Running and stuff

[James.]

Interesting response and this touch on another topic for me- I'm not that fussed about the time I would do the run in, I'm more interested about fundraising and stuff- Is this normal or is it considered normal for the runners to place a heavy emphasis on their times not the pleasure of running?

Mate you should run for whatever reason you want to run for. When I did my first half marathon all I cared about was raising money for charity, not dying and finishing - in that order. Time wasn't really on the agenda, which was a good job because it took me 2:09 (Windsor is a tricky half though to be fair).

My response was more based on the idea that given you have so much time you may as well try to up the training beyond just doing the beginner plan. You'll be fitter and quicker by the end and potentially more likely to continue running as you reap the rewards of pushing yourself harder. Up to you though, obviously.

Nowadays I run because I enjoy it and to get fit so I can do other sports better, namely climbing and trekking. Keeping an eye on my time makes it easier to push myself harder, but like you I wouldn't sacrifice the enjoyment just in the interests of getting a decent time.

You should also bear in mind that if you're body isn't used to running lots then over training can easily lead to injury. Listen to your body and take the rest days. Knees in particular aren't really designed for running as I found out to my cost!

[Finnegan]

Cool, which part of South Wales?

I'm in Newport, and haven't found anywhere really good for running yet (might be down to not looking) so I just do 5k on the treadmill or whatever . Not as fun or inspiring as running somewhere picturesque, I'm sure.

There's nowhere inspiring in Newport, mun.

[Asha]

There's nowhere inspiring in Newport, mun.

That's not what the song says.

[Bellend Sebastian]

Interesting response and this touch on another topic for me- I'm not that fussed about the time I would do the run in, I'm more interested about fundraising and stuff- Is this normal or is it considered normal for the runners to place a heavy emphasis on their times not the pleasure of running?

I think a lot depends on how long you've been doing it for. When I ran my one and only half marathon I was just amazed that I'd managed to run that far with relative ease - the time didn't really matter (although I did beat the generous target I set myself). If I ever did another one, which I will when I get round to it, I'll be wanting to do better than the time before but there'll have been such a big gap that it'll probably be like starting from scratch again so won't matter. When I run shorter distances I do try and beat previous times, mainly because when I do it makes me feel a bit better about getting old

[Finnegan]

That's not what the song says.

Don't have a Deben'ums but we got TK Max,

Once you've had Ports youse never goes backs.

[The Blur]

Thanks James and Bellend

Had been training for a week now, I'm feeling bit more fitter though I expect the actual breakthrough would come much more later- For now, I'm just actually enjoying running and I am actually looking forward to my next run as I feel it is much more rewarding getting fit and doing something with my life rather than wasting it away on TV or something. I think I will let the excitement of running dicate me for now but later on I think I would be more interested in my times as my main source of motivation as well raising the money.

Thanks once again for good advices and interesting views guys.

[FoxesAreBlue]

Does anybody have any good fundraising ideas for my London Marathon attempt - I have tried tapping up my mates but they're not too keen having sponsored me for the Great North Run not so long ago and I think that they think I will be after their cash every time I run a big race.

I have explained to them that this is not the case but still they are not all to forfthcoming. I have 'appealed' on foxes talk but no response and asked my ex-work colleagues too and again no great response. I need to get £2000 by APRIL and am seriously worried about where to find the cash (I've raised £25 so far ffs!!!). I don't want to have to give up my place just because I couldn't get the dough.

If anybody has any good ideas on how to sell myself to corporate sponsors then that would be absolutely fantastic but I'm not sure that will be too successful.

ANY ADVICE will be welcomed (or sponsorship!)

Cheers, Andy

[The Blur]

Does anybody have any good fundraising ideas for my London Marathon attempt - I have tried tapping up my mates but they're not too keen having sponsored me for the Great North Run not so long ago and I think that they think I will be after their cash every time I run a big race.

