I'm in Prestwick Spin, so it's 90 mins along the road, it'd be good prep for the Arran ridge race in June.
Forgot you'd said you were doing that. Which one is it again?
The shorter one, 26k and 3000m of climbing. Think it's called the Tarsuinn trail, I love the Arran ridges, canny wait!.
Still a pretty big day that! Any other training races planned?
No hill races as yet, need to get started, I was up Narnain yesterday, was dying to get running down, dont think the wife would have appreciated it though! 🤣
Yeah, it is pretty nice over this side from Ulverston - Roundsea is great with the dog, and the scenery is quite nice.
I still miss Scotland though. I moved down about 10 years ago and have never really settled - we were just discussing where we may head back to at some stage (again) today!
Right. Well, I decided that a suitable way of justifying myself getting a gps watch is as a reward for training and completing a half marathon.
This was a sudden, probably poorly thought out idea I had yesterday morning.
The Great Eastern Run is in October, (so plenty of time to get training) and I live a short distance away.
So there we are. I don't know how quickly it sells out, but I have put my name down for info once entries are open & we'll see what happens.
Just need to sort out my IT band issues once & for all!
So it starts again! After a couple of weeks off (not including parkruns (from racing, not running (RED since Sept 30))) I have my first race of this year. York Knavesmires Brass Monkey Half Marathon. I've done it the last couple of years and it's a flat and fast course (2 years, 2 pbs) so hopeful I can continue the trend. The start of mara training proper...
Yet another update. I feel like I'm using this thread as a blog, so sorry about that.
Two miles this morning, only partly in the rain, and I reckon I'm getting toward the point on the curve where improvement gets a lot more incremental. I still improved on my best time for this particular loop (9:38/mile average vs 9:49/mile) but obviously only by a few seconds rather than half a minute or so. I reckon it's not long now until I have a run that's slower than the last one, and I need to remember that actually that's fine, the important thing is to keep running.
In fact that time may well be tomorrow, as that'll be the last run this week and I'm planning on taking it nice and easy to try and avoid wonking myself up. Depending what time I wake up I might do a longer steady run, but most likely it'll be another two miler at an intentionally steadier pace.
Then I'm out on the bike (social ride) on Saturday, and planning a rest day on Sunday.
Been off STW for a few weeks, just catching up. My illumination solution is an Exposure with the mount sewn onto the front of a waterproof cap. Might sew a mount onto a lighter weight cap too as it can get a bit warm and sweaty when it's not deepest winter
MY arbitrary goal for 2018 was 5000km of running, just exceeded that. The 18-week London marathon plan started on christmas eve with 2 runs, and the schedule doesn't have a single rest day between now and 28th April :O Following the P&D 85 mile+ plan, ramping up from the 77 mile/week average from Bournemouth last autumn.
Started 2019 with a bit of a bang, double parkrunning on NYD: 11km Farnham-Rushmoor, 5km Rushmoor parkrun in 16:07, 5km Rushmoor-Frimley, 5km Frimley parkrun in 16:50, 17km Frimley-Farnham, 43km for the day including a 2:50 marathon ignoring the stops!
I have XC every Saturday in Jan, half marathon in Feb another in March and the 24km Orion 15 XC, leading up to the big event at the end of April. I'll be 40 the week before London, so the goal is to podium in the vets category, which will probably require a low 2:24. Actually, looking back through results, this time varies massively - the 3rd V40 in 2013 ran 2:32 while in 2016 it was 2:21, so maybe I need to set my goal time faster :O
Baby #2 arriving mid May might put running on the back burner slightly for a while, but signed up for the Yorkshire marathon where I'll be sporting an England vets vest for the old-guffers championship 🙂
double post
Bit late to the thread, but I've read the last couple of pages so feel like I can join in now...
My big target (along with the wife) is to complete the Great North Run as it's a few days before our 10th anniversary. I completed it 12 years ago but three children later my "dad-bod" has me weighing about 3 stone more so I've got a lot of training to do! Aiming to complete in under 2 hours.
At the moment I can run 5k in just under 30 mins (about 5.50min/km) but I'm done in at the end of that. So I need to improve a little on that pace and then manage to hold it for 4x the distance!
