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Thanks for the suggestions for packs, there's a running shop in Oxford so Ii'll take a look tomorrow when I'm passing.
I decided to run home after an appointment today, I guessed it was going to be about 15-17km. Turns out it was a smidge over 20km so I added a couple of laps of the village to get it up to 21km for my first half marathon distance.
Turns out it's entirely possible to run a 2:17 half with absolutely no training for it and on the back of having only managed two 5k runs so far this year ad a previous longest run of about 15km. It was slowed down by a couple of detours due to poor planning and not helped by the claggy mud along the last couple of km of footpaths which must have added at least half a kilo to each shoe.
I reckon I'll be aching in the morning!
Off that back of this, I'm now eyeing up a local trail half marathon on 21st May and wondering whether or not I could get a time closer to 2h with some proper prep and training.
Lunge’s occasional shoe bargain post.
Just picked up a pair of Puma Deviate Nitro Elite’s for £76 with a discount code at Start Fitness. A ridiculous price for a carbon plated racer that won bronze at the last Olympics in the marathon.
Couple of runs in and I’m really impressed. They make a great fast trainer and I can see my doing the odd race in then too.
Proper bargain.
So I had a look in the running shop and tried on a couple of their packs, a Salomon and a Camelbak.
They both felt pretty uncomfortable. The normal Camelbak hydration pack, however, felt spot on so I’ll probably try one of those instead.
Having looked at the local trail half that I fancy, it’s 99 days until the race. Due to knowing absolutely nothing about run training and being dire at pacing myself, I’m going to have a crack at following the Garmin Run Coach on my Fenix watch and follow the half marathon plan on there.
Fingers crossed it’ll work!
Today I did the local LDWA event the Anglezarke Amble 24 mile off road event as a run. Not done it for 2 years. Obviously I’m older now and plagued with various injuries so was pretty pleased to only be about 10 mins slower than last time. A tough day out but I’m chuffed to have completed it especially with my shonky training schedule. RED January including long runs of 8, 12, 18 and then 10 miles. Basically it was couch to 24 miles in just over a month! Which is why I hurt so much… 😉
Pleased to duck under 38 mins for a flat fast 10k race today. No longer hopeful of PBs (was v close to 37 mins in the same race 4 years ago) but in WAVA terms it's a new best for me. The older I get the quicker I was 🙂
I’ve never really bothered thinking of or calculating “zones” for HR, I just run at a steady sustainable pace where I can go on basically forever, gradually fatiguing towards 3h or so which is the longest I do. Typically comes out around 110-120 bpm. Threshold stuff gets to upper 140s or low 150s, a real race I might reach 160 or so.
I don’t find it boring, I listen to podcasts, admire the lovely views, daydream a bit. It’s a sort of mobile meditation.
Interesting. I try and keep my HR down to what Garmin has suggested my aerobic rate is which is up to 140 but I have to really try and keep it down there, ie no hills and it's really hard. I'm never able to do it without lots of stopping to walk. Most of my 'easy' runs are therefore well into threshold pace. Bit crap but just can't seem to improve my aerobic capacity
I did a 2:20 fell run yesterday and was gasping when I expected to be well into my comfort zone by now
II've got three peaks in April and heponstall in march, possibly duddon valley and wasdale in summer so really need to raise my game
Stamford valentines 30K for me yesterday. I did it last year in horrendous conditions, set off far too fast and paid the price in the second half. So this year, decided to set off sensibly and pick it up second half. It worked out much better in terms of my run and feeling stronger at the end. However, despite finishing further up the field, I was 2:40 slower than last year and the conditions were pretty good this year. I suppose you can only go with whats in front of you. I can't complain though as I've had a niggling foot injury for the last 6 months and at least I wasn't crippled come the end. If you want a particularly tough race around mid Feb which is surprisingly lumpy (no massive hills, just constantly rolling) and in the region of 30K, this is well worth a look. Fantastically organsed by Stamford Striders and a great test if you doing a spring marathon.
XC for me this weekend, with a parkrun to warm up.
Managed a parkrun PB in the morning and then averaged 6:12's for 6 miles at the XC. Safe to say the course was very un-XC like, flat, fast and no mud at all.
Eek, just got a Jura place. Haven't really done any running since first lockdown...
Are many of you actively running with a club vs solo?
