Enjoyed the video, TF. I thought you held it together pretty well considering. Good effort.

Oh, and thanks for the podcast recommendations. Lots to listen to!

Looks like Damian did it. Still running at the end. Amazing. I feel a bit battered after 10 miles today. #aretheyhuman?

@lunge. Bad luck there. I’ve had tight calves last few days but got away with it. At least there is the bike.

Any running podcasts that people recommend? There are millions out there and I can’t listen to them all to filter out the good’uns. Cheers.

Anyone noticed Garmin is having a few issues? ;-)

@mogrim – I used to do that with cycling, it it was usually Dorset or Wales. Good fun.

@turboferret – Streatham does that to you and you wouldn’t have looked out of place running down the street talking to the trees.

Yes, it’s a good little video. It’s all so British compared with the hooping and hollerin’ of our USA brethren. A little less dusty too, and much more gritty. There’s quite a few videos on YouTube of this sort of endeavour – the one’s involving Nicky Spinks are typically no-nonsense.

TF – I expect you talk to take your mind of it. Talking to yourself is frowned on, but talking to a camera on a stick is perfectly sane.

@turboferret – I’ve found your next challenge!

Damian Hall to attempt 268-mile Pennine Way record

Looks like it should do the trick. Don’t forget the chia seeds.

@turboferret. It’s remarkable what you did today. It’s not just the distance, but having no support and the mental capacity to stick to the route, feed yourself, and keep the pace up. I applaud you, sir, and think you now deserve a rest.

Sen to have lost contact on the tracking app. Maybe phone died as it was about 6 hours in.

https://glympse.com/030B-1B0X

Stratford I think holding a steady 12 kph. Pretty well.

Turboferret is doing his mad London ring at the moment. He sent me a tracking link and I’ve asked if he would mind if I put it here. He hasn’t got back so not sure what to do. What do you reckon?

That sure is brisk. Just about did my 10k
At that pace and it slaughtered me.

@sirromj You inspired me to get my trail
Glove 4 out for a run tonight. Haven’t worn them since before Christmas as moved onto grippier stuff in the mud and more cushion on the road. Did 9k with 2k road. Found them quite firm on the road and wouldn’t want to do many miles on road in them, but by ‘eck they were smashin’ off road. Light, tactile, confident, cushioned enough, no toe problems, no arch problems. Ok, I did get the expected tight calf but that has rolled out. Just a lovely shoe to run the trails in. Also happy that I forgot about them and didn’t need to change my running style to suite them.

Have you tried the version 4 and how do they compare to the 5?

@turboferret. Good luck! I’ve no doubt you can do this. Like everyone here, you’ll hit the wall at mile 60 (always the way, eh?), but push on through!

@dooosuk I’m sure you’ll get there – just rest a bit when you feel the need. I upped my mileage from about 40km to 115km last week and I’m still feeling it now. Only been running once this week and it was not that inspiring. I hope that’s normal and I haven’t burst my bubble. Really taken it out of me.

Nicely done TF – I like keeping good old kit going. Lost a pair of gloves I’ve had since about 2007 yesterday, but found them today after unlocking their location by ordering a new pair. Have blisters now.

I haven[t run much but I did go on a brilliant CX/gravel blast around Headley and surrounding areas yesterday evening. 2 on MTB, 2 on Cx/gravel and the pace was fairly high. Haven’t been on a bike in anger for months and was expecting to get dropped in the hedge after about 5K. However, long dormant muscles headed the call, woke up and did the job. I got woads of Strava PBs on climbs and looking at my heart rate it was very interesting. Despite pushing on, it didn’t really go above the 149bpm moderate intensity level I try to keep it at running. It obviously went up on the hills, but I was never anywhere near going into the red. It was the wrist based one, so not entirely accurate, and I think the zones are a bit different for cycling but I think it shows just how bloody hard running is. I’m not saying cycling is bad, just different, but it’s enforced the point that even running slowly is good value.

