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The Annual Running thread - beginners/ultras/whatever

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First run in a couple of weeks after switching to the bike for commuting. Felt OK but I'm now sat at my desk with sore hips 🙁

Actually going to have that X-ray this afternoon, especially as a friend has just been diagnosed with a fractured hip after having issues running for months.


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 9:44 am
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Thanks Mods!


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 9:49 am
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This is going to sound like a humble brag, or even just a plain old brag but I promise it’s not, I just need to state distances to ask my question in context...
Am I weird, or are there others that don’t think there’s anything in unplanned, long solo runs?
I lost my mojo for ultras and training last year, for one reason or another and decided I probably wasn’t going to race any this year either. I have however got my mojo back ( probably why)
I popped out last minute at the weekend and did 31 miles and 6000ft of ascent. No real plan, only thought I’d do 20 odd but was enjoying myself so carried on.
Got back and thought, that’s much better than planning races, training etc etc, so had a google to see how common it is, seems not!!
I’m happy with some big distances without the stress this year so hey ho,just wondered if anyone here turned their back on events but kept up the distances and increased the love?


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 4:38 pm
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I think you will find quite a lot of like minded souls, but the nature of those people being that they enjoy the solo element of it, you might not find much online evidence of it?.

If I had the time, I'd love to get out solo on the hills and explore places that I wouldn't necessarily either walk with my wife, or run with mates.


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 4:59 pm
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I’ve always liked solo runs in wild places but this last weekend has definitely made me think, why bother with races at all.
The spontaneity, lack of pressure and freedom, whilst also getting in big miles, was just ace!


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 5:08 pm
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I would happily not bother with trail races tbh and just plod round the local hills (current injury notwithstanding), but there's something quite magic about a low-key British fell or hill race IMO. Iˋve only done a handful but coming from racing road bikes in Spain it was just so refreshing.


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 7:44 pm
 will
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@bob_summers
Sorry to say that from an ankle sprain end of June in took me about 4 months to feel 100% again, especially off road, and even now I'm more careful. I did my first run about a month after injury, and gradually upped mileage, but ankle was pretty weak after and twisted it another 3 times on separate runs.

@spin
Yes, looking forward to that! Especially having done the bike one too.

Jura fell race entries out, and I'm in
Can't wait.


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 10:17 pm
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You racing carnethy 5 will?

Strangely, my ankle is all swollen on the outside after yesterday's ultra, I never went over on it though....

Weird.


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 10:46 pm
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How soon after injury do you start rehab, band exercises, massage etc?
Rested the weekend, as the livid bruising and much of the swelling has gone down I've done a couple of bike rides. Can walk on it, gingerly.


 
Posted : 03/02/2020 11:41 pm
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Am I weird, or are there others that don’t think there’s anything in unplanned, long solo runs?

I have to admit I'm wary of heading up a mountain in winter on my own, it would be very easy to get into trouble, and very quickly. It does help that I've got a decent group of mates that are also usually up for a long run - the planning is very informal and usually worked out over WhatsApp the night before.


 
Posted : 04/02/2020 9:55 am
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[i]how long do I need to rest it before starting[/i]

I did mine last March, badly enough that after the loud crack my first worry was that I'd broken it. Not great when you're supposed to be carrying your Dad into the crematorium a week or so later...

Anyway, I was back on my bike after a couple of weeks (although unclipping was very sore). Back running (carefully) after 8.


 
Posted : 04/02/2020 4:25 pm
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Oof. Rotten timing, even though the timing is never good.

Anyway, I was back on my bike after a couple of weeks (although unclipping was very sore). Back running (carefully) after 8.

Well I did mine Thursday, and have done a couple of 2h pain-free MTB rides already so *maybe* itˋs fairly light. Unclipping really does hurt though and I took a couple of falls into the undergrowth. Waiting to get in to the physio to get the full skinny.

So, having said that, I find myself tempted by doing an ultra this year - specifically the Hiru Haundiak (100km/5100m/24h, October - google it if interested although their website is shite).

Seems madness, given Iˋm at least a couple of months off being able to run at all, having only ever done a 40km up til now.