My first runner question.... is there an alternative solution to sore nipples than micropore tape? It works, but hurts like hell getting it back off and has a habit of rolling over the ends while running and then sticking to my top, pulling around and being generally a bit painful. Only really a winter problem with it's temperature related effects.
is there an alternative solution to sore nipples than micropore tape?
2 things that work for me. 1 is to be very careful what tops I buy, if it chafes then it doesn't get worn for long runs. 2 is Charlie the Bike Monger's Bum Butter applied liberally. I do have a friend who really suffers with it and now accepts he runs with a skintight base layer on underneath that doesn't move or rub.
is there an alternative solution to sore nipples than micropore tape?
There are loads of antichafing creams on the market, or just use vaseline. FWIW I usually use a smear of the Decathlon stuff but also carry a very small pot of vaseline with me for long days out.
Thanks, will give the vaseline a try tonight. I use the Decathlon lube stick thing for the top of legs areas and it works pretty well, but it doesn't seem to deposit enough material to combat material on skin rather than skin on skin.
If that doesn't work then it's either persevere with the tape or look in to a base layer.
@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?
@ajf We've entered elite, and judging from your initials it looks like we'll be racing each other! Different partner this year, but one I know well. Our nav should be pretty good, so we just need to keep the speed up now. Some strong competition in there this year, so it'll be pretty hot up the sharp end!
Tight baselayers, no nipple worries any more here.
I put small circular plasters on my nipples if it's a long race where I'll be wearing a club vest as opposed to a tight top. These are small enough to just stick to the skin and not the surrounding hair, if applied carefully so don't hurt when removing. I think I bought about 100 from eBay for about £2 so won't need any more for a while!
Vaseline and a second short sleeve top (not tight) underneath the usual long sleeved one seemed to work last night for 7km in 2 degrees temps.
Might have to look in to a more specific tight baselayer as a linger term solution.
Micropore and even plasters under the arms if I am wearing a vest. Vaseline liberally applied as well.
The Spine race starts on Sunday. Now that's a race! :-0
https://thespinerace.com/
Blimey Charlie. That looks brutal and some.
A couple of ladies from the same club as myself did The Spine last year. Thoroughly impressive!
Anyone else running in the cross country nationals at Harewood House (Leeds) in Feb? I have enthusiastically entered and will be chuffed if I can finish in the top half.
Well about 5 runs in from starting out again and I've picked up a small injury, my right calf is a little swollen but I'm walking just about ok after a day or so. Didn't really warm up but took the first mile easyish, pushed on and felt something not right in my calf. Hobbled/walked/jogged back home.
I'm taking it as a bonus as it's usually been my knee that's knocked it on the head.
I'll rest it for a few more days then get back to it, quite enjoying getting out for a run.
@djtom shame there is a lot less elite teams so far this year. 20 last year, 8 this year? I'll keep an eye out for you. Not exactly sure what you look like but suspect I know which of the 3 Toms you are. We will be probably heading off at a similar time (one of the first)
@MrSparkle every year I know someone doing it and every year I think "Idiot"! Fascinating bonkers race! Might get over to Edale way on Saturday so can see the condemned off and then the Trigger race competitors coming in. Anyway wouldn't you prefer Dark mountains? Know you have a thing for running around on a Dark Un?
Well I was supposed to be out on the mountain bike today, even got the chain lubed but due to unforseen circumstances I couldn't make it. That left me at about 8.30 this morning with nothing really to do for the day.
So I thought I'd go out for a run before the inevitable housework took over (we now have a clean kitchen and I have lunch for all next week).
Normally I run before work at about 6.30 so it was a bit of a novelty to be out in daylight - the increased traffic was less fun, but I guess you can't win 'em all. I didn't really have a plan when I went out, but since I didn't really need to rush I found myself taking the longer route at all the junctions.
The loop I did ended up being just under 4 miles (I think it was 3.8 according to Strava) and it felt steady, but OK. When I got home and looked at my average pace I did a bit of a double take - I was expecting to be somewhere in the high 10min/miles, maybe even into the 11s but it was actually 9.54/mile.
