Kinda the opposite for me last night! 5 miles up and down the Thames through central London dodging commuters and tourists! Enjoyed it in a strange sort of way 🙂
Aye, I enjoy a wee dodgefest through the city centre, dunno if I'd fancy it every day though!
Went to a local bootcamp last night, just to try and get a bit of cross training in really, and to expose how poor my core and upper body really are.
Brutal. Hill reps were no probs, core stuff was horrendous. After 30 minutes, death was preferable.
I'll be back next week. 🙂
Went to a local bootcamp last night, just to try and get a bit of cross training in really, and to expose how poor my core and upper body really are.
Brutal. Hill reps were no probs, core stuff was horrendous. After 30 minutes, death was preferable.
I’ll be back next week.
I know this feeling well. I'm off to circuits tonight, an hour of smashing self supervised by the fittest 50 year old you'll ever meet. I bloody love it.
This looks good for those that like shorter distances. I’d do it as it’s the park I run in (Morden park) just down the road but I am away. Nice hill to run up and down.
https://entries.opentrack.run/2019/mastersxc/
Tempted to have a go again at the sub 20 min parkrun this weekend at the very un-parklike Troon prom parkrun.
I can only dream of a sub-20 ParkRun. Saying that, my first ever PR was about 29 mins and I am now at around 24mins so surely I can?...
Absolutely you can, my first 2 years ago ish was about 30 mins.
Down at 20.42 now, but that was 2 months ago, been going mostly longer slower stuff, but some track sessions too.
We'll see.
roots - you're obviously local to me, I'm Colliers Wood, and run through Morden Park on my way to Leatherhead every day. It's a shame that XC race is the day before York marathon, otherwise I'd be keen
I've finally got some form back with a 19:27 parkrun last week, just in time for loch Ness 10k in 2 weeks..
Good stuff Al. 👏🏻
Good luck nobeer! That would be quite an achievement in my book.
Turbo, that sounds like quite a long commute that I would think twice about cycling! I do quite like the park as you can vary the route endlessly.
The suspense is killing me.
Meanwhile, on planet slow, I went out for a ‘quick’ lunch time run yesterday and got a 5k all time best of 25:27. It was around the park so a mixture of loam, pavement, hills, roads, dogs, etc, so I am a little bit more hopeful of getting a sub 25min park run sometime soon. I was quite knackered by the end but feel ok today, legs and all.
Good time roots, well done.
Slept in this morning, my abs are in bits after that bootcamp on wed night! Had to roll sideways out of bed.
Wasn't feeling the love, decided to just go steadier and have a wee tempo instead, 21.57.
My own fault, I'll be 'readier' next week.
Did the Glen Clova duathalon today, Mrs Duck is a triathlete and convinced me to enter. The roadie bit was a good laugh, but when I got off the bike after 17 miles;it felt like I was using somebody elses legs...somebody shorter who had never run. Which was a pity as the run part was Mayer and Dreish, two Munros.
Horrible, truly horrible, getting off a bike and running.
Well done sir.
The first time trying to run off the bike is indeed a unique experience, and often a bit of a surprise how unpleasant it feels! However a with few brick sessions under your belt it becomes much easier
Cheers guys; the sympathy that wasn’t forthcoming domestically mentioned these brick sessions. However that would suggest the remotest possibility I would do another one. Baws to that caper, never the twain shall meet.
😂😂😂
Did my 1st Parkrun at the weekend, don't have an accessible one at home, so joined the Aviemore one whilst we're up here. Lovely, encouraging and welcoming folk, a good way to start a weekend. I was aiming to be under 25mins for the first time, so was quite surprised to get 23.11. Not sure at my age I can get much better, but quite happy with that after just a year of running.
Superb Mark, I don't think there's a more scenic parkrun in the UK.
Anyone else been dot watching at the Glencoe Skyline today? I had a few buddies in it.
Did a 5 miler on Sunday - 50/50 on and off road with some really narrow bits meaning I got stuck behind people walking a steep stepped section but really happy with a 41:30 (I was expecting more like 45 mins due to the terrain and climbing). Makes up for last week's disappointment at the ParkRun.
Sorry for the slight hijack but I’m after advice if anyone knows their stuff on hamstrings. Last Thursday while out running I felt quite a pull and then throbbing pain on my left upper hamstring at the glute. So I walked home. I saw a physio on Saturday morning and as I’m running the New York marathon on November 3rd she said it was a slight tear and best not to run it . She’s given me some strengthening exercises and told me to just swim for a few weeks. I was planning on just taking ibuprofen and painkillers and taking it easy around New York. What’s the worst that could happen? Obviously apart from losing all our Thomas cook flights this morning r😩
I was telt off on here for running on ibuprofen. Not great for the kidneys over longer events.
