MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
struggling to get over the threshold.
10 unders knocked the shit out of me , Put in a big effort for obvious reasons.
Feeling really fatigued and generally Achey all over but know i Just need to GET OUT - but the old theres always 100 jobs to do is stopping me right now.
Chill out mate, get yer jobs done, you'll know yourself when you're ready to come back.
Stuc a Chroin 5000 at the weekend and my first Scottish Long Classic. 13 miles and just over 5,000ft of climbing.
Finlay Wild broke the course record (and won) and 2:06:24. I finished I 2:37:21. Which I was pleased with. Conditions were pretty ideal, ground wasn't too wet and on the day it was warm-ish. Going up I felt superb, down I was just about in control, so could have probably gone quicker! Always nice to bag another Munro as well.
Cheers Greg. It in the back of my mind that the target race is 7weeks away.
Never mind enforced fun tonight , let's see how legs fire. 12mile CTT on the aero blade tonight.
Get a run in jmmorns morning if all goes well
Thinking of trying my first ever road race(on bike) Thursday as well ....just get the legs going. Just finding it hard to get back on my feet after a week off , start on the bike and progress back to feet.
Also looking back at Strava my months run total was double that of Jan/Feb/march and was approaching marcothon levels but with intensity thrown in plus 25hours on the bike -pretty much all at intensity -2 short course races and one 10hour race and the club run on Tuesdays which is 2 hours turning my self inside out
I'm allowed to be fatigued I think -just not for too long with deadlines pending.
That's a tough gig Will, it's a long drag off of Stuc a chroin! well done sir.
Terry, when's the big day btw?
@mattoutandabout are you doing Dumyat hill race on wednesday night?
Nobeer - Hardest section was up Beinn Each, just so steep.
Also doing Dumyat on Wednesday, Helensburgh 10km Thursday and Ben Lomond Saturday.
Stuc a Chroin 5000 at the weekend and my first Scottish Long Classic.
Looking at the times and club colours I reckon I passed you on the way off Stuc itself, before the cut off back to Glen Ample!
I have mixed feelings about that race, it would be great if they could work out a route that avoids all that landy track.
Nice work Spin, who do you run for? We were chatting to one of the organisers at the end, and he was saying they've found an alternative route which cuts out alot of the fire road, but with all the forestry work it might not get approval. Same with the original route.
Lairig ghru is June 30th and jnr arrives July 29th or thereabouts.
Good stuff Terry!.
I'm with Highland Hill Runners. I had the same chat with the organiser so fingers crossed. I'm also doing BL on Saturday so maybe see you there. Think I'm the only HHR so should be easy to identify!
First ever marathon in MK yesterday - aimed for 3:30, (secretly) hoped for 3:20 - managed 3:13! I am absolutely buzzing! 20 second positive split, and I've still got all my toenails! What next - mebbe Abingdon?
Toenails 🤣👍
Well done for absolutely smashing your goal time, Tarka 🙂
Nice one Tarka.
I've started doing a bit of running on my lunch break. So far it's been 20-30 minute runs which I've enjoyed but my competitive instinct wants more...
I did a Parkrun on Saturday in 23.40 which gives me a nice marker to improve on.
I'm looking for a 3 session per week plan to follow (6 weeks ideally). Any that people would recommend?
I found this Nike Run Club 8 week plan which I like the look of but that much track work seems like overkill for what I want.
I'm hoping to get back into the fold after a winter of 70 plus hour working weeks pretty much killed all forms of physical exercise some November! I've managed four nice steady 5k runs over the past week with no ill effects so hopefully I can start to build that up over the next week or two to get back to where I was in the autumn. nothing too major. 8-10 miles is generally my "long"Sunday effort....
Well, I've been rattling on about doing the Joss Naylor Challenge on here for a while. I've made the attempt 'official' now. An element of taking part is that I have to raise money for a Charity. I've chosen Prostate Cancer UK for obvious reasons. Doing this will be part of my recovery and if I succeed then it will be my big f*** you to cancer. If anyone can spare a quid or so then I would be very grateful. Ta.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-fox24
Fantastic Sparkles, lost my dad to PC, he retired from ICI at 50 with the golden handshake, full pension, life was gonna be good...
He was gone at 52.
Mark88, there's loads of those kinda plans out there, tough bit is making one work for you.