I'm well pleased with that, it definitely feels like the effort is paying off in terms of how good I am at running if nothing else. I'm tempted to run the route again in reverse tomorrow and see how that goes, but I think I'll see how I feel in the morning.
Well done FMC, it's great seeing a bit of progression.
Wee wake up call for me this morning, was a good 2 mins short of where I thought I was at parkrun, never felt good at all. I think all the empty miles I did during Marcothon, no speedwork etc, have bitten back.
It's only January, I'll file it and move on.
I did park run this morning ran 2.25 at Z2 and 2.25 at z4 and last bit as max beans as racing in morning
Never really felt challenged and got 23.08
I think that's the difference between a non runner doing marcothon and a runner. I've never really conditioned so it brought me on a long ways.
Cheers @Nobeerinthefridge, great at this end too!
What is this Marcothon I keep hearing being mentioned?
I did get out this morning, only did a couple of miles in the end. Definitely feeling it in my legs from yesterday, I pushed a bit too hard at the start and struggled at the end, but I made it with an average 9:29/mile which I'm more than happy with. I reckon with fresher legs I could prooooobably get fairly close to 9:00/mile over two miles (the first mile was 9:04) so that's something to aim for in the next couple of weeks.
Day off tomorrow so we'll see what happens Tuesday.
Marcothon is a wee motivational thingy, basically run either 3 miles, or 25mins (whatever comes first) every day in december.
What's annoying me about this running lark is all the bad pain, as opposed to the good pain I get from ramping up the bike training, heavy legs, throb throb kind of stuff. Running just hurts 😔
15km trail today. Feels like someone has been at my knees and ankles with a hammer. Shuffling around the house carefully as unexpected movement results in more pain!
Done a duathlon today.
Didn't really go to plan.
Ran the first 4.4km in 18.30
Did the windy ride (no matter whats said on here by the neopros 82mm rims are not prime 42mph gusting crosswind material)
Ran the second in 20:05 and hopped across the line with cramp simultaneously in my quad and hamstring on my right leg.....
Finished 19th/140ish over all and 10th in cat. Only lost 4 places against the same field as the previous round which was only 1 run pre cycle.
More work required for the next round in Feb...... Oh wait that's not going to happen it's STOP...... Puffer time 🙂
@nobeer did you do that Arran race last year? Thinking about this summer it looks like it's right up my street. Although the longer one might suit me better the shorter one actually looks like the better race. What do you think?
No, Only really started running properly again last xmas, and tbh only really dabbled up til then, I wouldn't have contemplated such a race last summer!. The big route looks a proper tough proposition, I don't think I'd handle that distance/height gain, and I've never done a hill race before, so don't want to be too stupid!.
Their numbers were pretty poor last year, but they've done a much better job of publicising it this time around, not sure how much space is left. If it's a decent enough day, I don't think you'll get a better view at any race, up there with Glencoe skyline (better in my mind, but I'm a tad biased!)...
<img src="[img] 
[/img]
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/nobeerinthefridge/32182756633/ ]Arran.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/59995395@N03/ ][/url] - [url= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dariogf.flickr2BBcode_lite ]Flickr2BBcode LITE[/url]
" alt="Here be ridges..." />
I’ve been watching the Spine Race social media updates on and off today and yesterday, some seriously impressive ultra running going on there. Lad from my club was doing the challenger at 108 miles. Can’t begin what it takes to run 30 or more hours without really stopping. I’ll buy him a pint next time I see him.
Bloke who won the Challenger smashed out sub 13min miles for 23hrs. On the Pennine Way. In high winds. Mega.
Pack just went through Hebden. I was going to go up on the Pike to see them come over but dug into a bottle of christmas whisky instead.
Some mates did the Trigger race today. 24 miles over some of same ground as the Spine. Conditions were ‘interesting’ by sounds of it. Waterfall blowing uphill. Meanwhile I did this, working towards a ‘project’.
https://www.relive.cc/view/2075945467
Did my first race where I've got actually raced in about 2 years today. Templenewsam 10 in Leeds.
