Forum menu
Good effort @lunge. I'm a way off my best after a leisurely summer but will be starting to ramp up in October. I've got a flat 10k at the end of Sept as a benchmark (Lancaster).
sportsshoes.com was selling the nike magic shoes cheap recently. I bagged a pair.
@lunge - congrats on the PB!!
We live in very different running worlds @mogrim! I love that you can just bang out an impromptu 53km on a Friday night. I was busy getting sloshed and having a curry on Friday
I dragged myself out for an interval session round the park yesterday which I enjoyed even though it was incredibly humid and claggy! This was the first time properly doing HR zone intervals and it worked nicely for me. Felt like I'd worked hard but I wasn't completely broken at the end of it.
I've been out on the XC bike a bit more recently and enjoying it, feels more like a trail run than when i drag out the heavy enduro bike. I've got it in my head that I want to do another ultramarathon next year, but also get an MTB marathon under my belt too.
My own personal achievement is that I've now lost 10kg in weight, down to 92kg, and another 7kg to go till I'm back to my pre-master's degree weigh-in (I stress ate my way through 2.5 years of an MBA!!!)
sportsshoes.com was selling the nike magic shoes cheap recently. I bagged a pair.
So what's the cheapest I could get something for casual running (road/fields) that isn't going to wreck my bad knee? (torn meniscus)
I stress casual as I'm just doing it to accompany my lad who started doing a morning run and I have no intention of doing anything more serious as it's just not worth wrecking my knee and not being able to ride (again).
We did something like 10k this morning and I just wore my 5 tens as I don't have anything else...
If he starts doing anything beyond a casual 10k before/after school I'll just buck out or take a bike but he's as likely to just give up in a few weeks.
Is there a way to maintain marathon /ultra fitness or at least 75-50%?
I've done a few over the summer and whilst I don't want to be following an intense 16 week plan, I think it'd be a shame to lose the running efficiency I've built up.
I was thinking of one more ultra in November then keep ticking over winter. Is it an autumn recovery mesocycle i need to read up on?,
@stevextc, 3 suggestions.
Nike Pegasus Trail 4, £80 ish, but are an almost perfect shoe for what you describe.
Reebok Floatride Energy 4, £75 at retail but loads of discount codes flying around that’ll take 20 or 30% off that price. They’re a really nice, no frills, cushioned shoe.
Nike React Miler 3, £64 for a solid cushioned shoe.
You can clearly spend less than that but the above are all “proper” running shoes that’ll do the job and not mess up your joints.
Is there a way to maintain marathon /ultra fitness or at least 75-50%?
@mrsheen
I think so.
Drop your mileage a touch but make sure you keep one quicker run and one longer run in per week. Marathon training, depending on the person, if often 50+ miles and 6 days per week. Drop down to 35 or 40 mile, 4 days per week and you'd be fine I reckon.
@stevextc, I mostly get whatever is cheap on sale. As long as it's a running shoe, there's no real reason to go spendy. sportsshoes has stuff from about 35 quid up that looks ok to me.
As for @mrsheen's question about keeping up fitness.....well at the 50% level it's easy enough, just do a bit of jogging and other exercise. Depending what you mean by 50% of course, my current race pace is certainly more than 50% of my peak ability but that's hardly a challenge 🙂
All summer I've been cycling quite a lot and jogging a little, I've knocked out a couple of 10ks that are around 2-3 mins off what I could do at best. Which is pretty pedestrian but I'll be ready to train properly by late autumn.
I don't think you really lose running efficiency with time off, the speed has always come back quickly for me when I've re-started training. However now I'm well over 50 I anticipate this might get more challenging.
lunge
stevextc, 3 suggestions.
Nike Pegasus Trail 4, £80 ish, but are an almost perfect shoe for what you describe.
Reebok Floatride Energy 4, £75 at retail but loads of discount codes flying around that’ll take 20 or 30% off that price. They’re a really nice, no frills, cushioned shoe.
Nike React Miler 3, £64 for a solid cushioned shoe.
You can clearly spend less than that but the above are all “proper” running shoes that’ll do the job and not mess up your joints.
