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The Annual Running ...
 

The Annual Running thread - beginners/ultras/whatever

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Coffee as soon as you're up, give it 30 mins, then go squat whether you're ready or not! It'll come! 😂

Since I chucked the beer, it's became a lot less of an issue tbh, used to always have to go first thing, was a right nuisance when kipping in the back of my van, either finding a loo open early or going in the woods!

Find I can happily wait til after lunch now!


 
Posted : 24/12/2019 9:06 pm
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Running shoes for ultras .

I'm back in my decathlon trail shoes that became too narrow on LG.

It was pointed out it's a known thing that feet swell in ultra.

Keen not to make the same mistake in that I'm going to buy me probably some speedgoats if I can get them to fit in the new year to train and use on CG ultra trail and at the price only have one shot to get it right

What sort of fit should I be looking for. I'm going to a shop to buy my first pair at least but tbh I thought my decathlon trail shoes fitted - and they do ...... Just got tight after 40k.


 
Posted : 25/12/2019 11:17 am
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I go big for trail shoes, I think my fujitrabuco are 11.5, I'm shoe size 10, as you say due to swelling of your feet being on em for so long. Lots of room in the toe box.

I'm for a wee pair of trail gators too, keep the wee stones out.


 
Posted : 25/12/2019 11:44 am
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I'm already a full shoe size up in my decathlon's

My pet hate is a loose heel cup. I had some salomon speed cross a few years ago and they were a good length and width but soon as I started running it became apparent they were slack like old socks.

Caused me no end of bother on the inov8 iroc ended up running in my manky old casual shoes.


 
Posted : 25/12/2019 11:50 am
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Terry, I have feet like flippers,I am back in inov8’s but really regretting not buying another pair of mizunos. Weirdly they have Michelin soles that are the grippiest things ever and are good and wide as well as avoiding heel lift, which I get with inov8.

Edit; wave mujins.


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 7:46 am
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Terry I use altra shoes lone peak are my favourite but in real mud the mtkings are fantastic, great heel grip but nice space for foot spread I only need my normal size too as when the foot is able to spread it doesn't seem to lengthen too much, I've also just got a pair of topo shoes for the road as they are meant to be more durable on tarmac than altra road I've not run In them yet but they feel a good fit and I have a wide front of foot


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 8:31 am
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Altras are my fall back my mates pushed them hard but for the races I'm looking at I think I'd benifit from the hoka concept.

The handful of people I know that have had pretty good success rates in ultras use hokas of their own choice.


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 9:44 am
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Moved from dabbling in running this year to wanting to get my 10k time ultimately to sub 40 in the future. Ordered faster road racing to learn more


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 9:53 am
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I keep meaning to try a hoka but not taken the plunge yet, I heel strike so they could perhaps help, I think


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 10:16 am
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Hokas come up half a size small. I have ran in them for a few years since I developed arthritis in one large toe joint, the stiff forefoot is helpful. I wouldn't choose them for off road running because you will at some point roll your ankle unless it is just trail, rough fells and they become frustratingly unstable. Having said that they are very comfortable and a lot lighter and easier to run in than they look. I do run in the stinson at the moment and they are the most built up version. The others are a bit lower so more suitable for rougher ground. I did have the speed goat v1 and they weren't great but I think the later versions are much better.


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 10:37 am
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It'll largely be fire road races with about 15k of *trail" in a 60kloop.

I'd rather be comfy for most of it than fast for 25% of it.

Plenty of folk use them for the whw race so can't be that bad for trail or folk would vote with their feet *pun intended .

Speedgoat are onto v4 now so I imagine a fairly different shoe.

My local shop stock hoka , altra , on and inov8 and there is at least one competent long distance runner there who can offer advice based on experiance


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 12:15 pm
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I'm aiming to do a bit more running new year. Have a very comfy pair of mizunos that are 5+ years old, but very low mileage (and never worn day to day). Worth getting a new pair do you reckon - the sole must lose some of its springiness?

How are decathlon for running shoes? I live close to one and can easily pick up a pair of kalenjis if they're up to the usual good decathlon standard.


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 12:47 pm
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I'm a big fan of Hokas - I have Adidas, Nike, Salomon and Scarpa too but they're my choice for grinding out the miles, and most of my runs are offroad. I did a 60km earlier this year and my feet / shoes were the last of my problems. I find the sizing varies between models - my Speedgoats are a lot smaller than Mafetes so definitely worth trying for size.


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 12:48 pm
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Bastards. Just went over on my ankle 500yds before getting back to the car.

Big pop, loads of pain, hobbled back to the car and on ice now.shit end to a good year...


