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Like everything, depends what fits! I've tried a couple of the Decathlon running packs and they didn't work for me fit-wise. Same with the - way more expensive - Salomon vest packs, I think I'm just awkwardly in between sizes. I have a small Mountain Hardwear pack and a couple of Ultimate Direction ones, and they all fit me fine. I'd have no problem with using the Decathlon stuff (have loads of other great from there, is fine build quality wise etc) but the fit just didn't work for me.
There is the alpkit artlu.
It is 10l though so not sure if too big. Mine is really comfy though
Well, yeah, that’s what I’m trying to work out.
As proved in my many shoe posts, I don’t mind spending money if there’s a good reason why, hence asking the difference.
no idea, sorry. But at a guess, it’s better made, with better QC with better quality materials. But you are probably paying a decent % for the label.
The Decathlon models are fine, no real difference between them and a hyper-expensive Salomon model. As mentioned above, fit is key. Try it on and if it fits it'll (probably!) be fine.
@lunge I wore a 3l Decathlon vest for my Jubilee Greenway - holds a pair of 250ml flasks on the chest, couple of pockets below the flasks, and a larger zipped pocket on the back. Snug fit on my scrawny chest for the small size, but worked perfectly for what I wanted. No chafing or movement. For my Capital Ring I wore my Inov8 Raceultra 10l which was bigger than required, but also fits great and is my default pack when required, as it can hold a pair of shoes etc.
For my upcoming ultras however I decided that I wanted something between the 2 and didn't like the look of anything available commercially, so I've made my own 🙂
Matches my running kit, and is based on the Decathlon vest but with larger chest pockets to hold 500ml flasks and a bigger back pocket. Fiddly to say the least....
In other news I've got another pair of shoes resoled, my Next% which have about 50km on them
I will admit that these and the 4% aren't going to be ideal for super gnarly terrain, stability and protection being something they don't excel at. South Downs Way 50 will be the first proper outing for the 4% this weekend and the Next% will get their first race in their new iteration for the Thames Path 100 in May.
First race in 6 months was the Sunday just past, a 5k with a decent hill in the middle. Wasn't sure how I'd go on a short fast race based on the volume of slow grinding I've been doing recently, but was very pleased to only be 8 seconds slower than my last outing there in 15:21.
Frustratingly I seem to have done something to my left hamstring/calf so am in a lot of pain while running since obviously going too hard/not warming up properly/wearing different shoes on Tuesday 🙁 Seeing a physio this evening to hopefully sort it out, otherwise this weekend's 50 miler won't be fun...
Also noticed what is apparently an epigastric hernia a couple of days ago, only protrudes a little occasionally when contorting, fingers crossed it'll sort itself out
2 injuries popping up just before 150 miles of racing spread 3 weeks apart - ideal 😮
Interesting post TF.
I got delivery of a Decathlon pack yesterday that more of a vest where you store 2 500ml bottles on the front pockets. Did a quick test on the road and that is going straight back, felt horrible to run in, weirdly like I imagine a large chested woman would feel. I think I'll stick to my current backpack. It's not perfect but it'll do I think.
Those VaporTrails/TrailFly's are intriguing, I'll definitely be doing that once I've used up their road miles.
Running with chest water does indeed feel pretty strange to start off with, they need to be strapped down tight to stop them wobbling, otherwise you'll lose a load of efficiency. The nice thing about the Inov8 pack is that the bottles are much lower, under your armpits, with long straws to your mouth, and they're much less obvious.
My DIY pack was missing easy adjustment of the chest straps, so just printed some little fittings like you might see on tent guy-lines
work a treat 🙂
Ferret, I sympathise with the calf strain. I was running on Monday, had just finished an off-road flinty climb and was on the flat when my calf went ping. It felt like I had been shot by a sniper - no warning, just went.
What was your physio's recommendation: I am assuming rest, mild mobility exercises until free of symptoms and then strengthening allied to a gradual return?
I didn't see a physio, although potentially maybe I should have done. I saw a top sports massage therapist who tortured me for an hour. Today not only do I have a sore calf/hamstring, I also have sore quads 😮
Today is my 2nd day of rest, surely that's enough going into a 50 miler? The issue is that if I don't finish this race I can't start my 100 miler which is the bigger target, so let's see how things go. Fingers crossed after I'm warmed up it'll be fine and I'll be fully recovered by 8th May...
