Did the Lochnagar circuit of 5 munros with a couple minor diversions on Sunday, great conditions (perhaps a tad too hot for running when out of the breeze)
I'd always meant to have a crack at this on the bike, but went out from Aberdeen with a coach of hillwalkers who were doing Lochnagar on its own, then I split from them to run. I'd hoped to do it in about 3'30 but eventual moving time of 3'45 and 45m of rest/craic stops. Knees were beginning to hurt by the end, some quite steep descents.
Bravo sir!
Well after having to miss couple duathlon signed up to earlier in year for various reasons, including no training due to touch of depression.
Happy to say I didn't pull out of Gateshead Trail 10km this morning, crossed line at 59:02, not bad for a fat lad. Had continue for nearly 100m after line as garmin said it was short of 10km, mates did too, and nearly double the advertised climbing. Now to find another event to enter to keep training up 😁. Also knocked over 15min off the last 10km I ran so that'll do.
Bravo Niall!
It's great that this thread has continued to be just as populated with us running apprentices, not just the the experienced guys.
Back to running yesterday did 15 miles mainly off road average of 9.01 mm so very especially as that's after a 2 weeks all indulgence:)
I’ve had lower back (just below the ribs) pain.
Descending off the Downs as I try to put into practice what Karibu (Sam) says I ought to be doing has left me with vibration shock in my lower ribs in my back.. bit annoying getting out of bed... that “oooouuuf’ moment.
So, not been out since last Friday ..
Weathers been a pants tho’...
🌬💦🌬💦🌬💦
Cheers nobeerinthefridge, it's been a great thread so far and I've found it encouraging to keep at it.
Seem to be stuck at about average 5:30km, need figure out how speed up - either working on my stride or pace. Yesterday was 1st time I ran a race or in a group and did find having targets/people to pick off or keep up with helped if found self slowing, maybe need try get out with a club.
Just need keep it up. Good work firestarter.
TBH I'm pretty sure the thing that has had the most effect on my speed is just running more, and more regularly. I've never been particularly slow or fast though, my second 10k (and first at sea level) as an occasionally running cyclist was 40:30 mins and my PB 6 years later as an occasionally cycling runner is a mere 3 mins quicker...though now I'm pushing 50 any gains are something to celebrate!
+1 for the mix of participants - I like hearing about the relatively talented/ambitious and also those who are starting out at a slower level. I'm looking forward to restarting more serious running over the winter - summer has been more cycling and fun events etc...picked up a vet prize at a local 10k a few weeks ago which was a welcome surprise, the field obviously wasn't very strong and it was very hot and slow...but they all count 🙂
Well after an enforced lay-off due to injuring myself a couple of months ago I've finally managed to get back into some running!
Nothing major for now, just slowly building up again but with much better form after some advice from a physio. I've also got a load of strength and conditioning exercises to be going on with which will hopefully help prevent any future injuries 🙂
Just catching up with this thread here and there's been some pretty epic runs by folk on here recently!
Took my lad to a junior parkrun (2k) this morning.
In a fit of stupidity I decided that it would be a good idea to follow him round.
What actually happened is that he cleared off into the distance, and then had to hang around for four minutes at the finish waiting for me to finish - took me 11m, 47s.
I knew that my lad would be quicker than me (he's represented Hampshire at cross country), but I thought that I would be quicker than that - I thought perhaps around 10 minutes.
It has come as a bit of a wake-up call, I am far more unfit than I thought 🙁
Does anyone know if there are any websites that are useful for planning off-road running routes?
I use Strava to plan a lot of road riding routes but it tries following roads when I try to get it to follow footpaths or bridleways.
If not then I might have to just try riding the routes first then save the GPX's as running routes.
I use Garmin Connect..
Its shit, but betterer than MapMyRide which is my other planner.
For off-road, footpaths and bridleways etc.
But if you want a definitive map, you Council produces a web based map with all access routes on. It’s da Law for them to comply innit.
Bikehike.co.uk is great, you can use Google map (road following) simultaneously with OS maps and off road routes.
Well todays cheery morning post is that I’m off to the physio this morning to see how long I need to not run for in order to clear this Achilles problem that keep persisting. As I have a half marathon in 9 weeks the hope is 4 weeks or less, we shall see. Decided to enter a couple of winter runs last night to cheer myself up so at least I’ll have a few things to aim for.
It’s funny, 25 years of football and cycling and I was never injured, 2 of running and I almost always feel I have a niggle or a tweak somewhere. This is normal, right?
Yeah, normal.
