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Getting to know each other
- Posted: 26th Jun 2010, 19:50Report
Hi Everyone, I am very new to both running and the forum, but thought this maybe a good idea to help get to know each other. Not sure if its been done already, but its just a few lines to say abit about yourself, your work, family and how you came about running. If its not for you, nothing lost! I'm Donna, 31 from West Lothian. I am married with one daughter who is 3. I am a staff nurse working in A&E in my local hospital. Spare time spend with my family, and now running! Decided to try running, as had a gym membership, but found the whole get to the gym, exercise, get home, shower all too long in the time my daughter was in nursery, so found running so easy, leave the house and back, shower loads of time before she is ready to be collected. Had never been any good at running at school, so always had that in the back of my mind, so find it so amazing that I actually am managing 5k now. Looking forward to hearing about everyone else, x
[signature]Donna McG
- Posted: 27th Jun 2010, 12:19Report
Hi Donna Good Idea!! Im Stevie, Im 25 and I live in the Barnsley area, South Yorks. I work full time and am a Property Lawyer dealing with Residential Conveyancing; very stressful but I love my job (most of the time). I live with my boyfriend and we dont have any children. Were getting married in 2012. I was always a gym addict and was going 6 times a week last summer but after years of slogging it I was starting to get bored and then my hours were cut at work due to recession so I took the chance to cancel my membership and decided to start running instead, my god did I find it hard even though I classed myself as fit! Been runnning for about 10 months now and have my first 10k race on 1 August!! x x x
[signature]Jane Tomlinson York 10k - 1:08:23
- Posted: 28th Jun 2010, 10:00Report
Hello Donna This is a good idea. Well here goes:- I'm 40 years old, live in South Staffordshire nr Wolverhampton, I've been vegan for 20 years, married for 15 years, I'm child free and work from home as a Bowen Therapist. I'm busy but can organise my own time so fitting in running is usually easy enough. I decided last year I needed to lose weight and get fit as I'd started to pile on the pounds so I started some Wii games; Fit/EA sports etc.. I'd always been a regular walker with my hubby but needed to challenge myself further to up my fitness after losing 1 & 1/2 stone so 2 months ago I started running for the first time ever since school. I completed my first 5K last week in 30 mins 49 secs which I was really happy about and have signed up for a 10k in August which is daunting now that the heat makes training so hard, even in the morning. I'm finding running so much more fun than I ever imagined and feel cheated if I miss one. It's just the challenge I was looking for and it was there under my nose all this time. Looking forward to learning more about you all on this forum. Treacle :)
- Posted: 28th Jun 2010, 10:25Report
Hey, This is a great idea! I'm 26 years old and live in Manchester with my boyfriend of 5 years. I work as a quantity surveyor and moved to Manchester for the job four years ago. Whilst deep down i do actually really enjoy my job, i find office/work politics very stressful. I decided to loose weight in July last year and started using my wii for excerise, i progressed through the various fitness games then started on Tae Bo (Billy Blanks) fitness dvds. After months of indoor work outs and loosing 4 stone i was concerned that my fitness had stopped improving and i decided i needed a challenge in the form of a race for life. I started running outdoors 3 months ago and now i am hooked. Some days i still struggle to get up and out but as soon as i am i love it. I spend a lot of time thinking about my running and i am really eager to keep getting better at it! I love the me time it gives me to get outside and clear my head of all the daily life stresses. My first 5k race is next sunday and then will start looking for a 10k! xxxx
- Posted: 28th Jun 2010, 16:39Report
Hi..thought i'd join in! I'm 41, live in rugby, married with 3 kids from 4-12, have a dog,cat,cockatiel & 2 chucks & an allotment! Also do some supply TA work at school which i'm hoping to do more of when my youngest starts full time school in sept. I started running last august, mainly to lose weight & feel better about myself. I have also found it's a great way to cope with all that life throws at me, particularly losing my mum in feb. I've joined a running club and also done a few races (1 x 5k, 1 x half marathon & a few 5 milers)i never thought i would get so hooked on running but there you go! At the moment i'm not running because my dog ran into me on saturday so i'm fed up to say the least, i know it's all in the mind but i already feel flabby & unfit & i've only missed one session! i run with my dog as i love being outside, i just can't get on with gym environment sadly, & it keeps us both happy & fit (when she's not trying to take me out!) I love running & it's great that i've also made new friends thru my running club, who are a great bunch, plus it's given me an interest that doesn't revolve around my kids for once.
