The Annual Running thread - beginners/ultras/whatever

day 10 of Marcothon yesterday starting to feel the cumulative fatigue of 10 days of running + racing. My right gluteus is tight. Calves are ok though and they have previously been a bone of contention to stopping me running.

I find if I run every day, not pushing it, I get stronger as the days go on, but the racing you did will be a big factor, I'd be tight after that too. I get a deep tissue massage every month now, she's brilliant, feel positively fleet footed the next day!.

oh absolutely i get it - and day 10 was done at slow pace. Im fair sure day 11 and 12 will also be slow.....

lots of stretching and Foam roller shall be applied tonight when i get in.

Lunch walk to get it moving. Driving a desks a pain in the hoop.

Thanks, I'll check those out! I was also recommended the two audiobooks below:
Born to Run
Eat and Run

Is anyone on here a regular at the January G3 running series in the Surrey Hills? I've had a go at them most years since 2014, this year there are 15k options for the second and third round so I'm planning on doing 10k/15k/15k to push myself a bit. I'd thoroughly recommend it if anyone fancies a crack at them.

https://aat-events.com/race/g3-run/

N00b question here. Found a 10km lunchtime loop in the hills around work. Straight off is a steep climb with some 25-30% ramps, which I sort of trot up on the balls of my feet. Looks ridiculous but feels like my ankles don't flex enough for the incline. Typical cyclist's legs with hamstrings like guitar strings. Is this how everyone climbs, or have I got some stretching to do?

Everyone's gonna be toptoeing up anything that steep tbh.

I thought I ran my first 10k today. Oh no. 9.67km. 😖

Everyone’s gonna be toptoeing up anything that steep tbh.

Especially at the start of a run before you're warmed up and everything has loosened out a bit. Might be an idea to do a couple of stretches before the run just to make sure you aren't stressing things too much at the offset

I think for 25-30% ramps everyone would be tippy toeing up there.
The majority of really fast runners will be forefoot striking (balls of feet) rather than mid foot or heel striking.

On another note I have completed my half or above once a month for the year.
Jan - Brass Monkey - York HM - PB
Feb - Liversedge HM
Mar - Retford HM
Apr - Boston (UK) Mar - PB
May - Dukeries 30 (31 miles although it was longer as I got lost twice) - 1st place
White Peak HM
Jun - 3 Lakes Classic, Rother Valley
Jul - Northumberland coastal run HM
Aug - Erewash HM - 1st place
Sep - Pontefract HM
Oct - Worksop HM
Nov - Clowne HM - 2nd - New PB
Dec - Keyworth Turkey Trott HM

Not been a bad year racing wise. I've won a few prizes and dropped some PBs and having a race every month has meant I've kept a decent level of mileasge throughout the year.

I'm more of a fore-mid striker these days, used to be a heel striker but as I've got faster my style has progressed. Not as tippy-toed as some of my club-mates who seem to prance along effortlessly, but slightly less of a plodder.

Can't really complain about my year of running either, PB's in everything from 5000m to marathon

Jan - mediocre XC
Feb - more XC and Streetchild Craft Half 1st
Mar - Orion 15 2nd
Apr - London Marathon 13th, new PB
May - Vitality 10k, new PB
Jun - North Downs 30 1st, course record
Jul - summer track stuff
Aug - 5000m new PB
Sep - 10,000m PB, Surrey Bacchus Marathon 1st, course record
Oct - Bournemouth Marathon 1st, new PB
Nov - reasonable XC
Dec - more XC

Last proper run of the year Sunday, the Kenilworth Reindeer run, 20km on mixed terrain a mere 36 hours after my work Xmas party. A distinct lack of real distance in recent running suggests that if I go under 2 hours I'll be surprised, anywhere near 1:45 will be a miracle.

Best of luck Lunge!

Go for it Lunge, whats the worst that could happen - perhaps I'm not the best person to be asking that given my past calamities 🙁

"London Marathon - 13th" 🙂 absolutely brilliant - what a fantastic achievement, and "Not so much of a plodder" - yeah OK you're not fooling us

Go for it Lunge, whats the worst that could happen

Well, based on previous experiences, go too hard for the first 8 miles and crawl the last 5 home...and vomit on my shoes.

