Kramer, I have a question that may be related to Restless Leg Syndrome. At the instant I drift off to sleep, my legs kick and twitch for a period of time but I’m completely unaware of it. Up to roughly 5 minutes, it can be quite violent at times. Any ideas what causes this?

I’ve struggled to find anything similar when googling the symptoms, everything comes back to Restless Leg Syndrome which I’m not sure it is.

Plus, doing this without an expensive fall in terms of the energy & confidence expended through even a minor injury will keep your flow and pace better than many. At the Highland Fling in April, about 40% of the front 30 runners had taken a tumble on the trail at some point, several more than once.

I’d echo what highland man says – thankfully I was one of the 60% top 30 that managed not to tumble this year by I did make up alot of ground on the rough stuff just by running it before and being confident on it. Specificity is key!

If you can narrow the problem down to the thermostat itself rather than the receiver on the boiler then I can send you my old unit that’s now not needed (not quite sure why I still have it with no receiver to connect it to…). Not sure how you could test but drop me a PM if that would help.

I recently had a problem with my Salus thermostat which turned out to be the relay contact within the receiver on boiler to tell the boiler to switch the heating on.

Not sure why it broke but it meant using the manual mode didn’t work any more – had to replace the thermostat, it was a similar age to yours.

Question for some of the ultra runners on here – I’m keen to do some bike work on sufferfest as running during the week at this time of year isn’t always an option due to other commitments. With a 50 mile ultra in a few months, what type of bike workouts would you be focusing on? Mostly endurance or a mix across the board?

I wouldn’t let the above get in the way of a great run, especially in those conditions.

Perhaps not in the spirit of the race for other competitors to complain about such a minor discrepancy but that’s the price you pay for being fast!

Definitely let them know your position.

I did the trail race and thought it a bit strange that there was a mandatory kit list, yet a few guys at the start carrying nothing and wearing shorts and t-shirt….

Was also told to follow the gpx by a marshall which I didn’t have on my watch, nor a map as I didn’t think it was necessary but if the conditions were any worse probably would’ve needed.

Great event all in but some improvements could be made which I’m sure the organisers will address for next year.

Great to see your progress, keep up the good work and I look forward to trying the final product, Im a big rum fan!

Enjoyed that. Anyone have the HT550 book and recommend it? I’ve been meaning to buy a copy for a while now.

There are plenty of decent guides online about how to automate the Raspberry Pi & Pi Camera to do timelapses, means you can leave it in place (£30 rather than leaving a proper camera/gopro etc.).

Thanks surfer, unfortauntely nowhere near Pete Bland or Id give them a look in. Ive found a shop locally that does gait analysis and stocks them so I’ll maybe go and try them on the treadmill. Having looked at their website previously all the shoes seemed to be spunator/neutral so it might be the case that I got for something more neutral and get a pair of insoles.

Interesting post, Ive been looking at getting a pair. I’m an over-pronator and have had issues recently with my knee I think caused by tight calves, I’m looking to limit the impact of training for my next marathon but have struggled to find any first hand reviews from over-pronators on which model is best, any tips?

Like all above have said, go large. I’m 6’1 and a medium would definitely be cramped for me, I’m running a 70mm stem and wide bars and a large is perfect for what I use it for.

Ive got the same car albeit a newer version, got the roof rack from a ford dealer, sits quite happily on both front and rear. Just need to make sure the distances between feet are correct and its tight enough to secure itself onto the roof. Ive had no issues with it, works as it should really.

Cheers OP for the heads up! Got £50 off a new phone I’d been wanting for a while.

Ive been watching this with a keen eye. For anyone that has done it already, what sort of training did you do? Is it a mile munching exercise or specific endurance training with the road bike too? Impressed with the pace the guys are going at so far.

Huge respect to richpips and minipips in particular, nothing short of amazing at that age.

For what its worth I have the 1.0 100ps and get 48-50mpg without watching what I’m doing too much. Can’t comment on the 125 however.

This may be of interest, clearly the photocard is becoming more imporant. Not an issue with historic paper copies however.

I’d definately recommend following a plan. You may be different but I find it hard to get out and ‘just run’ some days without having a goal. If you have a plan set out, you’re much more likely to follow it.

