It’s the dragging myself out part I struggle with! We’ve been walking an hour every day but I miss the solitude of being outdoors on my own. I live in the countryside and I feel very ‘at one’ with my surroundings when I run as it’s so quiet. I have Raynaud’s so really struggle with the cold, picked up a pair of running gloves in Tesco today though so now I have no excuse!!

 

[SpiceWeasel]

This is sad but yesterday I ordered one of those little stepper machines apart from my run or if I go shopping I just don’t get any steps in cos I’m not going out as normal for work. I was just thinking I can go on it while I’m watching TV rather than just sitting here. Tier 4 here now, I’m gutted about the gym being closed as it is absolutely freezing out. Going to try and get out for a run tomorrow morning.

@Blair-Waldorf you and your 3 mile run shamed me into going out for a walk for an hour at least this afternoon

 

[Saddlesoap]

Hi everyone . I want to start running but I’m unsure what I should wear ? How do you know how many layers to put on ? Thanks for any advice !

I always run in shorts. I get too hot in leggings. I get very red thighs

 

[Mulholland Drive]

Dried fruit is great actually! Just think of whatever is a simple enough carb that you enjoy eating/ can get down easily and eat that I'm soooooooooo particular about my bananas. I like them quite ripe but then they get overripe really quickly



Good luck! Something that really interested me was weighing myself just before and just after a run to see how much water weight I'd lost - there's a formula that uses that to figure out how much water you need to rehydrate. I have a headlight that I use when I run in Winter, it's really good at making unlit paths visible.

Well I finished my 20k this morning with a reasonable 1:28:44. Far from my best, and slowest this month. But I always lack the motivation now that winter is approaching and the mornings are cold and dark.

I used to weigh myself before and after a good run, but that was a very long time ago, and I just don't bother quite so much, although it can return some surprising results.

 

[jarv]

I haven't ran since the end of December and I am finding it so hard to motivate myself to get back out and do it, it's getting warmer and lighter so I've really got no excuse but I just seem to have some sort of mental block preventing me from doing it, even though I know I enjoy it!

 

[Rxt156]

Welcome

Thanks

How many runs do you do in a week? I don’t care how far I go (minimum 5k) I just need to get out 4-5 times!

 

[SpiceWeasel]

I signed up to a half marathon near me on the 8th of August! So hoping it goes ahead. Something to aim for

 

[~vix~83~]

I’m starting with walking 5k a day to build myself up. And the route I go is a very muddy field, walking it is a workout in itself to be honest. lol.
I’ve got the worst blisters from new boots so tryin to get them sorted which is hard when I’m walking every day and I have to wear the boots due to the mud. Country side living cons....mud everywhere!
I’ve got the app ready to redownload once the ice n mud, blisters go lol

 

[usefullyuseless]

I used to be big into running until earlier this year. Between lockdown/restrictions and pregnancy complications I had to stop. I'm 14 weeks post partum, I have the all clear from my GP to start back but I'm finding it so hard. My core is so weak and my legs are like lead. Has anyone else here been in my situation? How did you get back into it?

 

[Millyve]

I’m loving this thread! I took up running about 2 months ago and love it so much but in the last few weeks I’m suffering REALLY badly with shin splints. It’s been ongoing on my right leg for 3 weeks now, the pain is bad like all day long and I miss running so much! I’ve been to the doctor a few times and have had X-ray and an MRI but nothing wrong so they said to keep icing it and resting but I’m getting so impatient does anybody have any tips for preventing them reoccurring when I can eventually run again?

I have previously suffered from shin splints in the past, this time I’ve followed a training plan and no problem so far and nearly week 9!

I did invest in a fairly good pair of trainers aswel from a shop who specialised in them.

Have you tried using kinesiology tape? I’ve always used it to help with my back so might be worth trying .

 

[nbx512]

Also if you're cold starting out but warm up quickly get a light plastic shell jacket that you can tie around your waist