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The Annual Running thread - beginners/ultras/whatever

 Spin
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Any other ideas on what it might be?

I reckon you need more miles, built up slowly over more days per week. But then you already knew that!


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 4:42 pm
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I get it running on the footpaths in beautiful scenery so it's not just the city running. I also don't like music/podcasts when running. I used to do loads of road cycling so well used to being mentally tough and pushing on when all you want to do is curl up into a ditch and die.

I reckon you need more miles, built up slowly over more days per week. But then you already knew that!

True dat! It's almost certainly the answer I'm looking for if not the one I want to hear 🙂


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 4:51 pm
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I reckon you need more miles, built up slowly over more days per week. But then you already knew that!

True dat! It’s almost certainly the answer I’m looking for if not the one I want to hear 🙂

Yeah but I was trying to give you an excuse 😉

(I do find the above helps me to push on, but there's definitely no substitute for miles)


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 4:57 pm
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Varying my route – long straight pavements are the bane of my life

Can you get offroad? I am loucky with my surroundings, but I find having to concentrate on moving over rough ground or distracted by the lovely venue is the answer...

But then I do have places like this to run on my doorstep...


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 5:07 pm
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Well my painful Achilles seem to be on the mend touch wood. I've been doing heel lifts and cut back on my runs for the last 3 weeks I've only done the club's mudclub offroad Friday runs 17 miles, 12 miles then today 14 miles but at a steady pace between 9.30/10 min mile and I'm feeling so much better for it , I think i need to be sensible and the xc racing will have to wait for another year


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 5:08 pm
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Can you get offroad? I am loucky with my surroundings, but I find having to concentrate on moving over rough ground or distracted by the lovely venue is the answer…

Sadly no (at the moment) - we live fairly close to the middle of town, it's a 20 minute drive to anything offroad really, and I like to run in a morning before work which means out the door. Totally agree with you, a few years ago I worked 45 minutes drive away and used to stop for a few miles in the mud and the dark on the way home - that was great (though being able to walk to work has far more benefits).

Hopefully we'll be moving in a couple of years, and I'm angling for somewhere much closer to mud.


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 5:20 pm
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djambo, I think one thing that really helped turn me from a pained plodder into quite a decent runner was upping my cadence. I can now cruise at around 186 steps per min even when running gently. I'm also 6'5" so not exactly a natural twinkletoes.

January miles bring April smiles. I'm not sure if that is a saying, well it is now. Well on the way to proper mileage now in the build-up towards my main goal of Manchester marathon.


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 6:14 pm
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Dumyats never a mountain btw.

Ok, you and me, let's run up from the Uni... 😋


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 6:23 pm
 Spin
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Ok, you and me, let’s run up from the Uni…

Better still, try it at the end of the Ochils 2000s race. It's not a massive climb but Jesus it hurts after all the rest!


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 6:31 pm
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Isn't it's full name Dumyat hill.....


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 6:46 pm
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Shh you...


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 6:48 pm
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Inspiring MOAB, like. I sort of went the opposite way, started trail running a couple of months back with plenty of bike fitness but no running miles since school cross country 1988... After the first two or three runs I had crippling DOMS. The second week was easier and I started planning longer routes, third week I ran 40 odd miles, next week a bit more and so on, until the Friday before Xmas when my ankle packed up. Quelle surprise. Three weeks of limping around have followed, just getting some tentative hobbles in this week but it's still a bit soon. Rather cross at my stupidity tbh.
Hoping to do a local 30km trail race at the end of March, doesn't leave much time to start again from zero.

Btw, my inspiration to start running in the first place came from reading a couple of books, by Richard Askwith and a bloke from Chumbawumba (!)


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 7:54 pm
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I'm lucky to have a canal at the end of my road - run a mile in either direction and I'm in open countryside. Been stepping up the mileage a bit these past few weeks - a week in Cornwall running bits of the coast path was really enjoyable. Went out tonight onto the canal at dusk - glorious sunset and running in my own "tunnel" with some good tunes was great. See if I can keep this going for a few more months injury-free and will see if I can do a 50km and maybe more.


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 8:28 pm
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Does anyone here use compression sleeves for their calves? Curious as to the benefit in helping with shin splints as I'm developing a worrying niggle 🙁 A new pair of shoes wouldn't go a miss either but that will have to wait for the time being.


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 11:50 pm
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I wear compression socks on longer runs, I'm not sure they do anything for me, but I feel like they do.

Oh, and they make me look like a big bald Britney Spears, so that's good. 😊


 
Posted : 04/01/2019 11:59 pm
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I use compression calf sleeves and they seem to help keep my calves from tightening too much like they used to


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 12:05 am
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I started running last year with c25k after buying some new Asics fitted by a "running" shop. Did a few runs and was fine. But developed shin splints as the amount of running increased.