How did the 50 go @turboferret? Did the injuries hold up?
I did a 27 miler on Saturday to give a final test of the marathon kit and to get my head round running long at the right pace as well. Largely, a very enjoyable run bar the odd challenging bit where I stupidly decided to go up a big hill at 18 milers. Pleasingly, the kit all worked well, no chafing or blisters which bodes well.
Cheer me up please; took trail shoes to run the long trek back from Ullapool Beinn Dearg on Friday. Short story,fractured ankle and a three mile limp back to car,consultant today. Somebody tell me they have done something similar and been back running on trails again, because right now I am scunnered. Weather getting better,allowed to hike, odd race back on..oh; and Planet x Tempest arriving tomorrow.
@lunge it was a good run thanks, fortunately after warming up my left leg was absolutely fine. The fun started before the race as I found myself locked into my campsite at 5am, and needed to find an alternative exit, otherwise I may have been starting considerably later than planned!
A nice little video of the day is here
and Centurion's report is pretty good too, the bit relevant to me is: In the mens race, we saw stellar times from our front two in the end, with both Richard Mcdowell and previous winner here, Jack Blackburn, running into 3rd and 7th on the all time fastest performances on this course across all nine editions.
Richard went off extremely hard, but when you have finished first Vet 40 at the London Marathon in 2:23 then hard is a relative thing. He did perhaps push the envelope all the way out over the first half of the course however. His times through the first three check points were ahead of Tom Evans' 5:44 course record splits. His first 10 miles were run in 62 minutes and he made the marathon mark at Housedean Farm check point in 2:53, 7 minutes up on Tom's time in there.
However he felt that keeping that kind of effort up was not necessarily sustainable and made a conscious decision to back off at that point, taking the ascents easier and running slightly more within himself to eventually cruise home in 6:02 for a comfortable 18 minute margin over second placed Jack Blackburn. Richard races the Thames Path 100 in just under three weeks time which for sure played into that decision. A smart one no doubt! Third place went to Peter Windross in a solid 6:38.
The homemade ultra-vest/bag did the trick beautifully, and apparently it was noted how small it was at the start, the woman kit-checking me at the finish was intrigued to see how I'd managed to meet all the minimum equipment in such a light and compact bag. Legs were far from functional on Sunday, a bit better yesterday, and I'm contemplating a gentle jog at lunchtime today. Not long until I'll be tapering again for the main event in under 3 weeks time 😮
Congratulations, that's an impressive time for a 50miler!
Bloody well done, that is both distance and speeds that i can't compute
Cheer me up please; took trail shoes to run the long trek back from Ullapool Beinn Dearg on Friday. Short story,fractured ankle and a three mile limp back to car,
Bloody hell. Sorry to hear that Duckman, hope you heal up quickly!
Seriously impressive work TF, seriously fast as well.
How were the TrailFly's/VaporTrails?
Glad to report that the VaporTrails worked a charm, although the ground was so dry that road shoes would have been fine too - the guy who finished 3rd wore AlphaFlys and was happy with his choice. Zero blisters or chafing, but a few sore toenails, which is possibly inevitable given the descending pushes your feet to the front of your shoes. Nutrition consisted of 2 x Maurten 320 (1 litre total) 500ml tailwind (which tasted very weak) & 2x Maurten caffeinated gels. I'll have to work a bit harder to get more in during the Thames Path as I was probably running a bit low by the end. Solid food doesn't work for me while moving, and it was a couple of hours before I could manage anything solid after the finish too.
Injury strikes!!!!
10 days before my ultra, feeling fit as I ever have and I have been hit. Last mle of a club run, not even pushing on and I got a sharp pain in the back of my calf. Stopped immediately and walked home to apply ice and massaged it.
Hoping it's nothing serious but it's terrible timing.
Ach! Sorry to hear it. Get well soon.
Well, I do love a visit to a sympathetic physio.
When I explained the problem and the timing of the ultra he immediately asked if I wanted advice on if I should run it, or advise as to what will happen if I did. I suggested the latter, he chuckled as he knew that would be the case.
