The Annual Running thread – beginners/ultras/whatever

Only person I ever compete against is myself tbh JGJ,  and anyone with a club vest that is within my striking distance come the closing mile! 🤣

Went out to run Clapham Common parkrun with the wee man in the buggy, but arrived to find that it was cancelled due to a 10k happening.  Went for a play on the swings and roundabouts and spotted a friend who was running, asked if he wanted some pacing, which he was amenable to!  Jumped in part-way through the first of 3 laps after the field had spread out a little and dragged him around to a PB of 38 minutes, which he was delighted with.  Some great shots from the photographers out on the course too – Wilf was on top waving duties 🙂

Sunday saw the Southern 6-Stage Road Relays in Crystal Palace, our club was looking for a decent result, and hoping to qualify 2 teams for the Nationals in 2 weeks time.  I was on 5th leg, and took over duties with us sat in 6th place.  Made up 2 places but then a Southampton runner blasted past me to drop us down to 5th.  Fortunately our 6th man made up that place again to bring us home 4th.  Since discovering that the guy who dropped me runs for GB and has a 5000m time of 13:51, I don’t feel so bad!  2nd fastest time for our club too, so pretty happy.

Taper time now 🙂

Thanks NBITF! I’ve run at 19 different parkrun venues so I very much enjoy parkrun tourism too.

I wouldn’t expect to run sub 23 at Lanhydrock……

But I might at St Albans ( currently 23:09).

Like you I love running different courses and like you my favourites tend to be more undulating or cross country .

I ran at Wotton under Edge on Saturday which took me back 30 years and felt like running a school crosss country .😃

Great photo Turboferret! If only I’d discovered buggy running when my kids were little.😃

I’m actually quite looking forward to a winter of just running in the hills and not thinking about the next race!

Wow some fast times in this thread.

Did the Bristol half yesterday got a pb of 134.47, pretty pleased since I haven’t done any running since April.

Would love to get into running properly but every time I start to build up some miles I get niggling problems like shin splints. Might try some park runs next to mix it up. 5k is a nice distance

Had pretty much a week off there, only doing a wee 5k with the wife last monday. Legs been a bit heavy, and my BIL recommended a local sports therapist. 30 quid for a 30 minute consultation, all past injuries etc, then a full hour deep tissue.

**** me that stings a bit.

That was thursday, took friday off, hillwalked saturday and sunday, ran yesterday and fely brilliant. Went out and did a sorta tempo 5k, though never really planned to, just felt great after a mile, only 17 seconds off my PB, then went for  mile cool down which turned into 3 as my legs felt brilliant.

I’ll have a few easier runs this week, then it’s 2 half marathons and the 10 miler at Dalbeattie hardrock over the next 4 weeks, feeling well placed for them.

I’m sold on the massage now.

Anybody signed up for the Endure24 events?

Doing the Leeds course in June with our local triathlon club, should be very interesting indeed, still have no idea why i said yes!

Also just out of curiosity, has anyone found that running slower say for instance with a pram/buggy this causes some unnatural gait and some serious hip pain? Doesn’t seem to have the same effect when running flat out or quicker but if keeping pace with the Mrs, I’m in absolute agony and end up walking.

Simmoz

Jeez No training and 1:34!!

I ran Bristol half , trained my arse off and was over the moon with 1:49:01.

Great event though.

There are some that are obviously like Turboferret and yourself that are genetically predisposed towards being a distance runner……😃

Well not no training at all, have been out on the bike and surfing all summer. A lot to be said for cross training…

Agreed, fantastic event and course. Shame about the weather on sunday

Anyone doing the York 10 mile next month?

genetically predisposed towards being a distance runner……

Or who train very hard….

OR train very hard , are 20kg lighter and 20 years younger……….😉

OR train very hard , are 20kg lighter and 20 years younger……….

I have run nearly 2500 miles this year at an average pace of about 6 1/2 minute miles, so perhaps the training is somewhat of a factor in the weight, but I can’t help my age!

Having said that, despite approaching 40, I’ve PB’d at every distance I’ve run this year from 800m – marathon, so clearly the training is more of an influencing factor than age currently.

Age isnt just a number but decline doesnt appear to kick in until mid 40’s (for distance runners) and I was running 33 min 10ks into my early 40’s.

So looking to get myself a pair of trail running shoes as I’ve started venturing off of the beaten path a bit.  I tend to run on the outside edge of my feet so have been advised to go for a pair of neutral shoes and have a budget of £60.  What should I be looking at?  Usually wear Adidas FWIW.

