MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Petzl Iko Core is my current head torch - very, very comfortable although I do need to wear a headband or hat to stop it slipping.
And if you're ever interested in a challenge, I can definitely recommend the Tors des Geants which I successfully completed this weekend. 335km of alpine fun 🙂
Amazing Molgrim, that looks a brutal race! Although incredible scenery etc...
@mogrim - I think we need a bit more on how it went! Fair play to you doing that one, I watched Jeff Pelletier's vid on it a few years back and it looks brutal, but stunning scenery
What can I say? It's an at-times brutal, 335km trail race up and down the mountains that make up the Aosta valley. It was an amazing experience - mostly positive, but with enough negative moments to keep things interesting 🙂 I set off on Sunday morning at 10am, and finished on Friday around 14:30. There are about 40 feed stations, including 7 life bases where you can get your feet checked out, showers, proper food, and a bed to sleep on. A lot of the feed stations were mountain refuges and you could also have a sleep there, space permitting. (I think I slept about 8 hours in total).
Worst moment? Undoubtedly on Friday morning. We set off from the last life base at just before 1am, and about 5 minutes later it started pissing down. It didn't stop until 7. It wasn't too bad at the start, but as time went on it just got grimmer and grimmer, and there's only so much a waterproof jacket can withstand. I was running with an American guy, and we left a feed station at about 6 or so, completely drenched. And I forgot to have a coffee. About 10 minutes later I was falling asleep on my feet, and was starting to seriously hallucinate due to lack of sleep. Fortunately it was an easy path - I dread to think what it would have been like if we'd been on the track we'd descended earlier. But it still took me 15 minutes or so to mention just how ****ed I was to my companion. Absolute star: he had some caffeine pills! Took one, and about 20 minutes later I was back on track.
Best moments? Probably too many to mention, but standouts are: the scenery, obviously; the camraderíe, particularly from Thursday on when we were all starting to suffer; making new friends (like the aforementioned US guy); and the massive, massive buzz of going over the finish line.
So yeah, it's an expensive event, but one I'd highly recommend. Budget and wife permitting, I'd love to have another go.
Just in awe of @mogrim!!
Been a shit summer for me. Start of the year was great and really enjoying my running. Then had covid and a couple of chest infection which knocked me back a bit but did the Round Sheffield Run not long after - wasn’t great but managed to get round as I’d have expected having had covid and not run for a month.
then the wheels fell off with lots of breathing pain and tight chest. Obviously raised lots of red flags with GPS who have been shit. Weeks later and I think I’m heading for a haemochromatosis diagnosis, which can lead to shortness of breath. Hopefully can confirm asap and start some treatment (bit of blood letting normally)
I'm sure this gets asked every year around this time but here goes...
What's good in the way of head torches for night running?
I'm happy to spend a few quid on one that's not some shonky Chinese Amazon special that'll burn my house down when I try to charge it. For bike lights I've always spent the extra and went for Exposure stuff as they're good quality and just work.
Anyone got any experience with Exposure head torches?
I normally wear a cap when I'm running so it's a bonus if someone can recommend a head torch that'll work with a cap.
I normally wear a cap when I’m running so it’s a bonus if someone can recommend a head torch that’ll work with a cap.
Like a peaked cap? Im not sure any head torch will work very well with that. Scotroutes was talking about the chest mounted ones though.
@mogrim - amazing effort on the TdG. I can’t quite comprehend the distance.
all others - great going, and I think we are all glad it’s bit cooler.
Anyone doing the Vitality 10k tomorrow in London? I got an offer through parkrun to enter for a tenner so going along for the experience, even though 10ks are against my
religion. Horrible, hurty things. I put down my pb from a couple of years ago and I’m in wave 1. I’ll need to watch my mirrors!
headtorches: I bought a nice black diamonds but it has this stupid function when you touch the side it switches to main beam. I always seem to trigger it, unless I want to, and keep having to check if it’s on or off. I’ve tried taping the side but to no avail.
Bought an Alpkit Qark and although it’s a bit rougher around the edges, it’s functional,
comfy enough and easy to use.
