So quite a few of my fellow, virtual running buddies on here have hopped over to the marathon forum - testing the water. Could we do a HM? We’re all wondering - you know who you are. If I have any hope in reaching that distance, say in a year from now, I seriously need to do some strength work. Yes, I’ve a few 10k runs under my belt now, all flat, but my back starts aching at about the 8-9k mark.
Well, I’ve just joined the gym recently, and being a teacher, and having the time at last, yesterday I thought I’d book in my free hour personal trainer session. ‘Chris’ and I had a good old chat and I told him about my needs - core strength. He spoke lots of sense and showed me some exercises I can do to help me on my way. No running - not the day before new running club. That would be silly. Machine work would be fine. Right?
WRONG. Woke up today hardly able to move! No pain, no gain though. So tonight I went to a new running club. Lovely introductions to the group from the leaders for all newbies. Everyone very nice. Warm up, fine. 1st 1k fine. Off on a trail, fine. Then the hills started! One particular hill nearly finished me off and the leader would not let me walk! She even kept prodding my back to make me run more 😂 I thought we might fall out but in the end I got through! Although it was only 7.25k, I think that’s probably done more for my fitness than a flat 12k I was thinking of doing on my own. I enjoyed the company and my pace was pushed on to faster than normal on the flats. For me, I think I’ll stick with this (2 sessions a week at club, ParkRun, an interval session in the gym with strength work and the odd short easy run in between) for a few weeks before increasing distance. I think I’ll get more out of it than plodding further without elevation.
Keep running everyone! 🏃🏾♀️🏃🏼♂️🏃🏽♂️🏃🏿♀️🏃🏻♀️🏃🏾♂️ (love a multicultural emoji)
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Tasha99
Graduate10
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Wow they look a lively lot. Not sure I could have handled getting prodded without getting a bit snappy finger lol.
Sounds like you have a great plan though regarding tackling the back issues. I had a lot of lower back pain last year and running and gyming in general has seemes to have seen it off. If I wear a backpack for water after about 20k I feel a bit of neck strain as I think I still hunch forward a bit at times especially when getting tired and I think loosening the shoulders is key there.
Brilliant Tasha! I think you're right that it will do more to push you on than going it alone. I've been doing a club run every week for the last month or so and love it.
Some people are great at self motivation but for me personally I like being with others. I keep going at a faster pace for much longer than I could ever be bothered to do on my own. It's really great meeting new people and having a good old chat as well. I also like not knowing quite what the run will be as we do different routes each week.
Not sure about the run leader not letting you walk though - harsh 😂🤣
😂 she was funny actually 😂 pushed me more than I could be bothered 👍🏽
It was a few miles out of town so out in the countryside. Nice 👌🏽 Those hills must help, surely! In a few weeks I might be able to try up the distance but I feel happier doing things to make me stronger first. Once I have strength, I think I’ll go further with more ease. I’ve got more hope of reaching HM.
I haven't been on a non-stop 10k yet as we always stop on the club one and I don't have time to do it on my own at the moment with all the other runs I want to do. I'm definitely much faster and stronger than I was before I joined the club.
My son's Dad and step-mum are coming to do parkrun with him next week so I can try a fast one to see how much I've improved in the last 6 weeks or so x
Thanks Tasha but not compared to some of the people I run with! Really nice finding out a bit about them actually. One guy who's over 60 and consistently runs sub25 parkrun used to be 8 stone overweight! And one of the guys whose running I really admire didn't take it up until he was in his 50s x
Glad you ‘enjoyed’ it though. I always find running with others pushes you a bit too. It’s all good. You are certainly going to have a busy summer! 😬😬😬
That's a good looking group you got there! I'm quite envious of those of you that have running clubs. The right group can sure help improve your running fitness and keep it fun. I've been running a few trails this summer with a friend of mine and her family and it's been a hot, sweaty, gruelling blast 😂.
Well done Tasha99- sounds like a good plan. I thought I was getting stronger and then after 12 km of hill walking in the Lakes yesterday I realise I used muscles in a different way than running. Thighs and calves aching like mad today. I think it was the 594’ elevation gain that did it - just like wAlking up and stairs all day! My stamina was better though.
I joined a 7 week sofa to summit ladies only group. Its a mixture of hill walking / running on forest tracks and trails and open mountains. They are a very encouraging group ( No Prodding) but it honestly has done more for my strength and fitness than anything else.
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Cheeky goose run (see pic)
Running with the club 🥵
Older running club member
Running clubs aren’t scary! 