My switch to trail running had me in bits as my legs and back started to stretch out, hammys and ankles that were tight or short meant pain for weeks (felt like months)
And the rolling ankles on roots and rocks..
And now shock strain in my rear rib cage as I practice hooning down the Downs at full chat instead of Mr Flouncy...
No, I find (road) running has been great, especially for my back which struggles with too much cycling (old injury). Have had one or two minor niggles but rarely anything to stop me running for any length of time. Fell running a slightly bigger risk with rolled ankles and falls.
OTOH one of the club fast men (proper gazelle-like) is almost always broken. Quick as **** when he runs though 🙂
It’s funny, 25 years of football and cycling and I was never injured, 2 of running and I almost always feel I have a niggle or a tweak somewhere. This is normal, right?
Quite the opposite here, My knees and ankles have never felt better, had various injuries over the years playing football. I put it down to running being a lot less 'dynamic' ie running in one direction instead of constant turning, awkward foot placements, riding tackles etc.
There used to be this oft quoted myth that runners have issues with their joints later in life. In my (anecdotal but wide) experience this is not the case. I know lots of older runners, many now non runners, but few of them have issues that would not be typical of people that age.
Thats not to say runners dont get injured (I have had more than my share) but a period of inactivity normally clears that up.
I think the 'running ****s your knees' myth is perpetuated by folk that just really don't want to run! 🙂
For route planning, I use a variety of research methods, but always plot the route in Garmin Connect. It has improved a lot with the 'popular routing' option which appeared relatively recently. I always have the Strava Heatmap open so I can see where other people are running, and sometimes OpenStreetMap to check for byways etc, and Google Street View to see if particular junctions etc are difficult to spot. Sometimes the popular routing option doesn't like to play ball, but switching to freehand assuming you know where to drop the points works well.
I travel a lot so plan and plot a bunch of routes in advance, that way I always know that I'll be running somewhere runnable and popular, hopefully not getting too badly lost either, assuming I can follow the little green line on my Garmin. Case in point was a week in Bath last week, I ran some fantastic trails I would never have found had I just headed out randomly, and never had any risk of struggling to find my way back, or had to consult a phone for a map.
I also cracked my first ever 100 mile week while down there. Also 6 weeks over 100km which is a first too. Hopefully more consistent increased mileage will pay dividends for my autumn marathon.
Cheers, Rich
Consistency is the key. Never managed (or attempted) a 100 mile week and anything over 75/80 just led to exhaustion and a following 30 mile week. Usually managed consistent 50-60 mile weeks but I am a great believer in highish mileage as long as it is not too slow.
100 miles at an average of 3:57/km so not particularly slow. Nice easy week this week as I have a 5000m tomorrow so want fresh legs.
Cheers, Rich
Hats off Rich, that's quite a pace!
Puy lentils are now on the list of banned substances, was so very close to shiteing myself on last nights run through Old Prestwick golf course...
Got Paisley 10k on sunday, this weeks running has improved after the lentil issue, 5 miles on monday and tueday, 8 miles yesterday, and doing my first proper hill rep sprints today. Then 2 days off before the 10.
Timewise, I think if all goes well a 42 is possible, my brother in law is pacing me, he's a good runner, so that'll help.
Brilliant.
Ive done 0 miles and 10 pies.
Sounds good, I fancy a week of pies.
Ran a 5000m on track Wednesday night. Historically I've been terrible on track compared to the road, which I think is partly mental. You know that when the 2nd half of a road 10k is faster than your 5000m time, things aren't quite stacking up right! In preparation I had Monday off running, so not the biggest taper in the middle of fairly large marathon miles.
However, I decided against spikes this time, as I think due to my slightly delicate heels I've been subconsciously holding back a bit and running rather conservatively, so on with the big fat magic Vaporfly 4%. I was in race 5 of 7 of the night, with a pacer for 74 second laps, so an even pace for 15:25, however I was in front of him the whole way as I slotted inside a guy who sent off the front from the start. I rather rudely sat right on his shoulder for 10 1/2 laps until I felt he started to fade slightly with 800m to go, and then hit the front and picked it up. He was very nearly swallowed up by the chasing pack, but I was well clear on the line to finish in 15:10 which I was absolutely delighted with. Nearly a minute knocked off my previous PB 🙂
Back to the marathon build now.
Cheers, Rich
That is rapid @turboferret.
My entire running right now is slow and gentle as I'm trying to remodel my running action to stop me getting injured all the time.
Does anyone have recommendations for trail running poles?
I want to try them out in training this autumn and winter, specific trail running poles seem quite expensive, so really what I want is a cheaper alternative to try out the concept, and if I get on with them probably buy a lighter set when I enter a race or 2 next year.