So, it's not a serious injury and normal advise would be some exercises, no running for 2 or 3 weeks and then ease back in gently. Note that "run 40 miles in 10 days time" isn't mentioned in that plan.
However, he did say that if I should do some exercises for 3 or 4 days, go and do 5k on Sunday or Monday, and see how it feels. If it's OK then by all means have a crack at the ultra.
The main positive was that if shouldn't do any serious damage to it even if I do run a bit early, just so long as I accept I may have to walk in places.
Overall, I'm a bit more positive than I was.
Catching up...
Cheers @mogrim I feel pretty much right as rain but the after affects are still there training wise.
So the Tour of Tamesdie has been postponed to dates I can no longer make, bit gutted about that.
I had however planned to go out and do a half before committing to the original dates after having Covid as I didn't want to sign up and not complete the 4 days and the half would have been my nemesis as for a while now I've generally only done around the 10k mark and rarely go above 8 mile.
Anyway today was the day I had planned to have a crack at the half so decided to still do it so I know that I can again.
Beyond completing it the only goal was sub 2hr based on how my running has been post Covid.
It ended up being bloody close at 1:59:44! Goal accomplished though. Felt strong until the 9 mile mark then my body just hit the wall. Possibly still a bit of Covid (long) at play there.
I'm about 15 mins down on my best in the past but ultimately I'm still happy.
I'm now feeling positively tortoise like though after seeing @turboferret effort! Awesome and well done.
@lunge hope all goes well if you do go ahead with the event.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-5697122 0"> http://BBC News - Stock cubes help runner smash record on 212-mile route https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-56971220
Impressive, a very well done. Don't fancy scoffing stock cubes though.
Knee bother has cut my running, I think it's some form of ITB problem, can't get a physio appt for a couple of weeks, really pissing me off. First running injury I've had in nearly 4 years, so can't really complain tbf. Arghhh.
I hear you Nobeer, I've not run for a week, longest time off I've had since I took up running 4 years ago. Test run tomorrow, oddly nervous about it...
Counting down to the Thames Path 100, the pre-event blog is up which makes for quite entertaining reading. My main rival seems to have potentially handicapped himself by having his tongue pierced and rendered himself unable to eat currently 😀
I don't feel like I can post on this thread anymore 🙁
But %£*^ it - I did a (nearly) 7 mile run in just over an hour on Monday – still some way to go to getting back to my times of 2019 but an injury (broken rib) lost most of 2020 for me then winter happened so just getting back to more regular runs.
Absolutely what Pyro says, well done John. 💪🏻
Another one coming out of injury - Covid and double hernia repair late 2020 did me for a few weeks then moved to Sheffield and increase in elevation set off my IT band.
But a nice 17.5k loop around Stanage and Burbage today and I’m not hobbling tonight! I can feel it, but in a good way. Yay!!
And first fell race in about 18 months coming up in a couple of weeks. First time out in a Dark Peak vest - esteemed company!!
I may be getting somewhere with this knee injury, was getting sore again today, so rattled off a couple of sets of squats and lunges. Pain gone.
Now thinking that this may be down to my chronically weak quads, glutes and calf on my left leg. I've only really been running for a good while, very little biking or gym work ...
Hmm.....
Don’t worry, we’re not all lunge or turboferret!
I can absolutely assure you all that TF is in a different league to me!
Did a fitness test today, 5k on the local track to see how my calf has responded. And all was well, started slow, finished faster and no issues to speak of. Whether it’ll last 40 miles is a different question...
Best of luck buddy.
@dashed - what's the fell race you're doing? There are some really good runners with DPFR, you ate indeed in esteemed company
Don’t really know what I’m doing here (except for putting on 20lbs over the last year).
So ‘beginner’, I guess. Have never done running since jogging 4 miles home from a night club in 1989 and that was mostly downhill 😬. Used to walk a lot though. 30+ miles every Sunday. Again, many decades ago
I looked at myself in the mirror a week ago and entirely lost my composure, tilting off into wailing and gnashing self-loathing.
So took self away for a few days to reset and work on a plan. First off, dug out myfitnesspal app and entered a goal to lose 80lbs in a year. 80 ****ing lbs. still, 2lbs a week is doable. Tough though. Depressed over-eater + counting calories is never a good fit!