I grew up there, so it was great to go back to where I used to come 2nd to last is school xc.
Course is down and flat for 6 1/2 miles then has about 800ft of climb in the last 3 1/2. I ran within myself at around 8 min miles for the first 6 1/2. Then ran the last 3 1/2 as a really hilly parkrun. Again it ended up with about 8 min miles. I overtook loads of people on the climbs which was great given i was about 3 stone heavier than them. There was a short sharp climb about 400 yards from the end, which I ran too hard a threw up as I got to the top, thats never happened before. I was 190 out of 800 at 1h.21mins, miles better than my school xc. I'll take that given I'm only 10 weeks back into trying to run faster and still miles over my planned racing weight.
York Brass Monkey yesterday.
I've done this race the last 2 years and got a pb each time so I was hopeful of keeping that going, but also with an eye on a sub 1:15 as I'd done a pb just at the end of November on a much hillier course (York is flat and fast).
It was quite windy yesterday so I tempered my chances of a pb and instead thought about doing a solid hard run and see what came.
I had a slight tinge of disappointment at the end, even though I'd pb'd again, as I was 9 seconds outside my target. However, the conditions were not ideal so I reckon on another day (not so windy) I might have hit target.
Still, it gets my racing off to a great start for 2019 - main aim is London, so a whole heap of training/racing before then.
Well done to all those out racing and training this weekend, top work.
Aye top job all this weekend, some pretty amazing results and runs going on.
I've some shin pain (and an early start at work) this morning so I'm having a day off. I'm not entirely sure the shin pain is running related, it feels more like I've walked into something hard (which I don't remember doing, but it still could have happened) and is only on one side, so I'll see how I feel tomorrow before heading out again.
Cheers for the Marcothon info @Nobeerinthefridge - I probably should just have googled it, but much appreciated!
This crossed my screen today, not sure if you guys have seen it before (if so apologies) but I thought this sounds amazing.
Big's Backyard Ultra. 4.2mile course give or take, you do a lap every hour. No-one's leading, everyone is first equal as long as you finish your lap and present on the hour to go again. As people drop out, the field gets smaller until the last one standing wins. As long as they do that last lap.
Great video here; I particularly like that after best part of three days running, when there's only a few left - you know that to win and for the suffering to stop, the others have to fail and drop out, but because you've been through so much with them the last thing you want (well, maybe not last) is for them to fail and drop out.
Since my question on here about losing weight and the impact it has on speed, I wanted to thank you guys for the advice. I've lost close to 4kg since late November. I'm doing RED January (run or ride each day of the month) and despite heavy legs on Saturday, I PB'd at Parkrun by 20 seconds and didn't feel like I was on a good run at to be honest. I've got a Duathlon planned for March and Great North Run for September so more to progress to come, hopefully.
3rd round of the Surrey League Cross-Country on Saturday. Haven't been particularly delighted with my last few XC outings, so wanted to make amends - sat on the shoulder of a very fast guy for 2 1/2 laps until I couldn't go with him on a hill, but came in for 15th, 4th man home for our club which I was pretty pleased with. It's a ridiculously competitive league, with Alex Yee running some of the races, and other professional runners, so finishing well down the order is par for the course. I know I ran well because I couldn't stand up for about 5 minutes after, and left a healthy portion of lunch on the ground too 😀
In order to keep marathon training from interfering too much with family commitments, I got my longish run in before the rest of the household was awake on Sunday, out at 5am for 28km. My 10k recovery run this morning didn't go exactly to plan as trains were all messed up, so instead of running halfway to work it was actually all the way, might be the same tonight too...
4th round of the Three Counties cross-country at Ampthill yesterday for me - relentlessly up and down the same hill - 2 of us on our team saw our breakfast again. Nice selections of rolls though afterwards 😉
Hedgehope "half" yesterday....they added on just shy of an extra 3 miles to the route which was over to the next hill as running into 75kmp gusts wasn't enough. Trackless ankle deep heather with peat hags thrown in,and did I mention the old wire from a fence intertwined with all of that? Ankle went at mile 12 which was just the tin lid on the whole sorry escapade. Some days ..grr...