I changed clubs 2.5<span style=”font-size: 0.8rem;”> years ago and I now run with a group of similar ability and pace.  The old club was small and we only had one group, so it was a case of running with whoever turned up at the slowest person pace (usually 10-11 mins/mile). The group I’m in now probably averages 7-7:15 m/m which has in turn given me a good grounding for extra running on my own.  consequently over the last 2 years,similar to Rich (TF) have managed to get pbs across all distances.  I’M 43, and still managing to get a bit quicker although not in the same league as TF or Surfer but I’ve managed to drop my 10K pb to mid 35s.  Oh yeah, I had a MI and a stent fitted also.</span>

Once your body is adapted to the demands of running you can start to increase the duration and intensity and the times will come.  Also doing marathon training and running the higher mileages gives a great endurance base which also means you can push harder at the shorter distances.

Good luck TF in your marathon, it sounds like you’re in great shape.

Training with faster runners is the best thing you can do. In my younger years when I was quite competitive I was often the slowest runner in the group but I wouldnt even have reached the modest club standards I did without hanging on at the back of club runs 2-3 times per week. The group was often packed with internationals at various distances, it “raises all boats”!

I met up with an old training buddy not long ago and we talked about the “good times” (He was a National XC medalist in his youth and a 14 min 5ker) we talked about pre race nerves and he said “never mind pre race, I couldnt eat or concentrate on club training days” such was the anticipation of being absolutely hammered that evening 🙂

Took my nine year old girl out for her first training run last night (she’s about to compete in a local cross country race). I run regularly but we kept a steady pace (8.25 mile) however she out-sprinted me in the final 400m – I glanced at my watch and we were on 7 minute pace at that point. The dog was knackered 🙂

I couldn’t run for toffee at that age.

Went to the physio last night: I have achilles tendinopothy, apparently (formerly, tendonitis). Had ultrasound etc. and told to limit distance, avoid hills and do some particular stretches. Going back next week for some more “active” physio.

Mikey you may find some info on here ref Achilles injuries. I contributed to a few threads when I suffered from it a while ago. I do recall being skeptical about “some” stretching and I am convinced certain types exacerbate it.

@stayhigh, have a look at the Asics outlet, there were some trail shoes on there last time I looked for that price.

I’m finally going for a hack over QECP at the weekend, Sod the lump, I need to get running again 💃

Officially 22:02 for Aberdeen park run this morning.

Started with mates at back and ran through so ran 5.05km got a pb of 21.32 for 5k

Then rode home.

Time to eat everything.

 I do recall being skeptical about “some” stretching and I am convinced certain types exacerbate it.

I’m not convinced, either. I’ll probably mention it when I go next Thursday. However,  there is definitely something tight down there that is reducing the freedom of movement so it needs some work.

Noob advice please!

I started running a year ago, and after a long time out with a back problem I picked it up again a couple of months ago. I’m loving it. I’m up to roughly 6km without walking and enjoy a good 30-35 minutes 4 or 5 times per week.

I’m steadily getting a little bit faster, but truth be told it’s just my lungs holding me back. If I was to remove my headphones I’d sound like I was having an asthma attack. I think I’m at the stage where I could start a half training programme which would include intervals – is this the best thing to improve my CV capacity? Or is there anything else I could be doing?

congrats wallop, sounds like you are doing just fine. Maybe find a local 10k event as a goal and build up to it? Otherwise, just more of the same and the fitness will come especially if you push up the distance but do that gently.  I wouldn’t be thinking of intervals for a little while yet.

I’d agree with thecaptain, sound advice.

Are you getting faster? If so, that explains being out of breath. Don’t be afraid to slow it down to up the miles, there’s something nice about slowing it down and not hammering it, instead just cruising and breathing it all in.

Grand.

Awwww thanks! That’s lovely advice. I’ll just keep adding a little bit each week. I’ve found a 10k to aim for in December and I feel confident I can do it!

That’s the thing though – I’m not running fast so to ‘slow it down’ feels like I’d be walking! 😂

edit – but yes, I’m getting a little tiny bit faster each time.

Sounds like your doing fine then. Keep coming back, update us with your progress, it’s an ace bunch on this thread, very supportive and great advice, not the usual STW drama queens… 😂

Makes a nice change! 😂

Thanks – I will stick around.

Sounds good wallop. If you’ve got a local parkrun that could also be a good opportunity for an occasional benchmark.

I know wallop can’t wait to have a bash at Ashton Court parkrun. 😀

It’s uphill FFS!

So annoyed today – my PB at ParkRun is 24.41 – I’ve done the same time twice now. After a few weeks off I did it again today and thought I’d done okay. Time – 24.42. FFS!!! At 51 I know it’s okay but I am still aiming to get <24mins.

That’s frustrating 😬

It’s uphill FFS

And back down again. 😂

I ran it on my own once – took about 25 mins to get up and 5 to get down 😂

I’m sold on running caps: Went for a run in the pouring rain today (only 5km in 22:30 – see my earlier posts about injuries) and it was like running on a nice spring day**.

** this may be an exaggeration, but you get the idea.