- Posted: 28th Jun 2010, 17:18Report
Hi ladies, I love this thread so much I wanted to join in! I'm Rhalou, the Online editor for Women's Running. I'm 30, live in London, and have the best job in the world! I run about 4-5 times a week and I'm training for my first half marathon in September, which I'm doing with the Women's Running team. I started running regularly when I got the job here, and it has completely changed my life. I read your posts every day to check you're all behaving yourselves and I have to say, you're all the loveliest ladies ever and I never have to delete anything! Rhalou x x
[signature]The web sheriff!
- Posted: 28th Jun 2010, 19:04Report
Love threads like this lol. I'm Terri, 38 and live in Cambridgeshire. I work in Local Government as a Project Administrator, have a 10yr old son and am married. My husband works full time but it chronically ill with kidney failure and other health problems, my mother has difficulties with anxiety and her health too so my running is a time for me to switch it all off!! Many years ago when I was at school the only sport I enjoyed was cross country and when at the end of last year I was crazy enough to sign up with a few colleagues to do a 10K race which I subsequently completed with zero training (I was even able to walk the next day!) I realised that I might actually do ok at running if I trained regularly. Of course the 'runners high' was an additional pay-off that I thought I'd like more of. The therapist I see regularly to talk about stuff also encouraged me to carry on with the running so I haven't stopped since April. I run at least twice a week and try to fit in more as often as possible. It will be easier when the temperatures drop and I can run during my lunchtimes again. So yeah, me :) I love reading, make cards, spend too much time online :) love going to gigs when I can too although i have a rather eclectic taste in music and am a massive fan of Doctor Who and True Blood (amongst other things). Terri
- Posted: 28th Jun 2010, 19:47Report
Thanks everyone for typing on my thread, its great to hear how everyone has got into running, and a bit about you as a person. Looking forward to reading more! Donna x
[signature]Donna McG
- Posted: 30th Jun 2010, 10:01Report
Good idea! Hi I'm Gemma, I'm 28 from Manchester but live in Leeds. I live with my boyfriend Rich in the smallest house on earth! I work for the Ambulance Service which I love (the 12 hour shifts....not so much!) I started running at the end of February in an attempt to become a lot healthier. I've managed to lose over a stone so far which I'm happy with but I've hit a plateau which I hope to rectify with some interval training and stsrting cycling. I'm also mad into Mixed Martial Arts and go boxing once a week which I love (obviously have lots of inner aggression!)
- Posted: 10th Jul 2010, 16:13Report
Hi I'm Mel. 42 and five children and live near Stafford. Am a counsellor and call centre agent. Stood on the wii fit on July 28th last year and have since lost 3.5 stone and can run! never ever dreamed I could have done it but am officially hooked. I am doing a 5 k on July 20th and hope to do the 10k in walsall in October. Since reading the running with dogs link I have upped my game and no longer run in secluded areas with them off the leads but now road run with them attached.
- Posted: 10th Jul 2010, 22:20Report
Hi Ladies, Like this thread. My name is Lisa and I am 33, I live in Fife and work for the Police. I am married with no kids but do have a cat and 3 chincillas. I lost 3.5 stone (with Rosemary Conley) before our wedding in 2008 and have pretty much kept it off since then. Always admired runners so I decided to leave my class and join a running club so I have been doing that for the last year, have done 2 5ks this year and am due to do my first 10k later this year, really love it.
- Posted: 13th Jul 2010, 16:28Report
Hi, great thread. I'm Barbara, 43 and I live in Edinburgh. I am single, no kids but a lively 3 year old cocker spaniel who loves running with me. I've always wanted to run but never thought I was able. I'm generally pretty active - have to be with a cocker - but wanted to lose some weight so started on a walk/run programme back in November 2009. I figured it was a good way to exercise both me and the dog in record time, especially when the nights were dark and very cold. Have really surprised myself how much I enjoy running. Did my first 10K in June - the Race for Life - and absolutely hated it. I'd pushed myself too hard in increasing distances and taken all the fun out of it. But I've taken the distances back to 4-5K a couple of times a week, am enjoying it again and looking forward to increasing distance again - slowly this time!
