FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

knithappens

sportshoes direct is a good place to get running shoes once you get a feel for it, i shop in their sales.

I did not want ot make a fool of myself either, but i just kept telling myself I am doing it for me , no one else, plus if i keep looking ahead, in propper form i am so focused then i dont really notice anyone, I run on my own early mornings so i stick to the main road near me, quiet but still a few cars around

NualaBuala

Phew, think I need a bit of a sit down just listening to the Paula Radcliffe types!

slowlyfading wrote: »

Thanks for posting all the info on running I am really keen to start once I've moved, but honestly, I have no idea where to start I don't even know if I have the right shoes? Plus, I'm unfit so I'm worried about looking stupid...

I think having the right shoes and a decent bra are worth every penny. Running puts a lot of stress on the body and proper running shoes have the right cushioning to minimise the impact. I went to a specialist running shop to get my gait analysed and then they tell you what kind of shoe will suit you - there are several types and it can be quite confusing. I think it's worth doing that for the first pair, then you can go to a cheap place after that. Here's a link to a guide to choosing a shoe - there is some great info on this site in general. http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/shoes/choosing-a-shoe-the-very-basics/481.html If you don't go with a proper shoe, I'd suggest jogging on a softer surface like grass that will be less hard on your joints than concrete.

One thing I'd say is really really don't worry about looking stupid. There's nothing stupid about trying to do something good for your health. I did a beginners' programme before and was so slow that old men were whizzing past me in the park but they and all the other joggers/runners/walkers were friendly and encouraging - everyone has to start somewhere. There will always be someone worse and better than you and there's no point comparing.

Oh, and I found that being plugged into my MP3 player and wearing sunglasses helped me feel less self-conscious when I was starting out. And picking my time of day - early morning or late evening suited me when there was less chance of running into someone I knew.

cw18

NualaBuala wrote: »

One thing I'd say is really really don't worry about looking stupid. There's nothing stupid about trying to do something good for your health.

:T couldn't agree more

Oh, and I found that being plugged into my MP3 player and wearing sunglasses helped me feel less self-conscious when I was starting out.

I don't do sunglasses, but definitely agree about being plugged into the MP3 player - it also seems to make the time pass a lot more quickly. I wear mine even when I'm out with the running club, but don't feel too daft as there's at least one other I've seen with hers in too

OH has suggested I try a local (to him) half marathon in a couple of years (I know it's really popular, as when I lived up there I used to mark it on the calendar as being a day I couldn't take the car anywhere due to lengthy road closures), and I humm-ed and hah-ed a bit until he told me they've banned the wearing of MP3 players on it (apparently for safety issues as runners can't hear cars if an odd one or 6 ignores the road closed signs, and most of the run is on country lanes with no pavements). At that I told him to forget it

If my distances continue to improve, then I suspect he may try persuading me again around the time it gets run next year (it's an early June one) as the places get booked really, really quickly - but he can get advance notice of booking dates as his ex-flatmate/ex-BIL/ex-lodger/golfing partner (all one and the same person) is one of the main organisers!!! Apparently the organisers get some really nasty letters / emails / phonecalls when they have to turn people away due to it being fully booked

buddys_mum

Hi, ive just found this thread and it really inspiring.

My sister cleared out her house and asked me to take a load of rubbish to the dump. Well i had loaded the last bag but one into the car, that one split and there was loads of clothes she had never worn (all in wrappings).

4 T-shirts
2 Shirts
10 pairs of socks
2 rugby tops
2 sweatshirts
3 Jumpers
4 Fleeces (jacket, gillet, tops)
1 Pair gloves, scarf and hat

Also there was some scented candles and a swartz clock (boxed), Soaps and DVD's.

I soon had all that away. Then sorted out things that could go to charity shop and then a few things at the dump. What a waste, but she doesnt care. I have kindly offered to take things to the dump for her in future.

NualaBuala

Oh Cheryl, do a race!!! It would be such a great reward for the progress you've made - you can't beat the high. I never got to be a "proper" runner but entered loads of shortish races - between 5 miles and 10k, mainly the funrun types. I had such a blast even though I was just doing my walk/run combo. And just think of the goody bags ....

buddys_mum wrote: »

Hi, ive just found this thread and it really inspiring.

My sister cleared out her house and asked me to take a load of rubbish to the dump. Well i had loaded the last bag but one into the car, that one split and there was loads of clothes she had never worn (all in wrappings).

4 T-shirts
2 Shirts
10 pairs of socks
2 rugby tops
2 sweatshirts
3 Jumpers
4 Fleeces (jacket, gillet, tops)
1 Pair gloves, scarf and hat

Also there was some scented candles and a swartz clock (boxed), Soaps and DVD's.

I soon had all that away. Then sorted out things that could go to charity shop and then a few things at the dump. What a waste, but she doesnt care. I have kindly offered to take things to the dump for her in future.

Hy BuddysMum :wave: Crikey - isn't it amazing what people just chuck - and how they buy stuff they don't need (have been guilty of the latter). I have relatives who are similar and I'd love to inspect their "rubbish" before they get rid - have tried to educate them about freecycle when they were paying for a skip to get rid of a perfectly good dog kennel. :eek:

cw18

NualaBuala wrote: »

Oh Cheryl, do a race!!! It would be such a great reward for the progress you've made - you can't beat the high. I never got to be a "proper" runner but entered loads of shortish races - between 5 miles and 10k, mainly the funrun types. I had such a blast even though I was just doing my walk/run combo. And just think of the goody bags ....

I'm all signed up for a 5 mile race on 17th October. Tried the route last Sunday (sloped off from OH's in the morning as it's another up his end), but really struggled and had to alternate walking and running from the 3.5 mile point. Even doing that I completed the course quicker than the tail-enders did it in last year, so I reckon if I can run the whole thing I'll be somewhere in the middle of the pack

Only reason I can think of (other than it being road which I'm not as keen on) is that it's flat -and that's something I don't get around me, so it worked my leg muscles in a way they've never been worked before So I'm now planning on meeting with the running club every Monday, but not doing the stamina training on the schedule, as that's 'track night' - so I can potter round the outer lanes and practise flat work to my hearts content

Don't know about goody bag - but everyone who completes the course gets a 'colour printed' T-shirt...... That's something OH reckons I'll soon have a collection of to compete with his

My target at the moment (now I'm at a standard I can go out with OH which was my first target - didn't even tell him I'd started running until I got there!) is a 10km Race For Life next year. I've already paid for it, which means I'll get an email as soon as they open up registration for the races - and I then select the event I want and enter a voucher code when it asks for payment. So the 5 mile race is really only a stepping-stone to this

NualaBuala

That's so exciting! And October is a nice time of year to be in a race - not too hot or cold. I got a good few tshirts too and felt so proud wearing them when I went out exercising. That's interesting that you'll find the flat a challenge - it's the hills that most people struggle with. It just shows that we adapt to whatever we're used to. Keep us posted on your progress won't you? I'll be cheering you on! :j

youngmummy

hi i was just wondering if anyone can help me there are 3 of us in my lil family 4 rabbits and a cat .... how much could i live off from now untill jan 1st 2010 and then i would like to join the frugal living challange if i could as i really need to stop spending and start saving but thought it was unfair to join half way through the year also any tips for how you save money would be much appriciated xx

grandma247

Hello youngmummy. I would suggest having a read of some of the past threads, links in post one and have a look at this one too https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2384579 Very useful info on cutting down the food budget.

cw18

Joining in part way through the year isn't a problem - I did the last few month of 2008 as a 'practise run', and found that logging all my spends in that time really helped me set my budget figures for 2009.