I’m currently using Hal Higdon marathon training plan and it seems to be working, theres pretty much all distances in his plans for all levels of runner. I’d really recommend it. Other plans such as couch to 5k are meant to be good but I’ve not tried them. I wouldn’t ‘just run 20 mins’ personally, as some have mentioned above, as a structured plan will also factor in recovery etc and provide you with goals.

Skyscanner does this if you just leave the ‘Destination’ box blank, gives you the cheapest flights. Cheapest I’ve seen is £20-30 though (might vary if its very close to departure time)

I take the front wheel off, move the passenger seat forward a bit and chuck it in no problems. I’ve got a roof rack too but find it to be more hassle than its worth if not using regularly.

Another shout for the Garmin Foreruner 10, only slight issue I have is that it occasionaly takes a few tries to sync. Garmin website is very good though and seamlessly integrates with Strava if that’s your thing.

Thanks for the heads up AlexSimon, putting over £100 into the basket, applying HELLO2015, then removing gets free delivery under £40.

Bigdugsbaws, what’s that newmilns park like? Never heard of it and I’m relatively local. A quick google shows the dmbins guide which is promising although it does look quite DHish.

I got a brand new pair from eBay from some watersports shop for £30 not too long ago and really like them – swap between them and Shimano am41’s.

Any recommendations with respect to headset for a MK3 Soul (tapered headtube) have a tapered fork and am tempted to go for Hope headset but would rather spend less if possible. Looked at Nukeproof and FSA, any suggestions?

donks, I’m currently using Cartoon HD (on Android) with a media player, Avia (the chromecast extension is a pound odd) hit title, select custom, select Avia then cast it from there. Very quick and easy, can’t fault it at all – quality is brilliant as well. I’ve heard that it can be done on Apple with airplay but I haven’t tried.

There are some good deals on Manitou forks on CRC. I got the marvel pro 120mm for £160. There are other Manitou forks there also, can’t comment on the performance yet but it feels solid out the box, light weight and well made.

Got an SLX crankset £70, bargain. Some of the front mechs are very well priced also.

Large Orange Soul out of stock just as I was about to hit the order button – gutted dosen’t cover it. Only Medium left now.

Molgrips, can you use Word/Excel/Powerpoint with the Chromebook using Webapps then? Lack of MS office is all thats putting me off.

http://helios.swpc.noaa.gov/ovation/North_New.html
Link Scotroutes posted above shows the earth rotating towards it, updates every 30 seconds – worth a watch.

Sanny, you may well need them haha! Its not actually too bad, it should be fine later in the month. One bridge down(only across a stream at Mauldslie but its hardly an obstacle)The main problem being the clyde bursting its banks spilling onto the walkway. Feel free to drop me a line (email in profile) nearer the time, theres a few diversions you can take.

Sanny, you may need the fat bike to make it to tinto, Clyde Walkway is muddy/swampy/bridges broken in places but when its been drier it should be ideal. If you make it there you may as well ride it . . .

This might be a bit late but parking near the garage on the street isnt advisable. Every night there is something on at the SECC/Hydro the parking wardens have an absolute field day, every other car has a ticket. I’m presuming you can pay but just watch where you park.

Grum P – Awesome. Just had a quick read at your blog, top stuff keep it up please!

Very much as above.

If you puncture, run/carry down don’t stop to fix, it just wastes time.

Also mentally prepare yourself for the carry section after the river crossing. If you think you’re reaching the top, you are not.

The trails Chris has described above are excellent. Top trails, the latest half way up the fire road is something else(not even close to trying that jump yet).

If you need a hand building any new trails locally give us a shout, would be more than happy to help. I’ve been scouting out an old walkway in Rosebank across from the Popinjay, plenty of height in there and the terrain is a bit different from Mudslie.

Cheers

Had the same op as OP. You will know yourself when it is right, I wouldn’t try anything for 6-8 weeks minimum. When you can laugh/cough/sit up without feeling any tweaks you will probably be fine. Bear in mind that muscle has to regrow so allow time and don’t rush into anything as you will tear muscle and go back to square 1.

Nice one, thanks.