The Annual Running thread – beginners/ultras/whatever

More race pace, used to do sessions of shorter faster sprints as well but found the sessions of 400’s to be something I could do alone and although not “quick” did build strength and mental toughness. Sessions varied depending on who there was to train with, the weather, proximity to a race etc.

V. interesting surfer, thanks.

Last year I started running again as a rest after a leg injury on the bike which kept coming back.

I’m not interested in race type stuff, just as a great way of getting around on mainly offroad and singletrack. Generally keep it under 10km, more usually 6-8km, and never time myself.

The last few days have been spent running on the ice of the ‘Puffer course. It’s so slippery I reckon I’m at risk of an injury from falling off the bike and then not being able to race, so running it is. The sound of ice crunching underfoot is quite satisfying.

Some glorious mornings watching the sun rise redly through the mists in the forest bits, and when it’s sleeting, I’d sooner be running than riding.

I’ve even bought a headtorch specifically for night running. Some of my favourite runs when I lived in Oz were at night. That’s when you really get to see the wildlife.

Anyone with experience of Patellar tendonitis?
Going to see a physio,in the next few weeks,to confirm my diagnosis.
Would be good to know if anyone has managed to beat this.

Fortunately not….

Ah an STW Strava running club. I’ve joined. Just need to fix my feet

You lucky folk.. I sooooo miss my long runs.

Exertional compartment syndrome means I have to limit my runs to less than 2 miles otherwise I can’t feel my feet and the calf pain is uncomfortable

That said I get out a couple of times pw.. and running downhill is a lot easier as it seems to prevent the build of pressure .. so I walk/ jog up a local hill as often as I can….just to feel the downhill freedom.

Looks like four throwing their hat in to the BG ring. I did mine in 2005, a grand day out. Never managed the Paddy or Ramsay but supported a few.

Done very little in recent years due to my hip, probably ought to do a bit of gentle stuff to keep bone density up.

57 in feb and at least two stone over weight.

I started to walk this winter 2 hours a day at a brisk pace to save buying a new drivetrain as the winter trails here are limestone grinding paste and eat drive trains in no time.

lately I have felt like breaking into a trot but to be honest the thought of running for some reason scares me I haven’t run since I was a kid can you start this late in life without injury.

57 yrs old. Used to run many years ago …. with a 30 kg weight loss and bored for a W/e in Dubai, I took it up again. I hate running … but love the buzz and weight management aspect.
Worked up to aroun 5.5k every couple of days… and it’s a great exercise if you travel a lot.
However I developed knee issues which are age related but was given the all clear by a specialist. Started runn8ng again …2 run and I have completely buggered my Achilles …. not rupture but walking has been a challenge since September. It is very slowly getting better … but one option is to have it surgically ruptured to cure the issue.
Suffice to say running is off the agenda ….

blimey, some of these run times…best 5k I ever managed was a 19:35 in a local run in Northants, course was a gently downhill circuit that ended with about a 250m long hill that reclaimed all the height in one go, very nearly puked at the top!

Evil. 😆 Hate racing

Something a wee bit different this morning, took the train 2 stops along the way to work, and ran the 5k in from there.

Was really nice until I came across the flooding from yesterdays downpours, up over the ankle, lovely….

Look forward to a squelchy run home…

Looks like four throwing their hat in to the BG ring. I did mine in 2005, a grand day out. Never managed the Paddy or Ramsay but supported a few.

I have only raced on the Fells a small number of times really and although I have been quite fit (and at the sharp end on climbs) I struggled hugely on the technical bits and descents. I became so frustrated to be beaten by runners who I was fitter than, that I didnt bother racing much but really enjoyed the days on the fells running/walking most of the “rounds” etc. I think I could gain the fitness to get around most of the course and the descents are at walking pace anyway.

@surfer – descending is a bit like riding at trail centres – you have to let go! It’s the holding back that puts a lot of strain on the legs, particularly the quads.