- Posted: 14th Jul 2010, 10:03Report
Fab idea guys, glad to meet you all! My names Gillian, I'm from livingston in Scotland, I'm 36 married with no kids and I love running to keep me fit and a stress buster! I've always been a gym buddy but decided on the spur of the moment to enter a 10k two and a half years ago and the rest is history! My dads always been a keen runner and completed his first marathon at 42, my aim is to do a marathon before I'm 40! I still sometimes run with my dad who's 70 and I'm enormously proud of him, I hope I can still run when I'm 70! We've both entered a 10k together at the beginning of august So far I've completed a few 10ks ( my best time is 54 mins) and two half marathons ( I did Edinburgh this year in 2 hours 4 mins!) Running is such an important part of my life,I love it! I try and run 4 times a week, but on days like this when it's pouring rain it's not easy!!! I'm lookingmforward to getting to know you all and future chats xx
- Posted: 14th Jul 2010, 12:26Report
Hi everyone! I am 38 years old, married and live in Essex. I have no children - but 3 dogs!! I work as a secretary in a local school and run mainly in the afternoon, but prefer to run early on a Saturday and Sunday morning to avoid traffic.... I run 3/4 times a week for 5 1/2 miles and swim 3 times a week for 1 mile. Last year 1 lost 3 stone and I've managed to keep it off - so far! I enjoy the challenge of running - some days are easier than others.... I average a 9.15 mile and hope to get under 9 minutes any day soon. If anyone out there lives nearby and wants a run buddy let me know.... Happy running! XXX
- Posted: 15th Jul 2010, 10:53Report
Hello every one. I'm 43 soon to be 44, married with two young boys. I work part time as a Mental Health Nurse. I started running when I started talking to girlfriends who run and they encouraged me that if they could run I could too. I thought you had to be some kind of athlete to do it really. One thing I've really noticed about running is how it makes you feel. It relly stimulates your brain and makes you feel positive and energised. I would definatly recommend it as a natural antidepressant for those days that just seem too blue. The forum is a great way for me to get a real broad range of information from others. Thank you Jude
- Posted: 15th Jul 2010, 12:59Report
Hi everyone, I'm Lauren, aged 27 from Bristol. I work as a Test Analyst for a Financial Company and am about to move in with my boyfriend of 4 years. I previously lost 8 stone by following a very strict meal replacement diet managed to maintain this for 3 years but recently i've put about a stone back on. I started running in February this year having previously only swam and walked for exercise. I started very slowly and had to walk lots but got better in time and I managed to complete my first ever race in May - the Bristol 10k. I have entered the Bristol Half Marathon in Sept and am training towards this but am finding it quite hard especially with the warm weather. I haven't lost anymore weight yet but am looking forward to getting more toned and fit in time. Anyway, it's good to meet you all and look forward to reading more posts on this forum.
[signature]Bristol 10k - May 2010
- Posted: 17th Jul 2010, 15:12Report
hi all, it's been great reading all your posts and i had to add one too! i'm from ireland and have been running now for about a year, i used to run in school but hadn't for quite a few years (am now 26). when i started back running it was strictly on the threadmill at the gym and i was really apprehensive about beginning to run outside again, but have been doing it now for about 2 months and am loving it and feel i've only really began to improve since moving outdoors! i'm moving to the uk at the end of august with my boyfriend who's just got a job in ipswich, and am afraid that once i've left my running buddy and best friend behind i'll begin to lose the motivation to run by myself! that's why i've joined the site and am logging my runs to try maintain my progress and motivation!! look forward to reading loads more and discovering some new runs in ipswich when i get there! elaine
- Posted: 20th Jul 2010, 13:34Report
Hi Everyone, I'm Less, i live in oxfordshire. I have a husband, 3 cats, 2 rats, a marine fishtank and 3 sports cars. I'm a petrolhead and ex-mtber (no hills in oxon let alone mtns!). I started running about 4 months ago because i couldn't afford to go to the gym any more and my 'walks' take half the time if i plod part of the way. I love going to the gym and miss it loads, particularly spinning and bodypump, but i am enjoying having another outside sport to do alongside road-biking and blading. So far i can't 'run' to save my life but i think i'm slowly getting better.. i have started to NOT look like i'm speed walking! Always a bonus. nice to meet you's all :D
- Posted: 21st Jul 2010, 11:31Report
Hi, Im Cathy, Im 38 and I live in Northampton. I am a staff nurse in A&E and work full time. I am married with 4 children, 1 of which is my 17 year old stepson, and the other 3 are 10, 12, and 16. I changed my eating habits last August and have lost 2 and half stone, but when I hit a plateu in April I decided to have a go at running. I started with the coach to 5k programme, and have just completed it. I struggled to get there and at times I wanted to turn around and go home. I am now about to start the couch to 10k (am i mad) as i have signed up for a charity 10k in October. BUT, I went away for 2 weeks and got back last week. So no running for almost 3 weeks. And have lost my mojo a bit :-( I am hoping it comes back pretty soon as i am commited to the run and also still need to lose weight. Great to read about everyone xx