If It was me I'd do something along the lines of 1 x 5k tempo run, 1 x long slow (and I mean really slow!) run, and one interval or hill session. My BIL started doing pretty much all of his training using mafetone method, 180bpm minus your age, as he's 44 he keeps it below 136, which he struggled to keep with as it felt so slow to him.
He's really seen huge gains, can batter out cracking speeds now at that HR.
Thanks nobeer, that's pretty much what I had in mind.
I plan to maintain the bulk of my running being at lunch, so shorter, more intense sessions fit better than low HR aerobic stuff
Absolute shocker of a race Dumyat last night. Legs just cooked from a big few weeks, and injured tow didn't help things. Did finally loose my big toe nail though after a month on hanging on/pain.
Would it be ridiculous to enter a mountain marathon? Is there any point in doing these things just to get round before the cut off?
Just noticed a few spaces left on a local one on June 16th. I've done 4 trail races now between 15 and 30k, running since December, about 65k a week now all off-road/hills.
The 30k I did felt 10k too far for me, though I did start too hard. I'm also quite good at getting injured. 43k and 2700m vertical, I'm tempted to take a punt anyway before it sells out, but it's 50 quid. There's a shorter course but it's full.
https://www.wikiloc.com/trail-running-trails/t3t-maratoia-2017-15993795
Will, I loved it last night, only my 3rd hill race after Kaim and Whangie, longest yet, but I know Dumyat well for biking there, and strangely the climb wasn't as bad as I anticipated!.
Think I was around 54 minutes, as ever, happy with mid table mediocrity!.
Would it be ridiculous to enter a mountain marathon? Is there any point in doing these things just to get round before the cut off?
Definitely. In fact it's what most of us are basically doing, to varying degrees. Lovely thing about mountain races is that they're a lot more sociable than a road race, assuming you're not that bothered about the final result.
Absolutely agree, much more sociable, not judgemental on times, and your in the hills. It's all good.
Edit - just seen that Tarsuinn trail on Arran is sold out, big race that Spin s in only has 5 places left. It's only 15 miles for the one I'm in, but 2000m of climbing takes me quite a bit out of my comfort zone!.
Canny bloody wait! I love a ridge, the idea of racing on one gets the juices going!.
MrSparkle - chucked a few quid in the pot for your JN challenge - good luck and keep us informed 🙂
Has anyone issues with Strava?
A few months back it stopped working (Xperia XZ1) and since Pie update now works to start with but stops working properly...
I've tried an uninstall/reinstall.
Thanks dashed. Very much appreciated.
Here's a video about the JNC that I found quite inspirational. If anyone else wants to chuck a couple of quid in, feel free! Ta.
Make sure you haven't some kind of battery saving mode enabled Matt.
At the start of the year I had a series of niggles and issues with my calves and shins which hopefully appears to be behind me now (pretty please). Still having some issues with my hip flexors but getting into better habits again re yoga and stretching so things are looking up. I'd entered the Afan Tough Runner half marathon earlier in the year and now its starting to loom larger, 12 weeks on sunday, would like to get a little more structure into my running.
I'm under no illusions this will be tough run with lots of elevation and am looking forward to the challenge but want to be adequately prepared. Given the vast array of training plans available online is there one that is considered "the one" or at least a good starting point?
would like to get a little more structure into my running
Watching with interest. My 'training' is basically run up hills until I can't, then walk. And repeat. Still very much feel like a cyclist dabbling in running!
Entered the T3T above, June 16th. I know all of the route through riding it, and carrying my bike over a good proportion of it. Doesn't seem very runnable to me, but seeing the CR is a bit over 4h (5m40/km?), it must be. What do I do from here? I was thinking of some recce runs, the first hill alone is a big day out for me... Also need to talk to my physio about my tight calves/hams - get the feeling all the steep stuff I've been doing is going straight through my forefoot, leaving it constantly sore. Calves need to help a bit more I reckon.
Started running in mid March this year, haven’t ran properly for 10 years. Did my first half marathon this morning with my little girl in the Chariot. Managed 1:59 which was a little slower than I’d hoped for. But as this was 10k longer than anything else I’ve ran, I’ll take it. I can do a 5k in 23mins and a 10k in 50, but this was MUCH harder for me.
