There's a few runners on here, so how about a thread where we can swap running thoughts and insights, news and stories, tell of our achievements, moan about our injuries, talk about favorite places to run...

So to start with:

Does anyone have a race coming up?

And also, are there any ultra-keen runners out there who never race?

My buddy is an adventure racer and he got me started trail running with a view to doing some lightweight speedy adventures.
I found the transition from walking strange, especially with the minimal gear. The feeling of unenbcumbered movement on the hills is a total joy, total freedom. I run in the Kilpatricks near Glasgow, miles of moors, small peaks and forests with trails.
I'm still building my fitness up though, which is taking it's time after a year of pretty much zero activity.

I used to do a lot of running but achilles tendonitis became a big problem so I've not done nearly as much over the last 12 months. However, I'm doing the Geneva half marathon in October, and hopefully the Grin 'n' Bear It as well.

I joined a local club a few years ago, and found that was great motivation to get out and run. There's a series of local races during the summer here - I think they've just started - on Wednesday evenings: one week a little 6 mile fell race, the next week a 5 mile road race and the week after that a 5/6 mile trail race (4th week off). They go on for about 5 months during the summer, and it's great fun to have them to look forward to on Wednesdays during work :)

I had a great time on the Buttermere Round a couple of years ago - anyone interested can see here for piccies and the grizzly details.

Running at lunchtime starts again next week...

"The feeling of unencumbered movement on the hills is a total joy, total freedom."

Couldn't agree more, ptc.

Running free on the tops for me perfectly expresses the joy of being alive...


Good luck PW with the lunchtime runs. My fingers are crossed that you stay injury free...

Great report from your Buttermere run PW.

I love your description of the descent from Honister! Captured the elation perfectly.

I need to go for a run now myself!

I agree with Pewiglet that joining a running club is great motivation to get out - particularly in the winter. Been a member of running clubs for many years now. If you want to improve your performance they are great for that as people are friendly and will pass on advice - and running with others will greatly improve your times as well. Used to do a lot of races years ago (mainly road races, from 10k to the marathon), but rarely race these days. Having said that my next on is next friday - the Blaydon Run in Newcastle - always fun with sandwiches, raw black and white pudding and raw tripe at the end of it. Some peoples faces after they have killed themselves on the run when they see this food are a treat!!! If I think I am fit enough to do it as I am just getting over an injury I will or else I'll not bother. I could moan about injuries for England but I'll spare you that. Just glad to be able to run still after all these years. Peewiglet has my sympathy - Achilles Tendonitis is no laughing matter at all.

Nice title Andrew but I wasn't so much feeling the joy of being alive as being bloody relieved about it after Monday's Shutlingsloe race! There should be a bit about it on the "Bank Holiday" article if Susan decides to use my humble contribution...

I enjoy the psychology of road racing as well as the endorphin buzz and of course runing fast does make hillwalking seem like a holiday - which is exactly as it should be!

always fun with sandwiches, raw black and white pudding and raw tripe at the end of it

OMG......

<fx: blanches, and trots off at double-quick time!>

p.s. good luck in the run, though!

Oh this is a very good running website in case there is anyone interested. You can find me on it by searching "Marcus" if you like.

Sorry Peewiglet I didn't explain very well - the run's always fun - I can't usually eat much straight after a race myself - and nor can many others when they see the tripe I suspect, judging by their faces!!

Well done Andrew, I have never seen the words "running" and "joy of being alive" in the same sentence before.

I can walk all day but I can't run up a couple of steps, you surely don't enjoy it? I have a friend who tells me how painful it is but equally is hooked on it.

Fellrunning can't be that good, you never anyone doing more than one lap ;o)

SORRY . But running ,joy and alive are words which should not be in the same sentence.

I both love and hate running... this time last year i was approaching a peak in my fitness. Comfortably running 8 milers a few times weekly, with space for circuit training, cycling and whatever else I fancied in between. I looked like a greek god, and felt pretty damn good too. Since then i've started working and really cant find the time to train (i know thats the worst excuse in the book but literally, I work 10-7, 6 days a week and spend about 2 hours of my day travelling to and from work, hard training is out of the question because it'll make me too tired to work well and vice versa). So, now im back to the stage of hating it, with only 2 weeks left of work before the summer doss, i'll be getting out there and dragging my fitness back up. It's just so infuriating to be back almost to square one and have to build everything up again, and while im in that transition period i cant get any enjoyment from it. Here's to speedy recovery! (hopefully!!)

I've run myself for a few years just to keep fit but since starting doing mountain marathons and orienteering I'm increasing mileage ('cos there's so many fitter people out there). I also joined a local club just before new year and training with a good coach in a large supportive group is both fantastic and knackering!!!
The feeling of letting fly down a hill is just brilliant, all I need now is to be able to run up them!!
Race wise, long orienteering one on Sun, local short trail type on Wed evening, Edinburgh marathon relay next Sun followed by the LAMM the next weekend, then the Saunders two weeks after that!! Yikes

I took up running many years ago to get fit to play badminton, however I found that the running didn't improve my game so I gave it up and subsequently joined Aberdeen AAC. Been a member for many years now. The benefits are that my running includes speed work and some hills, which is a good mixture to go with my steady runs. I also allows me to mix with like minded people.

Just finishing reading "Feet in the Clouds - A Tale of Fell Running and Obsession" by Richard Askwith.

I have been accused of being obsessed by running but on reading this book definitely not when you read what some of them have been up to especially the challenges of the Bob Graham round or as the book calls it the 'BG'.

Worth a read.

Slainte.

I’ve just come back from the Cape Wrath Challenge, which is a week of running various distances and terrain each day, based in Durness, Sutherland. It culminates with the Cape Wrath marathon, involving running (or in my case, walking the steep bits) to Cape Wrath lighthouse and back to Durness, including a ferry crossing of the Kyle of Durness. There are always shorter run options, and the marathon may be done as a relay.
If you are so inclined, on the rest day, Foinaven, Arkle, Ben Hope, and Cranstakie are on your doorstep.
It is a fantastic event, I have been for the past 5 years, and have made many friends from both fellow regular competitors, and local residents. Check out the website, this years photos have just been posted.

http://www.capewrathchallenge.co.uk/

That sounds brilliant, Wrath - many congrat's on completing it again :)

I love running but I havent competed with anyone but myself for many years but it makes me feel alive.

I will never be the greatest runner cos that would mean giving up climbing and hill walking and biking ect ect.

We do so many things that I do spread myself a little thin sometimes and to be the best at anything you have to be single minded and I love doing a bit of everything but hey, thats what makes me happy.

I am lucky that I have brilliant runs straight from the house, both flat and hilly routes so if I am short of time I can wear myself out quick running up hill or go for a long leasurely run on the flat if I so fancy.

It is hard working and training but I find the more you do the fitter you get the more energy you have so its worth the effort which I dont seam to have been putting in as much as I should lately.

Although running had been a way of life since secondary school, a badminton injury intervened a couple of years ago. Having recently lost some weight, I’ve found that on recent walks (both backpacking and everyday) I’ve been breaking into a slow jog from time to time. All those years of running and I’ve now found that my body recognises my current slimmer figure and obviously thinks it should be running again. Even the road bike has seen some use in the last few days!

Running/Exercise- I love it! Glad to say my body seems to agree.

I'm totally with Jules atIMotow (i'm not going to type all that out!).

I love running and have loads of great runs around my home (well it is in the BBNP!) But no way would I compete - I don't want to share my mountains with loads of others.

I guess I just enjoy getting out there.