It's been abour 6 months since I started running again, and I'm ticking along quite comfortably now. But my main thing has been to not push it, and avoid begineers injuries - which now I've typed this I will of course get!! 😂 I don't have any targets as such, other than to just enjoy the running. I'm past bothering with competetive side of things now, been there done that..
Wondering what others experiences of running with a club has been, did you benefit from it, progress? I've done years of cycling clubs, but apart from a couple of parkruns, always been running on my tod.
@barrysh1tpeas I'm in a club and it has helped my running no end, I can't recommend it enough.
Running with people faster than yourself is always good to help you improve and a club will almost certainly provide that.
Above that, it's also provided me with inspiration for events and loads of knowledge from experienced runners too. Plus, you get to race cross country. And most have a good social scene if you want it.
The only thing I'd say is to join the right club for you, and perhaps don't be afraid to change clubs if needed. In my area we have a range of clubs, some really old skool "Harrier" type clubs who are purely concentrated on short shorts, racing and going fast, some at the other end of the spectrum that are more of a social club that runs occasionally, and some in the middle.
None are right or wrong in their approach, you just need to find one that works for you. Most will let you turn up for a few sessions to get a feel for things before joining properly.
If you let us know the area you're in you might find some recommendations.
Thank you @lunge that's great.
I'm in Salisbury, and as far as my Googling has got me I think there is only one club! So I'd better not upset them.
My preference is trail/cross country over road. But I will do tarmac over lunch just to get a run in.
What Lunge said. Plus you get loads of events for free such as xc league races, road relays and track events (also known as proper running :-)) if thats your thing. Membership also gets you a discount for other events such as road races etc.
I started as a teenager (58 now) and made life long friends.
Well I've just managed a couple of five minute sessions on the treadmill as I attempt to make a comeback from my niggling knee injury that has kept me out for almost a year. Go me 🙁
My preference is trail/cross country over road. But I will do tarmac over lunch just to get a run in.
A lot of clubs will run tarmac in the winter and trails in the summer, though I'm sure there are exceptions to this.
The other benefit I've found is that I now know my local area better than I ever have through running every inch of pavement and trail within 10 miles!
Right then, anyone running the English XC Nationals this weekend? The weather is looking far to nice for XC, rather disappointed we won't be knee deep in mud.
99% of my club running is at the track. If I wanted to run on the road or trail I'd just do that myself!
I run solo, but I'd recommend trying a club if there's a local one that suits. In my case I really prefer road running in daylight and they mostly go over the fells at night (after work) so it doesn't really work for me though I did enjoy it when I made the effort to go out with them.
Ah cheers, man. It was a good night.
I've got a place on the Tor des Geants... just need to convince Mrs. mogrim that this is a good idea 🙂
Just completed the Steyning Stinger half marathon - a super hilly, but lovely route! Thanks to @john_l for suggesting this event earlier in this thread.
Time for a relaxing post race beer in the garden 🍻
Just completed my first half marathon event in Paris. Great atmosphere and temperature. Managed a 1hr 50.
It's obviously half marathon season. I had a lovely day out at Haweswater Half, a little slower than last year, but I'm a little older, so that's fair enough.
On the subject of half marathons, and having a target to work towards. I'm going to enter myself for a local half, which will be my first and only running event.
Currently I'm not following a plan. I run 4 miles tues/thurs lunchtimes, and something a bit more fun on weekend, like a 6-8 mile trail run. I just run - trying to stay at a comfortable pace, I've not done intervals/speed work. I've been running since last Autumn.
It's 12 weeks until the half. Would it be best to follow a structured plan? or just do what I'm doing and bump the milage up incrementally? I have a Garmin watch, but their plans are minimum 16 weeks.
I'm not fast, just want to complete it. My avg pace is around 9:30/mi ish.
Bump up the mileage, but also make one of your lunch runs a bit more structured with some faster intervals.
Bump up the mileage, but also make one of your lunch runs a bit more structured with some faster intervals.
Pretty much this.
Try and get over 10 on the weekends.
try and inject a bit of pace over the lunch runs.
Keep it simple.
This will interest some of you
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/tunnel-vision-helps-ultra-runners-enter-dark-side-2023-03-17/
I’ve been looking at doing a local trail half marathon near the end of May. The local club have a 10 miler as part of their club championships on Good Friday so I figured the GF race was a good one to do as part of the training for the half.