My leg is absolutely buggered. Knee got better but left me limping around on a sore lower leg, outside of shin, ankle, heel. Just speed-hobbled to catch a train and now can't put weight on it at all. Rather puzzled to say the least.
Final triathlon of the year yesterday, a half ironman in Castellón just north of Valencia - and fulfilling the image Brits have of Spain it was hot 🙁 It was almost certainly the flattest triathlon I've ever done, which probably explains the final time. But what a nightmare run! 4 laps of a 5km loop, at 30-35C with all the humidity you expect from a seaside run... a nightmare. The last couple of laps were particularly bad, as my right foot started to blister. Still, managed a sub 5 hour time, and despite the heat 1:38 for just under 20km is quite satisfying 🙂
Next stop, a mountain marathon in a month's time. Best get training then...
Running Clubs?
Aye, I was put off running clubs by my bike clubs experience, but it’s nothing like it, full of brilliant humble people, no one gives a **** what trainers you have!
I enjoy running on my own, just me and my feet.
I then entered a couple of local events (QECP Marathon, Meon Valley 100 etc.) and found running with small groups quiet enjoyable. I had misgivings thinking the fittest would be chatting and expecting answers from the gasping.. but not so. The fitter more experienced tended to go out for a run and enjoy it, pace equally to the group and hold back more when the less experienced faltered. In a similar way to a cycling club I joined.. so not quite that different.. though I'll agree to the kit you run in.. no-body really cares as long as it fits you and you're not hanging out of it at inconvenient moments on the trail... which has to be said is a marked contrast the the cycling club - where it seemed the price ticket on your bibs or the latest Pro-Top was the thing to be seen in.. even if there were 5-6 others dressed in the same combos...
So then I joined a small eclectic trail running bunch who run specific courses with tailored "sessions" built into the run. Quite surprised myself initially, then unfortunately the hernia came and I had to hang up my runners for a while... but they still kept in touch during the off period and I'm happily back out with them, like I've never been away.
I once read, and have been quoted this "you never see a grumpy runner" I think that's quite true. But I have witnessed plenty of grumpy cyclists.
But Clubs are all about a mindset, if you like the "pull" of running in a group they can be a great social pace whilst not feeling particularly well or suffering out on the trials, conversely I do still prefer running on my own. Maybe one day I'll find a running buddy.. I doubt I'll meet them whilst I'm out on my own... more likely meet someone whilst out with the small group.
Nice one Mogrim - anything under 5 hours is solid in my book 🙂
Cheers TF, nothing like as good as your results though!
Plans for this weekend? I'm volunteering at a local trail race, means getting up at 5am on Sunday to do the complete track, checking all the markers are in place before the race starts at 9:15. Can foresee a long siesta after lunch 😀
This weekend I'll be mainly cheering the sweetheart on at the Glasgow Half Marathon, hopefully I'll get a long run in on saturday.
Well knee pain seems to have been cured by a bit of a lay off, tried a slow 20k, and a managed a 20ish min tempo 5k last night without any adverse effects. Will see what the weather's like, might do a park run and hopefully a mountain run.
I ran 4 miles on Wednesday but got slightly held up by barriers (I run close to the circuits being used in the World's) but still managed to only be 21 seconds down on my PB and nearly beat my PM up my regular long hill which, if you have watched any of the cycling is the drag up from the right turn out of the Stray and up Otley Road. If it wasn't for the idiot trying to overtake me (I was running on the side of the road due to the barriers) then turn left even though there was a barrier stopping him from being able to so he swerved back in front of me, I would have beaten it (I was a single second down FFS).
And it's the ParkRun for me in the morning. I think it might be a bit wet.
parkun (small p, 1 word ;-)) tomorrow for me too. A hungover 3.5 miler up there, thrash myself round the run, gentle run back is the plan.
Sunday I'm marshaling at Junior parkrun, a gentle run up there and then a long ish run home, 10 miles or so.
Got a half in 2 weeks and worryingly this is about as good as my training will get for it!
parkun (small p, 1 word ;-))
Hangs head in shame.
Although I do hate proper nouns that insist on lower case (note - it's 'lower case', not 'small' unless you are seven 😉 ) as they look horrible when starting paras/sentences with them ie:
parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.
