The All New MSE Running Club.

weesmiler wrote: »

Count me in!

I joined a running club last November and did my first race in March - 13.1km in 1hr 20mins, however, I think I upped my mileage too quickly and I ended up with a shin injury. Went to a sports physio who has ordered me to have some time off.

I'm doing my first half marathon on the isle of Skye in June, so hoping to get back into training soon. I'm also signed up for glasgow in October

Jog on x

fizzypotter wrote: »

hi all can join in please?
wee bit of history....did couch to 5 k a couple of years ago, then did a (very slow 1h10m) 10k, last year did (again very slow) half marathon (2h 47 m) and 10k (1h 12 m).
so this year have signed up for half marathon in Edinburgh in Sep, am really hoping to do a lot better however 4 weeks ago hurt my ankle (Achilles area) while out running, it got better, went out last night and now it hurts again
am sooooo fed up, hopefully it will get better and I can get training and maybe do a bit better this year....

Weesmiler and fitzypotter thank you for your sharing. Welcome to the madness and I look forward to following your progress. The secret I have found is to set realistic but challenging goals and to make them known to people who are willing to cheer you on and offer you support. And this seems like a good place for that.

OK so this may be a good time to say more about myself. I started road running when I was about 13. And this was all rather reluctantly, as it was a part of my boxing training which was my passion at the time. A while after giving boxing up at about 17 I started to explore what I would like to do to keep fit. And it was this that brought me back to running. I had grown to enjoy it much to my amazement. It was an opportunity to connect to my body. my breath and the present moment. Spiritually rewarding as well as physically.

I have lapsed several times with the running to be honest, yet always returned to it. I started to run with a workmate in about 1995 and we took the step of entering a 10k race. I found that as a result I was continually checking out the race listings and entering runs regularly. Soon I was looking at longer races - first 15k and then10 miles. I challenged myself by entering hill runs and multi terrains.

I have entered the London Marathon 3 times. My best time being just over 4 hours. And for me there are few experiences things quite like it.

Until a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't run for a couple of years. The reason for this, is that I had to disappointingly pull out of marathons I had entered through injury and illness. As a result I made a decision not to enter any more marathons but continued to run for my own fitness and enjoyment. However this brings me back to the point I was alluding to earlier - I need a goal. I need somewhere where I am heading and to have stepping stones towards that. Otherwise I get demotivated. And this is exactly what happened. To be honest I find that this is true in every area of life otherwise I find myself just drifting aimlessly. This is why I can see a real benefit to being involved in this forum - interacting with other runners who in turn are setting their own goals, whether big or small.

So what am I aiming for? A Marathon time next April of 4 hours or better. What are my stepping stones? An organised 10k in the next 6 -8 weeks followed by at least 3 other 10ks by April. Also to run at least 2 half marathons. My intention is to run the first fairly early by about October.