Cheers, exactly the sort of answer I needed. I'll start looking 🙂
I'm not motivated enough to research (probably because I know I'll never be able to do it "properly" again) so it's more of a motivational thing for the kid if I go along (I can see him slipping now its getting wetter and darker)
I was quite surprised by the results on me... a very flat, slow 6mi/10km in terrible shoes and my knee is fine but really felt it on my quads and calves next day (unless that was delay from the Enduro I did Sunday??)
CV I didn't really feel anything (we were going really slow) but I was really quite pleasantly surprised with the knee
I was quite surprised by the results on me… a very flat, slow 6mi/10km in terrible shoes and my knee is fine but really felt it on my quads and calves next day (unless that was delay from the Enduro I did Sunday??)
CV I didn’t really feel anything (we were going really slow) but I was really quite pleasantly surprised with the knee
Textbook "cyclist goes running" reaction. People normally worry about their joints when running, but anyone new to running will almost certainly have more muscular issues, calf's particularly can react badly. A bit of stretching after the run (not before) will work wonders.
thecaptain
I don’t think you really lose running efficiency with time off, the speed has always come back quickly for me when I’ve re-started training. However now I’m well over 50 I anticipate this might get more challenging.
It's strange you brought that up as I was feeling that and saying the same to the kid.
I'm not anywhere close to the country that the ballpark is on to what I would be doing at 18... that would doubtless kill me.. in terms of fitness but I felt I was putting in 1/2 the effort he was without thinking.
TBH I had not expected that at all as he won the school year 1600m by a long way ???
I mostly get whatever is cheap on sale. As long as it’s a running shoe, there’s no real reason to go spendy. sportsshoes has stuff from about 35 quid up that looks ok to me.
I'm wary as this time last year I was off the bike a lot with my knee. I'm not rolling in it so cost is important but not at the risk of my knee. I'm not going to be going far or fast... and I'd love to hit some trails (my childhood was fell running) but I know my knee won't take that so I'm pre-banning myself of even going over to Peaslake...
I'm dependent on MTB for quite a lot (extended physical** and metal health) and it was quite a difficult time not being able to ride.
**I've got auto-immune/joint issues that almost disappear with cycling but reappear really quickly - that then leads into a catch-22 spiral if I'm not careful .. which then affects mental health which...
Lunge
Textbook “cyclist goes running” reaction. People normally worry about their joints when running, but anyone new to running will almost certainly have more muscular issues, calf’s particularly can react badly. A bit of stretching after the run (not before) will work wonders.
Yeah... I didn't feel anything during the run itself.. (which was actually really good news) but yep a bit of stretching would have been wise!
Stretching may help a bit but it’s hard to get round the problem of DOMS when a cyclist starts off running. Short easy runs (really short, really easy) with a gradual build is your best bet. If you’re only going to run once a week it may be challenging…2 or 3 times should work much better.
Besides the ASICS outlet and sportshoes.com, where else should I be looking for a bargain pair of trainers?
Only running 20-30km a week max, so not looking to spend £100+
Always had ASICS outlet shoes but the two pairs that arrived today don't quite seem to fit as well as previous pairs.
@dooosuk, Start Fitness always has some bargains, the code EXTRA10 gets you 10% off.
Worth looking at the manufacturers website direct too. Nike have the odd bargain, Adidas and Reebok always have the odd discount code kicking around as well.
great 10k time there @lunge
I've really got into running this year and thought I'd see where my 10k time was. The last time I measured it was at the final leg of an olympic length triathlon about 10 years ago and IIRC it was just below 44 mins
so had a solo session on our local track and managed 20:24 for 5k and 41:38 for 10k which I was pretty pleased with. I had no idea where I'd be and even thought I could shade it under 40mins at one stage but alas. It was about 6:50 miles (although I could calculate more accurately I guess).
more aerobic training (to spare my niggly injuries) and I hope to be going sub 40 mins and sub 20 mins by end of the year (or at least next spring)
pretty happy with it and really enjoyed hammering the track on my own for 25 laps. It felt good!
sports direct, jd sports, keller sports. Think I've used all of those at least once, though sportsshoes gets most of my custom (but nike.com probably gets most of my money!).