Anyone recommend any reading to help me make a decision? Pre-reg opens later this month so Iˋve got time to porperly mull it over.


 
Posted : 04/02/2020 4:34 pm
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I have to admit I’m wary of heading up a mountain in winter on my own, it would be very easy to get into trouble, and very quickly

I mostly run on unlit roads at night - albe it in bright colours and with a bright head torch. - because thats whats local.

Strangely i feel safer in the hills - albe it not Spanish?? mountains - things like the cairngorm loop and some of the longer through the night audaxes I've done probably represents a higher risk factor - assuming your carrying the right kit.

At least there its my stupidity that will get me hurt /killed - not the driver who was looking at his/her phone.

i did give my self a shake when i was running round Clachnaben in november at night wearing a vest / shorts and a headtorch - opting not to run up to the summit when i saw MRT were around and the SAR bird was up. A the wake up i was doing something silly being when i said i hope i don't meet them as they will have words being the point when i decided yes I'm going to go back to the car


 
Posted : 04/02/2020 4:40 pm
 Spin
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@will I'm in Jura too so I better get my finger out!


 
Posted : 04/02/2020 7:35 pm
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just wondered if anyone here turned their back on events but kept up the distances and increased the love?

I've never gone over 30k, but have signed up to the Bath Marathon this year, but that's it. It will likely be the only time I have ran with someone other than my daughter in the Chariot or my Son on his bike.

I've been gradually increasing my distances over the last year and will quite happily do a couple of 21-29k runs a month these days. Pace varies dependent on how I feel, weather, commitments etc, but it seems...easier, less pressured, more fun/relaxed than a proper training schedule. I can just plod along in Z2 for 4/5 of my runs at 5.30/km and not really fuss. I generally listen to Audible.


 
Posted : 04/02/2020 7:45 pm
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Things don't seem to be progressing quite the way I'd like it for me on the recovery front... Ran halfway to work yesterday morning, and stood on the train to keep the hips mobile. Then sat on a Swiss ball for half the day at work before running the 12 miles home. 4 miles were at a decent pace and I was feeling good, albeit with a rather high HR. A few hours later my legs were so sore/weak I couldn't do a single part of my core exercises 😮 Also slept really badly because of discomfort. So much for a comeback after 3 weeks on the bike...


 
Posted : 05/02/2020 10:14 am
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No Fettersso for me Terry,still partially broken.


 
Posted : 05/02/2020 10:49 am
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I can’t really talk having gone straight into an event at the weekend after an injury break, but the above doesn’t really sound like easing back into it? Maybe a few runs of just single figure mileage / one run a day would help?


 
Posted : 05/02/2020 10:57 am
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Sorry the above was a reply to Turboferret.


 
Posted : 05/02/2020 10:58 am
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No Fettersso for me Terry,still partially broken.

thats a bummer.

I'm fighting a cold atm - and lack of sleep.

Ill probably still give it ago since there's various ways back to the car if it all goes Pete tong.

I thought the same RE TF- easing back into it .


 
Posted : 05/02/2020 11:12 am
 will
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@nobeerinthefridge - I'm not no. Fancied a long run in the hills that weekend instead.

@spin - Great stuff.

Final Aberfoyle Night Race tonight, which I can now thankfully make. Should be painful/good.


 
Posted : 05/02/2020 12:01 pm
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Maybe I need to take it a bit more steadily so I can actually do my core exercises in conjunction with some gentle running...


 
Posted : 05/02/2020 12:23 pm
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C25K Week 7, run 1 completed at lunch today.

Went nice and steady, had plenty left in the tank and could have run for another 5 mins without too much issue.

2.87miles / 4.63km
25:03 moving time
8:42 /mile / 5:25 /km average pace

5:30 /km seems to be a good steady pace for me, that would mean a 27:30 5k.


 
Posted : 05/02/2020 7:56 pm
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ran last night .

have been bunged up with the cold the last week.