As I’m a complete numpty when it comes to training, I decided to try out the Garmin training daily suggestions to see how it went. As such I’ve been following the daily suggestions as closely as possible, allowing for work etc.
So far, so good. It’s been concentrating on base stuff mostly but has started adding some threshold and sprint work in the mix.
I was hoping for sub 1h30 for the 10 miler and as close to 2h as possible for the half.
Garmin seems to think that I can manage a 1h22 for the 10 and 1h56 for the half.
I think they’re a bit optimistic but we’ll see!
For anyone who’s used the Garmin training stuff, for the race will the watch suggest pacing as it does for the daily suggestion runs?
If not, should I look to set up a workout for the race at the pace I’m aiming for and follow that?
Should I just ignore the watch and go as hard as I can for as long as I can and hope I don’t blow up spectacularly?
Answers on the back of a postcard please…
Started back at the gym and been doing some 5k's on the treadmill. Now the clocks have gone back might dust off the trail shoes and start running around the bridleways again. Though I know a few will be like a quagmire with this rain we've had recently around here.
First half marathon done. Super super pleased. When I first started training in Jan I wanted to do sub 2.30. But then training was going really well and sub 2 was looking achievable.
Then toward the end of Feb I injured my achilles so since then I've done less than 20k over just three runs since 19 Feb so sub 2 was looking dicey.
Anyway I did it and actually my official time is 1hr59mins15s so over the moon
The Sheffield course is err, quite up hill for quite a long time so had to pace it carfully.
Nothing left on the table either. Don't think I could have even done another 100 metres! But, I've done it and got the time so yeah... Super happy.
Looking at the Dronfield Big Dipper in Sept next but must rest the achilles now until its fully healed. Physios orders!
@crossed, I’ve never used the Garmin for races though friends have used the PacePro feature and found it works well. I think that feature factors in the course and gives you a pace per mile breakdown for the event.
Personally, I just go and run hard, but I know many people prefer a more measured approach.
@kuco, spring trails are the very best. After a winter on the road getting out on the trails is just bliss.
@lunge - the pacers in the Sheffield Half today were all using PacePro. They said it is incredibly accurate.
In training I've house been running to how I feel and have tried but to be a slave to watch but for an event where you want a time, particularly on a course like today, it's a great tool 🙂
An interesting week for me this week.
Ran Wednesday and felt appalling and somewhat broken so took 3 days off, breaking a 258 day streak.
Had an entry for Wolverhampton 10k today and didn’t want to waste it, though I was worried about about feeling broken 4 days before.
Turns out rest is a good thing and I got round in 37:36, 3 seconds off a PB without really pushing at all.
I’ve also learned that I’m like a bear with a sore head if I don’t exercise for 2 days on the bounce.
I was hoping for sub 1h30 for the 10 miler and as close to 2h as possible for the half.
Garmin seems to think that I can manage a 1h22 for the 10 and 1h56 for the half.
I think they’re a bit optimistic but we’ll see!
I'm not quite sure what to make of Garmin's predicted times: mine are way off for short distances, but look pretty accurate for half and full marathon. But however accurate they are, they're predicting road race times. You mentioned you're thinking of a trail marathon, which will presumably include at least a bit of climbing, and possibly rough/technical surfaces. Personally I'd just do the race to the best of my abilities, and not worry too much about the time. If you repeat the race next year, though... 🙂
Good weekend here: quick 7k on Friday after work, then 21 yesterday and 26 today - over 50k for the weekend, which is pretty much where I need to be. Weird weather - yesterday I got sunburnt, so today I made sure to slather on the 50+, and then nearly froze to death when we hit the top of the mountain and it was blowing a gale!
Has anyone got any good advice for tapering before a race?
I’m doing a 10 mile on Friday morning and apart from heading out for a slightly hilly hour run today and an hour club run on Monday evening I’ve nothing else planned. I may try and head out for a couple of gentle plods on the bike now the weather is drying up.
What do the hive mind suggest for the next six days?
I’m not quite sure what to make of Garmin’s predicted times: mine are way off for short distances,
Yes they are well off, I would be happy running the ones Garmin tells me I should...
@crossed, I find tapering is very personal.
