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Cheer me up please; took trail shoes to run the long trek back from Ullapool Beinn Dearg on Friday. Short story,fractured ankle and a three mile limp back to car,consultant today. Somebody tell me they have done something similar and been back running on trails again, because right now I am scunnered. Weather getting better,allowed to hike, odd race back on..oh; and Planet x Tempest arriving tomorrow.
@lunge it was a good run thanks, fortunately after warming up my left leg was absolutely fine. The fun started before the race as I found myself locked into my campsite at 5am, and needed to find an alternative exit, otherwise I may have been starting considerably later than planned!
A nice little video of the day is here
and Centurion's report is pretty good too, the bit relevant to me is: In the mens race, we saw stellar times from our front two in the end, with both Richard Mcdowell and previous winner here, Jack Blackburn, running into 3rd and 7th on the all time fastest performances on this course across all nine editions.
Richard went off extremely hard, but when you have finished first Vet 40 at the London Marathon in 2:23 then hard is a relative thing. He did perhaps push the envelope all the way out over the first half of the course however. His times through the first three check points were ahead of Tom Evans' 5:44 course record splits. His first 10 miles were run in 62 minutes and he made the marathon mark at Housedean Farm check point in 2:53, 7 minutes up on Tom's time in there.
However he felt that keeping that kind of effort up was not necessarily sustainable and made a conscious decision to back off at that point, taking the ascents easier and running slightly more within himself to eventually cruise home in 6:02 for a comfortable 18 minute margin over second placed Jack Blackburn. Richard races the Thames Path 100 in just under three weeks time which for sure played into that decision. A smart one no doubt! Third place went to Peter Windross in a solid 6:38.
The homemade ultra-vest/bag did the trick beautifully, and apparently it was noted how small it was at the start, the woman kit-checking me at the finish was intrigued to see how I'd managed to meet all the minimum equipment in such a light and compact bag. Legs were far from functional on Sunday, a bit better yesterday, and I'm contemplating a gentle jog at lunchtime today. Not long until I'll be tapering again for the main event in under 3 weeks time 😮
Congratulations, that's an impressive time for a 50miler!
Bloody well done, that is both distance and speeds that i can't compute
Cheer me up please; took trail shoes to run the long trek back from Ullapool Beinn Dearg on Friday. Short story,fractured ankle and a three mile limp back to car,
Bloody hell. Sorry to hear that Duckman, hope you heal up quickly!
Seriously impressive work TF, seriously fast as well.
How were the TrailFly's/VaporTrails?
Glad to report that the VaporTrails worked a charm, although the ground was so dry that road shoes would have been fine too - the guy who finished 3rd wore AlphaFlys and was happy with his choice. Zero blisters or chafing, but a few sore toenails, which is possibly inevitable given the descending pushes your feet to the front of your shoes. Nutrition consisted of 2 x Maurten 320 (1 litre total) 500ml tailwind (which tasted very weak) & 2x Maurten caffeinated gels. I'll have to work a bit harder to get more in during the Thames Path as I was probably running a bit low by the end. Solid food doesn't work for me while moving, and it was a couple of hours before I could manage anything solid after the finish too.
Injury strikes!!!!
10 days before my ultra, feeling fit as I ever have and I have been hit. Last mle of a club run, not even pushing on and I got a sharp pain in the back of my calf. Stopped immediately and walked home to apply ice and massaged it.
Hoping it's nothing serious but it's terrible timing.
Ach! Sorry to hear it. Get well soon.
Well, I do love a visit to a sympathetic physio.
When I explained the problem and the timing of the ultra he immediately asked if I wanted advice on if I should run it, or advise as to what will happen if I did. I suggested the latter, he chuckled as he knew that would be the case.
So, it's not a serious injury and normal advise would be some exercises, no running for 2 or 3 weeks and then ease back in gently. Note that "run 40 miles in 10 days time" isn't mentioned in that plan.
However, he did say that if I should do some exercises for 3 or 4 days, go and do 5k on Sunday or Monday, and see how it feels. If it's OK then by all means have a crack at the ultra.
The main positive was that if shouldn't do any serious damage to it even if I do run a bit early, just so long as I accept I may have to walk in places.
Overall, I'm a bit more positive than I was.