Wow, some tremendous achievements in here! Very inspiring.

Wow impressive stuff there

Oops I've just signed up for a 31.7 mile off road run with 5250ft of climbing in June, best get training after Christmas

Yip, signed up for a 15 miler with over 7000' of ascent next June, never done much in the way of hill runs, this'll sort that!

Well that's a mile stone. Ticked over the 100km for the month.

That's more than I've run. In a year previously .

Total for the year is 335km.

Good show!.

Similarly, aimed for 1000km for the year, then had mad thoughts to do 1000 miles instead, I'll end up just shy of 900, summer too hot for running is my excuse!.

900 miles is more than I've ran in 43 years previous to that ain't bad! Mrs Nobeer is about the same mileage, up until about November last year she'd never ran, now can scoot round a 5k in 25mins, 10k in 51 and has done a couple of 2 hr halves this year too.

Next plan is to give the local running club a go for a month, in January, see if it suits.

Ooof. 2356 running miles for the year, so probably comfortably 2400+ with 11 days to go....only 482 on the bike though, and that was all done in the 5 weeks I was injured and couldn't run.

Slightly disappointing year with regards marathon performances (2 solid times, but no PB as London was too hot and North Dorset 2 weeks later and also hot), but PB'd at 10k (37:07), quarter marathon and 10 miles (61:32), so still just about getting quicker at 48 🙂

Roll on next year and here's hoping late April in London is a bit cooler this time!

Superb mate, great stuff!.

I’m more of a fore-mid striker these days, used to be a heel striker but as I’ve got faster my style has progressed. Not as tippy-toed as some of my club-mates who seem to prance along effortlessly, but slightly less of a plodder.

Me too but mine due to lots of track training when I was younger. Your mates may look as though its easy but looks can be deceiving. People have said to me after track races "you looked so easy" rest assured I was often on the rivet...

I tried to move from heel to mid-foot strike in 2012 when training for Edinburgh marathon, but kept getting calf pain and gave up. Tbh I never trained anywhere near hard enough for that event, and ended up not running again for over 5 years after it.

Fast forward to this year, I've moved to mid-foot striking by getting fitter, lighter and running more than I ever have, almost by default, never at any point tried to do it, it's just happened.

If we're talking yearly totals I'm currently sitting on 2632km and 151554m of ascent. Very pleased with that.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Just done my longest run yet, thick mud and puddles but great fun if a little wet, 17 miles of smiles

Really is so much easier mentally to run in.the dubs than on the road I find firestarter. I've got up to 18k off road.....after 5 k on.the road I'm bored.

Much like cycling, when I run on the road, it's all about the numbers.

Off road for fun.

Funny that? 😊

Ah but I enjoy a good road cycle. I enjoy seeing alot of places. Even the worst place is much better by bike.

Back on the treadmill today after a manflu/Huel induced break. Felt good for the 8k - another 16k needed to break 100k for December.
Good effort Terry, I should really look to do more off road around here 🤔🏃‍♂️

Yeah I don't like road running trailrat

Did the final 8 of my 100k in December this morning in a grim hotel basement gym.
Annoyed that a cold but me out for 10 days, but pleased to have hit the 100k mark.
Now can I beat it in January? 🤔

👌🏻

Someone please explain this. Yesterday I hit the wine, beer, food and whiskey big time. Woke up feeling minging. But the sun was out so I stupidly headed out for 8 miles of very hilly off road running. Got back having climbed 1000ft in my best time of the year, knocking nearly 2 1/2 minutes off my previous best. This always seems to happen after a big session. Why is it? Surely I should be worse in my tired dehydrated state. Anyway, well pleased to be getting closer to 8 minute miles on this route.

Turkey trot 5k with the wee yin this morning, gorgeous day for it, and she whacked 2.5 minutes off her previous 5k best, she was awesome today!.

Looking fwd to this Marcothon lark finishing, and getting back into some longer runs and speedwork.

Oh, and gonna sit down and try n make logistics work for Reykjavik marathon in the next few days....

Heavy legs up on the Moortops outside Pateley this morning. Wath hill was brutal then over the top to Brimham Rocks.