I have explained to them that this is not the case but still they are not all to forfthcoming. I have 'appealed' on foxes talk but no response and asked my ex-work colleagues too and again no great response. I need to get £2000 by APRIL and am seriously worried about where to find the cash (I've raised £25 so far ffs!!!). I don't want to have to give up my place just because I couldn't get the dough.

If anybody has any good ideas on how to sell myself to corporate sponsors then that would be absolutely fantastic but I'm not sure that will be too successful.

ANY ADVICE will be welcomed (or sponsorship!)

Cheers, Andy

You could organise an event such as a quiz night and all of the proceedings can go to your fund or just try to fundraise in the town. To be honest, your mates sound like they aren't much of mates, I would have suggested you waited at least a year after your Great North Run so people would be happy to sponsor you again, that is what I am considering to do after I have completed London BUPA 10km run.

Might be also worthwhile to contact people from your past- your former school,college etc. Use social networks such as facebook and twitter might help but I am sure you knew this already

But I'm also fundraising as well so I am happy to donate an amount for you and you can help me out by donating an amount back? It is a win-win situation

[FoxesAreBlue]

Nice one, I have tried the old Facebook and twitter a number of times but there are that many people raising cash (albeit for good causes) that I think everyone becomes a bit immune to it.

Also as I don't have a personal story ie - I'm "just" running for NSPCC and not for somebody I know with an illness etc I think people in general find it harder to relate to if that makes sense.

I like the pub quiz idea - I've even got a bottle of MOËT I can I can use as a prize but don't you have to have a permit to fundraiser in town? One idea I had was using the gym I work at to run a marathon on the treadmill and people can donate etc also everyone who does donate get their name written on he back of my race shirt too.

By the way www.justgiving.co.uk/andycallus

Oh as for the mates, they're ok, just all skint (ain't we all!) and they think I will just keep badgering them - last year they actually were rally good with the sponsorship I was expecting a fiver off each but most of em gave £25 quid!!!!

[The Blur]

Nice one, I have tried the old Facebook and twitter a number of times but there are that many people raising cash (albeit for good causes) that I think everyone becomes a bit immune to it.

Also as I don't have a personal story ie - I'm "just" running for NSPCC and not for somebody I know with an illness etc I think people in general find it harder to relate to if that makes sense.

I like the pub quiz idea - I've even got a bottle of MOËT I can I can use as a prize but don't you have to have a permit to fundraiser in town? One idea I had was using the gym I work at to run a marathon on the treadmill and people can donate etc also everyone who does donate get their name written on he back of my race shirt too.

By the way www.justgiving.co.uk/andycallus

Oh as for the mates, they're ok, just all skint (ain't we all!) and they think I will just keep badgering them - last year they actually were rally good with the sponsorship I was expecting a fiver off each but most of em gave £25 quid!!!!

Yeah, I understand what you meant by the personal story- I didn't have one either, I knew someone who is running to raise awareness for a mate who had been struck down by a sydrnome that paralyse his nervous system- she got one thousand pounds within two weeks.

Not sure about needing a permit, you could ring NSPCC and ask them- maybe even arrange it with them- You could also email them to pass it around their office to donate as well. Another idea would to have "staggered" campgain- for an example, one week I would be asking my mother side of the family for donations- the next week I would be asking my uni friends- It stop me from going overboard and from becoming to a full on pest. It also keep the morale up seeing the constant flow of donations- I just launched my site last Tuesday and barely asked people- couple of mates even donated 20 pounds which is great.

my website is www.justgiving.co.uk/asherww Ignore the cheesy picture!!- I'll donate soon as I get home as I am at uni library and I don't want to disclose my personal details on their computer!

[FoxesAreBlue]

Many thanks for donating ChickenBoy - absolutely I shall reciprocate, both worthy causes and good luck

[Ozwin]

I'd love to do the London Marathon but they don't let everyone in do they? Don't they only let in the biggest raisers?