Was fighting with my watch to hold 6min/km thinking jesus next weeks marathons gonna be hellish if this is my pace.

got to the furthest point and my watch said "gps found" ..... running on the accelerometer shows much slower running speeds than actual.

turned out id been running at 4.20min/km pace which is why i was finding it tough

Doh


 
Posted : 06/02/2020 12:43 pm
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Did a 10k race last weekend, felt fine. Stopped after, leg locked up with pain (side of leg in line with knee). Couple of days later I was back running no problem. Yesterday, had run 10k, stopped to eat for 2 mins before setting off for the second half, same pain again. Any ideas?


 
Posted : 09/02/2020 7:32 pm
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Lol @ TR! 😂


 
Posted : 09/02/2020 7:36 pm
 will
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Finally a dry, cold and sunny day, and first pre work Munro of the year. Narnain (plus Cobbler) in truly stunning conditions (this was Friday)
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Sunday turned into a long run out to the Kilpatricks from West End, which was actually a lot drier than the forecast suggested.

Already looking forward to the weekend, and two days up north.


 
Posted : 10/02/2020 4:31 pm
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Awesome pics will!

I've been pretty lazy recently, still doing as many runs, but just been doing shorter distances, and it showed at last week's ultra.

Been doing plenty gym work, feel strong, just need to up the mileage again, some decent weather would be good too mind.

Carnethy this weekend, I'll be suffering I reckon. Then a 12.5k on Sunday with OH in kirkintilloch.


 
Posted : 10/02/2020 7:25 pm
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Anyone else finding it really hard to get out there at the moment?
It’s cold, it’s windy and it’s often wet and I’m finding it really hard to get the mileage up at the moment. Was meant to be doing a reasonably long run today but just looking out of the window is putting me off.


 
Posted : 11/02/2020 1:42 pm
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Aye, just keeping it short and gym sessions lunge.

Came across a full body dumbbell workout that's a killer, 45 mins of pain.


 
Posted : 11/02/2020 1:44 pm
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Really been enjoying the MTB again, after almost 2 weeks of sprain life. I can walk OK, bit of pain - swelling's gone down around the heel, just a fairly big tender hump over the outside ankle bone/knobble. Been keeping it mobile, going to start with the propioception exercises this week. Other than that, fingers crossed - hoping for a return to racing around easter but not counting on it.


 
Posted : 11/02/2020 1:59 pm
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Aye, just keeping it short and gym sessions lunge.

I’m doing a couple of spin classes per week, a couple of circuits classes and will still do 30 or so miles but I wanted to be at 45 plus by now.

It’s just annoying when you want feel like you should go out but can’t quite motivate yourself to do so.


 
Posted : 11/02/2020 2:02 pm
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I find that planning a run in advance depending on expected weather conditions usually does me OK.
If it's been pretty wet then I will avoid the really soggy paths and mud traps and stick to road or less saturated off road routes.
Forget what the weathers doing currently and just get wrapped up appropriately for the conditions.
I've been out over lunch and did 14 which I'd planned. I had hail, wind, snow, sun and rain.
I'm glad I'm back now though.
It's the first 5 minutes that are the killer, once your through that it's easy.
This running game is mainly in the head anyway.


 
Posted : 11/02/2020 2:54 pm
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Here's a pic from Saturday's outing, 41km up and down the local mountains - very slow but good training for upcoming ultras 🙂

[img] [/img]

Forecast rain more or less held off, a bit of drizzle at one point then a bit of snow but nothing too serious. A good day out!


 
Posted : 11/02/2020 5:07 pm
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So another newbie runner here. I've never enjoyed running, but kids mean time is limited for riding and I live next to Lyme Park so figured I should get out on the trails and it might be more interesting than pounding the tarmac which I've tried in the past.

I did a run in Oct and then two or three in Nov last year but started running regularly on NYE and managed about 39 miles in Jan, running two or three times a week (3 miles night runs and some longer 4.5m runs). In Feb I'm trying to keep this up and have done 13 miles in 3 runs.

It's actually started to become enjoyable and I've a number of trail routes or canal routes with very limited road sections at the start/end.

