The Running Thread Vol 2

[KTF]

Walk up the hills. There is no point wasting energy running up them when you can use it to catch them up on the way down.

[AbzST64]

KTF said:

The jiffle king said:

KTF said:

What's the bling like at the US events?

I'll answer more broadly

Spain (3.5 years living there)
Bling - never won one, but modest to be honest
Goodies - great, e.g. got a full bagette, cup of hot chocolate, bag, t-shirt and various other bits of tat
Cost to enter - Cheap as chips... normally 10euro as the local governments encourage running and pay to close the roads and sponsor many events
Competition - Pretty good at the front with multiple 15 min 5k runners and the top 100 would be under 20 minutes for sure, but a wide range of runners but few walkers

USA - Georgia (1.5 years living there)
Bling - usually way over the top, but only a personalized medal last night. I was 3rd in my age group on Saturday and won a patch with this on from Atlanta Track club
Goodies - technical t-shirt, bag, cups usually
Cost to enter - $25 for a 5k, $30-40 for a 10k and $50+ for a half, but mainly run by profit making organisations or charities to raise funds
Competition - Depends, but in a 5k only the top 20 would be under 20 minutes for a 5k and last night there were 4 of us. Last Saturday there were about 150 under 20 minutes I think. There are then the usual spread up to 40 minutes, but a bundle of people even in serious races who walk the whole thing. (Think 15-20% of the field)

If you want a good place, come and run in a US local 5k event. I've seen many won in 22-23 minutes and top 10 are 26 mins with fields of 3-400. Given the relative fitness and size of people I'm not that surprised.

Age category awards... This is amazing as you get the top 3 in a race (Male/Female) then the top 3 masters (M/F) then by each 10 or even 5 year age category from 10 to 90 a top 3 who all get an award... The ceremonies take forever!

In the US people do sport at kids and up to college age. It then goes to watching sport and watching kids do sport or going to a gym... (I'm being very generic) My run group has about 50 people of whom 35 go every week in a town of 50k. There are other run groups but they are smaller

Sorry for the long answer, but took the chance to explain

Thanks interesting, thanks. I thought the competition would be less in the US but a winning time of 22ish mins for the majority is surprising. A fair clump of parkrun people could turn up and show them a clean pair of heels. Strange as they seem keen on track and field.


When I go on holiday I do look for local events but it's normally the height of summer and 30+ so the natives wisely don't schedule any

Very interesting, thanks for that.

Im a mid 17 min 5k runner (37min 10k) and only managing top 10's (no podiums yet) at most here around Aberdeen & the shire, some quality runners appearing the last year or so.

[markh1973]

KTF said:

Walk up the hills. There is no point wasting energy running up them when you can use it to catch them up on the way down.

This - particularly if it's a trail race.

The only marathon I gave done (of 8 so far) without walking uphill was Brighton.

Also 2000 feet of climbing over marathon distance is not that much in reality so walking up those bits will really not cost you much time. But when you walk up them you have to do so with purpose - not simply stroll up gently.

[ewenm]

andy_s said:

Fantastic few days in Chamonix - caught up with quite a few guys n gals doing a variety of UTMB races, the terrain & lift is viscious so congrats to all, great atmosphere & now tempted by the PTL....

I was out there too for a family holiday. Some great performances by friends in the OCC, CCC and UTMB. Very inspiring but not sure I have the mindset for ultras. The thunderstorms on the second night were awesome - glad I wasn't out in it and I hope everyone stayed safe.

[andy_s]

ewenm said:

andy_s said:

Fantastic few days in Chamonix - caught up with quite a few guys n gals doing a variety of UTMB races, the terrain & lift is viscious so congrats to all, great atmosphere & now tempted by the PTL....

I was out there too for a family holiday. Some great performances by friends in the OCC, CCC and UTMB. Very inspiring but not sure I have the mindset for ultras. The thunderstorms on the second night were awesome - glad I wasn't out in it and I hope everyone stayed safe.

I know - mad deluge, I asked a few friends who were on the second night of UTMB about it and they weren't too phased, saying 'it only lasted 3 hours, the same time it took to do an ascent'...

[briangriffin]

Can anyone recommend a decent pair of running trainers for the marathon distance?