What is the STW anti chafing cream of choice? as I’m ramping up the distance I suffer after a run, mainly at base of buttocks ( sorry for the detail)
I assume I need something for during, and post, run.
cheers
I normally wear a cap when I’m running so it’s a bonus if someone can recommend a head torch that’ll work with a cap.
Just turn it round when you're using the light. Fairly happy with my Petzl Iko Core, but it definitely needs a head band or hat to stop it slipping. At least for my head, anyway.
Scotroutes was talking about the chest mounted ones though.
Yeah - Decathlon do a couple. I bought one after someone in the club was using his and recommended it. As with the bar/head torch decision with bikes, it works best on straighter/wider paths, just a bit of a pain on narrow, wooded stuff as you can't "squint" into the direction you're about to be going. Works well in rain, driving snow etc as you don't get that Star Wars "warp" sensation.
Having said that, I tend not to wear a peaked cap when it's dark and any head torch I've used worked fine with a beanie.
What is the STW anti chafing cream of choice?
Whatever chamois cream I happen to have.
What is the STW anti chafing cream of choice? as I’m ramping up the distance I suffer after a run, mainly at base of buttocks ( sorry for the detail)
I've been using Assos Chamois Creme, with decent results. Decathlon anti-friction also seems to work well, but for inter-nut use the Assos stuff has been great 🙂
Cheers Mogrim. You have earned the running credibility so happy to take your recommendation!
It’s that time of the year.
4 weeks out from Snowdonia marathon.
Into week 2 of 4 high mileage weeks. 76 miles last weeks.
Everything aches, constantly. I’m constantly tired. And constantly eating.
And it’s raining outside so dragging myself out to do the session gets harder and harder.
The mojo has all but left the building.
Why do we do it to ourselves??
4 weeks out from Snowdonia marathon.
I just looked at the course profile for that, its not very flat is it?
I did my first running event for years on Sunday, Edinburgh 10km. Target was 1hr, I did it in 1hr 20sec but had to stop for a portaloo wee which splits suggest cost me 30-45secs.
Route was an out and back, it was slightly demoralising to see the lead runners on their way back when I was only 2.5km in to the outbound leg!
I'm thinking of entering a trail marathon in the new year - Will a generic marathon training plan (Runner's world, FIRST, etc) be suitable for this, provided that I do the long runs on similar terrain? I'm not aiming for a time, more just to run the distance.
There are some great trail training plans here, and all for free - SWAP training plans
You can also scale them up/down depending on how much mileage you want to do
My Wife has decided to do the short run (8km) at the Illuminator next month and casually suggested that I should do the 15 miler. 🙂 I love her really...
Winter fell running.... without going full gung ho, where best to start with kit?
I've tried running in my Altura MTB jacket but it's just too sweaty. Are there any good lightweight waterproofs (or showerproof?) or just embrace the rain?
Recommendations for layers that pack small enough into a running bag.
Can I suggest looking at it another way? If you fell and broke, say, your ankle and were stuck cold and wet for quite some time before you could be extracted/rescued, how much kit would you want to have to ward off hypothermia?
@mark88 go to Sportsshoes and look at some of their Higher State stuff if you’re on a budget.
Otherwise there's loads of good kit on the market from the likes of Montane, Haglofs and Salomon. Inov8 can be ok, the OMM Kamleika Smock / Jacket is legendary but alot of there other stuff can have some weird design features.
In winter try to carry an emergency bivi at the least https://www.tauntonleisure.com/outdoor-equipment/survival-emergency/lifesystems-heatshield-bivi-bag__6061 along with full body waterproof cover, hat and gloves, whistle and a gel. Map and Compass if you don't know the area. If nothing else its good training / practice.
For longer outings in harsh weather then spare gloves and an emergency base layer or primaloft jacket is worth carrying, as is a headtorch if you set off late. If you're out in a group consider a bothy bag.
I’ve tried running in my Altura MTB jacket but it’s just too sweaty. Are there any good lightweight waterproofs (or showerproof?) or just embrace the rain?
Recommendations for layers that pack small enough into a running bag.