[FoxesAreBlue]

I'd love to do the London Marathon but they don't let everyone in do they? Don't they only let in the biggest raisers?

Not necessarily -

either you win a place in the ballot - then you can either run just as a runner or raise any amount for a charity big or small as you already have a place

Or you don't get through the ballot and apply to a charity directly because they have x amount of places reserved for them and you have to raise an agreed amount of money - typically £2000 for London Marathon (Great North Run varies from £250 a £400) obviously any more is a bonus.

[FoxyPV]

Nice one, I have tried the old Facebook and twitter a number of times but there are that many people raising cash (albeit for good causes) that I think everyone becomes a bit immune to it.

Also as I don't have a personal story ie - I'm "just" running for NSPCC and not for somebody I know with an illness etc I think people in general find it harder to relate to if that makes sense.

I like the pub quiz idea - I've even got a bottle of MOËT I can I can use as a prize but don't you have to have a permit to fundraiser in town? One idea I had was using the gym I work at to run a marathon on the treadmill and people can donate etc also everyone who does donate get their name written on he back of my race shirt too.

By the way www.justgiving.co.uk/andycallus

Oh as for the mates, they're ok, just all skint (ain't we all!) and they think I will just keep badgering them - last year they actually were rally good with the sponsorship I was expecting a fiver off each but most of em gave £25 quid!!!!

Yeah, I understand what you meant by the personal story- I didn't have one either, I knew someone who is running to raise awareness for a mate who had been struck down by a sydrnome that paralyse his nervous system- she got one thousand pounds within two weeks.

Not sure about needing a permit, you could ring NSPCC and ask them- maybe even arrange it with them- You could also email them to pass it around their office to donate as well. Another idea would to have "staggered" campgain- for an example, one week I would be asking my mother side of the family for donations- the next week I would be asking my uni friends- It stop me from going overboard and from becoming to a full on pest. It also keep the morale up seeing the constant flow of donations- I just launched my site last Tuesday and barely asked people- couple of mates even donated 20 pounds which is great.

my website is www.justgiving.co.uk/asherww Ignore the cheesy picture!!- I'll donate soon as I get home as I am at uni library and I don't want to disclose my personal details on their computer!

If you can set up the text number like MikeyT I'd sponsor you and it would make it much easier for others to do the same.

[Gaffer]

Don't know if people in this thread might be able to thread, but i took up a plan to run more regularly mid-november of last year, and during the first week I fell awkwardly on my left ankle. I rested the sprain for about a week (The swelling was huge at the time and i did struggle to walk) and it pretty much cleared up except for the odd pain here and there (usually after my run), went for a run yesterday and experianced the usual niggle of pain during but nothing out the ordinary, but on my cool down it steadily got worse and worse untill i was hobbling. pain from the middle of the bottom of the foot all the way round the heel and up to the back of my knee (calf area) and my ankle was in real pain.

Any suggestions how to get round this? more rest? Docs? It's been a good 2 months since the fall.

Thanks!

[FoxyPV]

Don't know if people in this thread might be able to thread, but i took up a plan to run more regularly mid-november of last year, and during the first week I fell awkwardly on my left ankle. I rested the sprain for about a week (The swelling was huge at the time and i did struggle to walk) and it pretty much cleared up except for the odd pain here and there (usually after my run), went for a run yesterday and experianced the usual niggle of pain during but nothing out the ordinary, but on my cool down it steadily got worse and worse untill i was hobbling. pain from the middle of the bottom of the foot all the way round the heel and up to the back of my knee (calf area) and my ankle was in real pain.

Any suggestions how to get round this? more rest? Docs? It's been a good 2 months since the fall.

Thanks!

Get to the minor injuries clinic or preferrably a sports physio.