Have already lost 5lb in 15 days so need to dial it back a bit if anything.
Going to walk/run at night or evening. Sold some unused bike parts and bought a Thrunite H01 headtorch (this is a nice bit of kit) and a pair of lightly used Adidas Raven trail shoes for a song.
Got Jo Whiley on my phone app telling me about the NHS couch to 5k.
Start tonight. Great excite! Great trepidation! Have knackered feet (prior rheumatoid arthritis, now in remission), recurring groin injury/athletic pubalgia and multiple neuromas in forefeet, so not sure how it will pan out. But as Yoda says - do or do not, there is no try.
Wish me luck 👍🏼
@p7eaven good luck with your journey - take it slow on the C25K, don't be afraid to repeat weeks if required to avoid injury. Better to have consistently have a B- in training than sporadic A+ with injuries and time off.
Lovely weather for racing tomorrow 😮
What tf said, best of luck fella.
@alanf - it's the Totley Moor race in a couple of weeks. It sold out really quickly as there were limited places and I suspect I'll be out of my depth as it'll all be racing snakes with pent up need to race after a long lockdown (rather than the more mixed field I've encountered in the few races I have done previously!). Staggered start though so not as obvious... I've also just signed up for the Round Sheffield trial thinging in June as well - 20k of times stages around the cities parks.
@p7eaven - stick at it and go real steady. So tempting to get carried away with how much you're enjoying things or with how much progress being made but nothing worse than injuring yourself with all that enthusiasm. Don't ask me how I know...
Best of luck @turboferret - weather doesn't look brill!
@p7eaven - Good on you! As others have said, take it steady. I know too many people who've started C25K and gone "this is too easy!" in the early sessions, gone a bit too hard and injured themselves. You've got a lofty goal, but it's achievable - best of luck.
I've got a recce of the first stage of the Lakes in a Day ultra this weekend, Caldbeck to Threlkeld. Judging by the pics of someone snowboarding on Blencathra earlier this week, it might be a cold one!
A couple of weeks ago I attempted to beat my best Strava estimated 5k time of 22:29 from November, but it left me wondering how I could have possibly got that time when I feel like my running has been progressing, mainly due to better consistency, starting with a slow jog rather than walking, and much less soreness & stiffness afterwards.
Yesterday I decided I'd give it another go, despite a slight niggle in my left knee. Weather was calm for it, and after warming up upped the pace so I was near the limit of breathing through nose and not gasping for air through mouth. Total 4.47 miles, Got a best time, 21:41s was the time Strava estimated my best 5k to be. Happy! Unfortunately my left knee is not so happy, some slight discomfort walking at times, but nothing major. Really want to get on the bike today and do more than a gentle ride but shouldn't, and know I'll struggle to resist messing about practising obstacle negotiation etc because it "isn't that bad really is it".
Good luck to the racers and the new runners too!
@p7eaven I was similar, ballooned to 16:2, and now down to 13:9 since October. I focussed on just getting out the door pretty much most days, usually 3 mile walk/run. Got to 6, then 10, then 15 and did 20 on Monday. Just checked Strava and average 4 times a week and 548 mile this year! Slow and steady is the key, listen to your body.
Well said that man, and well done too!
Game over. Calf went pop at 5 miles. Heart broken.
A proper few weeks of rest and rehab are needed.
@lunge that's a pisser, still there will always be another chance. Rest and rehab as you say, and start looking for another race in October.
Very slow 35km group run/walk here today - Sonia is never the fastest of runners, but when she turned up with a massive hangover it was clear the pace was never going to be high 🙂 All good fun though (if not for her) and made it up Madrid's highest peak, Peñalara, which is at 2428m above sea level.
A photo of me heading up the final climb, with my mate Miguel in the background. It was blowing a gale at the top, nearly blew me over a couple of times.
Unlucky @lunge, take some downtime and get out rehabbed properly. Hope it heals fast.
Good work @mogrim. I was up there on an adventure race - the Raid Bimbache - a fair few years back, the young marshal they'd posted on top hadn't quite grasped his job and how long he'd be in position and hadn't taken any shelter or food with him. He was quite a state after 6hrs of trying to sit it out in the wind and the cold!
So, adding this as a minor inspiration and a 'proud' moment.