TBH lightweight waterproofs are still pretty sweaty, there isn't really a fabric that will cope with what a hard working runner sweats.
The OMM Rotor smock is a good, packable emergency warm layer.
In the winter I generally run with a super lightweight pertex shell from mountainwarehouse (tied round waist if not being worn) which costs about 10-20 quid depending on sale but if I'm going anywhere more remote (or a fell race that requires it) I'll carry a very light goretex shell, top and legs. Have never run hard in the latter, too hot and heavy (and I don't go out for pleasure in a blizzard), but necessary for safety. Can't help on manufacturers for the latter as my wife made them!
Thanks for the responses - to clarify, I live in the Lakes and am experienced in the fells MTB and hiking. I'm not suggesting heading out for winter runs with minimal kit, but asking what running-specific kit is worth pursuing.
OMM Kamleika jacket and trousers, still a bit boil in the bag and relatively big and heavy, but they’re good workhorse waterproofs.
I’ve heard good stuff about the Ron Hill / ME shakedry kit, but not sure if it’s still available.
I’ve just popped back in here to get recommendations for a light waterproof jacket for winter so thanks for the recommendations above.
I'm not needing anything for Lake District type weather, just the local area when it’s pouring down as my current New Balance jacket is boil in the bag, doesn’t fit properly and to top it off has a bloody annoying hood that works like a windsock!
I still need to find some new shoes that’ll have some level of grip in the Chiltern chalky mud as my current Speed Goats are struggling already.
Well believe it or not my knee has improved quite a bit over the last month or two. I've managed a couple of fairly gentle trail runs, 4 ish miles, 500-800ft of climbing. I'm still getting the odd tightness or sharp pain, but much more manageable.
On the flat, my natural pace is about 1 1/2 minutes per mile off what I used to be. So I have a very long way to go if I wanted to be as quick as I was. Not sure I feel the speed will ever return.
It’s getting a bit cold for shorts now so I’m looking at some tights for winter.
Big question is… Underwear under running tights or not?
I just wear my standard running shorts under Ron hills. Has the obvious advantage that if it turns out to be a bit warmer than expected, I can just take the leggings off and tie them round me. Especially for the long 2h+ runs.
No risk of that today with frost on the ground though.
Oh - I should have posted a couple of weeks ago...
After slogging round the Illuminator in calf-deep mud for 15 miles, I was persuaded to enter the Dava Way 50km Ultra. Now that's about 50% further than any run I've done this year and the only thing even near to that was the Fort William marathon 5 years ago.
Anyway, deciding to just risk failure, I aimed to get along before the cut-off (8 hours) but hopefully in 7h. The day went better than expected and I finished in 5h49m - astonishing myself and winning in my age category (60-69). I felt really quite fresh at the end and could likely have carried on for another 10km or so without issue.
Not sure I'll be looking to repeat that any time soon as I want to get back to more riding next year and I find the amount of run training interferes with that.
Wish I had known you were running at the Dava, would have suggested you say hello at the finish. I do the finish line medic at this, among quite a few others.
The day went better than expected and I finished in 5h49m – astonishing myself and winning in my age category (60-69)
many congrats! that's awesome! well done!
Like Scotroutes above, I perhaps should have posted this a couple of weeks ago as I've had a really good autumn of running.
First up was the stunning Marathon Eriyi (formally Snowdonia Marathon) which I completed in 3:20, a full 20 minutes faster than last year. The ballot opens for next year on the 1st December, I'd urge you all to have a look, it's a magnificent event.
And next was my end of season goal at Derby 10 miler where I ran a very respectable 59:37. The main motivation for this was the old guy at my running club saying “If you can run 10 miles in under an hour that makes you a proper decent runner”. So now I am a Proper Decent Runner. Lovely.
After running about 3 times since the 50km ultra I did in July, I've just signed up for the 100km version for next July.
Task 1 - find my running shoes
@ lunge How on earth do you train for something like Snowdonia Marathon? That course profile looks brutal!
crossed, find some big hills and run up and down them 🙂
Bentham marathon has similar elevation gain. I just included the two big climbs on some of my sunday runs.