@fingerbang, have you got a local parkrun? It's a fun way to test yourself if you feel like it, no pressure and no cost 🙂
Is there a running equivalent of the singletrack forum? With similar levels of hilarity, compassion, boundless technical knowledge, etc., etc.?
I tried the Runners World forum, but it appears to be largely dead.
I also appreciate we have this thread - which is great - but I want more!
fetcheveryone is what I use. It's much more than a forum, it logs training, has race calendar, etc... It even has a decent chess club 🙂
FRA (fell runners association) forum is quite lively although i don't go on to
You might have to be an fra member though
Can anyone recommend best shoes for running in the lakes? So big , sharp rocks mostly with some soft conditions
Strong uppers is a must as my fell shoes tend to get ripped before the sole wears, particularly on rocky trails
I prefer inov8 or nike as I know my best size in them
Inov8 Mudclaw 300s worked best for me for my BG training and on the day.
Roclites are decent if you'll mostly be on rocky stuff. The Ultra 260s work for a lot of people but I found them a little wide for my feet.
That's all based on proper fell stuff - if you'll be doing more trail running type stuff then I would guess one of the more cushioned Inov8s would work for you. The Hoka Speedgoats are also very popular.
So we had a few days in the Lakes last week and some fantastic weather.
I ran up Barrow Fell which was bloody lovely. The run up was slow and tough but well worth it. The run back down was a killer!
What’s the best way to train for running downhill, apart from just running downhill more?
Thanks @mrb123
I've got some mudclaws but thought they'd be a bit unsuited for rocky lakes runs. Like using wet screams down a dry fort bill
If you've done a BG round in them however then might give them a try
Well I did switch to Roclites for legs 4 and 5. Had considered changing at Dunmail but ultimately decided I wanted to stick with a full stud for leg 3 as it was wet and there's some very steep grass coming in to Wasdale.
The Roclites are good all rounders if you'll not be hitting much mud.
My Innov8's were OK, but very hard underfoot and the uppers split after about 1000km. Probably great for squishy muddy UK runs, but not ideal around here where it's all rocks and sand.
What’s the best way to train for running downhill, apart from just running downhill more?
Think you've already answered that question 🙂
Think you’ve already answered that question 🙂
I thought that might be the case 😬
There's stuff you can do in the gym - think single leg exercises on a bosu ball to build ankle strength and coordination, step ups on a box, that kind of thing. But at the end of the day the technique is something you learn by doing.
Another point to consider is that technique is going to be quite region specific. I'm not bad at downhills here in Madrid, where it's all loose sand and rock, but take me to the Basque Country with all that mud and I'm in trouble. And that works both ways of course - I've seen more than one runner from the north come a cropper here!
One other thing that's critical is to maintain your concentration and lift your feet, particularly when you're tired and you're getting to the end of the run. The worst falls I've had have been when I've caught a toe on a root or rock on what should be an easy trail, often right after successfully navigating a technical downhill.
I use mudclaws for proper fell running but also raced the 3P in them and my feet were bloody sore by the end due to the paving. I then went and bought some roclites (I think) which are better on mixed terrain though nothing like as good in proper mud.
I think Im gonna try the BGR - probably 2024 Spring or late summer. I think next year is too soon as I'd like to (a) recce each leg beforehand so that navigation isn't an issue and familiarise myself and (b) possibly do some support runs if possible so I can call in the favour?
I don't have any running mates and I'm probably going to join a new running club by the end of the year (Trawden AC or Clayton le Moors Harriers) so can put the word out there but getting a running mate and support team will need sorting.
Obviously the next thing is proper training and staying injury free
If anyone from STW massive wants to join in then that would be amazing (im currently Barnoldswick but possibly moving to Barrowford, Nelson)
2024 will be my 47th year (*shudders*) so not many bites at the cherry, and a failed attempt with a load of support team isn't too appealing!
Need to purchase a waterproof for mandatory kit for an upcoming ultra. Looked online at Innov8, Raidlight, OMM, Montane, Rab, the list is endless! Experiences appreciated!
