The reluctant runner!

[Snadger]

Bit achy today but I shall have a jam sandwich with a couple of Ibruproven in it on Wednesday half an hour before my run (bread for carbs long term and jam for immediate energy!).
Looking forward to next Sunday when I can go off road again along a pleasant wooded track!

[KevinM67]

On the subject of exercise - I was at the gym tonight.

They have got a new machine in.

Only used it for half an hour as I started to feel sick.

It's great though.

It does everything - Kitkats, Mars bars, Snickers, Crisps, the lot.

[Lumpy]

Go Spadger go S go go go.
At your own pace and speed. All respect to you!

[PyreneesPlot]

Thanks for the link, Kristen - I'm thinking about a similar thing called a skimojo which takes the pressure off the knees. I think my days of steeps, deeps and bumps are behind me, sadly.

[Kristen]

I'll stick to the skiing which is actually better (or maybe less bad) for me knees. Just.

My father in law used CADS to ski, in the years prior to and after having his hip replaced. We all tried them for a demo-day with an 80 year old ex-downhill racer demonstrator who said his ambition was to get his lift pass cost down to "10 cents a ride" (USA-speak )

He took us to the top of the resort and we schussed top-to-bottom in a tuck with no leg burn ...

... not so good on the bumps though as, once tucked down, it is impossible to lift a leg due to the weight transfer down onto feet, rather than through hips / knees.

CADS: Help for Skiers Knees

[Hazel at the Hill]

I suspect my rheumatologist may have something to say about that!

I'll stick to the skiing which is actually better (or maybe less bad) for me knees. Just.

Good luck you runners - you're all an inspiration

Sorry, PP - you are absolutely right . I should have put a caveat in along the lines of 'those with no limiting physical infirmities'.

Not sure that my knees would like skiing - they creak alarmingly when I do lunges.

[PyreneesPlot]

ANYONE can run 5k with a bit of prep, should you want to

I suspect my rheumatologist may have something to say about that!

I'll stick to the skiing which is actually better (or maybe less bad) for me knees. Just.

Good luck you runners - you're all an inspiration

[Hazel at the Hill]

They do one in Oldham but it's about 3 miles away and all uphill. Getting there would kill me! The slide home would be good!

I've just looked at the course for Oldham - I may have to go there just because the first part of the course description is 'This three lap course starts on the big straight at the 'Lion�s Den' ...' which sounds terrific!

[alldigging]

They do one in Oldham but it's about 3 miles away and all uphill. Getting there would kill me! The slide home would be good!

(So steep the buses stopped cos of a bit of snow on Saturday)

[Hazel at the Hill]

The C25K programmes are good as they build up sensibly - there are quite a few of them out there, but the NHS on is as good as any.

ANYONE can run 5k with a bit of prep, should you want to - and it does give you a sense of achievement (and is an effortless way to lose a few pounds without changing anything with your diet).

I've never been a runner (and am still a reluctant one!) but 4 years ago in the New Year thought I'd run a bit to coincide with trying to drop a pound or two, and ran - literally - 100m to the post box. I knew that it was this distance as I measured it on walkjogrun - then every day I ran 100m more - each one meticulously planned so I didn't run under (or over!). I started in jeans and trainers, then joggers and trainers. By Easter I was running 5k - honestly, anyone can do it.

[Kristen]

NHS has PodCasts for Couch-to-5K - they say "Walk, Jog, Run" at appropriate points, builds up over a number of weeks to, presumably!, "Sprint for your life for the full 5K"

Couch to 5K - Live Well - NHS Choices

[Hazel at the Hill]

I've seen these 'Boot camp' 10K runs which are like a muddy obstacle course, quite fancy a go at one of these. Must find a local-ish 10K for March-ish!

One of the chaps at the allotment was a soldier, and he still does some route march type stuff with his mates to raise money for the forces charities - he did the Tough Mudder last year and said it was terrific fun.

That parkrun is a good site Haze!

It's one of the most sophisticated websites around, and everything is free - it is all run by volunteers.

You'll be ready for the Great Northern Run soon...

... if you are rich enough to enter!

[Noosner]

Well done, Reluctant Runner Bean, I'm well impressed that you could run 5K without keeling over after such a long break. Your plan sounds v realistic to me, esp as you have run before. Best of luck. You'll be ready for the Great Northern Run soon...

[Snadger]

That parkrun is a good site Haze!

[Snadger]

And I'm with you in actuality, Snadge.

Well done for keeping up the plod - you'll know already that the more you do, the more you can do. And even if you do nothing to change your diet, two/three runs a week will be enough to burn a pound or two off per week. Suggest you pencil in a 10k for - say - Easter, then every 3 or 4 months. Keeps up the motivation to have something in the diary.

If you can do a couple of 40min runs in the week, and an hour or so at the weekend, that's pretty balanced. Even better if you can do an additional 'other' too - I'd suggest swimming, but I think that digging/gardening counts at that one.

Oh - and if you do nothing else, find out your nearest Parkrun - free 5k runs at 9am every Sat morning that you can just turn up to and join in. Fab community spirit, and you get your time/place logged each time so you can see your progress.

I've found that the grapes are excellent cheerleaders from the sidelines - think of me as your running buddy on the route. Wednesday is in my diary too!

Problem is Haze I've got too many interests. I know I should opt for three or four runs per week but I just haven't got time. If i was doing a half marathon I would need to but sticking with 10K runs at weekend and one 5K mid week is enough running to keep me ticking over. Hopefully my times will improve and i will lose a bit of weight. Its like a horse carrying a penalty, lose the penalty (weight) and your times can only get faster.
I've seen these 'Boot camp' 10K runs which are like a muddy obstacle course, quite fancy a go at one of these. Must find a local-ish 10K for March-ish!