(Ditto for the 3 peaks which I ran a while back, which has about 50% more elevation gain in a similar distance.)
I'm up to 15 miles or so now for my longer runs, nothing compared to the ultra-milers but building up to marathon training over the winter.
@crossed, same as any other marathon but with more hills!
For me that was lots of long, slow runs and making sure there we some hills in every one. I also did quite a few hills reps and made sure my normal week day runs had some elevation too.
You're never going to replicate it exactly, so you do as much as you can.
The Snowdonia marathon looks epic. 3:20 is a fab time on that course. Great running! That one is deffinitely on the list.
I've managed to get into Dublin marathon through the ballot and I'm hoping for a Berlin place.
Just need to get my Hernia fixed now. Anybody run with a Hernia before?
Did my first 10k of the year yesterday. Not quite in the same league as scotroutes but I'm buzzing !
Anyone able to share a bit of insight into zone calculations please?
I've been doing an hour or so a week z2 (based on Garmin max HR %), but when I compared to a mate of similar ability (using Garmin lactate threshold calcs) my z2 runs were about 2 min/km slower. I'm guessing the zones aren't an exact science so will differ depending on where you get your info.
According to Garmin I have a max HR of 194 (potentially a bit high, haven't tested). 35 years old
Garmin says z2 is 60-69% so max 134 bpm, but then it also refers to Z3 (79% / 153) as aerobic
MAFs method says 145 bpm is max aerobic HR
runbundle.com says Z2 is up to 81% of MHR so 158 bpm.
A Runners World article calls z2 70-80%
Any experts in the area?
If you can talk a bit it’s probably about right. So long as you are running properly, and not shuffling along like a granny you can’t really run too slowly for your aerobic work.
All these numbers are rough guidance at best, especially as you don’t even know your max. Try running a bit faster if you want but it should be a pace you are comfortable at even at the end of your hour. I don’t even think about how fast or hard I’m going, if I think about anything it’s my running form and cadence.
Been building up my distance for the Sheffield round run in Jan. Did 17km about 10 days ago and two issues appeared. Heel pain and outside of knee pain. No running until last night for a midweek 8km and both issues returned worse. Both new on me and not sure if I can do anything about either of them to keep training and do the event.
@mark88 you could write a whole book on HR Zone calculations just by quoting everything that's been written about them on STW already. I don't profess to know much, but I did the LTHR test on my Fenix 6 and, using that, my Z2 moved up by about 10 BPM. It had previously been based just on max HR and felt ridiculously low - I'd blow out the top of it walking quickly up a gradual incline.
Garmin's Z2 pace is definitely "shuffling along like a granny". It's roughly 3min/km slower than my 10km pace and about as slow as I can possibly run.
I'll try using the MAFs method for a bit, and do a max HR or LTHR test when I'm not full of this winter cold.
You could also try intervals.icu it's free (with a request to subscribe) and gives lots of analysis - certainly more than I understand - but will also feedback LTHR results based on your ongoing performance. I just like it because it gives a fairly simple fitness/fatigue graph that I can understand! It feeds off your Garmin and/or Strava data.
3 mins slower than 10k pace sounds extremely slow to me. My steady runs are about 1 min/km or so slower than race pace on the flat, though this comes out more like 1:30 overall due to hills.
Using someone's algorithm for zones makes about as much sense as using 220-age for your max. It may be reasonably close for the majority and if you have literally nothing else to go on then it's a useful starting point, but it can easily be significantly wrong, so modify according to your own experience.
@davros it's always going to be tricky getting a diagnosis for anything over the internet so my advice would to see if you can see a local physiotherapist or sports therapist that are familiar with running injuries.
I'm still on the very slow path to mending from a knee injury, also pain on the outside, mine was diagnosed as iliotibial band friction, but that's not to say yours is, could be tendonitis, or something to do with your gait or your shoes plus many other things.
@davros - if you're in Sheff then try Charlie Stone at Fit4 physio at Hallamshire tennis club. She's a runner herself and husband is a Dark Peak runner and recently did a tidy Bob Graham round. She's been keeping me going for ages and has a pragmatic approach to running with injuries. ps. Outside knee pain - my money is on IT band...
ive just started trail running a couple of weeks ago. For two reasons - 1. The ground is depressingly wet, so biking is a bit shite. And 2. I’ve been watching Jeff Pelletier run ultras on YouTube and got inspired.