- Posted: 28th Jul 2010, 09:40Report
Hi I am Jacqui and am 38 single with a son age 20 and a cat age 1, I am a buyer for a building foundations company and live in farnborough,hampshire, I love F1, drag racing and anything really to do with old cars, I love the 50's too .I did the race for life for the last 3 years and on a hungover sunday morning was watching the GSR and thought it looked like a good idea! I found running a real struggle for the last three years I would just train enough to do the R4L then stop, this time I have been running since Novemeber and have found I am becoming obsessed with it, I even dream of the perfect 5k. Despite shin splints, tight calfs and more blisters than a blister thing I still enjoy it how come I never had these problems when I didnt enjoy it. Its been great to read a little bit about everyone great idea to start this :)
[signature]GSR - yay I can do this 8mile down 2 to go :)
- Posted: 29th Jul 2010, 13:32Report
I am Janine I am 29 and have been married 2 years (together for 10 in October)! I am a PA for a structural engineering firm, not very exotic, but it pays the bills! I started running after watching the programme on Eddie Izzard and his multiple marathons for sport relief, found it really inspiring. I couldn’t afford to join a gym and thought running would be a good way to get some exercise. I lost 3 ½ stone for my wedding in 2008, but since then put on 1 ½ stone, since taking up running and getting back on the Weight Watchers wagon I have lost 1 stone, so only 7lbs to go!! Recently been reinspired by running, coming on here, wasn’t making any progress and found that the tips people gave me really helped, I ran 4.77km in 34 minutes last night no stopping! I am aiming to do the Cancer Research 10k in October at Hampton Court!
- Posted: 30th Jul 2010, 16:28Report
I loved this thread - hehe i'm so nosey! I'm Charlotte Jenkinson, 24 years old and been married for almost 2 months! I live in Sheffield with my husband who also runs with me. I am a bass player in a rock band. I have always been quite active (i was a competitive swimmer as a kid, though wasn't that great!) and i move around a lot onstage so have to stay fit in between touring. i've always gone to the gym or aerobics and run on and off. I entered the Great Yorkshire Run in Sheffield (10km) last year with my husband. We loved every minute of it! and so decided to carry on racing. I had an awful experience at the Sheffield half marathon earlier this year due to some medical problems. but all is sorted now and i'm doing the bristol half marathon in september. i'm very happy to be feeling strong in training now after a few difficult months and cannot wait for the race! happy running everyone....i'm loving being part of this community!
- Posted: 30th Jul 2010, 22:32Report
Hi everyone! My name is Sherry, I'm 42 (on Sunday!! - eek) and from Aberdeen. I'm a hairdresser and nail tech. I'm married to Gary and have two nearly grown up sons called Clark (16) and Cole (12)....and the picture is of my Boxer, she's a daft lump and is called Smudge. :D 21 months ago I stopped smoking and piled on the weight. Although I've always been a bit of a chunky bird I've pretty much always been a happy 14 but at the moment I'm borderline 16/18. Not amused!! We returned from a week in Rhodes on Wednesday and I felt huge the whole time so I'm on 'kick ass mode' at the moment and healthy eating and running more is definately on the cards. I do Jog Scotland twice a week but hope to add another day on a Friday. I started running about 3 months ago and I'm completely addicted. So that's me.....never short and sweet is it? Lol. Can everyone tell me how many times they run in a week and what's normal? I always thought that you weren't supposed to run the day after a run....to have a break between? xx
- Posted: 31st Jul 2010, 12:14Report
Hi everyone I'm Amanda, I'm 40 and live in Essex with my hubby, 3 kids and a menagerie! I'm currently studing for a PhD at the uni of Essex and also work part time as a researcher in the department. Back in 2000 I was diagnosed with ME and for a year or so couldn't walk, couldn't even get out of bed without help. In 2002 I signed up for A levels at nightschool just to keep my brain active and the rest is history (literally lol). I put on a lot of weight due to being unable to do much but in January this year joined WW online on a whim and then decided to try a bit of walking. I've now lost 4 stone, built up from walking to jogging although I'd never run before, and in a mad fit registed for RFL which I ran in 41 mins on Sunday. I'm not ashamed to say that when I got back to the car I cried my eyes out lol. To go from having to lie down after climbing the stairs to running 5k is something else when you think you'll never do more than half a mile walk again! Even my doctor was worried about my mad running idea due to the ME but I feel so much better - for the first time in 10 years I have energy! I'm now working up to 10k and hoping to run the 10k Cancer Research race at Hampton Court in Oct - that will be something else if I can manage it and will hopefully lay to rest my health ghosts :-)
- Posted: 31st Jul 2010, 21:36Report
Hi Everyone, love this thread I'm Katherine, i'm 25 from Sunderland, I live with my boyfriend and 2 insane cats I go running with a wonderful friend from work Debbie (still can't motivate myself to run alone) I hated gym and school, so taking up running March 2009 to complete the 5K race for life shocked alot of my friends and family and they were even more surprised that i kept it up. My other hobbies include,Walking, dressmaking, card-making and any other arts and craft activities.
