Good effort @turboflard 👏 I think we did it in 13hrs20 or so. I only got asked to do it the week before because one of the team had broken their ankle so had no chance to train for it. Then again I suppose the best training for the Cut Gate to Bleaklow section would be finding the nearest patch of quicksand and running through it repeatedly!
Thanks @whitestone, they’ve changed the route from Cut Gate so it involves even more climbing and bashing through heather and groughs. Think the winning teams were sub 10 hours which is frankly amazing.
What can you guys tell me about shin-splints? I have a fairly dull pain down the front of one shin that feels like I imagine a shin splint would, but it's only on one leg - the other is completely fine - and I always thought shin-splints affected both legs?
I was convinced I had shin splints a few weeks back, physio disagreed and it did improve on its own. Never been a hypochondriac but starting running has seen me self diagnose achilles tendonitis and currently convinced I have plantar fasciitis ☹️
Views on running clubs? Have never been overly keen on cycling clubs over the years. I've done 100% of my running so far on my own, apart from one race. But I'm in the UK a few times a year (increasingly so, visiting ageing dad), might be good to be shown some routes on the fells. Based in Ulverston, next over the week after easter. Already joined FRA, Black Coombe seems to be the nearest fell running club?
Ben Nevis race entries open at 12 tomorrow. I plan to have mine in by 12.01. Pretty sure that doesn't make any difference but it feels important.
Have never been overly keen on cycling clubs over the years.
I've been involved with both and find running clubs far more welcoming and inclusive.
What Spin says. 👌🏻
I got a bit of plantar fasciitis - compression socks seemed to help enormously.
I’ve been involved with both and find running clubs far more welcoming and inclusive.
I’d echo this. I’ve never found a cycling club I’d want to join, but the bond with my running club was instant. Far more welcoming, and I suspect it’s because running is a much greater leveller as a sport than cycling is. My ability has come along massively in the five years I’ve been with them, and the support through injury has been excellent too. Now giving back by training to become a coach for them.
Will drop Black Combe a line then. My first CC here moaned coz I wouldn't wear club shorts (they were uncomfortable and fluorescent lime green and pink, the jersey was bad enough), didn't want a repeat of that!
Not been in here lately, the Gateshead 10k trail run I did last August opens entries today. Can't decide to do or not, minimal running over winter and a baby due in May - how much training will I get done? Might enter to try make me run again and beat last year's time.
Time, to catch up on this thread for some inspiration.
I would echo the cycling vs running club thing. I ran as a junior so by the time I finished Uni and moved away for work I was pretty established as a runner so had no issues approaching clubs or groups. The first club I joined when moving away from Liverpool was in Lincoln. I won there club Xc champs as soon as moved there but they refused to give me the trophy as although I had joined the club they hadnt had their monthly meeting so I wasnt a member. The guy about 2 mins behind me took it away. Bit miffed at that actually.
Cycling clubs can be quite horrible in my limited experience however I did join Port Sunlight Wheeler's a few years back and although I only cycle occasionally they are a great bunch, friendly and welcoming. I can recommend them.
Quick question - gait analysis, worth it? I basically don't have a clue about pronation and different types of shoe.
Can opened, worms everywhere! 😂
Gait analysis: some people swear by it, some swear at it.
Unless you know that you over or under pronate (which is basically the twisting or rolling motion your foot makes as the contact point moves from heel to toe) then just go with standard shoes.
Thought that might be the case! I have no idea if I under or over pronate, which is why I was wondering about analysis. I don't do a huge mileage but at pushing 40 I'm conscious that when I do bork myself it's taking longer and longer to recover.
I've seen some stuff about checking sole wear or standing on bit of cardboard with wet feet, any use in that?
Do you wear orthotics in your everyday shoes? If not then it's likely you pronate normally so you don't need to do anything.
Pushing 40? Just wait until you are pushing 60 - you'll hanker back to such youth 😃
Slightly off topic but does anyone have tips for training for a Duathlon? I've got one in 2 weeks. It's only 5k/20k/5k so whilst the training for both running and cycling are going OK, I tried a run after a 30k ride yesterday morning. Happy enough with the pace but that first mile off the bike was struggle. Anyone got any experience or useful tips?
Do you wear orthotics in your everyday shoes? If not then it’s likely you pronate normally so you don’t need to do anything.
Pushing 40? Just wait until you are pushing 60 – you’ll hanker back to such youth 😃
Nope, just wear normal shoes. I tend to wear something with a bit of heel drop after an achilles injury a while back (no more Vans for me!) but apart from that all standard.
Righto, neutral shoes it is, now to find some that fit nicely... I think someone on here recommended Nike Pegasus so I'll have a look at those.
I love my Pegasi :). Very comfortable with 3 width and half sizes. The 34 and possible the 35 versions are getting cheaper at the minute.
Happy enough with the pace but that first mile off the bike was struggle. Anyone got any experience or useful tips?
Do it more. Seriously brick training is a thing for a reason.
Also I find that grinding a big gear about 5 minutes before transition for a couple of minutes then sitting and spinning fast into transition helps the move from cycling to running.
Running up hills also helps
Anyone tried Addidas Ultraboosts? Found a good deal on those...
Thanks Trailrat. Good advice.
Love Pegasus, I had a pair of the originals when they came out, 35 yrs ago I think
A few photos from a 28k trail run yesterday following the River Findhorn and some offshoots downstream. Very scenic and lush, but quite hairy in places (a lot of it is high above the gorge and some sections in poor repair or totally overgrown)
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Anyone tried Addidas Ultraboosts? Found a good deal on those…
Nice shoes but narrow. I prefer Pegasus, a touch wider and fit most feet better.
Lovely pics Mike.
