Please do, Jolien - Let me know how you get on .....

And Hello Jenni !!!  - Long time, no speak ... No.  It's not the run with my brothers - that is in three weeks time.  I'm regularly getting up to between 6.5K and 7.5K on my training runs now - trying to build up to 8.7K about 10 days before my race (That is 'my' race distance before handing over to my brother Ken for 'leg' two).

What I've found is that once you 'crack' the c25K, and you have the motivation of a fixed date ahead (in my case this race) that it really focuses you to try and push a bit more, and then 5K seems easy (ish) and 6K and 7K are attainable (ish, again).  That, and the thought of having a few pints of Guinness immediately after (or even during) the race is a big motivation for me.

I've also thrown myself into raising a small amout of funds for a local charity, which helps me very much.  Although what is NOT going to help me is my recreating of the 'Waxing' scene from 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' (I'm sure it's on youtube if you haven't seen it) to raise money for the charity.  My workmates and friends are buying waxstrips from £2 to £5 depending on what part of my 'body' they're applied to (I'm sure you get the picture) and then ripping them off.  I'm told it's painless - so Steve Carell must have deserved an Oscar. At the very least, i expect I'll be more 'streamlined' afterwards.

I hope you're well and continuing running a couple of times a week or more, and that you've set yourself a goal to reach for.  It really, really helps.

And don't forget the two sticks - more madcap ideas on the way.

Take care. TLP

Mike, Jen, Gotthe.... Did any of you try out this method?  Did it help in any way? TLP

Great news, gotthe !!!! By the way, your earlier post about you couldn't find sticks big enough worried me.....  I just break off a couple of twigs from the hedge near home.  I don't go jogging around with telegraph poles or anything....!! Anyway - I'm glad it worked for you. TLP

Ha! - Never thought of taking them on the treadmill as I haven't used one in months - When I go back to the gym after my Marathon Relay next week maybe I'll do this too. And I'm really impressed that they helped with shin pain too.  I do exactly the same as you - push my thumb into the end of the sticks or feel the knots or whatever. It's a crazy, weird thing - but it just works.  I have this little thing now where, at the end of a long run, I throw the sticks away (somewhere safe) just towards the end of the run - just a bit of superstitiion. I should know better at my age. Anyway, see you around. Take care. TLP