Okay, if anyone wants to lose 5 minutes of their life they’ll never get back, you can watch this YouTube video of my 25km effort on Saturday. Perhaps the worst trail running video on YouTube? You decide.

Recently bought some Topo ultra fly road and ultra venture trail from northern runner. Like mentioned, not cheap but I’m sick of black, bruised toes and general pain. They have proved excellent. Still get a bit of toe tingle but much, much better. Wearing well after 300km on road.

@loum Cheers. 115km week. Won’t be doing it again for a while but has peaked my interest in a proper ultra. Maybe build up to it for next year. Really like the idea of the challenge being to finish rather than get a fast time as those race efforts don’t ‘arf take it out you. Only managed this week by running.at low intensity.and keeping heart rate below 149bpm.

Done it. 100k in 6 days finished off with a proper trail run in the Surrey Hills of 25km today. Furthest I’ve ever run today and really enjoyed running my mtb routes. Not fast but took it easy to conserve energy and legs. Much respect to those who run long distances!

@tutboferret. Best of luck with it! 78 miles is a very long bike ride for me so that is quite some challenge. Hope you make a video of it. What time are you hoping for?

I’ve got 34km to go in my 100km challenge. Easy 10km today and might try to finish in style tomorrow with a 25km trail run from Headley Heath. Strap on knee is proving excellent.

Well done, all. Tough to get motivated and targets do help. 50km of my 200km done. 10 mile trail run with some fellow runners who have offered support. I realise this is a normal week for many,
But it’s a lot for me – previous record 57km. ITB playing up on right knee – very painful run this morning and only managed 6.5km. Will break out the old knee strap tomorrow – it’s not a cure but should get me through.

Signed up for the virtual Race to the Stones 100k. 1 week to do it. 16.5km this morning and just back from 10k. Had a knee problem come back at weekend but keeping it slow – it hurts but manageable. 74km to go…

@mogrim Thanks. Yep, I use that system. The shoes are big with lots of space at the front and I lock in pretty tight, to the point where it hurts the top of my foot then back off a bit. These new shoes are MUCH better and I can live with it, even though I have to wear toe protectors. It’s the third toe that seems to get it. I have very squared off feet that aren’t foot shaped. I’ll keep experimenting.

200k run in June. Left myself with 21km to do last night so did a half marathon. Found some good hills Carshalton way, easy zone 2 for 18k, then saw I might nip under 2 hours so upped the pace for end. Really enjoyed the fast running!

1:57 for half, longest run of 22km, didn’t stop, toes hurt – my curse.

@surfer. I meant “easier to keep heart rate down”, but I suspect you got that. I think it tallies with what you are saying that the windows come down. Zone 1 was a walk for me a month ago, now it’s a slow run. Agreed heart rate isn’t ideal – the chest strap helps a lot – but I’m still learning to run by feel. Getting there slowly. It’s good discipline having the watch bleep at me when I go too high – just back off, bring it down and all is well. Just don’t confuse the watch beeps for something they are not ;-)

@turboferret – gutted about Greenway. Only 6.5 mins though…

And those Injinjijijiji socks keep cropping up. I looked into getting some but there is a huge choice. Are those your recommended variety? I prefer short socks though.

@j4mesj4mes – Sounds like you’re doing well.

After lockdown, the club stopped its sessions so I floundered a bit, then went out every other day for an unstructured Tempo/threshold run of about 5 miles. Started feeling tired and not much fitter, so took a step back. Somebody on here mentioned the 80/20 plan so, with the Sutton Runners 10K three and a half weeks away, I condensed a 12 weeks 10K training plan from the book into 3 weeks to see what would happen. Nothing to lose.

The zone 2 runs felt incredibly slow, but as I did more, my speed increased a bit – easier to heart rate down for a given speed. Hard interval sessions once or twice a week depending on the program with rest day after, or very slow recovery run. I probably averaged about 40-50K per week – more in the middle peak week – 57Km – and hopefully going out for an easy half marathon (even there thought of that a month a go would have me questioning my sanity) on Tuesday evening to get my monthly total to 200K – far more tan I’ve ever done.