I'm doing ironman Wales in a few weeks and although I wear a pair of cloud runners for my long training runs and some cheaper mizuno's for shorter runs I'm looking for something lighter and comfy for the big day.

I had a pair of sondicos before which were incredibly good for me pace wise over shorter mileage but not so sure they'd stand up to 26 miles or at least my joints and muscles wouldn't stand up if I wore a new pair of them.

So light, comfy and not to chunky would be nice. Any help appriciated

[GTO-3R]

I'm doing my first 10k this weekend!

I've been running 5k parkruns for a few months with a pb of 22:51 last weekend so I'm hoping for a sub 45 min 10k but would be happy with a sub 50. A good friend of mine is also running and he's usually around 40 mins so I'll try and judge my pace off him.

[Tycho]

Gargamel said:

fLast long run before my Marathon on the 11th Sept. 20 miles in 3:15 1000ft of climb. bloody hurt and my knees ache tonight.

Feel panicked and undertrained, was really hard today, and wil have another 10k to run and 2000ft of climb on the day.

Any survival tips .....

You doing Farnham? If so, it is a really enjoyable marathon even though the last 1/2 mile is uphill. As has been said, walk up the hills especially the one at 12 miles if you are doing Farnham.

[smn159]

GTO-3R said:

I'm doing my first 10k this weekend!

I've been running 5k parkruns for a few months with a pb of 22:51 last weekend so I'm hoping for a sub 45 min 10k but would be happy with a sub 50. A good friend of mine is also running and he's usually around 40 mins so I'll try and judge my pace off him.

Have you done any longer runs as preparation? I'm in a similar position in that I've been running 5 or 6k regularly but not any longer runs yet, so interested in how you get on!

[GTO-3R]

smn159 said:

Have you done any longer runs as preparation? I'm in a similar position in that I've been running 5 or 6k regularly but not any longer runs yet, so interested in how you get on!

I've been running 4 times a week of about 6-7k, just done 6k on my work lunch break Being my first one I'm just going to go off how I'm feeling during the run, if at 7k I'm still feeling good then I'll press on but if I'm tired/sore then I'll just take it easy.

[egor110]

briangriffin said:

Can anyone recommend a decent pair of running trainers for the marathon distance?

I'm doing ironman Wales in a few weeks and although I wear a pair of cloud runners for my long training runs and some cheaper mizuno's for shorter runs I'm looking for something lighter and comfy for the big day.

I had a pair of sondicos before which were incredibly good for me pace wise over shorter mileage but not so sure they'd stand up to 26 miles or at least my joints and muscles wouldn't stand up if I wore a new pair of them.

So light, comfy and not to chunky would be nice. Any help appriciated

Surely you need to get your running gait analysed , especially if your doing a ironman .

I could recommend trainers that work for me but i really over pronate and if you say under pronate you'd probably end up getting injured.

[Cybertronian]

briangriffin said:

Can anyone recommend a decent pair of running trainers for the marathon distance?

I'm doing ironman Wales in a few weeks and although I wear a pair of cloud runners for my long training runs and some cheaper mizuno's for shorter runs I'm looking for something lighter and comfy for the big day.

I had a pair of sondicos before which were incredibly good for me pace wise over shorter mileage but not so sure they'd stand up to 26 miles or at least my joints and muscles wouldn't stand up if I wore a new pair of them.

So light, comfy and not to chunky would be nice. Any help appriciated

Whilst I'm not a triathlete, I can imagine it must feel dreadful having to embark on a long run after a long bike ride.

I would just stick with the Cloud Runners that you've been using in training, though perhaps get a fresh pair now so that you can break them in properly in time for the race. Lighter-weight shoes normally mean less support and cushioning, so the injury risk from less than efficient running form, especially if you're starting your run already fatigued from the long ride, will be pretty sizable. The advantages aren't enough to outweigh the disadvantages for such a long endurance event.

[egor110]

Doing the post today out in the sticks i was talking to a runner having a rest, turns out he's run from liverpool down to plymouth and when i met him he was on his way back to Liverpool!

His plan was to get to Bristol tonight although the hot weather wasn't helping.

He's doing it for cancer research and he's fking nuts because when he gets back on friday he's then heading up scaffell pike at the weekend for charity!

Here's his just giving page if anyone fancies helping out - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Barry-Donog...