Stopped straight away and left them to heal. Went back to it but running barefoot on the beach. No problems started pushing the mileage up no problem. Tried running on the beach in my shoes. Shin splints straight away.

I've since moved away from the beach to a town so have just bought some barefoot shoes. Merell vapour gloves. So going to try those and do c25k again taking it nice and easy.

Not read back through the thread so sorry if its already come up. But anyone else running barefoot or minimalist shoes?


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 12:10 am
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I wear compression socks for most runs.

I suffered badly from tight calves atthe start which compression socks solved almost over night.

Probably don't need to wear them all the time but they are part of my "set up" now.

Mines are from. Decathlon.

Likewise I had funcy brooks shoes that the running shop "fitted me" for on the treadmill etc. Suffered from shin splints running on road.

I went to a basic neutral decathlon shoe and it may be coincident or the socks but I've not suffered with sore shins or calves since

Equally - tread carefully with the barefoot shoes. Your calves and shins will be under higher stress than with a cushioned shoe especially as you fatigue and your calves fatigue. Your entirely reliant on your body's own skeleton to disipate the shock

I do have a pair of 5 fingers I do shorter 2-3km runs in more as a drill than with a view to running long distances in


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 8:23 am
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Does anyone here use compression sleeves for their calves?

Yes, but only to keep the nettles/brambles from tearing my legs to shreds.

I initially bought them to experiment, would they work for me? What do they actually do? Would I notice any difference running in them/not in them?

Truest answer for me is they keep nettle/brambles at bay. 🤷‍♂️🥴


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 10:07 am
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I used to run in cushioned high heel drop stability shoes now i run in zero drop not barefoot ones though I use altra as I have fat feet, I do have some merrell barefoot ones I use occasionally if I do a short run they are very comfy.
I used to get sore in my store fitted shoes all the time it's less so in the new ones although it's taking time to strengthen and lengthen my Achilles but I'm getting there I'm pain free during the run now as a plus point and going further if a bit slower


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 10:31 am
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See M-o-a-B’s post is what this threads all about.

Getting out and enjoying the outdoors, whilst getting a sweat on and pushing what motivates you.

Awesome.


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 10:40 am
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Nice pictures of the Darn Walk and Mine Woods there Matt 😉

I do miss living in Stirling... trying to engineer a way back! It may take some time though....

I started running a few weeks ago and have just finished Week 8 of the Garmin running program. Yesterday I made it up the first hill feeling like an actual runner, which isn't bad at 129kg! I died after that mind! I do wish the system would take into account where you are - running 3.4km in the Lake District is a bit harder than a London park!

I am hoping that as the distances increase over the last 4 weeks as I push up to a 5k non-stop (it won't be fast mind) that it starts having a positive impact on my physique. I haven't had much time to ride lately, plus have a back injury which is really sore when mountain biking, so took to running in an attempt to get some level of fitness back and help towards rehabilitation of a raft of injuries. I am starting Yoga on Monday too... something else I never thought I would do.

So if you are in the South Lakes and see a fatty attempting to run it could well be me 😀


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 11:07 am
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Capt K, I hear good things about fell foot parkrun if it's in range of you.

Beat my PB on the annual club x-c race today by over a minute, pretty happy with that though some of it was probably due to fast dry conditions for the time of year. Also the first time I've managed to beat my handicap target of 50 mins, a good start to my V50 decade!


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 2:21 pm
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Good going Kronos, keep it up, I've found running is tremendous for weight loss, and for definition too.


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 5:19 pm
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Re. Calf sleeves, yes, I wear them. Only bring them out for long runs, half marathon and up, and they seem to help me but I’m aware that may be entirely in my head. Mine too are from Decathlon, they’re quite snug, not very expensive and look rather silly, all of which are good points to me!

I’ll echo the above about weight loss, I’ve lost over 2 stone since I started running. I can cycle reasonably Ok when I’m fat, but running sorts out the fat from the thin!

Finally, those looking for new shoes, there’s a new Nike range out soon, the Pegasus 36 for instance is due out next month, so keep an eye out for bargains. The Pegasus 35 if a phenomenal all round shoe and if you can pick it up for a bargain that’ll sort you out.


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 5:45 pm
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If you want a proper quick shoe the vaporfly actually lives up to the hype 🙂


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 8:03 pm
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FWIW calf-sleeves won't help with shin-splints you need to back-off and let the inflammation recover. I tried the whole barefoot style thing a few years ago, but still suffered from niggly injuries if trying to build up the distance. I've gone the other way now - Hoka One One shoes mean I can train back-to-back if needed.