Well done Daffy!. 👏🏻
Sorry to drop into a massive thread where its probably been asked loads... but
what c25k app would you guys recommend. I'm going for a running shoe fitting thing next week as I'm pretty determined to start running again. Cheers all
Not at all Dave, this thread is open to all, as per the title. I never used one tbh, I just started running and walking, gradually cutting out the walking when I felt able.
Best of luck mate, there's loads of us on here who haven't been running long, I'm sure someone will have a recommendation.
Didn't use one either. Should have done. Cautionary tale:
Came into trail running in December on a whim, from training about 15h a week on the bike, so fit-ish but zero running history ever. Started walking to work cross country (10k), ran a bit after a few days. After two weeks I was doing 65k and 2000m a week and the tendons in my ankle went. Swelled up so much the skin blistered. Fixed that, the knee went. Have had forefoot pain on and off for 2 months now. Weight went up, fitness down...
Entered the T3T above, June 16th. I know all of the route through riding it, and carrying my bike over a good proportion of it. Doesn’t seem very runnable to me, but seeing the CR is a bit over 4h (5m40/km?), it must be. What do I do from here?
Time in the hills, basically. Run where you can, walk the rest. Aim for minimum 3 hour outings. If you're thinking of using walking poles now's the time to start using them.
Re C25K - I didn't use one either, but my Mrs liked the BBC one. If you're already reasonably fit you might find it a bit frustratingly slow, but actually I reckon it'll help build up your muscles and tendons nice abs steadily thus helping to avoid injury.
5k is about my limit at the moment tbh, but then I'm only getting out about once a week.
The injury thing is what happened to me last time I started running. Knees went when I got up to 10k. Was in basic trainers not running shoes and didn't follow anything structured. Thought a good c25 app would help. I'll check the BBC one thanks.
Miss OTS has shown interest so I’m doing C25K with her. Week 3 now and Michael Johnson is now my official man crush 😆
New PB for my boy this morning at junior Parkrun. Made it all the way round without stopping for a walk 😀 in 12.11 over the 2k. Not too shabby for a 6 year old. Really nice way to spend a morning together. Nice turnout too today of around 70 youngsters.
Thats wicked for his age Ciaran, awesome stuff.
Nice half marathon in Coatbridge this morning, was bloody warm, wife and I just used it as a training run. 👌🏻
Good going junior DD!
Time in the hills, basically. Run where you can, walk the rest. Aim for minimum 3 hour outings. If you’re thinking of using walking poles now’s the time to start using them.
Well today was a good start. Reccied the first half, 4 hours to run 26k. Rubbish. Last year's winner took 4h18 to finish. From the first summit, the second looked impossibly far away, couldn't even work out where the third was. Then, after about 3h running I was cooked and that second hill didn't seem to be getting nearer. The foot held together though, as long as I didn't place it wonky.
Poles just seem like faffage to me, what do they do?
Poles just seem like faffage to me, what do they do?
Take load off your knees, aid ballance and allow you to use upper body to help with propulsion. Not everyone gets on with them but I'm a convert for really big days.
I always use poles hillwalking, other half has started using them coming down hills during races after a couple of years of knee trouble, we both think they make a difference. Some races disagree though as they are banned at some events.
Lowey, some local running clubs do a couch to 5k, it is a really good way to meet other beginners and keep your mojo going as well.
Aye, poles are a given for me now when coming off a munro, take so much pressure off of the joints, judging puddle/snow depth or whacking the odd unruly dug. Never tried running with them, I'd imagine it'll take a bit of practice.
The use of poles in races isn't about the benefit to the user but the risks to others. The tip gets stuck and you yank at it to get it out and the pole becomes momentarily errant potentially striking other runners.
Yeah, I can see that, though a simple assessment would place that way down the list of potential hazards on the hill!.
Yeah, I can see that, though a simple assessment would place that way down the list of potential hazards on the hill!.
It's only really a problem at the start of races, when you are all still bunched up. At the Transvulcania for example poles are banned for the first 10K or so. Once you're a bit more spread out you just need to leave a bit of a space between you and the person in front. Anyway I'd certainly use them for a mountain marathon, assuming you've had a chance to practise. Not essential of course, but definitely a help.