Misty in parts, plenty of bog too.

About to fall asleep after my Boxing Day lunch..

Awesome effort all. Great stories and really nice to see so many folks taking up running.

All the best.

🕺🦵🦶🥂

Echo those thoughts Bikebuoy!

Do I start a 2019 thread, or keep this going?

I've been out for a couple of weeks with a horrid cold (it's sat on my chest and I've no real need to train, so I've been playing it safe. I've also had a ton to get done around the house, so what little energy I do have has gone on that.

Itching to get out again though, we've got nothing on tomorrow so I'm thinking about sneaking a cheeky couple of miles in before finishing the painting and putting shelves up.

Hoping to be more active in the 2019 thread. I only started recently (Nov maybe), classic case of too much too soon as I'm now banished to the sofa with two swollen ankles. Even riding is a step too far at the moment - any jarring movements are pretty uncomfortable.
Annoyingly we're up in the Lakes visiting family for a week over New Year and I wanted to do a bit of running in the hills but that's looking doubtful.
So it looks like a case of resetting my training next year and building up at a more sensible rate.

David, I also did a good session today. I think being really well fuelled is worth a lot and a poor nights sleep doesn’t actually matter that much!

Do I start a 2019 thread, or keep this going?

I like this thread, there are so many stories and help and encouragement within.. it would be a shame to loose it just because a new year is upon us.

I’d vote we keep this one.

See if the Mods can take out the “year” in the title..

👍🌹

Aye, my sentiments exactly bikebuoy, I'll message the mods.

Well then, 2019 is here, so what we all up to?
On a complete whim, I’ve just entered Worcester Marathon, and a couple of half’s too. Time to get on the roads again then!

Double New Year’s Day parkrun today taking a longer route between them. Took the Parkruns slow ... today was to just to get the miles in - ended up with 14 miles in the bag.

Cambridge half marathon beginning of March is my next aim.

Rounded off the year with a PB at the Ribble Valley 10k on Sunday - a great day for running and a strong field with course records for both men (sub-29) and women (32ish) so I had to settle for 5th in my age cat. A decent springboard for January marathon training miles....10 of those in the bag already today 🙂

I've started going for the odd run again. My heart is in MTB but with a young family/dark mornings and nights it's proving a lot easier to go for a run out the door.

I just need to not banjo myself by pushing too hard too soon. I ran 5 miles with 400ft (7:44m/mile) elevation the other night and feel ok, guess I should just maintain that for a while before going further/hard?

I’ve Got a couple of marathons this year, London and Snowdonia. I should start training really

New Year, new date.

Thanks Mods 👍😘

2019 .... First up meant a day off. 1st Jan was my first day off running since November 28th.

Ultimately I have 1 goals for 2019 . The lairig ghru race.

But first it'll be a week or so of low intensity low quantity as a makeshift taper for the strathpuffer. Let's see how well running translates into cycling.

2018 was a weird one a really bad illness early on and and bad sprain in July put pay to pushing myself but i did some great events. A full length swimrun and my first Ultra, the gritstone grind both if which were amazing fun especially as I was running them as day out rather than racing for PBs.

I took October off and knuckled down in November, In December managed 175 miles and losing nearly a stone. I,ve completely changed my approach to running focusing on much more frequent running 5-6 times a week rather than 3-4 times a week, plus increasing the quality of the sessions rather than just running. I've also gone back to my running club to get some structure and company as 15-20 hours a week Ironman training I got bored been of my own company. The other thing I'm going try to do is a few parkruns as a measure of how my pace is improving over the year, they are tricky as the clash with the kids football but I reckon I can maybe one a month.

This year's A race is the Yorkshire Marathon. I'm aiming for 3.10 which is 17 mins off my PB which will be a huge challenge but I need a tough target to be motivated and about 50 mins faster than I could run one today.

In between I've got the Three peaks fell and Outlaw full ironman as big races and I've got a race a month through the spring with my first the Templenewsam 10 mile race in Leeds next week.

I'm enthused about running faster rather longer for the first time in about 18 months. I'll post my progress on this thread.