Catching up...
Cheers @mogrim I feel pretty much right as rain but the after affects are still there training wise.
So the Tour of Tamesdie has been postponed to dates I can no longer make, bit gutted about that.
I had however planned to go out and do a half before committing to the original dates after having Covid as I didn't want to sign up and not complete the 4 days and the half would have been my nemesis as for a while now I've generally only done around the 10k mark and rarely go above 8 mile.
Anyway today was the day I had planned to have a crack at the half so decided to still do it so I know that I can again.
Beyond completing it the only goal was sub 2hr based on how my running has been post Covid.
It ended up being bloody close at 1:59:44! Goal accomplished though. Felt strong until the 9 mile mark then my body just hit the wall. Possibly still a bit of Covid (long) at play there.
I'm about 15 mins down on my best in the past but ultimately I'm still happy.
I'm now feeling positively tortoise like though after seeing @turboferret effort! Awesome and well done.
@lunge hope all goes well if you do go ahead with the event.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-5697122 0"> http://BBC News - Stock cubes help runner smash record on 212-mile route https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56971220
Impressive, a very well done. Don't fancy scoffing stock cubes though.
Knee bother has cut my running, I think it's some form of ITB problem, can't get a physio appt for a couple of weeks, really pissing me off. First running injury I've had in nearly 4 years, so can't really complain tbf. Arghhh.
I hear you Nobeer, I've not run for a week, longest time off I've had since I took up running 4 years ago. Test run tomorrow, oddly nervous about it...
Counting down to the Thames Path 100, the pre-event blog is up which makes for quite entertaining reading. My main rival seems to have potentially handicapped himself by having his tongue pierced and rendered himself unable to eat currently 😀
I don't feel like I can post on this thread anymore 🙁
But %£*^ it - I did a (nearly) 7 mile run in just over an hour on Monday – still some way to go to getting back to my times of 2019 but an injury (broken rib) lost most of 2020 for me then winter happened so just getting back to more regular runs.
Absolutely what Pyro says, well done John. 💪🏻
Another one coming out of injury - Covid and double hernia repair late 2020 did me for a few weeks then moved to Sheffield and increase in elevation set off my IT band.
But a nice 17.5k loop around Stanage and Burbage today and I’m not hobbling tonight! I can feel it, but in a good way. Yay!!
And first fell race in about 18 months coming up in a couple of weeks. First time out in a Dark Peak vest - esteemed company!!
I may be getting somewhere with this knee injury, was getting sore again today, so rattled off a couple of sets of squats and lunges. Pain gone.
Now thinking that this may be down to my chronically weak quads, glutes and calf on my left leg. I've only really been running for a good while, very little biking or gym work ...
Hmm.....
Don’t worry, we’re not all lunge or turboferret!
I can absolutely assure you all that TF is in a different league to me!
Did a fitness test today, 5k on the local track to see how my calf has responded. And all was well, started slow, finished faster and no issues to speak of. Whether it’ll last 40 miles is a different question...
Best of luck buddy.
@dashed - what's the fell race you're doing? There are some really good runners with DPFR, you ate indeed in esteemed company
Don’t really know what I’m doing here (except for putting on 20lbs over the last year).
So ‘beginner’, I guess. Have never done running since jogging 4 miles home from a night club in 1989 and that was mostly downhill 😬. Used to walk a lot though. 30+ miles every Sunday. Again, many decades ago
I looked at myself in the mirror a week ago and entirely lost my composure, tilting off into wailing and gnashing self-loathing.
So took self away for a few days to reset and work on a plan. First off, dug out myfitnesspal app and entered a goal to lose 80lbs in a year. 80 ****ing lbs. still, 2lbs a week is doable. Tough though. Depressed over-eater + counting calories is never a good fit!
Have already lost 5lb in 15 days so need to dial it back a bit if anything.
Going to walk/run at night or evening. Sold some unused bike parts and bought a Thrunite H01 headtorch (this is a nice bit of kit) and a pair of lightly used Adidas Raven trail shoes for a song.
Got Jo Whiley on my phone app telling me about the NHS couch to 5k.