However, I have discomfort in my left calf, outer edge. Only seems to be present when running and isn't painful enough to stop, but there's definite pain/discomfort. Any ideas what this could be? It's roughly 2/3rds of the way up from my ankle (or 1/3 way down from my knee). I did fracture my left Fibia about 7 years ago in a similar position and have wondered if it's somehow connected to that as searching calf injuries online isn't really directing me anywhere. I've bought new Asics trail trainers for this so don't think its connected to shoe cushioning.

I'd like to keep running to maintain the routine I've started but I'm assuming I should be resting it for a week or two?


 
Posted : 12/02/2020 7:31 pm
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I’d like to keep running to maintain the routine I’ve started but I’m assuming I should be resting it for a week or two?

Hard part when you kick off the running for me was knowing what to rest and what to run through.

I'd be tempted to keep going with that, unless it gets much worse. IANAD though. 😊


 
Posted : 12/02/2020 9:14 pm
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First off road club run last night. I've done a few road sessions but have always struggled to make the mid-week fell side of the club. All good, muddy fun and wasn't back of the group so I guess I chose the right pace / distance. 12k by head torch around the hills around Lyme Park.

Tricky question though - what's the etiquette with farting when running with groups of strangers? I often find running makes me need a good fart, which was compounded last night by the big bowl of dhal I'd had lunch.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 11:09 am
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@dooosuk, Sounds like a classic new runners tweak to me. A few things to try:
Massage. Rub your calf up and down to warm it up and find the point where there's some pain. Them really get your thumbs in and rub that point. It may well release the problem.
Stretch lots. Straight after each run, then an hour or so later. And frankly, at any other point you have 2 minutes spare. If you have a foam roller this can be useful too.
Calf raises and lowers, there a piuc in this link, they helped me a lot.

But from what you've said, it's not a huge amount to worry about, if it starts heading to over 7 out of 10 in the discomfort levels then think about having a few days off.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 11:28 am
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I did my first club run last night and it was bloody brilliant.
I'm not a huge fan of clubs generally, and have had some less than great experiences with cycling clubs particularly, but the lovely people of Stourbridge Running club were just great.
A sharp 8 mile run, harder than I would have done on my own which is what I wanted, some good chat and the offer of a pint afterward, you can ask for much more than that I don't think.
Turns out my prejudices about clubs may be wrong, and I'll definitely be back next week.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 11:35 am
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@lunge/@NoBeer Thanks, I'll just carry on then and see how it goes. Certainly not painful enough to stop getting out at the moment.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 12:16 pm
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lunge, that could've read as a post I'd have typed, comparing running club to my cycling club experiences!.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 12:20 pm
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Does anybody know of anywhere that makes custom lasted running shoes for the general public?

I know a few big companies do this for their sponsored athletes. A few years ago salomon and brooks were demonstrating prototype systems which allowed them to scan a runners foot and 3d print a shoe. It all seems to have gone a bit silent recently though.

I went to the podiatrist today as have developed a niggling problem with my big toe joint which is now bigger than it should be. Basically caused by exercising on hard surfaces in shoes that don't fit. Have been prescribed orthotics, but doesn't resolve the basic problem that the back of my foot is very narrow, with a fairly short arch, but my fore foot and big toes are huge, so off the shelf running shoes just don't fit.

Most of my shoes don't have enough height in the toe box to accommodate the orthotics I've been prescribed either.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 9:08 pm
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the basic problem that the back of my foot is very narrow, with a fairly short arch, but my fore foot and big toes are huge, so off the shelf running shoes just don’t fit.

Try some Altras, they have a huge forefoot. Zero drop though, so you might need a while to adjust to them.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 9:16 pm
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Altra don't work for me.

Older models were generally too loose. Tried the timp2 recently and the fit is generally good but the toe box is too low and I really didn't like the way they felt to run in.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 9:54 pm
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Would a normal shoe in a wide fit work? I know Nike and ASICS do wide versions, and Brooks do wide and extra wide, the latter of which I’d imagine will be huge as the normal fitting wide ones are big anyway.


 
Posted : 13/02/2020 10:49 pm
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