Well, the end of 2018 has been pretty rubbish for me running wise. Full of cold for the first bit of the break (I've had a horrible rattly chesty cough from before work broke up that didn't start to clear until after Boxing Day) and a LOT of DIY and decorating that I wanted to do before we got back means that I've not been out on the bike at all, and I've managed a solitary two mile run in the last two weeks.

But on the plus side I've redecorated half the lounge, glossed the bare skirting and doorframe in the kitchen, relocated coat hooks, built a (simple) shoe rack, filled a bunch of gaps in the floor and the void under the hearth that have really been annoying me... So it's not all been bad.

Couldn't face getting up for a run before work this morning, so I'm gonna try and get out tomorrow and see how that goes - forecast is cold but clear, which is my favourite kind of weather...

Then it's just a case of fitting in what I can, and doing as much as I can manage. There's still work to do in the house and with a baby due in under four weeks I'm not committing to anything, just going to see how it goes. And hopefully lose a bit of Christmas tub.

Thought I'd join in this thread - been a runner for some years now, but always secondary to riding. Usually doing anything between 5 - 15k runs, once or twice a week. Bit of a parkrun regular (254 in the bag) but do those less now. Got a big target this year as I've signed up to the Rat race adventure Challenge in September, which includes a 33k run and a 77k mtb ride, so I have some training to get through. The distance is a big step up for me! I'm also going to sign up for the Pen Y Fan half marathon in July as a 'warm up'.

Having said all that I currently have a cracked rib from a football incident, so not able to run at all as it's painful, so not a great start to the year! Itching to get going...

So far got the Hedgehope half, Glentress half, Glen Lyon Ultra, Balmoral 10k and Cateran 11 miler, and by the end of the day, the Dramathon marathon. All trails, which is what I enjoy more. Ambitions; I have lost 3 stone in the two years since I started, I want to get to 15 stone( same weight as when I was 18)BUT, not for vanity...so I can run faster for longer. I want a sub 1.50 half and a sub 50 10k. 2 mins off each! I also don’t want to be in the bottom 10% on the longer races, which I was in my one foray into the slightly-longer-than-marathon Lairg Ghru. For the folk on here just starting, two years ago next week was my first run in 15 years, I took 1hr 11mins to run a flattish 4 miles and was just shy of 19 stone. ANYBODY can run, it is yourself you are racing.

This year no events, last year was crammed with biking events, triathlons and fun runs. This year will be Endure24 and that's it. 6 months to go and I don't think there is a training plan for running 24 hours, albeit I'm in a team of 4 so it works out that if we split it evenly we'll be covering 36 miles each in various stages!!! Just gonna spend 6 months running when I can and being smart about rest days.

Am never sure if the other posts inspire or terrify me! Had a bad few months after a nasty sprain so New year's Day parkrun was only the 2nd in quite awhile. It seems I'm slower than this time last year which is depressing 🙁
I have put on a fair chunk of weight this year so reckon that's mostly the culprit. Going to concentrate on losing that instead of trying to up the speed initially. Legs feel like lead today.

I'm not into competing, however I'm trying to work out a few challenges for this year, based around trail runs in beautiful places. Things like full Dumyat (I've done half), a run on a beach front, round loch Ard, etc.

Duckman you can't half shift for a big loon

2019?

Ok, I have a busy first quarter with work.. so I will be sticking to upping my fitness that I lost during my stomach hernia late last year, I will be pacing around QECP again, it’s a great place and local and you can park pretty much anytime unless it’s a Sunday 10am..

Planned after that are:

Shipwrights Way

SDW overnighter (I’ve now done all of it in sections, but never overnight) this is my main planned training as I’m planning on doing it all in one hit sometime in August/Sept

That Northumberland run I planned to do and paid for in Sept last year ... damn I missed doing that. So that’s on the list.

Theres a guy down here called Sam (Karibu running) who organises South Downs runs and events.. I plan to use Sam to up my fitness and technique.. He did a great job early last year with my confidence about running downhill fast.. and we get on really well and he’s got a great bunch around him and I enjoy thier company. Most of the group are seasoned trail runners, it’s not competitive.... noooo it sure isn’t 🤣

If anyone’s interested Sams on Insta, or look on his site for info.