I've just been for a run with my Dad. He's 75, has had two knee replacements and a hip replacement, plus a couple of other medical issues over the past 5 years. He rides, either on the turbo or on the road, 3 times a week, and decided he wanted to start some gentle jogging again to go with it. 6 weeks ago he started Couch to 5k, so today was Wk6, Run 3: we did 5mins walk, then 25mins continuous jog.
Doesn't seem like much, really, but it's the first time my Dad has jogged continuously for 25 mins in a good couple of decades.
I'm very happy right now.
Thanks all for the encouraging words. Really helped.
I was similar, ballooned to 16:2, and now down to 13:9 since October. I focussed on just getting out the door pretty much most days, usually 3 mile walk/run.
That’s awesome. I still have someway to get back to 16st before the hard work starts towards 12, but have lost a half stone since beginning calorie-counting/cutting out chips, sugar and bread just 16 days ago.
Still can’t believe I reached 17.9 before the (sic, sic, sic) scales truly fell from my eyes 😲
C25k Day 1:
I wanted a kickstart/mood boost so drove up the hill to Malvern Hills about 9:30pm.
Switched on the headtorch. Zipped keys in a small Camel-bak (can’t stand keys in pocket) and started the app.
First ‘run’ occurred on a flat trail. It was ok. More of a slight, slow, heavy jog. Though it feels like I’m trying to jog with my two bikes on my back. (In fact they weigh 20lb less combined than the weight I require to lose). So somewhat like jogging carrying three bikes on your back 😩
By the time Jo Whiley invites me do the second run (now heading slightly downhill) I was feeling glad that these trail shoes have a lot of cushioning. Again, with more weight loss I’m sure that won’t be as necessary when repurchasing worn out shoes (?). Shame, as I like these but they are discontinued.
At the third 60 secs I was heading up towards the aptly named ‘Perseverance Hill’ and I could barely get both feet off the ground at the same time. My right Achilles is like a tight thing and I can just hear my elephantine wheezing through the earbuds.
By the time I get to the 4th 60 seconds and towards the crest I’m convinced it’s hell to imagine 3 more. I was convinced I’d done 5 or 6 already!
But the downhill/slope proved encouraging (if rocky, sketchy) and I sort of limped the final 2 x 60secs to the car. Then had to walk around aimlessly for 5 minutes to cool down/strut about, feeling as if I’d just ran a half-marathon ffs
Enjoyed both the night air & the views, the challenge, but most of all that feeling of smidgeon of my former self returning and the thought that I may possibly be able to run. ****ing hell.
Result? I’m still shocked at the bad shape I’ve gotten myself in. Yesterday’s day off was a painful aftermath mixed with joyous resolve. Front thighs are hurting/burning most, I expect from the steep (running) final descent. Feet are behaving surprisingly well .
Don’t know yet where I’ll do the 2nd run tonight, but it feels like the lifeline it is, and am very much looking forward to it.
STWers advice to not rush to next stages is appreciated. Don’t want to knacker self up and ruin my chances. Will suck sensibly, and see
Good work @p7eaven. Every interval, every session and every week is a little victory, however painful. Well done 🙂
lunge – Ach. Rest easy.
mogrim - Great pic, lovely looking day.
Pyro – That really made me smile. 😃
p7eaven – Nice one. 👍
Well that came to an abrupt end. ****ing ****.
2nd run C25K tonight, decided to go on the level. Warm up walk, first jog ok. Feeling positive. Second warmup walk, the began the 2nd interval. I immediately felt something ‘give’ in lower calf on the left-side push-off.
Then some pain. I stopped running as soon as I felt it. Luckily was only 8 mins from the car so had to walk back gingerly with left foot out at a right angle.
Have it up now with ice under it and ibuprofen in me. It feels slightly nauseating. Disappointed doesn’t really explain how it feels to be knocked back this early on. Wanted to throw my phone on the tarmac tbh. Just worried now that I’ve ****ed the achilles or something. Fingers crossed. The long road just got longer.
Keep your chin up p7, take your time.
Finally had my physio appt yesterday, and confirmed my own thoughts that I have the left leg strength of an asthmatic, smoking layabout.