 
Posted : 05/01/2019 9:40 pm
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Fell Foot is about 10 minutes away by car, so I shall have a look at that when the time comes! Thinking I may do one early Feb just to see where I have got to!

My time is not going to be impressive mind 😀


 
Posted : 06/01/2019 12:38 pm
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Nice one cap'n K.

Get on that hill - I do the Wallace Monument woods (!) I felt like such a biffa and walked half of it to start with, and still do on a 'bad' day. But I can also get up non stop and enjoy the challenge now. And running on the flat after is ace!


 
Posted : 06/01/2019 6:34 pm
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Coastal trail run


 
Posted : 06/01/2019 10:09 pm
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Fell Foot is about 10 minutes away by car

You in Ulverston, Capt Kronos?


 
Posted : 06/01/2019 10:23 pm
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Out again this morning despite my legs still feeling like slabs of meat hanging in the freezer vans you sometimes see parked outside kebab shops in a morning.

I actually went for a ride on Saturday, which was hard work... I did the 22ish mile red loop at Dalby and it would be lying to say I wasn't knackered by the end. Or half way round. In my defence it's my first proper ride in ages (last few have been steady group rides with lots of stops, this was solo with just a couple) but still.

Anyway, the point is that I was still tired from that when I woke up early this morning, but I thought I may as well go put a couple of miles in since I Was awake. My initial plan was to do my usual two mile loop, but as (heavily pregnant) Mrs Monkey had woken me up early I thought I may as well push it out to three.

I started out feeling ok, then flagged a little bit about half way around, then seemed to find a pace I was happy at with maybe a mile to go - this seems to be the way most of my runs go at the moment. That said, Strava says that my first mile was noticeably quicker, the second two (well, 1.9) were a bit slower and within a few seconds of each other. So who knows.

The last three (well, 2.9 but we're all friends right?) mile run I did I managed an 11:13/mile average; this morning I knocked over half a minute off that for a 10:40/mile average. I'm pretty pleased with that all told tbh, everything is moving in the right direction and I'm hoping that I can get a bit quicker before I really start to struggle to improve any more.


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 9:48 am
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Not done much training recently due to some personal challenges but fancied a long run on Sunday so tried to enter a local trail HM yesterday. It was full but decided to run the route anyway starting at the back and keeping out of the way of the other runners. Felt quite good and although not a challenging course, all off road (500m road section) and quite rough underfoot in places. averaged around 7:15 miling and my time was a smidgen slower than the O/50 winner (I am 55 this year) I had a bit in reserve so confident I could have pulled a minute or 3 out of the bag if I had been racing.

Sore feet today and a bit tired but quite happy with that 🙂


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 9:58 am
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Anydody else from here at Hedgehope on Sunday?


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 10:34 am
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Just outside Ulverston - Spark Bridge up in the Crake Valley.

My running plans have been postponed for 24 hours - stomach bug and running would be living dangerously! Starting Yoga tonight is going to be tense enough!!!!


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 11:28 am
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^nice, love it round there. Was visiting my Dad in Ulverston over Xmas, was hobbling/jogging over the backs in that general direction, also Roudsea Wood for the first time ever.


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 2:25 pm
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Much of December off with a chesty thing, ambled round in the donkey half of the County XCs this weekend, entered Dark Mountains at end of month. No clue what I'm doing 🙂


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 4:25 pm
 ajf
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@stever I am in dark mountains too! If it helps I did it last year. Sooooo cold!! Sooooo long!!! Tough tough navigation and I managed to get a blister that ended up just being a massive hole in my heel. Couldn't put shoes on for weeks.....oh it was horrible, I am dreading it this year, yet also looking forward to it?

Good luck 😂🤣


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 5:02 pm
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See you both at DM then. Looking forward to it, it's one of my favourite races of the year, with a nice high degree of suffering like a dog!


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 5:23 pm
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I had a lovely hike/run this morning up the mountains near me - 800m ascent in the first 5km meant it wasn't a fast start 🙂

Beautiful weather for it, good company, and we made up for the slow climb with a nice fast run back down the loose rocky trails.


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 5:29 pm
 ajf
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@djtom 8 teams in total in my category, 3 have a Tom in them. What category you racing in? I suspect we are in same one racing each other?


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 5:40 pm
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About a month till entries for the 3 peaks fell race open. Just saying...


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 7:57 pm
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Thinking of entering Carnethy 5, you did it Spin? I'll be very, very slow....


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 9:05 pm
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Not one I've ever done. A bit short for the travel time involved for me. Meant to be good though and sells out quite quick I think.

Where are you based?


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 10:01 pm
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What I have done down that way is the Baddingsgill Round. Thought it was a great wee low key race over some tough terrain.


 
Posted : 07/01/2019 10:09 pm
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