I will be running further afield this year, I’m planning some lower Dolomites running in in Sept when I’m there for the Tour de Lombardi.. I’ve already booked the hotel and spa.

Its a new season, so new clothing right ?? 🥴🕺🤳🃏

Anyone up for that Northumberland trail run ??

Great thread this.
Not contributed much , but always check back in to see how the rest of you are getting on. Always pick up a little bit of inspiration to get out and give it another go.
Started running about two years ago, and i have times when i really enjoy it. Some times it feels like i need it for fitness, and sometimes it feels like the benefit is more for my head. Especially off road.

Last year was good and bad for me running. Started good and trained well for a half marathon at end of march, and got a time of 1.38 which was a pb by ten minutes. TBH it was only the second one I'd done, previous was the same race the year before so i made some progress. But after that hurt my ankle running downhill off road and couldn't run from april to june. Restarted and tried to build fitness and pace back up but never really got back to the right level to go for any spring/summer races that i'd wanted to.
By September I was back to being able to run the distance for a half marathon but the pace was still lacking. Tried going a bit further instead and ended up doing 30km which was the furthest i'd ever run, so entered an October marathon to see if I could do one. it went well and i was well happy to finish in 3.45 , and kept running the whole way, so my next target was another at the end of December. Then i got lurgy , and training in November and December went out the window. Was only a sticky cold, but seemed to last about two months. Weirdly, running about 40 minutes seemed to be one of the best ways to clear my airways, but any longer and i wasn't breathing too well. So I finished the year running 40 minutes a couple of times a week and it wasn't too bad. I'm probably slower than last year, but know now that I can go further, so overall quite looking forward to 2019.

I'm hoping to kick of 2019 better than I finished 2018, having only really started running again (after a couple of decades away from any running) towards the tail end of 2018.

My target for 2018 was 3 miles at 8 min mile pace, which I was reliably informed by my metric friends is virtually equal to 5min kms over 5k.

On December 11th I managed 5km in 23:55 (avg 4:42/km pace) which I was very pleased with.
But, in the run up to Christmas I'd taken my eye off the ball with regard to stretching my hips to keep my IT band pain under control and I was definitely tightening up in this area.

I did a run on the 27th Dec, which was a total disaster; IT band pain 2km into a 6km run. Completed the run (avg pace of 5:20/km) & ended up with IT band soreness for 3 days afterwards.
I am since back on the regular stretching routine & have found some good stretching sessions on Youtube I need to try out.
Might do a shorter run this evening & see where I am.

I did get out on the bike on the 30th Dec & NYD, so not all bad!

It looks like my cunning plan to convert you all away from messing about on bikes and into a proper sport is gaining traction 🙂

Little running for me over Xmas (Well a run nearly every day but not really "training") but I did do an interesting Fartlek session which went better than I expected.

Well done all and keep getting as many miles in as you can during these cold months and it will bear fruit in the spring!

Well my 2018 running journey never really got out of the starting blocks - I did start playing football again though so there's a new reason to actually get some regular miles in (as some more fitness in my legs would make the footy much more enjoyable for sure).

No actual goals other than to run a couple of times a week to start with

2018 didn't really go to plan but there were a few positives. Managed my first 25:00 5k at a very hungover parkrun, dragged myself round the Lakesman Triathlon carrying an injury (and had to tackle the marathon having convinced myself I'd missed the bike cut-off so was sure I wasn't going to be running) and managed to line up full time work in events between a couple of different companies. As a result next year is going to be a fairly busy one for working at, rather than running, events (at least one of which I've seen mentioned in this thread), but still got a few main goals. Mostly drag myself around Ironman Lanzarote in May, and then rack up 70 miles at Equinox 24 to use as my qualifier for the SDW 100 in 2020.

Well, after starting well at the beginning of December I caught a horrible cold and managed to not run at all for almost three weeks after the tenth. I got out for a very steady plod on the 30th, then again before work this morning.

With lungs finally (mostly) cleared up and a nice cool, dry morning I felt pretty good straight out the blocks. I set off at a decent (for me) pace and decided to see if I could keep it up for the two miles. I had been aiming to complete two miles at a 10 minute / mile average before the end of 2018 which I didn't manage, so I had that at the back of my mind every time I felt myself easing off for too long.