Start tonight. Great excite! Great trepidation! Have knackered feet (prior rheumatoid arthritis, now in remission), recurring groin injury/athletic pubalgia and multiple neuromas in forefeet, so not sure how it will pan out. But as Yoda says - do or do not, there is no try.
Wish me luck 👍🏼
@p7eaven good luck with your journey - take it slow on the C25K, don't be afraid to repeat weeks if required to avoid injury. Better to have consistently have a B- in training than sporadic A+ with injuries and time off.
Lovely weather for racing tomorrow 😮
What tf said, best of luck fella.
@alanf - it's the Totley Moor race in a couple of weeks. It sold out really quickly as there were limited places and I suspect I'll be out of my depth as it'll all be racing snakes with pent up need to race after a long lockdown (rather than the more mixed field I've encountered in the few races I have done previously!). Staggered start though so not as obvious... I've also just signed up for the Round Sheffield trial thinging in June as well - 20k of times stages around the cities parks.
@p7eaven - stick at it and go real steady. So tempting to get carried away with how much you're enjoying things or with how much progress being made but nothing worse than injuring yourself with all that enthusiasm. Don't ask me how I know...
Best of luck @turboferret - weather doesn't look brill!
@p7eaven - Good on you! As others have said, take it steady. I know too many people who've started C25K and gone "this is too easy!" in the early sessions, gone a bit too hard and injured themselves. You've got a lofty goal, but it's achievable - best of luck.
I've got a recce of the first stage of the Lakes in a Day ultra this weekend, Caldbeck to Threlkeld. Judging by the pics of someone snowboarding on Blencathra earlier this week, it might be a cold one!
A couple of weeks ago I attempted to beat my best Strava estimated 5k time of 22:29 from November, but it left me wondering how I could have possibly got that time when I feel like my running has been progressing, mainly due to better consistency, starting with a slow jog rather than walking, and much less soreness & stiffness afterwards.
Yesterday I decided I'd give it another go, despite a slight niggle in my left knee. Weather was calm for it, and after warming up upped the pace so I was near the limit of breathing through nose and not gasping for air through mouth. Total 4.47 miles, Got a best time, 21:41s was the time Strava estimated my best 5k to be. Happy! Unfortunately my left knee is not so happy, some slight discomfort walking at times, but nothing major. Really want to get on the bike today and do more than a gentle ride but shouldn't, and know I'll struggle to resist messing about practising obstacle negotiation etc because it "isn't that bad really is it".
Good luck to the racers and the new runners too!
@p7eaven I was similar, ballooned to 16:2, and now down to 13:9 since October. I focussed on just getting out the door pretty much most days, usually 3 mile walk/run. Got to 6, then 10, then 15 and did 20 on Monday. Just checked Strava and average 4 times a week and 548 mile this year! Slow and steady is the key, listen to your body.
Well said that man, and well done too!
Game over. Calf went pop at 5 miles. Heart broken.
A proper few weeks of rest and rehab are needed.
@lunge that's a pisser, still there will always be another chance. Rest and rehab as you say, and start looking for another race in October.
Very slow 35km group run/walk here today - Sonia is never the fastest of runners, but when she turned up with a massive hangover it was clear the pace was never going to be high 🙂 All good fun though (if not for her) and made it up Madrid's highest peak, Peñalara, which is at 2428m above sea level.
A photo of me heading up the final climb, with my mate Miguel in the background. It was blowing a gale at the top, nearly blew me over a couple of times.
Unlucky @lunge, take some downtime and get out rehabbed properly. Hope it heals fast.
Good work @mogrim. I was up there on an adventure race - the Raid Bimbache - a fair few years back, the young marshal they'd posted on top hadn't quite grasped his job and how long he'd be in position and hadn't taken any shelter or food with him. He was quite a state after 6hrs of trying to sit it out in the wind and the cold!
So, adding this as a minor inspiration and a 'proud' moment.
I've just been for a run with my Dad. He's 75, has had two knee replacements and a hip replacement, plus a couple of other medical issues over the past 5 years. He rides, either on the turbo or on the road, 3 times a week, and decided he wanted to start some gentle jogging again to go with it. 6 weeks ago he started Couch to 5k, so today was Wk6, Run 3: we did 5mins walk, then 25mins continuous jog.