@fingerbang I live in the lakes. I do 90% of my fell running in Inov8 Trailfly G270 (used to be called Terraultra). They're tough, light, grippy and last well. I'm on my 5th pair, normally get 800ish km out of a pair, which I think is good for lakes running. I've tired all sorts of other shoes (most of the Inov8 range!) and always come back to these. I think of them as the Maxxis Minion of running shoes...
My Decathlon waterproof is excellent.
@cat69uk
To my mind there's two things to look at with a waterproof for the ultra
1. Are you actually going to wear it?
2. How much do you want to spend?
I've got a montane minimus stretch - It's a good jacket, gives me a bit of time to protect me from the weather and weighs naff all so goes in the pack most runs regardless of the weather. The hood is f*****g annoying in the wind if it's not up because you can't put it away. I do like the jacket, but it has limitations.
@spawnofyorkshire exactly what I was thinking, ideally you never wear it, but want it to be of use when required. Plenty of OMM Halo + at about £125 which seems good kit, favouring them at the moment.
Still no running for me (since early May) – I have tried rest, tried stretches, tried running on it (on the advice of a physio) and tried light weights exercise. None of it has worked so asked the GP to refer me to the hospital for an x-ray as I don't have full mobility in my right knee (although I seem to have strength) and I get significant discomfort when first moving in the morning and when trying to get dressed/undressed etc. The doc thinks it may highlight something or it may be the standpoint of requiring further investigations. I hate not being able to run 🙁
I would have bought that OMM but i got my montane for £75
Advice needed, yet again.
I've got a local 10k trail race in seven weeks time. I ran it last year in 1:00.59 so I need to knock at leas 59 seconds off my time this time round as I was gutted to be so close to the hour. The race is 10k with about 300m of climbing.
I currently run about three times a week. Usually 5km-7km each time, usual pace is around 6:00/km. I usually aim to do one faster 5k, one hillier run and a longer one if I get the chance.
What's the best way to get quicker in the next seven weeks?
What’s the best way to get quicker in the next seven weeks?
Intervals and/or hill repeats. At least once a week for the next 6 weeks. Take it easy the week before the race.
very much a virgin runner here after being talked into doing the local 10k at the end of october by my lads girlfriend. she wants to do it with me and is about a minute faster than me per km which is quite a bit really.
ive done 3 runs, 5k first, 7k a couple of days ago and 8k this morning, all of them at just over 10km/h, so at present wouldnt break an hour. thats going to be my goal i think.
problem (for me) is its sooooo boring :D. i tried my earphones this morning but they lost connection after 2 songs for some reason bahhh.
ive been putting deezer and strava on, then heading out the door, but if anything goes wrong i cant fiddle about with the phone mid-run. is there a watch-type jobbie that would match my android phone and allow me to check at a glance what pace im running per km, and fiddle with deezer say?
i guess there'll be something thatd sync with strava but not too sure about music.
thanks
@mogrim what's the best way to do intervals or hill reps?
Is it just a case of a minute on/minute off for intervals or something like that?
The closest hill to me is 0.5 miles and climbs 384ft according to Strava. In all honesty I struggle to run up it at the best of times so not sure I'd manage reps on it 😆
what’s the best way to do intervals or hill reps?
Is it just a case of a minute on/minute off for intervals or something like that?
Loads of options, but they're all basically variations on a theme - do a warm up, then it's hard effort, recover, repeat. Cool down. Current thought (based on research) is that you need to do at least 10 minutes worth of hard running - cumulative, so doing the minute on/minute off 10 times would be a good starting point. If you're doing them on the flat the hard efforts need to be faster than your goal pace. For recovery I generally do a gentle jog, I find that if I stop completely the next interval is a lot harder.
I do hill repeats on a hill near me, it takes just over a minute to run up. I then jog back down to recover. Repeat 10 times. I take a slightly roundabout 15min route to get to it, which is my warm up.
If you want to add variety you could do a pyramid workout - start with a 2 min interval with 2 minutes recovery, then 1:30, 1:00, 0:30, and then go back up again. Or do longer intervals. Or base them on distance, not time. Lots of options 🙂
Thanks, I'll give them a go.