- Posted: 8th Aug 2010, 12:54Report
Hi, this is a great idea for a thread! I am 26 years old and live in Lincoln and have been running on and off for nearly 2 years. I have had some bad luck with an injury to my IT Band which has really put me back a bit and I am struggling to get back into the running habit now. I usually run with one or two of my friends or my boyfriend - but he is a lot faster than me so I always feel as though I am holding him up when we go out together. I am finding it difficult to get the motivation back to get out there on my own to train. Looking forward to getting to know you all on here and to getting some advice and inspiration from all the posts! Emma
- Posted: 9th Aug 2010, 12:49Report
Hi Everyone My name is Sarah and I am 44 and live in Neath West Glamorgan with my whippet Eddie. I retired from the RAF in Dec last year after 24 1/2 years. The Forces need to be fit as we work in some pretty extreme conditions around the world (+55 in Iraq has to be the most extreme for me) however I disliked having to be made to do it. Oct last year I saw some pics of myself and though OMG I need to lose weight get fit etc, and so got myself a Personal trainer.....he got me to keep a food diary which I still do, he allowed me to still enjoy the odd glass of wineinstead of a bottle (down to drinking just at weekends now) and he got me running..... I love it and run at least twice a week, completed Swansea RFL last month and have signed up for Swansea 5 and 10 ks over the next month. The biggest achievement was my registering for the Cardiff Half Marathon which I am running on my 45th birthday........ As for this website its great to read and get inspiration from all you girls out there!!!! lets keep running together...
- Posted: 13th Aug 2010, 14:02Report
hi, i joined this forum a couple of weeks ago and thought it was tme that i posted. My name is Heidi, i am 31 yrs old and live near southend on sea. I have been married 13 yrs this december and have 4 lovely children. I am currently following the c25k plan and really enjoying it. Decided to take up running as i have mild post natal depression and exercise really helps!!!! Heidi xxxx
- Posted: 13th Aug 2010, 14:02Report
hi, i joined this forum a couple of weeks ago and thought it was tme that i posted. My name is Heidi, i am 31 yrs old and live near southend on sea. I have been married 13 yrs this december and have 4 lovely children. I am currently following the c25k plan and really enjoying it. Decided to take up running as i have mild post natal depression and exercise really helps!!!! Heidi xxxx
- Posted: 17th Aug 2010, 18:36Report
This is a great idea!! I'm Rachel, I'm 26 and a primary school teacher from South West Wales (Cardigan if anyone knows that area!). I started running after watching my boyfriend do the Llanelli half marathon last February. He's a regular runner, and with his help I completed my first 10k in June (1hr11 - slow but I did what I set out to do which was to complete it without walking at all!!). I've had a couple of injuries (the worst one was nothing at all to do with running, but was unable to run for 6 weeks - not happy!!). Only just got back into it again since that, so going to really push over the next few weeks so that I can complete my next 10k in Cardiff in a few weeks time! I'm trying to mix running with other things, such as swimming, cycling and walking (I'm walking the shine marathon in Cardiff at the end of September). Hoping aswell as getting fitter, I might also drop a dress size or 2!!
[signature]I will run the whole 10k in June!!