These events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings and we encourage people of every ability to take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; we welcome you all.
Yak!
Hangs head in shame.
Although I do hate proper nouns that insist on lower case (note – it’s ‘lower case’, not ‘small’ unless you are seven 😉 ) as they look horrible when starting paras/sentences with them ie
Hahaha, you are correct that is looks crap. But I'm an Event Director at my parkrun and am not a fully signed up member of the parkrun grammar police!
🙂
Talking of PARKRUN, went along today hoping to get somewhere near 25 at Nonsuch. Did 26:17 last time out but went much nearer the front which was better. Found a 25 minute pacer and stuck with her, even chatting away on the first lap. Final km I felt good so decided to try my legs and speed up. Just about caught the 24 minute pacer and got a 23:54 on my watch. I’m amazed and don’t really know where it came from, but I suspect hill reps and intervals with Sutton Runners have something to do with it.
Well done all for your achievements, keep up the good work! All very inspiring.
Did my first ParkRun this morning. What great events they are; real mixed bag of abilities and a real friendly and welcoming environment. It times each person (even though I suspect almost everyone would have some sort of Garmin) and it’s all free!
They really put cycling events to shame.
Agreed Moonan, parkrun has been awesome for running, and getting folk out. Bravo.
North York Moors Half Marathon for me tomorrow. Noodling about between Ravenscar and Robin Hoods Bay and back. The forecast looks pretty grim and it'll easily be the most height gain in a single run for me. Given the course record is somewhere around 2h, I'm expecting it to become "character building".
Very solid improvement there root, shows there's loads more potential to be tapped if you stick at it 🙂
I was not aware of the ParkRun franchise. Although not really surprised to read some councils have started to charge for people to run in their parks.
As Nobinthefridge wrote - it’s a great concept that encourages people to get out.
The running community has been a bit of a revelation to me. It reminds me of when I joined a cycling club in about 2007 - unpretentious, welcoming and fun. Cycling events back then were cheap, and parkrun is a great example of a phenomenal event that just inspires people to get out there. A far more diverse field than any cycling event - 16 minute finishers, me in the midfield, then people crawling over the line in 50 minutes, all determinded to finish. I’m happy with my time but I was tracking a guy Who was 65+ I think, who finished ahead of me. He might have been an elite athlete back in the day? Brilliant. I was chatting with the 25 minute pacemaker from Nothern Ireland and a young lad for the middle part who I sort of raced to the finish. Great fun. People with their kids, dogs, mums, dads all getting out there for a soggy Saturday morning, some with hangovers, some recovering from unjuries or illness, all running with no snobbishness or looking down on those that finish slower, or have cheap shoes. Well, ultimately, all you need is a pair of trainers and isn’t that great? There is always someone faster so just enjoy it. I think I’ll volunteer sometime soon and offer encouragement to the runners.
Oh, and just one more thing. It’s a far more diverse ethnic membership than the cycling I know - a fair representation of a cross section of society in the London borough that I live in, and I for one feel that is a very positive thing.
I still love bikes too though!
Parkrun stats. Quite incredible really:
The running community has been a bit of a revelation to me. It reminds me of when I joined a cycling club in about 2007 – unpretentious, welcoming and fun. Cycling events back then were cheap, and parkrun is a great example of a phenomenal event that just inspires people to get out there. A far more diverse field than any cycling event – 16 minute finishers, me in the midfield, then people crawling over the line in 50 minutes, all determinded to finish. I’m happy with my time but I was tracking a guy Who was 65+ I think, who finished ahead of me. He might have been an elite athlete back in the day? Brilliant. I was chatting with the 25 minute pacemaker from Nothern Ireland and a young lad for the middle part who I sort of raced to the finish. Great fun. People with their kids, dogs, mums, dads all getting out there for a soggy Saturday morning, some with hangovers, some recovering from unjuries or illness, all running with no snobbishness or looking down on those that finish slower, or have cheap shoes. Well, ultimately, all you need is a pair of trainers and isn’t that great? There is always someone faster so just enjoy it. I think I’ll volunteer sometime soon and offer encouragement to the runners.
Absolutely this, people like me (30's, reasonably fit, white) will always find a way to exercise if they want, it's the other people that parkrun is for.
And please do volunteer, this weekend I completed my 51st run and got my 62nd volunteer credit and can confirm it's awesome. I truth, I almost enjoy the volunteering more than the running!
I'm trying to talk my local parkrun into using pacers once a month, tjat way I can volunteer, and run too!