New PB for my boy this morning at junior Parkrun. Made it all the way round without stopping for a walk 😀 in 12.11 over the 2k. Not too shabby for a 6 year old.
Good going!
Here's something to aim for next year:
http://www.planetatriatlon.com/sara-meloni-record-europeo-10k/
(Can't find a link to the news in English, but the headline's pretty clear...)
Anyway I’d certainly use them for a mountain marathon,
I take it you mean marathon distance over mountains rather than a mountain marathon? I find the navigation element in a MM means I've often got map and compass in hand making pole use awkward.
I take it you mean marathon distance over mountains rather than a mountain marathon
I meant a marathon distance trail race with course markers, at least here in Spain they rarely have any navigation element.
Here’s something to aim for next year:
😮
It’s the likes of her that's dragging his age grading percentage down. 😅
Seriously though, that’s mad.
Yesterday was the first day he listened when I said not to go off like a train at the beginning and just go a bit easier. He seemed to enjoy reeling in the sprinters over the second lap. Put in a sprint at the end to grab another few places which was nice for him.
What a lovely event - 70 kids all out doing a couple of laps in the park. As it was deaf awareness week, all the pre-amble was signed and the kids learned a few basics. We signed “Thank You” to the marshals as we passed. Lovely. 🙂
Right then, after a brief foray into riding bikes this weekend, I now have 1 week to go until Worcester Marathon. Not sure 100 mile bike rides the weekend before is a textbook taper, but there we go.
3:45 is the goal on what is meant to be a hilly course at Worcester.
Did Leeds half yesterday my first road event. very hot, first half is hilly, got to halfway point then speeded up to try get inside 1.45 ended up chip time of 1.44.16 very pleased
@spin - Thanks, felt great on the up, and handled the descent well. Good time yourself!
Cracking weekend with Lomond Saturday, then Arrochar Alps recce on Sunday. Some day for it.
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Well done everybody who raced, especially DD's lad! Brillinat.
lowey - there's a new running group started up locally to you North Bolton Runners. They run from the War Memorial I think. They might be of use?
Meanwhile I have been cracking on with the JNC training. This weekend I was asked to help out pacing on a BG attempt. I'd never met the guy before but that is often the case with these things and part of it's appeal. We did Leg 4 from Wasdale over to Honister. He couldn't have chosen a better day for it (although he did have a bit of ice and snow overnight and on Scafell Pike and Scafell). It was beautiful on our leg. Anyway, the lad was an absolute machine and stormed round in a very impressive 21:01.
https://i.postimg.cc/Hkg5fySH/was2.jp g" alt="" />
That's phenomenal, well done Sparkles.
30k of assorted hills, moors n glens in the Edzell area last Sunday
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Bloody hell Mike, looks mega.
Q for the fellrunners.. I'd like to do one of the longer lakes races, thinking of going to the UK for a couple of weeks to visit family in S.Lakes in July or August. Just seen on twitter that Borrowdale entries open on 31st May. Given that I'd probably have to sort flights out before then, what's the crack with the entries? First come first served, draw...? Daft idea to have a shot at something like that as a first fell race? Otherwise, I'll just aim for my club's race (Bootle show) tail end of Aug. Any other ideas within an hour from Furness? Kentmere? Sedbergh?
Still a bit peeved to have DNSed the anniversary waltz thanks to a wrecked hire car.
I think Borrowdale require that you have finished an A-long race before you can enter. Kentmere's a good 'un, not run Sedbergh as a race but run most of the course on training runs, all very runnable terrain.
@MrSparkle - Mr Beales I presume?
Always love your photos Mike! 💙
After reading this I think I'm going to advise my kids to go into the sports injury industry.
Well after a couple weeks hiatus recovering/down on energy after 10under the bens effort
Got back from offshore on Thursday at 12
Had a shower and packed my bag. Ran 15k to town @5:30kms (slow by most of your standards but quick for me over that distance.)
Today I've been hacking sticks all day but my mate text saying -hill of fare ?
So we did a half marathon on the hill out to the shooting hut then back over meikle tap.
Felt good Both times, feeling happier about ability to finish now.
Well, I relented and got the boy a pair of “proper” running trainers. Tbf, as long as you’re happy with an older model sportsshoes.com do plenty of ASICS etc for under £20 which is fair enough. He chose these goppers: 🙀🤢
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We’ve just finished junior Parkrun and if my Garmin’s correct, he’s done his 2k in around 11.15 which is nearly a minute off his PB last week. 🙂
Superb sir! Well done lad.