Anyone tried Addidas Ultraboosts? Found a good deal on those…
I've got some Adidas Terrex, most uncomfortable shoes I've ever made the mistake of buying (they were on offer in a closing-down sale...). Very narrow toe box, and my little toes on both feet rub. I can't use them for anything further than 10K which is pretty crap when most of my off-road runs are minimum 20!
So try them on before you buy - your feet may be narrower than mine or the shoe may be wider.
Those pics are amazing @eastcoastmike!
I have quite wide feet so I reckon I'll stick to the Pegasus's (or at least something I can try on in a shop) like everyone is suggesting I should 😉
Brooks are also generally quite wide, have a look at the Ghost model, it's a well cushioned, neutral training shoe. It's a bit to big in the toe box for me, but is worth a look for wider or higher volume feet.
Those pics are amazing @eastcoastmike!
+1
Shoes - struggling to find trail shoes that just work (and are well south of 100 quid). My feet are quite square-ended (flippers), I found the shape of Merrells to work well - but they don't seem to make anything which offers a bit of rock protection. Tried them on the trail once and every other step made me wince if I wasn't careful where my foot went. Maybe a case of getting used to them but I've got too many aches and pains without worrying about another.
Oddly, I get on best with Walshes but the hills have been way too dry for them for the last month or so. Inov 8s, after a dozen runs, have split in so many places they just fill up with dirt and stones now.
Anyone had a less aggressive sole put on a pair of Walshes? Hmmm...
Shoes – struggling to find trail shoes that just work (and are well south of 100 quid). My feet are quite square-ended (flippers), I found the shape of Merrells to work well – but they don’t seem to make anything which offers a bit of rock protection
Altra Lone Peak have a very wide toe box, but they're zero drop and no doubt more than 100gbp. Very comfortable though!
North Face trail shoes are wide, and some come with a rock plate.
Not cheap RRP, but deals can be had from their outlet stores (or outlet web - but you really should try them on) 😀
I wouldn't buy NF stuff now, s'all about fashion with them, overpriced and I don't know anyone that wears them.
Never even seen NF trail shoes. The Altra does seem similar in shape to the Merrels, 120e in Forum though.
Found some inov 8 roclites for 60 quid meanwhile, not impressed with how the last pair (trailroc) died so fast but I'll get them patched up as they are comfy. Hope the roclites are a bit beefier.
The inov8s are really comfy but it depends which you get to how fragile they are.
My x-talons seem pretty bullet proof but my trail talons are just the opposite.
Both are great for long off road runs but I don't think the trail talons will stand up to much abuse, and they already have a hole appearing by my little toe.
If the areas by little toes/ball of foot is the mesh type then I think they may not be as robust as you might want!
FlyingMonkey.... Re adidias
I don't buy any other shoe ... (Well I do try and experiment with other makes, but they never feel as quick as when I lace on an adidas)
But they are known to be sized small .... I have to get a whole size up.
Good Luck
I'm currently using Innov8, also find them comfortable. Assuming you've got similar shaped feet you could also try La Sportiva or New Balance, I've had luck with both brands.
I gave up on Inov8s due to the durability issues. They weren't a great fit on me but the fact that I had 3 pairs of Mudclaws that were pretty much fit for the bin after a couple of weeks use was the final straw.
All my running shoes are Salomon now but unfortunately they've stopped making my faves and I'll need to do a bit of research as to which current model is the closest alternative. A better fit on my narrow feet and massively better wear.
A little story: Ok, so after 20+ years of being a Darwen Dasher I had a first tonight. I was leading 5 of us on an off road headtorch run. We were heading towards a footpath stile near a house in the sticks. Lots of barking going on. A bloke there with 3 beagles.
Us: ‘Alright?’
Him (angrily): ‘Where are you going?’
Me: ‘Along this footpath.’ as we climb over it.
Him: ‘At this time of night?’ (It was about 7.30pm)
Me (probably not helping): ‘Why, what time does it stop being a footpath?
Him (apoplectic): It’s a footpath not a... a running path!’
Me: (definitely not helping): Ha ha ha! Are you serious??’
And we carried on our way with him blustering impotently behind us.
So there we are - a first. Given a bollocking for running on a footpath. Wow. Just, wow.
It was dark but you could pretty much sense the purple face and the vein throbbing on his forehead.
Obviously it would be terrible if we frequently took the route through Gammon Boy’s property now, eh...
What a bawbag!
Couple of incidences of dog bites in the last week here, one was a greyhound, actually on a lead, one of our club running past and the thing launched itself at him, fortunately only got his jacket.
Another mate of mine cycling up on WHW on Loch Lomondside, big dug sinks it's teeth into his knee. Victim blaming diatribe from dog owner 'it's cos you're cycling, he doesn't like bikes' and then 'your knee doesn't look bad, it could have been worse'
I despair of some dog owners. Stay safe folks.
Like the idea of the #everysinglestreet as something to motivate getting out there.
https://twitter.com/SalomonSports/status/1103679536628224001
I love that!
great plan.
shame id have to run to the city first 🙁
anyway i noticed something the other night - i run country roads and farm tracks a lot due to where i live and I'm always paranoid about being flattened from behind despite running on the correct side of the road with a headtorch that has rear lighting.
I noticed that my knog plus rear light is perfect for clipping to the top of my sock - so you get the flashing of the light and the moving of the leg. Bright enough to project a good red glow on the ground behind you.
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Well massive gains in today's duathlon.
Went at 4:06/km for the first 4.2km run
The bike was a hard windy 30km done at 36.5km
And second run at 4:36/km
Previous duathlons I've been over a minute slower on second run much to the non cyclists who breeze past me in the second run.
I was actually able to fight back and hold folk off.
Good to see improvements from the winter