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 1:12 pm
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Rest up Jambo, it's taken me three months to get over a folded ankle and ripped tendons.


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 1:17 pm
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I get free physio through work so I’ll give them a call tomorrow and get some sessions booked in.


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 1:25 pm
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Decathlon shoes grand.

I'm just changing as I'm going beyond the distance the shoes are really meant for.

Just in from 15km of post turkey burn off I'm my trail MLS. Did an Xmas eve 15km in them too . Great shoes but became too tight after 35km of hot summer day in the hills


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 2:08 pm
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Garry, every chance those trainers will be humped mate, sadly.

Decathlon trainers are great, only downside seems to be that they're a tad narrow, they certainly were when I tried them anyway. Lots of others on here have had good service from them though.

Keep asking on here and let us know your progress, this thread is not the usual stw type, very supportive and helpful bunch. Ive had loads of great help.

All the best.


 
Posted : 26/12/2019 6:57 pm
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Think I got away lightly, ankle is stiff and sore this morning but as far as I can tell no major damage.

Might have to actually ride a bike while it sorts itself out...


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 2:35 pm
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Week 2 of C25K completed this morning before work, next week is 90 second run/walk and a 3 minute run/walk, then repeat.

Still no issues with fitness, but I am getting some more muscle soreness - shins and calves mostly.

I'll look at getting a proper pair of running shoes in the new year as I won't be far off the W5 run 3 20 minute run.


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 2:55 pm
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Wanting to pick the minds of you all again.

Got my first half on 5th January.

Now obviously we all different and a half is probably nothing to some however when would you be looking at doing your last run before the day (a Sunday in this case) and what sort of distance would you be considering?

I was thinking a 5k ish sort of distance on the Thursday then rest but tbh no real idea.


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 4:53 pm
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Still no issues with fitness, but I am getting some more muscle soreness – shins and calves mostly.

@ta11pau1, entirely normal. Stretch loads after each run, and then stretch again a few hours later. Your body is getting used to it and soreness is to be expected. If it goes from soreness to pain then slow down and take some rest.

Now obviously we all different and a half is probably nothing to some however when would you be looking at doing your last run before the day (a Sunday in this case) and what sort of distance would you be considering?

@RDL-82, lots of different views but 3 or 4 slow, easy miles on flat terrain on Thursday is a safe option. I like to do something on the Saturday too, 1 or 2 slow miles or 20 mins on the bike if you prefer, I find it helps keep my legs moving and gets my head in the game too.


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 5:06 pm
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@RDL-82, lots of different views but 3 or 4 slow, easy miles on flat terrain on Thursday is a safe option. I like to do something on the Saturday too, 1 or 2 slow miles or 20 mins on the bike if you prefer, I find it helps keep my legs moving and gets my head in the game too.

I'd suggest adding in a quick couple of sprints to that last run, just to wake your legs up a bit. Other than that the time and distance are what I'd do too.

A few days late but I did a parkrun on Christmas day, it was pretty muddy and slippery, but all good fun. Ended up first in my age category too 😀


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 5:32 pm
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I'm mainly running with my dog, 2 year-old Labrador that we rescued a year ago and she loves it - 45 minute off-road 10k today started with a 3:56 1st kilometre including a poop-stop! She wears a harness and bungee lead and I have a Ruffwear waistbelt / harness and she goes off like the clappers. Haven't quite managed to get her to pull or slow on command yet and we do get the random "squirrel booster" mid-run which is always fun!


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 6:07 pm
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@lunge @mogrim

Thanks for the input.
Unfortunately no bike at the minute so no chance of easy spinning. Noticing the lack of commuting on fitness and recovery tbh but that’s another story!

I’ll go with the 3-4 miler on Thursday as is been thinking.

As for Saturday I’ll see how I feel. Regardless of running or not I’ll be out for an hour with the dog anyway.

Haven’t done the full distance but did a 10 miler and could have happily carried on so not worried about the distance or potential extra time.


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 8:12 pm
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Southern based family visiting for weekend so getting up for parkrun tomorrow maybe in jeopardy. If I make it it will be the first one for a couple of years and no doubt at a snails pace. Aim for the V55 record in the fullness of time 😠


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 8:38 pm
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RDL remember the training you do the week before a race is for the next one. Training the last few days before a race can only take away, not add.


 
Posted : 27/12/2019 8:40 pm
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Well that's annoyingly alluring.

I'm on 175km for this month.

3 days left that's 15k of running.

The sensible thing to do here would be too up the next three days..... What will probably happen is I do 15k on the 31st just like last year when I did 25k on a treadmill in the north sea out of boredom.