I tend to run about 4-5k, about 3 times a week. I’ve done max of 8k, and ran 6k today. Probably 200-300m of climbing each time. I go really, really slow. My aim is to try to figure out if I can run 10k and have enough left in the tank, so that perhaps I can figure out if a trail half-marathon would be realistically possible. In my heart, I’d love to complete an alpine marathon, like the Chamonix one (although I probably couldn’t gain an entry anyway). But I think that’s somewhere way in the distance for now. No idea if that would be realistic, or just a pipedream.
No idea if that would be realistic, or just a pipedream.
No reason not to believe you can do it. I only really started running a few years ago and, even then, just played at it a bit. It was only this year that I really took it seriously and that's because there was one event I wanted to do. In some ways I wish I'd started much earlier in life. Getting serious about it in your 60's means it's hard work developing. However, I guess I don't have decades of physical "punishment" behind me so maybe it's not all bad.
My other half has been running much more then me recently, my running has been cut back due to cycle commuting. She's been doing obstacle course running events like tough mudder and nuclear races. Today she did the grim challenge in Aldershot. 8 miles with lots of icey "puddles" that were close to her middle (half way up thighs to be exact). Think I'll just stick to my semi regular 3-4 mile tame cross country runs.
I’ve been watching Jeff Pelletier run ultras on YouTube and got inspired.
I met Jeff in 2011, before he had a YouTube channel and possibly before he ran his first marathon. He is a super cheerful and helpful bloke, and helped get me into running at the time. I did the Vancouver marathon in 2012 after training with him all winter. He’s a big deal on YouTube now (although it helps that video marketing is his day job!) and did a decent Bob Graham this summer as well.
On the subject of inspiration I watched the Spine documentary on Amazon prime the other week, which has made me think about how to get an 80+ miler done, which would allow me to enter….
FYI I had my first run in studded shoes this week - the Hoka Speedgoats with tungsten(?) studs. I don't know how fequently I'll need them but they made a massive difference to how I was able to run across icy puddles etc.
Im looking to replace my Hoka Rocket X road shoes. Whats an equivalent? I quite like the Rocket X but believe there is better out there. Thanks
Quick PSA before I do my returns. I've got some running kit from the Wiggle mega sale that I'll offer here for what I paid for it:
DHB Aeron FLT run short XL £5
DHB Run Tech Tights 2.0 XXL £10
DHB Aeron FLT Windproof Jacket XL £15
I've also got some bits from an Asics clearance sale:
Ventilate Sleeveless top - black Large £5
Vest - black Large £5 (no tags but is brand new)
Running tights - black Large £10
Drop me a message if any is of interest.
I watched the Jeff Pelletier when he was up in Keswick and tried fell racing and then BGR. Nice chap!
I appreciate it was partly sponsored content but his approach to nutrition on the BGR was super impressive. And he did pretty well too considering he was on holiday (went sightseeing in London the next day IIRC)
@edward2000, there’s a Rocket X 2, but it’s a completely different shoe. Very much a racer where I found the first version to be best as a fast trainer.
If it’s a fast trainer you want then look at the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 or Puma Deviate Nitro 2.
If it’s a race shoe, the Rocket X 2 gets great reviews, or look at the Nike Vaporfly 2 or adidas Adios Pro 3.
I've just started, never been a runner before, tried a few times in my teens and early 20s but hated it and it hurt. My aim is to do a 5k, then a 10k and eventually a half marathon. Looked at the numerous beginners options, couch to 5k, None2Run etc in the end I decided I don't really wanna be carrying anything other than my keys, watch and maybe some poobags when bringing the dog with me so opted for the Garmin Coach 5k.
Reason I've decided to get into it is it seems to be very easy to fit in and accessible especially during the winter, than it is getting out on the bike, the whole getting the bike out of the shed and unlocked, checking pressures, filling the bottle up, lubing the chain and getting all my clobber on just to get shy of an hour in during my lunch break, then having to hose the bike off and put it away and lock it up again has been a faff.