I track my runs on Strava but it's on my phone so I don't get any kind of feedback whilst I'm out, I just run by feel, and this felt like it was about as fast as I could manage for my two mile loop. When I got back home I checked my Strava - average speed was 9:49/mile!

Now I know that for most folk on here that barely even counts as a brisk walk, but it's a nice milestone for me, and a nice way to start 2019 too. I guess the next goal is a 9:00/mile average over two miles, and it would be nice to get a 10:00/mile average over three miles too.

Longer term I'm thinking that a 25 minute 5k is not achievable over the next year, but that's a ways off still I think. Might have to give one of the local Parkruns a go.

I tried to get running regularly in 2018, but it was always stop start, and I never got anywhere near improving my running.

I have entered the Davos k43 mountain marathon in the summer, for motivation to get going.

My training plan for the next 3 months is to do lots of zone 2 volume, even if it involves mainly walking, and to get used to using poles.

No real aims here although I have entered the strava running climbing challenge for January (2000m of ascent). I do like the trail side of things but my running has always been distracted by the bikes, and vice versa.

The weather hasn't been bad enough to start running but there's still time

I generally take 4-6 weeks off biking around February and feel better for it

2018 was the first year that I really tried running - mostly prompted by a forced retirement from climbing. This thread is a great source of advice and inspiration! In 2018 I did two really good trail races - Festatrail (tour de Pic St Loup) that goes around our local hill, and the short version of the trail de Passerelles south of Grenoble. Both were about 16km, running for between 2h and 2h30.

For 2019 I've decided that just running isn't for me, and that instead of being mediocre at just cycling and running I should aspire to be mediocre at swimming too (I have a long way to go for this..) and do some short offroad triathlons. For me that gives the right mix of something inspiring and challenging to train for, means that I keep going with trail running and mtb and keeps the target activity distances short enough to fit training in around real life, and hopefully avoid the kind of overuse injuries I'm prone to if I push distances - not sure that this will actually be possible, but we'll see.

Will be out for the first run of the year at lunchtime.

I've got quite a bit of running planned this year. Box Hill fell race (don't laugh, it's surprisingly brutal for the flat South!), Dark Mountains MM, JK Orienteering champs, London Marathon, and then the 5 day Dragon's Back race in May. After that it's time to get back on a bike and in a kayak again to train for the Itera ARWS adventure race in Scotland in August and hopefully the AR World Champs in Sri Lanka in December.

London marathon doesn't really fit in with the others, but I finally got a ballot place and it seems like a shame to waste it. We'll see how well hill training works for a flat road marathon I guess!

Busy year...

Nothing much planned, but want to run the greensands ridge way this year. It's about 40 miles so thought it would be a good challenge

I track my runs on Strava but it’s on my phone so I don’t get any kind of feedback whilst I’m out, I just run by feel, and this felt like it was about as fast as I could manage for my two mile loop. When I got back home I checked my Strava – average speed was 9:49/mile!

@flyingmonkeycorps - I use my phone & have the audio cues turned on, so it bleats at you every now & again. Very useful & much better than nothing at all to gauge pace.
On Android, when you choose 'record activity', before you hit start, there is a setting option in there and you can turn on audio cues. You can select what it shouts at you. Then just turn your phone volume up, so you can hear it. If you run with headphones, I guess it will relay the information through those.

The cues will go something like this:
After 1st mile; "Time 10 mins"
After 2nd mile; "Time 20mins 10 seconds, previous mile 10mins 10 seconds....."
etc.

Now I know that for most folk on here that barely even counts as a brisk walk, but it’s a nice milestone for me, and a nice way to start 2019 too.

We are all different & starting from a different place. It's always good to have things to aim for & even better to see progress!

Box Hill fell race (don’t laugh, it’s surprisingly brutal for the flat South!)

I was at a social charity trail run down there last week where most of the runners were doing a headtorch marathon. Me and a couple of the guys just did 9 miles or so and still climbed 1100ft. The marathon lot finished by heading up Box Hill. It was constantly either up or down.