Time to do some cross training.
p7eaven, it took me a year and 3 attempts at C25K before I was comfortably running 5Ks. Take it slow and give your body time to adjust and recover
So, to add to my year of injury woes, I now have a Bakers cyst behind my left knee. Likely due to my ongoing knee issues.
Looks like even more time out. I'm just depressed with it now.
I bragged last year that after all my years of playing football I'd never really had any knee issues.
Has anyone had a Bakers cyst? I've been told full recovery could take a couple of months.
So, Saturday was Thames Path 100 - here's what I've just written for the club newsletter:
After my longer FKT runs of last summer, I became curious as to how I might fare over a 100 mile race. Centurion run a number of very well regarded events, and the Thames Path 100 seemed to be the most appropriate given that it's very flat and I generally don't do a huge amount of hill work. One minor hurdle to overcome was qualifying, for which I needed to finish a 50 mile race in advance. The South Downs Way 50 was the obvious choice, 4 weeks in advance, just about enough time to recover while absorbing the training stimulus of the long run. This however was postponed by a week due to Covid so I only had 3 weeks between events. I went into the SDW50 with the fact that this wasn't my A race at the back of my mind, and tried not to overdo it, and made a conscious effort to really back off in the 2nd half of the event. Irrespective of this it was still a 50 mile run with nearly 2000m of climbing over 6 hours, so it took a while for the legs to feel normal afterwards.
Going into the TP100 I thought that I'd recovered reasonably well and was ready, and with some pretty ambitious goals in mind. The weather forecast wasn't looking particularly kind though, with heavy rain all morning and 7 hours of 40+mph gusting wind. Fortunately neither was too much of an issue, the rain eased off fairly early and the wind, while a frequent annoyance as the Thames frequently meandered to face into it, never felt as strong as anticipated.
1st stop at Staines
The start of the race at Richmond is on a nice surface, and remains so for a significant portion, probably contributing to my first marathon split of 2:57. I struggle to run slowly when feeling fresh which can be my undoing, but I was still very confident at this stage.
2nd stop at Maidenhead
Coming into Henley at half distance was when things changed significantly. I had a pretty aggressive fuelling strategy trying to get on nearly 80g carbs/hour, which my stomach was not impressed by, resulting in a significant amount of vomiting.
3rd stop at Henley - captured moments before projectile vomit
This was followed shortly after by a huge energy crash as I bonked hard, but managed to keep moving albeit significantly slower, and revised my fuelling to mix up the carbs with more pure electrolytes. I should point out at this stage that I was being crewed by a friend who had very kindly dedicated his day to assist, and with quite a bit of experience over these distances himself was invaluable to keep me going as quickly as I was.
4th stop at Reading (I think)
While the rain had stopped, the amount which had fallen in the preceding week had made the ground pretty soggy and muddy, and was rather hard going in places, the lovely gravel around Kingston and Hampton Court would have been glorious here. My footwear seemed to be working pretty well though, with Vibram trail soles glued onto a pair of Nike Next%, so bouncy yet grippy.
5th stop at Benson - a rare moment with my jacket off
I had been receiving some feedback as to where I was in the race as there was live tracking available online. The only issue being that given that there was a staggered start, and I'd started very close to the start of the 7am window, potentially someone starting later could finish behind me yet clock a faster time for the win. The biggest name in the field was Dan Lawson, probably best know recently for setting the fastest time running from Land's End to John o' Groats with suitable evidence in under 10 days. He also won the IAU 24 Hour European Championships in 2016 with a distance of 261.843 kilometres, so clearly has some endurance ability. I knew that I had a reasonable buffer back to 2nd place, but also that this could change very quickly if things started to fall apart. My saving grace was Mike Boucher, from Aldershot, Farnham and District AC, appearing completely unexpectedly with 19km to go.
6th stop with my saviour at Culham
He was the XC captain when I was at Imperial College, so we go back a long way, and being a very strong marathon runner on fresh legs had more than enough energy to keep up a constant pep talk to keep me going. Watching him sliding around in the mud in slightly ill-planned road shoes was also hilarious. Turning off the Thames path into Queens College sports ground was a very welcome relief and I stopped the clock at 13:43:42, just over an hour clear of 2nd place and knocking around 25 minutes off the course record.