Doing the lumphanan detox 10 on the 2nd. It'll be no records set there from me. Anyone else signed up ?


 
Posted : 28/12/2019 9:26 pm
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Not entered anything for a while, although my wife has just reminded me that I have the falkirk ultra in 5 weeks.

Fark.


 
Posted : 28/12/2019 10:01 pm
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I've entered the Tadworth 10 Onntheb5th January which is a daunting prospect for me - 10 miles trail race. Found out there is quite a lot of road so.not sure what shoes to wear now.

Been building up to it with a couple of 7k last week and my first 10 mile run yesterday. Wasn't sure how is feel but got through it and felt quite spritely at the end. Legs a little tired today.

Parkrun on New Year's Day and tempted to go for a sub 21, depending how tired I feel. Slow parkrun to celebrate a friends 300th on Saturday, then the big event on Sunday.

All that and the kids I think I'll need to go back to work for a rest.

Keep up the good work people - the stories are good to read.


 
Posted : 30/12/2019 10:58 am
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Well that's marcothon done.

200k for December.

Felt good till I noticed Jim walmsley had done 1100 in the same time.......in perspective that's more than a lot of folk on the mere mortal cycling thread.

It's 35km a day !


 
Posted : 31/12/2019 8:06 pm
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my wife has just reminded me that I have the falkirk ultra in 5 weeks.

😀


 
Posted : 31/12/2019 9:05 pm
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I'll wing it Mogrim, 3.8 mile laps for 8 hours. 🙄😂


 
Posted : 31/12/2019 10:31 pm
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Anyone do the parkrun double today? I didn't but know many who did. Great idea.

I did Nonsuch and managed a PB 20:34. Going for a sub 20 soon which is something I never even dreamed of saying only 4 months ago, when a 25:00 seemed a long way off. Merry New Year!


 
Posted : 01/01/2020 5:43 pm
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Stuart. That's me in the fetteresso Forrest marathon.

Gonna use it as a benchmark for if I should enter the Cairngorm ultra or not.

Aim is finish.


 
Posted : 01/01/2020 7:29 pm
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Me as well Terry! On a point of order, you are younger and faster than me, please don’t introduce doubt into my mind by mentioning finishing it! as your target 😆


 
Posted : 02/01/2020 11:02 am
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Ah but older means experianced and experiance trump's speed in long races 🙂

Lumphanan detox 10 today surprised my self with a 46 and change on very tired legs.

Not a pb. But was never expecting one.


 
Posted : 02/01/2020 2:43 pm
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After the disappointment of missing out on a place for the Snowdonia marathon I have commiserated myself by entering my first ultra. Duckeries 40 miler, early May. This is going to hurt isn't it?


 
Posted : 02/01/2020 4:37 pm
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This is going to hurt isn’t it?

It'll be fine 🙂


 
Posted : 02/01/2020 5:47 pm
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Despite a pretty miserable December weather wise, the 31st was stunning and opted for a a few Munros around Glen Coe. Perfect conditions, pretty warm, and no snow!
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Then off to Aonach Mor Up Hill on NYD. 4km, and 600m of climbing. Finlay Wild won in 21:something. I did a 24:57 which got me 5th. Pleasing start to the year!


 
Posted : 02/01/2020 5:53 pm
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change of plans afoot.

price of the cairngorm ultra just came out.

I expected 60 quid .... but 90 quid(and thats early bird - 105 if after jan) is too much for me for struggling round 60km ill leave it to the UTMB points chasers and run around there FOC any time since i live nearby.

Bennachie ultra now on my radar - more climb , 10km less distance 30 quid last year ..... so even if it doubles in cost its still palatable. - also gives me more time to prep.


 
Posted : 03/01/2020 9:49 am
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Ooft, steep!.


 
Posted : 03/01/2020 10:42 am
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Hey Gents... I'd like some event recommendations please.

I want to add more weight training/cross training to my running this year. But need some kind of event to train for.

Not sure what I'm after really .... something like crossfit games (but NOT crossfit games) or the Fan Dance? Strength and aerobic stamina ?? Has anyone had a go at it ?

Any more ideas please (I've done/do OCR thanks)

Ta


 
Posted : 03/01/2020 12:33 pm
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Aye; I thought was eye watering Terry.


 
Posted : 03/01/2020 6:30 pm
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Well then folks, what we up to this weekend?
Saturday I’m doing the text book run to parkrun (3.5 miles), parkrun, long way home (7 miles ish).
Sunday is run to junior parkrun (1.5 miles), long way home (5 miles ish).

Anyone doing anything interesting?


 
Posted : 03/01/2020 8:01 pm
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