Plus, I want to ne be able to run! I see people doing the park runs, out on the hills or trails and everyone just seems super happy and buzzing to be out, a few experiences riding lately bumping into and chatting to others has made me feel like biking is becoming a bit cliquey near me, that and all the judgey teens have made be feel a bit uncomfortable riding when it's busy up my local, the vibe seems to be very judgey and competitive, very different lately to what it was and is the opposite of what I appear to see from the outside-in from the running community.
So 3 birds one stone, get a bit of winter excercise in during a lunch break, excercise the dog and give myself a goal to hit which will help me get fitter.
Had my first one today after a benchmark run at the weekend which I found tough but today was 15 minutes, 4 minutes walking 1 minute jogging x2 followed by a 5 min cooldown, was still halfway from home and had energy in the bank so decided to do 1 min jogging 2 mins walking on the way back home, surprised how much I enjoyed myself actually. Took a route that was mostly off road as well which felt easier on the joints. Looking forward to the next one already and already been researching the local park run and running groups hopefully it's something I can stick with long term and will help me shift weight and make biking more enjoyable/easier as a result of my legs having to haul less weight up the hills. Then when summer rolls around go back to my early morning or late evening rides up the local when all the youngsters haven't crawled out of bed yet or have already gone home for tea, which is when I bump into the familiar faces I know who are supportive and give advice even if you case a jump instead of laughing! Maybe I've just got a hurt ego lol!
Good on you. Agree with you about running v cycling in the winter, that’s pretty much why I switched too.
Keeping it enjoyable is key, you’ll probably not keep it up for long if it becomes a chore. A lot of people find a local parkrun to be a good part of the weekly routine.
Great Caey Neistat run vid
A bit like scotroutes above I've entered my first Ultra (Kintyre 50 k) at the fairly ridiculous age of 67. My longest run up to the beginning of this was a forestry track 21 km slow amble a couple of years ago. I'd never been a runner until recently but I can now do (for my age) reasonable 5 and 10k times.
I've been building mileage up slowly and my longest run is now up to 35 km (slowly) with 10 weeks to go.
The problem I'm hitting is that the long slow runs wipe me out and l struggle to recover to do more later in the week. I totalled 7 hours on feet and 58 km with 1000m of climbing last week. I think that was bit much at this stage and I've got an easier week planned for this week. Yesterday's hilly 17 km left me thinking that I was just not making much progress at all. I could really do with a week being two days longer 😉
I try to do some gentle biking between the runs partly as recovery and as a bit of cross training but my legs are too tired to do much.
I'm still playing with eating and drinking strategy which has always been a weak point with biking and now with running.
So, keep on pushing and just accept that between now and May I'm going to feel constantly knackered but hope I'm getting stronger, or do I ease off and give myself more recovery time and hope I can do the distance on the day? I have no aspirations on speed, just want to finish.
I'm out this season. Combination of colds, covid, niggly knee meant I've missed far too much training time to have a serious go at Mancs marathon and I can't be bothered jogging round at the back for the sake of a medal and t-shirt having raced it hard several 5 or 6 times already.
Knee is slightly unhappy even with easy 5k jogs so I'll be on the bike much more than usual this spring. May be no bad thing in the long run, I'm old enough that it's probably sensible to limit my mileage. Feels like a slight bruise on the joint, it's very minor really but been dragging on for around good 6-8 weeks now.
No advice on ultras, sorry. Marathon has always been my limit, plenty far enough for me! I've always kept my long runs under 3h (if only just) which still takes some recovery but it doesn't destroy me.
I'm no expert, but a 35km training run seems very long, especially 10 weeks out. Based on what I've read, I'd suggest concentrating on more consistent mileage with a few shorter easy runs through the week and the long run being around the 20km mark.
I've based my training plan on those on the inov8 blog, tailored to fit my requirements.
I too am out for the season - currently considering whether its even worth renewing my running club subs or just switch to a 'social member' only.