So what I want is something that breaks down small enough to go into a pack side pocket, is quick to assemble (so I actually use them) fairly robust (I am considerably larger than the average trail runner), I think I would prefer the z-pole style for speed, but would also like some length adjustment. What I am not that concerned about at the moment is the weight.
Any ideas?
Jesus H, Rich, that's uber impressive!
Well done Turboferret. Its whats done on the track that is important so thats a proper PB. I have a couple of road ones that I would like to claim but really its the track one that counts.
@MSP I was pole-curious too so bought some Alpkit ones £35 (might have got them with a bit off in a sale actually), these ones https://www.alpkit.com/products/compact-ultra-II-twins
Z pole and a sliding bit at the top. Not used them loads but pleasantly surprised at the difference they make going up things (last tried them on Snowdon). Still feel a bit self conscious as they're not fell-runner approved but they do seem good. Would be tempted by fancy carbon ones at some point in the future
Those look great colonel, I've been looking for a pair for some walking duties.
What a great thread. Lots of inspiring stuff. My other half has run for years but the injury rate has put me off. But the social/friendly vibe has overcome that for me and I am loving it. Plus I get to appreciate the improvement you get at the beginning which I never did on the bike.
I have entered a couple of duathlons so am running a bit more now. It has been fine as all my runs are super slow but now I am slowly introducing a bit of effort its a tough juggling act.
So far I have tried a few parkruns which have been brilliant (Blandford, Pomphrey Hill and Thornbury) and a duathlon at castle combe which was prob my favourite race in ages. Bombing around the race circuit was very very cool.
Does anyone have recommendations for trail running poles?
Urgh, something else to carry??
Why the need ? Are you climbing hard or steep sections? I can see the need for them in that environment, but not for the running I do..
Let is know how you get on, there are a few folks I know who go over to the Alps who run with poles, but they only use them on the steeper climbs then just strap them together for the descents..
Interested...
Poles aren't going to be much use running round parks down south I guess, but help on long steep uphills in proper hills and mountains. Or if you've got a pack or running a long way.
They are something else to carry and I suppose you need to weigh up how much use you'll get from them - you're not going to use them running down hill so will need to find somewhere to stash them.
Dunno, I think they are beneficial to performance (not a huge advantage at my level!), but not essential. Wouldn't take them fell running in the Peak District, or for ParkRun or my jog home from work but would in Snowdonia/Lakes etc.
Urgh, something else to carry??
Why the need ? Are you climbing hard or steep sections? I can see the need for them in that environment, but not for the running I do..
Let is know how you get on, there are a few folks I know who go over to the Alps who run with poles, but they only use them on the steeper climbs then just strap them together for the descents..
Interested…
That is kind of the plan, I can add some steep stuff to my runs around here, although the height gain will only be a couple of hundred meters, that should be more than enough to make use of them, but perhaps not enough to tell the how much affect they have in saving the legs, I would like to do some alpine races next year, so getting used to them or at least experimenting with them seems a good idea.
Old friend of mine is off to start the GB Ultra, the 214 rough bounds of the southern upland way. She's an inspirational lass, and will smile the whole way, I'm really looking forward to watching her live track!.
Nice tailwind at the moment!
I'm a total convert to poles for proper mountain running. I wouldn't bother for regular trails but for big steep ups and downs I find them a massive help. Never raced with them but I will be using them in next month's Glencoe Skyline.
Oh and I've got Black Diamond carbon distance z. Lovely poles but the wrist loops are rubbish.
Interested to hear where you run with poles?
Are you guys in the mountains then ? Lakes/Wales/Scotland ??
Im off to Lake Lugano in a couple of weeks, looking forward to get some clear mountain Swiss Air in my lungs. Driving down, stopping off in my mates Challet in the Vosges for a few nights and can’t wait to get lost in the forests..
Gonna be awesome 🤠
Did the Ochils 2000 race yesterday having ridden to it from inverness over 6 days on a bike packing tour. I then rode to Perth and got the train back to Inverness because I liked the idea of getting to and from a hill race without a car.
Not surprisingly I'm now pretty busted!
Last weekend I went and ‘ran’ (in the loosest possible sense of the word) the ring of steall route for the skyline mid race next month with a friend
A brutal day out, not helped by not getting enough distance runs before or food in on the day. But very much aiming for an average time of 6-6.5hours if I do race next month! Was considering taking poles which should make a huge change.
Was considering taking poles which should make a huge change.
I'm sure you know this but make sure you get lots of training days with them before the race. It's a great day out, I did the race 2 years ago.