14th out of 42, 9th JM10, 53 seconds off his PB. Going to be hard to top that for a bit. 😀
I've been running for a couple of years, mostly trail, as a shoulder injury curtailed biking. I'm now refereeing rugby so have to be fitter than I was but still struggling to go more than 4 miles in one go and then it's broken up with short stops whilst the dogs swim etc. I think I'm getting quicker but any advice on nudging the distance up? The last time I did around 7 miles my knees played up (old injury and surgery, was told don't run again). I really enjoy it, clears my head and gets the dogs out (two birds and all that). Now the rugby season is done I've been thinking of Park Run, I know I'm getting quicker but today fr instance I've struggled with shins and calf niggles.
I think I’m getting quicker but any advice on nudging the distance up?
Take it easy, and it'll get there. Add at most 10% extra time/distance per week. When you can comfortably do 6-7 miles you should start thinking about different types of run, things like doing a shorter interval/fartlek run midweek, long run at the weekend, that kind of thing. But I personally wouldn't worry about that at the moment when you're still "struggling to go more than 4 miles".
You haven't said how many times you go running per week, but assuming you're doing 2 or 3 outings there's no reason you couldn't make one of them a parkrun.
And if you can/need to, lose weight 🙂
Cheers, when I say struggling I think I might be pushing myself too hard too soon and then not being able to maintain it consistently. I am running around 3 times a week at the moment. It's usually less in rugby season esp at the weekends. Weight loss is one reason I am running, I lost a reasonable amount last year but a little has crept back on. It is one exercise that seems to work for me in that regard.
Hot and damp in the showers down this way, upping the distance and coming together nicely.
Plenty of dog shit hanging from the bushes, but on the way back it’d all disappeared..
All hail the dog shit fairy 🧚♀️
when I say struggling I think I might be pushing myself too hard too soon and then not being able to maintain it consistently.
Running is definitely a sport where consistency is key, if you're doing less during the rugby season you'll find it very hard to make much progress. Anyway, life gets in the way so given that I'd definitely change one of your runs to a parkrun (and don't be tempted to do the parkrun in addition to what you're doing at the moment). If the park's close a nice idea is to gently jog to the event, do the run, and then either jog or walk back.
Worcester marathon for me this weekend. Was targeting under 3:45 but the course was super hilly so ended up at 3:50 which was really not bad at all.
First smaller marathon I’ve done as opposed to the big city runs and it was a very different experience. Odd being out on your own at 17 miles with your own thoughts!
The only problem with that time is it means I’ve now got to find a flatter autumn run to do!
Nice one lunge!
I think Borrowdale require that you have finished an A-long race before you can enter.
Makes sense. Ive done that length but marked trails. Will have a look at Kentmere.
Reccied the 2nd half of my upcoming 43k trail. Slightly more climbing in the second half, 1400m Vs 1200, two main climbs. Hasn't stopped raining for two days here, flooding everywhere so wasn't expecting an easy run but it was total crap, slithered up the first climb and struggled to run down, the trails were rivers. Second climb, last on the day and smallest at 600m just beat me up, nauseous cold and dizzy, questioning the wisdom of being up there on my own having seen one solitary soul all day. 4h for the 25k - time limit on the day is 10h so I shouldn't get cut but will definitely be a contender for lanterne rouge!
Right then, in the wake yesterdays marathon I think I fancy another on in autumn. Requirements are:
Big, city based event - I missed the noise and the volume of people at the much smaller event yesterday
Flat-ish - Frankly, I've had enough of hills for the moment!
Late September/early October ideally - plenty of time to recover from Ride London and the temperature shouldn't be at summer levels.
Any ideas? Yorkshire and Chester are the 2 I've found so far.
First Parkrun for me on Saturday - was pushing the littleun in the buggy and did a nice but quite hilly 10k on Friday afternoon so wasn't ever going to be a quick one and bumbled round in about 28 mins. I actually quite enjoyed it - very friendly and laid back atmosphere and will probably do a few more in future.
Would you venture abroad Lunge? I really fancy Reykjavik, we just couldn't make the timings work this year.