I have a knee injury that I'm fairly certain is a re-emergence of a torn meniscus from an MTB crash about 12 years ago. It was lying dormant since then but an epic fell route in the lakes has reawoken it. Just waiting for an MRI scan
sigh
I'm similar to thecaptain - don't want to merely enter a races for the 'day out' or to make up the numbers. I need to feel competitive (even if its just in my own head) which means a hard bloc of training etc
I quite frequently do 35+km training runs, you certainly can do them regularly if you've trained up to it. That said, I don't think that's the case here. So I'd probably throttle back, and keep them under 30k. And if you can do that, you can certainly make it round the ultra in 10 weeks time.
The problem I’m hitting is that the long slow runs wipe me out and l struggle to recover to do more later in the week.
Make sure you're getting enough to eat both during and after the run. Don't make the typical mistake of trying to combine training and weightloss - you need enough fuel to build the muscles and recover after.
Thanks, sounds like good advice. Not trying to lose weight, I’ve not got that much to spare, but probably not eating enough during runs. I have added a bit of extra protein to my diet before and after runs though.
I’ll knock back the long runs a bit at least for now and I’ll have a peek at the inov8 blog.
I’ve just signed up for a local road 10k in June and the Oxford Half in October.
The aim is a 45 minute 10k and a 1:45 Half. The 10k time is somewhat optimistic given my current PB is 51 something.
These are both on the road but I normally do nearly all my running on trails so I need some road shoes.
Looking ahead towards the races, are things like the Vapourfly or Alphafly worth the money? I figure that if they are I’ll keep an eye out and pick some up in the run up to the races and use for a few training sessions to get used to them.
I tend to run on my forefoot if that makes any difference.
Wonder if anyone can help. I've been suffering with some kind of knee problem since Christmas. Before this I was a regular 5/10k every few days without problem. I started to get some knee pain around the outside of my knee and what felt like deep in knee at the bottom front. Initially I didn't pay it much attention as the pain was just an initial ache.
Then during one run the pain got so bad I couldn't finish and had to hobble home. For several days I was struggling with stairs and weight bearing. Then eventually it eased. I gave it a couple of weeks. Tried to go out for a short 2-3k very slow pace run, and the pain came back after around 1k. Hobbled home again.
I've been having physio the past couple of weeks, but it doesn't really seem to be going anywhere. The physio says it's something to do with tight quads and weak glutes. Which is fine, but the pain came on quite quickly even after a couple of years of running.
I just managed a 1k walk/run - I could feel the pain starting to creep in, and resorted to walking. But as soon as I start to jog it starts to build back up. Oddly cycling has no impact - did 15 miles round trip to the physio on the bike yesterday and it was absolutely fine.
Anyone else experienced anything similar or has any additional advice?
@prezet, has your physio given you any exercises. I had a similar problem and found lots of slow knee drops on the stairs helped. So stand on your bad leg side-on on the stairs with the good leg hanging over the edge. Slowly drop down until the good leg touches the step below. Repeat. Start holding weight if it feels OK after 15 or so reps.
Turned into a bit of an occasional runner as done more riding over the winter than usual. Went for a plod this evening and shoes are feeling pretty worn - Saucony Endorphin speed 3. Can’t see any on sale in my size (46) and can’t stomach £180 for the 4’s. Any similar alternatives?
@dander, Endo Speed's are a relatively light fast trainer, so similar would be:
Puma Deviate Nitro 2 - Lovely shoes but the fit is on the snug side. Very similar in use case to the Speed 3's though.
adidas Boston 12 - Similar cushion to the Speed 3 and a much better outsole.
ASICS Novablast - I think version 3 is closer to the Endo Speed as it's a bit more lively, you can find it on the ASICS outlet site. Version 4 is cracking shoe as well but lacks a bit of the excitement that V3 has.
Thanks lunge, will look them up. I like the snappier feel of a quick trainer, the Endorphins were a bit of a revelation to be honest, although I think I preferred the 2s to the 3s.
@dander, go for one of the top 2 in that case.
I love my Puma's for that bit of speed and bounce, the only negative is they are a snug fit.
Your other option is to see if you can find a 2nd hand pair on Vinted or eBay.