Doesn't seem like much, really, but it's the first time my Dad has jogged continuously for 25 mins in a good couple of decades.
I'm very happy right now.
Thanks all for the encouraging words. Really helped.
I was similar, ballooned to 16:2, and now down to 13:9 since October. I focussed on just getting out the door pretty much most days, usually 3 mile walk/run.
That’s awesome. I still have someway to get back to 16st before the hard work starts towards 12, but have lost a half stone since beginning calorie-counting/cutting out chips, sugar and bread just 16 days ago.
Still can’t believe I reached 17.9 before the (sic, sic, sic) scales truly fell from my eyes 😲
C25k Day 1:
I wanted a kickstart/mood boost so drove up the hill to Malvern Hills about 9:30pm.
Switched on the headtorch. Zipped keys in a small Camel-bak (can’t stand keys in pocket) and started the app.
First ‘run’ occurred on a flat trail. It was ok. More of a slight, slow, heavy jog. Though it feels like I’m trying to jog with my two bikes on my back. (In fact they weigh 20lb less combined than the weight I require to lose). So somewhat like jogging carrying three bikes on your back 😩
By the time Jo Whiley invites me do the second run (now heading slightly downhill) I was feeling glad that these trail shoes have a lot of cushioning. Again, with more weight loss I’m sure that won’t be as necessary when repurchasing worn out shoes (?). Shame, as I like these but they are discontinued.
At the third 60 secs I was heading up towards the aptly named ‘Perseverance Hill’ and I could barely get both feet off the ground at the same time. My right Achilles is like a tight thing and I can just hear my elephantine wheezing through the earbuds.
By the time I get to the 4th 60 seconds and towards the crest I’m convinced it’s hell to imagine 3 more. I was convinced I’d done 5 or 6 already!
But the downhill/slope proved encouraging (if rocky, sketchy) and I sort of limped the final 2 x 60secs to the car. Then had to walk around aimlessly for 5 minutes to cool down/strut about, feeling as if I’d just ran a half-marathon ffs
Enjoyed both the night air & the views, the challenge, but most of all that feeling of smidgeon of my former self returning and the thought that I may possibly be able to run. ****ing hell.
Result? I’m still shocked at the bad shape I’ve gotten myself in. Yesterday’s day off was a painful aftermath mixed with joyous resolve. Front thighs are hurting/burning most, I expect from the steep (running) final descent. Feet are behaving surprisingly well .
Don’t know yet where I’ll do the 2nd run tonight, but it feels like the lifeline it is, and am very much looking forward to it.
STWers advice to not rush to next stages is appreciated. Don’t want to knacker self up and ruin my chances. Will suck sensibly, and see
Good work @p7eaven. Every interval, every session and every week is a little victory, however painful. Well done 🙂
lunge – Ach. Rest easy.
mogrim - Great pic, lovely looking day.
Pyro – That really made me smile. 😃
p7eaven – Nice one. 👍
Well that came to an abrupt end. ****ing ****.
2nd run C25K tonight, decided to go on the level. Warm up walk, first jog ok. Feeling positive. Second warmup walk, the began the 2nd interval. I immediately felt something ‘give’ in lower calf on the left-side push-off.
Then some pain. I stopped running as soon as I felt it. Luckily was only 8 mins from the car so had to walk back gingerly with left foot out at a right angle.
Have it up now with ice under it and ibuprofen in me. It feels slightly nauseating. Disappointed doesn’t really explain how it feels to be knocked back this early on. Wanted to throw my phone on the tarmac tbh. Just worried now that I’ve ****ed the achilles or something. Fingers crossed. The long road just got longer.
Keep your chin up p7, take your time.
Finally had my physio appt yesterday, and confirmed my own thoughts that I have the left leg strength of an asthmatic, smoking layabout.
Time to do some cross training.
p7eaven, it took me a year and 3 attempts at C25K before I was comfortably running 5Ks. Take it slow and give your body time to adjust and recover
So, to add to my year of injury woes, I now have a Bakers cyst behind my left knee. Likely due to my ongoing knee issues.
Looks like even more time out. I'm just depressed with it now.
I bragged last year that after all my years of playing football I'd never really had any knee issues.
Has anyone had a Bakers cyst? I've been told full recovery could take a couple of months.