Finish in Oxford - I think I'd earned a sit-down by now
Had I been a little more diligent in my research and quest to set a new record, I would have noticed that all of the faster trail times set by British athletes were set on looped coursed in the US, a far cry from what I had completed, so I think that I may have set a new British record for a trail race.
Losing 10% body mass over the day wasn't in the plan, suggesting that my hydration and nutrition strategy could do with some optimisation. The legs are also still very much jelly and it'll take several days minimum before I stop shuffling around like a decrepit pensioner, but with no races in the calendar until 3rd October, I think I can afford a week off!
Thanks go out firstly to my incredibly supportive wife, tolerating my silly early starts running every morning and resulting tiredness for the rest of the day! The extended Hercules family, my crew for the day Dan Barret from Bad Boy Running (my 2nd claim club) and Mike Boucher.
Awesome work again TF - congratulations.
It seems with a nailed down strategy you will be smashing that too...
Top work.
TF, that is a ridiculous effort. I'm not sure what is more impressive, the time or losing 10% of your body mass!
Jesus, that's an amazing result tf, mindblowing!
That is an amazing effort, i can't even comprehend how to do that
Great work @turboferret, cracking effort.
@p7eaven - massive shame but just a knock. Take your time healing, get gentle walks in and build that up gradually and then go back for another go. Start off on flatter ground, maybe? But keep at it, you'll get there slowly - as Claudie says, give your body time to adjust and you'll get there.
Jeez TF - that's some effort. And a suitably understated write up. Fair play, that man, fair play!!
Nice one TF, hope you enjoy putting that 10% back on again.
Any plans to run in Scottish ultras later this year?
S.
Thanks everyone, starting to feel slightly less like a cripple, but I've just had my first covid jab, so I may yet deteriorate again shortly!
@highlandman no plans for racing in Scotland I'm afraid. Firstly I try and keep a bit of balance between running and family life so most things are relatively local. Secondly, I mainly train on the flat, so I'd suffer on proper hilly races 😮
Very impressive TF, setting out on a 160km run and doing the first marathon sub 3 hours... blimey.
On a complete change of subject - has anyone been running with a (covid) facemask on? Any recommendations? I don't need one where I am now as I'm in a fairly rural setting, but I'll hopefully be able to get a run or two in at my place near the Med the week after next, and it's in the middle of a town so I'll probably need one.
@mogrim <trying not to sound arrogant> when your marathon PB is 2:23, 2:57 is steady run pace so feels very easy. Also the first 1/4 is on good terrain, so my theory was that the relative effort/pace compared to the rough stuff meant that it was best to capitalise early. I'm no expert by any means, this being my debut over this distance, and I may have been better saving my legs for later, who knows. Looking back I think I was overdressed for a significant portion of the run and should have shed my jacket for longer. Probably sweated more contributing to my severe dehydration. My GI system certainly seems to be my weakness which becomes apparent in longer events...
Yeah, I can see that - though it still seems fast 🙂
My GI system certainly seems to be my weakness which becomes apparent in longer events…
Nutrition is often the main problem on long distance events, you probably need to consider taking in some solid(ish) food at some point to settle your stomach. Doesn't need to be much more than a white-bread sandwich, but all those gels + drinks end up taking their toll.
Or if you're Nicky Spinks on a double Bob Graham then a portion of fish and chips!!
BTW - if anyone hasn't seen the film of her attempt it's beautifully filmed and inspirational. Run Forever on YouTube
Sorry - only tenuously related, physio has been pushing me to try barefoot style shoes and I see the Merrell Trail Glove looks like a good 'transition' e.g. still a wee bit of padding and support. Plus I've seen some on Sportshoes which I really like the look of 😎
Don't seem to be any local stockists to think I'll just take a punt online. Any quirks of sizing? I'm wearing a 44 in Decathlon which feels a bit neat, 44 in Altberg which is also a bit neat, 44.5 in Innov-8 which feels fine. The shape of the Merrells looks quite spacious at the front so maybe no need to go too big?
Ta
I've always found Merrell's a little short, may be my odd feet though.
I too am looking at shoes, and despite having 2 pairs already, 1 of which is unworn, I really want a pair of OG Vaporfly's. How good do they look?!?!
the sensible option is a pair of NB FuelCall RebelV2 which have got rave reviews.
OG Vaporfly’s. How good do they look?!?!