The book states that the key is to avoid the “useless” zone 3 work as it tires you out, has no more benefit than slower runs and you can’t run as far.

To put the zone 2 stuff in context, most of my 5 mile runs were about 4:40-4:50 min/km, the zone 2 stuff is 6min/km or there abouts. Waaaaay slower. Thing is, I will run for an hour or more, feel relatively fresh but the legs feel like they have had a good workout.

Speed work is important though (although it depends what you are training for I suppose), but, again as mentioned on here by Turboferret, it should be really hard – zone 4 and 5, and no longer that 25 minutes. Love the Garmin workouts for this.

I was sceptical, very sceptical, as I just seemed to be running slower and longer. Having done no tempo work or speed intervals longer than 2 minutes (but faster tan 10K pace) for nearly a month, when I set off yesterday for the 10k it really was a step into the unknown.

I fully expected to blow up completely after the first 2K, but despite a quick start from Turboferret and triple-taking the first Km at 4:14, the second and 4:20, the third at 4:18, and so on, which is a decent 5K pace for me, I started to believe I could do it as I was holding it together. I controlled the breathing pretty well and the legs didn’t really start to burn until after 8Km. The pacing helped massively of course, but I’m sticking with this 80/20 business to see where is takes me as I improved from a “cheaty” 44:46 10K a month ago that was 2K downhill to start and the rest flat. This was a much tougher course.

I think I’d include some tempo runs on a longer program. Might train for the sub-20 5K next…

@mogrim – sounds pretty epic. Hopefully build up to that one day.

@turboferret – Pleasure to meet you in person too and once again, thanks for the torture!

I realise my 10K is not exactly the pinnacle of running achievement in the grand scheme of things, but from a personal point of view it feels quite special. Considering that in September 2019 I was “building up” to doing a longer distance run, which was the local parkrun of 5K, without getting injured or having to stop because of spurious pain, to be able to push myself like yesterday reminds me how amazing the human body is. To all those new runners out there, keep at it, it will come if you build it up slowly. I’m really Mr Average in regard to athleticism, but I think half the battle, as Turbo alluded to, is being willing to suffer. I think I’m above average in that respect as I do look at some people and think they aren’t trying hard enough – I can’t see the fear in their eyes. I give everything in races which I think accounts a lot towards better performance on the whole and unlocks a huge amount of potential – it’s amazing what you are capable of if you really, really push it. Not pleasant at the time though.

This thread has been encouraging over the last year.

Rest day today. Legs feel used, but good.

@ta11pau1 Good going! That’s a good run with low heart rate. Mine was zone extreme for 8k of that. Brain went funny after 8k. Like running, but sometimes those efforts are horrible.

Good stuff all, keep it up.

Sutton Runners Virtual 10k today. Undulating course but good conditions.

Many thanks to @turboferret for pacing me around the course. I was going for a sub-45 as I felt it was in me, but wasn’t sure after a lack of sleep and a bit of asthma this morning, and knew I would have to dig very deep. Amazing pacing from a true master – look at these splits. I’d never have been so consistent solo:

1, 4:14, -6 elevation.
2. 4:20, 5
3. 4:18, -3
4. 4:30, 6
5. 4:16, -8
6. 4:30, 7
7. 4:16, -10
8. 4:33, 14
9. 4:23, -7
10. 4:08, 3.

Came in at 43:18, couldn’t stand up or breathe, very happy.

Just to add, I looked at the heart rate data. Me redlining from 2km, on the absolute limit, the thin line between glory and death, turbo ran the whole thing in zone 2, moderate, chatty pace. Impressive!

Assholes and elbows, to quote Apone.