If it was me, I’d be running right up to race day, but making sure Thursday was short and easy. I find my legs feel better when they’re moving than where they’re not.
I’d say to be safe that an easy 5k on Wednesday and then Thursday off would work for most.
I find a few short quick runs in the days before help my legs.
They sometimes seem to start at the pace they finish their last run, so slow running feels counterproductive in a race build up.
Just wrote a post but it won't go (403 forbidden). So you can have a content-free line of worthless text instead.
Today, I finished running every single public road in the London borough of Southwark.
This started back at the end of 2020 when I found I was doing the same routes every time, and consequently running too fast/hard. I wanted to slow down, take less risk of injury and enjoy pootling along more. I noticed that Strava had a "heatmap" feature, so started "colouring in" the roads around me. Later I found citystrides.com, which takes the Strava data and keeps track of which roads are complete.
Anyway, there are 1859 roads in Southwark (as far as Open Street Map knows), a total distance of 475km. However, I've apparently run over 2000km in order to do them all.
For a fair chunk of them, I've been listening to podcasts - a lot of Adam Buxton and Blindboy. And for some reason the locations are strong memory triggers for whatever podcast I was listening to at the time. So now there are quite a lot of streets near my home that instantly make me think of Lee Mack or Louis Theroux or a blindboy monologue on catholic relics or whatever.
Final Road? Rotherhithe tunnel. Less grim than I expected. The cars muct have thought I was an absolute lunatic though.
Completed first marathon at the weekned. Time wasn't anything like I wanted but not that unexpected (training went to poop around December with illness, work/family commitments etc).
Longest run prior to the start line was about 25k (which was a 10k run, then a mix of run/walk for the next 15k) which obviousluy wasn't ideal prep but I thought, why not??
Knees started to hurt at 15 miles, up to which point I'd felt ok (started with the 5hr pacer, and then was strategically dropping to 5:15, then 5:30 where I'd hoped to stay). By 17 miles I could only run for 200m ish at a time so just decided to walk the rest (with a 50m waddle/jog at the finish).
Ended up at 6:21, but just beat a guy carrying a washing machine (which was necessary as my kids said they'd disown me if he passed me!) so I was alright with that!
Legs were totally shot on Monday, managed to walk/hobble into town for some lunch then after being driven home for 1.5 hours I couldn't acutally get out of the car and into the house under my own steam!
Tuesday was ok as long as I didn't have stairs to contend with, and today I just feel like I'd played a game of footy yesterday. Can tell the legs are heavy but no soreness. No toenail's have fallen off, my nipples didn't get shredded so all in all I'll take that as an almost 48 year old who doesn't do enough exercise!
If you're on the fence about doing one, go for it. Not sure I'll do another (although part of me wants to) but it's been ticked off the bucket list
@dannybgoode - good effort on the Sheffield half. Quite a course! That last couple of kms into town felt like a looong way when I did it. Sure you're sorted with physio but Charlie at Fit4 Physio (Hallamshire Tennis Club) is really good. She's a runner herself and her husband is member of Dark Peak so she knows her stuff when it comes to running injuries.
BigDipper is an interesting one - comes past my house and certainly some decent hills in it! Not the same course by any stretch but if you fancy a 10km in the same area then there's the "Barlow not quite 10km" in July. Pretty hilly too. https://www.barlowcarnival.co.uk/the-barlow-not-quite-10k/#:~:text=Friday%2014%20July%202023,of%20those%20famous%20chip%20butties!
Quick bit of last minute advice before I race tomorrow…
I’ve not really thought about fuelling for racing up until now. I never usually eat or drink on a run, in fact the only time I have was on a 22km plod home a few weeks back and that was only because I was running about seven hours after breakfast!
So tomorrow is a 10 mile race starting at 0930. I’ll probably be up around 0600-0630 and I’ll have my usual oats and fruit for breakfast with a couple of cups of tea.
It’s not going to be particularly warm, around 6-7 degrees, so I’m not overly bothered about drinking.
Is it worth bothering with gels etc during the race?
I’m aiming for somewhere around 1h25-1h30 as a finishing time.
Should that be doable without worrying about fuelling?
My mate and one of our club coaches at Liverpool Pembroke and Sefton, Tony O'Brien. World champ (to add to a number of British and Euro champs and records since he turned 50.