Yeah, too much tension in the muscles…

Free up a bit, took me ages to let go a bit but I does actually work.

Well I have been running on for about 3 years now and am a Leader in Running Fitness and help out at a local club in Exeter. This year I’m doing the Grizzly (hilly 18 miler off road) in March so that’s my focus at the moment! Had a naff year last year with Plantar fascitias (sp?) which is now sorted.

@surfer – descending is a bit like riding at trail centres – you have to let go! It’s the holding back that puts a lot of strain on the legs, particularly the quads.

It’s also technique – and training for the terrain you’re going to be racing on. Running downhill on easy terrain is a lot more about letting go, downhill on mud or a rocky course require a lot more concentration. IME obviously!

I’ve just joined the strava group – I have signed up for the london marathon ballot for the last 5 years and never got in (I think the knowledge of how small a chance I had was one of th ereasons for doing it!) and have done ‘some’ running in the time from signing up to getting the declined notification (as I was too scared to have to start training in the winter).

Probably got to an uncomfortable 5k in those times – but haven’t run now for about 18 months. Been playing football at work though and realised that at 42, playing against people in their early 20’s is no fun after 10 mins so it’s time to lace up the runners again.

May struggle to get out much in the next week or so due to having a bug over xmas and dont really want to start before I’m properly over it.

Will start slow with the Zombies Run app as I started that last time and found it a quite cheesy accompaniment while on late evening runs

@surfer – descending is a bit like riding at trail centres – you have to let go! It’s the holding back that puts a lot of strain on the legs, particularly the quads.

I am rubbish on the bike as well! My balance has never been great when running and I do fall in XC races more frequently than my peers. As I have got older this has got worse and my ankles are now a problem. I get the theory but I am never going to improve it much. I often run with a headtorch even when I am just running local road routes that are partly unlit (I am illogically embarrassed by this and hide it in my pocket until I have to use it) Always loved fell running and even with the balance issues I climb and cover ground quite quickly.

Joined strava group – some impressive weekly run totals.

This time last year was running 10km to work twice a week – now on 5km runs with muscle soreness for days. Need to get back on it.

Thanks for motivation!!

I’ve got plantar fasciitis too. Sucks hairy ones.

This time last year was running 10km to work twice a week – now on 5km runs with muscle soreness for days. Need to get back on it.

Any tips for the muscle soreness anyone? or does it just get easier?. Read lots of stuff online re using epsom salts in cold baths etc…

Just joined the group 🙂

Started running a few years ago, stopped Tuesday evening track training when my lad was born, vast majority of my miles are commuting. I’m 20km from work, and have a nice schedule now of running half-way to work steadily in the morning before jumping on a train, and running all the way home. That nets me ~90km during the week and still relatively fresh for more interesting running at the weekend.

Big focus last year was London Marathon, I managed successive 8 weeks of 100km in the lead-up, aim is to go bigger this year. Got a rather ambitious goal of sub 2:30, I’m currently just over 5 minutes away, so quite a big jump required. Also got some plantar fasciitis which resulted in 4 months off over the summer – keeping it fairly much under control with stretching and strengthening, but I’m in constant pain which is somewhat frustrating…

Cheers, Rich

Good luck with the sub 2:30 TF.
I missed the GFA entry for London this year so will be doing Boston (Lincs) instead, the week before.
My plan this year is to do a half or above distance race each month.
Currently sorted until May.

I’m looking to start back running again this year.
Used to run a lot before we had kids, but I’ve slacked off the last few years and only been doing the occasional 5km on the treadmill.
I’d like to do another Marathon at some point but that’s probably a year or so away.
We have a local park run too which should help me get back out.

Cheers, just joined the STW running club as a kick up the arse to get started again. Damaged the ligaments in my ankle in July doing ironman and haven’t ran since! First run last night, just 1.5 mile to test the ankle and all good!

Anyone with experience of Patellar tendonitis?
Going to see a physio,in the next few weeks,to confirm my diagnosis.