I use my phone & have the audio cues turned on, so it bleats at you every now & again. Very useful & much better than nothing at all to gauge pace.
On Android, when you choose ‘record activity’, before you hit start, there is a setting option in there and you can turn on audio cues. You can select what it shouts at you. Then just turn your phone volume up, so you can hear it. If you run with headphones, I guess it will relay the information through those.

The cues will go something like this:
After 1st mile; “Time 10 mins”
After 2nd mile; “Time 20mins 10 seconds, previous mile 10mins 10 seconds…..”
etc.

Now that is handy, I'll have to give it a go. Some kind of indicator might be useful. Cheers!

Anyone use the exposure headband for running light? Was gonna buy a new light, but then thinking as I have a joystick, i should try one.....

No over the head strap so mine ended up resting on my ears after a while. And because it was side mounted my. Face created a shadow over the other side.

I pondered the funcy use running light

I may yet get one next season if I'm still running but j bought 2 18650 powered 1100 lumen Amazon 15 quid specials....but I do charge my own 18650s in a UK charger rather than their shocking looking system.

Simple and effective. Not 1100 lumens but on par with my joystick.

I got exposure headband recently for exactly that reason, avoid buying new light - I use joystick . Still not sure about it, angle can take bit of tweaking. On plus side it does stay put without feeling too tight. Worth a punt for the cost of it.
Like most headlight does suffer from the effects of breathing out, especially in the cold but I think its worth it.
Edit - just remembered other issue, as light is to side of head can get bit of an annoying side glare directly into your eye if not positioned correctly.

I was thinking this lunchtime, and wanted to encourage anyone thinking of taking up the challenge of running.

I started in autumn 2017, and could barely run to the end of the road. Certainly puffing and panting, pain in legs and a stitch if I ran any further.

I downloaded the Couch to 5k app, and stuck to that. It was hard, but after three weeks (and I did one more run per week than it said I should, out of stubbornness) I found I could run for longer than it said - so I just started running an extra 30seconds or so. I got to 5k 10 days 'early', by Christmas 2017.

Early in 2018 half my office was running at lunch, so I have since then walked or run *every day* I am in the office. I run 4 times a week, on my own, music on. I spent 2018 playing with places to run - I am fortunate to work at Stirling uni with forests, fields, hills and more hills. The hills and mucking around with a colleague doing sprint/farlek things is the best way to get fitter I have found.

By Autumn 2018 I ran my first 10k and now do a 8-10k every other week or so. I have run (half) up our local mountain Dumyat. I have to stay off road as much as possible - my knees and ankles prefer it, and my head space. I also have to do shorter and more often - long runs bore me, so 5k ish is about right for me.

I have lost a stone in weight, and am fitter on and off the bike. I have learned to push myself again. I have enjoyed being back out in nature.

I genuinely enjoy my time outdoors in fresh air running, all the better when off-road and through nice places. It struck me this lunch, that like biking up a hill, every run is hard effort, but I am amazed I can just go and run 5k...

Now I am doing the 30-day plank challenge, to get that last bit of tubby reigned in some...

So - if you keep reading this and think "I can't run", then I dare you to download Couch to 5k and go for it...

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Came into 2019 a bit goalless with my running after a bad late summer/autumn with niggles and injuries. Cutting knee open during a fell race and getting stitches in it and then once back into groove after that a pulled calf that stopped me walking properly, nevermind running.

So took a while to refocus for 2019. Goals are runfurther series of ultra runs and the mountain marathon champs. I may have a go at another fell running round, poss Ramsey round if I feel fit in July?

Oh and adding 500km extra to my yearly milage goal.

I will aslo try and ride my bike as I have run further than I biked this year including commutes and managed 50,000m more ascent on foot

This year I aim to be a bit more consistent with my running. I mainly survive on a couple of runs per week, either round that London at lunchtime or around the footpaths/bridleways near home.

I don't have any particular goals as I have a track record of pushing the speed/distance too much and getting injured. I just plan to keep enjoying my running and try to avoid losing interest/consistency when life inevitably gets in the way a few weeks into the new year. Trimming some of the Christmas timber would also be a bonus!

Went out for my first night run the other night with a head torch on (country roads/paths so no street lights). Thoroughly enjoyed it so hope to get out a bit mid-week after the kids are in bed which should help keep the mileage up.