Pretty ugly, colours are OK but that stupid tail thing... and they'll look even worse from above. Still, each to their own 🙂
@13thfloormonk Why is your physio recommending barefoot shoes?
IME stability stems from having a well balanced core and glutes / hips.
Looking at the current fads, barefoot shoes were all the rage, now its all maximal. The cynic in me would point at Inov8, famed for (close to) minimal approach to fell shoes discontinuing their Barefoot model, and recently launching the TerrUltra(???) which is their take on a Hoka. People gave up on barefoot due to injuries, which is what they purported to resolve.
I believe that the shoes you wear can make a marginal difference to an injury, what makes the biggest difference is any strength or conditioning work you may be doing to improve it, or sometimes well intentioned regimes can exacerbate injuries.
Aye, barefoot seems a sticking plaster, completely agree on the strength and conditioning Pieface.
I wear 9.5/44 510s, vans, and wearing the trail gloves at 9.5/44 fit nicely. They're more protective than the vapour gloves I first started in (which are fine for perfect surfaces I expect) but still need to avoid those knuckle size stones!
I started running March 2020 and haven't tried other shoes yet. I wanted to give this style of shoe a go and am happy to continue with them at this point. Just giving running a slight break after deciding to beat my best estimated 5k time with a minor knee niggle which turned into more of an issue after.
Why is your physio recommending barefoot shoes?
Actually he is recommending barefoot almost due to a (current...) absence of running related injuries and almost complete lack of running and hiking that I'm doing at the moment which means I can ease myself in gradually. I have ongoing lower back stuff but largely due to muscle inactivity and needing to engage and activate muscles again so that my poor TFL isn't doing all the heavy lifting. I like the idea of a shoe which doesn't do all the stability work for me.
I'm definitely a fan of removing crutches whenever I can, have slowly reduced the number of shims etc. in my road shoes with no obvious detrimental impact, and my sloppy old Innov-8s with nothing more than a worn out set of Superfeet green insoles seem perfectly good for trail walking and occasional running.
It's just something I'd like to try, the success rate I've had to date with insoles and orthotics hasn't exactly been stellar anyway so perhaps I've never really *needed* them anyway.
Actually he is recommending barefoot almost due to a (current…) absence of running related injuries
Makes sense, no injuries means no money for him, get the client to try barefoot and he's guaranteed 8 - 10 appointments to fix calf and Achilles injuries. Clever.
Makes sense, no injuries means no money for him, get the client to try barefoot and he’s guaranteed 8 – 10 appointments to fix calf and Achilles injuries. Clever.
If client is an idiot and goes out and overdoes it, yes. I pad about barefoot at home all day every day anyway. I'm not planning to go out an do a munro or run a marathon straight away 😉
He showed me his collection of Viva Barefoot hiking and running shoes so obviously practices what he preaches at least
I wore very minimal shoes for quite some time and never had any running related injuries as a result, so very much depends on the person. I'll regularly put on a pair of very minimal and flexible Nike Frees for an easy run as I feel varying the type of shoe frequently helps to keep the foot strong. Assuming you're not overdoing it or transitioning rapidly from wearing shoes with a huge drop, you should be OK. The Trail Glove looks like a decent option IMO.
I'm trying to resist the urge to get a pair of the updated NB FuelCell Rebels, they're supposed to be ace, but I don't exactly have a shortage!
For the squeamish, don't scroll down...
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right, I did warn you, no one can complain now 🙂
Despite getting no blisters and only the tiniest bit of chafing on my neck from my home-made ultra vest, my toenails didn't escape quite so lightly. It would appear as though my Next% are a fraction on the snug side, and tapping against the end of my shoe ~82,000 times on Saturday was enough to loosen most of the nails and detach them from their beds. Anyone who has had this know this leaves them rather sensitive to touch, often with a large amount of blood/fluid below the nail. This is what the right foot looked like before I drained them, not much better after on Monday:
After a couple of days of being paranoid about the intense pain caused by a careless toddler, removal seemed like the best course of action:
Despite probably looking worse, they are now absolutely pain free, and whipping them off was a formality. To lose 6 of my maximum available 8 is pretty good going I reckon 😀
I know there were two warnings, but I'm not sure if that helped or just made me more curious... 😉