Had a pleasant run tonight after dinner and two Friday cocktails. Wouldn’t normally think about running them but it was on my training calendar so felt I had to. Very easy pace with slightly faster finish, and last proper run before 10k virtual race on Sunday, which I have no idea how I will get on. Only one way to find out…

@turboferret Amazing run! Might have a crack when the heatwave is over. ;-)

Also, sent you PM about the 10k. What is best way to get in contact?

All, thanks for headphone advice. Have ordered some aftershokz from northern runner.

@loum Might try that, cheers.

Any headphone recommendations for someone whose ears don’t confirm to normality – things don’t stay in them?

Thanks.

Aaaaaarrrrrggghhhh!!!!!!

Toes hurting again. I’m cursed, cursed I tell you. The toe box in these new shoes couldn’t be any bigger. I give up, I might get the loppers out later.

@dooosuk

Excellent! I’ve had a few parkrun pbs after late nights and beer. Must be all those carbs and maybe the anaesthetic qualities.

Amazing and perplexing machine, the human body. After feeling awful on Wednesday morning on a slow run, with an elevated heart rate and feeling ill, I rested and went out last night to meet some club mates (at a distance) to do a recce of the 10K course at Nonsuch for a couple of weeks time. I was offered a lift there but decided to run the 5K there intending on doing one lap of 4.5Km then run home.

Running at a conversational pace I felt good so did the 10K, then ran home, did a loop to make it 21.5Km and have bagged my first half marathon and longest run by 4km, all the while feeling my body was working well, being able to keep the heart rate in zone two while still running at a steady 6min/km. Not fast, but that’s not the point, it felt easy and relaxed. I feel the plan is coming together!

Interesting reading all.

Had a terrible run today and had some bizarre heart rate data. I did a hard interval session yesterday of 3 minutes zone 4/5, 2 minutes recovery x 5 which went well, but I was tired as expected. Did the speed bit between 3:50/km and 4:20/km as gradient involved.

Today was a 40 minutes zone 2 run. The legs felt a bit heavy, as expected, but my heart rate reading suddenly jumped from 145 to 165+ on a downhill after 10 minutes and stayed there for the rest of the run. I certainly didn’t feel like I was pushing my max heart rate from perceived effort as I was running slowly, but could this really have happened? Is this a sign of overtraining or just a dodgy hrm?

I didn’t feel great during the run and got slower trying to keep breathing in check, legs were heavy and feel shattered now. Any ideas welcome! Thanks.

Here is Strava link: https://strava.app.link/b7RgmQMpo7

Just realised I did 49.3Km last week, which is more than my monthly total from not long ago. A few aches and pains, but rest day today and back on it tomorrow.

Well, you will choose these easy challenges! Good luck. I still think your buggy 5k should be recognised. If they can give credit to someone who has the most toothpicks in their heard surely yours is less trivial that that!

Did 17k in zone 2 today. Crawling pace by the end but stuck to it. It better had work!

@dashed. Nasty that but hopefully mend soon. Too easy to do.

4 days of consecutive running here – first time ever. Today was fifth day and program said a 45 min run in zone 1. An outing with the 4 year old On bike keeping up at a brisk walk was sufficient. It’s meant to he REALLY easy.

I’ve lowered my zones a bit as I think my zone 2 was too high. Long run tomorrow in zone 2 which will be pleasant.

Did hill reps yesterday for the first time in ages. 8×1 min with 2 mins recovery down. Went well and got a strava KOM without knowing. Not particularly relevant but inspires a bit.

Programmed workouts into Garmin forerunner watch and it’s truly brilliant!

I’m getting used to running on my own – hope I’m not getting anti-social.

I’m a big admirer of Garmin kit. Managed to find my Garmin chest strap HRM that I got with my Edge705 in 2009. Not used for about 9 years. Put a new battery in, put it on, set watch to find it and, Boom, it works. Seems more stable than the wrist but I’m going to have to tweak my zones a bit.

Been running 3 days in a row. Feeling it a bit but hill reps tomorrow.