Seeing a proper [Sports] Physio is definitely the right approach I reckon.

I had this doing a Winter season on the snow in Canada:- Foam Roller, Lacrosse Ball, wobble board, stretching and strengthening exercises sorted it.

So ran tonight. Good steady 3.5 miles in bob on 30mins so an easy pace to break in the new shoes. Felt all chuffed I had ran twice this year. Then i find Richard McDowell in the club. 8 runs so far INCLUDING a park run at cycling speeds (5.45 min mile average) !! Hat doffed… Great to see so many folk signed up.

One thing that’s always worth bearing in mind: no matter how good or bad you think you are, there are always much quicker people, and also much slower people. It’s mostly about the personal battle for me, just a few chances where I can actually come out on top in an actual competition and even that’s just cos the much better guys didn’t show up for whatever reasons.

I’ve done c25k last year, then got bored.
Back on it since before Christmas, hoping to just run 5k at lunches through the week.

thecaptain – Member
One thing that’s always worth bearing in mind: no matter how good or bad you think you are, there are always much quicker people, and also much slower people. It’s mostly about the personal battle for me, just a few chances where I can actually come out on top in an actual competition and even that’s just cos the much better guys didn’t show up for whatever reasons

Very much this..

It’s only You that matters, forget everyone else’s goals/targets/actuals/ability..

Just enjoy yourself.

just a few chances where I can actually come out on top in an actual competition and even that’s just cos the much better guys didn’t show up for whatever reasons

All our victories are because somebody doesnt turn up! You can only beat who is there. To paraphrase Woody Allen “95% of success is turning up” 😀

Absolutely, if it was about beating anyone, I’d be as well not bothering. 😆

10.5k all in today, from train to work and back at night. Felt really heavy legged after doing 12k on Tuesday night, but my pace wasn’t bad, for me.

Ahead of schedule for the January 160k, but will be behind after a rest day tomoro.

4km today and did a proper run rather than circles round the playing field, that’s quite an achievement for me at this stage (at least it will be provided I can walk down the stairs pain free tomorrow). 5km next time out, then will be starting some faster pace stuff and maybe up to trying a run on the hills.

1st interval session tonight. 400m efforts. Urgh. Felt sick for about 1hr after.

Joined the strava club.

I’ve been getting back to more running of late. only have a gym and treadmill when away with work, so spend time running rather than biking. Was just doing 5ks out there due to boredom.

But deciding to get back to doing more trail and hill running.
Bought my other half running beyond for Christmas which has inspired me to get fit for a big ultra/Skyrace next year.

So did 11.5km round gt walking paths today in just over an hour. 10km gets roughly 400m of climbing so not too bad.

Just joined the club.

I’ve been running on and off for a few years but never really got into it. Did a few Triathlons last year which got me running a bit more seriously. Now signed up to the Brighton Marathon in April!

Training was going well, managed to do a half marathon at a steady pace after 4 weeks. Then pulled a calf muscle which put me out for 2 weeks. Back on it now and trying to steadily build back up but going more gradually. Will see how things go in the next few months!

We used to run something we called “600m specials”

600m almost flat out (usually around 90-92 seconds for me) a 100m slow jog back to the 300m line (its amazing how slow you can jog 100m when you need to!) then flat out for 300m. a long recovery of about 5 mins between each. Usually only 3.

If anything could make you vomit….

“hard” doesnt need to mean “distance”

In no particular order, my planned races for this year include Box Hill fell race (tougher than it sounds), the British Night Orienteering championships, Marmot Dark Mountains (night-time mountain marathon), the ROC mountain marathon, and Expedition Africa (5 day adventure race). I like navigational races!

I do also quite fancy another ultra, as Lakes in a Day went pretty well for me last year, but not sure which yet. Suppose I better stop eating and get back to training!

Suppose I better stop eating and get back to training!

Just a couple more days to go until the end of Christmas, thank god!