Edited by egor110 on Tuesday 30th August 15:30

[The jiffle king]

BrianGriffin - At the end of an ironman, I would have something which will cushion your feet/legs, so I would ask a running store to advise on a shoe, or as above, buy a new pair of what you have trained in.

GTO-3R - All the best in the 10k. I would not try to pace myself off a 40min 10k runner unless you think you will be within a minute or so of them at the end. I would set my own pace and after 3k, you will find someone to pace you. I'd also let people run off quickly as they tire and it's great in the last half of the race to be over-taking people

[bigandclever]

egor110 said:

Runner

Who's going to tell him Scafell Pike isn't the UK's highest mountain

[GTO-3R]

The jiffle king said:

GTO-3R - All the best in the 10k. I would not try to pace myself off a 40min 10k runner unless you think you will be within a minute or so of them at the end. I would set my own pace and after 3k, you will find someone to pace you. I'd also let people run off quickly as they tire and it's great in the last half of the race to be over-taking people

Thanks jiffle. I'm under no illusions that I will be near him come the end it was more initially to gauge a pace. I've been put in a 40-49 minute group so will soon find someone to latch on to

[AbzST64]

GTO-3R said:

The jiffle king said:

GTO-3R - All the best in the 10k. I would not try to pace myself off a 40min 10k runner unless you think you will be within a minute or so of them at the end. I would set my own pace and after 3k, you will find someone to pace you. I'd also let people run off quickly as they tire and it's great in the last half of the race to be over-taking people

Thanks jiffle. I'm under no illusions that I will be near him come the end it was more initially to gauge a pace. I've been put in a 40-49 minute group so will soon find someone to latch on to

Yeah i echo what jiffle has said, run your own race at your pace...don't try stick with folk running a good 5mins faster than you (although you do get carried away sometimes)!

I can run a 10k in a decent pace (37mins) and the amount of people i still see fly out the blocks for 2k or so and i just casually run past as their pace drops but ive kept mine steady!

Does take some getting used to i fine but one you get into a good rhythm you should be fine & always try save a bit for the last 1km...if you haven't ran up to this distance before don't be surprised if your legs are like WTF!!!

[GTO-3R]

AbzST64 said:

Yeah i echo what jiffle has said, run your own race at your pace...don't try stick with folk running a good 5mins faster than you (although you do get carried away sometimes)!

I can run a 10k in a decent pace (37mins) and the amount of people i still see fly out the blocks for 2k or so and i just casually run past as their pace drops but ive kept mine steady!

Does take some getting used to i fine but one you get into a good rhythm you should be fine & always try save a bit for the last 1km...if you haven't ran up to this distance before don't be surprised if your legs are like WTF!!!

Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated. I've been training at a slower speed the last couple of weeks than I do Parkrun so I can get more of a longer distance pace.

Got some new trainers yesterday too, Nike Pegasus 33 and the run in them today was fantastic. The difference is incredible to my old ones (crap old New Balances I bought about 10 years ago) and got fitted out with moulded insoles.

Also it's my sisters wedding in the afternoon after the race so I expect to be like a cabbage sat in the corner come 7pm after 2 beers

[AbzST64]

GTO-3R said:

Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated. I've been training at a slower speed the last couple of weeks than I do Parkrun so I can get more of a longer distance pace.

Got some new trainers yesterday too, Nike Pegasus 33 and the run in them today was fantastic. The difference is incredible to my old ones (crap old New Balances I bought about 10 years ago) and got fitted out with moulded insoles.

Also it's my sisters wedding in the afternoon after the race so I expect to be like a cabbage sat in the corner come 7pm after 2 beers

No problem and good luck, at least it's your first 10k so a PB regardless

Great shoes, i wear Pegasus 32's and are brilliant so nice choice...just watch for blisters if you haven't worn them much before race day!

Aye get some food in you after the race or you'll be on the floor by 7pm after a few beers

Oh and something i always say to the folk i train, just go out and enjoy it!

[egor110]

GTO-3R said:

Thanks jiffle. I'm under no illusions that I will be near him come the end it was more initially to gauge a pace. I've been put in a 40-49 minute group so will soon find someone to latch on to

Work out your splits for each quarter then you can work out if your going too fast or slow , then if your on track last couple of k just hunt people down all the way to the finish.