[Haydos]

Don't know if people in this thread might be able to thread, but i took up a plan to run more regularly mid-november of last year, and during the first week I fell awkwardly on my left ankle. I rested the sprain for about a week (The swelling was huge at the time and i did struggle to walk) and it pretty much cleared up except for the odd pain here and there (usually after my run), went for a run yesterday and experianced the usual niggle of pain during but nothing out the ordinary, but on my cool down it steadily got worse and worse untill i was hobbling. pain from the middle of the bottom of the foot all the way round the heel and up to the back of my knee (calf area) and my ankle was in real pain.

Any suggestions how to get round this? more rest? Docs? It's been a good 2 months since the fall.

Thanks!

It would have thought it doesn't matter how long it's been since you did it. If you didn't let it heal properly in the first place then you might still have been damaging it ever since. Get to the hospital and get it checked out.

[The Blur]

Many thanks for donating ChickenBoy - absolutely I shall reciprocate, both worthy causes and good luck

If you can set up the text number like MikeyT I'd sponsor you and it would make it much easier for others to do the same.

Cheers blue-army-andy! Perhaps you could ask the admin to pin your thread if you make one about fundraising like Mikey and Lisa did

I have set up my text number- The number is 70070, enter the code which is AMWW90 and enter the amount you want to donate- e.g AMWW90 £2 - Thanks for suggesting this FoxyPV- I hope it will make people more interested in donating!

[FoxesAreBlue]

If you can set up the text number like MikeyT I'd sponsor you and it would make it much easier for others to do the same.

Ahhh good advice - as soon as I work out how it's done, you'll be hearig from me!

[FoxesAreBlue]

Right - here it is! I know times are hard, and we're always being asked to put our hand in our pockets but if you could spare ANY amount to my marathon attempt then I would be thrilled and you can be sure that I will add your name onto my race shirt when the big day itself comes around.

I'm running for the NSPCC - a worthy cause I'm sure you will agree and donating is a piece of cake

Either online at www.justgiving.co.uk/andycallus

Or by text message by texting "EMIJ91 £5" to 70070

Many thanks - Andy

[Haydos]

Managed my first 30 minuter with interval training today. 2 mins at 10.5km/h followed by a minute at 15km/h repeated 10 times. Happy with that considering i'm still around 100kg, want to up it to 11kmh/16kmh by next week.

[FoxesAreBlue]

Managed my first 30 minuter with interval training today. 2 mins at 10.5km/h followed by a minute at 15km/h repeated 10 times. Happy with that considering i'm still around 100kg, want to up it to 11kmh/16kmh by next week.

Good work, be the 30mins flew by didn't it?

[Haydos]

Good work, be the 30mins flew by didn't it?

It goes SO much quicker than doing 30 at a flat pace, you always feel like you're working toward something as well which makes it easier. Didn't feel like I was on my last legs at the end either which is encouraging.

[Guest]

I too am running the London Marathon this year; I'm crossing everything the West Ham game doesn't get moved to the Sunday!

My training is courtesy of the Runner's World website. I can't recommend their programmes enough. There's one for every level, and always remember that life doesn't always follow the schedules, so be prepared to use common sense and logic, and be flexible!

I have only entered two races as part of my training. I'll hopefully complete the nightmare sounding Ashby 20, and the week after, the Loughborough Half. I'm only doing that to try and get a quicker Half Marathon time than Raj.

[FoxesAreBlue]

I too am running the London Marathon this year; I'm crossing everything the West Ham game doesn't get moved to the Sunday!

My training is courtesy of the Runner's World website. I can't recommend their programmes enough. There's one for every level, and always remember that life doesn't always follow the schedules, so be prepared to use common sense and logic, and be flexible!

I have only entered two races as part of my training. I'll hopefully complete the nightmare sounding Ashby 20, and the week after, the Loughborough Half. I'm only doing that to try and get a quicker Half Marathon time than Raj.

Good stuff, looks like there's a few of us going down to the big smoke in April - even Ian Stringer is doing it too!

Runners World Programmes are good but obviously they are generic too - couldn't agree more though about not sticking to them religiously - running is about enjoyment - not counting numbers!!!